Tokyo's Coolest Sound

TGMX (Frontier Backyard, Cubismo Grafico Five, Scafull King) has a 2nd solo album out now on Niw! Records. This new album has many guests from bands such as Cubismo GRafico Five, Your Song Is Good and many more. For the record, his previous album "Music Library" was released in November 2001 in a limited number of 5000 and sold out instantly (it was reissued in 2012).

Also out at the same time is a 7" of "Today" and "opposite". Find it at Jet Set or Amazon Japan.

Release official site

TGMX "I Can't Sing It"

1. under the stargate
2. Today
3. AKIRAME NO NATSUNI
4. opposite
5. china blue cocktail
6. I listen to music alone
7. Night Comes
8. Take me back there
9. BABY, CHILD　
10. KARUI KIMOCHI
11. cumbi
12. ever change

Niw! NIW-84
Out now (11/23), ¥2800 (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.

"Today"

"opposite"

Duo DadaD has a new song available on iTunes Japan only. This song is used in TV commercial for Chifure skin lotion.

DadaD "kiss me kiss" (Download)

Victor
Out now (11/21), ¥250
Sample/buy:

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

Chifure skin lotion TV commercial

Original Love has a first live album out now. This 18-song 2-CD recording is from a show held at Shibuya Club Quattro on July 21, 2012, part of the "Overblow Tour". Included are also several old hits such as "seppun -Kiss-" and "yoru o buttobase" (Pizzicato Five's "Let's Spend The Night Together"), and on keyboards is Nakayama Tsutomu, a support member of Pizzicato Five in the Sony days who was also part of Original Love's band in the late 90's.

Original Love "Overblow Tour 2012 Live in Shibuya Club Quattro"
オリジナル・ラヴ 「Overblow Tour 2012 Live in Shibuya Club Quattro」

Disc 1
1. gin Jacket no machi otoko
2. Sex to jiyū
3. shakunetsu
4. Free Ride
5. Fiesta
6. Dance
7. Volare! (Nel Blu, Dipinto Di Blu)
8. umi ga mieru oka
9. Primal
10. kanashii Noise

Disc 2
1. Love Song
2. seppun
3. Coming Soon
4. The Rover
5. JUMPIN' JACK JIVE
6. asahi no ataru michi
7. kōun na Tour
8. yoru o buttobase

Wonderful World Records XQKP-1004
Out now (11/21), ¥3500 (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.

"gin Jacket no machi otoko" (iPhone recording from this show)

J-death-techno label Speedking Productions brings a 5th edition of its popular "Speedking" compilation series! This 2-CD release features the latest tracks by Bubble-B, Yoshida Tetsuto, m2dy (aka m1dy), Missile Chewbacca and many more.

Various Artists "Speedking Vol.5"

Disc 1
(Title / Artist)
1.C'mon & Rave! / 3R2
2.Be With U / JAKAZiD
3.Devide Zero / ASTROID
4.Replicant Death Dance / Dee!
5.Let The Music Play / M-Project fw. GUHROOVY
6.Smash the disco / YAM
7.across the river of rave / genkai LOVERZ
8.Imitation development / SamplingMasters MEGA
9.B.S-Break Shousei- / 232COMIT

Disc 2
1.Kawasaki Heavenly / BUBBLE-B
2.Lift me up higher and higher / SamplingMasters AYA
3.death in house / Parikko
4.DARK NIGHT ENHANCER / MISSILE CHEWBACCA
5.Miyako / DJ Io
6.Avast! / Salchok
7.we are greedy / AKIRADEATH
8.badtuning / m2dy
9.C'mon Everybody / Yoshida Tetsuto

Speedking Productions SPK09
Out 11/21, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Sampler clip

Ino Hidefumi is back with a new 7" single, an 8th release of his popular series. These songs, both original, are expected to be part of a new album to come next spring.

Samples can be heard at Jet Set.

No shows are planned at the moment, but go like Ino Hidefumi's recently open official Facebook page for the latest news.

Ino Hidefumi "In Abundance Freedom / Green Tea" (7")
猪野秀史 「ありあまる自由のなかで／グリーンティ」

A. In Abundance Freedom (Japanese title: ariamaru jiyū no naka de)
B. Green Tea

Innocent Record IREP-0008
Out now (11/18), ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

ShibusaShirazu, a big band that mixes various genres and uses all kinds of performances in their shows, has a cover album out earlier this month. Featured are various guest vocalists including Nagisa Yōko, Sakamoto Miu and Sandii. Songs include "Rydeen" (YMO), "Swallowtail Butterfly" (Yen Town Band), etc.

All songs can be sampled at CDJapan and other retailers.

ShibusaShirazu will have many shows planned in and around Tokyo. Check their schedule for details.

ShibusaShirazu "shibusai kayō taizen"
渋さ知らズ 「渋彩歌謡大全」

1. kaero kana (vocals: Izumi Kunihiro) (Original artist: Kitajima Saburō)
2. isshūkan (vocals: Watanabe Shinichi) (Russian traditional song)
3. koi wa yumeiro (vocals: Nagisa Yoko) (Original artist: Nishida Sachiko)
4. Swallowtail Butterfly ~ai no uta~ (instrumental) (Original artist: Yen Town Band)
5. tasogare no Beguine (vocals: Sandii) (Original artist: Mizuhara Hiroshi)
6. Rydeen (instrumental) (Original artist: Yellow Magic Orchestra)
7. yume wa yoru hiraku (vocals: Endō Michirō) (Original artist: Mikami Kan)
8. 渡 (vocals: Sakamoto Miu) (Original artist: ShibusaShirazu)
9. kuroi hanabira (vocals Mikami Kan)
10. akkan (vocals: Keyco) (Original artist: ShibusaShirazu)
11. Ponta De Areia (instrumental) (Original artist: Wayne Shorter)
12. kimi wa kotae yo (vocals: Watanabe Shinichi) (Original artist: J. A. Seazer / Tōgō Ken)

Tokuma Japan TKCA-73836
Out now (11/7), ¥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.

"isshūkan"

Rocketman's new track features singer Cana (Sotte Bosse). It's available now on iTunes Japan only.

Also Rocketman has been active on SoundCloud recently, posting what seem to be some new tracks.

Rocketman feat. Cana "Mermaid" (Download)

Out now (11/14), ¥250
Buy: Mermaid - Mermaid - Single

How to buy from iTunes Japan from overseas

"Mermaid"

Panda 1/2 have a new song about their recent trip to Sri Lanka. It's available for download on iTunes worldwide, and also Amazon MP3 Japan & U.S. and Japan indies DRM-free site OTOTOY.

Panda 1/2's singer Fujioka Minami will be quitting by the end of this year. I'll miss this nice duo! However a mini-album will be released on December 12 (that's 12/12/12!), their first CD release. Stay tuned for details!

Panda 1/2 "bokura ga Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte e tabi ni deru riyū"
PANDA 1/2 「ぼくらがスリジャヤワルダナプラコッテへ旅に出る理由」

1. bokura ga Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte e tabi ni deru riyū
2. bokura ga Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte e tabi ni deru riyū (Backing track)
3. bokura ga Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte e tabi ni deru riyū (Instrumental)

P and A Entertainment Inc.
Out now (11/14), ¥450
Sample/buy: (World), (Japan), Amazon MP3 U.S., Amazon MP3 Japan, OTOTOY

"bokura ga Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte e tabi ni deru riyū"

Kirinji have a 9th album titled "Super View" out now! The limited edition comes with a bonus DVD of 4 video clips.

Then there's good and bad news... The bad news is that the younger of the two brothers, Horigome Yasuyuki, will be leaving the band next spring to focus on his solo career. The good news though is that a 10th album is in the works already, and will be released next spring.

The band will be touring Japan from February (all tour dates), stopping in Tokyo on February 10, March 2, and then playing 2 days at NHK Hall on April 11 and 12.

Kirinji "Super View"
キリンジ 「SUPER VIEW」

1. sōshun
2. TREKKING SONG
3. ibara ni kuchizuke o
4. namida ni akitara
5. itsumo kawaii
6. kyō no uta
7. inore norou na
8. Butter no yō ni
9. tatsu no ko

DVD (Limited edition only)
1. TREKKING SONG
2. inore norou na
3. namida ni akitara
4. natsu no hikari

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Columbia COZP-721
Out now (11/7), ¥3300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (23% off *), HMV (15% off *), Tower Records (15% off *) ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD only)
Columbia COCP-37593
Out now (11/7), ¥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.

"TREKKING SONG"

"inore norou na (Short ver.)"

"namida ni akitara (Short ver.)"

"natsu no hikari (Short ver.)"

Indies electro-pop unit spoon+'s 2nd album "hear" has just been released.

spoon+ will hold a one-man show at Shimokitazawa MOSAiC on November 24. Reservations can be made here.

spoon+ "hear"

1. LIP CRAP
2. delicious & journey
3. me & my baby on the brand new planet
4. Hot Milk
5. baka ni ageyō
6. ii nioi no suru kata e
7. jōtō na memai
8. ichigo on the Shortcake
9. Miss Mermaid
10. Wonder Timer
11. kowai obake ga kuru mae ni
12. shineUP

Spoon+ SPAC-003
Out now (11/8), ¥1905 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Hot Milk" (CM ver.)

Album teaser

erectricmole, an electronica unit with a Japanese touch, has a new digital EP out now on Flawless World (post-Usagi-chang Records). Follow-up to the previous "sakura" EP, this includes 3 covers of early 20th century Japanese classic songs that you might have heard before.

erectricmole "oborozukiyo" (Download)
erectricmole 「朧月夜」

1. oborozukiyo
2. ichibanboshi mitsuketa
3. chatsumi

FWDR-005
Out now (11/14), ¥450
Sample/buy: Amazon U.S., Amazon Japan, (World), (Japan), OTOTOY

Sampler clip

Little Lounge*Little Twinkle has a 2nd album out now! LLLT is the charming pop unit of Kida Shunsuke (composer), Tanaka Keiko (viola, etc.) and Asano Miyuki (vocals, toy instruments). "hvit" means "white" in Norwegian.

The CD package contains a DIY pop-up ferris wheel that can be put together using a cutter, a bit of glue and some patience. Sounds like a way to spend a day off while listening to the album. :) See the videos below.

Official release page

Little Lounge*Little Twinkle "hvit"

1. Stripe!
2. saratto
3. ōdan hodō no Rondo
4. suteki janai ka
5. sakadachi Recipe
6. Piano Concerto in A minor, 1st movement (Edvard Grieg)
7. TOT phenomenon
8. tori ga kuwaeta oshiro no Parts
9. WORLD
10. Nonki ni sodatta ai no monogatari
11. Snowy Story

Strobe Records SRCD-010
Out now (11/11), ¥2858 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"saratto"

How to make the included pop-up ferris wheel (& album sampler)

Recording footage

This is a very special compilation paying tribute to Fukumura Takayuki, an original member of advantage Lucy and Vasallo Crab 75 who passed away 10 years ago. Various friend bands got together and recorded brand new songs written just for this compilation. Featured artists including advantage Lucy, Vasallo Crab 75, Three Berry Icecream, Swinging Popsicle,... this truly seems like a big reunion.

A related yearly event will be held on November 25 at Shimokitazawa Club Que, with Vasallo Crab 75, advantage Lucy, Bertoia and more.

All tracks can be sampled at YesAsia and other retailers.

Various Artists "mune kyun Arpeggio ~ Takayuki Fukumura with Friends"
オムニバス 「胸キュン☆アルペジオ～Takayuki Fukumura with Friends」

1. Majestic Monochrome / Three Berry Icecream
2. kaze no koe / mune kyun Friends
3. STARS / advantage Lucy
4. Color of sound / Bertoia
5. sora no aji / Clay Hips: Brent Kenji (From USA/Germany)
6. koto no ha / mune kyun Friends
7. RIBBON / Swinging Popsicle
8. California / mune kyun Friends
9. Your Music Will Never Die / VASALLO CRAB 75
10. Fly down / the primrose
11. Arpeggio no kan / mune kyun Friends

solaris records DQC-977
Out now (11/7), ¥2191 (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.

Idol group 9nine (pronounced just "nine") has a new single coming. This one contains the theme song of "Hoa hoa! Kyonshi Girl", a TV series starring one of the girls as a kyonshi fighter. Kyonshis are Chinese zombies that were very popular in Japan in the 80's. The B-side can also be heard in the series.

This release comes in 4 editions, but let me recommend the two limited editions that come respectively with remixes by Akakage and DJ Jet Baron (Japan's first Funkot DJ).

9nine "Yie Ar! Kyonshi feat. Hao hao! Kyonshi Girl / Brave"
9nine "イーアル ! キョンシー feat. 好好！ キョンシーガール / Brave"

Limited edition version A (CD+DVD (Brave))

CD
1. Brave
2. Yie Ar! Kyonshi feat. Hao hao! Kyonshi Girl
3. Yie Ar! Kyonshi feat. Hao hao! Kyonshi Girl (AKAKAGE's Skankin' Breaks)
4. Brave (Instrumental)
5. Yie Ar! Kyonshi feat. Hao hao! Kyonshi Girl (Instrumental)

DVD
1. Brave (Music Video)
2. Brave (Music Video Making)
3. Brave (Dance Shot ver.)

Sony SECL-1208
Out 11/14, ¥1239 (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.

Limited edition version B (CD+DVD (Yie Ar! Kyonshi))

CD
1. Yie Ar! Kyonshi feat. Hao hao! Kyonshi Girl
2. Brave
3. Yie Ar! Kyonshi (Ver. FUNKOT ASLI) (REMIXED by DJ JET BARON)
4. Yie Ar! Kyonshi feat. Hao hao! Kyonshi Girl (Instrumental)
5. Brave (Instrumental)

DVD
1. Yie Ar! Kyonshi feat. Hao hao! Kyonshi Girl (Music Video)
2. Yie Ar! Kyonshi feat. Hao hao! Kyonshi Girl (Music Video Making)
3. Yie Ar! Kyonshi feat. Hao hao! Kyonshi Girl (Dance hot ver.)

Sony SECL-1210
Out 11/14, ¥1239 (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.

"Yie Ar! Kyonshi feat. Hao hao! Kyonshi Girl"

"Brave"

This month from Delicatessen LAB (Nakatsuka Takeshi's digital label) is a new EP by saxophonist Ishikawa Shūnosuke. This is a follow-up to "shumusic" released in May.

This 2 new EP of sax-led danceable funky instrumentals seems to be available on iTunes worldwide. Lead tracks from both releases have made it to the top of iTunes Japan's jazz chart.

Shū has a Holland-themed lunchtime event "kantine vol.5" that will be held at Ove Cafe (Omotesando) on December 1st. He's also part of Nakatsuka Takeshi's band that will play at Ebisu Batica on November 29 and Shibuya JZ Brat on December 30.

Shūnosuke Ishikawa "shumusic 002" (Download)
石川周之介 「shumusic 002」

1. Torikara - The Fried Chicken -
2. Dunya

Delicatessen Recordings
Out now (11/7), ¥400
Sample/buy: (World), (Japan)

Following its "Choice" series of foreign song covers, Billboard Records begins a series of Japanese song cover albums titled "Your Time". The first artist of the series is hitomitoi who released her latest original album "City Dive" on the label. This new cover album is also produced by Cunimondo Takiguchi (Ryūsenkei) so we can safely expect more of the same great 80's inspired synth city pops sound.

Songs include Yuming's "te no hira no Tokyo Tower" (original) which has previously been covered by Nomiya Maki, Takuchi Mariya's "natsu no koibito" (original), Miyamoto Noriko's "Silver Rain" (original), Rajie's "Black Moon" (original), EPO's "doyō no yoru wa Paradise" (original), etc.

hitomitoi "YOUR TIME Route #1"
一十三十一 「YOUR TIME Route #1」

1. CHA CHA CHA (Ishii Akemi)
2. Chance (Ōnuki Taeko)
3. natsu no koibito (Takeuchi Mariya)
4. kuchibiru yo, atsuku kimi o katare (Watanabe Machiko)
5. Black Moon (Rajie)
6. sumire September Love (ippūdō)
7. SILVER RAIN (Miyamoto Noriko)
8. te no hira no Tokyo Tower (Matsutōya Yumi)
9. doyō no yoru wa Paradise (EPO)

Billboard Records HBRJ-1007
Out 11/14, ¥2096 (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:
Nanba Shiho "Choice"
Nona Reeves "Choice II"
Sunaga t Experience "Choice"

Ryoma Maeda aka milch of source (producer of EeL) is releasing a new album under his real name. With more pop melodies than before, the sound is said to be an upbeat chaos of rock, punk and techno. The odd title comes from a concept of a boy his head filled of ideas of lust, violence and rock, given freedom by shooting his head with... a water gun.

First track "I Want To Your Joke" is available for free download at OTOTOY for a limited time (though you'll first be asked to login, easier done by using a Twitter account).

Label Virgin Babylon Records offers a bonus download of 10 MP3s for direct orders of the CD. The shop accepts worldwide orders and uses PayPal for payments.

Ryoma Maeda "Fantastic Suicide"

1. I Want To Your Joke
2. Stay Free, I'm Not Free.
3. Roll Over Beethoveeeen
4. Do You Remember Punkish Radio?
5. Good Night, Metal Guru
6. Ballad For 21th Century Girl
7. We Will Funk You
8. I Feel Mood
9. For Her Tennessee Waltz
10. Meat Is Mahler
11. Are You Experienced? (in my life)
12. I Want To Your Joke (Serph REMIX)

Virgin Babylon Records VBR-010
Out 11/10, ¥1905 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Amazon MP3 Japan, Amazon MP3 U.S., Virgin Babylon Records
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Roll Over Beethoveeeen"

Sampler clip

DJ Fumiya (Rip Slyme, O.T.F) has a 1st solo original album coming! As the title says, the concept is club music intended for the current "dad generation" he belongs to. :) Featured guests include Bakubaku Dokin with Nagashima Tomoko (orange pekoe), Rhymester, Kimyō Reitarō, Trippple Nippples and more.

"Hotcake Samba" is available in advance on iTunes Japan.

DJ Fumiya "Beats For Daddy"

1. Voice for Daddy
2. JYANAI? feat. chinza DOPENESS
3. BUMBRITY feat. Trippple Nippples
4. HOTCAKE SAMBA feat. BAKUBAKU DOKIN & Tomoko Nagashima from orange pekoe
5. ENERGY FORCE
6. Continue? feat.RHYMESTER
7. LOVE jigoku feat.RYO-Z & Kurosawa Kazuko from Morisanchū
8. FANTASTIQUE!
9. TOKYO LOVE STORY feat. Kimyō Reitarō
10. Here We Go feat Dynamite MC (Diplo Remix)

Warner WPCL-11224
Out 11/7, ¥3000 (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.

"HOTCAKE SAMBA feat. BAKUBAKU DOKIN & Tomoko Nagashima from orange pekoe"

"JYANAI? feat. chinza DOPENESS"

Sunaga Tatsuo-acclaimed jazz band JiLL-Decoy association (aka "JiLL-Deco") has a new album out now, self-covering their best songs from a decade of activity, and re-recording them with a "dance music" concept and all English lyrics. Featured collaborators include Coldfeet, Jazzin' park, arvin homa aya and more. Brand new song "Red & Blue, Green & White" is also included.

JiLL-Decoy association "Decade"

1. Red & Blue, Green & White
2. too much!
3. no name collection
4. Wa
5. GARDEN
6. Irony
7. Joshitsu-Sabotage
8. Nets

U'S Music USM-058
Out now (10/10), ¥2191 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Red & Blue, Green & White"

Wack Wack Rhythm Band is now celebrating its 20th anniversary! Time flies! This first greatest hits album contains favorites from their whole career, as well as the 2 new recordings from their latest 7" single. A total of 20 tracks.

Wack Wack Rhythm Band can be seen live on November 11 at Aoyama Cay, celebrating their 20th anniversary with guests Rhymester and You The Rock, and DJs including Konishi Yasuharu. Tickets are available through Lawson (L-code 76216) or reservation at Cay.

Wack Wack Rhythm Band "XX Classics"

1. Long Island Margarita
2. HIT AND RUN
3. Saturday Night Flying Booster
4. Bermuda Blowback
5. CAPTAIN OLMECA
6. A Swallow Flies High
7. Let It Go (with TRILETS from DREAMLETS)
8. Spin Me Right on 45
9. Left Behind (wichita mix)
10. The DAX
11. KARATE
12. Younger Girl (with BOO)
13. Midnight Roundabout
14. Quick Tailored Jam
15. Ain't Got No, I Got Life
16. OTOKOTACHI NO MELODY
17. Wack Wack Rhythm Island feat. Rhymester
18. Dreams Come Through
19. Everything is Mo' Beautiful
20. Expo '73 Avenue

High Contrast HCCD-9535
Out 11/7, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Album teaser

Techno-pop-punk unit fantaholic, formed of singer Satō Takako and machinist Takahashi Hiroki, has a first 5-song mini-album out now.

fantaholic "Me, You, Synthesizer"

1. Welcome to Another World, Here You Are
2. Till the Party Ends
3. I'm Your Slave, Baby
4. Rich Girl, Geek Girl
5. Cut-Out Happiness

Magical Computer MCMD-0001
Out now (10/24), ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Aurora Acoustic is the 2-acoustic guitar instrumental unit of DJ/producer Kaoru Inoue (Chari Chari) and guitarist Kojima Daisuke (aka DSK, of Port of Notes). Having previously released albums "Flare" (2004), "Fjord" (2006) and "Feast" (2007) under the Aurora name, here comes a new album and also a greatest hits album (actually containing several rarities and new versions), both out now on Kaoru Inoue's Seeds And Ground label (Crue-L family).

Audio samples can be heard at Jet Set (follow the links below).

Aurora Acoustic can be seen live on October 23 at Shibuya duo Music Exchange (Facebook event), and on October 25 at Aoyama Cay (Facebook event).

Aurora Acoustic "Harmony of the Spheres"

1. Opening with Ignat
2. Maiden Voyage
3. Todoroki
4. Inaho
5. Sprout
6. Harmony of the Spheres
7. Winter Solstice
8. Moon Beam
9. Slow Tide
10. yūnagi
11. Live at Muriwui
12. Aurora Acoustic

Seeds And Ground SAGCD-029
Out now (10/24), ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Aurora Acoustic "The Light Chronicles (Best of Aurora Acoustic)"

1. Arquivos do Verao
2. Dancarino da Estrela
3. Lo Stesso Sangue
4. Auroral Echo #1
5. Kagerou
6. Sun & Wave
7. Launch Out
8. Auroral Echo #2
9. Fly From East
10. Northern Lights
11. Kumano

Seeds And Ground SAGCD-030
Out now (10/24), ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

It's a busy year for Vanilla Beans! Not only have they released 3 singles, a DVD and a photo book so far, but here comes a brand new 3rd album! This one is said to have the particularity of being entirely backed with a full band, no all-programmed tracks. Album versions of their three latest singles released this year ("toki no kakera", "Choco Mint Flavor Time" and "Non-Section") are included, as well as a cover of Thee Michelle Gun Elephant. All the rest are brand new original songs.

This time the limited edition comes at a cheaper price but is missing 3 songs that are found on the normal edition. The jacket artwork is different, this time again very strange one too! Rena and Lisa wrote lyrics to one song each, only appearing on the regular edition.

Vanilla Beans "Vanilla Beans III"
バニラビーンズ 「バニラビーンズIII」

1. Skåne no hana ga saiteiru
2. Subcul(ture) Girl madoka
3. Killer Kyui-n
4. Next Step Up
5. Choco Mint Flavor Time (album ver.)
6. mōsō Cafeteria
7. Non-Section (album ver.)
8. Very Very Blueberry
9. toki no kakera (album ver.)
10. mō sugu Triangle feat. Tokyo Girls' Style
11. Akiho
12. kimi ni Love Song
13. sekai no owari

* Tracks 10 to 12 are only included in the regular edition (not the cheaper limited edition)

Regular edition (+ 3 bonus tracks)
T-Palette Records TPRC-0025
Out 11/7, ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Limited edition (only 10 tracks)
T-Palette Records TPRC-0024
Out 11/7, ¥1905 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Killer Kyui-n"

Singer Koizumi Kyōko has a new original album celebrating her 30th debut anniversary. Producers include Konishi Yasuharu ("omoshiro okashiku ikitekita keredo" and "Ma plus belle histoire d'amour"), Kikuchi Naruyoshi ("Une chanson pour les grands"), Soil & "Pimp" Sessions ("Sweet & Spicy"), Kawanabe Hiroshi ("Country Living") & more.

Plus, the limited edition comes with a bonus CD of 10 remixes of some of her greatest hits, the whole supervised by FPM. A book of recent photos is also included with this edition.

Koizumi Kyoko "Koizumi Chansonnier"
小泉今日子 「Koizumi Chansonnier」

CD 1
1. Sweet & Spicy
2. 100%
3. Une chanson pour les grands
4. Private
5. Ma plus belle histoire d'amour
6. shashin
7. Country Living
8. gomen ne
9. watashi no yuku michi
10. omoshiro okashiku ikitekita keredo
11. kosame no ki
12. Chanson

CD 2 (Limited edition only)
1. Kyon30 SINGLE MEGA MIX
2. yoake no MEW (i-dep BON Remix)
3. watashi no 16sai (DJ OMKT remix)
4. adesugata namida musume (tofubeats BXVTS remix)
5. Yamato Nadeshiko 7henka (okadada remix)
6. anata ni aete yokatta (Booty Bronx Remix)
7. nantettatte Idol (Norihito Ogawa Remix)
8. meikyu no Androla (Hoshina Anniversary Remix)
9. yasashii ame (SixMAN Remix)
10. Fade Out (music note Remix)

Limited edition (2 CDs + Photo book)
Victor VIZL-499
Out now (10/24), ¥3524 (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
Victor VICL-63932
Out now (10/24), ¥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.

"100%"

October saw the release of a series of 3 Shibuya-kei tribute cover compilations! All of these are full of famous Shibuya-kei songs covered by younger artists and bands who have been influenced by the movement.

Included are songs originally by Pizzicato Five, Flipper's Guitar, Cornelius, Ozawa, Kaji Hideki, Cymbals, Sunny Day Service, Venus Peter, Spiral Life, etc., as well as some by foreign artists who influenced the genre (Cardigans, Eggstone, Haircut 100, etc.).

See the tracklists below for the featured artists.

Official release page

Various Artists "Shibuya-kei Respect 1"
オムニバス 「渋谷系 リスペクト 1」

1. yellow mellow kite town / (opening)
2. maniaco-maniaque / Boys Fire the Tricot (Flipper's Guitar)
3. SAYURI & Mikio Nakashima / Mike Alway's Diary (Kahimi Karie)
4. microtone feat. Nakamura Megumi / Windy Afternoon (Bridge)
5. salvia / The Sun Is My Enemy (Cornelius)
6. microtone & Ogasawara Shizuka / （Intermission）
7. microtone & Ogasawara Shizuka / tsuki no ura de aimashō (Original Love)
8. The Aprils / Every Planets Son (Venus Peter)
9. microtone & Satoko Fujiiwa / Cosmic Hippie (Sunny Day Service)
10. microtone & Satoko Fujiiwa (Intermission)
11. the Caraway / La Boom ~datte My Boom Is Me~ (Kaji Hideki)
12. mugi & yellow mellow kite town / Bathroom de kami o kiru 100 no hōhō (Flipper's Guitar, originally by Haircut 100)
13. mugi & yellow mellow kite town / Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl) (Haircut 100)
14. microtone & Satoko Fujiiwa himawari wa yureru mama (Ozawa Kenji)
15. Les Stereo-Phonic Theatre feat. monstera / Thank You (Pale Fountains)
16. cottoncanyon / Triste (Pizzicato Five)
17. yellow mellow kite town feat. spd-wonder / Pillar To Post (Aztec Camera)
18. Soda fountains / Camera! Camera! Camera! (Flipper's Guitar)
19. Mr.COCKROBIN / oyasumi nasai, koneko chann! (Ozawa Kenji)
20. yellow mellow kite town feat. spd-wonder / (reprise) ~ red flag (traditional)

TKO new music corporation TKOK-0011
Out now (10/10), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Various Artists "Shibuya-kei Respect 2"
オムニバス 「渋谷系 リスペクト 2」

1. (opening)
2. Groove Unchant / 7 uomini d'oro feat. pecombo (Armando Trovajoli)
3. Endō Hiroyuki & kiwako / Young, Alive, in Love (Flipper's Guitar)
4. RUBY / Candyman (Kahimi Karie)
5. MOMO cafe gasshōdan / Lovely (Ozawa Kenji)
6. Imai Kentarō (The Aprils) & Wakiya Takeshi (Plus-Tech Squeeze Box) / (Intermission)
7. Imai Kentarō (The Aprils) & Wakiya Takeshi (Plus-Tech Squeeze Box) / Perfect Rainbow (Cornelius)
8. microtone feat. Mayumi Yoshizawa / Message Song (Pizzicato Five)
9. Spritehol!c & kinji kato / Here Is Our Street!! (Kaji Hideki)
10. Lele et Moi / Mademoiselle Aimée (Clémentine)
11. Peter / koi wa Yéyé (shin Idol o sagase) (Fancy Face Groovy Name)
12. spd-wonder & yellow mellow kite town / New World (Venus Peter)
13. Frenesi / 3a.m.op (Flipper's Guitar)
14. SweetSounds / Anniversary of Love (Sunny Day Service)
15. Les Stereo-Phonic Theatre / Love So Fine (Roger Nichols & The Small Circle of Friends)
16. YocheySpecial / Summer beauty 1990 (Flipper's Guitar)
17. yellow mellow kite town & yummy & Shun / Chanson des jumelles (Michel Legrand)
18. Lele et Moi / Avant la bagarre (France Gall)
19. pitcher56 / Camera Full of Kisses (Flipper's Guitar)

TKO new music corporation TKOK-0012
Out now (10/20), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Various Artists "Shibuya-kei Respect 3"
オムニバス 「渋谷系 リスペクト 3」

1. (opening)
2. microtone feat. Okabe Akira (Strawberry Machine) / Coffee Milk Crazy (Flipper's Guitar)
3. RUBY / Humming ga kikoeru (Kahimi Karie)
4. Les Stereo-Phonic Theatre / Baby Portable Rock (Pizzicato Five)
5. Spritehol!c & kinji kato / Eggstone (Kaji Hideki)
6. humming parlour / You and Me Song (The Wannadies)
7. yellow mellow kite town / Rise and Shine (The Cardigans)
8. Sudakae / Another Moment Follows (Cloudberry Jam)
9. mugi / Water (Eggstone)
10. YocheySpecial / Theme From First Question Award (Cornelius)
11. roly poly rag bear / What a Shiny Day (Cymbals)
12. yellow mellow kite town & spd-wonder / ajisai (Sunny Day Service)
13. Uptight / Luck (The Style Council)
14. mini kyute / I Believe In Miracles (Jackson Sisters)
15. yellow mellow kite town / Here's Where The Story Ends (The Sundays)
16. yellow mellow kite town & yummy & Shun / Jean's Not Happening (Pale Fountains)
17. Les Stereo-Phonic Theatre / Obscurity Knocks (Trashcan Sinatras)
18. Oguri Shu / In One's Boyhood (Spiral Life)
19. sound sandwich featuring kanon / ichō namiki no Serenade (Ozawa Kenji)
20. flannel / Fall (Venus Peter)
21. Lele et Moi / Cloudy (Is My Sunny Mood) (Flipper's Guitar)

TKO new music corporation TKOK-0013
Out now (10/30), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.