Tokyo's Coolest Sound

VIDEOTAPEMUSIC, a talentful artist who is both a prolific video director (using old video tapes for source) and also makes exotic music with pianica sounds, has a brand new album coming this month! There's an appearance by female rapper NOPPAL, and the many guest musicians include Tsuruoka Ryū (aka LUVRAW, behind the Image Cluv label), Arban Sachs, Arauchi Yū (cero), members of Omoideyaro A Team, The Gossip of Jaxx (support band of Ego-Wrappin') and more.

Amazon and HMV give away a promo sticker (while supplies last). For those in Japan, Tower Records gives away a bonus promo CD.

A special show for the release will be held on November 23 at Motion Blue Yokohama, and another one in Tokyo on December 27 at Kinema Club. Check out his full schedule here.

VIDEOTAPEMUSIC "On the Air"

1. On The Air
2. Sultry Night Slow
3. Ushihama
4. Pontiana
5. Devils in a Jungle
6. Hot Sand Beach Rumba
7. Motor Pool
8. Her Favorite Song
9. Her Favorite Moments feat. NOPPAL
10. Fiction Romance
11. Chimney

Kakubarhythm DDCK-1052
Out 10/25, ¥2700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Fiction Romance"

"Sultry Night Slow"

Digest clip

Trailer clip

Two classics from Les 5-4-3-2-1's excellent first mini-album "un" (1993) are being released on 7"! The A-side is a cover of France Gall's "Le coeur qui jazze" with lyrics in French and Japanese, and the B-side is original song "otoko no ko onna no ko". A must!

Les 5-4-3-2-1 is a Shibuya-kei band led by bassist Sally Kubota (SOLEIL, Sally Soul Stew, ex-Phantom Gift) with singer Hitomi.

les 5-4-3-2-1 "le coeur qui jazze / un garçon et une fille" (7")
les 5-4-3-2-1 「ジャズる心 / 男の子女の子」
(Japanese title: "Jazz-ru kokoro / otoko no ko onna no ko")

A. le coeur qui jazze
B. un garçon et une fille

Nippon Columbia / Jet Set JS7S177
Out 10/25, ¥1700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon, HMV

"le coeur qui jazze"

Singer Aono Rie (who also fronts band Aono Rie & hums, and has sung in aoyama and Frog) has a first solo album being released! The whole has a cool city pop sound produced by Seki Yoshihiko with songs co-written by Inoue Kaoru (Blue Peppers). Check out the digest clip below.

Musicians also include guitarist Yamanouchi Toshio and drummer Kitayama Yūko (misola, lake), both who have played in Ryūsenkei, with also bassist Iga Wataru (lake), synths by Yoshida Jirō (Halmens X, Jollits) and strings arranged by Hase Yasuhiro (Yume to Cosme).

Aono Rie will play short live sets at event "wamono Light Mellow Summit" on October 20 (from about 21:40) and November 17 at Shinjuku Kabuki Lounge.

Rie Aono "Pastoral"
青野りえ 「パストラル」

1. PASTORAL
2. prelude
3. On the Radio
4. Love Always
5. Ōsanbashi
6. Yurikamome
7. Harumi-dōri
8. Chelsea
9. yūsari

Vivid Sound VSCD-3197
Out 10/18, ¥2315 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Bandcamp, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, , Spotify, OTOTOY, YouTube
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Digest clip

After a 2-year hiatus, techno-pop singer Aira Mitsuki had been slowly coming back since 2015 and released 4 digital singles. Now it's finally time for a full-length album! "Pyramidal" has just been released also digitally. The whole is sound produced by IzeMac (of NUXX), and Xianfu Schweitz also did some guest production.

A release party will be held on November 11 at Daikanyama Loop, with Saoriiiii, Vanilla Beans and Xianfu Schweitz. Tickets are on sale here.

