Tokyo's Coolest Sound

The next offering from HNC's White Lily Records is this 1st full-length album by Sloppy Joe, guitar-pop band of five that debuted with a mini-album and 7" in 2006. Artwork is by Yuppa (HNC).

A few audio samples at White Lily's Bandcamp and SoundCloud. Also check out the video below!

Update: "With Kisses Four" was remastered in 2020 and released digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music, Bandcamp) and also on vinyl (Bandcamp).

Sloppy Joe "With Kisses Four"

1. The Boy Who Talks About Someone
2. Sometimes
3. With Kisses Four
4. Portrait
5. Don't Take a Fave of Mine
6. The Leaves Dead
7. Winter Song
8. The Country
9. Still be a Little Roof
10. Useless Time
11. Into My Eyes

White Lily Records DQC-652
Out 3/9, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Portrait"

Polysics has a new album coming, their first since they became a band of three last year! The limited edition comes with a bonus DVD with live footage from the finale of their tour last November. Check out the brand new video below.

Polysics "Oh! No! It's Heavy Polysick!!!"

1. Heavy POLYSICK
2. Bleeping Hedgehog
3. Let's dabadaba
4. Don't Cry
5. Jumping Up and Clash
6. Go to a Strange City
7. Cough Cough
8. Smile to Me
9. Subliminal CHA-CHA-CHA
10. 3 Point Time
11. Digital Dancing Zombie
12. Much Love Oh! No!
13. Have a Good Night

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Ki/oon KSCL-1731
Out 3/9, ¥3429 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon (23% off *), HMV (15% off *), Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD only)
Ki/oon KSCL-1733
Out 3/9, ¥2914 (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.

"Let's dabadaba"

If By Yes is a new all-star band led of Yuka Honda (Cibo Matto) with Petra Haden (that dog., The Rentals), Araki Yuko (mi-gu, The Cornelius Group) and Shimizu Hirotaka (also of The Cornelius Group)! This first album also features Cornelius, David Byrne and Nels Cline (Wilco). Coming on Sean Lennon and Yuka's Chimera Music label. The Japanese edition comes with a bonus track, and a bit in advance too.

Band photo here at Natalie.

If By Yes "Salt On Sea Glass"

1. You Feel Right (Cornelius Mix)
2. Eliza (with David Byrne)
3. Three As Four
4. Imagino
5. Still Breathing (Cornelius Mix)
6. In My Dreams
7. Shadow Blind
8. You're Something Else
9. Out Of View
10. Lightening In Your Eyes
11. Adrift
12. Day And Night

Chimera Music XQJQ-1006
Out 3/2, ¥1905 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"You Feel Right (Cornelius Mix)"

Before Original Love, there was The Red Curtain, which released an album titled "Original Love" in 1986. Here all 8 songs are re-issued for the first time, together with 9 songs from a live show of the same year, plus a song that appeared on compilation "Attack of the Mushroom People". Included is a bonus DVD with one live song from a show in 1988.

The whole was remastered by Tajima Takao himself, and the booklet contains several rare photos. A must for fans! Be sure to pick it up while stock lasts.

Original Love "Red Curtain ~Original Love early days~"
オリジナルラブ 「レッドカーテン ~オリジナルラブ アーリーデイズ~」

From indies album "Original Love"
1. Body Fresher
2. Caution (100 Secrets of Love)
3. Talkin' Planet Sandwich
4. Mr. Big Rock
5. Orange Mechanic Suicide
6. X'mas No Hi
7. Darlin'
8. Original Love (Body Fresher II)
The Red Curtain Live at Wakō University (Nov. 24, 1986)
9. sunaarashi denpa
10. Crystal Butter Land
11. shōnen to Spoon
12. Careers
13. Rodeo Song
14. Mr.Big Rock
15. Orang Mechanic Suicide
16. ichibyō to chōshoku
17. Talkin' Planet Sandwich
From "Attack of the Mushroom People" (Mint Sound)
18. Talkin' Planet Sandwich

DVD
From "GS GS GS Carnival '88 ikasu Beat ni shibireru Psyche!" VHS
Body Fresher (Live at Kudan-kaikan, April 24, 1988)

Wonderful World Records WWCD-005
Out 3/2, ¥2858 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Konishi Yasuharu has produced the soundtrack for manga-based TV comedy series "Dekawanko", story that features a goth-lolita detective (actress Tabe Mikako) who has a nose better than a dog's. The soundtrack consists of remixes of the theme from classic detective series "taiyō ni hoero!" (1972-1987), as well as various original themes.

