Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Electro-lounge artist Yasuda Toshiyuki has a first remix mini-album out now, for download only on iTunes worldwide. Included are 3 original songs plus remixes by Los Recyclers, Suzywan, Digiki and Little Nobody.

Read the artist's liner notes on his web site.

Toshiyuki Yasuda "Renix" (Download)

1. Tolo Típico
2. Tolo Típico (Los Recyclers' Apagon Remix)
3. Blind Bound
4. Blind Bound (Suzywan Remix)
5. Pink House
6. Pink House (Digiki re:mix)
7. Pink House (Little Nobody's Cue: Bricks Combined Mix)

Megadolly MDD-1004
Out now (5/26), ¥858 (excl. 10% tax)
Sample/buy:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

Here's an interesting compilation of 80's Japanese hit song covers by young bands of the post-Shibuya-kei scene! Featured are The Aprils, Yume to Cosme (previously known as solange et delphine), Mr.COCKROBIN, roly poly ragbear, Sucrette, the Caraway and more. This is available for download only on iTunes for the nice price of ¥1200.

Various Artists "TOKYO Auto-Reverse ~ Neo-Shibuya-kei x 80's ~" (Download)
オムニバス 「TOKYO Auto-Reverse ～ネオ渋谷系×80's～」

(Title / Artist)
1. otoko no kunshō / Mr.COCKROBIN (Original: Shima Daisuke)
2. u-fu-fu-fu / metrotrip (Original: EPO)
3. toki o kakeru shōjo / Aprils (Original: Harada Tomoyo)
4. futari no natsumonogatari / Sugimoto Kiyotaka (orangenoise shortcut) (Original: Sugiyama Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe)
5. atsuki kokoro ni / Soda fountains (Original: Kobayashi Akira)
6. haikara san ga tōru / Yume to Cosme (Original: Minamino Yoko)
7. Wedding Bell / roly poly ragbear (Original: Sugar)
8. High School Lullaby / Rissen (Original: Imokin Trio)
9. soshite boku wa tōhō ni kureru / one note (Orignal: Ōsawa Yoshiyuki)
10. sekidō komachi doki / Sucrette (Original: Yamashita Kumiko)
11. Smile For You / the Caraway (Original: Kawai Naoko "Smile For Me")
12. My Revolution / Pitcher56 (Original: Watanabe Misato)

Studio Rissen
Out now (5/26), ¥1200
Order:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

Yakushimaru Etsuko (sōtaiseiriron) has a new solo single out now. Title song "Venus to Jesus" ("Venus and Jesus") is the opening theme of anime "Arakawa Under The Bridge".

HMV offers a sticker sheet while supplies last.

Audio samples at HMV

Yakushimaru Etsuko "Venus to Jesus"
やくしまるえつこ 「ヴィーナスとジーザス」

1. Venus to Jesus
2. Mister Mismaker
3. nekomeshi

KICM-1312
Out now (5/26), ¥1200
Order: Amazon, HMV, CDJapan,

"Venus to Jesus"

pal@pop (aka producer Takano Kenichi) is known for having produced songs like Halcali's "Re: yasashii kimochi" and Chappie's "Welcoming Morning" as well as many others. He now has a new song available now on iTunes Japan, featuring Inagaki Saki (comedian name "Sakura").

The single contains 3 versions of the song "hatsukoi".

pal@pop feat. Inagaki Saki "hatsukoi" (Download)

1. hatsukoi ♥ ~ Pure na Saki-chan Version ~
2. hatsukoi ♥ ~ monomane na Saki-chan Version ~
3. hatsukoi ♥ ~ genki na Saki-chan Version ~

Out now (5/26), ¥600
Sample/buy:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

Short version promo clip

Just out is an 8th album from Clammbon, it had been 3 years since the previous "Musical". The title "2010" is read "nisenjū".

Audio samples at HMV

Clammbon "2010"

1. serendipity
2. KANADE Dance
3. NOW!!! (2010 ver.)
4. SUPER☆STAR
5. JAPANESE MANNER
6. Ka-Ka-KaLMa！
7. Sooo, Quiet
8. harerutomajika
9. tiny pride
10. 4hands_cp_waves (1/4)
11. Aspen
12. akare from HERE (clammbon side)
13. Bug -fughetta-

Columbia COCP-36181
Out now (5/19), ¥2858 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

"Sooo, Quiet" music video

The FLiRT is a brand new all-star girl unit from Tokyo's club scene. Members are DJ:C3 (aka Fujisawa Shiho), RON (aka hiro:n), Reeju (aka Shōno Juli), and cham. Their first release is a 2-song 12" single that features Kawanishi Suguru on scratching. "Dance Terminal" is an upbeat electro house track while B-side "Tokyo Music Lovers" an R&B track with a sax solo.

