Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Singer-songwriter EmiLy (Hashimoto Emiri) has a 2nd album out now, with songs arranged by the likes of Imai Kentarō (The Aprils) and Hase Yasuhiro (Yume to Cosme). Also the wonderful video clip for title song was directed by Nakama Norihisa of The Aprils. Watch it below.

EmiLy "tear drop"

1. Ale
2. chū 2 byō
3. tear drop
4. yokubari
5. iromegane
6. reset
7. futari no asa
8. nemuri hime

can you fly disc FGCY-7
Out now (5/25), ¥1905 (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.

"tear drop"

Yakushimaru Etsuko (singer of sōtaiseiriron) has a new single from which the song "Ruru" is the ending theme of TV anime series "denpa onna to seishun otoko". A video for this song was filmed in real time using a robotic arm camera and live data from fans on Twitter that was transformed into colored lights. Check it out below as well as the impressive "documentary" version that shows the set from another angle.

HMV and Tower Records offer a promo coaster of the jacket's character.

Yakushimaru Etsuko "Ruru / tokimeki Hacker"

1. Ruru
2. tokimeki Hacker
3. Ruru (off vocal ver.)
4. tokimeki Hacker (off vocal ver.)
5. Ruru (tv-size)
6. tokimeki Hacker (EOG only)

Starchild KICM-1340
Out now (5/25), ¥1143 (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.

"Ruru" (Video clip)

"Ruru" (Documentary)

Following No.4 and No.5 last year, here's a re-issue of Sunaga Tatsuo's 6th of his famous live mix tape series, available for the first time on CD remastered from the master DAT source.

With a concept of a nonexistent FM radio show, this mix is said to feature electronic music, jazz-rock, modern jazz and Japanese music. The original mix tape sold some 3000 copies.

Various Artists "Organ b. Suite No.6 - 92.7 Organ b. FM - A Tatsuo Sunaga live mix"

Out 5/25, ¥1995
Order: Jet Set

Here it is! Konishi Yasuharu's debut solo album comes under the name Pizzicato One, and is a collection of English-sung covers of foreign songs all selected and rearranged by himself. This album features an impressive list of foreign guests, even Roger Nichols & the Small Circle of Friends!

The official site has messages from him in English to his worldwide fans, explaining his feelings behind this release.

This will be on the shelves on Konishi day (5/24) next to his band Maezono Naoki Group's 2nd album. First listen to the clip below for song "Imagine" which is available in advance on iTunes Japan.

Pizzicato One "One And Ten Very Sad Songs"
PIZZICATO ONE 「11のとても悲しい歌」

1. to learn to sleep alone (Konishi Yasuharu)
2. One (Harry Nilsson) feat. Rosy
3. Imagine (John Lennon) feat. Marlena Shaw
4. A little bit of soap (Bart Berns) feat. Nicole Willis
5. I wanna be loved by you (Herbert Stothart-Harry Ruby) feat. Wouter Hamel
6. Bang bang (Sonny Bono) feat. Maia Hirasawa
7. A day in the life of a fool (Luiz Bonfa) feat. Gwyneth Herbert
8. If you went away (Marcos Valle) feat. Marcos Valle
9. Maybe tomorrow (Quincy Jones-Marilyn Bergman) feat. Christopher Smith
10. Suicide is painless (Mike Altman-Johnny Mandel) feat. Roger Nichols & the Small Circle of Friends
11. If we lived on the top of a mountain (Les Reed-Barry Mason) feat. Eric Matthews
12. A long hard climb (Ron Davies) feat. Roy Phillips (The Peddlers)

Universal UCCU-1320
Out 5/25, ¥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.

"Imagine" feat. Marlena Shaw

5-girl teenage idol group Tokyo Girls' Style, in Japan better known as Tokyo joshiryū, have a new single coming this week for which YMCK contributed not only a remix but also a video clip! Even the single's jacket seems to have been done by them.

This comes in 4 editions, three that include a DVD with different content (two of these have the video by YMCK).

