Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Vanilla Beans will have a new single released in January! This adds a rare (first?) minor scale song to their repertory with title track "toki no kakera", which can be seen performed in the clip below from a recent morning TV show.

The single comes in two editions ("Rena" and "Lisa"), each with a different jacket, but also with a different cover of songs by Yamashita Kumiko. Rena sings "hoshi ni natta uso" (YouTube) and Lisa "Stop Stop Rock'n'Roll" (YouTube), and each sings chorus on the other's. Which will you choose?

Vanilla Beans "toki no kakera"
バニラビーンズ 「トキノカケラ」

Rena ver.
1. toki no kakera
2. Yes? No?
3. hoshi ni natta uso
4. toki no kakera (Instrumental)
5. Yes? No? (Instrumental)

T-Palette Records TPRC-0007
Out 1/18, ¥953 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Lisa ver.
1. toki no kakera
2. Yes? No?
3. Stop Stop Rock'n'Roll
4. toki no kakera (Instrumental)
5. Yes? No? (Instrumental)

T-Palette Records TPRC-0008
Out 1/18, ¥953 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"toki no kakera" (from TV show Ulala78 (Tokyo MX), December 14, 2011)

See also:
"Vanilla Beans II"
"VaniBest"

Scott Goes For is a new band started in 2010, though you might already know its experienced members from their previous bands: Arai Hitoshi (from N.G.Three, Ron Ron Clou, The Automatics, Northern Bright) on vocals and guitar, Okii Reiji (from Frog, Cymbals) on bass, Sakaki Makoto (from Nudge'Em All) on guitar, and Hara "Gen" Hideki (from Northern Bright) on drums.

Beyond names, it's said that the band's melodies should be able to please Shibuya-kei fans, while being a bit punkish in sound. HMV has audio samples of several tracks.

Scott Goes For "Scott Goes For"

1. Seventeen
2. Take Enough Time
3. THE CLOWN
4. Red Balloon Song
5. Together
6. Days of America
7. Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) (Christpher Cross cover)
8. DRILLS
9. BIG TIME
10. Crazy Lazy Summer

Pacific Label LDCD-50084
Out 1/18, ¥2477 (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.

"Take Enough Time"

Shinohara Tomoe has not one but two new albums coming! Both are original, all written, programmed, produced and illustrated by herself. It has been 13 years since her previous original album, "Dream & Machine".

The 2nd new album, "-:*Oh Yes Say LaLa*:- ", is planned for release on February 22. Special site tomoeshinohara.jp has been opened.

Shinohara Tomoe "-:*Better*:-"
篠原ともえ 「-:*Better*:-」

1. *Better*
2. ~Night & Day~
3. . Point .
4. CoN TeM pOrAry
5. - Another Story -
6. .:*Waterman*:.
7. ! BABY BABY BABY !
8. ++ KiMi Wa Moon ++

Voicing
Out 1/11, ¥1600
Order: Amazon

Sampler clip:

See also:
Various Artists "mahō no tenshi Creamy Mami kōshiki Tribute Album"
Various Artists "Kirakira Majocco Cluv"

Here's a brand new release from The Aprils coming early January! 2 years have went by since "Back To The Future Music", and this time the band adds a touch of magic to its future-pop post-Shibuya-kei sound.

With 4 new songs and 4 new remixes, this contains a great collaboration with The Lady Spade and several guest musicians: polymoog (Elektel, CTO LAB.), Okada Tohru (Moonriders, CTO LAB.), Plus-Tech Squeeze Box' Wakiya Takeshi, and Yume to Cosme's Hase Yasuhiro. The remixes are by Plus-Tech Squeeze Box, Sexy-Synthesizer, PandaBoY and Spain's La Casa Azul.

Check out our report of the recently held pre-release party.

The Aprils "Magical Girls"
エイプリルズ 「Magical Girls」

1. New Electric
2. Magical Girls feat. sono na wa Spade
3. ki-ra-me-ki Moondiver (Remixed by Plus-Tech Squeeze Box)
4. Shine x Shine x Shine x Shine (Milkyway Flash me Remix) (Remixed by La Casa Azul)
5. koibitotachi no ABC
6. Back To The Future Music (Remixed by Sexy-Synthesizer)
7. PiPiPi Music ~Music Gungun Image Song~
8. Cosmo 80's (Remixed by PandaBoY)

BounDEE DQC-836
Out 2012/1/11, ¥1334 (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.

"New Electric"

It took me this long to notice, but Takanami Keitarō (ex-Pizzicato Five) has a new album that was released last month! Continuing the series with his "Nangasaki Five", this album still focuses on his home roots of Nagasaki while taking us on a trip around the world. Some of the songs were recorded live at a fund-raising event held last May in Nagasaki. Part of the profits from this CD's sales are also to be given to charity.

Keitarō has also announced on his blog that he has started a new unit called Playtime Rock (also the name of his self-owned label), together with flutist/singer Ichiba Mina (seen in the TV commercial clip below). Let's be looking for more news in 2012!

Takanami Keitarō to Nangasaki Five "Do-Re-Mi no daikōkai Nagasaki yōgaku kotohajime"
高浪慶太郎となんがさき ふぁいぶ 「ドレミの大航海 ナガサキ洋楽事始め」

1. nobara
2. Veni, Creator Spiritus
3. Wilhelmus (The Netherlands' national anthem)
4. gururiyoza
5. Sicut cervus desiderat
6. Loch Lomond
7. Eine Japanische Ouverture
8. Down By The Riverside
9. kimigayo (Original version)
10. utsukushiki tennen
11. Un bel di vedremo (Madame Butterfly)
12. orandabune
13. Nagasaki
14. Gloriosa 1st movement "Oratio"
15. Amazing Grace

Playtime Rock PTR-003
Out now (11/11), ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Nagasaki"

TV commercial

See also:
"Ryōma no hanauta (aoban)"
"Ryōma no hanauta (akaban)"

Prof. Sakamoto (aka Sakamoto kyōju, a nickname that usually refers to Sakamoto Ryūichi but not in this case) is an 8-bit artist also known for being able to play just about any Famicom game theme on a synthesizer off the top of his head. Here he brings us an album of covers of hit J-pop songs from the 80's and 90's, all rearranged 8-bit style.

The first pressing comes with a bonus DVD expected to contain the music video seen below. HMV also gives away a badge (while supplies last).

Prof. Sakamoto "Sakamoto kyōju no 8bit Juke Box"
サカモト教授 「サカモト教授の8bitジュークボックス」

1. Roman hikō (Komekome Club)
2. donna toki mo. (Makihara Noriyuki)
3. Robinson (Spitz)
4. daimeiwaku (Unicorn)
5. Train-Train (The Blue Hearts)
6. Only You (Boowy)
7. Rosier (Luna Sea)
8. Etupirka (Hakase Tarō)
9. natsu no hi no 1993 (Class)
10. I'm Proud (Kahara Tomomi)
11. Asia no junshin (Puffy)
12. My Revolution (Watanabe Misato)
13. Romance no kamisama (Hirose Kohmi)

Lastrum LACD-0226A
Out now (12/21), ¥1715 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Roman hikō ~ donna toki mo. ~ Robinson medley"

Thanks to Neaux for the heads-up!

Tokyo jazz band groovin vox has been around for 5 years already, and here's finally a long awaited first album. The band is fronted by multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Sasaki Tadashi, and supported by funky basslines, two saxophones and energetic drums.

Several songs can be sampled at the band's MySpace.

A release party was held on December 18, and some photos can be seen here.

groovin vox "the day I was born"

1. the day i was born
2. we will
3. again
4. shine
5. time
6. reason
7. since i've been lovin' u
8. kedamono

Cuenta Works CUE-006
Out now (12/20), ¥1429 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

This is a 3rd in the series of Sunaga Tatsuo's compilations selected from Japanese jazz label Venus Records, which releases works by foreign artists.

Sunaga Tatsuo's unit Sunaga t Experience has a new cover album that was released earlier this month, titled "Choice".

All tracks can be sampled on the official release page by clicking the track titles.