Audio samples at MySpace

FLiRT "Dance Terminal / Tokyo Music Lovers" (12")

A. Dance Terminal
B. Tokyo Music Lovers

Eat Records ERF-001
Out now (5/26), ¥1296 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

Italian DJ/producer Karin De Ponti's hit track "The Angels", heavily borrowing from Charlie's Angels' theme, is back on 12" with a brand new electro-house remix by Tokyo girl DJ Fujisawa Shiho!

Audio samples at Jet Set and at Shiho's MySpace

Karin De Ponti "The Angels (Gonna Get You Back)" (12")

A. The Angels (Club Craze Mix)
B. The Angels (Shiho Fujisawa Mix)

Ego (Italy) 245 8
Out now (2/25)
Order: Jet Set

Japan-based Italian jazz label Norma Blu was started last year by Paolo Scotti, mainly releasing albums from his Italian label Dejavu. This year began series "Capitolo" selected by Japanese DJs. The first one out last March was done by Jazztronik , and this 2nd one is selected by Sunaga Tatsuo (Sunaga t Experience). Out at the same time is another by DJ Kobayashi Kei .

Audio samples at HMV

Various Artists "Tatsuo Sunaga & Norma Blu Capitolo 2"

1. Soul4 / Lisa
2. Quartetto Trevi / Boon Jackie Boom Chick
3. Train Up / Day What A Day
4. Roberto Tarenzi Trio / Ilusiondelusiondisillusion
5. Stefania Rava / Ordinary Pain
6. Soul4 / New Delhi
7. Gianni Basso / Blue Bossa
8. Aoki Karen / Trigger
9. Roberto Tarenzi Trio / One Afternoon
10. Stefania Rava / Never Was Love
11. Guido Pistocchi Quintet / You Can't Go Home Again

Norma Blu PCCY-30162
Out now (5/19), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Here comes a new release from techno-pop idol Aira Mitsuki, a first mini-album since her 2nd album "PLASTIC" last summer. This release is announced as marking the beginning of a "2nd season". We do notice some change in the visuals, but also 3 tracks here feature live dance music band Sawagi. Her recent one-man live featured them for a segment, but also a live backband supporting for the rest of the show.

This mini-album comes in 2 slightly confusing editions, with different artwork and a different bonus track. The so-called limited edition has the tracks separated on two CDs, although both have the same number of tracks. They're almost the same price too.

Two tracks have already been released in advance on iTunes. All songs can be sampled at MySpace.

HMV (and Tower Records, which doesn't ship abroad anymore) each offer a bonus CD with an extra song.

Aira Mitsuki "6 FORCE"

Limited edition (2 CDs)

CD 1 - Produced by Terukado
1. HEAT MY LOVE
2. Wonder touch
3. lie days
4. Yellow Submarine
CD 2 - Produced by Sawagi
1. FAKE
2. LEVEL5
3. TURKEY

D-topia VUCD-60007
Out 6/2, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Regular edition (1 CD)

1. HEAT MY LOVE
2. Wonder touch
3. lie days
4. display toy
5. FAKE
6. LEVEL5
7. TURKEY

D-topic VUCD-60008
Out 6/2m ¥1778 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Atom™ (aka Atom Heart) joins pianist/neurologist Masaki Sakamoto for a first original album titled "Alien Symphony" out now in Japan. Guest vocalists include Koshi Miharu.

Also available on iTunes is a special album of remixed tracks from the album:

Atom™ & Masaki Sakamoto "Alien Symphony"
「エイリアン・シンフォニー」

1. Epilogue
2-5. The Body Suite (as for the physical contact)
6-9. Bonjour Mademoiselle Humanoïde (as for the emotional contact)
10-15. Naughty Science (as for the rational contact)
16-21. 5.17 Minutes With Miss Eternity (as for the metaphysical contact)
22-26. Foreign Tongues (as for the spiritual contact)
27-38. Close Encounter (as for the musical contact)
39-40. The Body Suite II (as for the last physical contact)
41. Prologue

Full track list after the jump.

