Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Sugar's Campaign, the unit of Avec Avec and Seiho, has a great new song out now on iTunes Japan! The song has been previously heard in their live shows and is finally available. This is also their first release on major label Victor.

Sugar's Campaign "Holiday" (Download)
Sugar's Campaign 「ホリデイ」

1. Holiday
2. Holiday (Instrumental)

Victor VEATP-32137
Out now (11/26)
Sample/buy: (Japan ^‡)
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

Digest movie from a live set at the Tokyo release party for the "Netokano" single
(November 2, 2014 at Daikanyama Unit)

Voice actress Taketatsu Ayana has a new album out now, with some tracks written and arranged by Yoshida Tetsuto ("Colore Solfege" and "Marshmallow") and Oki Reiji (ex-Cymbals) ("Princess no dassō keikaku" and "Surf de Go Go Go"), and also a song written by hitmaker Tsutsumi Kyōhei ("kajirikake no ringo", theme song of anime "denkigai no honya-san"), etc. 4 songs from recent singles "shumatsu Cinderella" and "Wonderful World" are also included.

Two limited editions are available. The "first press limited edition" comes with a bonus DVD of 4 music videos, while the "special limited edition" comes with the Blu-ray edition of the same plus yet one more Blu-ray disc of Ayana's birthday show held last June 22 (a digest of about 100 minutes).

Live shows will be held on December 20 and 21 at Nakano Sunplaza, and one in Osaka on December 14.

Taketatsu Ayana "Colore Serenata"
竹達彩奈 「Colore Serenata」

1. Colore Solfege
2. chokotto Honeycomb
3. shūmatsu Cinderella
4. Cleansing Love
5. kajirikake no ringo
6. Princess no dassō keikaku
7. fai!!
8. Surf de Go Go Go
9. Marshmallow
10. Wonderful World
11. Today
12. eien ni kimi no koto o itoshitai to iwasete
13. kagami yo kagami

Special limited edition (CD + 2 Blu-ray discs)
Pony Canyon PCCG-1435
Out now (11/19), ¥7800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Play-Asia, Amazon (19% off *), HMV (10% off *)
* Discount at time of writing

First press limited edition (CD + DVD)
Pony Canyon PCCG-1436
Out now (11/19), ¥4200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Play-Asia, Amazon (19% off *), HMV (10% off *)
* Discount at time of writing

Regular edition (CD only)
Pony Canyon PCCG-1437
Out now (11/19), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV

"kajirikake no ringo"

"Cleansing Love"

More videos after the jump...

Model duo nananon's first single, produced by Konishi Yasuharu, has been released on 7"! This includes a cover of Pizzicato Five's "Baby Portable Rock" with special lyrics. DJs grab it while you can!

nananon "Nana Nana Non Non" (7")
ななのん 「ななななのんのん」

A. Nana Nana Non Non
B. nananon no Baby Portable Rock

Tsubasa Records/Jet Set JS7S-087
Out now (11/21), ¥1389 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Nana Nana Non Non"

6 years after "Hill", here's a new album from pianist and field recording artist enami Taisuke. This new album features violin, drums, percussion and harmonium on some songs, with also recorded ambiance of dancers.

The Osaka-based artist can be seen live part of Shih-Yang Lee (Taiwan)'s Kansai tour on December 3 and 5 (in Kyoto and Osaka respectively). A listening party of the album will be held on January 11, 2015 at space eauuu in Kobe. Details on his blog.

enami Taisuke "f e r m e n t"
("ferment")

1. budding
2. shunrai
3. fito
4. bookmarket
5. ze n ya sa i
6. harumo
7. hanabi
8. hakkou

Meister Musik MEISTER-012
Out now (11/18), ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"shunrai"

The Lady Spade (sono na wa Spade) have a 2nd album coming! This is their first with current singer ATG (aka AliceToGizelle). Also their sound is now electro and danceable with an amount of rap. Songs range from happy sweets addict anthems to dark tracks that feel they may leave a spell on you. A cover of Okamura Yasuyuki's "(E)na" is included.

A release party will be held on December 22 at Shibuya Under Deer Lounge, with The Aprils and Eco Kaiju. Ex-Secretary-A-Go-Go Tiffany will also DJ. Details here.

The Lady Spade "Reverse Shaped Black Heart"
その名はスペィド 「真っ黒逆さまハート」
Japanese title: sono na wa Spade "makkuro sakasama Heart"

(Original Japanese titles in parentheses)
1. Open the Curse
2. BLACK MAGIC
3. Wakannai
4. Sweetholic
5. Another Stomach for Dessert in the ABYSS
6. Aretabetai-Na
7. eyecatch -RSBH-
8. End of the World
9. (E)na
10. Waltz for Reverse Shape (sakasama na Waltz)
11. Hellbound
12. Ice Cream
13. Obey Me?
14. Hungry Army
15. Killing Me Softly
16. STAR*

Vulgar Display Records DQC-1388
Out 11/26, ¥2315 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"STAR*" ("STAY... SPAde HOME" ver.)

"Aretabetaina"

Teaser clip

"End of the World" live collage clip

Saxophonist Ishikawa Shunosuke has a new piece out now, written at the piano on a cold rainy day. Featured musicians are Takana Mitsuru on trumpet, Jacob Koller on piano, Pat Glynn on bass, Dennis Frehse on drums, and Shu on tenor sax. This comes from Nakatsuka Takeshi's Delicatessen Recordings digital label, and it's available on iTunes worldwide.

Ishikawa Shunosuke "Yuuchin"
石川周之介 「雨琴」

Delicatessen Recordings
Out now (11/19)
Sample/buy: (World), (Japan)

Live performance

Singer-songwriter idol Hoshino Michiru has a new mini-album out now! This includes both songs from the recently released "Planetarium de mattete ne" 7", one of which features Wack Wack Rhythm Band, and also non-album track "mo ichido déjà vu" (from "koi no Funfair"), plus 4 other brand new songs. With an autumn/winter theme, the title also gives "A/W" the meaning of "you and I".

Hoshino Michiru will hold a 2-part show on November 24 (public holiday) at Daikanyama Unit, with a solo show in the afternoon, and in the evening a special event with The Scooters, Kinoco Hotel and Wack Wack Rhythm Band and DJs Konishi Yasuharu, Hase Hajimu and more. Details on her blog.

Hoshino Michiru "A/W Collection ~anata to watashi no Collection~"
星野みちる 「A/W COLLECTION ～あなたと私のコレクション～」

1. Planetarium de mattete ne
2. kare no Irish Setter
3. HALF STEP
4. kawazoi no machi
5. mo ichido deja vu
6. Peaberry o mitsuketara with WACK WACK RHYTHM BAND
7. hoshi ni, Merry Christmas

High Contrast HCCD-9550
Out now (11/12), ¥2300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"kare no Irish Setter"

Sampler clip

Ruby*, the solo-project of whisper-voice singer Lily, is back with a new album with songs produced by CTO LAB., Imai Kentaro (The Aprils, CTO LAB.), Okada Tohru (Moonriders, CTO LAB.), Nishiura Kensuke (daredemo Esper, ex-sōtaiseiriron), POCO (ku-tyu-bunkai) and more. Included are covers of The Velvet Underground ("Sunday Morning") and Stereo Total ("Ushilo Sugata Ga Kilei"). Also check out first album "RUBY" (2010).

Hear samples of all songs at CDJapan.

Ruby*'s next show will be at Daikanyama Loop on December 3, with SAWA, manaminorisa, ku-tyu-bunkai feat. Antenna Girl and more.

Ruby* "sweet music float"

1. Mayday
2. sunday morning
3. my favorite soda
4. saikō no koi no mirai no saki
5. ushilo sugata ga kilei
6. SMILE&PEACE MAKER
7. Love fantasy fu.wa.ri
8. mirage
9. floating lights
10. room

corundum records DQC-1389
Out 11/5, ¥2300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, (World), (Japan), Amazon MP3 Japan
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Sampler clip

Nakatsuka Takeshi produces and performs Disney favorites on this piano-centered jazz album. Some tracks also feature a big band! This contains what's said to be the world's first jazz cover of "Let It Go" (Frozen). Hear samples in the clip below.

A free live event will be held on release day, November 12, 2014, at Apple Store Omotesando from 19:00.

Nakatsuka Takeshi "Disney piano jazz 'HAPPINESS' Deluxe Edition"
中塚武 「Disney piano jazz "HAPPINESS" Deluxe Edition」

(Source in parentheses)
1. It's a small world (New York World Fair)
2. Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Lion King)
3. Beauty and the Beast (Beauty and the Beast)
4. Main Street Electrical Parade (Disneyland)
5. Part of Your World (The Little Mermaid)
6. Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo! (Cinderella)
7. Once Upon a Dream (Sleeping Beauty)
8. Let It Go (Frozen)
9. When She Loved Me (Toy Story 2)
10. If I Didn't Have You (Monsters, Inc.)
11. Heigh-ho (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
12. When You Wish Upon A Star (Pinocchio)
13. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (Mary Poppins)
14. Under the Sea (The Little Mermaid)
15. I See The Light (Tangled)
16. A Whole New World (Aladdin)
17. Chim Chim Cher-ee (Mary Poppins)
18. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)
19. A Spoonful of Sugar (Mary Poppins)
20. Winnie-the-Pooh (Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree)
21. Let It Go (In Crystal Christmas) (Frozen)

Walt Disney Records AVCW-63044
Out 11/12, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, (Japan ^‡), Amazon MP3 Japan
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

Trailer clip

In need for some happy club tracks? Akakage is back, 4 years after album "I'm your clown" (2010). This new album features guest vocalists such as dahlia, Sokabe Keiichi, Meg (ex-Super Butter Dog), and musicians include Horie Hirohisa on trombone, Tatsu (La-Ppisch) on bass, Mitch (ex-Black Bottom Brass Band) on trumpet, and more. There are covers of "Lum's Love Song" (theme from anime Urusei Yatsura) and Brand New Heavies' "You are the Universe".

A 7" has also been released a week in advance. Find details below.

Akakage "Peace Maker"

1. Welcome to My Big Party
2. OH MY GOD
3. Lum's Love Song
4. Garçon
5. mokuyobi no monoui
6. Oriental Garden
7. MACARONI
8. Cha Cha Cha in Heaven
9. Always
10. Elecada Broken
11. harukoma (vs AKAKAGE 2014)
12. mayonaka SUN SUN SUN
13. You Are The Universe
14. Booo!

File Records FRCD-239
Out 11/12, ¥2315 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, (Japan ^‡)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

Akakage "mayonaka Sun Sun Sun / Lum's Love Song" (7")

A. mayonaka Sun Sun Sun
AA. Lum's Love Song

Low Blow LB-1513
Out now (11/4), ¥1204 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

"Oh My God" (Short version)

Album trailer

20-minute mix by Yoichiro Ito (Akakage)

7" sampler clip

Vanilla Beans are back with a new powerful single! The song "uchōten Girl" has music that was originally written in the 80's for idol group Wink (by hit songwriter Inoue Daisuke), though it ended up unused until Vanilla Beans' staff unearthed it. Check out the catchy video below with their new cheerleader-like outfits.

The B-side, "Kiss wa me ni shite pō!" is a cover of another song by the same songwriter, actually a pop arrangement of Beethoven's "Für Elise" that was used in a cosmetics commercial in the 80's in Japan.

The limited edition comes with a bonus 30-minute DVD that follows the girls as they attempt to climb Mount Fuji!

Vanilla Beans will perform a one-man live at Ebisu Liquidroom on December 18, not to be missed! Details at Tokyo Gig Guide.

Vanilla Beans "uchōten Girl"
バニラビーンズ 「有頂天ガール」

1. uchōten Girl
2. Kiss wa me ni shite pō!
3. uchōten Girl (Instrumental)
4. Kiss wa me ni shite pō! (Instrumental)

Limited edition (CD+DVD (Region 2 NTSC))
T-Palette Records TPRC-0119
Out 11/11, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD only)
T-Palette Records TPRC-0120
Out 11/11, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, (Japan ^‡)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

"uchōten Girl"

DVD digest

A waterfall of events led Nomiya Maki (ex-Pizzicato Five) and producer Sakaguchi Osamu (a soundtrack producer who first got in touch with Maki in the Portable Rock days) to start a project that re-introduces Shibuya-kei hit songs and important influences of the scene.

This resulted in a first show held on November 3, 2013 at Billboard Live Tokyo, featuring songs by Pizzicato Five, Cornelius, Original Love, Ozawa Kenji, and many influential favorites, all performed with a full live band. This CD contains a whole show complete with talk in-between the songs.

The album comes in a mini-LP sleeve, with a booklet of liner notes and lyrics. All songs can be sampled at CDJapan.

A special live & talk event will be held at Pass the Baton (Omotesando Hills, Harajuku) on November 15 from 19:00. Hundreds of Maki's personal items are on display and for sale at the shop until November 24.

Nomiya Maki "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards"
野宮真貴 「実況録音盤! 『野宮真貴、渋谷系を歌う。〜MISS MAKI NOMIYA SINGS SHIBUYA KEI STANDARDS〜』」

(Original artist in parentheses)
1. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji (The Night Is Still Young) (Pizzicato Five)
2. MC1
3. The Love Parade (Cornelius)
4. MC2
5. Chance ga hoshii no (Koshiji Fubuki)
6. Our day will come (Ruby & The Romantics)
7. MC3
8. My Pure Lady (Ozaki Amii)
9. MC4
10. "Director Miki Satoshi Medley" jikō keisaku no Theme ~ Atami no sōsakan no Theme ~ Instant numa no Theme (Sakiguchi Osamu)
11. Hong Kong Night Sight (Matsutoya Yumi)
12. MC5
13. ikigai (Yuki Saori)
14. MC6
15. aru hi totsuzen (Toi et Moi)
16. tsuki no ura de aimashō (ORIGINAL LOVE)
17. MC7
18. bokura ga tabi ni deru riyu (Ozawa Kenji)
19. "Pizzicato Five Medley" Twiggy Twiggy ~ Happy Sad ~ banji kaicho (Tout va bien) ~ Baby Portable Rock ~ koi no Rule, atarashii Rule (La règle du jeu) ~ Playboy Playgirl ~ Twiggy Twiggy (Pizzicato Five)

mini+O.S.T.INC. DDCB-12961
Out 11/12, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, (World), (Japan)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

This compilation from Grand Gallery consists of covers of Japanese city pop hit songs from the 70's and 80's. Featured are artists including Nakatsuka Takeshi, hitomitoi, Sokabe Keiichi, Kimyō Reitarō, Hicksville and more. Many of the songs are brand new recordings. hitomitoi covers "Aquamarine no mama de ite" (originally performed by Carlos Toshiki & Omega Tribe), song that was covered by Every Little Thing (produced by Konishi Yasuharu) earlier this year (see "'dakishimetai!' Music Collection").

Audio samples of all songs can be heard here.

Various Artists "Twilight Time"

(Original artist in parentheses)
1. monolog+Ai Ichikawa / PAPER DOLL (Yamashita Tetsurō)
2. hitomitoi / Aquamarine no mama de ite (Carlos Toshiki & Omega Tribe)
3. Takeda Kaori / Mr. Summertime (Circus (cover of Michel Fugain))
4. Ohara Hideko / mayonaka no Door (Matsubara Miki)
5. Kimyō Reitarō / kanashikute yarikirenai (The Folk Crusaders)
6. Sokabe Keiichi / kojinteki Message (Hi-Fi Set)
7. Nakatsuka Takeshi / Still I love you (Abe Yasuhiro)
8. grooveman Spot&KASHIF / SAY GOODBYE (Satō Hiroshi)
9. Ryūsenkei / koi wa nagareboshi part2 (Yoshida Minako)
10. YOSSY LITTLE NOISE WEAVER / DO YOU REMEMBER ME (Yuki (Okazaki Yuki))
11. Hicksville / hōrō (Kosaka Chū)
12. Sotte Bosse / Parade (Sugar Babe)

Grand Gallery XQKF-1083
Out now (10/29), ¥2431 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

monolog+Ai Ichikawa "PAPER DOLL"

hitomitoi "Aquamarine no mama de ite"

Kimyō Reitarō "kanashikute yarikirenai"

lyrical school's new single has a title track which was written and produced by ones who had been involved since the group's beginning. The B-side was produced by mysterious Taiwan trackmaker Ebbie East, which is said to be his first contribution to a Japanese artist.

The single comes in a regular edition, and also 6 different limited editions(!) named after each of the vocalists. Each of the limited editions contains one different song from the tengal6 days, re-recorded with the current line-up. Details on limited editions can be found after the jump.

lyrical school "PRIDE"

Regular edition
1. PRIDE
2. nukegake
3. PRIDE (inst)
4. nukegake (inst)

T-Palette Records TPRC-0109
Out now (10/28), ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"PRIDE"

See after the jump for details on all limited editions.

Following album "Fantastic Suicide", Ryoma Maeda (aka milch of source, producer for EeL) is back with a new album in a completely different direction. Consisting mainly of solo piano with lots of editing, the result is beautiful and refreshing.

The album is available on iTunes worldwide and Amazon MP3.

Ryoma Maeda "Rhapsody In My Life"

1. Without Haste, But Without Rest
2. Run Faster Than Beauty
3. Anti - Musics
4. Humorless
5. Rythem - Rythem - Rythem
6. Laughter Is Timeless
7. In The Rain
8. The Goal Of All Life Is Death
9. Days In September

milch records
Out now (10/25)
Sample/buy: , Amazon MP3 U.S., Amazon MP3 Japan

"Run Faster Than Beauty"

Digest clip

"Anti - Musics"

Brother's Sister's Daughter is a band formed of Mike Watt, Nels Cline (Wilco), Araki Yūko and Shimizu "Shimmy" Hirotaka (both of The Cornelius Group). This album was actually recorded in 2008, but it was left sleeping until the mixing and mastering was finally completed this year.

All tracks can be sampled at HMV.

Brother's Sister's Daughter "BSD"

1. The Echo Of Your Heart
2. Crystal Clear
3. Dog Barking At The Moon
4. You're Here
5. Run, Go For It!
6. Experience
7. Loneliness
8. Aka-Ao-Shiro-Kiiro

Rallye RYECD-207
Out now (10/15), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Dog Barking at the Moon"

Chorus group Smooth Ace have a new album out now, with 4 tracks arranged by Arai Toshiya, with some guest vocals by Maezono Naoki (both of jōdan hakushaku).

All songs can be sampled at CDJapan.

Smooth Ace "Sing Like Children"

1. suteki na Music
2. favorite song
3. Pessimist no Love Song
4. Sing like children
5. niji o mitakute
6. Discovery
7. Music
8. suteki na Reprise
9. kimi o shitteiru

setagaya chorus laboratory DQC-1362
Out now (10/8), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Trailer clip

Hoshino Michiru has a new 7" out now. The title track, which translates to "Wait for me at the planetarium", has music written by Michiru herself. B-side "Peaberry o mitsuketara" (a song previously heard in a different version as the B-side of "rakuen to kisetsufū") is here included as a brand new recording featuring Wack Wack Rhythm Band! The package includes a CD of the two songs and their instrumentals.

Both tracks will be included on mini-album "A/W Collection" out November 12. A premium show will be held on November 24 at Daikanyama Unit, with Wack Wack Rhythm Band, The Scooters and Kinoco Hotel. Yeah yeah yeah!

Hoshino Michiru "Planetarium de mattete ne" (CD+7")
星野みちる 「プラネタリウムで待っててね」

1. Planetarium de mattete ne
2. Peaberry o mitsuketara with Wack Wack Rhythm Band
3. Planetarium de mattete ne (inst)
4. Peaberry o mitsuketara with Wack Wack Rhythm Band (inst)

High Contrast HCCD-9549
Out now (10/22), ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Sampler clip