Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Kinoco Hotel has a brand new original album coming up, being announced as their first full-length album. The title translates to "Marianne's ecstasy", and the CD will include a video clip as CD-Extra content in a "not suitable for children" version. Out a few days early is a first photo book, B5 size 80-page full-color! Details follow below, and make sure to check out the new video clip.

HMV gives a poster of A2 size (while supplies last).

Kinoco Hotel "Marianne no kōkotsu"
キノコホテル 「マリアンヌの恍惚」

1. Kinoco Hotel shōka II
2. shiroi heya
3. hijō naru yoake
4. kiken na uwasa (shukujo shiyō)
5. fūkei
6. kinoko no Tricot
7. ningyo no koi
8. kōya e
9. aijin kyōhan sekai
10. Marianne no kōkotsu

Wax Records TKCA-73633
Out 4/6, ¥2667 (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.

Kinoco Hotel "Kinoco Hotel shashinshū 'Monzetsu!! namakinoko zuroku'" (Book)
キノコホテル 「キノコホテル写真集 『モンゼツ!! 生キノコ図録』」

Loft Books KHBOOK-1
Out 4/2, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"hijō naru yoake"

Denki Groove have a new greatest hits compilation, and also a collection of all their 28 videoclips since the early days, both being released at the same time. The CD contains several non-album edits as well as a previously unreleased version of "Tarentula", and all tracks have been remastered by Sunahara Yoshinori (ex-Denki Groove)! As for the the videoclips, they're for the first time available in Blu-ray format.

Denki Groove "Denki Groove no Golden Hits ~ Due To Contract"
電気グルーヴ 「電気グルーヴのゴールデンヒッツ～Due To Contract」

1. N.O.
2. Fuji-san
3. niji (A Day In Japan ver)
4. dare da!
5. Shangri-La (Y.Sunahara 2009 Remodel)
6. Pocket Cowboy (Single Edit)
7. Flashback Disco
8. Nothing's Gonna Change (short)
9. Saint ojisan
10. Shonen Young (Movie Mix)
11. Mononoke Dance (Video Edit)
12. Fake It! (Video Edit)
13. The Words (Japanese)
14. Tarentula (Unreleased Version)
15. Upside Down

Ki/oon KSCL-1775
Out 4/6, ¥2381 (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.

Denki Groove "Denki Groove no Golden Hits ~ Stocktaking" (DVD, Blu-ray)
電気グルーヴ 「電気グルーヴのゴールデンクリップス～Stocktaking」

1. Because
2. CATV
3. We Are
4. Mud Ebis
5. Cafe de oni (motto omoshiroi kao Mix)
6. Popcorn (Single Mix)
7. shinkansen (Tab Eater Mix)
8. N.O.
9. dare da!
10. Shangri-La
11. Flashback Disco
12. Nothing's Gonna Change (shisha no sho Ver.)
13. Volcanic Drumbeats
14. Drill King shaka 2001
15. Cafe de oni (kao to kagaku)
16. hikenai Guitar o hikun daze
17. Mr.Empty
18. chūnen Punk
19. Twilight (#1 Abstract na ringotachi) / Denki Groove X Scha Dara Parr
20. Twilight (#2 fuzoroi no neji yashiki) / Denki Groove X Scha Dara Parr
21. Saint ojisan / Denki Groove X Scha Dara Parr
22. Shonen Young
23. Mononoke Dance
24. Shonen Young (Album MIX / SSTV VIP Version)
25. Fake it!
26. Denki Groove 20shūnen no uta
27. Tarantula
28. Upside Down

DVD (NTSC Region 2)
Ki/oon KSBL-5884
Out 4/6, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon (27% off *), HMV (21% off *), Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Blu-ray (Region free)
Ki/oon KSXL-12
Out 4/6, ¥4300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon (27% off *), HMV (15% off *), Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Here's a rocking club-jazz album that consists of tracks by Tequila Production, a trio of DJs Takehana Eiji, Nakamura Yūsuke and Kanno Katsuya who together form various units: Rockin' Jazz Society, Spiritual Unity and tg.electronics. Aside for a cover of Edith Piaf's "La vie en rose", all songs are original. Included is a remix by 8ronix.

Check out the 10-minute sampler clip below.

Tonight March 26 is held an event at Minami-Aoyama Club Ever with all members, a live show by Blu-Swing (unit of Nakamura Yūsuke) and many DJs. Details here.

(Title / Artist)
1. Rockin' Jazz / Eiji Takehana (Jazzbrothers) feat. y nakamura (Blu-Swing)
2. La Vie En Rose / Rockin' Jazz Society feat. Yu-ri Tanaka (Blu-Swing)
3. Something In My Heart / Eiji Takehana (Jazzbrothers) feat. y nakamura (Blu-Swing)
4. Skanky / tg.electronics
5. Rocka Chicano / Rockin' Jazz Society
6. New Age step / Rockin' Jazz Society
7. Jumpin' Jazz / Eiji Takehana (Jazzbrothers) feat. y nakamura (Blu-Swing)
8. Spontaneous Combustion / Rockin' Jazz Society
9. Spiritual One / Spiritual Unity feat. Yu-ri Tanaka (Blu-Swing)
10. Spiritual Two / Spiritual Unity
11. Deep Track Jazz / Eiji Takehana (Jazzbrothers) feat. y nakamura (Blu-Swing)
12. Deep Track Jazz -y nakamura remix- / Eiji Takehana (Jazzbrothers) feat. y nakamura (Blu-Swing)
13. Rockin' Jazz -8ronix remix- / Eiji Takehana (Jazzbrothers) feat. y nakamura (Blu-Swing)

Tequila Production XQEN-1011
Out now (3/2), ¥2300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

Tanaka Tomoyuki aka FPM has a new mix CD out today, put together for beach rave event Nagisa Music Festival where he will be DJing.

The event is to be held in Tokyo on April 10 and in Osaka on April 29, and will also feature Towa Tei, Hifana, De De Mouse, and many more. See the official site for details.

Various Artists "Nagisa ongaku-sai presents In The Mix mixed by Tomoyuki Tanaka (FPM)"
オムニバス 「渚音楽祭 presents IN THE MIX mixed by Tomoyuki Tanaka (FPM)」

(Title / Artist)
1. Hugendubel (Original Mix) / Robag Wruhme
2. Idosynkrasia (Original Mix) / Francesco Tristano
3. Kind of Familiar / Sinden & SBTRKT
4. Percolator (Claude Von Stroke Remix) / Cajmere
5. Babarabatiri (Vocal Mix) / DKS
6. Love Songs (Original Mix) / Voodoo Chilli
7. Discofukkr (Lucky Date Remix) / Lazy Rich
8. Fever (Original Mix) / Manyus & Dario Guida
9. La Musica (Original Extended) / Munk
10. Brain Rock (Original Mix) / Fukkk Offf
11. Runaway (Original Mix) / Mason
12. Rainbows feat. Blisscotheque / Detboi
13. Needin U (Danny Freakazoid Remix) / The Face Vs Mark Brown & Adam Shaw
14. Zingaro / Shinichi Osawa
15. Bird of Paradise (Original Mix) / Dexpistols
16. Madness / FPM
17. Welcome feat The Bloody Beetroots / Etienne De Crecy

Soul Works SLWK-007
Out 3/23, ¥2000 (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.

Panda 1/2 have a new pop track available for download. The title, "Panda! Panda! Panda!" The sound breathes Shibuya-kei!

Watch a trailer of the video below, showing producer James Panda Jr. visiting the pandas of the world.

Today March 21, Panda 1/2 will perform at a charity event held at Nishi-Azabu Eleven from 17:00 until 23:00, also featuring Vanilla Beans.

Panda 1/2 "Panda! Panda! Panda!" (Download)

Victor VE2ML-15537
Out now (3/16), ¥191 (excl. 10% tax)
Sample/buy:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

Cubismo Grafico aka Matsuda Gakuji is back with a new album, his first under his popular nickname, Chabe. This includes songs from last December's now sold out debut 10" EP that marked the opening of his KIT Gallery, and contains collaborations with Illreme, Love and Hates and Sayaka Kushibiki.

Songs "Rewind" and "White Cube" can be heard in full at Chabe's Bandcamp.

From March 14 to 27 there will be an exhibition titled "Way Behind Me." at KIT Gallery, featuring works by visual artists who contributed to the jacket artwork. On March 14 is a listening party reception.

Chabe "Me."