Musicmine IDCS-1032
Out now (5/19), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Teaser clips on YouTube:

This first single cut from Halfby's new album "The Island of Curiosity" comes with 2 non-album remixes.

The new album is out today!

Halfby "Man On Fire" (12")

A1. Man on Fire
A2. Hunting out of Season (Halfby and The New House 12inch Version)
B1. Man on Fire (Halfby and Coconut Remix)

Second Royal EMF-025
Out now (5/15), ¥1600 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

Celebrating the 15th years of Shinohara Tomoe's debut album "Super Model" comes this limited anniversary edition. Produced by Denki Groove's Ishino Takkyū with Sunahara Yoshinori, Pierre Taki, CMJK, and also Chikada Haruo, Nakahara Masaya, Surf Coasters and more, this is a hyper pop gem of its time.

This remastered anniversary edition contains bonus tracks, and comes with a DVD with 3 original music videos ("Chime", "kurukuru Miracle", "Ultra Relax"), rare footage and commentary by Tomoe and Takkyū. A must for collectors, but may also feel really fresh to new listeners who are enjoying the current techno-pop boom.

Shinohara Tomoe "Super Model 15th Anniversary Edition" (CD+DVD)
篠原ともえ 「スーパーモデル 15th Anniversary Edition」

1. kurukuru Miracle
2. yaruki Sensation
3. Rainbow rara ru-
4. wasurechau mon (Acrobat mix)
5. Chatterley fujin ni akogarete
6. Super Model
7. Shinohara Tomoe no Kurekure Takora
8. I Love You, De Ja Vu
9. Meruhen bushi
10. yonosa
11. Chime
12. kurukuru Miracle (Reprise)
13. wasurechau mon
14. Ultra Relax
15. Rainbow rara ru- (nokinoki Ultra Mix)

Ki/oon KSCL-1602
Out 6/30, ¥2914 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (20% off *), HMV (15% off *), YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing

"kurkuru Miracle"

"Ultra Relax"

J-death techno label Speedking Productions offers us a brand new kind of tribute album, inspired by conveyor belt sushi restaurant "Zen" in Odawara (Kanagawa prefecture). The nice-priced mini-album features tracks by Bubble-B feat. Enjo-G, Tofubeats, and more.

Check out the promo clip below that contains samples of all tracks.

Various Artists "Tribute to Ajiwai kaitenzushi Zen"
オムニバス 「Tribute to あじわい回転寿司 禅」

1. Anarchy in the ODWR / BUBBLE-B feat. Enjo-G
2. Bakayarohhhhh Breakin' / Kazuhiro Abo & DJ1,2
3. the religious house of Odawara / Asohgi
4. Spirit of Crown / Takano Mandokoro (from Leopaldon)
5. Enter the Zen / m1dy
6. happiness is on the conveyor belt only (90's mix) / TOFUBEATS

Speedking Productions SPK-04
Out now (5/5), ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon

Bonus: An innovative way to sell CDs.

Almost 4 years since "Nunki", Kahimi Karie brings us a new album titled "It's Here". Produced by Jim O'Rourke and Ōtomo Yoshihide, this band style album also features drummer Yamamoto Tatsuhisa.

Kahimi gave birth to a first child last November, and is launching a skin care line called Preens at the same time as the release of this album.

Audio samples can be heard at Victor

Kahimi Karie "It's Here"

1. Nouveau Paradis
2. Time Travelers
3. The silence in a storm
4. Love is the fruit
5. Animal Architecture
6. Monkey & Me
7. I Come Here
8. Ce monde est comme une horloge
9. All
10. Our bridge in the sunshine

Victor VICL-63613
Out 6/9, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Towa Tei has a new compilation, 8th of his "Motivation" series, coming in July! This one is called "Motivation H", after his regular party "Hotel H" that started last summer. Included are 4 new remixes of his own tracks, 3 that have been previously released on iTunes, and a new one of the song "Milky Way" by Sunahara Yoshinori! The rest is of course made of Towa's current favorite tracks, both major and rare ones.

There will be a release party the Friday following release, on July 9, featuring a special unit called O/S/T... that's Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius), Sunahara Yoshinori, and of course Towa Tei.

Various Artists "Motivation H compiled by DJ Towa Tei"

1. Milky Way (YSST 2010 Remix) / Towa Tei
2. Taste of You (Zickzack Remix) / Towa Tei
3. Mercy Time / The 2 Bears
4. I Want Sax / Bobby & Klien
5. Can't Make It Thru Another Day (Grant Nelson Remix) / Timmy Vegas & The Universe Band Presents Jennifer Wallace
6. Why Don't You (Greenmoney's Gramophountzied Remix) / Gramophonedzie
7. Survivor / Soom-T
8. Path of Most Resistance / Pepe Bradock
9. Circles 2009 (Boddhi Satva Ancestral Soul Remix) / Mustafa feat. Natalia
10. Here We Go feat. Dynamite MC (Radio Edit) / DJ Fumiya
11. Mind Wall (SO TT Remix) / Towa Tei
12. Lyricist (ajapai Remix) / Towa Tei

huginc. HICL-20101
Out 7/7, ¥2400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

See also:
"Motivation 7 compiled by DJ Towa Tei"
"Motivation 6 Adult Oriented Click Non-stop Mix by Moodman"
"Motivation Five compiled by Towa Tei"
"Motivation 4 Dusty Dance Hall compiled by Towa Tei"
"Motivation 3 compiled by Towa Tei"
"Motivation - Driving Sweets" (#2)
"Motivation - Songs for Make-up" (#1)

Osaka instrumental club-jazz unit Calmera (MySpace), acclaimed by Sunaga Tatsuo, has a first album coming up on Orange Records. A non-album track was featured on Sunaga-san's latest compilation "All the young dudes".

The album is already available in advance on iTunes.

Audio samples at MySpace

Calmera "Hello!! Worldwide"
カルメラ 「Hello!! ワールドワイド」

1. Dog Chase -Introduction-
2. Natalie
3. Swallow
4. Orange
5. Hotel Jazz
6. cross breeder -Interlude-
7. Eine Sternschnuppe A-moll
8. ano natsu no Ege

Orange Records ORGR-035
Out 5/26, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia,

Sunahara Yoshinori has teamed up with ex-Supercar guitarist Ishiwatari Junji for a new unit, called Ishiwatari Junji & Sunahara Yoshinori. Their first release is a single of an ending theme for anime "yojōhan shinwa taikei", and features singer Yakushimaru Etsuko (sōtaiseiriron).

Audio sample at MySpace

Ishiwatari Junji & Sunahara Yoshinori + Yakushimaru Etsuko "kamisama no iu tōri"
いしわたり淳治&砂原良徳 「神様のいうとおり」

1. kamisama no iu tōri
2. kamisama no iu tōri (Version Z80)
3. kamisama no iu tōri (Instrumental)

Ki/oon KSCL1588
Out 5/26, ¥1165 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Halcali is finally back this month with a new album! The previous was "Cyborg oretachi" 3 years ago.

This time we are treated to 2 CDs of 8 songs each. The first contains original songs, and the other all covers. The attentive fan may have heard about half of the total, although some songs are included in alternate versions. Featured producers on the new tracks include 2 MC/1 DJ unit Mellow Yellow, Ram Rider, Tokyo No.1 Soul Set, Suneohair and Aida Shigekazu.

Some audio samples can be heard on this official page at Sony. Also check out the previous videos below.

Halcali "Tokyo Groove"

Disc 1 (Original Songs)
1. Long Kiss Good Bye
2. kaminari Girl
3. mabataki
4. Yes
5. tears of love
6. Zig Zag Saturday Night
7. Endless Night
8. Halcali Tokyo Groove Two Turntable Mix

Disc 2 (Cover Songs)
1. My Sweet Darlin' feat. Yaida Hitomi
2. konya wa Boogie Back
3. Re: yasashii kimochi (Album ver.)
4. ai no tame ni
5. ai
6. suki suki Song
7. Lucky Pool
8. You May Dream (Halcali ver.)

Epic/Sony ESCL-3453
Out 5/26, ¥2914 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

"Long Kiss Good Bye"

"Endless Night"

See also:
Tokyo No.1 Soul Set + Halcali "You May Dream"
Halcali "Endless Night"
Tokyo No.1 Soul Set + Halcali "konya wa Boogie Back"
Halcali "Re: yasashii kimochi"
Halcali "Long Kiss Good Bye"
Various Artists "Akatsuka Fujio Tribute ~41sai no haru dakara~"

Talk box artist Como-Lee has an album out where he covers Ghibli theme songs. Various vocalists are also featured (no talk box for them though).