Tokyo Girls' Style "kodō no himitsu / sayonara, arigatō."
東京女子流 「鼓動の秘密 / サヨナラ、ありがとう。」

1. kodō no himitsu
2. sayonara, arigatō.
3. kodō no himitsu (YMCK Remix)
4. kodō no himitsu (Instrumental)
5. sayonara, arigatō. (Instrumental)
(Edition Type D is CD only with bonus track "kodō no himitsu (Royal Mirrorball Mix)")

DVD (Limited edition Type A)
1. 16-bit Tokyo Girls' Style special live footage
2. 16-bit Tokyo Girls' Style talk footage
3. kodō no himitsu (YMCK Remix) (Video clip)

DVD (Limited edition Type B)
1. odekake Movie: Kōbe
2. kodō no himitsu (YMCK Remix) (Video clip)

DVD (Edition Type C)
1. sayonara, arigatō. (Video Clip)
2. Making Movie

Limited edition Type A (CD+DVD Type A)
avex trax AVCD-48050
Out now (5/18), ¥1429 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (20% off *), HMV (10% off *), Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Limited edition Type B (CD+DVD Type B)
avex trax AVCD-48051
Out now (5/18), ¥1429 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (20% off *), HMV (10% off *), Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Edition Type C (CD+DVD Type C)
avex trax AVCD-48052
Out now (5/18), ¥1429 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (20% off *), HMV (10% off *), Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Edition Type D (CD only with bonus track)
avex trax AVCD-48053
Out now (5/18), ¥953 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"kodō no himitsu" (Regular video)

"kodō no himitsu (YMCK Remix)"

Following the popularity of "suggested function EP#2" released last January, here comes Cherryboy Function's rare "#1" that was released on 12" only in 2006 and sold out almost instantly. Added are two remixes that were previously only available on the "Something Electronic EP" 12" (2007). All tracks have been remastered.

The first pressing also includes a 2nd CD with an almost unedited 70-minute live set at streaming studio Dommune last December, full of unreleased material. Once the first pressing sells out, the live CD won't be included anymore.

Cherryboy Function "suggested function EP#1"

CD 1
1. the endless lovers [505] 12"Mix
2. time tunnel
3. double trouble
4. sunset quantize
5. wet tongue
6. me & you 12"Mix

CD 2 (First pressing only)
1. LIVE at DOMMUNE 2010.12.22 (About 70 min)

ExT Recordings EXT-0015
Out 5/18, ¥1429 (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.

Nyantora, the solo project of Nakamura Kōji aka Nakakō (iLL, ex-Supercar), has what's being announced as a 5th album (although it looks more like a mini-album) coming this week. This is mastered by Sunahara Yoshinori and contains a remix by agraph. The artist has posted short preview clips on his Twitter account: here and here.

This is a release limited to 1000 copies only.

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
5. 10(1+2+3+4)agraph Remix

Heartfast HFCD-011
Out 5/18, ¥980 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

mito, bassist of band clammbon, has a solo album coming next week. Featured are many guests including electronic artist agraph, pianist kotringo, and members of bands toe and Rovo. Plus, the album is mastered by Sunahara Yoshinori!

Released at the same time is a 2CD compilation of 23 of mito's works as producer, songwriter, arranger, remixer for other artists. See below for details.

A special sleeve that fits both albums will be given when bought at the same time at HMV or Tower online.

mito "Dawns"

1. still
2. borderland
3. montage
4. algorithm
5. at the lighthouse
6. stand up slow
7. parallel of delusion
8. one, four, eight
9. my dusk
10. when do i understand
11. white state 18
12. no one really cares
13. a pray

Columbia COCP-36816
Out 5/18, ¥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.

"no one really cares"

mito "mito archive 1999-2010"

Disc 1
(Title / Artist)
1. taiyō no yō ni / Shiina Noriko
2. an Audio / Shinohara Tomoe
3. wakusei ni nore / Yuki
4. anata ga nozomu hō e / Yamashita Kumiko
5. path ~ chie no wa mix / toe
6. shironeko / Sakamoto Miu
7. Bonus track "shiro" / Sakamoto Miu
8. fushigi na kurai / Ōhata Yūichi
9. Perfect / Bonnie Pink
10. Circle / Kimura Kaela
11. Again Change / mito
12. Bully's Acre-Aeolian,Enchantment & Ceremony mix / Kila
13. ai no hana / Tarachine

Disc 2
1. Goodbye / toe
2. a ripple song-uta- / Wakui Mugi
3. November is the Ballade (You-Gata Friend MIX) / Suemitsu & The Suemith
4. Monsieur Miyatake / Good Luck heiwa
5. tegami / Iwasaki Ai
6. Slow gear / Sour
7. Cherry blossoms / Dew
8. Daisy / kotringo
9. Curtain Fall / Tomosaka Rie
10. A Brave New World / Sudō Genki
11. lib / agraph
12. My Grandfather's Clock / mito feat. Kishi Mayuko

Columbia COCP-36817
Out 5/18, ¥3048 (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.

