Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Konishi Yasuharu didn't only produce the excellent ending theme (performed by Dorusen from TPD) of drama "Debusen", but also all of its BGM! Here's the original soundtrack.

Most tracks can be sampled at CDJapan.

Konishi Yasuharu "hulu Original Drama 'Debusen' Original Soundtrack"
小西康陽 「huluオリジナルドラマ『でぶせん』オリジナル・サウンドトラック」

1. Rock'n'Roll High School
2. Funky gakuen
3. shokuinshitsu
4. Spain shiki anten
5. kōtei hitorikiri
6. Spain shiki bamen tenkan
7. jōsō kyōiku
8. kachinuki eleki gakuen
9. kagai jugyō
10. gakuen Warriors
11. tsumekomi kyōiku
12. High School bojō
13. yoru no Guitar kyōshitsu
14. yutori kyōiku
15. Funky gakuen -chijōha Version-

Vap VPCD-81884
Out now (9/28), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Izumi Ookawara (Qypthone) has two new songs about to be released on iTunes! Both were written by herself, and co-arranged by guitarist Ishigaki Kentarō (Qypthone) and pianist Mami Oonishi. Both tracks also feature Suzuki Kaoru on drums among others.

Regular event "Delica Lab" will be held this Wednesday September 28 at Batica, Ebisu, featuring Izumi as well as sets by Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone), dorlis (who also just released a new album last week) and Soeda Naomu. Details here.

Izumi Ookawara "Friendly Ghost" (Download)
大河原泉 「Friendly Ghost」

1. Friendly Ghost
2. Usual Way (Japanese title: itsumo dōri no michi)

Delicatessen Recordings
Out 9/28
Sample/buy: (Japan), (World)

"Usual Way"

Female singer-songwriter and guitarist Predawn has a 2nd full-length album out now, follow-up to "A Golden Wheel" (2013)! Check out the special page here.

HMV offers a special set including a tote bag.

A tour will be held through December, finishing at Liquidroom in Ebisu (Tokyo) on December 19. Tickets go on sale October 1st.

Predawn "Absence"

1. Skipping Ticks
2. Black & White
3. Universal Mind
4. Don't Break My Heart
5. Sigh
6. kasumisō
7. Autumn Moon
8. Kinds of Knot
9. Hope & Peace

Pokhara Records RDCA-1044
Out now (9/21), ¥2286 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Universal Mind"

Accordion and vocals sister duo Charan-Po-Rantan have a new album out now, consisting of all covers of Japanese and foreign bands. All songs can also be sampled on this official release page.

The limited edition comes with a DVD of 4 videos for a selection of the Japanese covers. Check out a short version of each below.

A tour will follow later this year, to finish on January 21 at Nakano Sunplaza. All show details can be found here.

Charan-Po-Rantan "karimono kyōsō"
チャラン・ポ・ランタン 「借りもの協奏」

1. Can't Turn You Loose (Blues Brothers)
2. Asia no junshin (Puffy)
3. koi to Machinegun (Young Alive, in Love) (The Flipper's Guitar)
4. koi no Vacance (The Peanuts)
5. Saudade (Pornograffiti)
6. Shangri-La (Denki Groove)
7. nyūin Trouble (Japanese version of "Trouble") (Shampoo)
8. Video Killed The Radio Star (The Buggles)
9. Naomi no yume (Ani Holem Al Naomi) (Hedva & David)
10. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel)

DVD (Limited edition only)
1. Asia no junshin
2. koi no Vacance
3. koi to Machinegun
4. Shangri-La

Limited edition (CD+DVD (Region 2 NTSC))
avex trax AVCD-93460
Out now (9/14), ¥2667 (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.

Regular edition (CD only)
avex trax AVCD-93461
Out now (9/14), ¥2191 (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?

"Asia no junshin" (Short ver.)

"koi no Vacance" (Short ver.)

"koi to Machinegun" (Short ver.)

"Shangri-La" (Short ver.)

ShinoVani is the new unit of Shinohara Tomoe & Vanilla Beans! They have actually been doing a weekly net TV program together under the same name since April 2015, but now here comes a music debut single!

The new song "onna no ko ☆ otoko no ko" (translates to "Girl ☆ Boy") was written and produced by Tomoe herself, and the B-side is a self-cover of a previous solo songs of hers, "kokoro no usagi". The making of this project was documented on their own show here.

The limited edition includes a bonus DVD of the video clip plus documentary footage.

Vanilla Beans will perform a free in-store live on Sunday September 18 from 18:30 on the roof of Shibuya Marui. Those who reserve the album before the event can take part in a handshake/autograph/photo session after the show. Details here.

ShinoVani (Shinohara Tomoe + Vanilla Beans) "onna no ko ☆ otoko no ko / kokoro no usagi"
シノバニ（篠原ともえ＋バニラビーンズ） 「おんなのこ☆おとこのこ / ココロノウサギ」

1. onna no ko ☆ otoko no ko
2. kokoro no usagi
3. onna no ko ☆ otoko no ko (Instrumental)
4. kokoro no usagi (Instrumental)

avex trax ACVD-83698
Out 9/28, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

avex trax ACVD-83699
Out 9/28, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"onna no ko ☆ otoko no ko" (Short ver.)

Here's a brand new catchy rocking pop track written and produced by Konishi Yasuharu! Dorusen from TPD, a sub-unit of idol group Tokyo Performance Doll, sings the ending theme of school-themed drama series "Debusen". The title translates to "the teacher's favorite". Check out the video below! The B-side is a megamix of TPD songs.

The first pressing includes a random alternate jacket from a total of 10 versions.

Dorusen from TPD "sensei no okiniiri"
どるせん from TPD 「センセイのお気に入り」

1. sensei no okiniiri
2. TPD no okiniiri ♡ Megamix by DJ Kazu
3. sensei no okiniiri (Karaoke)

Epic/Sony ESCL-4708
Out 9/21, ¥1111 (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?

"sensei no okiniiri"

Ushio Kensuke (aka agraph, also live support member for Denki Groove) has made the music for anime movie "koe no katachi", to open in theaters on September 17. This 2-CD soundtrack of 119 minutes contains all of his music from the film (though not the theme song) and then some! The album comes in two different editions both containing the same tracks, but apparently with different artwork.

Ushio Kensuke "'koe no katachi' Original Soundtrack"
牛尾憲輔 「映画 聲の形 オリジナル・サウンドトラック a shape of light」

Disc 1
1. tre
2. inv (I.i)
3. roh
4. lvs
5. inv (I.ii)
6. rev
7. inv (I.iii)
8. lvs (var)
9. thn
10. lit
11. bnw
12. htb
13. bll
14. acc
15. int
16. flw
17. mon
18. maw
19. inv (II.i)
20. van
21. inv (II.ii)
22. inv (II.iii)
23. sig
24. aft
25. inv (II.iv)
26. flt
27. prc
28. pst
29. inv (II.v)
30. btf
31. van (var)
32. sus
33. frc
34. inv (II.vi)
35. qut
36. svg
37. slt
38. Invention No.1 C dur (LastPart)
39. lit (var)

Disc 2
1. heart beat
2. round
3. into the sparkle
4. black and white
5. (i can) say nothing
6. night lights
7. blue blur
8. vignette
9. narrow road
10. welcome to the park
11. is your hair real?
12. laser
13. macchina eko
14. green
15. sunlight
16. sketch no.19
17. sustain
18. no one here
19. your silent portrait
20. fractal
21. flare
22. speed of youth

Edition A
Pony Canyon PCCG-01542
Out 9/14, ¥3250 (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.

Edition B
Pony Canyon PCCG-01550
Out 9/14, ¥3250 (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.

Movie "koe no katachi" long PV

(M)otocompo, the ska-electro unit led by Dr.Usui, unites with synth-pop idol group Kit Cat for this split album. Included is collaboration song "FLASHBACK50" for which a music video has been shot. Check it out below!

"FLASHBACK50" has been available for free download here, but that will end today September 12 (Japan time). Go get it!

For those in Japan, buying the album at Village Vanguard will get you a bonus cassette tape (while supplies last). Pre-order directly at the shop.

A free in-store event will be held at Village Vanguard Shibuya Udagawa on September 22 from 19:00. Also, event "Switched On!" will be held on November 23, with (M)otocompo, Kit Cat, Genius, Kera & The Synthesizers, and many more! That one will be held at 3 different venues in Kichijoji at the same time.

(M)otocompo x Kit Cat "POPLOT TIMES 2016"

1. Theme Of Pop Troop by Dr.Usui with OTO2HORNS
2. FLASHBACK50 by (M)otocompo×Kit Cat
3. Breakaway by Kit Cat
4. Lily Lies by Kit Cat
5. CAT'S PAW SONG by Kit Cat
6. Detective by (M)otocompo
7. isogu hitotachi by (M)otoompo
8. On The Top by (M)otocompo

Cheering&Co. CHRN-1010
Out 9/21, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Dance jazz quintet" TRI4TH has a 5th album coming, their 2nd on jazz label Playwright, follow-up to last year's "Awakening" (CDJapan). All songs are originals.

A Japan tour will be starting in September, with the final show on January 9, 2017, at Daikanyama Unit. They can also be seen in Tokyo at Shibuya Quattro on December 12 for an instrumental Christmas show also featuring Pia-no-jac and Schroeder-Headz.

TRI4TH "Defying"

1. Sand Castle
2. Flash
3. FULL DRIVE
4. Walk Together
5. Green Field
6. Alicante
7. Sol Levante
8. Runner's High
9. Relight Days
10. Cloud
11. SNAKE

Playwright PWT-026
Out 9/14, ¥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.

"Sand Castle"

lyrical school are releasing this week on Blu-ray and DVD a recent show held last April to coincide with the release of single "Run and Run". Only the Blu-ray edition contains bonus footage.

Meanwhile, member Yumi (aka Shimizu Yumi) has just announced that she has unfortunately left the group because of continued health problems that had prevented her from appearing at shows since July.

A new single and an album are to follow in October and November. Stay tuned!

lyrical school "-RUN and RUN- lyrical school one man live 2016＠CLUB CITTA'" (Blu-ray/DVD)

1. fallin' night
2. yume de aitai ne
3. oide yo
4. RUN and RUN
5. kessen wa FRIDAY
6. I.D.O.L.R.A.P
7. S.T.A.G.E
8. brand new day
9. Ribbon o kyutto
10. Maybe Love
11. sorya natsu da!
12. FRESH!!!
13. PARADE
14. puchahenza!
15. photograph
16. Wonder Ground
17. lyrisch no uta
18. Rubic Cube
19. tengal6
20. RUN and RUN

Blu-ray edition (Region free)
King Records KIXM-248
Out 9/7, ¥5400 (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.

DVD edition (Region 2)
King Records KIBM-596
Out 9/7, ¥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.

Hoshino Michiru has a cover album coming! Selected by herself and producer Hase Hajimu, this includes many new recordings and a few songs from recent singles, such as "koi suru Fortune Cookie feat. The Scooters" that is sold at live venues only. A cover of Matsuda Seiko's "tengoku no Kiss" features Wack Wack Rhythm Band as a back band, and three songs also feature musician Arai Toshiya (Count Joke).

A release party will be held on September 23 at Daikanyama Unit, with members of Wack Wack Rhythm Band and The Scooters! Tickets are on sale, with details here.

Hoshino Michiru "My Favorite Songs"
星野みちる 「My Favorite Songs」

(Original artist in parentheses)
1. watashi ga obasan ni natte mo (Moritaka Chisato)
2. zutto issho sa (Yamashita Tatsurō)
3. SWEET 19 BLUES (Amuro Namie)
4. SUMMER CANDLES (Anri)
5. Love Me Again feat. ikkubaru (ikkubaru)
6. itoshi no Rosie (Matsuo Kiyonori)
7. doyō no yoru wa Paradise (EPO)
8. tengoku no Kiss feat. WACK WACK RHYTHM BAND (Matsuda Seiko)
9. koi suru Fortune Cookie feat. The Scooters (AKB48)
10. hitotsu dake (Yano Akiko)

Vivid Sound / High Contrast HCCD-9577
Out 9/7, ¥2500 (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.

"koi suru Fortune Cookie feat. The Scooters"