Tokyo's Coolest Sound

This latest soundtrack for NHK kids program "dai! tensai terebi-kun" (aka "TV-kun") has tracks produced by Takanami Keitarō ("sora to umi no hikari"), Kamomiya Ryō ("bokuntoko koi Blues") (both ex-Pizzicato Five), The Aprils ("High Flying Girl"), Omodaka, Okii Reiji (Scott Goes For, ex-Cymbals) ("sekai no karakuri to boku no yubisaki" and "machi wa fuyu ni odoru"), Maedayama Kenichi (aka Hyadain) ("kōkyō denpa ni nokkatte"), Shirai Ryōmei (ex-Moonriders) ("bōken shōnen R"), etc.

Various Artists "NHK CD dai! tensai terebi-kun MTK the 17th"
オムニバス 「NHK CD 大！天才てれびくん MTK the 17th」

1. dai! tensai terebi-kun 2012 ~ Long Version / Omodaka
2. High Flying Girl / Okada Yui
3. bōken shōnen R / Nagae Ryōki
4. sora to umi no hikari / Asaka Leo, Hasegawa Niina
5. patatapite potatsupite / Soesbe Kōyō, Kaneko Shunya, Takehara Tsukasa, Nagae Ryōki, Kurosawa Mirena, Yamada Tōko, Chinzei Suzuka, Terada Akari
6. sekai no karakuri to boku no yubisaki / Asaka Leo
7. kōkyō denpa ni nokkatte / terebi-chan
8. bokuntoko koi Blues / Shimada Taichi, Takehara Tsukasa
9. machi wa fuyu ni odoru / Chinzei Suzuka, Hasegawa Niina, Soesbe Kōyō
10. Revolution Perfect Game / ChibiLug
11. Anaconda Love ♥ / Terada Akari, ROLLY
12. koi suru kisetsu / terebi senshi 2012
13. High Flying Girl (Karaoke)
14. bōken shōnen R (Karaoke)
15. sora to umi no hikari (Karaoke)
16. patatapite potatsupite (Karaoke)
17. sekai no karakuri to boku no yubisaki (Karaoke)
18. kōkyō denpa ni nokkatte (Karaoke)
19. bokuntoko koi Blues (Karaoke)
20. machi wa fuyu ni odoru (Karaoke)
21. Revolution Perfect Game (Karaoke)
22. Anaconda Love ♥ (Karaoke)

Columbia COCX-37822
Out 3/6, ¥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.

Here's a 2nd original solo 12" from Crystal (Traks Boys, ((((surround)))), follow-up to "Heavenly Overtone" released in December 2011 (also available on compilation "Crue-L Café"). Included are two versions of new track "Vanish Into Light" that's being defined as "shoegazer electric balearic house", as well as two remixes of the previous single. Out now on Crue-L Records.

Crystal "Vanish Into Light" (12")

A1. Vanish Into Light
A2. Vanish Into Light (Crystal Whiteout Version)
B1. Heavenly Overtone (Vakula Remix)
B2. Heavenly Overtone (House Mannequin Remix)

Crue-L KYTHMAK149
Out now (2/23), ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

Crue-L Grand Orchestra has a new 12" out now, in collaboration with NY underground house scene's TBD (unit of Justin Van Der Volgen & Lee Douglas). Out now on one-sider red vinyl on Crue-L Records. The previous of this "vs" series (vs Seahawks) sold out in a day.

Audio sample at Jet Set.

Crue-L Grand Orchestra vs TBD "Barbarella's Disco" (12")

1. Barbarella's Disco

Crue-L KYTHMAK149
Out now (2/23), ¥1400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

This is the first album by anime voice actress Hanazawa Kana. This seems to have a good dose of Shibuya-kei, as the whole is sound produced by Kitagawa Katsutoshi (Round Table), with some songs written by Kaji Hideki ("Library de koi o shite"), Nakatsuka Takeshi ("hatsukoi no oto"), Okii Reiji ("atarashii sekai no uta") and Yano Hiroyasu ("Signal wa koigokoro") (both ex-Cymbals), mito (clammbon) ("melody"), etc.

All songs can be sampled on this official release page.

The first limited pressing comes with a 48-page booklet. HMV also offers a collectible card and a poster (while supplies last).

Hanazawa Kana "claire"
花澤香菜 「claire」

1. aoi tori
2. Just The Way You Are
3. hatsukoi no oto
4. Library de koi o shite!
5. hoshizora☆Destination
6. Staccato
7. melody
8. Ring a Bell
9. Silent Snow
10. Signal wa koigokoro
11. atarashii sekai no uta
12. nemuru sakana
13. oyasumi, mata ashita
14. happy endings

Aniplex SVWC-7929
Out now (2/20), ¥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.

"Silent Snow"

Not one but two greatest hits albums coming from capsule, rewinding through the years from their most recent works (album "World of Fantasy") to the early beginnings ("haikara Girl"). All selected by Nakata Yasutaka, "rewind BEST-1" will guide you around the recent electro sounds of the unit, while "rewind BEST-2" focuses on the earlier lounge/interior pop music from which capsule gained many of its fans.

capsule "rewind BEST-1 (2012→2006)"

1. Step on The Floor
2. WORLD OF FANTASY
3. STRIKER
4. Stay with You
5. I wish You
6. Love or Lies
7. Hello
8. more more more
9. JUMPER
10. FLASH BACK
11. Eternity
12. I'm Feeling You
13. Starry Sky
14. Sugarless GiRL
15. jelly (album-edit)

contemode YCCC-10026
Out 3/6, ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia, (Japan ^‡)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

capsule "rewind BEST-2 (2005→2001)"

1. sora tobu toshi keikaku
2. Glider
3. Teleportation
4. jinrui no shinpo to chōwa
5. do do pi do
6. tokyo smiling
7. A.I. automatic infection
8. world fabrication
9. Retro Memory
10. RGB
11. music controller
12. koi no hana
13. ai shiteru ai shitenai
14. Tokyo kissa
15. sakura

contemode YCCC-10027
Out 3/6, ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia, (Japan ^‡)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

"Retro Memory"

Many more clips after the jump...

From VIDEOTAPEMUSIC, who released 1st album "7haku 8ka" last year, here comes a 7" cut of the song "Slumber Party Girl's Diary", both in its original version and also as a remix by keyboardist Tucker.

The package includes a download code to get MP3's of both songs, plus a cover and remix of the title track by Beta Panama.

VIDEOTAPEMUSIC "Slumber Party Girl's Diary" (7")

A. Slumber Party Girl's Diary (Original)
B. Slumber Party Girl's Diary (Tucker Remix)

Rose Records ROSE-143
Out 2/20, ¥1143 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon

Trailer

Following last year's "Pyramidia" album, here comes a 12" cut of songs by Necozawa Emi's jazz group. Included is a remix by Miura Makoto (on whose latest album Emi contributed narration), and two 12" mixes of some of the best songs from the album.

This comes from Masanori Suzuki (April Set)'s label disques monoprix, a sub-label of Orange Records.

Official site and blog

Emi Necozawa & Sphinx "EP" (12")

A. Syncopation (BONZOUR SA:GAN mix) remixed by Makoto Miura
B1. Röntgen (12" mix)
B2. Le Tourbillon (12" mix)

disques monoprix
Out 2/20, ¥1575
Order: Amazon, CDJapan, Jet Set

Trumpeter Kayano Yoshiaki has a new 2-track single out now on Nakatsuka Takeshi's digital label Delicatessen LAB. Both instrumentals have rhythm guitar that stands out. Kayano was a member of Nomiya Maki's band for her 30th anniversary show.

Kayano Yoshiaki "This is the life" (Download)
茅野嘉亮 「This is the life」

1. Pin Pon Pan
2. Feel

Delicatessen LAB
Out now (2/13), ¥381 (excl. 10% tax)
Sample/buy: (World), (Japan)

Cute indie girl pop duo Tarte Tatin (produced by members of Sōtaiseiriron) have a new 7" coming, of a remix by Tofubeats. Audio samples can be heard at Jet Set. The original song is from their first album "Tetrad" (2012, Amazon).

A full remix album of Tarte Tatin's songs is expected for released on April 17. Stay tuned!

Tarte Tatin "irideppō ni deonna - tofubeats EDO remix" (7")
タルトタタン 「入り鉄砲に出女 - tofubeats EDO remix」

A. irideppō ni deonna - tofubeats EDO remix
B. irideppō ni deonna - tofubeats EDO remix (inst ver.)

Emission Entertainment ERAD-11553
Out late February, ¥1100 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon

Denki Groove is back with a brand new album! Their previous was 20th anniversary album "20" (2009). Album versions of singles "Upside Down" (2009), "Shameful" (2012) and "Missing Beatz" (2013) are included, as well as a cover of The Monkees' "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone". The artwork features a panda mark created by ex-member Sunahara Yoshinori.

All tracks can be sampled at the official discography page.

The album's limited edition comes with a bonus DVD of live footage from event WIRE12 (August 2012). The album is also being released on vinyl (set of two 12"'s), also in a single pressing limited edition.

Tickets are on sale for a Japan tour to begin at the end of February, dropping by Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo on March 12 and 13.

Denki Groove "Human Beings and Animals"
電気グルーヴ 「人間と動物」
Japanese title: "ningen to dōbutsu"

1. The Big Shirts
2. Missing Beatz (Album version)
3. Shameful (Album version)
4. P
5. Slow Motion
6. Prof. Radio
7. Upside Down (Album version)
8. Oyster (watashi wa kaki ni naritai)
9. Denki Groove no Steppin' Stone

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Ki/oon KSCL-2200
Out 2/27, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (20% 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.

Regular edition (CD only)
Ki/oon KSCL-2202
Out 2/27, ¥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.

LP edition (2 x 12")
Ki/oon KSJL-6165
Out 2/27, ¥3800 (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.

"Mizzing Beatz" (Single version)

"Shameful" (Single version)

Digest clip of limited edition bonus DVD

Kaji Hideki has a new album coming this month! This one is a tribute to Sweden's sweet winter, and it's his 2nd release from his own Blue Boys Club label (follow-up to "Blue Heart" (2012)).

Title song "Sweet Swedish Winter" is a cover of Swedish band Freewheel (original on YouTube), and "Illuminum Song" is a self-cover with lyrics written by Katrina Mitchell (The Pastels (UK)). Featured guest musicians include Sokabe Keiichi Band, KONCOS (a band from Hokkaidō), and Per Sunding (member of Eggstone).

All songs can be sampled at the ordering links below.

Kaji Hideki "Sweet Swedish Winter"
カジヒデキ 「Sweet Swedish Winter」

1. Sweet Swedish Winter
2. Milk Walk
3. Winter's Sky
4. Semla Song
5. The Happy Sauna Shed
6. Yellow Basque Beret
7. Illuminum Song
8. Semla Song By Koncos
9. Hello & Smile
10. White Christmas With Our Good Music

Blue Boys Club DDCB-12056
Out 2/20, ¥2096 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia, (World), (Japan)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Voice actress Komatsu Mikako's first album contains two songs produced by James Panda Jr. (Twitter). Those who miss Panda 1/2 (from which singer Minami quit at the end of 2012) should check out this one!

All songs can be sampled here.

Komatsu Mikako "THEE Futures"
小松未可子 「THEE Futures」

1. THEE Futures
2. Baby DayZ
3. jonetsu
4. soraumi
5. tsumetai heya, hitori
6. geshi no kajitsu Sunset Cherry Mix
7. Searchlight
8. araburu Travel
9. Starry Rally
10. Umbrealla
11. LAKE LIKE LIFE

StarChild KICS-1888
Out 2/13, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia, (Japan ^‡)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

"Baby DayZ"

Towa Tei has released a book of his collage works, as seen on his flyers and also on latest album "MACH2012". He refers to these as "ecollages", borrowing an "e" from "eBay" (it's true, look at the title colors!) where he bought vintage magazines to take material from.

This is a 96-page soft cover book, and sounds just great for a coffee table!

Towa Tei "ecollage" (Book)

Mach Beat MBBK001
Out now (1/26), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

FPM's 7th original album is almost here! It has been 3 years since "FPM" (not counting classical music cover album "Qlassix").

"Scale" is full of brand new tracks, including some that have been partially heard in commercials for various brands (Uniqlo, Panasonic, Smirnoff, shu uemura, Aeon, etc.). Featured guests are rapper Tamaki ROY, singer Hosomi Takeshi (the HIATUS, ex-Ellegarden), and as a bonus track is a cover of Madonna's "Like A Virgin" that FPM produced for Korean idol group 2NE1.

All tracks can be sampled at HMV or Amazon MP3 (Japan). It will be available a week early (Feb. 6) on iTunes Japan.

FPM "Scale"

1. God Only Knows
2. daremoshiranai feat. Tamaki ROY
3. I Was In Love feat. Hosomi Takeshi
4. Gimme Ur Beat
5. 1000 Faces
6. Bring Da Noise
7. Curiosity
8. Go For Broke
9. Tokyo
10. Streamliner
11. Other Stories
12. Like A Virgin (2NE1 produced by FPM) (Bonus track)

avex trax AVCD-38623
Out 2/13, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia, (World), (Japan)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.