Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Kinoco Hotel has a new mini-album, actually a maniac selection of GS-oriented covers. Included are Tokyo Bravo's "Eleki de Swim" (1980, original on YouTube), Carmen Maki's "Noisy Baby" (1969, watch Kinoco Hotel's version below), Izumi Mishuko's "konya wa tottemo ikenai ko" (1972), the theme song from movie "Godzilla vs. Hedorah" (1971, original), punk band Aunt Sally's "subete urimono" (1979, original), and yasumi no kuni's "Akuma Stocking" (1969, original).

Kinoco Hotel's next show will be on May 2 at Liquid Room in Ebisu (Tokyo Gig Guide).

Kinoco Hotel "Marianne no gyakushū"
キノコホテル 「マリアンヌの逆襲」

1. Eleki de Swim (Tokyo Bravo)
2. Noisy Baby (Carmen Maki)
3. konya wa tottemo ikenai ko (Izumi Mishuko)
4. kaese! taiyō o (from "Godzilla vs. Hedorah")
5. subete urimono (Aunt Sally)
6. Akuma Stocking (yasumi no kuni)

Yamaha YCCW-10197
Out 5/1, ¥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.

"Noisy Baby" (short version)

Electro-pop singer-songwriter michirurondo has a 1st mini-album out now! The songs "BABY" and "hoshi ni negai o" were co-arranged and mixed by The Aprils' Imai Kentarō.

In Tokyo, a free in-store live will be held on May 9 from 18:30 at Shinseido Sunshine Alpa, located on the 2nd floor of Sunshine City "Alpa" in Ikebukuro. It will be followed by an autograph session.

michirurondo "I Love Baby"
ミチルロンド 「I LOVE BABY」

1. BABY
2. Fry
3. Jet Coaster
4. hoshi ni negai o
5. i
6. WORLD WIDE LOVE

On-do MET-1001
Out now (4/24), ¥1429 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"hoshi ni negai o"

"Jet Coaster"

DJ Muro has another mix CD out now, this time using only 7"'s by none other than James Brown, with many tracks that are now hard to find. 2013 would celebrate JB's 80th anniversary, of course a good reason to dance to The Godfather of Soul some more. Muro had previously remixed "Funky Drummer" on remix album "Ultimate Remixes" (2002, HMV).

Also check out Muro's Salsoul mix CD released two weeks earlier.

Muro "Diggin' James Brown"

1. Down And Out In New York City
2. Blind Man Can See It
3. The Boss
4. Don't Tell It
5. The Payback
6. Hot Pants Road
7. Funky Drummer
8. Part Two (Let A Man Come In And Do The Popcorn)
9. Cold Sweat
10. James Brown - A Talk With The News (Steve Soul)
11. Say It Loud - I'M Black And I'm Proud
12. My Thang
13. Funky President (People It's Bad)
14. Mind Power
15. There Was A Time
16. Ain't It Funky Now
17. The Chicken
18. Nose Job
19. Talkin' Loud And Saying Nothin' Pt. 1
20. Talkin' Loud And Sayin' Nothing (Remix)
21. Blues & Pants
22. Baby Here I Come
23. Give It Up Or Turn It A Loose
24. Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved (Live (Apollo Theater 1971))
25. I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me)
26. Super Bad
27. Get Up I Feel Like Being Like A Sex Machine (Part 2)
28. Soul Power
29. Get On The Good Foot
30. Can I Get Some Help
31. Coldblooded
32. Can Mind
33. Soulful Christmas
34. Bring It Up
35. I Got Ants In My Pants (And I Want To Dance)
36. Dead On It
37. Get Up Offa That Thing / Release The Pressure
38. Make It Good To Yourself
39. I'm Satisfied
40. The Drunk
41. People Get Up And Drive Your Funky Soul
42. In The Middle
43. Escape-ism

Universal UICZ-1470
Out now (4/24), ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Here's a new song from Original Love, the solo unit of Tajima Takao (ex-Pizzicato Five). "Fashion Appeal" has a surprising electro touch that makes for a danceable catchy song. The EP also contains two live tracks, and is available only on iTunes Japan.

New album "Electric Sexy" will be released on June 26. Stay tuned!

Original Love "Fashion Appeal" (Download)
オリジナル・ラブ 「ファッションアピール」

1. Fashion Appeal
2. aozora no mukō kara (live ver.)
3. kuroneko (live ver.)

Wonderful World Records
Out now (4/24), ¥600
Sample/buy: (Japan)

"Fashion Appeal"

1990-born young genius DJ tofubeats has a first full-length album out now! This features hit song "suisei" (feat. rapper Onomatope Daijin), as well as a lot of new tracks, including songs featuring vocalists Nanba Shiho, PUNPEE, G.RINA, Kariya Seira and more. And guess what, the whole album can currently be heard for free at SoundCloud!

At the same time two collections of remix works have been released. "university of remix" is available on CD, while "college of remix" is available as a digital release only on iTunes Japan.

tofubeats "Lost Decade"

1. intro
2. SO WHAT!? feat. Kariya Seira
3. ALL I WANNA DO
4. Les Aventuriers feat. PUNPEE
5. Fresh Salad feat. SKY-HI
6. m3nt1on2u feat. Onomatope Daijin
7. I don't care
8. time thieves
9. yume no naka made feat. ERA
10. old boys
11. No.1 feat. G.RINA
12. touch A
13. OMOI-DORI
14. synthesizer
15. suisei feat. Onomatope Daijin
16. LOST DECADE feat. Nanba Shiho
17. SO WHAT!? (EXTENDED FULL POWER DIGITAL MIX!!)

Warner QYTB-00001
Out now (4/24), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, , OTOTOY, Amazon MP3 U.S., Amazon MP3 Japan
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

tofubeats "university of remix"

1. Denki Groove / MUD EBIS (tofubeats DORO-EBIS mix)
2. Fantastic Plastic Machine / Hey Ladies (tofubeats seitai fumei REMIX feat. Onomatope Daijin)
3. Tokyo Girls Style / Rock You! (tofubeats 1988 dub version)
4. 9nine / natsu wanna say love U (tofubeats remix)
5. SOUL'd OUT / kopernik (tofubeats BXVTS remix)
6. Sasaki Nozomi / papepipu ♪ papipepu ♪ papepipupo ♪ (tofubeats "SHAKE" remix)
7. Kondo Akihisa / tete (tofubeats remix)
8. negoto / sharp# (tofubeats remix)
9. Matt Cab / Touch The Sky feat. VERBAL (m-flo) (tofubeats remix)
10. Koizumi Kyoko / adesugata namida musume (tofubeats BXVTS remix)
11. G.RINA / Did It Again (Tofubeats X G.Rina)
12. sayonara Ponytail / mattari shite shimattari (tofubeats remix)
13. Nanba Shiho / hajimemashite, watashi. (DJ NEWTOWN remix)
14. tengal6 / puchahenza!

Sony SECL-1310
Out now (4/24), ¥2381 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia, (7 tracks edition)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

tofubeats "college of remix"

1. tofubeats x Paulie Rhyme / Put It Up
2. SNEEEZE / Desperation (tofubeats zero, seven and eight mix)
3. SLik d & PUNPEE / Motion (tofubeats remix)
4. AJAPS / The Light feat. Wise (tofubeats remix)
5. HALFBY / sanpo (-tofubeats Remix-)
6. 99LETTERS / LA DANCE (tofubeats remix)
7. tofubeats / Miku loves you (OKNUW EDIT)
8. esu-efu / Propella Song (tofubeats remix)
9. L-VOKAL / PURPLE MUSIC (feat. SEQUICK)
10. choochoogatagoto / A.H (tofubeats remix)
11. GARNiDELiA / Hands (tofubeats remix)

tofubeats/onepeace
Out now (4/24), ¥1050
Sample/buy:

"No.1 feat. G.RINA"

"suisei feat. Onomatope Daijin"

"yume no naka made feat. ERA"

"time thieves"

Yumiko Morgan Oscillators? ("YMO?") is a project formed of Minimoog maestro Ohno Yumiko (Buffalo Daughter) with rare vintage electronic instruments collector Morgan Fisher. This first show of theirs was held on November 3, 2012, and recorded using 10 video cameras.

As a bonus, this DVD contains a bilingual tour of the analog synthesizers for the enthusiasts.

Yumiko Morgan Oscillators? "Instantaneous" (DVD)

Vani DQC-47
Out 4/24, ¥2700
Order: Amazon (27% off), HMV (15% off), Tower (Japan only), CDJapan

Following Towa Tei's recent Salsoul mix CD, here comes another one from DJ Muro. This features a unique selection by the "King of Diggin'", and the right dose of his top mixing skills. The art direction was done by Shindō Mitsuo.

An audio sample can be heard at Jet Set.

Muro "Diggin' Salsoul Breaks"

(Title / Artist)
1. The Funk Is On / Instant Funk
2. Psyched Up (Instrumental) / Dr. Perri Johnson
3. The Incredible Hump / Sound On Sound Productions
4. Sing Sing / Gaz
5. Slap, Slap, Lickedy Lap / Instant Funk
6. Sadie (She Smokes) / Joe Bataan
7. I Like It Like That / Inner Life
8. Ooh, I Love It (Love Break Groove) / The Salsoul Orchestra
9. Love Thang / First Choice
10. Every Man (Joe Claussell's Classic 12" Mix) / Double Exposure
11. All About The Paper / Loleatta Holloway
12. High / Skyy
13. Win Tonight / Edwin Birdsong
14. Sugar Frosted Lover / Flakes
15. Getaway / The Salsoul Orchestra
16. El Caravanero / Chocolat's
17. Jingo Breakdown ~ Jingo / Candido
18. Kongas Fun / Kongas
19. Sun God / Tierra
20. Latin Strut / Joe Bataan
21. When We Get Married / Joe Bataan
22. The Girl From Ipanema ~ Brazilian Nights / Gary Criss

Octave OTCD-3115
Out now (4/10), ¥2381 (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.

Kero Kero Bonito isn't Japanese, it is an electronic dance unit based in Bromley (South London), but its first official single is out on label Flawless World (post-Usagi-chang Records).

The title track is dark electro while the second track has an R&B feel, both sharing the same pop sense. This release is completed by a remix courtesy of electro unit MoliquL (Avery of Lost Children/Ice Choir and Tsugumi of Old Monk/ex-PINE*am). All fit very well in the label's catalog and direction.

Kero Kero Bonito "Why Aren't You Dancing?" (Download)

1. Why Aren't You Dancing?
2. Astronomy for Two
3. Why Aren't You Dancing? (MoliquL Remix)

Flawless World FWDR-006
Out now (4/17)
Sample/buy: Amazon Japan, (World), (Japan), Amazon U.S.

"Why Aren't You Dancing?"

Sampler clip

Tarte Tatin is a cute girl duo produced by Azel & Baijan (aka Nishiura Kensuke and Manabe Shūichi, both ex-Sōtaiseiriron). Following 1st album "Tetrad" (2012, Amazon), here comes a remix album fearuting tofubeats, Sexy-Synthesizer (aka (S_S)), Cherryboy Function, Tanaka Takashi (Sunny Day Service), DJ misoshiru to DJ gohan, Okadada and more. Also released at the same time is a CD of their first show held on September 1st, 2012 at Shibuya WWW.

However there's a bad news for the two girls' fans, both called it quits recently in order to focus on their studies. The band remains, and apparently auditions for new singers were being held at the end of last month. Let's hope for more!

Tarte Tatin "TETRAD ENHANCE～tartetatin remix album～"
タルトタタン 「TETRAD ENHANCE～tartetatin remix album～」

1. irideppō ni deonna <EDO Remix> Remixed by tofubeats
2. ranraran <tokubai sansen Remix> Remixed by DJ misoshiru to MC gohan
3. koi suru Calendar <Lil'Yukichi Remix> Remixed by Lil'Yukichi
4. Cyber Survivor <CHERRYBOY FUNCTION Remix> Remixed by CHERRYBOY FUNCTION
5. shō ga nai My Love <Famix> Remixed by (S_S)
6. Naruto <ra mix> Remixed by Tanaka Takashi (Sunny Day Service)
7. epoch making love <okadada Remix> Remixed by Okadada
8. Thinking In The Rain <noreason Remix> Remixed by noreason
9. mokamoka <Kensuke_Nishiura Remix> Remixed by Nishiura Kensuke

Emission Entertainment ERCD-20001
Out 4/17, ¥1905 (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.

Tarte Tatin "1st LIVE @ SHIBUYA WWW"
タルトタタン 「1st LIVE @ SHIBUYA WWW」

1. koi suru Calendar
2. irideppō ni deonna
3. Naruto
4. Thinking In The Rain
5. epoch making love
6. ranraran
7. shō ga nai My Love

Emission Entertainment ERCD-15002
Out 4/17, ¥1905 (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:
"irideppō ni deonna - tofubeats EDO remix" (7")

Rapper Tamaki ROY has a 4th album out now, with tracks made by the likes of Miura Kōshi (Kuchiroro), Todaka Masafumi (Art-School), Gondo Tomohiko (Anonymass), and electro artists Hasunuma Shūta and Himuro Yoshiteru.

HMV is giving away a bonus autographed CD jacket (while supplies last).

Tamaki ROY "Lucky"
環ROY 「ラッキー」

1. Wonderful
2. Kids
3. sōsōkyoku
4. taifū
5. little thing
6. VIEWER
7. densha
8. ii yatsu
9. date
10. nakama
11. ima koko
12. YES

PopGroup POP-140
Out now (4/3), ¥2477 (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?

"YES"

"Wonderful"

Towa Tei's web site has been redesigned, with a message saying "New chapter has started!" in the news page! And here comes a new digital single of 2 tracks, instrumental track "Licht" from an upcoming new album (no details yet), and a digital-only short edit of "Katatagae", song written for the Paris Collection show of brand kolor.

A preview of "Licht" can be heard on Towa Tei's SoundCloud.

The download is available exclusively on MachBeat's online download shop, which offers checkout in English.

Towa Tei "Licht / Katatagae (2013 Edit 01)" (Download)

1. Licht
2. Katatagae (2013 Edit 01)

MachBeat MBDL029
Out now (4/10), ¥500
Buy: MachBeat

This new release by Yakushimaru Etsuko (sōtaiseiriron) consists of a special radio session that was aired on NHK-FM on Christmas day 2012. Aside from all sōtaiseiriron members, this also includes appearances by Ōtomo Yoshihide, Emerson Kitamura and many others. In addition to the program aired on NHK-FM, songs "COSMOS vs ALIEN" and "tokimeki HACKER" from the same session are also included.

The limited edition comes with a bonus cassette tape titled "maboroshi no Air Check Tape" (comes with a download code).

official release page

Yakushimaru Etsuko "Radio Onsen Eutopia"
やくしまるえつこ 「RADIO ONSEN EUTOPIA」

1. Nornir
2. koi suru niwatori
3. Venus to Jesus
4. COSMOS vs ALIEN
5. kitakaze kozō no Kantarō
6. yamiyami
7. shōnen yo ware ni kaere
8. Cabbage UFO
9. Raja Maharaja
10. tokimeki Hacker
11. Metropolitan Museum
12. Lonely Planet

Limited edition (CD+tape)
Mirai Records RZCM-59360
Out 4/10, ¥4400 (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)
Mirai Records RZCM-59360
Out 4/10, ¥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.

"Lonely Planet (Radio Onsen Eutopia version)" full-length music video

Trailer

Popular voice actress Taketatsu Ayana ("K-on!", etc.) has a first album coming, and it contains songs written by composers including Okii Reiji (ex-Cymbals), Suemitsu Atsushi and hit-maker Tsutsumi Kyōhei. Lead track "haru ga kimi o kirei ni shita" was written Kawamoto Makoto and arranged by Yoshida Tetsuto (who also contributes an intro and interlude), and you may feel some nostalgy in the video clip below as it was directed by Inoue Tsuyoshi who has done many Pizzicato Five clips before.

This comes in 3 editions. The special and limited editions come with a bonus DVD with 2 video clips. The special edition also contains a bonus 60-minute documentary, and comes as a 7"-sized digipak with extra goodies.

Most songs can be sampled at the official release page.

Taketatsu Ayana "apple symphony"
竹達彩奈 「apple symphony」

1. apple symphony
2. Rice to meet you
3. Sinfonia! Sinfonia!!!
4. Yes-No
5. G.I.W.
6. Drive My Car
7. CANDY LOVE <album mix>
8. nanana Number One
9. Everyday Merry Christmas
10. HIKARI
11. the colored apple
12. haru ga kimi o kirei ni shita
13. ♪ no kuni no Alice
14. jikū Tours
15. Rhythm to Melody no tame no Ballad

Special edition (CD+DVD with special box and goodies)
Pony Canyon PCCG-1331
Out 4/10, ¥6000 (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.

Limited edition (CD+DVD with special box and goodies)
Pony Canyon PCCG-1332
Out 4/10, ¥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.

Regular edition (CD+DVD with special box and goodies)
Pony Canyon PCCG-1333
Out 4/10, ¥3000 (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.

"haru ga kimi o kirei ni shita"

"jikū Tours"

More after the jump...

Jazz band RF covers hip-hop classics with their signature live band sound. This follows De De Mouse-produced cover album of De De Mouse influences (here).

For audio samples, checkout Amazon MP3 (U.S.).

RF "Fill the bill"

(Original artists in parentheses)
1. Resurrection (Common)
2. Jazz move (Channel Two)
3. When will the day come (Rasa)
4. Sunrise (Nora Jones)
5. Qualquer dia ~ Tens (Ivan Lins)
6. Up & down (Urbs & Cutex)
7. You are everything (Ronnie McNeir)
8. As (Stevie Wonder)
9. Sometimes I rhyme slow (Nice & Smooth)
10. Qualquer dia (Ivan Lins)

Timeless TML-006
Out 4/3, ¥2191 (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.

"Qualquer dia"