Tokyo's Coolest Sound

French singer Clémentine has just recently released a new album, a 4th of her "Café" series. Included are some new original songs, but also various covers of Shibuya-kei hit songs with lyrics translated to French (Pizzicato Five, Flipper's Guitar, Ozawa Kenji, Scha Dara Parr) and some French classics (Michel Polnareff, André Popp, Michel Delpech, Gilbert Bécaud, Adamo). Many of the arrangements were done by Marc Collin (Nouvelle Vague).

Clémentine "Cafe de POP from Tokyo Paris"
クレモンティーヌ 「カフェ ド ポップ from Tokyo Paris」

1. koi to Machine Gun
2. Tout Tout Pour Ma Chérie
3. L'amour Est Bleu
4. Pour Un Flirt
5. ichō namiki no Serenade
6. Me Que Me Que
7. Tokyo Paris Walk
8. futari wa chiisana koibito
9. C'est Bon C'est Bon
10. konya wa Boogie Back (Nice Vocal)
11. Sans Toi Ma Mie
12. Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji

Anchor Records UZCL-1032
Out now (2/14), ¥2190 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, (japan)
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Following a great single titled "Good Night Baby" released just last month, here's a 2nd 7" from Bakubaku Dokin. The A-side "Darara" is said to be a mellow tune that sounds best at night, while B-side "tasogare no Catherine" is a bossa nova with alto flute, flugelhorn and bassoon.

A release party will be held on Sunday February 25 at Ebisu Batica. The event starts at 17:00. Details here.

BAKUBAKU DOKIN "Darara / tasogare no Catherine" (7")
バクバクドキン 「ダララ / 黄昏のキャサリン」

A. Darara
B. tasogare no Catherine

Gokuraku Records GRR-7002
Out 2/28, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Bangkok Nites" is a Japanese movie released in 2016. EM Records, the label that released the soundtrack, has been also releasing a series of tribute 12" EPs. This last installment is by keyboardist Emerson Kitamura. "inaka wa iine" is a cover of a song by Rungphet Laemsing from the soundtrack, while "Lam Plearn Salap Kon Sawan" is a bass music cover of a song from Thai singer Angkhanang Khunchai's 1975 1st album. On the other side is "Rock Your Baby", a folky cover featuring vocals by mmm (mii mai moe) of a 70's disco hit originally by George McCrae, plus a dub version of the title song.

Audio samples can be heard at EM Records. EM Records ships internationally. The soundtrack itself can be found here.

Part of the Bakuon Film Festival's Thai/Isan special series, a "Molam Special Live" will be held on Saturday February 24 at Shibuya WWW featuring Molam singers, and Emerson Kitamura will also perform a set. Find all details here.

Emerson Kitamura "The Countryside is Great e.p."
エマーソン北村 「田舎はいいね E.P.」
(Japanese title: "inaka wa iine E.P.")

A1. The Countryside is Great (5:07)
A2. Lam Plearn Salap Kon Sawan Bassline (4:52)
AA1. Rock Your Baby (featuring mmm) (5:18)
AA2. The Countryside is Great (DUB) (4:20)

EM Records EM1173TEP
Out now (2/17), ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, CDJapan, HMV, EM Records

tofubeats has a new song out now digitally. "Immortal Love" (Japanese title: "fumetsu no kokoro") is the theme song of live action TV drama "Video Girl Ai 2018" ("den·ei shōjo") shown on TV Tokyo every Saturday night from 24:20. The drama is based on the 1989-1992 manga of the same name.

tofubeats can be seen DJ at all-night event "trackmaker" on Saturday March 3 at Sound Museum Vision in Shibuya, along with Towa Tei, okadada, Kariya Seira, chelmico and many more (details). Also, he will play a DJ set on February 27 from 18:30 at the "Yobuko Holo-Experience Exhibition" at iTSCOM Studio & Hall Futako-Tamagawa Rise (free entrance!). Check out tofubeats' full schedule here.

tofubeats "Immortal Love" (Download)
tofubeats 「ふめつのこころ」
(Japanese title: "fumetsu no kokoro")

Warner Music
Out now (2/16)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, Amazon MP3 Japan

The Scooters are releasing a first live album, recorded at Shimokitazawa Basement Bar on November 1st, 2017. The show also featured guest vocalist (and labelmate) Nakano Aya. This limited release comes as a cassette tape with a CD of the same content, and a T-shirt (S, M, L or XL). The art direction of the whole is of course by the band's leader, Shindō Mitsuo.

Formed in 1978 and having released a first album in 1982, the Scooters got back together in 2012 (with the release of album "Une Manche et La Belle") and have been playing many live shows since. This recording is the Scooters' latest live sound!

The Scooters are: Ronnie Barry (vocals), Lucy (tenor sax & tambourine), Beat Himiko (chorus & alto sax), Beauty (chorus), Jackie (chorus), Turban Chada Jr. (vocals), Ichikawa Eiji (electric guitar), Ohya Ryōji (drums), Sally Kubota (bass), Nakayama Tsutomu (piano & organ) and Shindō Mitsuo (electric guitar & glockenspiel).

Scooters "The Scooters Comes Alive! (The Basement Tape)" (Cassette+CD+T-shirt)
スクーターズ 「ベースメント・テープ」

Side A
1. Miracles
2. Dancing in the street
3. namida no BreakAway
4. Young Americans
5. Hey Girl
6. Hang On In There Baby
7. nakitai kimochi
8. Shout!!

Side B
1. Key to her ferrari
2. kanashii uwasa
3. Stubborn kind of fellow
4. Ghost
5. Motown Medley (Reach Out I'll Be There, It's The Same Old Song, I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch), Stop! In The Name Of Love, Come See About Me, Jimmy Mack, Stubborn kind of fellow, My Guy, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Money (That's What I Want), Get Ready, Finger Tip)
6. Heat Wave
7. Tokyo Disco Night

Edition with S size T-shirt
Vivid Sound VSCT1002S
Out 3/7, ¥6000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Edition with M size T-shirt
Vivid Sound VSCT1002M
Out 3/7, ¥6000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Edition with L size T-shirt
Vivid Sound VSCT1002L
Out 3/7, ¥6000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Edition with XL size T-shirt
Vivid Sound VSCT1002XL
Out 3/7, ¥6000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Official teaser

"kanashii uwasa" (original version from album "Une Manche et La Belle")

Rapper ECD passed away on January 24, 2018 at the age of 67. This is a 7" release of song "Lucky Man" from his latest album "Three Wise Monkeys" (2015), and includes a new remix by Illicit Tsuboi who also mixed and edited the single. The jacket artwork is by Sakawaki Kei.

ECD "LUCKY MAN"

A. LUCKY MAN
B. LUCKY MAN (for Fans & Relativities REMIX)

Final Junky FJ45-001
Out 2/28, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

On February 25 it will have been a year since the passing away of Plastics leader Nakanishi Toshio. This is a live album of the Plastics' 40th anniversary show held at Blue Note Tokyo on May 10, 2016. The show featured original members Nakanishi Toshio (vocals & guitar), Tachibana Hajime (guitar) and Shima Takemi (rhythm box), with Linda dada (vocals) and momo (keyboards).

A limited "Deluxe Edition" of 1000 copies includes a bonus CD "B" which contains 3 outtakes from the same show, and two previously unreleased early demos of "Copy" and "Too Much Information".

PLASTICS "A"

1. I Am Plastic
2. Welcome Plastics
3. Diamond Head
4. Ignore
5. Deluxe
6. I Love You Oh No !
7. Delicious
8. Digital Watch
9. Too Much Information
10. Complex
11. Good
12. Robot
13. Cards
14. Introduction - Copy
15. Top Secret Man

CD "B" (Deluxe edition only)
1. Copy
2. Can I Help Me ?
3. Park ~ Eight Days A Week
4. Copy - Early Demo -
5. Too Much Information - Early Demo -

Limited "Deluxe Edition" (2 CDs)
Victor Entertainment VIZL-1332
Out 2/21, ¥4000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition ("A" only)
Victor Entertainment VICL-64963
Out 2/21, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Ozawa Kenji has a new single being released on Valentine's Day. The title song is the theme of movie "River's Edge", and also features the voices of lead actress Nikaidō Fumi and actor Yoshizawa Ryō. The B-side is a live performance of hit song "Lovely" in duet with Mitsushima Hikari, recorded on a rainy day on a boat in Tokyo Bay. This is a limited release.

Shows as a 36-piece funk orchestra are planned on April 23 at Tokyo International Forum, on April 29 at Osaka-jō Hall, and on May 2 and 3 at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Tickets go on sale February 13 at 19:00. Details on the official site.

Ozawa Kenji "Arpeggio (kitto mahō no Tunnel no saki)"
小沢健二 「アルペジオ(きっと魔法のトンネルの先)」

1. Arpeggio (kitto mahō no Tunnel no saki)
2. Lovely, Tokyo-wan jō yakatabune Live wa ame
3. Arpeggio (kitto mahō no Tunnel no saki) (Instrumental)

Universal Music TYCT-39071
Out 2/14, ¥1200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Teaser clip

Movie trailer including song preview

The soundtrack of movie "Sunny/32" was produced by Ushio Kensuke (aka agraph, of band LAMA and also live support member for Denki Groove). Theme song "pray" is sung by Tabuchi Hisako (LAMA).

The movie, which features Pierre Taki (Denki Groove) in a lead role, will open in theaters in Japan from February 17, 2018.

Ushio Kensuke "'Sunny/32' Original Soundtrack"
牛尾憲輔　「映画『サニー／３２』オリジナル・サウンドトラック」

1. pray (feat. Tabuchi Hisako)
2. yochō
3. yakei
4. yomichi
5. Birthday Cake
6. sansō
7. dasshutsu
8. ueshita
9. kanshisha
10. kyōryū
11. monooto
12. Champion
13. hakubo
14. shikei
15. chinnyūsha
16. kakusei
17. Ktkr!!!
18. shūgō shashin
19. mottomo kawaii Murder wa Sunny (Okita Shuichi & Amore Stars)
20. kōrin
21. nichijō
22. Sunny
23. nissa
24. 2gatsu 28nichi
25. futari
26. konran
27. Sunny kara Sunny e
28. gekitō
29. kokoro kara
30. sei naru mono

Pony Canyon PCCR-00668
Out 2/14, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Movie trailer

A 4th album by singer and voice actress Nakajima Megumi is about to be released. Included are songs written by Maedayama Kenichi (aka Hyadain), Avec Avec (Sugar's Campaign), CMJK (Cutemen) (with lyrics by Kai Minori and Twisty aka Takashi Tsugumi), Rasmus Faber and more.

The limited edition comes with a Blu-ray disc of three music videos.

Nakajima Megumi "Curiosity"
中島愛 「Curiosity」

1. Submarine
2. Life's The Party Time!!
3. zanzō no Avalon
4. watashi no sekai
5. Jewel
6. omoide ni kawaru made
7. usotsuki zakura
8. saikō no shunkan
9. Odyssey
10. Saturday Night Question
11. mirai no kioku
12. ai wo tomoshite

Blu-ray (Limited edition only)
1. Submarine
2. watashi no sekai
3. Saturday Night Question

Limited edition (CD + Blu-ray (NTSC))
Flying Dog VTZL-143
Out 2/14, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon (18% off *), HMV (12% 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)
Flying Dog VTCL-60467
Out 2/14, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Sampler clip

"Saturday Night Question" (Short ver.)

"Submarine" (Short ver.)

"watashi no sekai" (Short ver.)

City pop band Yogee New Waves' 2nd album "Waves" (2017) has just been released as a double-LP that comes in a gatefold sleeve.

Yogee New Waves will release a new EP titled "Spring Cave e.p." on March 14. Stay tuned for details!

Also, they will soon go on tour in Asia starting March 21, with dates in Taipei and Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Hong Kong and Bangkok (Thailand). A Japan tour will follow through April, stopping at Shin-Kiba Studio Coast in Tokyo on April 20. Check their schedule page for all details.

Yogee New Waves "Waves" (2LP)

A1. Ride on Wave
A2. Fantasic Show (album ver.)
B1. World is Mine
B2. Dive Into the Honeytime
B3. Understand
C1. Intro (horo)
C2. C.A.M.P.
C3. Like Sixteen Candles
D1. HOW DO YOU FEEL?
D2. SAYONARAMATA
D3. Boys & Girls (Lovely Telephone Remix)

Roman Label/Bayon Production HRLP-089
Out now (2/10), ¥3500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, 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"

The Suzan, now the duo of sisters Saori and Rie, has recently released a new 3-song EP produced by Bjorn (of Peter Bjorn and John). It's available on iTunes, Spotify, etc.

Check out the video for "Desire" here!

The Suzan "Konichiwa" (Download)

1. A Song for You
2. Desire
3. Tokyo

Ingrid
Out now (1/19)
Sample/buy: , Spotify

Rap idol group lyrical school has a first live album being released, of a show held on December 16, 2017, at Liquidroom in Ebisu, Tokyo. Included are live opening song "debayashi" as well as previously unreleased live favorites "(Get Around!) Tokyo Girls!!" and "Dance With You", and also two songs that were performed at this show for the first time, "Pizza" and "Girls Quest". Also included are recent singles and more, for a total of 11 songs.

Some in-store events are planned, with one on Saturday February 10 at Tower Records Kinshichō (details), on Sunday February 11 on the roof of Shibuya Marui from 12:30 (details) and on Wednesday February 14 at Tower Records Shinjuku (7F) from 20:30 (details). Check out their full schedule here.

lyrical school "'Take Me Out' on Dec 16"

1. debayashi
2. (GET AROUND!) TOKYO GIRLS!!
3. PIZZA
4. I.J.
5. tsuretette yo
6. GIRLS QUEST
7. natsuyasumi no BABY
8. Concrete Jungle ~Boy meets Girl~
9. CALL ME TIGHT
10. DANCE WITH YOU
11. NOW!

BootRock BRTW-1053
Out 2/14, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Digest clip

Legendary new wave band Juicy Fruits is back with a brand new album! While they have been active playing some live shows in the recent years, 34 years have passed since their previous album release ("Come on Swing" in 1984)! Opening song "La Niña Pasion El Niño" was written by Chikada Haruo.

Juicy Fruits are most famously known for their song "Jenny wa gokigen naname" which was covered by Perfume, Hi-Posi and many other artists. Fans of the song are most welcome to check out the latest Juicy Fruits!

A special one-man show titled "Bittersweet Time" will be held on February 24 at Kichijoji Rock Joint GB.

Juicy Fruits "Bittersweet"
ジューシィ・フルーツ 「Bittersweet」

1. La Niña Pasion El Niño
2. Luxury Gentleman
3. Cheese Feeling
4. Dot
5. Peanuts
6. After The Hybrid
7. Suki! De Ii!
8. Twin Outlaws
9. A Blue One Piece Dress
10. In Japan!

Victor Entertainment VICL-64913
Out 2/14, ¥2778 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Out now on new label Shinjuku Tracks is a 7" by talkbox musician BTB (Pan Pacific Playa). "I'll Be Around" is a reggae cover of The Spinners' hit song (original). The B-side is a dub version by Ichihashi Dubwise.

Hear audio samples at Jet Set.

Released at the same on Shinjuku Tracks is a single by reggae singer Kashmere of a cover of Hagihara Kenichi's "shinkirō" (original), which uses beats sampled from an Otis Gayle cover of "I'll Be Around" (released on Studio One). Check it out at Jet Set.

BTB "I'll Be Around" (7")

A. BTB / I'll Be Around
B. Ichihashi Dubwise / Dub Will Be Around

Shinjuku Tracks SJTRKS-1002
Out now (1/31), ¥1388 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set

Rapper Robochu, lately often seen on stage with Scha Dara Parr but also as the leader of 90's hip-hop group Dassen 3 and a member of Donuts Disco Deluxe (with Afra and Ani (SDP)), has released a new album. It had been about 15 years since his first and previous album, "ginga hanten" (2002). Featured are many guest artists including Afra, Kuma The Shre Shot, Evisbeats, Urban Volcano Sounds, Matsumoto Hisataaka, Tsuchie, Compuma, Punch&Mighty, Katokichi, Soga Daiho and Compuma. A cover of Slick Rick's "Hey Young World" previously released on 7" is included.

Many tracks can be sampled at Jet Set.

A special event will be held on Saturday February 10 at Grassroots in Higashi-Koenji, wtih Robochu, Compuma and more.

Robochu "Scrappin"
ロボ宙 「Scrappin」

1. session 08
2. letter from inogashira
3. ongaku no ryōrihō
4. hey young world
5. walking
6. saku saku
7. skit skit
8. funky na Music
9. sunshower
10. tegaki
11. good ones
12. Rough Sketch 2017
13. kanpeki

omiyage
Out now (1/31), ¥2000 (excl. tax)
Order: Jet Set, Newtone Records