Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Here's a compilation of new cover and remixes of themes from popular Famicom (NES) game themes, reworked into drum'n'bass, dub-step, house and electro styles. The producers include TeddyLoid, Koshihikari and Hello Stupid People, who appear to have a following in club and NicoVideo scenes.

Some audio samples can be heard at SoundCloud.

Various Artists "Fami-Compi"
オムニバス 「ファミ・コンピ」

1. Opening ~Fami Combi no Theme~
2. Gradius
3. getsufūmaden
4. Yie Ar Kung-Fu
5. Commando
6. makaijima 7tsu no shima daibōken
7. ganbare Goemon! karakuri dōchū
8. Antarctic Adventure9. SonSon
10. Erectr8bit City ~Connect! Fami Compi~
11. Idol hakkenden
12. Salamander
13. TwinBee
14. Contra
15. Section Z
16. Knightmare II: The Maze of Galious
17. Castlevania II: Simon's Quest
18. Ghosts 'n Goblins
19. Konami waiwai World
20. Ending ~Fami Compi March~

Artimage XNAR-10025
Out now (10/26), ¥1715 (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.

Trauma techno-pop unit Urbangarde have a new album just out. I think it's their 4th album though it's their first since their move to a major label. This contains a different version of latest single "tokimeki ni shisu" as well as major debut single "Skirt kakumei".

The limited edition comes with a bonus DVD containing a video for song "kodomo no renai".

Urbangarde "Mental Hells"
アーバンギャルド 「メンタルヘルズ」

1. datenshi Pop
2. Skirt kakumei
3. kodomo no renai
4. darakuron
5. Birthday Song
6. Vagabond Virgin
7. amaoto wa Sharon no shirabe
8. Ghost Rider
9. kona no onna
10. tokimeki ni shisu (Hell's mix)
11. momoiro Chronicle

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Universal UPCH-9691
Out now (10/26), ¥3143 (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.

Regular edition (CD only)
Universal UPCH-1849
Out now (10/26), ¥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.

Album "Mental Hells" 30 sec. commercial

"Skirt kakumei"

Pop unit Harvard are officially back together, after disbanding once in 2007. Recently they had been performing some live shows now and then, and finally here's a brand new album! Check out the new video below, they're as catchy as ever. The song "a chance meeting" can be downloaded for free at SoundCloud.

Jet Set gives along a CD-R of 2 unreleased versions, while HMV gives a set of 2 postcards (while supplies last).

Harvard "Hahvahd"

1. under the moondog
2. a chance meeting
3. in the suburbs
4. vanessary
5. jardin
6. romance
7. just because we're men
8. bacalorea rules
9. stay with you
10. paisley on liberty
11. slow strangers

AWDR/LR2 DDCB-12043
Out 11/2, ¥2381 (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.

"a chance meeting"

LAMA, the unit of Nakamura Kōji (iLL, ex-Supercar), Furukawa Miki (ex-Supercar), Ushio Kensuke (agraph) and Tabuchi Hisako (bloodthirsty butchers, ex-Number Girl), has a 2nd single out now. B-side "Fantasy" is being used as the ending theme of anime "UN-GO", while "Cupid" is a power-pop tune with twin vocals by Miki and Nakakō.

Aside from the regular edition, there's a time-limited edition (until December only) with different original artwork aimed at the anime's fans.

Also, a first album titled "New!" is coming at the end of November, all songs of which can now be previewed on the official site.

LAMA "Cupid / Fantasy"

1. Cupid
2. Fantasy

Regular edition
Ki/oon Records KSCL-1873
Out now (10/26), ¥972 (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.

Time-limited edition (CD only, anime artwork)
Ki/oon Records KSCL-1874
Out now (10/26), ¥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.

Ending theme of "UN-GO" ("Fantasy")

See also: 1st single "Spell"

Out this week is this new Hatsune Miku compilation of new wave covers sung by the virtual idol. Included are songs originally by Plastics, Nomiya Maki, Portable Rock, Juicy Fruits, Hikashu, P-Model, Halmens, Cosmic Invention and more. The compilation is produced by Saeki Kenzō, almost celebrating 30 years of his new wave career, and each track was produced by Vocaloid producers from the Nicovideo scene.

