Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Nomiya Maki has a brand new album just about to be released! This album has a theme of "French Shibuya-kei", highlighting bits of the French culture that influenced the Shibuya-kei scene. This is a 2-CD release of both a studio album and a full live show. The art direction was done by Shindō Mitsuo.

The studio album includes a cover of "Un Homme et Une Femme" (by Francis Lai, from the 1966 movie of the same name) in duet with Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band), one of "Chanson des Jumelles" (by Michel Legrand, from the 1966 movie "Les demoiselles de Rochefort") with French singer Clémentine, and a self-cover of Pizzicato Five's "Weekend"! "Un Homme et Une Femme" is a Japanese version that was newly translated by Konishi Yasuharu! Also there's a cover of Suzuki Masayuki's "Shibuya de 5ji" featuring the artist himself, and a new version of Toi et Moi's "aru hi totsuzen". Look out for more appearances of Clémentine and also Kaji Hideki. "Bon odori" versions of "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" and "Sweet Soul Revue" are included as bonus tracks. Watch a digest clip here.

The live CD is a full recording of a show held at Billboard Live Tokyo in November 2015, which closed with a Pizzicato Five medley.

The following in-store events have been announced: August 30 at HMV & Books (Shibuya) from 20:30 with a live radio recording from 22:00 (only for those who buy the album there) (details), September 10 at HMV & Books from 14:00 (free mini-live) (details) and September 25 at Tower Records Shibuya from 14:00 (only for those who bought the album there) (details).

Shows at Billboard Live Tokyo will be held again this year, on November 11 and 12. Details here. This will be preceded by shows in Osaka and Nagoya.

Nomiya Maki "otoko to onna 'Un Homme et Une Femme' ~ Nomiya Maki, French Shibuya-kei o utau."
野宮真貴 「男と女 ～野宮真貴、フレンチ渋谷系を歌う。」

CD 1
1. Prelude
2. Un Homme et Une Femme [en duo avec Ken Yokoyama de Crazy Ken Band] (Movie "Un Homme et Une Femme" 50th anniversary official supporter song)
3. Chanson des Jumelles [en duo avec Clémentine]
4. Shibuya de 5ji [en duo avec Clémentine et avec Masayuki Suzuki]
5. aru hi totsuzen -Gainsbourg Version-
6. Weekend [en duo avec Clémentine]
7. Un Homme et Une Femme -All Scat Version- [en duo avec Clémentine, Hideki Kaji et plus]
8. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji -bon odori Version- (Bonus track)
9. Sweet Soul Revue -bon odori Version- (Bonus track)

CD 2
(Original artist in parentheses)
1. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji (The night is still young) (Pizzicato Five)
2. MC1
3. WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE (Jackie DeShannon)
4. MC2
5. ongaku no yō na kaze (EPO)
6. MC3
7. Friends Again (Flipper's Guitar)
8. MC4
9. Daniel Mon Amour (Henmi Mari)
10. Jazzru kokoro (Le coeur qui jazze) (France Gall)
11. Contact
12. omoide no Rock'n'roller (Ex fan des sixties) (Jane Birkin)
13. MC5
14. Paris no koibito / Tokyo no koibito (Mizuki Arisa)
15. MC6
16. chūō Freeway (Arai Yumi (Yuming))
17. MC7
18. sekai wa ai o motometeru (What The World Needs Now Is Love (Japanese version))
19. Pizzicato Five Medley 2015: Tout tout pour ma chérie / London Paris / Mon Amour Tokyo / Strawberry Sleighride / 24 décembre / Sweet Soul Revue

Universal UICZ-4360/1
Out 8/31, ¥3241 (excl. tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower (Japan only), CDJapan, YesAsia

"otoko to onna [en duo avec Yokoyama Ken de Crazy Ken Band]" (Short ver.)

Jintana & Emeralds, the neo-doo-wop group of Jintana and Kashif (both of PPP), DJ Crystal (XTAL, (((sssurrounddd)))), and 3 female vocalists including hitomitoi, has a new single out now on iTunes Japan!

A release party will be held on August 27 at Enoshima OPPA-LA, with Jintana & Emeralds, VIDEOTAPEMUSIC, Moodman, Latin Quarter and more. Info here.

Jintana & Emeralds "Mirage" (Download)

1. Mirage
2. futari no natsu

Pan Pacific Playa / P-VINE, Inc. DGP-580
Out now (8/3)
Sample/buy: (Japan ^‡)
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

"Mirage" lyric video (Short version)

Half-French half-Japanese singer-songwriter Maika Loubté has a brand new album out now on iTunes! This is the follow-up to "100 (momo)" (December 2014), and includes latest single "Universal Metro". The song "FEEL" was produced by Ohno Yumiko (Buffalo Daughter), and also Mother Tereco (ex-Open Reel Ensemble) are featured as mixing engineers. Expect brilliant synth-pop with vocals in English, French and Japanese!

A physical edition of a CD with a 42-page photo book will be sold in advance at shows, starting with a pre-release party at O-Nest in Shibuya on September 9 that will also feature jan and naomi, DYGL, Sapphire Slows and Yüksen Buyers House. Tickets are on sale at e+.

Maika Loubté "Le Zip"

1. You and I
2. FEEL
3. Coconut juice
4. Phylosophize me
5. Popcornic experience (Inst.)
6. Universal Metro
7. Devine
8. Universal Metro/feat. Mother Tereco (Game On remix)

AWDR/LR2
Out now (8/24)
Sample/buy: (World), (Japan)

"FEEL"

"Universal Metro"

"You and I"

The two first albums of Pizzicato Five, "Couples" (1987) and "Bellissima!" (1988), are being re-issued! Both were newly remastered from the original master tapes under the supervision of Konishi Yasuharu himself, and are pressed as high-quality Blu-spec CD2 (they play in normal CD players). "Couples" has liner notes by Kaji Hideki and "Bellissima!" by Nona Reeves' Nishidera Gōta.

Also, Tower Records has exclusive vinyl editions of both albums (although Tower Records online only ships within Japan), mastered by Bernie Grundman and pressed in the U.S. Find those here: "Couples" & "Bellissima!". Third-party shopping services such as CDJapan's Special Request Shopping Service and White Rabbit Express are available for those outside of Japan.

Pizzicato Five "Couples"
ピチカート・ファイヴ 「カップルズ」

1. Magical Connection
2. Summertime, Summertime
3. They All Laughed
4. Serial Stories
5. The Apartment
6. What Now Our Love
7. Seven O'clock News
8. Odd Couple and the Others
9. My Blue Heaven
10. Party Joke
11. Two Sleepy People
12. Everytime We Say Goodbye

(Pizzicato Five: Sasaki Mamiko, Kamomiya Ryō, Takanami Keitarō, Konishi Yasuharu.)

Sony MHCL-30392
Out 8/24, ¥2400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Pizzicato Five "Bellissima!"
ピチカート・ファイヴ 「ベリッシマ！」

1. Planets
2. Temptation Talk
3. Holy Triangle
4. World Standard
5. Couples
6. Sunday Impressions
7. The Swim
8. Seventeen
9. This Can't Be Love
10. The Work of God

(Pizzicato Five: Konishi Yasuharu. Takanami Keitarō, Tajima Takao.)

Sony MHCL-30393
Out 8/24, ¥2400 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Metafive have released a first live Blu-ray, of a show held at EX Theater Roppongi on January 21, 2016. The full show plus 3 video clips are included, and the release comes with a CD of a selection of songs from the show.

Metafive can be seen live this weekend at Summer Sonic 2016 (on the 2nd day, August 21), and the next weekend at World Happiness 2016 (August 28).

METAFIVE "METALIVE" (Blu-ray+CD)

Disc 1: Blu-ray
METALIVE
1. Mezzanotte
2. Albore
3. Maisie's Avenue
4. Gravetrippin'
5. Luv U Tokio
6. Split Spirit
7. Anodyne
8. W.G.S.F.
9. Turn Turn
10. Radio Junk
11. Whiteout
12. Radio
13. Key
14. Don't Move
15. Threads
16. Disaster Baby
17. Luv Pandemic
18. Cue
METACLIPS
1. Don't Move (Studio Live Version)
2. Maisie's Avenue (Studio Live Version)
3. Luv U Tokio (Music Clip)

Disc 2: CD
1. Albore
2. Maisie's Avenue
3. Gravetrippin'
4. Luv U Tokio
5. Split Spirit
6. Anodyne
7. W.G.S.F.
8. Turn Turn
9. Radio Junk
10. Whiteout
11. Radio
12. Don't Move
13. Threads
14. Disaster Baby

Warner WPZL-90104
Out now (8/17), ¥6500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Trailer

"Gravetrippin' (Metalive version)"

Here's a 2nd album by kataomoi, follow-up to "kataomoin Da House" (2013). This was engineered by Illicit Tsuboi, and is being released on Kakubarhythm.

Check out the release special page.

A release party will be held at Kinema Club on September 24.

kataomoi "Quiero V.I.P"
片想い 「QUIERO V.I.P」

1. kataomoin Da disco
2. My Favorite Things
3. Funky Initiations
4. V.I.P.
5. VIVA! Milagro
6. kimi no mado
7. kanjikata
8. Damage Rumba
9. machi no keshiki
10. Party Kills Me (Party ni korosareru!)
11. bōkire nado furimawashite mo shikata no nai koto deshō
12. Phenomenon

Kakubarhythm DDCK-1047
Out now (8/3), ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon,HMV,Tower

"Party Kills Me"

Trailer clip

"V.I.P."

Perfume's 6th album "Cosmic Explorer", released last April, has just been released in a limited vinyl edition! This comes in as a set of two 12"'s, and the 1st record is blue, while the 2nd comes in a random color (pink, yellow or orange). Grab yours while it's still time!

Perfume "Cosmic Explorer" (2x12")

A1. Navigate
A2. Cosmic Explorer
A3. Miracle Worker
A4. Next Stage with YOU
B1. STORY
B2. FLASH (Album-mix)
B3. Sweet Refrain (Album-mix)
C1. Baby Face
C2. TOKIMEKI LIGHTS (Album-mix)
C3. STAR TRAIN (Album-mix)
C4. Relax In The City
D1. Pick Me Up
D2. Cling Cling (Album-mix)
D3. Hold Your Hand

Universal UPJP-9007
Out now (8/3), ¥4620 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Sugar's Campaign, the super pop unit of producers Avec Avec and Seiho, has a brand new 2nd album out now! This follow-up to the excellent "Friends" (2015) has a general theme of "family".

HMV gives away a pink promo spoon while supplies last.

A one-man live will be held at Daikanyama Unit on August 26, and in Osaka on August 25. Tickets are on sale.

Sugar's Campaign "mamagoto"
Sugar's Campaign 「ままごと」

1. potesara
2. mamagoto
3. shūmatsu no Crystal
4. itamidome
5. tadaima.
6. Mariage
7. itsuka no yume kara tsuredashite
8. HAPPY END
9. 1987
10. Restaurant -nettai saru-
11. SWEET HOME

Victor VICL-64603
Out now (8/10), 2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, , Spotify, Tower Records

"mamagoto"

Idol group Especia is now back as a trio with a brand new EP! There has been a serious image change following their dramatic move from Osaka to Tokyo earlier this year, with a cool sound that has evolved and now seems to feature only English lyrics. Like before they are backed by producer unit Hi-Fi City.

The limited edition comes with a 107-minute DVD of the last show of Especia's recent tour with their former line-up, held at Studio Coast in Tokyo on January 17, 2016.

Upcoming shows include a morning show at Chelsea Hotel in Shibuya on August 28, from 9:30am! Check their full schedule here.

Especia "Mirage"

1. Savior
2. Affair
3. Helix
4. Nothing

Limited edition (CD+DVD (Region 2 NTSC))
Bermuda Entertainment BMEJ-0023
Out 8/10, ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition
Bermuda Entertainment BMEJ-0025
Out 8/10, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Nothing"

"Savior"

Crazy Ken Band's new album "Hong Kong Taxi" consists mainly of self-covers of songs first written for other artists. Included are songs first sung by Nagisa Yōko, Wada Akiko, SMAP, and many others. Also included are a few rare songs written with pre-CKB bands Duck Tales and Cools, and brand new song "Motomachi burabura".

The song "T-jirō" appeared in a TV drama where it was sung in duet by Koizumi Kyōko and Nakai Kiichi, though an episode featured Yokoyama Ken and Nomiya Maki singing it on stage. Maki is featured on this album singing once again this song in duet.

The limited edition comes with a bonus DVD of two video clips and making-of footage.

A Japan tour will begin on August 27, stopping at Nakano Sun Plaza on October 9, and at the Kanagawa Kenmin Hall on October 29 and 30.

Crazy Ken Band "Hong Kong Taxi"
クレイジーケンバンド 「香港的士」

CD
1. Hong Kong Taxi
2. Honmoku Soul Lady
3. Time Tunnel
4. taikutsu na nichiyōbi
5. T-jirō (duet with Nomiya Maki)
6. onna tomodachi
7. Ouyang Feifei
8. eye catch - Wan chai Bus Stop -
9. Bus ga kuru
10. oyako no March
11. Argentine tōhikō
12. daisan Keihin
13. chabangeki
14. eye catch - Honmoku Central Station -
15. TOTSUZEN CAR CLUB
16. Motomachi burabura
17. BABY BABY BABY
18. PLEASE
19. Cinderela Liberty

DVD
1. "Hong Kong Taxi" Music Video
2. "Motomachi burabura" Music Video
3. Making of "Hong Kong Taxi" music video & artist photo session

Limited edition (CD+DVD (Region 2 NTSC))
Universal UMCK-9855
Out now (8/3), ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD only)
Universal UMCK-1548
Out now (8/3), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Hong Kong Taxi" (Short ver.)

"Motomachi burabura" (Short ver.)

Ishino Takkyū (Denki Groove)'s brand new solo album "Lunatique" is about to be released! This follows mini-album "Cruise" (2010). The album has artwork by Ukawa Naohiro (Dommune), taking source from a cover illustration of defunct magazine "Manga Erotopia".

Hear samples of all tracks at CDJapan.

Takkyu will DJ at his regular party "Sterne" at Shibuya Womb this Friday August 5.

Ishino Takkyū "Lunatique"
石野卓球 「Lunatique」

1. Rapt In Fantasy
2. Fetish
3. Lunar Kick
4. Fana-Tekk
5. Crescent Moon
6. Die Boten Vom Mond
7. Amazones
8. Lunatique
9. Selene
10. Dawn

Ki/oon KSCL-2765
Out 8/3, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Rapt In Fantasy (Radio Edit) Ver. 1"