Audio samples at Amazon

Como-Lee "Roboghibli Talk Box by Como-Lee"
Como-Lee 「ロボジブリ トークボックス by Como-Lee」

1. kaze no tani no Nausicaa (from "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind")
2. Country Road feat. masa inoue (from "Whisper of the Heart")
3. yasashisa ni tsutsumareta nara feat. Shifo (from "Kiki's Delivery Service")
4. gake no ue no Ponyo (from "Ponyo on the Cliff")
5. The Rose feat. masa inoue (from "Only Yesterday")
6. Asia no kono machi de (from "Pom Poko")
7. kimi o nosete feat. Shifo (from "Castle in the Sky")
8. Mononoke hime (from "Princess Mononoke")
9. Nausicaa no Requiem feat. hibiki (from "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind")
10. Therru no uta (from "Tales from Earthsea")
11. meguru kisetsu feat. Natori Kaori (from "Kiki's Delivery Service")
12. No Woman, No Cry (from "Ghiblies episode 2")

P-Vine PCD-18614
Out now (3/17), ¥2191 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Promo clip:

A 4th installment of the popular "Tokyo Luxury Lounge" series is coming from label Grand Gallery. All tracks are previously unreleased in full length on CD (to be precise, Studio Apartment's track is previously unreleased on CD in Japan).

Audio samples at Grand Gallery

Various Artists "Tokyo Luxury Lounge 4"

1. Air on the G String / Chieko Kinbara feat. Nanase
2. Joy (Flags intro mix) / Jazzin' park
3. Forever Friends (Bootleg Anthem_Extended) / Daishi Dance feat. Coldfeet & arvin homa aya
4. You (Club edit) / cargo
5. Pop Out!! feat. Cana & B-Bandj (extended edition) / i-dep
6. love theme / yuma
7. Sun Will Shine (MK Mix) / Studio Apartment feat. Yasmeen Sulieman
8. Love (Blu-Swing at the jazzy dub mix) / Coldfeet
9. Melt You Down (Ananda classix mix) / saiko
10. Rejoice (Yummy Remix) / Sakura&Co.
11. Because Of You feat. Ananda Project / World Sketch

Grand Gallery GRGA-0094
Out 5/12, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

See also:
"Tokyo Luxury Lounge"
"Tokyo Luxury Lounge 2"
"Tokyo Luxury Lounge 3"

Here comes a 7" cut of two new remixes by Konishi Yasuharu, recently released part of his "Attractions!" remix compilation on new label Readymade V.I.C.

So far this is only listed at DMR, which only ships within Japan.

Various Artists "Attractions! a vinyl sampler" (7")

A. Yukimura Izumi / I want you to be my baby
B. Sagara Naomi / watashi no suki na mono

Face The Music FMR-170
Out 5/14, ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: DMR (Japan only), Juno

Aira Mitsuki has 2 new songs out now on iTunes, ahead of a new mini-album titled "6 FORCE" coming on June 2. "LEVEL5" features instrumental band Sawagi which perform club music live on keyboards, guitar, bass and drums. The mini-album is supposed to contain more songs together with Sawagi.

Aira Mitsuki "Heat My Love" (Download)

Out now (4/21), ¥200
Sample/buy:

Aira Mitsuki sync. Sawagi "LEVEL5" (Download)

Out now (5/5), ¥200
Sample/buy:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

A brand new unit called KOR=GIRL debuted today with this download-only release. Described as a "2-girl beat hitting unit", the two sing and hit Korg Wavedrums. The producer behind this is Terukado, same as for Aira Mitsuki and Saori@destiny.

This first quiet track sounds like it's heavily inspired and also samples Cornelius' "Star Fruits Surf Rider", a song that was covered by Aira last year on a limited single.

A mini-album will be coming in July, but before then on June 2nd will be released a Tower Records-only single.

KOR=GIRL "KIYOMIZU" (Download)

D-topia DTJR-10053
Out now (5/5), ¥191 (excl. 10% tax)
Sample/buy:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

Sakamoto Ryūichi's label commmons has a series of compilations coming with a book, called "schola". The series started with 3 installments of classical music, but vol.4 brought jazz, and now vol.5 invites the two other YMO members Takahashi Yukihiro and Hosono Haruomi with a theme of "drums & bass". The two select songs where drums and bass give an important groove. As a bonus, the two last tracks are covers by YMO!