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

(Title / Artist)
1. Winter Sonata / Romantic Jazz Trio
2. From Birdland To Broadway / Bill Crow Quartet
3. Stolen Moments / One For All
4. Solar / Richie Beirach Trio
5. Linear Motion / The Claude Williamson Trio
6. Papagaio Rei / Adela Dalto
7. Getting Some Fun Out Of Life / Nicki Parrott
8. Blue Bossa / Harold Maybern Quartet
9. No Problem / Barney Wilen Quartet
10. No More Blues / Simone
11. Don't Explain / Kenny Barron Trio
12. All Or Nothing At All / Tessa Souter

Venus Records VHCD-01063
Out 12/21, ¥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.

See also:
"Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz digs Venus Jazz Opus II"
"Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz digs Venus Jazz Opus 1"

School-themed teenage idol group Sakura Gakuin have a new single coming, for which the B-side "sakura hyakunin isshu" is a rap track produced by Ram Rider with lyrics co-written by Bose of Scha Dara Parr.

A limited edition comes with a DVD of the video clip of the title song.

Sakura Gakuin "berishubi"
さくら学院 「ベリシュビッッ」

1. berishubi
2. sakura hyakunin isshu
3. berishubi (Instrumental)
4. sakura hyakunin isshu (Instrumental)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Universal UPCH-9694
Out 12/21, ¥1524 (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.

Regular edition (CD only)
Universal UPCH-5727
Out 12/21, ¥953 (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.

"berishubi"

In a charity effort for the March 11 Tōhoku disaster, various female singers have united to sing on this track produced by Dr.Usui (Motocompo) and arranged by A-bee. Featured are Motocompo's Chiho, Nomoto Karia, Asahi Miho, Shishido Rumi and Moriwaka Kaori (ex-Go-Bang's).

The song "hoshimeguri no uta" was written by Miyazawa Kenji and is featured in Night on the Galactic Railroad.

This seems to be available only on iTunes Japan.

Echo Project "hoshimeguri no uta" (Download)
回向プロジェクト 「星めぐりの歌」

Out now (12/7), ¥200
Sample/buy:

Osaka-based singer-songwriter Maki Rinka has a new album coming this time from Orange Records! The whole is produced and arranged by Hattori Shōtaro of Stoned Soul Picnic, and directed by Groove Unchant. There are guest appearances of instrumental band Calmera and rapper Funkymic.

Maki Rinka "Girl"
マキ凛花 「GIRL」

1. koi no mahō o kakete
2. yume miru kirakira Doll
3. Come On A My House feat. Calmera
4. It's Ten To Four
5. In The Mood Of Love
6. Comment Te Dire Adieu
7. niji no Waltz ~for GIRL~
8. Believe Yourself feat. FUNKYMIC

Orange Records ORGR-38
Out now (12/14), ¥1800 (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.

Album "Girl" trailer

Here's a rare acoustic album by EeL featuring only acoustic guitar and her sweet voice. It had previously only been released on CD-R, but is now available digitally with a bonus new track that uses piano and toy instruments.

This is currently available only at Bandcamp and Japanese indies download site OTOTOY.

EeL "Bossa Nova" (Download)

1. Que Devo Fazer?
2. Les Oeufs Sont Cuits
3. Pascal Aurait Pense Ainsi
4. Marche
5. Je Pense A Toi Chaque Jour
6. A Chave
7. Magic To A Sweet Dream -Bonus Track

milch record Milch-e003
Out now (12/11), $9 USD
Sample/buy: Bandcamp

yanokami, the unit of Yano Akiko with rei harakami (the latter who passed out in July of a brain hemorrhage), has a last album coming. This consists of a few new original songs plus a selection of covers of Arai Yumi, Sakamoto Ryūichi & David Sylvian, Off Course, and The Rolling Stones. The tracks were made by rei harakami and mixed-down by zAk. A remix by U-zhaan (ex-Asa-chang & Junray) is included.