Various Artists "Hatsune Miku sings New Wave"
オムニバス 「初音ミク sings ニューウェイヴ」

(Title / Artist)
1. Jenny wa gokigen naname (Juicy Fruits) / Irimiku ver. Udon Gerge
2. bijutsukan de atta hito daro (P-Model) / Bucchigiri P
3. Copy (Plastics) / Udon Gerge
4. 20seiki no owari ni (Hikashu) / kihirohito
5. Tama himesama (Togawa Jun) / Udon Gerge
6. City Boy (8 1/2) / Mitchie M
7. fuku no tane (Chakra) / Capmira P
8. Tokyo Girl (The No Comments) / Mimirobo P
9. joō heika no Chess Game (Spy) / Miron P
10. jiryoku Beguine (Guernica) / Miron P
11. Green Books (Portable Rock) / Captain Mirai
12. Aunt Sally (Aunt Sally) / kihirohito
13. Computer obaachan (Cosmic Invention) / Bo-kariodo P
14. Rhythm undō (Halmens) / Udon Gerge
15. onna tomodachi (Nomiya Maki) / Bucchigiri P
16. Jenny wa gokigen naname (Juicy Fruits) / Udon Gerge

Victor VICL-63792
Out 10/26, ¥1905 (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.

Crossfade mix of all 16 tracks

Portable Rock was an 80's techno-pop band featuring Nomiya Maki (later of Pizzicato Five) with Suzuki Tomofumi (guitar) and Nakahara Nobuo (bass). First released in 1990, "Beginnings" is a collection of early recordings, now being reissued with 5 rare bonus tracks! Check out the sampler clip below (with slideshow of rare photos).

Portable Rock "Beginnings + 5"
ポータブル・ロック 「ビギニングス+5」

1. Picnic
2. Green Books
3. Golem Polka
4. tentai kansoku
5. fuyu no budōbatake
6. mishin de nuou!
7. jidōsha Race
8. ijiwaru denpa
9. Cricket
10. shinju kaigan
11. Idol
12. sora tobu Sailor Man (Previously unreleased, rehearsal take) (Bonus track)
13. Golem Polka (Rehearsal take) (Bonus track)
14. Picnic (Rehearsal take) (Bonus track)
15. natsu no hibi (Alternative take) (Bonus track)
16. Big Turtle (Bonus track)

Solid Records CDSOL-1460
Out 10/26, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Official digest sampler with slideshow of rare photos

Nagoya dreamy toy pop unit Lullatone have a new album coming this week! The Japanese edition CD comes with a bookmark that allows you to 3 downloadable bonus tracks. Order it directly from the band via Bandcamp, or at the other retailers below.

There's also a promotion on Facebook going on. Simply like Lullatone's page and get to listen the entire album for free!

Lullatone "Soundtracks for Everyday Adventures"

1. growing up
2. a runaway kite
3. going to buy some strawberries
4. an inherited record collection
5. finding a leaf in your girlfriend's hair
6. an older couple holding hands
7. checking things off of a to-do list early in the morning
8. riding a bike down a big hill and taking your feet off of the pedals
9. the best paper airplane ever
10. a picture of your grandparents when they were young
11. little things swimming under a microscope
12. clapping contest
13. the kind of song you make up in your head when you are bored
14. brass practice
15. listening to raindrops knocking on a window

lulla-label AMIP-0009
Out 10/20, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Bandcamp, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Growing Up"

Electronic artist Maeda Ryoma aka milch of source (blog, MySpace), also known as the producer of EeL's recent albums ("for common people", "Little Prince"), has a new album available digitally starting tonight, apparently exclusively at the great HearJapan. The album contains 18 tracks, two of which featuring EeL's vocals.

milch of source "Outsider Musics In My Life"

1. It's A Clumsily Sunset
2. Fat Girls're Running On The Beach
3. Horror Much Show
4. Idle Idol
5. Cune Cune March
6. When I Tasted Your Sorrow
7. Walking In The Ghost Town
8. Typhoon Loves Surfing & Circus
9. Winter Loves You
10. Galaxy Train 2999
11. Sliding Love Sing
12. And Over The Rainbows
13. Sentimental Swimming Lesson
14. Summer Time Smooth
15. Inter May
16. Oh! Chu Train
17. Cello&Pineapple
18. With You And Icecream Flying

Milch Record
Out 10/17, ¥1200
Sample/buy: HearJapan

"It's A Clumsily Sunset"

Yokohama-based mellow talkbox duo Luvraw & BTB (MySpace) have a 2nd album coming. Their previous album was "Yokohama City Blues" released in summer 2010. This time they aim at making a soundtrack for fall evenings. Included is a cover of Carlton & The Shoes' "Give Me Little More".

Watch the promo clip below where a funny MC dances along to three tracks performed live at a recent show.

A lounge party with mini-live will be held at Time Out Cafe & Diner (Liquidroom 2F) on Tuesday October 18 from 19:00. The charge is 1000yen only incl. 1 drink. Info here.

Luvraw & BTB will also appear at Dorian's release party on November 4 at Shibuya WWW. Details at Tokyo Gig Guide.

Luvraw & BTB "Hotel Pacifica"

1. Warm Summer Night
2. LBG -Groove With You- Produced by grooveman Spot
3. taiyō no shiwaza feat. Punpee Produced by Latin Quarter
4. C.H.A.N.T.
5. The Lady On My Mind
6. Give Me Little More
7. Room No. 609
8. Pussy Light
9. Night & Day
10. Falling Morning Blue Produced by Nasty Luv (Luvraw & Kacchi Nasty) feat. Kaneko Takumi from Level 7
11. Let Me Show You feat. S.L.A.C.K. Produced by grooveman Spot
12. Delight In Re-Creation

Pan Pacific Playa PPPVB-007
Out 10/19, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Promo clip

Kirinji have often composed songs for other artists. In this 2-CD album they self-cover some of those songs on the 1st CD, while the 2nd CD is a compilation of 10 songs they wrote performed by others.

Audio samples of all tracks at Tower Records.

Kirinji "~Connoisseur Series~ Kirinji 'Songbook'"
キリンジ 「~Connoisseur Series~KIRINJI『SONGBOOK』」

CD 1
1. jelly fish
2. Romantic
3. harunire
4. kami o hodoite
5. wakaba no koro ya
6. watashi no aoi sora
7. ohariko no uta
8. sore mo kitto shiawase

CD 2
(Title / Artist)
1. watashi no aoi sora / Fujii Takeshi
2. ami o hodoite / bird
3. Romantic / Toki Asako
4. harunire / Keyco
5. wakaba no koro ya / Hatakeyama Miyuki
6. somewhere in TOKYO / Furuuchi Tōko
7. ai ga watashi ni oshiete kureta koto / Matsu Takako
8. sore mo kitto shiawase / Suzuki Ami joins Kirinji
9. Pool no ao wa uso no ao / Nanba Shiho
10. haru no arashi / Mizuno Mari

Columbia COCP-36926
Out 10/19, ¥2500 (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.

Toki Asako "Romantic"

A few more clips after the jump.

Sunaga Tatsuo begins a new sub-series of jazz compilations, part of his ongoing "yoru jazz" ("Jazz All-Nighters") series. This time he selects from the catalog of Japanese label Venus Records, which since 1992 has brought many releases from worldwide artists to the local scene.

Audio samples at Venus Records' official release page.

2nd and 3rd installments are expected in November and December. Stay tuned for details.

Various Artists "Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz digs Venus Jazz Opus 1"
オムニバス 「須永辰緒の夜ジャズ digs Venus Jazz Opus 1」　

(Title / Artist)
1. Fantasy / Harold Mabern Trio (from album "Fantasy")
2. Magic Of Love / The Moffett Family Jazz Band (from album "Magic Of Love")
3. Taboo / Bob Kindred Quartet (from album "Nights Of Boleros And Blues")
4. Invitation / Phil Woods Quintet (from album "You And The Night And The Music")
5. It's All Right With Me / Champian Fulton Trio (from album "Sometimes I'm Happy")
6. Fragile / Rachel Z Trio (from album "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face")
7. I've Got You Under My Skin / Nicole Henry with Eddie Higgins Trio (from album "Teach Me Tonight")
8. Metti Una Sera A Cena / Danilo Rea Trio (from album "Romantica")
9. Message In A Bottle / Roma Trio (from album "Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing")
10. I Love Paris / Marilyn Scott (from album "Every Time We Say Goodbye")
11. How Are You? / One For All (from album "The End Of A Love Affair")
12. Moondance / Tessa Souter (from album "Nights Of Key Largo")

Venus VHCD-1059
Out 10/19, ¥1886 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Rocketman's latest track features singer Kawashima Ai, and is coming to you as a worldwide iTunes release (23 countries). This song was first released freely as an instrumental after the March disaster, along with efforts by Fukawa Ryō and his comedian peers to raise money for the cause.

This new 7-minute vocal version also features the voices of 200 affected people and volunteers from Ishinomaki-shi and Minamisanriku-chō in Miyagi prefecture, recorded by the two during a visit to the area. The free instrumental track can also still be heard and downloaded at this official site.

A free release event is being held today November 12 at KDDI Designing Studio (Harajuku) from 19:00.

Rocketman x Kawashima Ai "soredemo bokutachi wa ikiteyuku ~ go a long way together" (Download)
ROCKETMAN×川嶋あい 「それでも僕たちは生きてゆく」

Victor
Out 10/12
Sample/buy: Japan - , World -

Brand new from Orange Records is a first solo album by Chūjyō Takanori (MySpace). The Nara-born singer-songwriter used to be in a GS band around year 2000, and now brings an album mixing sounds of GS, new wave, 90's J-pop and techno-pop. The whole is produced by Tanaka Tomonao (S-Klapp, Tremorela, ex-novaFASE), and closes with a remix by Groove Unchant.

Audio samples at MySpace.

Chūjyō Takanori "Plastic Jewelries"
中将タカノリ 「Plastic Jewelries」

1. Plastic Jewelries (Intro)
2. sunahama Rhapsody
3. datte shō ga nai jan
4. Be My Baby
5. koi no Auto-Reverse
6. ame ni utarete
7. Cruel To Be Kind ~koi no howan howan~
8. Idol wa kikaijikake
9. tokei o tomete
10. tatoeba konna kanashii toki ni
11. tokei o tomete (Groove Unchant Remix)

Orange Records ORSC-1
Out 10/12, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Sakamoto Ryuichi has made a new soundtrack for upcoming samurai movie "ichimei" (director Miike Takashi) about to start in theaters on October 15. It had been about 4 years since his previous soundtrack, "Silk" (2007).

Out at the same time is an album titled "ten to men - Ryuichi Sakamoto presents: Sonority of Japan" (Amazon) for which Sakamoto composed music for koto and orchestra.

Sakamoto Ryuichi "Original Sound Track 'ichimei' Harakiri - death of a samurai"
坂本龍一 「Original Sound Track 一命 Harakiri - death of a samurai」

1. Harakiri Opening
2. Pride of Samurai
3. Harakiri
4. No Way Out
5. What for?
6. Small Happiness
7. Fishing
8. Private Elementary School
9. Mother and Baby
10. God of Death
11. Losing
12. Wake Up
13. Sweets
14. In the Courtyard
15. No Topknots
16. The Red Armor
17. Reminiscence
18. Harakiri Endroll

commmons RZCM-46927
Out 10/12, ¥2400 (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.

"ichimei" movie trailer

Singer Kimura Kaela is back with a new album, especially noteworthy because it's entirely produced by Asparagus' Watanabe Shinobu, responsible for her recent catchy singles "Ring a Ding Dong" and "A winter fairy is melting a snowman".

Kimura Kaela "8EIGHT8"
木村カエラ 「8EIGHT8」

1. Make my day!
2. KEKKO
3. 8EIGHT8
4. Ring a Ding Dong
5. utau lala
6. lollipop
7. hoshi no tane
8. Moon Light
9. kidoairaku plus ai
10. deep beep
11. A winter fairy is melting a snowman
12. orange
13. Chocolate

DVD (Limited edition only)
1. Ring a Ding Dong
2. A winter fairy is melting a snowman
3. kidoairaku plus ai
+ Album "8EIGHT8" recording movie

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Columbia COZP-595/6
Out 10/12, ¥2675
Order: Amazon (20% off), Tower, HMV (15% off), CDJapan, YesAsia

Regular edition (CD only)
Columbia COCP-36925
Out 10/12, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"kidoairaku plus ai"

"Chocolate"

The Beatniks is the unit of Takahashi Yukihiro (YMO) and Suzuki Keiichi (The Moonriders), started 30 years ago. After a 10 year hiatus here comes a 4th album. Included are all original songs except for a cover of Lovin' Spoonful's "Didn't Want To Have To Do It". The first pressing comes as a digipak.

Audio samples at EMI artist page.

The Beatniks "Last Train To Exitown"
ザ・ビートニクス 「Last Train To Exitown」

1. A Song for 4 Beats
2. Ghost of My Dream
3. Go and Go
4. Gromanesque in The Closet
5. Cut Up Our Existence
6. Didn't Want To Have To Do It
7. Camisa De Chino
8. Come Around The Bends
9. Around The Bends
10. Last Train to Exitown

EMI TOCT-27097
Out 10/12, ¥2858 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Bassist Matsunaga Takayoshi and drummer Yashiki Gōta, both former members of Japan's first dub band Mute Beat (mainly active in the 80's), are now back as a new unit appropriately named Matsunagota Rhythm Section. Their first album is out now, recorded mainly using bass and drums only (with a bit of keyboards, guitar samples and effected vocals).

