Tokyo's Coolest Sound

South African band Desmond & The Tutus (MySpace) has got a remix 12" EP released in Japan. Featured are remixes by Cubismo Grafico, Love and Hates (HNC side-project) and 80kidz.

Desmond & The Tutus "Desmond & The Tutus EP" (12")

1. Kiss You On The Cheek (80kidz Remix)
2. Old Girls (Cubismo Grafico Mix)
3. Peter (a&na Mix)
4. Peter (Love and Hates Remix)

Flake Sounds FLAKES-020
Out now (2/25), ¥
Order: Jet Set

New-comer mini, a model for gal fashion magazines, has a first single coming, sounding like electro-rock. A remix by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule).

A limited edition contains a bonus DVD, and comes with a slightly different jacket.

Watch the video at YouTube.

mini "Are U Ready?"

1. Are U Ready?
2. Special memory
3. Are U Ready? (Nakata Yasutaka Remix)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Cutting Edge CTCR-40308
Out 3/3, ¥1524 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon (12% off *), HMV (10% off *), YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing

Reguar edition (CD only)
Cutting Edge CTCR-4039
Out 3/3, ¥953 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia,

Sunaga Tatsuo (Sunaga t Experience) produces this new cover album of songs from "Lupin the 3rd", arranged in club jazz fashion. Featured from Japan are Sunaga t Experience, TRI4TH (jazz band recently performing Konishi Yasuharu's "Talk Like Singing" musical), Ego-Wrappin', Soil & "Pimp" Sessions and Katteni-Shiyagare. Worldwide guests include The Five Corners Quintet (from Helsinki, Finland), Geraldo Frisina (featured on the latest Sunaga t Experience album), and more.

Various Artists "Club Jazz Digs Lupin The Third"

(Title / Artist)
1. Lupin the 3rd no Theme / Soil & "Pimp" Sessions
2. hijōsen toppa / Fabrizio Bosso - Max Inonata Quartet
3. Lupin the 3rd - ai no Theme / Ego-Wrappin' and the Gossip of Jaxx
4. Love Squall / Rosalia de Souza
5. Lupin the 3rd no Theme / The Five Corners Quintet
6. Lupin the 3rd no Theme / Christian Prommer's Drumlesson
7. Super Hero / Katteni Shiyagare
8. Samba Temperado / Geraldo Frisina
9. Lupin the 3rd no Theme / Sunaga t Experience
10. honō no takaramono / TRI4TH

Victor VICL-63544
Out 3/3 3/10, ¥2800
Order: Amazon, HMV, YesAsia, CDJapan,

Singer-songwriter Kojima Mayumi has a new album, her 8th, out earlier this month.

Hear sound samples at HearJapan.

Kojima Mayumi "Blue Rondo"

1. nemurenai yoru
2. Paper Moon
3. Suspiria!
4. kuroneko no Cha Cha Cha
5. Arabesque
6. usotsuki musume
7. Merry Go Round
8. ōkina chizu
9. aoi Rondo
10. ute! Trumpeter

AWDR/LR2 DDCB-12017
Out now (2/3), ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia,

"Arabesque" music video

Finally!! Here's a new album from capsule, over a year since their previous original album "MORE! MORE! MORE!". A limited edition contains a video clip for song "Hello" used in promotion for AU mobile phone iida (see the commercial below).

At the same time is released a soundtrack by capsule's Nakata Yasutaka, containing music for the 2nd series of TV drama "Liar Game" as well as the movie about to start in theaters March 6.

The capsule album contains two main vocal tracks used in "Liar Game", which are already available on iTunes. These can also be sampled on MySpace. Details follow below.

Update (3/9): Buying the album at iTunes Japan includes a bonus remix not included on the CD album.

capsule "PLAYER"

1. Stay with You (from "Liar Game ~ The Final Stage")
2. Player
3. I wish You
4. The Music
5. Factory
6. I was Wrong
7. Can I Have A Word
8. What do you want to do
9. Hello [au PRISMID/PLY CM Song new ver.]
10. Love or Lies (from "Liar Game ~ The Final Stage")

DVD (Limited edition only)
1. Hello×iida -music clip-

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Yamaha YCCC-10016
Out 3/3, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition
Yamaha YCCC-10017
Out 3/3, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Nakata Yasutaka "Liar Game 2 ~ Season 2 & gekijoban Original Sountrack ~"
中田ヤスタカ 「LIAR GAME2 ~シーズン2&劇場版 オリジナルサウンドトラック~」

1. Garden of Eden
2. LIAR GAME -Season2 edit-
3. Steal up Behind
4. Desert Road
5. Golden Rule
6. Silent Revive
7. Selfish
8. Paradise Lost
9. Electric Circuit
10. Coming Closer
11. Strangers
12. Far Away
13. Electrode Spark 0102
14. Strategy Meeting

Yamaha YCCW-50006
Out 3/3, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

au iida PLY TV commercial

This first vinyl cut off FPM's new album "FPM" contains an extended mix of "Without You" (feat. Monkey Magik).

FPM "FPM ep.1" (12")

A1. Without You (extended mix)
B1. Madness

Face The Music FMR-154
Out 2/26, ¥1680
Pre-order: Jet Set

Here's a first label sampler compilation from Sakamoto Ryūichi's commmons, also hoping to give a good starting point to new fans of the label. Featured artists include HASYMO, Sakamoto Ryūichi, mi-gu (aka Araki Yūko, drummer of The Cornelius Group), naomi & goro, Kotringo, OOIOO, Kuchiroro, Asa-chang & Junray, and many more.

The limited edition contains a bonus DVD with music clips and an interview of Sakamoto introducing the label.

Various Artists "CC:01 -commmons compilation-"

(Title / Artist)
1. The City of Light / HASYMO
2. ax Mr. L. / Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto
3. Private Party / Aoki Takamasa
4. Saffron Revolution / Fennesz
5. O Waly, Waly / Fretwork and Clare Wilkinson
6. to stanford / Kotringo
7. Silent Clouds / naomi & goro
8. utsushite nagameru / Aoyagi Takuji
9. firewater / Sakamoto Ryūichi
10. Prepare Your Coffin / Tortoise
11. Choose the Light / mi-gu
12. SOL / OOIOO
13. Peace!!! / AA=
14. Golden King / Kuchiroro
15. Woman no onna/ Asa-chang & Junray

DVD (Limited edition only)
1. koko / Sakamoto Ryūichi
2. u_09-1-2 / Alva Noto
3. Tokyo Town Pages / HASYMO
4. oide yo / Kotringo
5. Tonight / Kuchiroro
6. Freedom / AA=
7. pulling from above ~Jickbeats Version~ / mi-gu
8. Prepare Your Coffin / Tortoise
9. SOL / OOIOO

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
commmons RZCM-46391
Out 2/24, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (19% off *), HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD+DVD)
commmons RZCM-46392
Out 2/24, ¥2191 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Crazy Ken Band's leader Yokoyama Ken will celebrate his 50th birthday this year on July 7. Fans are treated to two all-time greatest hits albums, each containing 15 tracks. This covers their whole career, and comes from two different labels, Universal and P-vine. Limited editions each contain a bonus DVD with unreleased live show footage.

The titles "tsuru" (crane) and "kame" (turtle) are symbols of good luck, surely better when put together. :)

Crazy Ken Band "Crazy Ken Band Best tsuru"
クレイジーケンバンド 「クレイジーケンバンド・ベスト 鶴」

1. hirugao
2. nikutai kankei Part2 gyaku feat. Crazy Ken Band
3. Tiger & Dragon
4. a, yarutokya yaranakya dame nanoyo.
5. September (Original Ver.)
6. Loco Loco Sunset Cruise
7. Towel, ongakuryoku (Long Ver. Mix)
8. abuku
9. ikiru.
10. eyecatch tsuru <sono ichi>
11. Hong Kong Grand Prix
12. aru Racer no shi
13. Hilltop Mansion
14. ta·su·ke·te
15. Chaos ryōri
16. karappo no machikado
17. eyecatch tsuru <sono ni>
18. 12gatsu 17nichi

DVD (Limited edition only)
"Omake!!!: Official Bootleg Live DVD (at Summer Express 2009 in Hayama Marina)"
1. ongakuryoku, Towel
2. nikutai kankei Part 3
3. Hayama Twist
4. Loco Loco Sunset Cruise
5. Let's Go CKB, Tiger & Dragon
6. hirugao
7. Girlfriend

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Universal UMCK-9322
Out 2/24, ¥3700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (18% off *), HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD only)
Universal UMCK-1349
Out 2/24, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Crazy Ken Band "Crazy Ken Band Best kame"
クレイジーケンバンド 「クレイジーケンバンド・ベスト 亀」

1. GT
2. otoko no kassōro
3. tenyawanya desuyo
4. Girlfriend
5. 37°ree;C feat. Trio the Dog Horns
6. aki ni nacchatta
7. chūkosha
8. taiyō no Montecarlo
9. kame
10. eyecatch kame <sono ichi>
11. Hama no Ambassador w/ Fire Ball and Papa B
12. Shōwa Residence
13. kinryū shūka
14. California Roll
15. hakkō! shinyazoku
16. kibori no ryū
17. eyecatch kame <sono ni>
18. Christmas nante, dai kirai!! nanchatte

DVD (Limited edition only)
"Omake!!!: Official Bootleg Live DVD 'Aoyama 246 shinyazoku no yoru' at Cay (2000/9/2)"
1. Handsome na Playboy
2. Hakone Panorama Go Go
3. Shalimar
4. Marilyn Monroe No Return w/ Nosaka Akiyuki
5. shumatsu no Tango w/ Nosaka Akiyuki
6. Walker Hills Boogaloo
7. September
8. BOMB!CUTE!BOMB!
9. Lady Mustang

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
P-vine POCS-22004
Out 2/24, ¥3700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (18% off *), HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD only)
P-vine POCS-22005
Out 2/24, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

The latest from Osaka label Orange Records is a band formed in 2007 called Little Lounge*Little Twinkle. The quiet pop unit of 3 features viola and cute female vocals.

Audio samples at Tower Records and Orange Records' MySpace.

Little Lounge*Little Twinkle "stitch"

1. introduction
2. white kidnapper
3. PEA
4. biscotti
5. Δ (DELTA)
6. Mennaan kahville !
7. Hameenlinna
8. scrap book
9. stitch

Orange Records ORGR-34
Out 2/17, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Sally Kubota (Les 5-4-3-2-1, Sally Soul Stew) has went back to studio with two former band mates from The Phantom Gift, his 80's neo-GS band, to make music for the soundtrack of this full-length documentary about the Toyota 2000GT sports car.

The documentary is available on DVD. (See information below.)

Documentary official site

Original Soundtrack "ryūsen no kanata"
オリジナル・サウンド・トラック 「流線の彼方」
The Toyota 2000GT Documentary 1965-1970

1. kokō no GT Car ~ Introduction
2. Jenny wa usotsuki
3. Kill Moon Rider
4. hayate to shōdō I ~ Owner's Talk
5. Driver's Rock GT
6. Fisco Guitar
7. Fisco Guitar
8. mahō no Tambourine
9. ryusen to hōkō ~ Caroll Shelby
10. MF10 no Theme
11. GT tengoku
12. hayate to shōdō II ~ Caroll Shelby
13. Rira no kamikazari
14. Heart ni OK!
15. Toyota 2000GT wa sakebu!

Sopwith Camel SOPCD-1001
Out 2/17, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV

"ryūsen no kanata" (DVD)
「流線の彼方」
The Toyota 2000GT Documentary 1965-1970

(114 min. / Color, some parts B&W / Vista / Dolby Digital 5.1ch / Region 2 NTSC)

Out now (2/10), ¥4935
Order: Amazon (26% off at time of writing), HMV, YesAsia, CDJapan

Documentary trailer (Music: "Heart ni OK!")

This looks like it might be a real gem of a compilation! The concept is of idols singing theme songs of anime series about magical girls, and tracks are produced by various club-oriented artists.

Featured singers include Shinohara Tomoe and Vanilla Beans, as well as girls from AKB48, Idoling!!! and what seems to be various gravure idols.

As far as producers go, the list includes some of Japan's up-and-coming artists, such as Sexy-Synthesizer, Cherryboy Function and Yano Hiroyasu (ex-Cymbals), but also surprising international big names such as Christopher Just, Bootsy Collins (Parliament), Mr.Hardgroove (Public Enemy) and Paolo Scotti. Shinohara Tomoe had 3 songs (all from the series Creamy Mami that she's a huge fan of), one she even produced herself, and Vanilla Beans have collaborations with Sexy-Synthesizer and Ishii Masayuki (Tica).

To make this even better, this is a 2-CD deal, and at a very nice price. The first pressing comes with a 3rd CD containing messages from each featured vocalist.

Various Artists "Kirakira Majocco Cluv"
オムニバス 「キラキラ 魔女ッ娘 Cluv」
(Japanese title "kirakira majokko Cluv")

CD 1
1. mahōtsukai Chappy ("mahōtsukai Chappy" OP) / Takiguchi Mira × Sexy-Synthesizer
2. Lum no Love Song ("urusei yatsura" OP) / Kago Ai × Mr.Hardgroove (Public Enemy)
3. majokko Megu ("majokko Megu-chan" OP) / chiaki × Electrocute
4. tokimeki Tonight ("tokimeki Tonight" OP) / Kyan Chiaki × Carlos Aoki (Pan Pacific Playa)
5. Teleportation . koi no mikakunin ("Esper Mami") / Marin × Maho Thai Disco
6. ojamajo Carnival!! ("ojamajo Doremi" OP) / Satomi Akane × Bootsy Collins
7. Love sarigenaku ("mahō no tenshi Creamy Mami" OP) / Shinohara Tomoe × Christopher Just
8. fushigi na Melmo ("fushigi na Melmo" OP) / Anzu Sayuri × bymski
9. fushigi iro Happiness ("mahō no Star Magical Emi" OP) / Vanilla Beans × Ishii Masayuki (Tica)
10. Suki Suki Song ("himitsu no Akko-chan" ED) / Tashiro Sayaka × dj scotch egg
11. Bin.Kan Rouge ("mahō no tenshi Creamy Mami") / Suzuki Rin × cherryboy function
12. Over The Future ("zettai karen Children" OP) / Miyaji Mao × Plastic Operator
13. innocent starter ("mahō shōjo Lyrical Nanoha" OP) / No Color × Lightaman Jr
14. Catch You Catch Me ("Cardcaptor Sakura" OP) / Sugimoto Yumi × Yano Hiroyasu
15. mishiranu kuni no Tripper ("mahō no yōsei Persia" OP) / Isoyama Sayaka × Strings Burn (Pan Pacific Playa)

CD 2
1. himitsu no Akko-chan ("himitsu no Akko-chan" OP) / Kago Ai × Paolo Scotti
2. tokimeki Tonight ("tokimeki Tonight" OP) / chiaki × Plastic Operator
3. Delicate ni sushite ("mahō no tenshi Creamy Mami" OP) / Shinohara Tomoe × Christopher Just
4. Love Love Minky Momo ("mahō no Princess Minky Momo" OP) / Komine Rena × Bootsy Collins
5. Super Love Lotion ("tokimeki Tonight" ED) / Anzu Sayuri × Mr.Hardgroove (Public Enemy)
6. LaLaLa ~ kuchibiru ni negai o komete ~ ("mahō no Stage Fancy Lala" OP) / Vanilla Beans × Sexy-Synthesizer
7. Cutie Honey ("Cutie Honey" OP) / Sugimoto Yumi × bymski
8. mahōtsukai Sally no uta ("mahōtsukai Sally" OP) / Kyan Chiaki × dj scotch egg
9. suki? kirai!? suki!!! ("zero no tsukaima ~futatsuki no kishi~" ED) / Asakura Erika × Karate Psycho
10. Rouge no dengon ("majo no takkyūbin") / Tashiro Sayaka × Maho Thai Disco
11. Moonlight densetsu ("bishōjo senshi Sailor Moon" OP) / La Pafait Princess × B-Club
12. DANZEN! futari wa Pretty Cure ("futari wa Pretty Cure" OP) / Yamamoto Azusa × Lightaman Jr
13. hitoribocchi no Meg ("majokko Megu-chan" ED) / Yokota Miki × Electrocute
14. Delicate ni suki shite ("mahō no tenshi Creamy Mami" OP) / Shinohara Tomoe × Shinohara Tomoe
15. hana no ko Lunlun ("hana no ko Lunlun" OP) / Marin × Paolo Scotti

CD 3 (First pressing only)
Voice message from all featured idols

P-Vine Records XNAE-10023
Out 2/10, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia,

Following "Electro Girl Lovers" released last year, here comes another electro compilation of the same series. This one contains mainly previously released tracks, featuring FPM, m-flo, Suzuki Ami joins Nakata Yasutaka (capsule), Ōsawa Shinichi, immi, Mademoiselle Yulia and many others of Tokyo's electro scene. A new song by artist Elmio (Japanese artist on Irma Records) is also included.

Various Artists "Tokio Electro Lovers"

(Title / Artist)
1. Static / ELMIO
2. SOUND BOY THRILLER feeeeeeeeeeat. LISA / m-flo
3. FREE FREE / Suzuki Ami joins Nakata Yasutaka (capsule)
4. Euphoria (Shinichi Osawa remix) / Fantastic Plastic Machine
5. Friction Between The Lovers / AMWE
6. Touch Me / MADEMOISELLE YULIA
7. London Bridge / MiChi
8. Music Gets Me Free / TIGARAH
9. Groove Is In The Heart / yuma
10. Cat's Free / Ikio Ayaka
11. Our Song / Shinichi Osawa
12. Cosmic Pink (The Lowbrows remix) / immi

King KICP-5054
Out 2/10, ¥2286 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Mutō Shōhei, drummer and singer of "jazz-punk" band Katteni-Shiyagare, has a first solo album coming, and it contains a FPM remix.

Mutō Shōhei "Two Pairs"
武藤昭平 「トゥーペア」

1. Two Pairs
2. Pinocchio no hana
3. Rico (Album version)
4. Pretty Venus
5. sabaku no Crater
6. Wine Red no kokoro
7. wataridori
8. Falling Down
9. Brunch Rumba
10. Exit (FPM Everlust Mix)
11. shifuku no sora ~No Music, No Life.~
12. Mother Earth Paradise

tearbridge NFCD-27256
Out 2/10, ¥2953 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia