Various Artists "Attractions! Konishi Yasuharu Remixes 1996~2010"
Konishi Yasuharu has started a new label called Readymade V.I.C., hosted under major label Victor. This first release is a 2-CD collection of his best remixes from 1997 until now. Included are 6 brand new remixes using Victor's catalog (marked...
Posted on January 11, 2010 at 19:14. | Released on March 3, 2010
Full-text search results for Happy End
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.45
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on January 19, 2024 at 22:29.
Tanzaku CD (8cm CD) Day
What's going on in 2023? Well, it's the 35th anniversary of the 8cm CD, also known as "Tanzaku CD" (or also 3" CD or "mini CD"), which was a very popular format for singles in Japan in the 90s. A...
Posted on July 8, 2023 at 01:15. | Released on July 7, 2023
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.30
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on August 12, 2022 at 09:00.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.26
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on April 14, 2022 at 23:51.
Morio Agata "Morio Agata Show Time"
In a series of releases for Morio Agata's 50th anniversary (active since 1972!), here comes a release of a legendary show from 1977 in its entirety. The movie "boku wa tenshi janai yo", directed by Morio, was first shown in...
Posted on March 23, 2022 at 13:20. | Released on March 23, 2022
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.24
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on February 11, 2022 at 00:14.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.23
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on January 13, 2022 at 23:08.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.22
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on December 9, 2021 at 23:13.
Pizzicato Five "Pizzicato Five On Demand (Konishi yasuharu edition)" (Download)
Following last month's "Pizzicato Five On Demand (Takanami keitaro edition)", here comes the second digital compilation of Pizzicato Five, this time focusing on songs penned by Konishi Yasuharu. The 32 songs (over 2 hours!) were apparently selected from Columbia's catalog...
Posted on October 20, 2021 at 20:35. | Released on October 20, 2021
Three Berry Icecream "Another World" (Download)
Three Berry Icecream (Twitter), the solo unit of Mayumi Ikemizu (a former member of the band Bridge), has just released digitally a brand new song titled "Another World"! This is a first cut from the upcoming album "Three Berry...
Posted on October 17, 2021 at 00:18. | Released on October 15, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.19
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on August 26, 2021 at 00:23.
RSD Drops 2021 Day 1
Record Store Day is happening this year, as two "RSD Drops" on June 12 and July 17! It seems in good shape looking at the impressive list of releases, with many good ones. Online sales will start at 13:00 (JST)...
Posted on June 10, 2021 at 00:16. | Released on June 12, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.16
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on May 26, 2021 at 21:01.
Final Spank Happy "Smooth Escalator" (Download)
Final Spank Happy, the unit of Boss the NK (aka Kikuchi Naruyoshi) and OD (aka Oda Tomomi of CRCK/LCKS, DCPRG), has released this brand new song earlier this month. This follows album "mint exorcist" that came at the end...
Posted on December 28, 2020 at 22:43. | Released on December 11, 2020
Nao☆ (Negicco) "gift songs", "Nanohana + Best☆Friend" (12")
Negicco's leader Nao is releasing a brand new mini-album this week! Included are songs written by Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Learners, Neil and Iraiza), Chocolat & Akito, the band apart, and Lee HwangDae, and also one with lyrics written by...
Posted on October 11, 2020 at 22:45. | Released on October 13, 2020
Philosophy no Dance "Don't Stop the Dance"
Funky idol group Philosophy No Dance has just done their major debut on Sony, with this new single titled "Don't Stop the Dance". The title song's lyrics were written by Hyadain. There are two limited editions, the "type A" which...
Posted on September 27, 2020 at 22:37. | Released on September 23, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.9
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on September 24, 2020 at 00:19.
City Pop on Vinyl 2020
"City Pop on Vinyl" is a campaign organized by Japan's famous record press Toyo Kasei, and on August 8 will be a special day with many releases that file under the "city pop" category that we love! While only sold...
Posted on July 27, 2020 at 00:30. | Released on August 8, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.6
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada), it brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on June 25, 2020 at 01:32.