Hear audio samples at Grand Gallery.

A show will be held on November 14 at Nishi-Azabu Shinsekai.

Matsunagota Rhythm Section "Groovy Situation Dub"

1. Here it comes
2. It takes two
3. Dub Elephant
4. Dragon master
5. Shall we dance?
6. Flavor of the Ark
7. Up to the sky
8. Sun still shining

Tartown XQKF-1016
Out now (10/5), ¥2191 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Singer-songwriter Hatakeyama Miyuki (Port of Notes) celebrates her 10th anniversary since her solo debut with a 5th original album. Included are mainly new original songs, and also covers of standards "What A Wonderful World", "Moon River" and "Over The Rainbow". It had been 4½ years since her previous album, "Summer Clouds, Summer Rain" (Amazon).

Audio samples of all tracks at Amazon and HMV.

Hatakeyama Miyuki "waga utsukushiki furusato yo"
畠山美由紀 「わが美しき故郷よ」

1. sono machi no namae wa
2. kaze no fuku mama
3. What A Wonderful World
4. Moon River
5. waga utsukushiki kokyō yo -rōdoku-
6. waga utsukushiki kokyō yo
7. oshiete, mama
8. Over The Rainbow
9. hamabe no uta
10. hana no yofune
11. Untitled
12. furusato

Rambling Records RBCP-2603
Out 12/7, ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Takagi Masakatsu has not one but two new soundtracks now available on iTunes Japan. The first, "Tama Tama" is for a road movie featuring actress Aoi Yū travelling around Ireland, to start in theaters from October 15. The second, titled "Niyodo", is for a NHK program about a river of the same name, it was aired on August 20.

Each soundtracks is said to come with a piano music sheet for one song.

Takagi Masakatsu "Tama Tama" (Download)
高木正勝 「Tama Tama」

1. Tamame
2. Horo
3. NGIA
4. Colleen
5. ohoti
6. HEHE-MIHI
7. Sione
8. VEDA
9. Tamame (reprise)

Out now (10/5), ¥1200
Sample/buy:

Takagi Masakatsu "Niyodo" (Download)
高木正勝 「Niyodo」

1. Niyodo - piano
2. Kaze Kogi
3. Niyodo
4. Hairimiz
5. Mikura
6. Odori
7. Garbha
8. Kaze Kogi - piano
9. Niyodo - piano (reprise)
10. Kaze Kogi - koti koti teiiyu
11. Odori - variation

Out now (10/5), ¥1500
Sample/buy:

Soil & "Pimp" Sessions, a jazzy band that mixes in sounds of rock, punk, electro and funk, have a new (7th!) album out just now, their first in 2 years. This includes the title track from single "Movin'" released earlier this year, featuring singer Maia Hirasawa.

A limited edition contains for the same price bonus track "Summer Goddess", a new version of a song from 2005 (while supplies last).

Soil & "Pimp" Sessions "Magnetic Soil"

1. Sexsual Hungry
2. Some Skunk Funk
3. Movin' feat.Maia Hirasawa
4. JUNK
5. Do-Re-Mi
6. Deep Inside
7. Freedom Time
8. Above The Crowd
9. A Decate
10. Moon At Noon
11. ASA
12. Jazzman In The Rave
13. Tell Me A Bet Time Story
14. Awesome Knowledge
15. Summer Goddess (Son Of Goddess Ver.) (Bonus Track) (Limited edition only)

Limited edition (includes bonus track)
Victor VICL-63787
Out now (10/5), ¥2667 (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 (14 tracks)
Victor VICL- 63788
Out now (10/5), ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Shibuya meets Akihabara in this concept anime song cover compilation. Featured are various producers, such as Tofubeats, Ram Rider, Takizawa Kentarō, Jazzin' park, etc., in collaboration with various female singers including Nomoto Karia, Julie Watai (JulieHally), BiS and more.

Audio samples of all tracks at CDJapan.

Various Artists "I♥Tokyo ~For Anime Music Lovers~"

(Title / Artist)
1. sōsei no Aquarion (from Genesis of Aquarion) / Kentaro Takizawa X Julie Watai
2. Happy Material (from Negima! Magister Negi Magi) / Jazzin'park X ippanjin&AD
3. Romantic summer (from seto no hanayome) / Ram Rider X Nomoto Karia
4. tamashii no Refrain (from Evangelion: Death and Rebirth) / Jazzin'park X Fukuda Moe
5. truth (from Revolutionary Girl Utena) / TeddyLoid X Julie Watai
6. Over The Future (from zettai karen Children) / Kentaro Takizawa X BiS
7. Get along (from Slayers) / Tofubeats X Arisaka Mika
8. Little Goodbye (from Zegapain) / 2 ANIMEny DJ'S X chōcho
9. Fantasista Girl (from Animal Yokochō) / Tofubeats X Nomoto Karia
10. sorairo Days (from Gurren Lagann) / Star Guiter X Arisaka Mika
11. tenshi no yubikiri (from Kare Kano) / Kz X Yun*chi
12. zankoku na tenshi no Thesis (from Neon Genesis Evangelion) / Ram Rider X Afilia Saga East

Crown CRCP-40303
Out now (10/5), ¥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.

Trauma techno-pop band Urbangarde has a new single out just recently, their 2nd major single. There's also news of a first major album coming on November 26, on which this single's title track will be included in a different mix. Details will be posted later.

Urbangarde "tokimeki ni shisu"
アーバンギャルド 「ときめきに死す」

1. tokimeki ni shisu
2. sono shōjo, ningyō ni tsuki
3. tokimeki ni shisu (instrumental)
4. sono shōjo, ningyō ni tsuki (instrumental)

Universal UPCH-5716
Out now (9/27), ¥953 (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.

"tokimeki ni shisu" (30 sec. TV spot)

Crazy Ken Band's latest single is a duet with Sakai Masaaki, who used to sing in GS band The Spiders, lately better known as a TV personality. Included is a cover of "Mack the Knife", a song from The Threepenny Opera but popularized by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald (YouTube).

This comes as a DVD containing the title track's video clip plus a special talk of the two singers.

Sakai Masaaki & Crazy Ken Band "sonna koto iwanai de"
堺正章／クレイジーケンバンド 「そんなこと言わないで」

1. sonna koto iwanai de
2. Mack the Knife
3. September
4. PIT INN sono 1
5. sonna koto iwanai de (powered by CKB ANNEX)
6. PIT INN sono 2
7. sonna koto iwanai de (Karaoke)
8. Mack The Knife (Karaoke)
9. September (Karaoke)

Victor VIZL-429
Out now (9/14), ¥1800 (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.

"sonna koto iwanai de" (30 sec. TV commercial)

Yakushimaru Etsuko (sōtaiseiriron) has a new single out now as Yakushimaru Etsuko Metro Orchestra. Both songs are featured in anime series "mawaru Penguindrum". Below are two different versions of opening title song "noruniru", both are said to be shown for a limited time only.

Yakushimaru Etsuko Metro Orchestra "noruniru / shōnen yo ware ni kaere"
やくしまるえつこメトロオーケストラ 「ノルニル・少年よ我に帰れ」

1. noruniru
2. shōnen yo ware ni kaere
3. noruniru (off vocal ver.)
4. shōnen yo ware ni kaere (off vocal ver.)

Starchild KICM-3238
Out now (10/5), ¥1143 (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.

"noruniru" (short ver.) (White)

"noruniru" (short ver.) (Black)

Singer dahlia sings all songs on this new cover album by Irma Records Japan-based producer unit Chloe. This is a concept album featuring only covers of songs mentioned in books by writer Murakami Haruki ("1Q84", "Norwegian Wood", "Kafka on the Shore" and more).

Chloe "Norwegian Wood"

1. Norwegian Wood (The Beatles) (from "Norwegian Wood")
2. California Girls (The Beach Boys) (from "Hear the Wind Sing")
3. Aruanda (Astrud Gilberto) (from "Sputnik Sweetheart")
4. The Surfin' USA (The Beach Boys) (from "Dance Dance Dance")
5. South Of The Border (Frank Sinatra) (from "South of the Border, West of the Sun")
6. White Christmas (Bing Crosby) (from "A Wild Sheep Chase")
7. My Favourite Things (John Coltrane) (from "Kafka on the Shore")
8. Sinfonietta (Janacek) (from "1Q84")
9. Girl From Ipanema (Astrud Gilberto) (from "Norwegian Wood")
10. The End Of The World (Skeeter Davis) (from "Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World")

PCI Music KNCA-1984
Out 10/5, ¥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.