Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Hoshino Michiru has not one but two new singles out this week! The first, "kagami no naka no watashi" is a new song written by Okii Reiji (Tweedees, ex-Cymbals), with lyrics by Kiyoura Natsumi (Tweedees). Its B-side is "kare no Irish Setter", a song previously released on mini-album "A/W Collection" (2014).

The second single holds two new songs, big band jazz "nagareboshi Rendez-vous" produced by Hase Hajimu and arranged by Gary Ashiya (La veuve moustachue), and mellow hi-hop track "kyōkaisenjō no futari" featuring rapper Kaseki Cider and with beats by Tsutchie (Shakkazombie).

All three new songs are from Michiru's upcoming album "12 signs of the zodiac" to be released on June 21. Stay tuned!

A release party for the two singles will be held on June 11 at Moon Romantic, Aoyama. There will be a daytime set starting at 13:30, and a band-backed evening set from 19:30 (doors open an hour before each). Tickets are on sale. Find all details here.

Hoshino Michiru "kagami no naka no watashi" (CD+7")
星野みちる 「鏡の中の私」

CD
1. kagami no naka no watashi
2. kare no Irish Setter
3. kagami no naka no watashi (inst)
4. kare no Irish Setter (inst)

7"
A. kagami no naka no watashi
B. kare no Irish Setter

Vivid Sound / High Contrast HCCD-9586
Out 5/31, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Hoshino Michiru "nagareboshi Rendez-vous" (CD+7")
星野みちる 「流れ星ランデブー」

CD
1. nagareboshi Rendez-vous
2. kyōkaisenjō no futari
3. nagareboshi Rendez-vous (inst)
4. kyōkaisenjō no futari (inst)

7"
A. nagareboshi Rendez-vous
B. kyōkaisenjō no futari

Vivid Sound / High Contrast HCCD-9587
Out 5/31, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Kinoco Hotel's new release is a 10th anniversary album, containing 10 songs from previously released album although they have all been re-arranged and re-recorded, mainly ones that had been released before current bassist Giulietta Kirishima joined the group. Also included is brand new song "wakusei Mandragora".

The limited edition comes with a DVD of new music video "watashi no Sniper", and some footage from their Taiwan tour held last April. Plus, early copies of either edition seem to include an instrumental promo CD (at least at CDJapan, Amazon and Tower Records, while supplies last).

Shows will be held in Nagoya, Osaka and Tokyo this June, ending at Akasaka Blitz on June 24. Tickets are on sale. Details here.

Kinoco Hotel "Playgirl dai makyō"
キノコホテル 「プレイガール大魔境」

1. Go Go Kinoco Hotel
2. aijin kyōhan sekai
3. kyutai kansetsu
4. atashi no Sniper
5. akuma na Fuzz
6. kōya e
7. kaerazaru umi
8. ai to kyōiku
9. onedari Strange Love
10. fūkei
11. wakusei Mandragora

DVD (Limited edition only)
"atashi no Sniper" Music Video
gekisha! Kinoco no urasuji
魔葫大酒店 in Taiwan

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
King Records KICS-93494
Out 6/7, ¥3241 (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)
King Records KICS-3494
Out 6/7, ¥2685 (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.

"atashi no Sniper (Short ver.)"

"King of Diggin'" Muro produced this album of covers of Japanese songs, featuring various female vocalists.

Also check out the mix CDs by Sunaga Tatsuo and Muro previously released on the same Tokyo Records label.

Tokyo Records will hold an event with Captain Vinyl (DJs Nori & Muro) with also a bunch of record shops bringing in some record crates for digging. It's on May 30 at Contact in Shibuya from 19:30 to 24:00. Entrance is 1500¥ incl. one drink. Details here.

Various Artists "Japanese Sounds -produced by Muro-"
オムニバス 「和音-produced by MURO-」

(Title / Artist)
1. SEXY WOMAN / PUSHIM
2. Sweet Dreamer / Lyn
3. koi no Boogie-Woogie Train / Circus
4. ISLAND WOMAN / TIGER
5. hige no omawarisan / Fujikochans (Sasaki Kumi / TIGER / Sasaki Shiori)
6. Breakdown / Leyona
7. sayonara shibai / RAMJA
8. Bye Bye Jet / Keyco
9. koi no Warming Up / Ōtaki Yūko feat. AMAZONS
10. Crazy Man / Ōtaki Yūko feat. AMAZONS

Tokyo Records TYOR-0005
Out now (5/24), ¥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.

PUSHIM "SEXY WOMAN"

Sampler clip

J.A.M, the instrumental jazz trio led by pianist Josei, with double-bassist Akita Goldman and drummer Midorin (all of Soil & "Pimp" Sessions), has a new album being released! The album features a song with Jin Oki, and one with L.D. Brown (Gray Reverend). This is their 4th album, the follow-up to "Jazz Acoustic Machine" (2012).

Some tracks can be sampled on the official site.

Digital EP "Alone EP" was released in advance, with one track from the album, a non-album track, plus two alternate versions. Check it out on iTunes.

J.A.M were to hold a tour through next month, but unfortunately pianist Jōsei has just recently injured his right hand's pinky and has to go through rehabilitation for another month, so the tour has been canceled.

J.A.M "Silent Notes"

1. Manchester
2. Dancer on the Black Keys
3. Alternative War
4. Book of Love feat. L.D. Brown
5. Bell
6. Apple's Waltz
7. Transitory
8. Serendipity
9. Foundation
10. Totally Disorder
11. Alone feat. Jin Oki

Victor VICL-64799
Out 5/24, ¥2800 (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.

Scha Dara Parr and Ego-Wrappin' joined forces for a new song being released on 7"! The B-side is a new take by SDP on their 1995 hit track "Summer Jam '95".

Those who don't want to miss the 7" should pre-order on CDJapan without waiting, as pre-orders already seem to be over at other online retailers. The single is also available in advance on iTunes Japan.

Scha Dara Parr & Ego-Wrappin' "Micro Boy to Macro Girl" (7")
スチャダラパー & EGO-WRAPPIN' 「ミクロボーイとマクロガール」

A. Scha Dara Parr & Ego-Wrappin' / Micro Boy to Macro Girl
B. Scha Dara Parr / Summer Jam 2020

Zenryo Records/Space Shower Music DDKB-94016
Out 6/7, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, (Japan ^‡), OTOTOY, Amazon MP3 Japan
‡ How to buy from iTunes Japan?

"Micro Boy to Macro Girl"

Singer-songwriter Shibata Satoko has a 4th album out today! This is the follow-up to her eponymous album released in 2015. Two songs were arranged by Kishida Shigeru (Quruli), and one by Yamamoto Seiichi (Boredoms).

In June she will tour Japan, finishing on July 6 at Club Quattro in Tokyo. Find all details here.

Shibata Satoko "Do You Need a Rest From Love?"
柴田聡子 「愛の休日」
(Japanese title: "ai no kyūjitsu")

(English titles from iTunes in parentheses)
1. Sprite For You
2. kōkai (Miss You)
3. daisakusen (Confidence)
4. anata wa anata (People and People)
5. tenshi o miteru (Cold Eyes)
6. asonde kurashite (Easy Melody)
7. yubeshi senpai
8. shiwaku (Wonderful)
9. wasuretai (Can't Forget)
10. saba-ku (Sabaque)
11. risu ga kita
12. Coop Olympia (Her Ideas)
13. ai no kyujitsu (Do You Need a Rest From Love?)

P-Vine PCD-18820
Out now (5/17), ¥2593 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, (World), (Japan)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"kōkai (Miss You)"

"yubeshi senpai"

Singer & guitarist Mocche Nagai has a 2nd album coming this month! Produced by Chabe, the back band features members of Learners and Gentle Forest Jazz Band.

Mocche Nagai can next be seen on stage on May 17 in Tokyo at event "Jinriki Disco" along with Chie & the Wolf Baits, DJ Chabe and more, part of Basement Bar's 22nd anniversary series. ¥2500 incl. all-you-can-drink until 23:00. See the flyer for more info.

Mocche Nagai "Yeh! Yeh!"
モッチェ永井 「Yeh! Yeh!」

1. mabataki shiteru uchi ni (Woopin' My Baby)
2. Many Time Blues
3. Yeh! Yeh!
4. sokudo seigen (Give Me More Packet)
5. Misty
6. kaeri michi (Rhythm Of The Pain)
7. Let me stroke your black hair
8. modokashii ne (Sentimentally Frustrating)
9. namida no yukue (Tears on my knee)
10. ikanai de (You Gone Away)
11. Boston Bag
12. negoto (Saturday Night Song)

Hanx Records HXCD-9217
Out 5/17, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Many Time Blues"

"modokashii ne (Sentimentally Frustrating)"

"Boston Bag / Misty" single sampler clip

First released in 2014, this 6th album by chorus group Smooth Ace had become rare. This time it is reissued on a major label, remastered and with two newly recorded songs added! Including the new songs, a total of 5 were arranged by Arai Toshiya (Count Joke aka jōdan hakushaku), and another one by Count Joke (with Maezono Naoki). Smooth Ace sang chorus on several songs of Nomiya Maki's new album.

An in-store mini-live will be held on Saturday May 20 at Aeon Mall Kita-Toda from 17:00 at the Central Court (1st floor). Those who buy the album there (or at Yamano Music on the 3rd floor) and receive a participation ticket can take part in an autograph session to be held afterwards. Find all details here.

Smooth Ace "Sing Like Children Complete"

1. suteki na Music
2. da-n-da-n
3. Music
4. niji o mitakute
5. kimi o shitteru
6. favorite song
7. Pessimist no Love Song
8. Discovery
9. Sing like children
10. suteki na Reprise
11. bansōsha no koi

Universal UPCY-7286
Out 5/10, ¥2778 (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.

Trailer clip (for original 2014 release)

little moa is a trio formed of singer Okada Shion, keyboardist 5MBS, and euphonium player Kanna. This 2nd album is the follow-up to "good evening" (2013, Rallye Label), and features appearances by Iceland-based French singer Olèna, singer-songwriter Matsuki Ayumu, and label mates Concert.

little moa's next show will be held on May 18 at Yotsuya Outbreak (Tokyo), part of an event for the 4th anniversary of band Boxi Rocks. Tickets are available via little moa.

little moa "Trampoline"

1. Stereo
2. Flash In The Dark (feat. Olèna)
3. Alternative Journey (feat. Matsuki Ayumu)
4. Outerstellar
5. Hummingbird
6. 46610
7. Lemonade
8. In Between Days (feat. CONCERT)
9. Airport
10. TOYS (album ver.)

Rallye Label RYECD-262
Out 5/31, ¥2300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Album trailer

tofubeats has a brand new album, his 3rd major album, coming this month! This is the follow-up to "Positive" (2015). There seems to be much more of tofubeats' own vocals than ever before, though the album also features guest vocalists sugar me (on "Yuuki") and Young Juju (from hip-hop crew Kandytown, on "Lonely Nights"). Musicians include Kashif and Kaho Nakamura.

Songs "Baby" and "What You Got" are available in advance on iTunes Japan. A different version of "ShoppingMall" was also released on iTunes earlier this year.

Amazon Japan offers a bonus promo CD (while supplies last).

An in-store event will be held on May 28 at Tower Records Shibuya B1F, maybe only for those who bought the album there (check latest details here closer to release date). tofubeats can also be seen on June 3 at event "Choice 5" at Shindaita Fever along with Sugar's Campaign and Okazaki Taiiku (tickets are on sale). Check out his full schedule.

tofubeats "Fantasy Club"

1. CHANT #1
2. SHOPPINGMALL (FOR FANTASY CLUB)
3. LONELY NIGHTS
4 .CALLIN
5. OPEN YOUR HEART
6. FANTASY CLUB
7. STOP
8. WHAT YOU GOT
9. WYG (REPRISE)
10. THIS CITY
11. YUUKI
12. BABY
13. CHANT #2 (FOR FANTASY CLUB)

Warner WPCL-12632
Out 5/24, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Baby"

"What You Got"

"Lonely Nights"

"SHOPPINGMALL"

"CALLIN"

"Fantasy Club" (May be different version)

"Open Your Heart v1.03" (May be different version)

"Brand New Emo", the lead track fromTowa Tei's latest album "EMO", is being released on 7" in a different radio edit! B-side "Brocante" was previously released as a bonus track of "EMO" only when bought digitally on Machbeat.com.

Towa Tei "Brand New Emo / Brocante" (7")

A. Brand New Emo (Radio edit)
B. Brocante

Mach Beat MBEP-1701
Out 5/24, ¥1600 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Brand New Emo"

Next up from Konishi Yasuharu's 7" single project is hit song "kaze ni naritai" by The Boom. Released in 1995 as a 3" CD single, it was never released as a single on vinyl until now. The B-side "Tokyo Love" is also taken from the original CD single release. The jacket reuses the original 3" CD artwork, folding in two over the 7". This will be released on "Konishi day" (5/24)!

Again this time, this was mastered by Bernie Grundman and pressed by Rainbo Records (U.S.).

The Boom "kaze ni naritai" (7")

A. kaze ni naritai
B. Tokyo Love

Great Tracks/Sony Music Direct MHKL-5
Out 5/24, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

microstar's latest album "She Got the Blues" (2016) is being released on vinyl.

microstar "She Got the Blues"

A1. Chocolate Baby
A2. Tiny Spark
A3. tsuki no Palace
A4. tomodachi ni narō
A5. My Baby
B1. yūgure Girl (Album Mix)
B2. watashitachi wa koi o suru
B3. She Got The Blues
B4. yakan hikō
B5. oyasumi

High Contrast HCR-9674
Out 5/24, ¥3200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Sampler clip

"Tiny Spark (short ver.)"

City pop band Yogee New Waves has a new album coming this month! This is their 2nd, follow-up to "Paraiso" (2014).

The limited edition comes with a DVD of mainly live footage from a show held at Liquid Room on March 25 this year.

A tour will be held from later this month, stopping at Akasaka Blitz in Tokyo on June 20. Find all live information here.

Yogee New Waves "Waves"

1. Ride on Wave
2. Fantasic Show (album ver.)
3. World is Mine
4. Dive Into the Honeytime
5. Understand
6. Intro (horo)
7. C.A.M.P.
8. Like Sixteen Candles
9. HOW DO YOU FEEL?
10. SAYONARAMATA
11. Boys & Girls (Lovely Telephone Remix)

Limited edition (CD+DVD)
Roman Label ROMAN-012
Out 5/17, ¥3300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon (13% off *), HMV (13% off *), Tower Records ^†
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD only)
Roman Label ROMAN-012
Out 5/17, ¥2300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"HOW DO YOU FEEL?"

"SAYONARAMATA"

"Like Sixteen Candles"

"World is Mine"

"Tasha Tudor - a still water story" is a documentary movie by Japanese director Matsutani Mitsue that followed for ten years Tasha Tudor, a picture book writer and maker of beautiful gardens. This movie soundtrack features music by sione (aka Yukawa Shione), world's end girlfriend, mio-sotido, Yoshihara Rie and Hatis Noit.

Hear samples in the preview clip below and at Bandcamp.

"'Tasha Tudor - a still water story' Soundtrack"
「『ターシャ・テューダー 静かな水の物語』サウンドトラック」

(Title / Artist)
1. Winter Fire Place / world's end girlfriend
2. What a Day / sione
3. Happiness / mio-sotido
4. Sweet Cycle / world's end girlfriend
5. Nocturnal Dialogue / world's end girlfriend
6. Blooming Blooming! / sione
7. Weeding the Garden / mio-sotido
8. The Bottom of a Lake / world's end girlfriend
9. Share the Joys / Yoshihara Rie
10. Graceful Cycle / world's end girlfriend
11. Link / Hatis Noit
12. Winter Calms / world's end girlfriend
13. Nocturnal Whispers / world's end girlfriend
14. Delightful Days / Yoshihara Rie
15. The Clock Loses Time / sione
16. Pumpkin Moonshines / Yoshihara Rie
17. Little Happiness / mio-sotido
18. Family / mio-sotido
19. Wealth of Flowers (Garden ver.) / sione
20. What a Day (instrumental) / sione

Virgin Babylon Records VBR-041
Out 5/15, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, Virgin Babylon Records
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Album preview

Singer Gallantique Kazue has a new 7" out now! The two songs were selected from her ongoing cover EP series "Anthology" that began last year (a 5th one is coming on May 31), consisting of covers of kayō̄kyoku from the 70's and 80's.

The A-side is "Chigasaki Memory" (originally sung by Horie Mitsuko, released in 1983), and the B-side is "My Jewelry Love" (originally sung by Daichi Mao, released in 1980). The whole "Anthology" series so far features a back band that includes four members of Sally Soul Stew — Nakayama Tsutomu (keyboards), Sally Kubota (bass), Nakamori Yasuhiro (guitar) and Shirane Kenichi (drums) — with also Itani Takashi (percussion) and Matsumoto Kenichi (sax, flute).

A live show will be held on Friday May 26 at Minami-Aoyama Mandala with the same band members. Details here.

Gallantique Kazue "Chigasaki Memory" (7")
ギャランティーク和恵 「茅ヶ崎メモリー」

A. Chigasaki Memory
B. My Jewelry Love

More More Love / ExT Recordings EXT-707
Out now (5/3), ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon

"Chigasaki Memory" (3rd song in "Anthology #2" sampler clip)

"My Jewelry Love" (1st song in "Anthology #4" sampler clip)

This book about game music, with a title that translates to "Game music encyclopedia revolution", was supervised by YMCK and Famicomania. A follow-up to "Game ongaku taizen" (2016), it comes with a CD of 10 famous Konami game tracks, plus three original remixes of "TwinBee", "Gradius" and "Castlevania" by YMCK!

YMCK will play live at La Magnifique Society (official Facebook page), a festival to be held in Reims, France, from May 16 to 21, 2017. Also be sure to check out their latest album "Family Swing" (2017).

"Game ongaku taizen Revolution" (Book)
「ゲーム音楽大全 Revolution」
(160 pages, Japanese, 46 min. CD)

Takarajimasha ISBN 978-4800269096
Out 5/10, ¥1600 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

The Nyantokanyaru's is a new idol group formed of Eve Nyan Laurent (aka Evenyan, of Kit Cat) and Sorano Aozora (aka Aonyan). The whole is produced by Dr.Usui (of (M)otocompo), who also produces Kit Cat, as well as songs for idol groups such as Dempagumi.inc and Mōsō Calibration. Check out the video for the powerful lead track below, in which idol from space Evenyan comes to Earth to recruit Aonyan.

This first release comes in two editions, each starring slightly a bit more either of the cat girls.

A first in-store live will be held on May 2 from 19:30 at HMV record shop Shinjuku Alta (details). Another will be held on May 17 at dues Shinjuku (above Disk Union Shōwa-kan) (details). Also, Kit Cat fans should be sure to check out event "Switched On! ~essencials~" on May 5 at Kichijoji Ichibee (details).

The Nyantokanyaru's "The Nyantokanyaru's chikyūjo CD Debut (Evenyan shujinkō hen)"
ザ・にゃんとかにゃるず 「ザ・にゃんとかにゃるず地球上でCDデビュー(イヴにゃん主人公編)」

1. chikyū ga tonikaku kawatteru
2. Anarchy Evenyan Droid
3. nikukyū no TENDARNESS
4. chikyū ga tonikaku kawatteru (inst.)
5. Anarchy Evenyan Droid (inst.)
6. nikukyū no TENDARNESS (inst.)
7. chikyū ga tonikaku kawatteru (Evenyan Part o utatte Evenyan no ganbari o taiken shite hoshii nyan ♪ Version)
8. Evenyan ni yoru shime no sansannyanya byōshi

doles U DOLU-8
Out 5/3, ¥1852 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

The Nyantokanyaru's "The Nyantokanyaru's chikyūjo CD Debut (Aonyan shujinkō hen)"
ザ・にゃんとかにゃるず 「ザ・にゃんとかにゃるず地球上でCDデビュー(あおにゃん主人公編)」

1. chikyū ga tonikaku kawatteru
2. nikukyū no TENDARNESS
3. Anarchy Evenyan Droid
4. chikyū ga tonikaku kawatteru (inst.)
5. nikukyū no TENDARNESS (inst.)
6. Anarchy Evenyan Droid (inst.)
7. chikyū ga tonikaku kawatteru (Aonyan Part o utatte Aonyan no ganbari o taiken shite hoshii nyan ♪ Version)
8. Aonyan ni yoru shime no sansannyanya byōshi

doles U DOLU-7
Out 5/3, ¥1852 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†,
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"chikyū ga tonikaku kawatteru"