Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Nomiya Maki has just released two songs on iTunes Japan! These are newly recorded versions of Pizzicato Five hits "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" and "Sweet Soul Revue", in refreshing "bon odori" or "ondō" versions, a traditional Japanese musical style as heard in summer festivals ("matsuri").

Both were made to coincide with the "oshare bon odori" event to be held this Saturday July 2, on the roof of department store Isetan in Shinjuku from 18:00. Nomiya Maki and Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band) will perform part of the matsuri-themed event hosted by fashion designer Keita Maruyama. Entrance is ¥4000 which includes tickets that can be used at the various food and drink stalls. Find all details here.

Check out the clips below that teach how to dance along.

Nomiya Maki "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji (bon odori Version)" (Download)
野宮真貴 「東京は夜の七時(盆踊りVersion)」

Universal Music
Out now (6/29), ¥250
Buy:

Nomiya Maki "Sweet Soul Revue (bon odori Version)" (Download)
野宮真貴 「スウィート・ソウル・レヴュー(盆踊りVersion)」

Universal Music
Out now (6/29), ¥250
Buy:

"Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji (bon odori Version)" (Edit)

"Sweet Soul Revue (bon odori Version)" (Edit)

jan and naomi have a 2nd EP out now, containing 6 new songs! This is the follow-up to "jan, naomi are" released in 2014 (CDJapan).

jan and naomi will play a show at the Gloria Chapel in Shinagawa on July 8. Tickets are on sale.

jan and naomi "Leeloo and Alexandra"

1. (Aliens)
2. Alexandra
3. Raven In Heaven
4. Rawlife
5. Microphone Bar '93
6. Utero

Hot Buttered Record HBRCD-002
Out 6/24, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Sampler clip

There's a brand new album by suiyōbi no Campanella coming this week, with a title that stands for "Unidentified Mysterious Animal"! It's their first major album. Included is Red Bull collaboration song "Chupacabra", glasses chain store Zoff tie-up "Yeti", and one titled "Phoenix" with music written by French electro group Club Cheval member Myd.

The limited edition includes a T-shirt (said somewhere to be of size XL).

suiyōbi no Campanella "UMA"
水曜日のカンパネラ 「UMA」

1. Chupacabra
2. Tsuchinoko
3. Yeti (yukiotoko Yeti)
4. Unico
5. Phoenix
6. Tapir (baku)
7. Kraken

Limited edition (CD + T-shirt)
Warner WPCL-12387
Out 6/22, ¥3440 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, (Japan ^‡)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

Regular edition (CD only)
Warner WPCL-12388
Out 6/22, ¥2205 (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.

"tsuchinoko"

"Chupacabra"

"Unico"

Here's a new album by Kyoto-born singer Nakano Aya, produced by Hase Hajimu as usual. Included are 8 original songs and 2 covers, one of which features salsa band Central. Two 7" singles (incl. CD) were released in advance: "Episode 1" (w/ non-album track "kaette kuretara") (CDJapan) and "jūku hatachi / Kiss feat. Central" (CDJapan).

A show will be held at Tokyo Kinema Club on July 10. Tickets are on sale.

Nakano Aya "Emerald In Paradise"
なかの綾 「エメラルド・イン・パラダイス」

1. jūku hatachi
2. Shangri-La
3. KISS feat. CENTRAL
4. gozen 2ji de wa hayasugite
5. Episode 1
6. Scandal
7. magarenai kado
8. Good Bye My Love
9. I'm Still Fallin In Love
10. mata hitori ni natte

High Contrast HCCD-9573
Out now (6/15), ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"jūku hatachi"

"Episode 1"

Okino Shuntarō (ex-Venus Peter) released last year album "F-A-R" (CDJapan), his first solo album since 2001 ("Gimmie Brighter" as Indian Rope). Now here comes a remix album including remixes by Cornelius, Salon Music, Nakamura Kōji (LAMA, ex-Supercar, aka iLL, Nyantora), Katayose Akito (Chocolat & Akito, GREAT3, as "Akito Bros") and many others.

Shuntarō Okino "Too Far [F-A-R Remixes]"

1. I'm Alright. Are You Okay? (Lady elenoa mix) Remixed by The Lakemusic
2. The Love Sick (Akio Yamamoto Remix) Remixed by Akio Yamamoto
3. The Light (bluewater Remix) Remixed by bluewater
4. Summer Rain (Shunter Okino Remix) Remixed by Shuntarō Okino
5. Welcome To My World (YODATARO Welcome home mix) Remixed by YODATARO
6. Swayed (Linn Mori Remix) Remixed by Linn Mori
7. The Light (Indian Rope Remix) Remixed by Indian Rope
8. Moon River No.1 (Salon Music Remix) Remixed by Salon Music
9. kono yoru ni sayonara (Cornelius Remix) Remixed by Cornelius
10. Daydream Of You (Akito Bros Remix) Remixed by Akito Bros
11. The Light (I'm the 2016 light years home mix) Remixed by Jun Takayama a.k.a Speedometer
12. We Are Stories (w/The F-A-Rs Remix) Remixed by Shuntarō Okino
13. koe wa Power (Koji Nakamura Remix) Remixed by Koji Nakamura
14. When Tomorrow Ends (speakeasy mix) Remixed by Sugar Plant

Indian Summer ISCD-0006
Out now (6/15), ¥2300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"koe wa Power (Koji Nakamura Remix)"

"The Love Sick (Akio Yamamoto Remix) (edit)"

"Moon River No.1 (Salon Music Remix) (edit)"

"kono yoru ni sayonara (Cornelius Remix) (edit)"

Learners is the rockabilly band led by Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji, and featuring singer Sara Mary, guitarist Chie, with bassist Masamichi Hamada (Quattro) and drummer TA-1 (Koncos). Here comes a 116-page photo book that covers their first year since their first show on June 15, 2015, full of photographs by 4 photographers. Included is a download code for MP3's of a recent show.

A one man show will be held on July 3 at Shimokitazawa Three.

Learners "Absolute Learners" (Photo book+Download code)

1. Fools Fall In Love ~ kaitō Ruby
2. Learners Yeah!!!
3. I Want You To Be My Baby
4. Da Doo Ron Ron
5. Teenage Kicks
6. (Love Is Like A) Heat Wave
7. You're Wondering Now
8. I Want Candy
9. Gotta Lot of Rhythm In My Soul
10. Why Do Fools Fall In Love
11. Shampoo Planet
12. Jimmy Boy ~ Learners Yeah! (reprise)

KiliKiliVilla KKV-027B
Out 6/15, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Latest clip "Shampoo Planet" from album "Learners"

Un Amin, band with an exotic pop sound fronted by Taiwan-born singer Min, has a new mini-album coming soon! Included is one of their trademark songs, "Giant Panda ni notte mitai", in a brand new version, plus a bunch of new songs. This is their 2nd widely released mini-album (following several handmade releases), follow-up to last year's "rai! rai! fuyajo Un Amin" (CDJapan).

A one-man release party show will be held at Tokyo Kinema Club on August 5. Un Amin can also be seen at free event "Tower of Music vol.78" at Yokohama Marine Tower on June 18, as well as at a free in-store at Tower Records Shinjuku (7F) on July 2 from 15:00. Find their full schedule here.

Un Amin "Giant Panda ni notte mitai"
杏窪彌 (アンアミン) 「ジャイアントパンダにのってみたい」

1. Giant Panda ni notte mitai
2. Chinatown kōsō, renai sata
3. Kyonshi ga yatte kuru!
4. sha-ten
5. rauba-

Ōchō ongakusha OHC-1002
Out 6/15, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Giant Panda ni notte mitai"

This book, of which the title translates to "Game Music Encyclopedia", includes a CD of game play music from 11 Namco games such as "Xevious", "Digdug", "Galaga", "Mappy", etc., plus a special original Namco medley by YMCK.

The book itself features interviews (in Japanese) with game sound creators Keino Yuriko ("Digdug", "Dragon Buster", etc.), Kunimoto Takeaki ("Challenger", "Milon's Secret Castle", etc.) and Endō Masanobu ("Xevious", "The Tower of Druaga", etc.), and also game music history according to music producer Hyadain and gamer Takahashi Meijin. Reviews of less known Famicom game music by various sound creators are also included.

"Game ongaku taizen" (Book)
「ゲーム音楽大全」

159 pages

Takarajima ISBN 978-4800255211
Out now (5/21), ¥1600 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Here's a new installment of Sunaga Tatsuo's long-running "Jazz Allnighters" ("yoru Jazz") compilation series. Follow-up to the 2010 compilation of Japanese jazz tracks, this new album contains the latest of young Japanese jazz bands. Being released on jazz label Playwright, it also includes several previously unreleased tracks from the label.

Sunaga Tatsuo's DJ schedule includes "yoru Jazz Revisited", his own party, to be held at Ebisu Batica on June 18 from 17:00. There will be a live performance of Hamada Maron. Details here.

Various Artists "Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz gaiden 2 ~ All the young dudes ~ subete no wakakiyarōdomo"
オムニバス 「須永辰緒の夜ジャズ・外伝2～All the young dudes～すべての若き野郎ども」

(Title / Artist)
1. Nomad / bohemianvoodoo
2. NORTH SIDE SUITE: PRELUDE / OBATALA SEGUNDO
3. miren Butterfly / Hamada Maron
4. Perseus / PRIMITIVE ART ORCHESTRA
5. Darkness Burger / Ishiwaka Shun
6. Naima / New Century Jazz Quintet
7. Sur la mer / Codex Barbes
8. Bembeya Latin Strut / BEMBE
9. Samurai Scat / samA & EAU DE MOND
10. Little Italy (10th BEST ver.) / TRI4TH
11. mayonaka no 510 / Calmera
12. Erimomisaki / Tjiros
13. Never Did I Stop Loving You / indigo jam unit
14. San Sebastián / BimBomBam gakudan
15. inu jinka no ichizoku ~ ai no Ballad / Sunaga t Experience
16. Don't Look Back in Anger / fox capture plan

Playwright PWT-25
Out now (5/25), ¥2315 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Calmera "mayonaka no 510"

Sunaga t Experience "inu jinka no ichizoku ~ ai no Ballad"