Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Kafka's ibiki is a new improvisational band featuring Jim O'Rourke on guitar, Ishibashi Eiko on piano, and Yamamoto Tatsuhisa on drums. Following a release on Bandcamp, here's a 1st album consisting of only one 37-minute instrumental track.

Kafka's Ibiki "okite"
カフカ鼾 「okite」

1. okite

felicity cap-189 / PECF-1086
Out 1/22, ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia, (World), (Japan)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Self-described as "bedtown pop music" or "convenient suburb pop group", shippai shinai ikikata (Soundcloud) is a 6-piece band that's been active in the Tokyo indies scene since around 2010. After gaining popularity with a self-made demo CD-R, here finally comes a first album.

A 7" of "umi o mi ni ikō yo" and "mahō" is available exclusively at HMV.

shippai shinai ikikata "jōyatō"
失敗しない生き方 「常夜灯」

1. umi o mi ni ikō yo
2. tsuki to nankyoku
3. Cookbook
4. watashi no machi
5. kemutai heya de
6. uwagoto no Jive
7. mahō
8. Ragtime
9. America-jin ja arumai shi
10. jōyatō
11. shūdensha

Vybe Music VBCD-68
Out now (1/22), ¥2200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"tsuki to nankyoku"

MoliquL, the Brooklyn-based electronic dance duo of Avery (Lost Children, Ice Choir) and Tsugumi (Old Monk, ex-PINE*am), has again delivered a new pair of tracks that blend bright pop and their unique style. The beautiful title track "Into the Night" is built on vivid imagery, and grandiose rhythmic elements, while "Loom" is a futuristic number bursting with originality.

This is a release from Flawless World (ex-Usagi-chang Records) and includes remixes by st.classics (Suzuki Akira) and Lost Children (Avery's solo unit).

MoliquL "Into the Night" (Download)

1. Into the Night
2. Loom
3. Into the Night (St.Classics Remix)
4. Loom (Lost Children Remix)

Flawless World FWDR-007
Out now (1/29)
Buy: (U.S.), (Japan), Amazon MP3 U.S., Amazon MP3 Japan

Sampler clip

This is a new DVD from Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, a 90-minute documentary that follows her through last year's world tour that took her to 8 countries.

A new world tour is about to start in February, taking KPP to the U.S., Canada, Australia, China, France, Germany, UK, Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand. Find all details here.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "100% KPP World Tour 2013 Official Documentary"
きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ 「100%KPP WORLD TOUR 2013 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTARY」

DVD edition (Region 2 NTSC)
Warner Music WPBL-90236
Out 1/29, ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (26% off *), HMV (15% off *), Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Blu-ray edition (Region A NTSC)
Warner Music WPXL-90024
Out 2/12, ¥5000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (26% off *), HMV (15% off *), Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Trailer

Here comes a tribute cover album to anime series Sailor Moon (1993), this year celebrating its 20th anniversary. Featured artists include Yakushimaru Etsuko, Kawamoto Makoto, Tommy heavenly6, Momoiro Clover Z, Nakagawa Shōko, Clémentine and more. Producers include Konishi Yasuharu (Fukuhara Haruka "Princess Moon"), Jimanica (Kawamoto Makoto "kaze mo sora mo kitto...") among others.

Also visit the Sailor Moon 20th Anniversary Project Official Site.

Japan Various Artists "'Sailor Moon' The 20th Anniversary Memorial Tribute"
オムニバス 「美少女戦士セーラームーン THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY MEMORIAL TRIBUTE」

(Title / Artist)
1. Moonlight densetsu / Momoiro Clover Z
2. HEART MOVING / Nakagawa Shōko
3. Princess Moon / Fukuhara Haruka
4. otome no Policy / Yakushimaru Etsuko
5. La Soldier / Tommy heavenly6
6. ai no senshi / Gotō Mariko x Avu-chan (jōōbachi)
7. Tuxedo Mirage / Momoiro Clover Z
8. "rashiku" ikimasho / Momoi Haruko
9. Sailor Star Song / Horie Mitsuko
10. kaze mo sora mo kitto... / Kawamoto Makoto
11. Moonlight densetsu (French version) (Bonus track) / Clémentine

Starchild KICA-3218
Out 1/29, ¥2858 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia, (Japan ^‡)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

Digest clip

Yakushimaru Etsuko (sōtaiseiriron) has a new single coming, of a which title song "X jigen e yōkoso" is being used as the ending theme of anime "Space Dandy" (Sunday from 23:00 on Tokyo MX). That song was arranged by Kanno Yōko. The B-side is also a new song, that one co-arranged by Jimanica. The CD artwork was drawn by Yakushimaru Etsuko herself.

Yakushimaru Etsuko "TV Anime 'Space Dandy' Ending Theme: X jigen e yokoso"
やくしまるえつこ 「TVアニメーション『スペース☆ダンティ』エンディングテーマ: X次元へようこそ」

1. X jigen e yōkoso
2. zettai Monsieur sei
3. X jigen e yōkoso (off vocal)
4. zettai Monsieur sei (off vocal)
5. X jigen e yōkoso (TV size)

Flying Dog VTCL-35175
Out 1/29, ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Space Dandy" ending

This new Disney cover compilation features girls only, from idol groups (such as Dempagumi.inc, BiS, Tokyo Girls' Style, hy4_4yh) to bands (akai kōen) and solo artists (Ōta Emiri, Maika Leboutet), and even Minnie Mouse. In terms of producers, Dempagumi.inc's track is produced by Hyadain, and Kaneda Tomoko's by Sexy-Synthesizer.

All tracks can be sampled at Amazon, HMV and Tower Records.

Various Artists "Disney Rocks!!! Girls Power!"
オムニバス 「ディズニー・ロックス!!! ガールズパワー!」

(TItle / Artist)
1. Mickey Mouse March [The Mickey Mouse Club] / hy4_4yh (Hyper Yo-Yo)
2. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious[Mary Poppins] / Dempagumi.inc
3. Belle [Beauty and the Beast] / tricot
4. Under the Sea [The Little Mermaid] / Dorothy Little Happy
5. Some Day My Prince Will Come [Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs] / BiS
6. Colors of the Wind [Pocahontas] / Imai Mami
7. Chim Chim Cher-ee [Mary Poppins] / Tokyo Girls Style
8. Heigh-Ho [Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs] / Kaneda Tomoko
9. Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo [Cinderella] / Ota Emiri
10. Part of Your World [The Little Mermaid] / akai kōen
11. You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly! [Peter Pan] / Shiraishi Ryōko
12. Beauty and the Beast [Beauty and the Beast] / Gacharic Spin
13. This Is Halloween [The Nightmare Before Christmas] / ZAQ
14. A Whole New World [Aladdin] / Kurosaki Maon
15. We're All in This Together [High School Musical] / Up Up Girls
16. It's a Small World [New York World's Fair] / Tsuribit, Fukuhara Kaori & RAB, YURI*KARI, A Fairy Mutes Uh, Maika Leboutet, Kagaya Hatsumi, Qoo Bee Little, PLC, Flap Girls School
17. When You Wish Upon a Star [Pinocchio] / Minnie Mouse

Walt Disney Records AVCW-63008
Out 1/22, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

This is a collaboration album of unit group Tokyo Girls' Style and tofubeats' label Maltine Records (Soundcloud). 5 new tracks are produced by Maltine artists, and each is sung solo by one of the 5 girls. Producers are dancinthruthenights (unit of tofubeats and okadada), fazerock, banvox, Gigandect and Avec Avec. These songs are included both in video form, with an original music video by a different visual artist for each, and also on CD.

Plus, the CD includes 7 extra remixes of previous Tokyo Girls' Style songs, again featuring remixes from label Maltine. The release comes in Blu-ray and DVD formats.

Tokyo Girls' Style "Maltine Girls Wave"
東京女子流 「Maltine Girls Wave」

Blu-ray/DVD
1. maji ben NOW! feat. Arai Hitomi
2. Spica feat. Konishi Ayano & seikatsu hitsujuhin
3. Umbrella feat. Yamabe Miyu
4. Kawaii Rave feat. Shōji Mei
5. Day By Day feat. Nakae Yuri
6. -Making Movie- Shooting Off Shot

CD
1. maji ben NOW! feat. Arai Hitomi
2. Spica feat. Konishi Ayano & seikatsu hitsujuhin
3. Umbrella feat. Yamabe Miyu
4. Kawaii Rave feat. Shōji Mei
5. Day By Day feat. Nakae Yuri
6. Liar -RE:NDZ Remix-
7. himawari to hoshikuzu -Yoshino Yoshikawa Remix-
8. yūyake hanabi -banvox Remix-
9. Rock you! -tofubeats 1988 dub version-
10. onnaji kimochi -Hercelot Remix-
11. Limited addiction -okadada Remix-
12. kirari☆ -Avec Avec Remix-

Blu-ray edition (Blu-ray+CD) Region A NTSC
avex trax AVXD-91680
Out 1/15, ¥4500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon (25% off *), HMV (15% off *), Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

DVD edition (DVD+CD) Region 2 NTSC
avex trax AVBD-92056
Out 1/15, ¥3300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon (15% off *), HMV (15% off *), Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"maji ben NOW! feat. Arai Hitomi"

More clips after the jump...

Following last summer's hot "Surfbank Social Club", hitomitoi now brings us a winter album, the kind that should warm you up. Again collaborators Cunimondo Takiguchi (Ryūsenkei), Kashif (aka Stringsburn) and LUVRAW & BTB are in, as well as tofubeats, Avec Avec and grooveman Spot, and also rapper PUNPEE.

Live shows will be held at Billboard Live Tokyo on March 2 and March 24.

hitomitoi "Snowbank Social Club"
一十三十一 「Snowbank Social Club」

1. Snowbank Social Club 1
2. Catch Me in the Snow ~ginsekai de tsukamaete~
3. Night Flight Telephone Call feat. PUNPEE
4. Winter Rouge Mellow
5. Silver Wind ~utsuri yuku kisetsu~
6. Snow Storm Loneliness
7. Frozen Horizon
8. Chocolate Neverland
9. Diamond Dust
10. Snowbank Social Club 2
11. Park Suite feat. BTB
12. Awakening Town

Billboard Records HBRJ-1011
Out 1/29, ¥2700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia, (Japan ^‡), Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

Album short film

Album digest

Elekibass has a new mini-album coming, of which lead track "Garden Party" is a song written by The Apples In Stereo's Robert Schneider specially for Elekibass. Also coming at the end of January is a 7" vinyl single that contains a remix and exclusive song "Weekday". The 7" comes with a CD of the same content.

Elekibass can next be seen live opening for Of Montreal on January 28 at Shibuya O-West. Tickets are on sale.

Elekibass "Home Party Garden Party"

1. hoshi furu yoru ni kirameite (STARLIGHT)
2. Vegetable
3. Garden Party
4. Petit Ami
5. Headliner
6. Things We Like To Do
7. GoodTimeMusic

waikiki record WAKRD-044
Out 1/22, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Elekibass "Garden Party EP" (7")

A1. Garden Party
A2. Garden Party (HIEROPHANT GREEN Remix)
B1. hoshi furu yoru ni kirameite (STARLIGHT)
B2. Weekday

waikiki record / Jet Set JS7S056
Out late January, ¥1400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon

"Garden Party"

"hoshi furu yoru ni kirameite (STARLIGHT)"

"Weekday"

yashka is a new 6-piece band fronted by female singer Yoshika. With accordion, violin, and clarinet, the rock band's sound is a borderless mixture of soul, ska, latin, jazz and pop. All songs can be sampled at the official release page.

A release live will be held at Saravah Tokyo in Shibuya on January 29.

yashka "Hotel New Continental"
ヤーシュカ 「ホテル ニュー コンチネンタル」

1. kagi no kakaru heya
2. Caron
3. inu ni demo kurete yaru
4. chocolate! chocolate!
5. nishi e
6. uchi ni oide yo
7. mizuiro no Cake
8. zaiaku no Rhapsody
9. akai sora
10. kaze wa watashi o sukuu, soshite kimi o yasashiku tsutsumu darō

High Contrast Recordings HCCD-9542
Out 1/15, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"kagi no kakaru heya"

Trailer clip

Tonchi Records is an indies label that's been around for some 8 years and that's run by members of kataomoi and Horizon Yamashita takuhaibin. This all-genre compilation is filled of previously unreleased tracks, with kataomoi, VIDEOTAPEMUSIC, cero, and many more. The CD comes with a sticker.

Some audio samples can be heard at Jet Set.

Various Artists "Tonchi Compi"
オムニバス 「とんちこんぴ」

1. Synchro (Kataoka Shin + Kurooka Masahiro) / Suzuki Takahiro
2. kataomoi / Knee on the Belly
3. Horizon Yamashita takuhaibin / DO IT ~le troublen anburun reinburun~ midoro no hanran
4. Alfred Beach Sandal / Christmas to sansū
5. B-positive? / Positive PaParazzi Party
6. VIDEOTAPEMUSIC / Brazilian Pavilion
7. nice omoro / nandakanda ittemo
8. Banse Asahiko / OintheO
9. Yamashita Sanshirō / tokei no hari
10. kataomoro / ame furu yoru ni
11. Kawai Isson / 01344
12. Abe Yumiko / Naked Days
13. mantaschool / gen ni yosete
14. Adachi Reisaburō / Candy
15. Kurabayashi Tetsuya / kurumabashi

Tonchi Records TNCR-0015
Out now (1/1), ¥2858 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Terunuma Fareeza to Shūkyō is a new pop unit formed of producer Ōkawa Kazuto and singer Terunuma Fareeza, a half-Syrian/half-Japanese model/photographer/director from the adult scene. Their first song had been released digitally, and the sound has a Shibuya-kei feel that should appeal to a wide audience. Check out the colorful, cute and sexy clip below.

This release includes an instrumental version and a remix. They seem to be aiming for attention in and out of Japan by releasing on iTunes worldwide and also Amazon MP3. I'm already curious what will be coming next from this pair.

Terunuma Fareeza to Shūkyō "kakkoii" (Download)
照沼ファリーザと宗教 「かっこいい」

1. kakkoii
2. kakkoii (Instrumental)
3. kakkoii (Remix)

Out now (12/24)
Buy: , Amazon MP3 (Japan), Amazon MP3 (U.S.)

"kakkoii"

Recently I had been wondering what the fascinations are up to, and here's a new album! This is the follow-up to "latona" (2009). "Green In Blue" contains plenty of new originals by the vibraphone-led jazz band, as well as covers such as Matsuda Seiko's "Sweet Memories". Guest singer eli (ex-Love Tambourines) appears on that one as well as the original title track.

the fascinations "Green In Blue"

1. green in blue
2. forbidden fruits
3. encounter with JL
4. quiet city blues
5. fly over the horizon
6. miles away
7. meteor
8. lovely day
9. midnight image
10. sweet memories
11. walking

High Contrast HCCD-9541
Out now (12/11), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Post-rock band Yucca has a new track now available on iTunes worldwide and also Bandcamp! Check out the video clip below too.

Also check out previous single "summer emotion" and latest album "our journey (to anywhere we want)", if you haven't yet.

Yucca "You are right" (Download)

abcdefg*record
Out now (1/4)
Buy: Bandcamp,

Polysics have a new album coming this month! This follows EP "Mega Over Drive" (released last October) of which the title track is included here. The album is said to include sounds of new wave, EDM, hard core and some 80's nostalgy.

Polysics' next show will be at the new Ex Theater in Roppongi, on January 25. Tickets are on sale.

Polysics "ACTION!!!"

1. ACTION!!!
2. MEGA OVER DRIVE
3. O MEGA NE
4. Post Post
5. Number Zero
6. hakken dōbutsu tankentai
7. Rhythm
8. New Melody
9. Sparky
10. How To Be Good Boy
11. Don't Stop Johnny
12. Turbo Five

Ki/oon KSCL-2353
Out 1/15, ¥2914 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"MEGA OVER DRIVE"

YMCK released a new song, now available on iTunes worldwide. It was made especially for the Short Shorts Film Festival, to be used by video creators who want to participate in the music category. Details can be found here. The deadline is January 20.

Other artists who contributed tracks include Saitone, Nomiya Maki, clammbon (tracks by these artists were taken from previously released albums), and many other major artists. The full list is here.

YMCK can next be seen live at event "Fami-mōde" on January 25 at Kichijoji Star Pine's Cafe, and then at event "Joy Ride vol.154" on February 16 at Koenji High.

YMCK "Tokyo Upside Down" (Download)
YMCK 「さかさま東京」
(Japanese title: "sakasama Tokyo")

not records
Out now (12/9)
Sample/buy:

Osaka-based idol group Especia has a new single coming, and track "Aventure wa giniro ni" was produced by Maserati Nagisa, unit of LUVRAW (LUVRAW & BTB) and PellyColo (SoundCloud). Especia are one of those few idol groups that are likely to interest non-idol music fans. Highly recommended!

The limited edition comes with a DVD of a live show held last August.

Especia "YA-ME-TE! / Aventure wa giniro ni"
Especia 「YA・ME・TE!/アバンチュールは銀色に」

1. YA-ME-TE!
2. Aventure wa giniro ni
3. ame no Parlor
4. YA-ME-TE! (Instrumental)
5. Aventure wa giniro ni (Instrumental)
6. ame no Parlor (Instrumental)
7. YA-ME-TE! (Acappella)
8. Aventure wa giniro ni (Acappella)
9. ame no Parlor (Acappella)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Tsubasa Records TRNW-0046
Out 1/8, ¥2858 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon (18% off *), HMV (10% off *), Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD only)
Tsubasa Records TRNW-0048
Out 1/8, ¥953 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"YA-ME-TE!"

"Aventure wa giniro ni"

New label Sauna Cool starts things off with this 51-track compilation, with a rule of "no more than 30 seconds per track". Featured are mainly artists from the Tokyo indies scene, including Chabe, HNC, Miila and the Geeks, VIDEOTAPEMUSIC, Mitsume, Nag Ar Juna, Koncos, She Talks Silence, New House, Teen Runnings, and many many more.

Various Artists "Sauna Cool 1"

(Artist / Title)
1. Teen Runnings / Diving
2. Hamada Masamichi Ushioda Yuichi / Perfect Day For A Hike!
3. Miila and the Geeks / Snow White
4. Mitsume / mayakashi
5. LET DOWN / Alarm
6. Pink Politics / PEEP SHOW
7. Kate / Shoot The Star
8. Beruanger / To Say I Love You
9. tonight? / autumn wars
10. Nag Ar Juna / 7gatsu
11. The Pat / I do
12. TRAFFIC LIGHT / THE BOKUN
13. White Wear / Great Reality
14. Think / Think
15. Super VHS / Heartbeat
16. ICHIHASHI-DUBWISE / 30seconds
17. ayU tokiO / kare wa akiaji
18. DYGL / It's Not Easy
19. TATSUYA ETO / Lost Control
20. Elen Never Sleeps / Love Thing
21. Toer Populair / Morten In Tivoli
22. Boys Age / Bring It On
23. Groves / but beautiful
24. Fancy Books / Parthenon
25. Ykiki Beat / Night Drive
26. THE KEYS / shōryokō
27. VIDEOTAPEMUSIC / MORNING SERVICE
28. Chabe / EVOL
29. OHIO PRISONER / New York Rankin' City
30. Occult You / I Got You
31. KONCOS / 30byō no 3byōshi
32. WEDNESDAY / MORE CHOPS!
33. Cold Name / You Will Not See（Death Internet Version）
34. Pair Slope / Ham Actor
35. Naliza Moo / Miami
36. car10 / A-TOWN
37. Moscow Club / Richard Garriott
38. Rumspringa! / FREEZE PLEASE
39. DEAVID SOUL / SPACE BOOGIE
40. testa / Commercial Music
41. group A / INITIATION
42. Slow Mariko / Tape Your Sun
43. TALON / SEIKO 5
44. She Talks Silence / Dear, Daddy
45. Prince Graves / Holy Flirts
46. George / fair play
47. Para Omi / The Banquet Of Gorilla
48. UPPER LAKE NEIGHBORS / DON'T FEED THE COYOTES
49. The Restrooms / EGO
50. HNC / A Dream of Samarkand (HNC Blink Mix)
51. New House / In The Desert

Sauna Cool SC-1
Out now (12/25), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

On Christmas day, FPM did a surprise release of a remix album of tracks from his latest album "Scale". Remixers from Japan and also Taiwan are featured.

All tracks can be sampled on this official release page. Clicking the "buy now" button will take you to a page that uses DIY Stars' shopping cart to deliver the tracks in digital form. Available formats are MP3 and WAV of two quality levels.

This will also be available on iTunes and Beatport from January 22.

FPM "Scale Remixes" (Download)

1. CURIOSITY (Ko-Matsushima & Erich Logan Remix)
2. GIMME UR BEAT (Hoshina Anniversary Remix)
3. 1000 FACES (DJ Mykal & Pilot K 'MKP' Transition Remix)
4. TOKYO (TJO & YUSUKE from BLU-SWING Remix)
5. OTHER STORIES (Norihito Ogawa Remix)
6. STREAMLINER (KILL THE HERO REMIX)
7. DAREMOSHIRANAI (Ken Oshima Remix)
8. BRING DA NOISE (Booty Bronx Funk Remix)
9. TOKYO (TACOAGE 2020 MIX)
10. CURIOSITY (JACKKN Remix)
11. DAREMOSHIRANAI (Koji Miyatake Remix)
12. STREAMLINER (el poco maro Remix)
13. TOKYO (TJO & YUSUKE from BLU-SWING Twisted Dub)
14. DAREMOSHIRANAI (Tha Under Stars Remix)
15. OTHER STORIES (KNOXX Remix)
16. GO FOR BROKE (KAN TAKAHIKO Remix)
17. OTHER STORIES (Lady Citizen Kamogawa Remix)

Never Ever NV003
Out now (12/25)
Sample/buy: FPMNET

2013 celebrated a 10th anniversary year of the solo career of Nakatsuka Takeshi (ex-Qypthone), seeing the release of latest album "Lyrics". Then came this "Big Band Back Beat" album, entirely backed by a large brass band, and full of covers of songs that are Takeshi's roots. First released only locally through Tower Records, this album finally sees a wider release reachable by international fans.

A show to celebrate this release will be held at Motion Blue Yokohama on January 19. Tickets are now on sale.

Nakatsuka Takeshi with Iga-Bang BB "Big Band Back Beat"
中塚武 with イガバンBB 「Big Band Back Beat」

1. Just A Pretty Song
2. Play That Funky Music
3. Skipped Beat
4. Across The Universe
5. It's Your World
6. Be Nice To Me
7. Carnaby Street
8. shiroi mori

Delicatessen Recordings/P.S.C. UVCA-3018
Out 1/8, ¥2190 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia, (Japan ^‡)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

Digest clip

This is a compilation from 80KIDZ' own label PARK which started in 2013 and has been delivering . Included are previously unreleased tracks, including one by 80KIDZ themselves.

Various Artists "PARK compilation 01"

(Title / Artist)
1. Face Off / SCAM CIRCLE
2. Music / NOB
3. Seaside / KILL THE HERO
4. This Is My Life / BERSERKER CHILDREN CLUB
5. Aquadrop / HABANERO POSSE
6. Substance / HORI
7. Unsweet / WATER FIELD
8. Beside / 80KIDZ

PARK XQLR-1004
Out now (11/20), ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia, (Japan ^‡)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

Indie dance unit 80KIDZ have released 4 EP of the "80" series ("80:01" to "80:04"), and this compilation album contains all tracks from these. All 4 EPs are also available on iTunes worldwide.

Released at the same time is an EP by singer Una, of which the two lead tracks were produced by 80KIDZ. Two remixes are also included, by Habanero Posse and Halfby. This one is however only available on iTunes Japan. (See details below.)

80KIDZ "80:XX-01020304"

1. Swg
2. Abdullah
3. Bass 9
4. Bitch
5. Wahaus
6. Black Crack
7. Beater
8. M.u.d.120
9. Spike
10. Gah
11. Barkley
12. Nineteen
13. I Got It!

PARK XQLR-1005
Out now (12/18), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Una "True of Lights / Danse Danse"

1. True of Lights
2. Danse Danse
3. SK8ER GIRL (HALFBY REMIX)
4. LONELY FLOWER (HABANERO POSSE REMIX)

Asobimusic / PARK
Out now (12/18), ¥715 (excl. 10% tax)
Sample/buy:

Teaser clip

Riow Arai has released a new album exclusively on iTunes store. The conceptual "spin-off" album consists of one-shot recordings of only drums and bass, that were then mixed in dub fashion. The drums and dub mixes were done by Riow Arai, while bass was performed by Captain Mirai (esu-efu). Genres explored include reggae, German rock, Krautrock, new wave, post-punk, etc., with a result that's ambient and abstract.

Riow Arai "Drum Dub Delay" (Download)

1. Drum Dub Delay
2. Decilitre
3. Dominant
4. Ducky
5. Duplex
6. Discolor
7. Dreamer
8. Dal Segno
9. Da Capo

rar
Out now (12/11)
Sample/buy:

"Drum Dub Delay"

Sakamoto Ryūichi has released an album with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, as recorded during 3 concerts held in Tokyo and Osaka last May. It had been 16 years since his previous Japan tour with a full orchestra. The album includes soundtrack hits such as "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence", "The Last Emperor", "The Sheltering Sky", as well as Yellow Magic Orchestra's "Castalia", etc., all in orchestral arrangements.

Sakamoto Ryuichi "Ryuichi Sakamoto | Playing the Orchestra 2013"
坂本龍一 「Ryuichi Sakamoto | Playing the Orchestra 2013」

1. Still Life - orchestra version(20130507_osaka_festival_hall)
2. Bibo No Aozora (20130510_tokyo_metropolitan_theatre)
3. Amore (20130509_tokyo_suntory_hall)
4. Castalia (20130510_tokyo_metropolitan_theatre)
5. After All (20130510_tokyo_metropolitan_theatre)
6. Bolerish (20130509_tokyo_suntory_hall)
7. Ichimei - small happiness ~ reminiscence (20130510_tokyo_metropolitan_theatre)
8. Theme For Yae (20130510_tokyo_metropolitan_theatre)
9. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (20130510_tokyo_metropolitan_theatre)
10. Rain (20130510_tokyo_metropolitan_theatre)
11. The Last Emperor (20130510_tokyo_metropolitan_theatre)
12. The Sheltering Sky (20130510_tokyo_metropolitan_theatre)
13. Aqua (20130510_tokyo_metropolitan_theatre)

commmons RZCM-59475
Out now (12/11), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, YesAsia, (Japan ^‡)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

"Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence"
(Might be a version different than the one on this album.)