Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Indies instrumental band Full Swing (MySpace), led by two musicians who play Hammond organ and bass, has a 3rd album just out. Their groovy songs are catchy and sound like they're party classics, although they're all original.

Check out the live clip below from a show last summer.

Full Swing "Our Song"

1. Express Train
2. The March of the Parade
3. A Rainy Song
4. Sunset Clouds
5. Lucky Seven
6. Our Song

Full Swing FSYY-0001
Out now (1/14), ¥1429 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon, HMV,

"Express Train"

Yuka Honda (Cibo Matto) has a brand new 3rd solo album out this week on John Zorn's Tzadik label! This succeeds "Eucademix" (2004) and "Memories Are My Only Witness" (2002), both truly brilliant electronic music albums that give high expectations of the new release. Featured musicians include Sean Lennon and guitarist Shimizu "Shimmy" Hirotaka (recently seen part of The Cornelius Group).

From Tzadik.com:
"The versatile composer/performer who has worked with Cibo Matto, Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, Mike Watt and many others, creates a third CD for the Tzadik Oracles series highlighting her fascinating new instrumental approach. Mixing funky beats, hip samples and instruments both acoustic and electric, Yuka's dramatic sense of sound and color creates a hypnotic groove for young moderns. Endlessly listenable, her first CD in over five years is also her very best!"

Audio samples at Amazon U.S.

Yuka Honda "Heart Chamber Phantoms"

1. Phantom With An Armor
2. Hydrosphere
3. Last Night, Late, By The Lake
4. Heart Chamber, Part I: Rock
5. Heart Chamber, Part II: Zoe
6. Waters On Mars
7. Little Hope
8. Robot Elephant's Tears
9. Cycle of Water

Tzadik cat no. #7722
Out 1/26
Order: Amazon U.S., Amazon Japan

Kinoco Hotel is a band of 4 girls that take inspiration from the GS (group sounds) scene that occurred in the 60's in Japan in response to the Beatles. Actually, they're pure GS complete with the matching outfits, the attitude and the great catchy rocking songs! This first album is titled after singer/keyboardist Marianne, and translates to "Marianne's depression".

Check out the first video clip below, which is included as CD-Extra.

Kinoco Hotel "Marianne no yūutsu"
キノコホテル 「マリアンヌの憂鬱」

1. shizuka na mori de
2. makka na Jelly
3. moetsukitai no
4. kaerazaru umi
5. Neon no namida
6. atashi no Sniper
7. yuyake ga shitteiru
8. Kinoco Hotel shoga

Tokuma Japan TKCA-73507
Out 2/3, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Here's a new album from singer dorlis, whose releases are all called "swingin' street". Always collaborating with interesting artists, this time there are songs featuring Sunaga Tatsuo, Ino Hidefumi, Toki Asako, quasimode, kotringo, paris match and more.

A video for "Room 305" is included as CD-Extra. Watch it below.

dorlis "swingin' street 4"

1. naite mo naite mo / dorlis × kotringo
2. koi no dōmei / dorlis × chihiRo (JiLL-Decoy association) × Sunaga Tatsuo
3. Room 305 / dorlis × Toki Asako
4. kowareru hodo aishisasete / dorlis × quasimode
5. sayonara no ato
6. koi suru Palette / dorlis × paris match
7. suiheisen to yūyake to kataomoi / dorlis × Likkle Mai
8. gozen 0ji no wana / dorlis × Ino Hidefumi
9. te to te totte
10. circle
11. Girl
12. hajimari no Rhythm

rhythm zone RZCD-46443
Out 1/27, ¥2858 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

A year since "Second Royal Vol.4", here comes a 5th compilation from the Kyoto label! Again this includes brand new tracks by label artists Halfby, Fredo, Rufus, Satoru Ono, a few remixes involving Handsomeboy Technique, and also tracks by new bands and ones the label recommends.

Listen to the sampler YouTube clip below, specially cut-up by Handsomeboy Technique.

Various Artists "Second Royal Vol.5"

1. Museum Of Bellas Artes / Who Do You Love (Handsomeboy Technique remix)
2. Turntable Films / Welcome To Me
3. The New House / Path To Freedom
4. Anarushin! / This My Love
5. Faron Square / Reason Of Lithography
6. Fredo / Over Action
7. Sainas / Gare (S.I.N.S Remix)
8. Tiny Bit Associates / Spazzy
9. Rufus / Welcome To My Room
10. Elias and the wizzkids / Mr Right Guy
11. Halfby / Blue Condition
12. Handsomeboy Technique / When The Sun Shines (Kate Remix)
13. Satoru Ono / I Will Be There
14. Kate / Study
15. Princeton - Waves (Rufus Remix)

Second Royal SRCD-022 / XQGE-1022
Out 1/27, ¥2300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

See also:
Handsomeboy Technique "Terrestrial Tone Cluster"
Various Artists "Second Royal Vol.4"
Rufus "Pocket Full of Nothing"
Various Artists "Second Royal volume.3"
Halfby "Side Farmers"
Various Artists "Second Royal - Limited Edition for Nagisa Festival 2007"
Fredo "Remack!"

Today a brand new song by HNC (Hazel Nuts Chocolate) has been released exclusively on iTunes! The love song comes a month ahead of Valentine's Day.

HNC "Don't You Think You Come To Love Me" (Download)

White Lily Records
Out now, ¥150
Sample/buy:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

Konishi Yasuharu has started a new label called Readymade V.I.C., hosted under major label Victor. This first release is a 2-CD collection of his best remixes from 1997 until now. Included are 6 brand new remixes using Victor's catalog (marked with a * in the track list below).

Update (2/24): 5 brand new remixes have been released in advance on iTunes Japan!

Various Artists "Attractions! Konishi Yasuharu Remixes 1996~2010"

Disc 1
1. Trailer
2. Supremes / You can't hurry love (2007)
3. James Brown / Sex machine (2002)
4. Hipster Image / Make her mine (1999)
5. Twiggy / When I think of you (2002)
6. Cornelius / Count 5,6,7,8 (1998)
7. Happy End / haikara hakuchi (2002)
8. YMO / Technopolis (1999)
9. Eleki Hachimaki / (it's a) Gloomy day (1999)
10. Coba / K jungle (1996)
11. Yamashita Takeo / Playgirl (1999)
12. FPM / I love FPM (1999)
13. Takanaka Masayoshi / Blue lagoon (2001)

Disc 2
1. Boys Town Gang / Can't take my eyes off of you (2009) *
2. SMAP / Shake (2009) *
3. Sagara Naomi / watashi no suki na mono (2009) *
4. Hashi Yukio / koi no Mexican Rock (2009) *
5. Yukimura Izumi / koibito ni natte (I want you to be my baby) (2009) *
6. Lupin the 3rd shudaika 3 (1998)
7. Finger 5 / koi no Dial 6700 (1999)
8. Crazy Ken Band / Hayama Twist (1999)
9. Sheena & the Rokkets / Lemon Tea (2009) *
10. CCB / Romantic ga tomaranai (2007)
11. Kirinji / kimi no mune ni dakaretai ~ Aliens (2002)
12. Matsudaira Ken / Matsuken Samba (2004)
13. Shōnentai / ABC (2007)

READYMADE V.I.C VICL-63415
Out 3/3, ¥3048 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Trivia!
An early track list included "Tom Jones / Tom Jones international (2002)" on CD 1, and no "Trailer".

Finally a new single by Halcali! Title track "Endless Night" is produced by Ram Rider and features Bose (Scha Dara Parr), while the B-side "Yes" is produced by m-flo's Verbal. The single is being described as dance music.

Watch the video below!

Halcali "Endless Night"

1. Endless Night
2. Yes
3. Endless Night (Instrumental)
4. Yes (Instrumental)

Epic ESCL-3353
Out 1/27, ¥1165 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

This new album from Nakatsuka Takeshi is a collaboration with fashion brand Abahouse's 5351 Pour Les Hommes line. The sound is being described as "dance rock", and unusually doesn't feature any guest singer. This comes a year and a half after album "Kiss & Ride" (2008).

Nakatsuka Takeshi "Rock'N'Roll Circus"
中塚武 「Rock'N'Roll Circus」

1. Countdown to the End of Time
2. Johnny Murphy
3. Luv'tween the Sheets
4. On and On
5. Stompin' Jack Flash
6. bokura no sekai (You and Me and the world)
7. Circus (Set Me Free)

Universal UPCH-1766
Out 1/20, ¥1905 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Popular techno-pop girl-boy unit Sweet Vacation (MySpace) brings us this album of covers, including hit tunes such as YMO's "Behind The Mask", Aerosmith feat. Run DMC's "Walk This Way", and theme songs from "Ghostbusters" and "Goonies".

Some audio samples at MySpace.

Sweet Vacation "Cover The Vacation"

1. Because Of You
2. Ghostbusters
3. Behind The Mask
4. Walk This Way
5. Kids
6. Suddenly I See
7. Sweet Child O' Mine ~2nd edition~
8. The Goonies "r" Good Enough ~Sexy-Synthesizer Remix~

Victor VICL-63526
Out 1/20, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Here comes a greatest hits album of Polysics (MySpace), covering from when drummer Yano joined in 2005 until now. This also precedes the leaving of singer Kayo who announced she will quit the band after their March 14 show at Budōkan (Tokyo Gig Guide). Polysics sound positive to continue afterwards, maybe even sooner than it would be expected.

There's a limited edition with a bonus 2nd CD. (The regular edition only contains disc 1.)

Polysics "BESTOISU!!!!"

Disc 1
1. Baby BIAS
2. Young OH! OH!
3. Rocket
4. Digital Coffee
5. Electric Surfin' Go Go
6. White Snake
7. I My Me Mine
8. Beat Flash
9. Pretty Good
10. jinsei no hai
11. Shizuka is a machine doctor
12. Catch On Everywhere
13. Boys & Girls
14. Coelacanth Is Android
15. Speed Up
16. Shout Aloud!
17. You-You-You

Disc 2 (Limited edition only)
1. Too Much Tokyo
2. VIVA!
3. First Aid (Alternative Version)
4. I Say I Don't Want
5. Moog is Love (English Version)
6. Metal Coconuts
7. Rain Rain Rain
8. Super Sonic
9. XCT (Live at Rock In Japan Fes 2007)
10. S.V.O (Live at Shinjuku Loft 2009)
11. For Young Electric Pop (Live at Rock In Japan Fes.2009)
12. natsu Bam Bam

Limited edition (2 CDs)
Ki/oon KSCL-1536
Out 1/13, ¥3334 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Regular edition (Only 1 CD)
Ki/oon KSCL-1538
Out 1/13, ¥2914 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Here's a new remix compilation from Crue-L Records, compiled by Takimi Kenji. This includes songs by many Crue-L artists, remixed by Sunahara Yoshinori, Ken Ishii, Inoue Kaoru, Yura Yura Teikoku, and more. Many previously unreleased tracks, or ones on CD for the first time!

The special packaging is made of cardboard held with screws, designed by Tone Twilight (Emori Takeaki, ex-Citrus).

Various Artists "Post Newnow - Crue-L Classic Remixes Vol.2 - Compiled by Kenji Takimi"

1. Discossession feat. Rie Lambdoll / TV Scene (Soft Rocks Remix)
2. Crue-L Grand Orchestra / Endbeginning (Dazz Y DJ Nobu Omi Remix)
3. Port of Notes / Regret (Y.Sunahara's Studio's Remix Instrumental)
4. Luger E-Go Tiger Leo / Another Sun Lula (Mark E Remix)
5. Stoned Green Apples / Sugar K (Yura Yura Teikoku Remix)
6. Librodisia / Got To Be Real (Force of Nature's 2 Years Waited Remix)
7. Hiroshi Fujiwara / Sametape? (Ken Ishii Remix)
8. Luger E-Go / A Trader In Furs Living In Exile (Quiet Village Remix)
9. Port of Notes / You Gave Me a Love (Southend Stepper's Soul by Kaoru Inoue)

Crue-L KYTHM-130DA
Out 1/22, ¥2400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV

Just after the release of his new album "I'm your clown" comes this mix CD by Itō Yōichirō (aka Akakage). Containing a selection of rock and pop tracks, the whole is centered on Akakage's new song "Together" which is featured in a commercial for Casio's Oceanus solar-powered watch. The song, sung by himself, can be heard on the Oceanus official site.

Various Artists "Oceanus Presents Time To Play -Generation Hip Star- Mixed by Yoichiro Itoh"

(Title / Artist)
1. Together / Yōichirō Itō
2. Opening jingle ~ Time to Play
3. It's Like That / Barefoot
4. Feel Me / Imelda May
5. Cuntry Boys & City Girls / The Fratellis
6. Two-Timing Touch And Broken Bones / The Hives
7. Rock N Roll / Remi Nicole
8. Hey Little Rich Girl / Amy Winehouse
9. Rehab / Trio Valore
10. Mama Said / Dionne Bromfield
11. You Can't Hurry Love / The Supremes
12. I Just Fell In Love Again / Quantic & His Combo Barbaro
13. What'cha Gonna Do About It? / The Small Faces
14. I'm Waiting For The Man / The Velvet Underground
15. Mercy / Duffy
16. Tropicalia / Beck
17. You Know What / N*E*R*D
18. Everytime / Bent Fabric Feat. Peter Frodin
19. My Interpretation / Mika
20. Sunday Morning / Maroon 5
21. Smile / Madeleine Peyroux

Universal UICY-4520
Out 1/20, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV

Akakage (aka Itō Yōichirō) has a new album called "I'm your clown" coming! This is his 4th album, the previous being "Fighissima" (2006). This is said to be a sort of conceptual album with a circus theme, being referred to as a sort of "Sgt. Pepper" in Akakage's career, and to adventure one big step outside of club music. This is pop music from Tokyo to the world.

This album is already available in advance on iTunes Japan.

1. The Party Starts!
2. Just clap your hands ~ The Ninja Strikes Back
3. Baby elephant acrobatics
4. Big Eater
5. she loves me
6. L.O.V.E.
7. Paradise Beach
8. Joking Pierrot
9. My World
10. Smile
11. The music from outer space.
12. Jewels in Istanbul
13. don't stop
14. Far away
15. see you again

File Records FRCD-199
Out 2010/1/15, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV,