Tokyo's Coolest Sound

blue marble is the songwriting unit of Shock Tarō (stage keyboardist for frenesi) and Ton-chan, which debuted with album "Valerie" in 2010. Now they have newly teamed up with singer Takei Mariko (previously in 8-bit unit usagi no heitai wa taiki. and a band called City Lake Mirai), and here comes a brand new album! See this live report from last June for more about the band.

A release party will be held on October 6 at Shibuya gee-ge, with marino and frenesi. The album will be sold in advance at this event.

blue marble "full color"

1. mimei☆sensō
2. sora, midori
3. bid̄uro Roman
4. Gerda no hatsukoi
5. Unknown
6. sora ga wameku
7. flowers
8. "INTROIT"
9. boy MEETS girl

otome ongaku kenkyūsha OTMSH-006
Out 10/16, ¥2191 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"mimei☆sensō"

Digest sampler

Here's a new mini-album from Polysics! This contains 3 brand new tracks, and also re-recorded versions of two favorites in Polysics' latest three-piece style.

The limited edition comes with a special 3D jacket.

Polysics are currently touring Europe, with dates remaining in Paris, Lyon (France), Liège (Belgium), London (UK), and Bulle (Switzerland). Details can be found here. They can also be seen live in Tokyo on November 23 (details) and 24 (details). Tickets go on sale on September 29.

Polysics "Mega Over Drive"

1. MEGA OVER DRIVE
2. Exclamation!
3. Marshmallow Head
4. I My Me Mine 2013
5. Baby BIAS 2013

Limited edition (3D jacket)
Ki/oon KSCL-2313
Out 10/9, ¥1667 (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 (regular jacket)
Ki/oon KSCL-2314
Out 10/9, ¥1667 (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.

"MEGA OVER DRIVE"

Konishi Yasuharu selects light and sweet tracks from the vast catalog of Chicago's Brunswick label. Songs are featured in their latest digitally remastered versions, and the CD has a 16-page booklet with lyrics.

Various Artists "Konishi Yasuharu Presents daitokai kōkyōgaku -Readymade Digs Brunswick-"
オムニバス 「小西康陽 presents 大都会交響楽-READYMADE DIGS BRUNSWICK-」

(Title / Artist)
1. California Montage / Young-Holt Unlimited
2. (I Can Feel Those Vibrations) This Love Is Real / Jackie Wilson
3. Give It Away / The Chi-Lites
4. Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart) / Barbara Acklin
5. Where Would I Go / Ginji James
6. I Had It All The Time / Tyrone Davis
7. Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado) / Barbara Acklin
8. I'm Gonna Make You Love Me / The Chi-Lites
9. Whispers (Getting Louder) / Erma Franklin
10. Sugar Sugar / Willie Henderson
11. The Look of Love / Barbara Acklin
12. Go With Love / Barbara Acklin
13. Sunny / The Young Holt Trio
14. Uptight (Everything's Alright) / Jackie Wilson & Count Basie
15. Girl I Need You / The Artistics
16. Love The One You're With / Herman
17. Since You Showed Me How To Be Happy / Jackie Wilson
18. Straight Ahead / Young-Holt Unlimited

Solid Records CDSOL-5749
Out 10/2, ¥1800 (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.

Young-Holt Unlimited "California Montage" (from a different source)

Tyrone Davis "I Had It All The Time" (from a different source)

See also:
"Revisit - Brunswick - selected by Tatsuo Sunaga" (Download)
Muro "King of Diggin' "Diggin' Brunswick"" (Amazon)

Jazzy 8-bit unit YMCK have been around for 10 years and counting! Here they're back with a new album, almost 5 years after "Family Cooking" (2009). The new "Family Days" sings not about nostalgia or fantasy but rather about daily life. It's coming on De De Mouse's label not records.

Orders through Amazon Japan will get a free original bookmark (while supplies last).

YMCK will play their first one-man show on October 12 at Daikanyama Loop. Tickets are on sale now. Details at Tokyo Gig Guide.

YMCK "Family Days"

1. yozora wa machi no
2. sakaraigataki unmei no naka
3. mirai no natsu-melo
4. Dot no hibi
5. neko ni kakomarete kurashitai
6. sasetsu shite usetsu shite
7. mata arukidasu tame ni

not records NOT-0004
Out 10/2, ¥1715 (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.

"sasetsu shite usetsu shite"

"neko ni kakomarete kurashitai"

"Dot no hibi"

"mata arukidasu tame ni"

"sakaraigataki unmei no naka"

Here's what looks like a fun compilation, put together for the 40th birthday of popular Japanese doll Monchhichi. Featured are cool girly indies tracks from the last few years, making it a good opportunity to catch up with the scene and find out more good new sounds. Love and Hates, frenesi, Un Amin, tofubeats, Avec Avec, Her Ghost Friend and more.

A related Monchhichi exhibition will be held at Sunday Issue in Shibuya from September 27 to 30, with a free party on Sept. 28 from 17:00 to 21:00 with DJs Twee Grrrls Club and DJ Monchhichi?! Details here.

Various Artists "Monchhichi Birthday Party"

(Artist / Title)
1. Mon Petit Monchhichi (Monchhichi original)
2. Un Amin / rekishi de DANCE
3. Her Ghost Friend / itsumo no Fantasia
4. frenesi / jōbutsu sasete yo
5. Avec Avec / Marmalade Boogie
6. LOVE AND HATES / Up For A Bit With TGC
7. Lily Glass Group / Sixpence Might Change Your Whole World
8. Old Lacy Bed / Coastlands
9. suiyōbi no Campanella / Marco Polo
10. Camera=mannenhitsu / nachan
11. Sebu Hiroko / 75002
12. tofubeats / No.1 feat.G.RINA

The Peak THPK-006
Out now (9/18), ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Un Amin "rekishi de DANCE" (demo version)

frenesi "jōbutsu sasete yo"

suiyōbi no Campanella "Marco Polo"

Sebu Hiroko "75002"

tofubeats "No.1 feat. G.RINA"

Nakata Yasutaka (CAPSULE) produced the title track of this new single by girl rock band Scandal, for a result quite different from the sounds he's got us used to. Worth checking out!

The limited edition comes with a video of a song from upcoming album "Standard", to be released on October 2. The album also contains "Over Drive".

Scandal "Over Drive"

1. Over Drive
2. Scandal In The House
3. Over Drive (Instrumental)

DVD (Limited edition only)
1. kimi to mirai to kanzen dōki (Music video)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Epic/Sony ESCL-4095
Out 9/18, ¥1429 (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)
Epic/Sony ESCL-4097
Out 9/18, ¥972 (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?

"Over Drive"

CAPSULE just switched labels to Warner, and also started writing its name all in capitals. To make sure we don't miss this detail, the new album is appropriately titled "CAPS LOCK" with track list also comes with a touch of humor!

The limited edition comes with a bonus CD of 3 extended mixes and special packaging.

The album will also be available on iTunes worldwide in advance (except Japan) on October 16!

Follow the band's new Twitter and Facebook accounts to keep aware of the latest news.

CAPSULE "CAPS LOCK"

Disc 1
1. HOME
2. CONTROL
3. DELETE
4. 12345678
5. SHIFT
6. ESC
7. SPACE
8. RETURN

Disc 2 (Limited edition only)
1. CONTROL (extended mix)
2. DELETE (extended mix)
3. ESC (extended mix)

Limited edition (2 CDs)
Warner WPCL-11582
Out 10/23, ¥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.

Regular edition (1 CD only)
Warner WPCL-11584
Out 10/23, ¥2400 (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.

"CONTROL" (short version)

A few months ago Tarte Tatin did a swift change of members (both of the previous singers left to focus on their studies, to be replaced by the current Nagisa and Mizuki), and now here's a new EP! These brand new tracks were written by tofubeats, Sakabe Shō (bassist of Un Amin, must-check for Tarte Tatin fans!) and Hajimetal (ex-keyboardist of Midori).

A 7" of the title track is also planned for release in mid-October, find it at Jet Set as well as an audio sample.

Tarte Tatin "keep in time"
タルトタタン 「keep in time」

1. keep in time
2. chō no mai
3. koi no shitsudo 100%
4. keep in time (inst.)

Emission Entertainment ERCD-12001
Out 9/18, ¥1143 (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.

P5 fans rejoice, here come some lost Pizzicato Five sounds!

Hit TV drama "dakishimetai!" was originally aired in 1988, and it's back this year as a special sequel marking its 25th anniversary. The original had music by Pizzicato Five —at the time Konishi Yasuharu, Takanami K-taro and Tajima Takao— that had yet to be released. That's not all, Konishi Yasuharu was asked to make the music for the sequel, and this CD contains both the new music and the rare tracks from the original. Theme song "Aquamarine no mama de ite" is also included in both its original version (performed by Carlos Toshiki & Omega Tribe) and a new Konishi-produced cover sung by Every Little Thing.

The one-time sequel "dakishimetai! Forever" stars several of the original actors, and will be aired on October 1st from 21:00 on Fuji TV.

Konishi Yasuharu/Pizzicato Five "'dakishimetai!' Music Collection"
小西康陽／ピチカート・ファイヴ 「フジテレビ系ドラマ『抱きしめたい!』ミュージックコレクション」

1. Aquamarine no mama de ite
2. Kawake Shunsaku Interview #1
3. setsunai kyoku 1
4. Kawake Shunsaku Interview #2
5. Romantic na kyoku
6. Kawake Shunsaku Interview #3
7. M-8 (2013 Retake)
8. Kawake Shunsaku Interview #4
9. setsunai kyoku 2
10. M-1
11. M-1 Slow
12. M-2
13. M-3
14. M-4
15. M-5
16. M-6
17. M-7
18. M-8
19. M-9
20. SP in Hawaii
21. Kawake Shunsaku Interview #5
22. Aquamarine no mama de ite (Drama yō)
23. Kawake Shunsaku Interview #6
24. Aquamarine no mama de ite

avex entertainment AVCA-62915
Out 9/27, ¥2858 (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.

"dakishimetai! Forever" commercial

6-girl rap idol unit lyrical school has a new album coming. This is actually their first full-length since they switched names from Tengal6 (see album "City").

This new album includes tracks not only produced by tofubeats, but also collaborations with Illreme ((((sssurrounddd)))), okadada, Fragment and rapper Pocyomkin (gaki Ranger). Tracks from recent singles "Parade", "Ribbon o kyutto" and "sorya natsu da! / oide yo" are included, in versions re-recorded with all current members (following the recent joining of Hina).

lyrical school "date course"

1. -drive-
2. sorya natsu da!
3. wow♪
4. Ribbon o kyutto
5. nagareru toki no yō ni
6. PARADE
7. -turn-
8. demo
9. P.S.
10. hitoribocchi no Labyrinth
11. -taxi-
12. oide yo
13. My kawaii nichijō tachi

T-Palette Records TPRC-0054
Out 9/18, ¥2381 (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.

"Parade"

Nyantora, the solo project of Nakamura Kōji aka Nakakō (LAMA, iLL, ex-Supercar), has a new album out now that explores ambient sounds. It is available for download through Bandcamp and DIY Stars.

Audio samples at label Sound of Romance

Nyantora "High Strangeness" (Download)

1. Prologue
2. Serenade
3. Fur
4. Sketch1
5. Snow feat. Kera jiken
6. Aqua
7. Cloud
8. Chroma
9. Skecth2
10. Night Ver2
11. Hole

Sound of Romance SOR-013
Out now (9/9), ¥953 (excl. 10% tax)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, Sound of Romance / DIY Stars

Hair Stylistics (SoundCloud), aka Nakahara Masaya, has a new album out now! This is a beat-oriented album said to remind of the sound of his 90's works as Violent Onsen Geisha. The album was created without any computer involved, originally planning to record directly to a CD recorder, which broke meanwhile, and finally recorded on cassette tape and mastered on DAT for a nice fat and warm sounding result. Check out the cool clip below!

Hair Stylistics "Music For The Murder Festa"

1. Electric Storm
2. Just Looking Part2
3. Overnight Overall Gay
4. Jungle Spaghetti Slugs Fever
5. Loud Glitter
6. Magnificent Sexy Time
7. Begger Group In The Fog
8. Deep Snake Eater
9. Fuck Watching Mountains
10. Fear Of Beauty Bungalow
11. This Neon World Is No Future (feat. Chinza DOPENESS)
12. Bonito's Body Disappeard Slowly
13. Music For The Murder Festa
14. Plate of Death, Oh Year!
15. Warm Toilet
16. Intelligence Conspiracy
17. Empire of Plesure
18. The Canadian Disaster
19. No Funk (Tk1)
20. Make The Modern Misery
21. Dynamic Hate
22. Air Sending Sparm
23. Saturday Night Beaver
24. Gentle Annimal Ecstacy
25. Non Parallax
26. From Moody Doom
27. End of Memories

disques corde DCCD-030
Out now (9/11), ¥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.

"Music For The Murder Festa"

Sampler

Two 10" vinyl works by Cornelius are being released at the same time! The first is a cut of 6 tracks from the "NHK 'Design Ah'" soundtrack released on CD last year, including the vocal songs featuring Chocolat, Minekawa Takako, Yakushimaru Etsuko, Ohno Yumiko (Buffalo Daughter) and salyu x salyu.

The other one is a previously unreleased mini-album inspired from the Japanese children's picture book "The cat that lived a million times" (first published in 1977). The songs were used in a documentary movie (see trailer below) about the book's creator Sano Yōko. Included is "Sleep Warm" from album "Sensuous". There are no plans of release in CD or download form.

All tracks can be sampled at Jet Set. Follow the links below.

Cornelius "Design Ah" (10")
コーネリアス 「デザインあ」

A1. Design Ah no Theme (vocals: Chocolat)
A2. Design kazoe uta
A3. maru to shikaku (vocals: Minekawa Takako)
B1. yajirushi Song (vocals: Yakushimaru Etsuko)
B2. oto to ongaku (vocals: Ohno Yumiko)
B3. Color Magic (vocals: salyu x salyu)

Warner / Jet Set JS10S003
Out 9/13, ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

Cornelius "The Cat that lived a Million times" (10")
コーネリアス 「100万回生きたねこ」

A1. mind wind
A2. view from cat's eyes
A3. wind sounds
B1. the windmills of our mind
B2. sleep warm

Warner / Jet Set JS10S004
Out 9/13, ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

Documentary "The Cat that lived a Million Times" trailer