This remix EP of Logic System's track "Clash" (1980) features remixes by 80kidz, JxJx (Your Song Is Good), Dub Master X and DJ Harvey. Also included are two previously unreleased tracks! Logic System is the project of Matsutake Hideki, often called the 4th member of YMO. This comes on new label MOTION± (Motion Plus Minus).

Audio samples can be heard at iTunes Japan where the release is available in advance.

Logic System "RMXLOGIX (with Special Tracks)"

1. Clash - DJ Harvey Remix / Remixed by DJ Harvey
2. Clash - Dub's Respect Remix / Remixed by Dub Master X
3. Clash - JxJx REMIX / Remixed by JxJx（YOUR SONG IS GOOD）
4. Clash - 80kidz REMIX / Remixed by 80kidz
5. Traffic Circuit
6. Turning Point

MOTION± DQC-9012
Out 5/18, ¥1300 (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.

"Clash" (1980 original)

As the title says, here's a compilation of jazzy covers of songs from Lady Gaga's albums "The Fame" and "The Monster". This Japan-only release consists of studio recordings produced by club-jazz artists Miura Makoto and DJ Niche, and featuring Saigenji, Necozawa Emi, as well as members of jazz bands TRI4TH, Soil & "Pimp" Sessions, Jabberloop, Immigrant's Bossa Band, Central, and many more. 2 remixes are also included.

Various Artists "Jazzy GAGA"

(Track / Artist)
1. Telephone feat. Aki Sawazaki (U-TANS) / Makoto Miura
2. Poker Face feat. Mariko Ide / niche big band
3. Bad Romance / ROOT SOUL
4. Alejandro feat. Saigenji / Makoto Miura
5. Paparazzi / Makoto Miura
6. Boys Boys Boys feat. Karen Aoki / niche big band
7. Speechless / Junpei Shiina
8. Just Dance feat. Aki Sawazaki (U-TANS) / Makoto Miura
9. Poker Face -DJ Niche Remix- / DJ Niche
10. Telephone -Samba de COMEDY TONIGHT mix- / Makoto Miura

Universal UCCU-1319
Out 5/18, ¥1886 (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.

Maezono Naoki Group, the band in which Konishi Yasuharu plays piano, has a 2nd album coming this month! It's already been almost 2 years since their first. This time the trio (vocals, bass and piano) are joined by drums and trumpet, again covering various smooth songs from the 60-70's originally by the likes of Happy End, Misora Hibari, Sawada Kenji, Dark Ducks, etc., all songs in brand new arrangements.

The album comes on LP and CD, the LP being pressed as an "ever clean" record (using a process that protects it against dust), and the CD coming with 2 extra songs. Also check out the video below.

All songs can be sampled at Love Shop Record (the online shop of Maezono Naoki). Also check out the video below.

Maezono Naoki Group "tooku e. Maezono Naoki Group dai2shū"
前園直樹グループ 「遠くへ。前園直樹グループ第二集」

LP
A1. hoshi ga itta yo
A2. tōku e ikitai
A3. nora neko
A4. kanashii sake
B1. natsu nan desu
B2. kimi o nosete
B3. yogiri yo konya mo arigatō
B4. yume de aimashō

CD
1. hoshi ga itta yo
2. tōku e ikitai
3. nora neko
4. kanashii sake
5. yoake no Scat
6. natsu nan desu
7. kimi o nosete
8. yogiri yo konya mo arigatō
9. kyō wa sora ga ame de dekiteru
10. yume de aimashō

LP edition
MNG-003
Out 5/13, ¥2800
Order: Jet Set, Tower (Japan only)

CD edition
MNG-004
Out 5/25, ¥2500
Order: Jet Set, Amazon, Tower (Japan only)

Pico-pico rock band Macdonald Duck Eclair are back with a 3rd album! It's been 5 years since "The Genesis Songbook" (2005, Usagi-chang Records), and this time they're back to their roots on K.O.G.A Records which released their debut maxi-single "Many Many Sweets" in 1999.

All tracks can be sampled here. Also visit this special site.

Macdonald Duck Eclair "kono tokimeki imasugu"
Macdonald Duck Eclair 「このときめき今すぐ」

1. Tic Tac Mac
2. A O N
3. Rock'n'Roll Genesis
4. Touch Me
5. Mellon Collie
6. Love on the Beat Sweet
7. Hanuman
8. Clarion (album version)
9. The Planet Never Seen Before
10. Beep Sweep
11. Tip Tap Mac
12. The Shining
13. Flutter Flies Away

Groovie Drunker/K.O.G.A KOCA-64
Out 5/11, ¥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.

"Tip Tap Mac"