Aira Mitsuki "Pyramidal"
アイラミツキ 「Pyramidal」

1. Future in Loop
2. Pyramidal
3. Chewing on Love
4. Lightsaver
5. Dis&Co
6. Detective A
7. Recommunication
8. Nabwa
9. Days
10. I'll Again..

Aira Mitsuki
Out now (10/11)
Sample/buy: , OTOTOY, Amazon MP3 Japan, Amazon MP3 U.S.

"Future in Loop"

Sampler clip

Veteran new wave band Hikashu has a brand new album out now! We've lost count but they say it's their 23rd..! The album was recorded in New York. Guest musicians are Mori Ikue, Chris Pitsiokos, Fubuki Yukie, Afrirampo and Inoue Makoto.

Hikashu can be seen live at festival Yoimachi to be held on November 5 at four venues simultaneously in Otsuka, Tokyo. Tickets are on sale.

Hikashu "ANGURI In the style of unlanding"
ヒカシュー 「あんぐり」
(Japanese title: "Anguri")

1. Anguri

2. All are correct

3. Suprematism

4. Solemn Pretender

5. Selfish shellfish

6. I like it

7. Too transparent

8. Roger that

9. Omni suspicion
10. It will be heaven soon
11. You cannot be in love, I guess.
12. In the style of unlanding

13. Good Question!

Makigami Records MKR-0011
Out now (10/10), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Trailer clip

Drag queen singer Gallantique Kazue, also a member of hoshikuzu Scat, has new single with music written and produced by Gary Ashiya (La veuve moustachue) being released this week. The title song is a disco tune, while the B-side has a late night radio drama feel.

Also, her previous digital single "yoru ni okiru Patron" has just been released on 7". This song was written by Machi Akari and produced by Kashif. The B-side is a remix by Cherryboy Function. Find details below and hear audio samples at Jet Set.

An in-store free mini-live will be held on Friday October 13 from 19:00 at HMV record shop Shinjuku Alta (details). Those who buy either release can participate in the autograph session that will follow the event.

Gallantique Kazue "kagayaite Night Flight"
ギャランティーク和恵 「輝いて Night Flight」

1. kagayaite Night Flight
2. jūnenme no dokuhaku (Monologue)
3. kagayaite Night Flight (Instrumental ver.)
4. jūnenme no dokuhaku (Monologue) (Instrumental ver.)

More More Love MLCD-9
Out 10/10, ¥1111 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Gallantique Kazue "yoru ni okiru Patron" (7")
ギャランティーク和恵 「夜に起きるパトロン」

A. yoru ni okiru Patron
B. yoru ni okiru Patron - Cherryboy Function Remix 7" Edit

More More Love / ExT Recordings EXT-709
Out now (10/4), ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon, HMV,

"kagayaite Night Flight"

Enka singer Yashiro Aki has a 2nd jazz album being released, this time again produced by Konishi Yasuharu! It's been five years since the first, "Songs Around Midnight" (2012). The media is a high-fidelity SHM-CD which plays in regular CD players. Lead track "kaette kuretara ureshii wa (You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To)" is available in advance on iTunes Japan.

A vinyl edition will also be released on November 1st, with a slightly different tracklist. See details below.

On Tuesday October 10 from 14:00, a free mini-live in-store event will be held on the first floor of department store Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi. Those who buy the CD there can participate in a "high five" session with the famous singer.

A special show will be held at Blue Note Tokyo on November 13.

Yashiro Aki "yoru no tsuzuki"
八代亜紀 「夜のつづき」

1. kaette kuretara ureshii wa (You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To)
2. Fever
3. kuroi hanabira
4. namida no taiyō
5. tabidate Jack (Hit The Road, Jack)
6. Work Song
7. Come On-A My House
8. nikui anata (These Boots Are Made For Walkin')
9. koi no tokkōyaku (Love Potion Number Nine)
10. yoru no tsuzuki (aka to ao no Blues)
11. aka to ao no Blues (Saint-Tropez Blues)
12. otoko to onna no ohanashi
13. yoru ga aketara

Universal UCCJ-2146
Out 10/11, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Yashiro Aki "yoru no tsuzuki" (12")
八代亜紀 「夜のつづき」

A1. yoru no tsuzuki #1
A2. Fever
A3. kuroi hanabira
A4. namida no taiyō
A5. kaette kuretara ureshii wa
A6. Hit The Road, Jack
A7. Work Song
B1. Come On-A My House
B2. nikui anata (These Boots Are Made For Walkin')
B3. koi no tokkōyaku (Love Potion Number Nine)
B4. yoru no tsuzuki #2 (aka to ao no Blues)
B5. aka to ao no Blues (Saint-Tropez Blues)
B6. otoko to onna no ohanashi
B7. yoru ga aketara

Universal UCJJ-9010
Out 11/1, ¥3600 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"kaette kuretara ureshii wa (You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To)"

Nomiya Maki's new album is coming this month, and this time she sings Shibuya-kei standards that share a winter theme. Included are duets with Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band), Watanabe Marina, Takano Hiroshi and Suzuki Masayuki, with also chorus by Smooth Ace on several songs. "The Bell That Couldn't Jingle" is a Japanese version of which the lyrics were written by Konishi Yasuharu. Included as bonus tracks are three live songs from Maki's "Soundtrack Shibuya-kei" show held a year ago at Billboard Live Tokyo, and also a bon-odori version of Shibuya ward theme song "You Make Shibuya" (written by and featuring Kaji Hideki, original here). The album jacket is by Shindō Mitsuo.

"Fun Fun Christmas" is a Christmas song by interior shop Francfranc which is sung by a different artist every year since 2013. This year Nomiya Maki is the one, and a different version is being released on compilation album "Francfranc presents 'Tiny Magic of Christmas'" to be sold in their shops from October 27.

Nomiya Maki can be seen live at the "Shibuya no Radio no Shibuya-kei Festival" on October 21, an event curated by herself and Kaji Hideki (both of which are hosts of the weekly radio show of the same name). The event will also feature DJ Konishi Yasuharu, Kaseki Cider, Takano Hiroshi and Vanilla Beans. Tickets are on sale.

Also, a special show with the same title as the new album will be held at Billboard Live Tokyo on November 10 and 11. There are also dates in Osaka, Hakata and Nagoya. See this page for all details. An in-store event will be held on October 22 at Pied Piper House (Tower Records Shibuya 5F) from 18:00, with a talk show and autograph session (details).

Nomiya Maki "Nomiya Maki, Holiday Shibuya-kei o utau."
野宮真貴 「野宮真貴、ホリデイ渋谷系を歌う。」

1. yuki ya konko (feat. Smooth Ace)
2. Winter's Tale ~fuyu monogatari~ (Duet with Takano Hiroshi feat. Smooth Ace) (Takano Hiroshi & Tajima Takao cover)
3. The Bell That Couldn't Jingle (Duet with Watanabe Marina feat. Smooth Ace) (Paul Evans cover)
4. omote samui yo ne (Duet with Yokoyama Ken from CKB) (Dinah Shore & Buddy Clark cover)
5. Winter Concert (Ishida Ayumi cover)
6. fuyu ga hajimaru yo (Duet with Suzuki Masayuki feat. Smooth Ace) (Makihara Noriyuki cover)
7. Fun Fun Christmas (Maki Nomiya's Tiny Magic de Paris)
Bonus tracks
8. MC (jikkyō rokuon "Soundtrack Shibuya-kei o utau." yori)
9. kanashimi no Adagio (kare to kanojo no Sonnet) (T'en va pas) (jikkyō rokuon "Soundtrack Shibuya-kei o utau." yori) (Elsa Lunghini cover)
10. Melody Fair (jikkyō rokuon "Soundtrack Shibuya-kei o utau." yori) (Bee Gees cover)
11. Love Squall (jikkyō rokuon "Soundtrack Shibuya-kei o utau." yori) (Sandra Horn (Sandii) cover)
12. yume miru Shibuya YOU MAKE SHIBUYA (bon odori Version) (feat. Kaji Hideki & Hasebe Ken Shibuya-kuchō)

Universal Music UICZ-4406
Out 10/18, ¥2593 (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.

"fuyu ga hajimaru yo" (Video edit ver.)

"Winter's Tale ~fuyu monogatari~" (Video edit ver.)

Digest clip

"You Make Shibuya (Bon-odori version)"

Here's a 4th song by Fukuoka-born half-French teenage model and singer Manon! This fun bouncy track is again produced by Yuppa (HNC), and the toybox-like video below was directed by VJ unit onnacodomo! The song is out now on iTunes, Spotify, etc.

Manon can be seen live in Tokyo part of Shibukaru Matsuri, an event series that features up-and-coming female artists and creators. She will sing at the free opening party to be held on Friday October 20 at Shibuya Club Quattro from 17:00.

Manon "POPCORN CRISIS" (Download)

Caticorn Records
Out now (10/6)
Sample/buy: , Amazon MP3 Japan, Amazon MP3 U.S., Spotify

See also:
"Wavy Pineapple Days" (Download)
"xxFANCYPOOLxx" (7")

An exciting sci-fi rock musical movie titled "The Brand New Legend of the Stardust Brothers" directed by Macoto Tezka (son of Tezuka Osamu famous for "Astro Boy") will start showing in theaters in Japan in January 2018! It will feature music sung by Nomiya Maki, Natsuki Mari, Sunny Kubota & Old Lucky Boys among many others. The movie comes over 30 years after cult musical film "The Legend of the Stardust Brothers" (Japanese title: "hoshikuzu kyōdai no densetsu") (1985).

And here's a first music release in advance of the new movie: the theme song redone into a brand new techno-pop version sung by lead actors Miura Ryōsuke and Takeda Kōhei. The music was written by Akagi Chuji (of band Films) with lyrics by Chikada Haruo, and originally appeared on Chikada's "hoshikuzu kyōdai no densetsu" album (1982) which inspired the first movie.

Let's stay tuned for hopefully more!

Stardust Brothers "hoshikuzu kyōdai no densetsu" (Download)
スターダスト・ブラザーズ 「星くず兄弟の伝説」

Neontetra
Out now (10/4)
Sample/buy: (Japan), Amazon MP3 Japan, OTOTOY, Spotify

Movie trailer

Rapper/trackmaker Punpee (of group PSG) has a long-awaited first solo album out now! Check out audio samples at Jet Set.

Official release page

Punpee "Modern Times"

1. 2057
2. Lovely Man
3. Happy Meal
4. uchū ni iku
5. Renaissance
6. Scenario (Film)
7. Interval
8. Pride
9. P.U.N.P. (Communication)
10. Stray Bullets
11. Rain (Freestyle)
12. yume no tsuzuki
13. Time Machine ni notte
14. Bitch Planet
15. Oldies
16. Hero

Summit SMMT-99 / XQMV-1009
Out now (10/4), ¥2700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Time Machine ni notte" (Trailer)

tofubeats has just released a digital EP of song "BABY" from latest album "Fantasy Club". Included are two new mixes and an instrumental version. Find it on iTunes.

tofubeats "BABY EP" (Download)

1. BABY
2. BABY (tofubeats remix)
3. BABY (Another Mix)
4. BABY (Instrumental)

Warner Music
Out now (10/2)
Sample/buy: , Amazon MP3 Japan

"BABY"

CTO LAB. released this song last year as a limited cassette tape edition, but it's now finally available for download on iTunes, etc.! This is a theme song for Ma.K., aka Maschinen Krieger, a science fiction universe created by Japanese illustrator and sculptor Kow Yokoyama. The tape was sold part of a special exhibition that paid tribute to the artist. It has been announced last month that a Hollywood movie of "Maschinen Krieger" is being planned (news article).

CTO LAB. is Okada Tohru (Moonriders), polymoog (Elektel) and Imai Kentaro (The Aprils). They can be seen live at event "Switched On! 2017" to be held on Saturday November 18 in Kichijoji. Tickets are on sale via Poplot, Peatix, etc.

CTO LAB. "The Theme of Ma.K." (Download)

Valb
Out now (10/4)
Sample/buy: OTOTOY, , Amazon MP3 Japan, Amazon MP3 U.S.

Instrumental jazz trio fox capture plan has a 6th album being released. This is the follow-up to "Fragile" released last January, since which they also released Disney cover album "Rock In Disney ~fox capture plan" (Amazon).

A tour will be held from the end of October, taking them to Okinawa, several cities in China, and then all around Japan. Details can be found on the album's special page.

fox capture plan "UИTITLƎD"

1. Cross View
2. kōun ryūsui
3. kurikaesareru jikū no Waltz wa sen no yume o katari
4. Theme from quartet
5. No End
6. seafrost
7. PLASTIC JAM
8. UNTITLED SCENES
9. Viva La Vida (Coldplay cover)
10. Real, Fake
11. Pain

Playwright PWT-038
Out 10/4, ¥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.

Teaser promo clip

marino has a new 3rd album coming this month! This follows "Bathtub de chōshoku o" released in 2012. Recorded with a real band, the musical-like new album takes its theme from her own tea store which she has been running for several years creating her own blends. The album title even translates to "I run a tea store".

A release event will be held on October 14 at Harajuku Strobe Café from 13:00. Find details here.

marino "watashi wa kōchayasan"
marino 「私は紅茶屋さん」

1. watashi wa kōchayasan
2. ame ni odoreba
3. yaneura no ensōkai
4. maho no kotobatachi
5. Cotton
6. Happy Birthday
7. One For Me, One For Pot

Castleton Music
Out 9/29, ¥2000 (excl. tax)
Order: Amazon, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

"watashi wa kōchayasan"

Digest clip

This is a cover album of songs from the "Godzilla" movie series, arranged and performed by musicians including Hikashu and Charan-Po-Rantan, with Inoue Makoto (ex-Hikashu) plus a three-piece brass section. The title implies that it is the follow-up to the "Godzilla Legend Box" (2014) which contained the first four of the "Godzilla Legend" tribute album series.

The album was recorded on April 29 and 30, 2017 at Eastside Sound Studios in New York, following the "Godzilla Legend -- Music of Akira Ifukube" concert. Read a detailed report here.

Hikashu will release new album "Anguri" on October 10.

"Godzilla Legend V"
「ゴジラ伝説V」

"Godzilla"
1. Music From On Board A Ship
2. Godzilla Character Theme
3. Theme from MechaGodzilla
"King Kong"
4. Huge Devil
5. Air Transportation Strategy
6. Scream of the Devil
7. Battle at Atami Castle
"Rodan"
8. Blood Parasite
9. Radon Character Theme
10. Purge Rodan
11. Rodan vs, Garuda
"Huge Dragon"
12. Kurobe Valley
13. King Ghidorah Character Theme
14. Maser Tank March
15. Lost Continent of the Sacred Mu Empire Song
"Mothra"
16. Mothra's Song
17. Infant Island
18. Sacred Fountain
19. Mahara Mothra
20. Mothra vs. Godzilla
"Godzilla Resurrection"
21. Rehe Tapne Ene
22. Requiem
23. Godzilla Resurrection
24. Monster Zero March

King Records KICC-1386
Out now (9/20), ¥3000 (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?

Trailer clip

Excerpt from "Music From On Board A Ship"