Ohtaki Eiichi "Happy Ending"
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of his debut, this new release of Ohtaki Eiichi works collects mainly songs written for TV drama since the 90's, all of which are previously unreleased! The album is available in a limited edition which has...
Posted on March 21, 2020 at 15:19. | Released on March 21, 2020
SOLEIL "Live at Veats" (DVD), "Lollipop Sixteen" (12")
SOLEIL, a great band that has put a stop to its activities at the end of 2019, has two releases coming this February 26, 2020! The first is a live DVD which consists mainly of the last show held on...
Posted on February 9, 2020 at 17:17. | Released on February 26, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.2
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada), it brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on January 22, 2020 at 23:55.
Haruko Tajima "Happy Duty" (Download)
"New wave gyaru" Haruko Tajima released a new track digitally right at the end of 2019 (year that brought Japan a tax increase) titled "Happy Duty", and its music video has just dropped, edited in her always distinct style....
Posted on January 9, 2020 at 22:25. | Released on December 31, 2019
Hosono Haruomi "Hosono Haruomi compiled by Hoshino Gen"
This is a greatest hits album of Hosono Haruomi works, including his solo music and also Happy End and Yellow Magic Orchestra. This first release, which comes as a 2-CD or 3-LP set of 38 songs, was compiled by singer-songwriter...
Posted on August 29, 2019 at 22:01. | Released on August 28, 2019
Pizzicato Five "The Band of 20th Century: Nippon Columbia Years 1991-2001"
Pizzicatomania all over the world! Check this out! This is a compilation of the best from Pizzicato Five's Nippon Columbia years (Triad/Readymade), which featured vocalist Nomiya Maki. The whole was supervised and selected by Konishi Yasuharu himself, with art direction...
Posted on August 2, 2019 at 23:40. | Released on November 3, 2019
Gig report: Adieu, Vanilla Beans!: Retrospective & last gig reports
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound They came carried by winds from Northern Europe, where they returned to last October 7 (2018). So goes the setting of Vanilla Beans, a unique idol group that had debuted...
Posted on December 31, 2018 at 22:03.
Record Store Day 2018
Record Store Day 2018 is coming up this weekend! Like every year many Japanese artists, labels and shops get involved, and many exciting releases will appear on the shelves on Saturday morning. Here's a selection that Tokyo's Coolest Sound readers...
Posted on April 16, 2018 at 23:40. | Released on April 21, 2018
Nao (Negicco) "Nanohana"
For her 30th birthday (April 10, 2018), Negicco leader Nao is releasing a first solo single! The A-side has lyrics written by herself and music by Kitagawa Katsutoshi (Round Table), while the B-side has music written and arranged by Hase...
Posted on April 10, 2018 at 22:26. | Released on April 11, 2018
Gig report: "Shibuya no Radio no Shibuya-kei Festival"
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Saturday October 21, 2017 was held a very special music event for Shibuya-kei music fans. Shibuya ward organizes annually a music festival called "Shibuya ongakusai" (or "Shibu-on", official site) and for...
Posted on October 28, 2017 at 11:43.
Kaseki Cider "Onigiri University"
Rapper Kaseki Cider has a brand new album out now! It had been almost 5 years since his previous original album "Mr. City Pop". Guests include Wakita Monari, Negicco, Mashiro Megumi (Hicksville), DJ Misoshiru & MC Gohan, Satō Nanako, Matsuda...
Posted on August 2, 2017 at 22:00. | Released on August 2, 2017
Sugar's Campaign "mamagoto"
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...
Posted on August 12, 2016 at 11:22. | Released on August 10, 2016
Yano Akiko "Welcome to Jupiter"
Yano Akiko has a brand new album out now! With a concept of "adult techno music", this time she has the support of young trackmakers such as tofubeats, Seiho (Sugar's Campaign), Azuma Hitomi, Tomita Keiichi (Tomita Lab), Fukasawa Hideyuki and...