1. Song For Claes feat. Harka
2. Rewind (Holiday 91)
3. White Cube
4. Soumatou feat. Illreme
5. Moi Je Joue feat. Love And Hates (Cubismo Grafico Fuits Mix)
6. And Me.
7. Here's Where The Story Ends feat. Sayaka Kushibiki
8. Bloomoon
9. After Hours feat. El Gatito
10. Keep In Touch
11. Kaleidoscopic Memories (Soumatou Reprise)

Niw! Records NIW-061
Out 3/16, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Singer Salyu has a new album coming this month under the name "salyu x salyu" ("salyu by salyu"), and music is written and produced by Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius) who she says made her discover new things about her voice. This promises something great to look forward to for Cornelius fans!

Check out the special site which contains a version of the videoclip made of sync'd YouTube clips (better viewed in Google Chrome).

salyu x salyu "s(o)un(d)beams"

1. tada no tomodachi
2. muse' ic
3. Sailing Days
4. kokoro
5. utaimashō
6. dorei
7. Rainboots de odorimashō
8. s(o)un(d)beams
9. Mirror Neurotic
10. Hostile To Me
11. tsuzuki o

Toy's Factory TFCC-86345
Out 3/23 4/13, ¥3000
Order: CDJapan, HMV, Tower (Japan only), YesAsia, Amazon,

"tada no tomodachi"

Going hand-in-hand with the upcoming Sloppy Joe album "With Kisses Four" (out March 9) is this iTunes-only EP of lead track "The Boy Who Talks About Someone" including remixes by HNC and The Pegasuss.

Sloppy Joe "The Boy Who Talks About Someone" (Download)

1. The Boy Who Talks About Someone
2. The Boy Who Talks About Someone (HNC's Rusty Badge Mix)
3. The Country (Pegasuss Country Size Remix)

White Lily Records
Out now (3/2), ¥450
Order:

Rocking trio GO!GO!7188 really impressed me when I saw them live last year. Now they have a tribute album where various artists cover their songs. Featured are Polysics, Shonen Knife and more.

Various Artists "GO!GO!7188 Tribute - GO!GO! A GO!GO!"

1. Polysics / bungu
2. The Neatbeats / taiyō
3. Shonen Knife / Punk
4. Nakamura Ataru　/ me nochi ame nochi ame
5. opening / kangaegoto
6. detroit7 / Thunder Girl
7. Flower Companyz / tobihane March
8. Tokoro George / tokage 3gō
9. bloodthirsty butchers / Jet ninjin
10. MONGOL800 / koi no uta

FlyingStar Records VICB-60069
Out 3/16, ¥2858 (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.

Dorian's 2nd 12" EP from album "Melodies Memories" is now out! This one contains one of my favorites, "Nasty Ice Cream", as well as other great tracks such as the dreamy "Crystal Girl".

Audio samples at Jet Set

Dorian "Melodies Memories EP.2" (12")

A1. Nasty Ice Cream feat. Luvraw & Btb
A2. Melodies Memories
B1. Natsu No Owari feat. G.Rina
B2. Crystal Girl

Felicity / Jet Set JS12S074
Out now (3/4), ¥1524 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

That's it! Finally a 5th album by Sunahara Yoshinori! Following last year's EP "subliminal", this one is called... "liminal"! Can you believe it's been 10 years since his previous full-length album, "Lovebeat"?

The limited edition comes with a DVD with 2 new music videos and also a live extended version of "Lovebeat" from a show in August 2009. My report of the show can be found here. It's better to pre-order early just in case!

Sunahara can be caught live at SonarSound Tokyo on April 2.

Sunahara Yoshinori "liminal"
砂原良徳 「liminal」

1. The First Step (Version liminal)
2. Physical Music
3. Natural
4. Bluelight
5. Boiling Point
6. Beat It
7. Capacity (Version liminal)
8. liminal

DVD (Limited edition only)
1. subliminal
2. Wave Motion (Version2)
3. LOVEBEAT (ｌive at Liquidroom 2009)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Ki/oon KSCL-1666/7
Out 3/30 4/6, ¥3360
Order: Amazon (22% off on pre-orders), Tower (Japan only), HMV (17% off on pre-orders), CDJapan, YesAsia

Regular edition (CD only)
Ki/oon KSCL-1668
Out 3/30 4/6, ¥3059
Order: Amazon, Tower (Japan only), HMV, CDJapan, YesAsia