Original Soundtrack "Dekawanko"
オリジナル・サウンドトラック 「デカワンコ」

1. taiyō ni hoero! Main Theme '97 (Remix "daba" hen! Main Theme '97)
2. gekijō no Theme
3. heion no Theme
4. kyūkaku no Theme
5. enshutsuka wa kataru (BGM: gekijō no Theme)
6. bankan no Theme
7. kyakuhonka wa kataru (BGM: gekijō no Theme)
8. kido no Theme
9. kyodō no Theme
10. fushin no Theme
11. gosu no Theme
12. kyūten no Theme
13. ji-pan deka no Theme (seishun no Theme) (Remix "shūmatsu" hen keiji no Theme (seishun no Theme))
14. seisakusha wa kataru (BGM: gekijō no Theme)
15. airaku no Theme
16. taiyō ni hoero! Main Theme '97 (Remix "doyō" hen)

Universal UPCH-1827
Out 2/23, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Dekawanko" trailer TV commercial

First released last December on Towa Tei's Mach Beat digital label (which unfortunately only sells within Japan so far), here comes a first song by Bakubaku Dokin on iTunes! The wacky 2-girl unit formed of Naoko and Yui is produced by DJ Fumiya of Rip Slyme, and you might indeed feel some O.T.F freshness as from Halcali's early days.

I had the chance to see Bakubaku Dokin on stage early last summer at this event. Other songs of theirs can be heard on their MySpace.

Bakubaku Dokin "guppy" (Download)
バクバクドキン 「guppy」

hug inc.
Out now (2/16), ¥150
Sample/buy:

Kyon-kyon aka Koizumi Kyōko's new compilation album of old and new collaborations, appropriately named "Collaborakyon", seems to have quite a bit of a Shibuya-kei direction. Featured are Jazztronik, Asa-Chang & Junray, Tokyo No.1 Soul Set, Sokabe Keiichi, Hosono Haruomi, Watanabe Shinobu (of Asparagus, who produced some recent Kimura Kaela singles), a remix by FPM and more.

Koizumi Kyoko "Collaborakyon"
小泉今日子 「コラボレーキョン」

(Title / Artist)
1. mikazuki Stretch (sesuji nobashi hen) / Koizumi Kyōko
2. niji ga kieru made / Koizumi Kyōko (produced by Saitō Kazuyoshi)
3. kyō no yakusoku / Koizumi Kyōko (feat. Tokyo No.1 Soul Set)
4. Good Good / Hosono Haruomi & Koizumi Kyōko
5. uchi e kaerō / Koizumi Kyōko (produced by Kondō Kenji)
6. Drained Cherry / Watanabe Shinobu × Koizumi Kyōko
7. senaka / Asa-Chang & Junray feat. Koizumi Kyōko
8. Innocent Love (FPM 4/4 Dub Mix) / Koizumi Kyōko
9. Moondust (poetry reading by Kyoko Koizumi) / Kubota Toshinobu
10. koi skurabito (feat. Koizumi Kyōko) / Hamazaki Takashi
11. kazakoshi / Nathalie Wise
12. mata aimashō / Koizumi Kyōko (words & music by Sokabe Keiichi)
13. Click Clock / Jazztronik
14. mikazuki Stretch (koshi hogushi hen) / Koizumi Kyōko

Victor VICL-63711
Out 2/16, ¥3000 (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.

Hosono Haruomi & Koizumi Kyōko "Good Good"

Asa-Chang & Junray feat. Koizumi Kyōko "senaka"

In the same line as last year's "Kirakira Majocco Cluv", here's another cover compilation this time focusing on amine series "Creamy Mami" (title translates to "Magical Angel Creamy Mami Official Tribute Album). This again features Shinohara Tomoe and many various voice actresses and idols, but also Creamy Mami's original voice Ōta Takako who had participated in last year's release party. Included is also a brand new song by herself ("Kiss ga yukue fumei").

All songs can be sampled at Amazon MP3 (which only sells within Japan though).

Various Artists "mahō no tenshi Creamy Mami kōshiki Tribute Album"
オムニバス 「魔法の天使クリィミーマミ 公式トリビュートアルバム」

1. ma·wa·re·mi·gi / Ōta Takako × Shinohara Tomoe
2. bishōgeki (Beautiful Shock) / Suzuki Rin
3. Delicate ni suki shite / Inoue Marina
4. anata ni ichiban kiku kusuri / Nakamura Chie
5. Girls Talk / Ise Mariya
6. Heart no Season / Kitamura Eri
7. nagisa no Memory / Shinohara Tomoe
8. Last Kiss de Good Luck! / Shimazu Saeko
9. I Can't Say "Bye-Bye" / Ōta Takako
10. ma·wa·re·mi·gi / Ōta Takako × Shimazu Saeko
11. Kiss ga yukue fumei / Ōta Takako
12. Bin·Kan Rouge / Fukui Yukari
13. tenshi no Miracle / Iguchi Yuka
14. Love sarigenaku / Kobayashi Yū
15. Pajama no mama de / Endō Aya
16. sasayaite Je t'aime / Sasahara Hiroko

P-Vine Records XNAE-10037
Out now (2/9), ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

capsule has a brand new album coming this March May! The album is said to be at a constant 128 BPM. I've heard that this time there will be no stock vocals, and that it's the first time singer Koshijima Toshiko is fully involved in the creative process.

There will be a limited edition with a bonus CD with extended mixes, those who want it should order early. Title song "World of Fantasy" has been released in advance on iTunes.

capsule "World Of Fantasy"

1. Open The Gate
2. World Of Fantasy
3. I Just Wanna XXX You
4. Striker
5. Keep Hope Alive
6. I Will
7. What Is Love
8. I Cant Say I Like You
9. Prime Time
10. Close The Gate

CD 2 (Limited edition only)
1. World Of Fantasy (Extended-Mix)
2. Striker (Extended-Mix)

Limited edition (with bonus CD)
contemode YCCC-10019
Out 3/23 5/25, ¥2940
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower (Japan only), YesAsia, CDJapan

Regular edition (album only)
contemode YCCC-10020
Out 3/23 5/25, ¥2625
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower (Japan only), YesAsia, CDJapan,

"World Of Fantasy"

Yes, capsule is back with more! This new song is released today on iTunes, ahead of upcoming new album "Killer Wave" to be released on March 23. Stay tuned regarding the album.

capsule "World of Fantasy" (Download)

Yamaha
Out now (2/9), ¥200
Sample/buy:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

Tokyo No.1 Soul Set continues to celebrate its 20th anniversary with this album of covers featuring various female singers such as Halcali, Kojima Mayumi, Toki Asako, Harada Ikuko (clammbon) and more. Covers include ones of Original Love, Scha Dara Parr, Sheena & Tthe Rokkets and more.

A 2nd disc contains 12 songs from a live show performed last October 24 at famous outdoor venue Hibiya Yaon.

Tokyo No.1 Soul Set "subete hikari"
Tokyo No.1 Soul Set 「全て光」

Disc 1
1. subete hikari (Tokyo No.1 Soul Set) / Tokyo No.1 Soul Set + Harada Ikuko (clammbon)
2. hoshikage no shōkeisha (Obata Minoru) / Tokyo No.1 Soul Set + Maki Yōko
3. seppun (Original Love) / Tokyo No.1 Soul Set + Sara Mary
4. mizuiro no ame (Yagami Junko) / Tokyo No.1 Soul Set + Nakano Yoshie (Ego-Wrappin')
5. Champion Lover (Deborahe Glasgow) / Tokyo No.1 Soul Set + Kojima Mayumi
6. You May Dream (Sheena & the Rokkets) / Tokyo No.1 Soul Set + Halcali
7. Sunday (Leo Bennick) / Tokyo No.1 Soul Set + Toki Asako
8. kikasete yo ai no kotoba o (Jean Lenoir "Parlez-moi d'amour") / Tokyo No.1 Soul Set + Koizumi Kyōko
9. konya wa Boogie Back (Scha Dara Parr) / Tokyo No.1 Soul Set + Halcali

Disc 2
1. Please Tell Me
2. Rising Sun
3. Who Really Loves You
4. konya wa Boogie Back with Halcali & ANI · Bose (Scha Dara Parr)
5. yoake mae
6. Hey Hey Spider
7. Jive My Revolver
8. More Big Party
9. Bow & Arrow
10. Innocent Love
11. OUTSET
12. Jr.

tearbridge records NFCD-27304/5
Out now (2/9), ¥3300
Order: HMV, Amazon, Tower (Japan only), YesAsia, CDJapan,

Here is a live DVD set (2 discs) of event Tokyo Idol Festival 2010 ("TIF") held last August 7-8, which featured some 45 up-and-coming idol groups. Included are 6 or 7 songs with Vanilla Beans, making this much worth of mention here. Also Idoling!!! are featured in a countless number of variations. Total of almost 50 songs!

"Tokyo Idol Festival 2010" (DVD)
(Region 2 NTSC)

Including (with Vanilla Beans):
Vanilla Beans: Nicola, koi no Theory, D&D, Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji, U♥Me
Okite Porsche & Vanilla Beans: High School Lullabye
Dream Unit Live: D& D
(... and much more by other groups, see after the jump for the whole song list.)

R&C Ltd. YRBN-90159
Out 2/9, ¥7620 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon (26% off *), HMV (21% off *), Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Label Second Royal brings a new compilation full of brand new previously unreleased tracks by its artists (and then some)! Check out the sampler clip below.

Various Artists "Second Royal vol.6"

1. New House / Small World
2. Turntable Films / Collection of You
3. Hotel Mexico / Do you Do you HAIA
4. Ana / TEI
5. Handsomeboy Technique / Lost Presence
6. Halfby / A Morning Dew
7. Sainas / Tide
8. Satoru Ono / Wake To A New Dawn ~atarashii yoake~
9. Friends / I Think I Love You
10. Rufus / Love Comes Around
11. Fredo / Athletic Girl feat. Prince Cocci
12. Toss & Volley / Lovesick Blues Pt.2
13. ANARUSHIN / Time Base Of Love ~koi no jikanjiku~
14. FELLA AND GOLF / Your Min
15. Subtle Control / Too Young
16. Kate / Life Seasoning

Out 2/9, ¥2415
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower (Japan only), Amazon, YesAsia, CDJapan

Digest clip

See also:
Various Artists "Second Royal Vol.5"
Various Artists "Second Royal vol.4 ~Winter Issue~"
Various Artists "Second Royal volume.3"
Various Artists "Second Royal - Limited Edition for Nagisa Festival 2007"

Out this Friday on HNC's White Lily Records is the first of a mix album series, on which YO!HEY!! shows how hip-hop and indie rock go together. YO!HEY!! is one of the three members of Threepee Boys who contributed a remix to HNC's new 7"+CD, out at the same time.

YO!HEY!! "Cult Club Manners Vol.1: Fantazy Mix"

1. C*lt Club Manners / I*tro
2. M*in Attrakionz / L*dgen Of Doom
3. Y*M.S Mazzi / T*rash Dat
4. F*st Life Yungstaz / M*. Lenox
5. P*oject Hollywood / P*rty
6. J* Futuristic / T*is Is How We Play
7. G*cci Mane / I *now Why (Remix)
8. T*e Hood Internet / P*nk Your Mind
9. T*e Drums / L*t's Go Surfing (The Clean Shaven Grins Remix)
10. F*st Life Yungstaz / P*rty Time
11. C*ase N. Cashe / D*n't Stop
12. C*press Hill / A*mada Latina
13. B*o.B / T*e Kids
14. C*lt Club Manners / S*it
15. T*e G / M*ster Sandman
16. P*ris Jones / P*pular
17. G*ynch / M* Volvo (Sabzi Remix)
18. G*Eazy / W*spy
19. K*nye West / G*t 'Em High (A-Trak Remix)
20. C*O / L*ve And Do What You Will
21. D*oop-E / I*m Loaded
22. T*e G / F*el It All Around
23. T*e Hood Internet / D*ugie Vision
24. T*ler The Creator / I*side Of Clouds (Remix)
25. A* Revoir Simone / S*adows (Tanlines Remix)
26. L*ve Is All / T*ke Your Time
27. S*mmer Camp / I*'s Summer
28. C*lt Club Manners / O*tro

White Lily Records WLEX-004
Out 2/4, ¥1300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set