Posted on September 17, 2015 at 23:55. | Released on September 16, 2015
Hoshino Michiru "natsu nandashi" (CD+7")
Hoshino Michiru has a new single out today, and the title track is written and produced by Konishi Yasuharu! "natsu nandashi" is actually a hip-hop-ish answer song to Happy End's "natsu nan desu" (1971). The B-side is also a must,...
Posted on July 22, 2015 at 23:40. | Released on July 22, 2015
Gig report: "Frenesi school: The legendary end-of-business ceremony"
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound The last show I saw in 2014 was Frenesi, and it was a very special one. In November Frenesi announced that she would put a stop (though maybe temporary) to...
Posted on January 4, 2015 at 00:34.
The Lady Spade "Reverse Shaped Black Heart"
The Lady Spade (sono na wa Spade) have a 2nd album coming! This is their first with current singer ATG (aka AliceToGizelle). Also their sound is now electro and danceable with an amount of rap. Songs range from happy sweets...
Posted on November 23, 2014 at 10:18. | Released on November 26, 2014
Gig report: Playtime Rock, BANK live at Saravah Tokyo
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Friday July 12 was a show of Playtime Rock, the Nagasaki-based band of Takanami K-taro (ex-Pizzicato Five) (blog). Nagasaki being part of the Kyūshū island in the south of...
Posted on July 17, 2013 at 00:59.
Gig report: blue marble, mishmash* Julie Watai
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Saturday June 22 was an event presented by blue marble, a band that released first album "Valerie" (Amazon) four years ago to then sort of disappear. This was to...
Posted on June 29, 2013 at 11:26.
Ino Hidefumi "New Morning"
Electric piano player Ino Hidefumi has a new album out now! "New Morning" contains 8 new original songs, and also 3 covers of songs by Todd Rundgren ("Hello It's Me"), Julie London ("Cry Me A River" written by Arthur Hamilton)...
Posted on May 30, 2013 at 22:49. | Released on May 30, 2013
Ino Hidefumi "Cry Me A River" (7")
Fender Rhodes player Ino Hidefumi will be back this month with a new album, but first comes this 7" of a Japanese lyrics cover of "Cry Me A River" (originally sung by Julie London). This song features Suzuki Shigeru (Happy...
Posted on May 5, 2013 at 00:53. | Released on May 10, 2013
Gig report: Takako Minekawa & Dustin Wong debut live w/ Living Astro
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday, I finally got to see an artist I had been wanting to see for about 15 years, ever since I got "Cloudy Cloud Calculator"! That's right, Takako Minekawa...
Posted on March 26, 2013 at 21:04.
Original Soundtrack "Tokyo zenryoku shōjo"
Konishi Yasuharu produced the music for TV drama "Tokyo zenryoku shōjo", about a 19-year-old girl who suddenly arrives to Tokyo to look for her father she hadn't met for 15 years. This series is from the makers of "Dekawanko" and...
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 00:09. | Released on November 28, 2012
Ryuichi Sakamoto "Three"
Sakamoto Ryuichi has a new album out now, together with his trio also featuring Jaques Morelenbaum (cello) and Judy Kang (violin). The album was recorded in Portugal following last year's European tour. It's his first album as a trio since...
Posted on October 24, 2012 at 23:34. | Released on October 17, 2012
Gig report: frenesi "gendai" release party
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On September 15, 2012, was the release party for frenesi's album "gendai". It was held at Shibuya WWW, one of my favorite venues lately (it used to be a movie...
Posted on September 17, 2012 at 00:34.
Rocketman "koi Romantic!!"
Rocketman (aka Fukawa Ryō) has a new album out this week! This contains a few tracks that were released for download only over the past few years, but also several brand new songs. Featured are Verbal (m-flo) and Hatsune Miku,...
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 23:55. | Released on August 8, 2012
Ram Rider "Audio Galaxy - Ram Rider vs Stars!!! -", "- Ram Rider Strikes Back!!! -"
Ram Rider is back with a new album out just now. It features collaborations with various "stars", including Nomiya Maki, Meg, Bose (Scha Dara Parr), Furukawa Miki (ex-Supercar), Fujioka Minami (Panda 1/2), and more. Out at the same time is...
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 23:45. | Released on April 11, 2012
Gig report: Dorian "studio vacation" release party, w/ Luvraw & BTB, (((sssurrounddd)))
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound We've been enjoying some cool autumn weather in Tokyo lately, but last Friday was a hot summer night at Shibuya WWW where was held the release party for Dorian's "studio...
Posted on November 6, 2011 at 23:33.
Various Artists "Sunaga Tatsuo no yoru Jazz digs Venus Jazz Opus 1"
Sunaga Tatsuo begins a new sub-series of jazz compilations, part of his ongoing "yoru jazz" ("Jazz All-Nighters") series. This time he selects from the catalog of Japanese label Venus Records, which since 1992 has brought many releases from worldwide artists...
Posted on October 14, 2011 at 22:26. | Released on October 19, 2011
Gig report: Maezono Naoki Group in-store at Tower Records Shinjuku
Text and photo by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Monday July 11 was held an in-store event at Tower Records Shinjuku with Maezono Naoki Group in promotion of 2nd album "tooku e." (translates to "To far away") released...
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 22:37.
Gig report: CTO LAB. Presents Tokyo Outbound #01, with (M)otocompo, Shampoo
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Monday June 27 was an event organized by CTO LAB. at Koenji High, a good venue for which I've heard many praises for its good sound and tall stage....
Posted on July 4, 2011 at 00:18.
Maezono Naoki Group "tooku e. Maezono Naoki Group dai2shu"
Maezono Naoki Group, the band in which Konishi Yasuharu plays piano, has a 2nd album coming this month! It's already been almost 2 years since their first. This time the trio (vocals, bass and piano) are joined by drums and...
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 01:54. | Released on May 13, 2011
Rocketman "re:dancemusic ~rocketman non-stop mix~" (Download)
Rocketman (Fukawa Ryō) has done a non-stop mix of his own tracks, available now for download on iTunes Japan. Included are songs from his recent greatest his album "thank you for the music!" as well as latest single "Happy End...
Posted on January 2, 2011 at 12:51. | Released on December 22, 2010
Gig report: We "hub" music Vol. 01: Yasuda Toshiyuki, the firefly clan, Wono Satoru
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On December 11 was held a very special event organized by Yasuda Toshiyuki. The place was a beautiful house with a large garden in Yotsuya managed by Pierre Barouh, a...
Posted on December 26, 2010 at 18:54.
Gig report: Fantastic Explosion "Sounds In Space" release party
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last week, on Friday October 22, was Fantastic Explosion's release party for new mini-album "Sounds In Space". The event was held at heavysick ZERO, a small-sized 2-floor club in Nakano,...
Posted on October 30, 2010 at 11:39.
Rocketman "Happy End of the World" (Download)
Rocketman (Fukawa Ryō) has a new track now available for download on iTunes Japan. The title is surely a wink to Pizzicato Five who he greatly respects. Rocketman "Happy End of the World" (Download) Victor VE2ML-15400 Out now (10/27), ¥200...
Posted on October 30, 2010 at 01:08. | Released on October 27, 2010
Gig report: Rocketman Summer Fes 2010 - thank you for the music!!
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday August 22, I went to Liquidroom in Ebisu for "Rocketman Summer Fes 2010", an event celebrating the 10 years since the debut of Rocketman, Fukawa Ryō's music unit....
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 22:47.
Gig report: Fabulous Soundscape vol.2
Text by Ken M (Japan Live), photos by Takanashi Haruno Time-traveling back to the not-too-distant past again, I went to a great event organized by Mr. Henachoko at a venue called Bar Coredo in Nogizaka, featuring the leading lights of...
Posted on May 22, 2010 at 20:38.
YMCK "YMCK Songbook -songs before 8bit-", YMCK & De De Mouse "Down Town"
Their 3rd album "Family Genesis" was just released earlier this year, and next YMCK does covers in these two releases coming at the same time in September. The first is a full album of folk song covers redone in YMCK's...
Posted on July 22, 2008 at 17:18. | Released on September 24, 2008
DJ Sora-Mimi "Smart & Groove!"
DJ Sora-Mimi has a 2nd mix CD out now, following "Groove Party" released at the end of 2007 and that quickly sold out. Here he offers an exciting party mix of soft rock, soul, latin, swing, disco, rock and jazz....
Posted on July 5, 2008 at 13:55. | Released on June 21, 2008
Pulp Non-Fiction #1: Petset and eli live
Petset (MySpace), who recently released a new EP after a long release hiatus, and eli (aka Ellie, formerly of Love Tambourines), who also has a new solo album just out, can both be caught live in Shibuya on March 8!...
Posted on February 12, 2008 at 11:40. | Released on March 8, 2008
Various Artists "kirakira Ghibli"
Club artists offer us covers and remixes of songs from the well known films of Studio Ghibli. Featured are Halfby, Mr.comicstore, Boot Beat and many more. This is available only at Jet Set and Village Vanguard for the time being,...
Posted on November 27, 2007 at 10:48. | Released on November 28, 2007
Akakage "Louca"
A new mix CD series called "Louca" (Portuguese for "insane person") with the theme something like "hot, happy and fun summer" is starting with Akakage and DJ Uraken, the latter who includes a few covers of 80's hits. Akakage also...
Posted on June 15, 2007 at 14:45. | Released on July 25, 2007
Various Artists "The Transformer - Remix Works by Yukihiro Fukutomi"
Fukutomi Yukihiro, leading club music producer and also ex-programmer for Pizzicato Five (think "Happy End of the World"), has a 2-CD compilation of his remixes for Japanese and foreign artists coming up. The compilation will contain 20 tracks, and celebrates...
Posted on March 27, 2007 at 17:16. | Released on April 25, 2007
Various Artists "Hosono Haruomi Tribute Album - Tribute to Haruomi Hosono"
Here comes a very interesting tribute album to Hosono Haruomi (Sketch Show, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Happy End). The 2-CD set will include appearances and many surprising collaborations, such as Sakamoto Ryūichi + Minekawa Takako (a return!), Yano Akiko + Rei...
Posted on March 1, 2007 at 11:47. | Released on April 25, 2007
Wada Akiko "kyō made soshite ashita kara"
̄Wada Akiko will sing famous Japanese songs from the 70s and 80s on this cover album. Sound producers will include Konishi Yasuharu, Shirai Ryōmei (Moonriders), Jazztronik, Asamoto Hirofumi (Ram Jam World), and Kubota Haruo (Pearl Brothers, Girl Girl Girl). Samples...
Posted on July 31, 2006 at 14:28. | Released on October 25, 2006
Pizzicato Five "we love you", "I love you" + 15 re-releases
A 5th anniversary of the break-up can't go without a bang... As you can see below, most of Pizzicato Five's Columbia catalog is being re-released on the new columbia*readymade label. Pay particular attention to the two new greatest hits albums...
Posted on January 13, 2006 at 14:28. | Released on March 31, 2006
Various Artists "Mods Mayday 25th Anniversary Compilation"
Compilation to contain new songs by Hair (aka Les Hair, The Hair), The Collectors and The High Lows, and also previously released songs by The Scooters, Wack Wack Rhythm Band, Neil and Iraiza, Cymbals, The Freedom Suite, Scoobie Do, Tokyo...
Posted on June 15, 2005 at 11:51. | Released on July 20, 2005
Various Artists "We Are Escalator Records vol.3 mixed by Yukari Fresh"
After two volumes selected and mixed by Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Cubismo Grafico), it's now Yukari Fresh's turn to take the commands. Yukari picks and mixes her favorite Escalator tracks for our pleasure. Various Artists "We Are Escalator Records vol.3 mixed...
Posted on September 1, 2004 at 18:17. | Released on October 31, 2004