Pricey, though this comes with a 120-page booklet in a nice packaging that should make it a keeper. This is volume 5 in a planned series of 30.

There's a related TV program on NHK that airs every Saturday from 23:45. The archived episodes can be viewed at the official page at commmons. (You will need to follow the black links with an arrow on the right-hand side. Each episode is streamed in two parts which can be toggled with the "前編" and "後編" buttons on the episode's page.)

Various Artists "commmons: schola vol.5 Yukihiro Takahashi & Haruomi Hosono Selections: Drums & Bass"

1. Rock Steady / Aretha Franklin
2. How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone / Diana Ross & The Supremes
3. What's Goin' On / Donny Hathaway
4. It's The Same Old Song / Four Tops
5. Cold Sweat / James Brown
6. Hey Pocky A-Way / The Meters
7. A Salty Dog / Procol Harum
8. Lonely Too Long / The Young Rascals
9. I'll Take You There / The Staple Singers
10. The Skunk, The Goose, And The Fly / Tower Of Power
11. Vildgolia (Deaf, Dumb & Blind) / Gil Scott-Heron
12. In The Midnight Hour / Wilson Pickett
13. Let Me Be The One
14. Hello, Goodbye / The Beatles (Yellow Magic Orchestra)
15. Thank You For Talkin' To Me Africa / Sly & The Family Stone (Yellow Magic Orchestra)

commmons RZCM-45965
Out now (4/21), ¥8500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

3 years since album "Side Farmers", Halfby is now back on label Second Royal with a brand new album. Again this is a summer party album, being described as "resort dance music". Featured are members of foreign indies bands Skibunny, Broadcast 2000 and Is Tropical.

Halfby "The Island of Curiosity"

1. Man On Fire
2. Blue Condition
3. North Marine Drive
4. Flash Bam
5. Hunting Out Of Season
6. Juicy
7. Mad Surfin'
8. Whispering My Name
9. Never Click
10. The Island Of Curiosity
11. Peace Pipe

Second Royal SRCD-025 / XQGE-1025
Out 5/19, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia,

"Mad Surfin'" video

Digest sampler

A new greatest hits album is coming from Original Love, containing songs from 1995 to 2006. Included is title track "Volare", a Japanese lyrics version of popular Italian song "Nel Blu, Dipinto Di Blu". Original Love's version was used in a Kirin Beer commercial (watch below). Also, Tokyo Ska Paradise song "mekureta Orange" which featured Tajima Takao is included.

Original Love "Volare! The Best Selections of Original Love"

1. Volare! (Nel Blu, Dipinto Di Blu)
2. koi no suisei
3. Good Morning Good Morning
4. Words of Love
5. Gender
6. ashita no shinwa
7. Bird
8. Adult Only
9. yume o miru hito
10. Tender Love
11. Primal
12. Moonstone
13. R&R
14. mekureta Orange
15. asahi no ataru michi (album mix)
16. seppun Kiss (Single Version)

Pony Canyon PCCA-3164
Out 5/19, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia,

Original Love "Volare"

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra "mekureta Orange"

Kirin Beer commercials

Here's a 2nd 12" EP from FPM's self-titled album, containing DJ-intended mixes. The non-album mixes have previously been released digitally on iTunes.

FPM "FPM ep.2" (12")

A1. If You Do, I Do [no juggling extended mix]
A2. If You Do, I Do [no scratch 4/4 mix]
B1. Hey Ladies
B2. Can't You Feel It? (extended mix)

Face The Music FMR-173
Out 5/10 6/11, ¥1680
Pre-order: Jet Set, DMR (Japan only)

See also:
"FPM EP.1" (12")

Halcali and Tokyo No.1 Soul Set have a new collaboration single coming, follow-up to the "konya wa Boogie Back" that was a big hit. This time they do a cover of Sheena and the Rokkets' "You May Dream", a song for which the music was written by Hosono Haruomi (YMO). The B-side is a song by Tokyo No.1 Soul Set only.

Tokyo No.1 Soul Set + Halcali "You May Dream"

1. You May Dream
2. Sunday 2010
3. You May Dream (Karaoke)

tearbridge records NFCD-27267
Out 5/5, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia,