Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Kushibiki Sayaka Trio, featuring Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Cubismo Grafico) and Furukawa Taichi (aka TA-1, ex-Riddim Saunter), has a first album out now. This mainly consists of covers of Japanese songs (and some covers of Japanese covers of foreign songs). Both songs previously released on 7" last October are included.

Kushibiki Sayaka Trio "Day & Midnight"
櫛引彩香トリオ 「Day & Midnight」

(Original artists in parentheses)
1. kimi to boku (Suzuki Lanlan)
2. taiyō no kodomotachi (Ono Lisa)
3. watashi (Trio Esperanca)
4. Lover's Concert (Yakushimaru Hiroko)
5. sora (Kushibiki Sayaka)
6. Flavor Magic (Kushibiki Sayaka)
7. hoshi furu mayonaka (Hi-Fi Set)
8. Midnight Love Call (Minami Yoshitaka)
9. boku no heya no mado (Koizumi Kyōko)
10. denwa o suru yo (UA)
11. Day Dream Believer (The Timers)

Niw! Records NIW-85
Out now (12/19), ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, YesAsia

"kimi to boku"

For those starting to get into Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, here's a boxed set of her 4 first releases (mini-album "moshimoshi Harajuku", singles "tsukematsukeru" and "Candy Candy" and album "Pamyu Pamyu Revolution"), all in their limited edition format with the photo books, plus a set of 10 stickers. All of these tracks were produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule, Perfume).

Note however that the DVD from the "Pamyu Pamyu Revolution" limited edition is not included.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "Pamyu Pamyu Evolution (otonatachi no mikata Box)"
きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ「ぱみゅぱみゅエボリューション（大人たちの味方BOX）」

"moshimoshi Harajuku" (CD + Photo book)
1. Kyary no March
2. Cherry Bonbon
3. PONPONPON
4. chōdo ii no
5. pinpon ga nannai
6. jelly

"tsukematsukeru" (CD + Photo book)
1. tsukematsukeru
2. Kyary ANAN
3. Cherry Bonbon (Extended version)

"Candy Candy" (CD + Photo book)
1. Candy Candy
2. demodemo madamada
3. chōdo ii no (extended mix)

"Pamyu Pamyu Revolution" (CD + Photo book)
1. Pamyu Pamyu Revolution
2. tsukema tsukeru
3. PONPONPON
4. minna no uta
5. Kyary ANAN
6. CANDY CANDY
7. Drinker
8. onedari 44°C
9. sukisugite kiresō
10. girigiri Safe
11. oyasumi
12. chanchakachanchan

Warner WPCL-11314
Out now (12/19), ¥9000 (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.

"CANDY CANDY"

MimiCof (official Facebook page), the solo project of Berlin-based electronic artist Midori Hirano, has a 2nd album out now on Japanese label Progressive Form.

Hear the album trailer clip below, and more samples at SoundCloud.

Also check out first album "RundSkipper" and this Sakamoto Ryuichi tribute compilation from earlier this year.

MimiCof "KotoLyra"

1. Lilium
2. Microscopium
3. Sculptor
4. Telescopium
5. Pavo
6. Triangulum
7. Octans
8. Lyra
9. Solarium
10. Pyxis
11. Horologium
12. Felis

PROGRESSIVE FOrM PFCD-33
Out now (12/15), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

MimiCof "Microscopium"

MimiCof "KotoLyra" album trailer

Konishi Yasuharu produced the music for TV drama "Tokyo zenryoku shōjo", about a 19-year-old girl who suddenly arrives to Tokyo to look for her father she hadn't met for 15 years. This series is from the makers of "Dekawanko" and "kui tan".

Original Soundtrack "Tokyo zenryoku shōjo"
「日本テレビ系水曜ドラマ『東京全力少女』オリジナル・サウンドトラック」

1. Pianist ga Wild ni naru
2. mae o muite arukō
3. kono Groovy na sekai de
4. toshokan no ongaku
5. mijikai toshokan no ongaku
6. Grand gekijō 1974
7. mizumore tenshi
8. watashi mitai na Type ni datte nayami wa aru
9. Mexican Rock 2012
10. New Vaudeville Sound
11. kanashimi no toshokan
12. tantei gokko
13. okkake Rock
14. Drum o tatake
15. suiyō yoru 10ji no Suspense
16. Tokyo zenryoku shōjo no seishun
17. konshū wa Happy End de
18. Tokyo wa Merry Go Round
19. Pianist futatabi

Vap VPCD-81758
Out now (11/28), ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

TV drama promotion clip (with BGM)

Chocolat has been singing for 15 years, and this is an album of her greatest hits, songs written by the likes of Kaji Hideki, Kanda Tomoki, Horigome Takaki (Kirinji), Horie Hirohisa (Neil & Iraiza), and more. Also included is brand new song "kaze" written by Base Ball Bear's Koide Yūsuke. This is a high-fidelity Blu-spec CD (plays in any regular CD player).

Chocolat's more recent works are with husband Katayose Akito (GREAT3), check out new album "Duet".

Chocolat "No Regrets"

1. kaze
2. Blue de Happy ga ii
3. Baseball to Elvis Presley
4. uchū no Tunnel
5. MOMO
6. 'Til Tomorrow
7. HONEY BEE, GOOD!!
8. koi suru futari
9. kagami no yoru
10. suteki na kuruma de hashirinukete
11. koi o shita nara
12. todokanai
13. AT SEVENTEEN
14. kuchibue de koi o shiyō
15. Fargo
16. NO REGRETS
17. mō hitotsu no ame

Sony MHCL-20189
Out now (12/12), ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Blue de happy ga ii"

More videos after the jump...

Follow up to single "sorya natsu da! / oide yo", here's another one from 6-girl rap unit lyrical school (previously known as Tengal6). As always this is produced by Tofubeats.

Check out the video below, and follow links to retailers for more audio samples.

lyrical school "Ribbon o kyutto"
lyrical school 「リボンをきゅっと」

1. Ribbon o kyutto
2. Maybe Love
3. Ribbon o kyutto (inst)
4. Maybe Love (inst)

T-Palette Records TPRC-0027
Out now (12/12), ¥953 (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.

"Ribbon o kyutto"

Following single "Parallel Sign", here comes a brand new 2nd album from LAMA. The limited edition comes with a bonus DVD of what seems to be 5 videos of songs from first album "New!" (2011).

The Modanica tour will stop by Shibuya WWW on February 2.

LAMA "Modanica"

1. For You, For Me
2. White out
3. Parallel Sign
4. D.B.A.
5. Domino
6. Know Your Rights
7. Strawberry Burn
8. Dear
9. In The Darkness
10. So
11. Life
12. Namida no Umi
13. And All

DVD (Limited edition only)
1. Warning
2. Spell
3. Blind Mind
4. Fantasy
5. Dreamin'

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Ki/oon KSCL-2166
Out now (12/12), ¥3200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (20% off *), HMV (10% off *), Tower Records (Japan only) (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)
Ki/oon KSCL-2168
Out now (12/12), ¥2914 (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.

"Parallel Sign"

This is DJ Muro's latest original album, 15 tracks built from records he's dug around the world, but also featuring a variety of musicians. The opening track features Ino Hidefumi. Out now on his label Digot, same name as his Shibuya-based select clothing shop opened last year.

Muro "Diggin' For Beats"

1. dub darkness feat Ino hidefumi
2. Re-Construction
3. M Line
4. Transit 1 (Interlude)
5. Seven min of breaks pt.2
6. Hittin Switch
7. Transit 2 (Interlude)
8. J.a.M
9. diggin' out jungle
10. Knigt Tribe
11. Rodeo Drive
12. Transit 3 (Interlude)
13. Sound Voyage
14. Afro Tempo
15. Final Destination

Disk Union/digot DIG-1002
Out now (12/5), ¥2300 (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 sampler

Sekitova is a high school student DJ and deep-house artist who debuted last year on acclaimed net label Maltine Records. He has now started his own label, Zamstak, of which the first release is his own album. Definitely worth a check! Start with the YouTube digest clip below.

Sekitova "premature moon and the shooting star"

1. Secret Hideout
2. Planisphere
3. Cixada
4. Heat Stroke
5. Inverted Qualia
6. Sheltering Rain
7. Heroes
8. Guess What?
9. Export to The Mercury
10. Export to The Mercury (From Disco)

Zamstak ZAM-1001
Out now (12/5), ¥2000 (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.

Sampler clip

Polysics have a new album out now! 14 songs including recent singles "Lucky Star" and "Everybody Say No".

The limited edition contains a bonus DVD with these two videos as well as a documentary about how they decide of a live show set list.

Audio samples of all tracks at Amazon, HMV, Tower and CDJapan.

Polysics "Weeeeeeeeee!!!"

1. Sparkling ater
2. Lucky Star
3. Distortion
4. Steam Pack
5. Ice, Tights, Mike
6. Why
7. Quiet Smith
8. Kitchen Ban Ban
9. Lightning Express
10. Raptus
11. High Kcal
12. Everybody Say No
13. Round The World
14. Weeeeeeeeee!!!

DVD (Limited edition only)
1. Lucky Star（Music Video）
2. Everybody Say No（Music Video）
3. Live Set List kettei kaigi Documentary "moeyo Guitar"

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Ki/oon Music KSCL-2163
Out now (12/5), ¥3334 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (25%), HMV (15%), Tower Records (Japan only) (15%) ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD only)
Ki/oon Music KSCL-2165
Out now (12/5), ¥2914 (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.

"Lucky Star"

"Everybody Say No"

"Live Set List kettei kaigi Documentary 'moeyo Guitar'" (Digest)

Fujisawa Shiho has a Christmas 7" out now, containing danceable covers of "Wonderful Christmas Time" (Paul McCartney) and "Ave Maria". It's pressed on red vinyl too! Get it in time for your Christmas parties!

Audio samples at Jet Set.

Fujisawa Shiho "Wonderful Christmas Time" (7")
藤澤志保 「Wonderful Christmas Time」

A. Wonderful Christmas Time
B. Ave Maria

Eat Records ER-0028
Out now (11/28), ¥1400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

Towa Tei has a new mix CD, in fact his first ever! He has released many compilation CDs before but it seems like this is his first attempt at a non-stop mix. Here he selects tracks from legendary New York dance music label Salsoul (1975-1984), and mixes them without any beat stretching it seems.

Various Artists "The Beat Goes On ~Salsoul Classics Mixed By Towa Tei~"

(Title / Artist)
1. I Got My Mind Made Up (Original Larry Levan 12" Mix) / Instant Funk
2. Ooh I Love It (Love Break) (Original Shep Pettibone 12" Remix) / The Salsoul Orchestra
3. Love Thang (Tee Scott 12" Remix) / First Choice
4. I Like It Like That (Original Shep Pettibone 12" Mix) / Inner Life
5. The Beat Goes On And On (Jim Burgess 12" Mix) / Ripple
6. Let's Celebrate / Skyy
7. Love Sensation / Loleatta Holloway
8. Let No Man Put Asunder (Original Shep Pettibone 12" Mix) / First Choice
9. Spring Rain / Silvetti
10. Take Some Time Out (For Love) (Original 12" Mix) / The Salsoul Orchestra
11. Make It Last Forever (Unreleased Larry Levan Remix) / Inner Life
12. Doctor Love (Original Tom Moulton 12" Mix) / First Choice
13. Hit 'n Run (Original Paul Simpson Special R.E.M.I.X.E.D. Version) / Loleatta Holloway
14. Ten Percent (Original Walter Gibbons 12" Mix) / Double Exposure
15. Runaway / The Salsoul Orchestra Featuring Loleatta Holloway

Octave Lab OTLCD-5070
Out now (12/5), ¥2500 (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.

Iga-Bang BB, a big band of 17 musicians led by trombonist Igarashi Makoto, has a 2nd EP available on iTunes worldwide through Nakatsuka Takeshi's Delicatessen Lab label. Breakbeats jazz track "Fractale" ranked #1 in iTunes Japan's jazz chart on release day.

Iga-Bang BB "Bang! Bang!" (Download)
イガバンBB 「BANG!BANG!」

1. FRACTALE
2. Kyanos

Delicatessen Recordings
Out now (12/5), ¥400
Sample/buy: (World), (Japan)

"FRACTALE"

"Kyanos"

See also: "Bang!"

Organ-led girl GS band Kinoco Hotel has a new original album coming up, consisting of 10 brand new songs.

Kinoco Hotel will be play 2 nights at Tokyo Kinema Club on December 8 and 9. Also on December 20 will be held an event with Nosa Reina and The Shallows, at Shimokitazawa Club Que.

Kinoco Hotel "Marianne no yūwaku"
キノコホテル 「マリアンヌの誘惑」

1. 4jigen no bigaku
2. kyūtai kansetsu
3. gōka
4. ai to kyōiku
5. sono toki nani ga okotta no?
6. Eros + dokusai
7. koi no Chance wa 1do dake
8. kaiten Bed no mukō gawa
9. akuma na Fuzz
10. #84

Yamaha YCCW-10187
Out 12/5, ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"sono toki nani ga okita no?"

Here's a new single from LAMA. B-side "Seven Swell -based on 'Niji'-" is, as the title says, inspired by Denki Groove's hit song "Niji", and a short version video clip made by the team behind "Eureka Seven OA" can be seen on this special site. A 2nd album titled "Modanica" is also coming December 12.

The limited edition of this single includes instrumentals and acapellas of all tracks (total 9 tracks), with different artwork.

LAMA is the band of Nakamura Kōji (iLL, ex-Supercar), Furukawa Miki (ex-Supercar), Ushio Kensuke (agraph) and Tabuchi Hisako (bloodthirsty butchers, ex-Number Girl). Member Ushio Kensuke is a support member in Denki Groove's live shows.

A show will be held at Shibuya WWW on February 2, 2013. Details at Tokyo Gig Guide.

LAMA "Parallel Sign"

1. Parallel Sign
2. Seven Swell -based on "Niji"-
3. Know Your Rights (Short Version)

Limited edition (with instrumentals and acapellas)
Ki/oon KSCL-2134
Out now (11/28), ¥1334 (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
Ki/oon KSCL-2133
Out now (11/28), ¥1191 (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.

"Parallel Sign"

Chocolat & Akito, the unit of singer Chocolat and husband Katayose Akito (GREAT3) have a new album out now. This is their 3rd album, following "Tropical" (2007), and contains the song "tobira" from their latest EP (check it out for remixes), and a cover of Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)". This is out now on Kanazawa label Rallye.

Chocolat & Akito "Duet"

1. One　
2. Giovanni
3. tobira
4. Daddy Daddy　
5. Don't loose your heart
6. shizukana heiwa
7. kuroneko
8. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)

Rallye RYECD-145
Out now (11/28), ¥1905 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, (Japan ^‡)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

"tobira"

"One" (Acoustic version)

World Order, the robot dance salarymen unit led by Sudo Genki, has a first single out now. This follows album "2012" released earlier this year.

This single includes by default a DVD of the video clip for "Permanent Revolution" filmed in South Korea, plus what seems to be a different version for a tie-up with Asiana Airlines, and also the making of a TV commercial for a business suit chain.

World Order "Find The Light / Permanent Revolution" (CD+DVD)

CD
1. Find The Light
2. Permanent Revolution
3. Find The Light (Remix)
4. Permanent Revolution (Remix)

DVD
1. Permanent Revolution
2. Permanent Revolution (Asiana Special Edition)
3. "yōfuku no Aoyama" CM original making footage

Pony Canyon PCCA-03756
Out now (11/28), ¥1429 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon (13% 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.

"Permanent Revolution"

TV commercial for business suits (yōfuku no Aoyama)
(Song: "Find The Light")

Indies rock compilation "Dancing After 1AM" album is from label Call And Response specializing in post-punk, new wave, often a bit on the noisy rock side, nevertheless a definitely pleasant listen for even my pop-oriented ears. Here are all new previously unreleased songs by 18 different bands, including Mir, She Talks Silence and Puffyshoes.

More about the release from its official announcement.

"Dancing After 1AM" is a new compilation album bringing together a range of the the finest exponents of contemporary Japanese postpunk and new wave.

From the frantic rhythmical assault of The Mornings, through the fragile, minimalist postpunk of Extruders and the 60s girl-group garage punk of Puffyshoes, to the heavy, psychedelic noise of Futtachi, the album covers a range of sounds, all linked by a restless, creative energy that captures the spirit of the classic art-rockers of the past while providing a wide ranging portrait of the state of the Japanese alternative scene in 2012.

Various Artists "Dancing After 1AM"

(Title / Artist)
1. Ane - TACOBONDS
2. Popcorn-batake ni kuroi kage - ANISAKIS
3. Collapsing New Buildings - Extruders
4. Saturday-Athletica - Slow-Marico
5. Shepherd - Kobayashi Dorori
6. Carnival - cynicalsmileisyourfavorite
7. I Want More (MASSSIVE) - POP-OFFICE
8. Uneco - hyacca (one hundred mosquito)
9. Michael in Utero - macmanaman
10. Oh My God - Puffyshoes
11. Deacon Punk - JEBIOTTO
12. hanten - otori
13. Nature Blessings - New House
14. Abekobe - Hysteric Picnic
15. Long Ways - She Talks Silence
16. meguriai no oto - Futtachi
17. fuji - the mornings
18. Dance - MIR

Call And Response CAR-84
Out now (10/17), ¥1890
Order: Amazon, Tower (Japan only), CDJapan, HMV

She Talks Silence "Long Ways" (Studio session)

Round Table has a greatest hits album out now of a selection from the many "featuring Nino" singles released over the last 10 years. Most of the songs were used in anime series. This release also marks an end to the Nino collaboration series.

Several songs can be sampled at this official release page.

The limited edition comes with a DVD with video clip "New World", footage from a show held in 2009, TV commercials, etc.

Round Table featuring Nino "Singles Best 2002-2012 Memories"

1. Let Me Be With You (Opening theme from TV anime "Chobits")
2. New World (Opening theme from TV anime ".hack//Legend of the Twilight")
3. Sunny Side Hill (Ending theme from TV anime "Uninhabited Planet Survive!")
4. Groovin' Magic (Opening theme from OVA "Diebuster")
5. Rainbow (Ending theme from TV anime "Aria The Animation")
6. natsu machi (Ending theme from TV anime "Aria The Natural")
7. Puzzle (Opening theme from TV anime "Welcome to the N.H.K.")
8. Oh! Yeah!! -New Year's Mix- (Ending theme from OVA "Clamp In Wonderland 2")
9. koi o shiteru (Ending theme from "Webtama 3")
10. Symphony (Self-cover of song from TV anime "Aira The Animation")
11. nagareboshi (Ending theme from TV anime "Yozakura Quartet")
12. himawari (Self-cover of song from OVA "tamayura ~hitotose~")
13. yakusoku no basho (Opening theme from OVA "One Off")
14. Memories (Ending theme from "One Off")

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Flying Dog VTZL-49
Out now (11/28), ¥3400 (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+DVD)
Flying Dog VTCL-60320
Out now (11/28), ¥2800 (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.

Opening theme from TV anime ".hack//Legend of the Twilight"
(Song "New World")