Tokyo's Coolest Sound

What a surprise! Takako Minekawa is back with a new album, and that as a new unit with Dustin Wong (ex-Ponytail)! It has been 13 years since Takako's previous release, "Maxi On" (2000, Amazon U.S.) (a collaboration with New York band Dymaxion).

The new album is said to bring a colorful and fantastic world made from Dustin's guitars and Takako's voice, sampling, drum machine and keyboards. I can't wait! This is coming from Japanese label Plancha.

Live shows are planned in Tokyo on April 26 (Kichijoji Kichimu) and May 26 (Shibuya O-Nest).

Find out more at the official release page.

Minekawa Takako & Dustin Wong "Toropical Circle"
嶺川貴子 & ダスティン・ウォング 「トロピカル・サークル」

1. Party on a Floating Cake
2. Windy Prism Room
3. Circle has Begun (yorokobi humming)
4. Two Acorns' dreams Growing as One
5. I Want to be with You
6. Swimming Between Parallel Times
7. Bell Tree Dancers
8. Enneagram Journey
9. New Circle was Begun
10. Story of Roots and Hands
11. Solar Glory
12. Electric Weave
13. Mirror Underwater in a Magic Lantern

Plancha ARTPL-037
Out 5/15, ¥2200 (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.

"Party on a Floating Cake"

Female singer-songwriter and guitarist Predawn has a first full-length album coming. This follows mini-album "te no naka no tori" ("A Bird In The Hand", iTunes) released in 2010. Check out the brand new video below! Other audio samples can be heard at iTunes Japan.

HMV gives away an original bookmark (while supplies last).

Predawn "A Golden Wheel"

1. JPS
2. Keep Silence
3. Tunnel Light
4. Breakwaters
5. Free Ride
6. Milky Way
7. A Song for Vectors
8. Drowsy
9. Over the Rainbow
10. Sheep & Tear

Pokhara Records RDCA-1028
Out 3/27, ¥2286 (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.

"Keep Silence"

Also check out the video for earlier song "Suddenly".

This is an album produced by De De Mouse consisting of songs that influenced the artist, but all of these are re-arranged and performed by an "instrumental hip-hop jazz band" named RF. "Floats & Falls" from De De Mouse's latest album "sky was dark" is also given the same treatment.

This should make for an interesting listen for anyone with an interest in electronic music, and of course De De Mouse fans. The album is available on iTunes worldwide. The CD's first pressing comes with a bonus disc with a cover of Aphex Twin's "Flim".

"The Selection of DE DE MOUSE Favorites performed by Rokugen Club with Farah a.k.a. RF vol.01"
「The Selection of DE DE MOUSE Favorites performed by 六弦俱楽部 with Farah a.k.a. RF vol.01」

(Original artist in parentheses)
1. Radio Attack (Prefuse73)
2. Tong Poo (YMO)
4. Revolution 909 (Daft Punk)
3. The Bells (Jeff Mills)
5. Rainbow Rainbow (TM Network)
6. My Favorite Things (Richard Rodgers)
7. Merry Go Round of Life (jinsei no Merry Go Round) (Joe Hisaishi)
8. Squarepusher Theme (Squarepusher)
9. Floats & Falls (De De Mouse)
10. Merry Go Round of Life (De De Mouse Wither & Bloom MIX)

not records NOT-0002
Out 3/20, ¥1905 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, , Amazon MP3 U.S., Amazon MP3 Japan
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Squarepusher Theme (Squarepusher)"

"Flim (Aphex Twin)"

Here comes Kirinji's final album, as the Horigome brothers are calling it quits after 17 years making music together. This follows 9th album "Super View" released just last November. Younger brother Horigome Yasuyuki is expected to move on with a solo career.

The limited edition comes with a bonus DVD of the animated video clip below and documentary "Kirinji TV the FINAL".

All songs can be sampled in advance at at iTunes Japan.

Kirinji "Ten"
キリンジ 「Ten」

1. kimodameshi
2. Naive na hitobito
3. yume mite nemuri yo
4. Billy
5. koookami no Ballad
6. ōgon no fune
7. aho
8. tekagee
9. dusty spring field
10. atarashii tomodachi (Album Ver.)

DVD (Limited edition only)
1. Naive na hitobito (Music video)
2. "Kirinji TV the FINAL"

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Out 3/27, ¥3675
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower (Japan only), YesAsia, CDJapan

Regular edition (CD only)
Out 3/27, ¥3150
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower (Japan only), YesAsia, CDJapan,

"Naive na hitobito"

Groove Unchant's label Unchantable Records (sub-label of Orange Records) brings us a brand new band called Misola, led by Ōhashi Nobuyuki (aka Pate, who was a member of Bridge and also played in The Cornelius Group). This unit has a refreshing city pops sounds with female vocals, and the first song is available here on 7" together with a remix by Disco2. Here's looking forward to more by Misola!

Misola "Train Song" (7")

A. Train Song
B. Train Song (Re-mixed by Disco2)

Unchantable Records UCT-013
Out now (3/19), ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon

"Train Song"

"Train Song (Re-mixed by Disco2)"

This brand new track from BUBBLE-B feat. Enjo-G is a take on cosmetics and shampoo brands, with a wink to "Ga*gn*m St*le"! Check out the fun video below. The digital single contains 2 remixes, and also instrumental and acapella versions. It is available on iTunes worldwide, Amazon MP3 (Japan & U.S.) and CD Baby.

Of course your own remix is welcome, upload it somewhere it can be heard and let @BUBBLE_B know.

BUBBLE-B feat. Enjo-G "Yo! Sexy Girl (Remixes)" (Download)

1. Yo! Sexy Girl
2. Yo! Sexy Girl (3dNOW Remix)
3. Yo! Sexy Girl (Enjo-G no a! to Cosme Remix)
4. Yo! Sexy Girl (Instrumental)
5. Yo! Sexy Girl (A Cappella)

Out now (3/11)
Sample/buy: , Amazon U.S., Amazon MP3 Japan, CD Baby

Also see:
"Leisure yakuza wa kimi ni katarikakeru" (2012 album)

Keyboardists Tucker and Emerson Kitamura join forces for a delightful 4-song organ & beatbox split 7". Two of the tracks are collaborations.

Check out the cool trailer below.

Tucker & Emerson Kitamura "Special Presets" (7")
TUCKER & エマーソン北村 "SPECIAL PRESETS"

A1. Tucker / Special Presets with Emerson Kitamura
A2. Tucker / Supermarket
B1. Emerson Kitamura / Timmy Thomas
B2. Emerson Kitamura / Half Life with Tucker

Kakubarhythm KAKU-052
Out 3/2, ¥900 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

Trailer

From White Lily Records comes a 7" by guitar-pop band Sloppy Joe. The 7" itself contains 2 new songs, and the bonus CD contains a cover of Housemartins' "Me And The Farmer" (original on YouTube), an acoustic version of "That Day", and remixes by HNC and golf). The song "Once And For All" features Kunimi Tomoko (Wack Wack Rhythm Band) on trumpet.

Sloppy Joe "Once And For All / That Day" (7")

7"
A. Once And For All
B. That Day

CD
1. Once And For All
2. That Day
3. Me And The Farmer
4. That Day (acoustic version)
5. The Boy Who Talks About Someone (HNC's Rusty Badge Mix)
6. Once And For All (golf Cloud Mix)

White Lily Records WL7S-002
Out 3/15, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

"Once And For All"

"The Boy Who Talks About Someone (HNC's Rusty Badge Mix)"

See also:
Album "With Kisses Four"
Remix EP "The Boy Who Talks About Someone" (Download)

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's next single is titled "Ninjya Re Bang Bang", song that's already being performed on stage in her ongoing world tour that dropped by Belgium, France and U.K. in February. The song is also used in a TV commercial for mobile phone carrier au (watch below). Included is new song "Unite Unite", and an extended mix of "minna no uta" (song from album "Pamyu Pamyu Revolution").

As usual, the limited edition comes as a nice photo book.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "Ninjya Re Bang Bang"
きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ 「にんじゃりばんばん」

1. Ninjya Re Bang Bang
2. Unite Unite
3. minna no uta -extended mix-

Limited edition (CD+Photo book)
Warner WPCL-11383
Out 3/20, ¥1715 (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.

Regular edition (CD only)
Warner WPCL-11384
Out 3/20, ¥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.

"Ninjya Re Bang Bang"

au mobile phone TV commercial

Making of the commercial

Rapper Yakenohara has a 2nd album coming this month. Featured guests include Dorian, Beta Panama, Kicell, VIDEOTAPEMUSIC, LUVRAW (LUVRAW & BTB) and more.

Yakenohara "Sunny New Life"
やけのはら 「SUNNY NEW LIFE」

1. INTO THE SUNNY PLACE
2. HELTER-SKELTER
3. RELAXIN'
4. I LOVE YOU
5. SUNNY NEW DAYS
6. IMAGE part2
7. TUNING OF IMAGE
8. CITY LIGHTS
9. JUSTICE against JUSTICE
10. AIR CHECK
11. BLOW IN THE WIND
12. D.A.I.S.Y.
13. where have you been all your life?

felicity PECF-1069
Out 3/20, ¥2381 (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.

"RELAXIN'"

"CITY LIGHTS" feat. DORIAN & LUVRAW

"D.A.I.S.Y." feat. VIDEOTAPEMUSIC & BETA PANAMA

Album trailer

This is a new original album by Nona Reeves, it has been 4 years since their previous, "GO" (2009, Amazon). It has a pop music theme, as you can guess from the title, and label-mate female singer hitomitoi is featured on one song.

HMV online gives away a CD jacket autographed by all 3 members, while supplies last.

Nona Reeves "Pop Station"
ノーナ・リーヴス 「POP STATION」

1. P-O-P-T-R-A-I-N
2. Weee Like It!!!
3. Never Ever Let U Down
4. ECSTASY
5. GOLDEN CITY feat. hitomitoi
6. Mr. Melody Maker
7. Mandolin Girl
8. WEEKEND (P-O-P-T-R-A-I-N Part II)
9. 3nen
10. yasumō、ONCE MORE

Billboard Records HBRJ-1008
Out 3/6, ¥2667 (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?

"P-O-P-T-R-A-I-N"

Bossa nova unit naomi & goro's new album is a cover album of all songs off The Style Council's "Cafe Bleu" album (1984). The Style Council was Paul Weller's band, active through the 80's.

All tracks can be sampled at label commmons' official release page.

An free mini-live event will be held at Tower Records Shibuya (3rd floor) on March 31 from 14:00. Details here.

naomi & goro "Cafe Bleu Solid Bond"

1. Mick's Blessings
2. The Whole Point Of No Return
3. Me Ship Came In!
4. Blue Cafe
5. The Paris Match
6. My Ever Changing Moods
7. Dropping Bombs On The Whitehouse
8. A Gospel
9. Strength Of Your Nature
10. You're The Best Thing
11. Here's One That Got Away
12. Headstart For Happiness
13. Council Meetin'
14. My Ever Changing Moods (Band Ver.) (Bonus track)
15. English Rose (from All Mod Cons / The JAM) (Bonus track)

commmons RZCM-59262
Out 3/6, ¥2858 (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?