The release comes as two separate CDs, one vocal and the other instrumental. "Bamboo Music" has been previously released for download in August.

yanokami "tōku wa chikai"
yanokami 「遠くは近い」

1. Don't Speculate
2. kumorizora (Arai Yumi)
3. See You Tomorrow
4. Yes Yes Yes (Off Course)
5. Don't Speculate (rei_nuki U-zhaan_mori version)
6. Bamboo Music (Sakamoto Ryūichi & David Sylvian)
7. yanokamintro
8. hitomi o tojite (Arai Yumi)
9. Ruby Tuesday (The Rolling Stones)

Yamaha Music YCCW-10163
Out 12/14, ¥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.

yanokami "tōku wa chikai -reprise-"
yanokami 「遠くは近い -reprise-」

1. yanokamintro
2. Don't Speculate (inst.)
3. kumorizora (inst.)
4. Bamboo Music (inst.)
5. Ruby Tuesday (inst.)
6. Yes Yes Yes (inst.)
7. hitomi o tojite (inst.)
8. See You Tomorrow (inst.)

Yamaha Music YCCW-10164
Out 12/14, ¥2200 (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.

Neo-GS all-girl band Kinoko Hotel have a first major DVD coming, with a title that translates to "Marianne's hidden treasures", consisting of a collection of their videoclips since their move to a major label. Of the 7 clips included, 3 have been previously seen, but 4 are very new including "Kinoco no Tricot" seen below.

The DVD also contains TV commercials, and alternate versions of "moetsukitai no" and "hijō na yoake".

Kinoco Hotel "Marianne no hihō"
キノコホテル 「マリアンヌの秘宝」

1. moetsukitai no
2. mayonaka no Angel Baby
3. hijō naru yoake ~ kodomo wa micha dame hen
4. kōya e
5. shiroi heya
6. aijin kyōhan sekai
7. Kinoco no Tricot

Tokuma Japan TKBA-1152
Out 12/14, ¥3048 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (26% 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.

"Kinoco no Tricot"

(More videos after the jump...)

Along with their 21st album "Ciao!", the Moonriders also have this official album of covers sung by virtual idol Hatsune Miku coming at the same time. ("gekkōkakishidan" in the title means Moonriders.) Miku sings The Moonriders' greatest hits, programmed by unit plusico (said to be formed by Thomas O'hara and Hideaki Kuroda). "Thomas O'hara" is rumored to be someone famous..?!

Included as a bonus track is also a cover of "Eight Melodies" from game "Mother", written by the Moonriders' Suzuki Keiichi with game music songwriter Tanaka Hirokazu.

plusico Produced by Thomas O'hara "Hatsune Miku plays gekkōkakishidan (Moonriders)"
plusico Produced by Thomas O'hara 「初音ミク plays 月光下騎士団（ムーンライダーズ）」

1. Video Boy
2. itoko dōshi
3. Sweet Bitter Candy
4. G.o.a.P. (isode Picnic e ikō)
5. Don't Trust Anyone Over30
6. aozora no Mary
7. A FROZEN GIRL, A BOY IN LOVE
8. Frou Frou
9. sakyū
10. kurenai no tsubasa
11. tonpikurenkko
12. kurenai futō
13. EIGHT MELODIES (Bonus Track)
14. namida wa kanashisa dake de, dekiterun janai (Performed by Pinocchio P) (Bonus Track)

KNZ x LR2 DDCB-12343
Out 12/14, ¥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.

Veteran new wave band Moonriders has been around 35 years, but they have now announced that they will be going to retire indefinitely at the end of the year. They do have a last, 21st original album coming, appropriately titled "Ciao!".

The Moonriders' last full show will be at Nakano Sunplaza on December 17. They will also perform an "in-store" show on the rooftop of Tower Records Shinjuku on December 30, for up to 350 people who buy the album there.

Out at the same time is an official cover album sung by Hatsune Miku, "Hatsune Miku plays gekkōkakishidan (Moonriders)".

Moonriders "Ciao!"
ムーンライダーズ 「Ciao!」

1. who's gonna be reborn first?
2. muku na mama de
3. .Mt.,Kx
4. Hello Magna obasan
5. Pain Rain
6. oreta ya
7. Masque-Rider
8. okashi na kyūsai
9. yowaki na furyō Part-2
10. nushi nakutomo ume wa saku naraba (mohaya nanimono demonai)
11. Last Fanfare
12. jōki de dekita Playground gekijō de

Moonriders Records XPCA-1015
Out 12/14, ¥3048 (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.

Nakatsuka Takeshi, eli (ex-Love Tambourines), Small Circle of Friends and P.O.P Orchestra have all collaborated together to create this 5-song mini-album, out now on iTunes worldwide.

A release party will be held at Daikanyama Loop on December 11. Details at Tokyo Gig Guide.

Audio samples at the official release page and Facebook page.

Various Artists "The Chocolate Factory" (Download)

(Title / Artist)
1. We Go Way Back / eli x Small Circle of Friends
2. PASS THE MIC on YOUR VOICE / Small Circle of Friends x Nakatsuka Takeshi
3. Showtime / Nakatsuka Takeshi x P.O.P ORCHeSTRA
4. Care 4 U / eli x Nakatsuka Takeshi
5. Johnny Murphy (SCOF Remix) / Nakatsuka Takeshi x Small Circle of Friends

Delicatessen Recordings
Out now (12/7), ¥800
Sample/buy: (Japan), (World)

This is a compilation of Hatsune Miku tracks remixed by various artists from the club and pico-pico scenes, including Rocketman, Sexy-Synthesizer, PandaBoY, Higedriver and many more. Closing the album is an original by Rocketman, recently released on iTunes.

The official release page has audio samples of all tracks.

Various Artists "Hatsune Miku Dance Remix Vol.1"
オムニバス 「初音ミク DANCE REMIX Vol.1」

(Title / Artist)
1. Hatsune Miku no shōshitsu (Moonbug remix) / cosMo
2. yubikiri (PandaBoY remix) / Scop
3. Melancholic (Higedriver remix) / Junky
4. World's End Dancehall (ROCKETMAN remix) / WOWAKA
5. celluloid (fu_mou remix) / baker
6. Albino (Kubota Masahiko feat. Novoiski remix) / buzzG
7. hannyashingyō Pop (THE LASTTRAK remix) / Onyū P
8. kusari no shōjo (DJ USYN remix) / Noboru ↑Ｐ
9. migikata no chō (killdisco remix) / Nori P
10. Nyanyanyanyanyanyanya! (SEXY-SYNTHESIZER remix) / daniwellP
11. koi suru VOC@LOID (baker remix) / OSTER PROJECT
12. FREELY TOMORROW (Dub Master X remix) / MITCHIE M
13. tonda Hattary Boy / ROCKETMAN feat. Hatsune Miku

Victor VICL-63814
Out 12/7, ¥1886 (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.

ROCKETMAN feat. Hatsune Miku "tonda Hattary Boy"

Just about a year ago was held the first "We 'hub' music!" event organized by Yasuda Toshiyuki. Since then the series has seen 4 events, where the artist always acts as a "hub" inviting others from different genres and scenes, and might not usually be seen performing at the same place.

Now here comes this iTunes-only compilation of live recordings from these 4 shows.

For more details and links to each artist, and even alternate artwork, check out the official release page. Also see a report from the first of these events here.

Various Artists "We 'hub' music! Vol. 01-04"

(Artist / Title)
1. The Firefly Clan / Cedar
2. sakai asuka feat. Yuu Uesugi / Little Voice
3. Satoru Wono feat. Tokuzawa Seigen / The Snow
4. Yasuda Toshiyuki / Dance Only With Me
5. Imanishi Reiko & Okano Eugene & Namekawa Sawori / Stars in Vachaspati
6. Ken'ichi Itoi aka PsysEx / attic plan c
7. kyoka / ROMOOne (Live)
8. Takeo Toyama / Coda
9. Kyo Ichinose & Tomoko Kanda / Earthrise 2064
10. Yasuda Toshiyuki & Sukegawa Taro & The Firefly Clan & Satoru Wono & Tokuzawa Seigen / Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Megadolly MDD-1108
Out now (11/23), ¥1429 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: