Jintana & Emeralds "Summer Begins" (7")
Jintana & Emeralds, neo-doo-wop group of Jintana and Kashif (both of the Yokohama-based Pacific Pan Playa collective), DJ Crystal (XTAL, (((sssurrounddd)))), and 3 female vocalists including hitomitoi, has a new single out this week! The A-side is a brand...
Posted on August 13, 2018 at 23:18. | Released on August 18, 2018
Noppal "I Luv MaryJane / Lazy Sun Day" (7")
Laid-back female rapper Noppal has a 7" cut coming, of two songs from excellent mini-album "Summer EP 2015" (ironically released in 2014). "I Luv MaryJane" was produced by Mr.Melody (PPP) and features LUVRAW on talkbox, while "Lazy Sun Day"...
Posted on February 11, 2015 at 13:30. | Released on February 20, 2015
Noppal "Summer EP 2015"
Noppal is a female rapper whose 1st mini-album was just released on LUVRAW's label Image Cluv. Producers include Dorian, VIDEOTAPEMUSIC, Mr.Melody (PPP) and more. Hear more sound samples at Jet Set. NOPPAL 「SUMMER EP 2015」 1. I Luv MaryJane (Pro....
Posted on October 23, 2014 at 23:11. | Released on October 8, 2014
Full-text search results for Mr.Melody
The Bohemians "ultimate confirmation"
Rock'n'roll band The Bohemians has just released a brand new album, their 11th. This is the follow-up to "essential fanfare (2021). The new album is available on CD and digitally. A tour of Japan will be held for the release,...
Posted on August 10, 2024 at 23:14. | Released on August 7, 2024
City Pop on Vinyl 2024
City Pop on Vinyl was held for the 5th time on Saturday, August 3, 2024. Below are just a few recommendations that shouldn't be missed by Tokyo's Coolest Sound's readers. There's also a lot more to find on the official...
Posted on August 10, 2024 at 18:07. | Released on August 3, 2024
RYUSENKEI "Illusions" (12")
A vinyl edition of RYUSENKEI's new album "Illusions" has just been released! The album was first released on CD in April, and it has now also been made available digitally (, Spotify, OTOTOY). RYUSENKEI is the city pop group led...
Posted on July 27, 2024 at 01:00. | Released on July 24, 2024
RYUSENKEI "Illusions"
RYUSENKEI, the city pop group led by Cunimondo Takiguchi, has come back as a unit fronted by new singer Sincere (Instagram, 𝕏) as an official member. The new album "Illusions" has just been released, as the first original release of...
Posted on April 28, 2024 at 11:29. | Released on April 24, 2024
Record Store Day 2024
Record Store Day was held worldwide on Saturday April 20. Below is a list of recommended releases coming from Japan. The full list of Record Store Day Japan can be found here. Online sales in Japan have already started. Also...
Posted on April 23, 2024 at 00:54. | Released on April 20, 2024
the Tiger "Get Ready"
the Tiger is a soulful and funky rock band that was formed in 2014, and moved from their hometown of Nagoya to Tokyo in 2019. After having released four mini-albums independently, here comes a first full-length album titled "Get Ready"....
Posted on April 3, 2024 at 23:41. | Released on March 13, 2024
Maika Loubté "mani mani" (Download)
Singer-songwriter Maika Loubté has just released a new mini-album digitally, titled "mani mani". She has explained that the title is from an old Japanese phrase that she interprets as "following the heart". Included are some songs that had been recently...
Posted on October 22, 2023 at 23:21. | Released on October 18, 2023
Color Filter "Mark Twain", "Summer Days", "melody", "ZERO" (Download)
Color Filter (Bandcamp) is a unit led by Ryuji Tsuneyoshi that started in the late 90s and made several releases in and out of Japan across a decade (some of those can be found on Spotify and other download/streaming platforms)....
Posted on June 27, 2023 at 22:16. | Released on June 18, 2023
Ryusenkei "incomplete feat. Yasuyuki Horigome"
Ryusenkei, the project of Cunimondo Takiguchi, has released last month a mini-album featuring Yasuyuki Horigome (ex-Kirinji). Included are four vocal songs that were released in advance digitally, plus an unreleased piece titled "incomplete". It had been 16 years since the...
Posted on September 17, 2022 at 23:54. | Released on August 17, 2022
Ryusenkei "melody feat. Yasuyuki Horigome" (Download)
Ryusenkei, the project of Cunimondo Takiguchi, is continuing to drop digital releases of brand new songs. "melody" is the 3rd featuring Yasuyuki Horigome (ex-Kirinji) who had also appeared on the "Talio" soundtrack. This follows "two silhouette" (, Spotify, YouTube...
Posted on May 2, 2022 at 23:28. | Released on April 29, 2022
Mondo Grosso "Big World"
Mondo Grosso, the solo project of Shinichi Ōsawa (lately also active with RHYME SO), is back with a brand new album! Each song is a collaboration with different singers, Takao Tajima (Original Love), Yoshie Nakano (Ego-Wrappin')), CHAI, RHYME, DONGURIZU, and...
Posted on February 9, 2022 at 23:26. | Released on February 9, 2022
Ayane Yamazaki "Ribbon" (12")
Singer-songwriter Ayane Yamazaki's latest album "Ribbon" (, Spotify, YouTube Music), released digitally in June last year, has just been released on vinyl! Included is a bonus alternative version of title song "Ribbon", which had also been released digitally in December...
Posted on February 6, 2022 at 20:38. | Released on February 2, 2022
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.21
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 November 12, 2021 at 07:50.
Kettles "Timeless Melody / Devils Haircut" (7")
KETTLES (Facebook, Bandcamp, Twitter) is a rock'n'roll duo of guitar and drums formed in 2008, who both also sing. Here comes a 7" single of two covers of which they had posted performances on YouTube in 2014 and 2015,...
Posted on October 21, 2021 at 21:13. | Released on October 22, 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.20
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 23, 2021 at 00:37.
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.
Ayane Yamazaki "Ribbon" (Download)
Singer-songwriter Ayane Yamazaki has just released a new album titled "Ribbon", containing recent single "Melody" plus 5 new tracks, combining ambient pop and easy listening. The music was arranged and sound-produced by Kei Maruyama. This follows last year's album "Yobikakerarete"...
Posted on June 25, 2021 at 21:32. | Released on June 23, 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.
Ayane Yamazaki "Melody" (Download)
Singer-songwritter Ayane Yamazaki has released today a brand new song titled "Melody"! This soothing ambient pop tune follows mini-album "Yobikakerarete". A new album titled "Ribbon" has been announced to be released next month, and will include "Melody". Stay tuned...
Posted on May 21, 2021 at 20:52. | Released on May 21, 2021
Lullatone "Late Nights and Mosquito Bites" (Download)
Lullatone has just released a new song, titled "Late Nights and Mosquito Bites"! The song uses a technique that Lullatone calls "palindrome looping", explained: "The melody bounces forwards and backwards until it weaves itself into a cozy blanket that...
Posted on March 18, 2021 at 22:04. | Released on March 16, 2021
Childish Tones "Country Girl" (7")
Childish Tones (Twitter), band which plays rock'n'roll using only toy instruments, has a new single being released on 7"! This follows the album "God Bless The Girls" which featured singer Beni Usakura. This time the songs are sung by...
Posted on February 11, 2021 at 21:15. | Released on February 26, 2021
SAKA-SAMA "kimi ga ichiban kakkoii jan"
Lo-fi dream pop idol group SAKA-SAMA, who have since August 2019 been active as the duo of Suzuki Kokone and Asakura Mizuho, have just released an album of 28 songs on 2 CDs! Included are all songs from limited album...
Posted on December 26, 2020 at 22:03. | Released on December 16, 2020
Bronze "Aquarium" (Download)
Korean city pop producer Bronze (브론즈) has just released a brand new album titled "Aquarium". Featuring a variety of vocalists, one of the songs is sung by hitomitoi! The whole album also seems to have a great vibe, so be...
Posted on October 9, 2020 at 23:59. | Released on October 9, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.4
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 23, 2020 at 00:50.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.3
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 March 26, 2020 at 08:00.
Polysics "In The Sync", The Vocoders "1st V"
Polysics have a brand new album that has just been released! Also, out at the same time is a first album by The Vocoders, a "café techno group" formed of the same members as Polysics. Each containing 13 songs, included...
Posted on October 12, 2019 at 22:07. | Released on October 9, 2019
Negicco "anata to Pop With You!" (7")
Negicco single "anata to Pop With You!" is getting a vinyl release! First released on CD in 2012, this single is available for the first time on 7" it seems. Both songs were written by Negicco's main producer connie....
Posted on July 30, 2019 at 21:27. | Released on August 6, 2019
Negicco "ai no Tower of Love" (7")
First released in February 2013 on CD only, this Negicco single has just been released on vinyl for this first time. The A-side was written by Nishidera Gōta (Nona Reeves), and the B-side by Negicco's main producer connie. This...
Posted on July 7, 2019 at 14:46. | Released on July 2, 2019
Negicco "Melody Palette" (2x12")
Negicco's first album "Melody Palette" (2013) is being re-issued on color vinyl (two discs, red and white)! A vinyl edition had been released back in 2013, with the same tracklist, however it was sold only at Tower Records and had...
Posted on June 9, 2019 at 22:41. | Released on June 17, 2019
Lullatone "Music for Museum Gift Shops"
Nagoya-based unit Lullatone has already been around for 20 years (when counting their early days)! It seems like it was the right time to revisit their vast repertory, as does this 52-song album of almost 2½ hours. All songs were...
Posted on March 30, 2019 at 13:32. | Released on March 22, 2019
Original Love "bless You!"
Original Love (aka Tajima Takao) has a brand new album coming this month! In terms of original albums this follows "Lover Man" (2015), since which single "Golden Time" (2016) and collaboration live album "Sessions" (2018, with Nagaoka Ryōsuke (Petrolz)) were...
Posted on February 3, 2019 at 22:23. | Released on February 13, 2019
Wack Wack Rhythm Band "Weekend Jack (+1 disc)"
This gem of a party album, the first full-length by Wack Wack Rhythm Band released on Trattoria in 1998, has just been re-released in a newly remastered edition! A bonus disc has been added, containing rarities such as 5 live...
Posted on November 22, 2018 at 22:30. | Released on November 21, 2018
Record Day 2018
Record Day is this Saturday November 3, always held on the same day as national holiday "Culture Day". Led by Japan's long-running record factory Tōyōkasei, many labels and artists coordinate their releases in the favorite physical format of many to...
Posted on November 2, 2018 at 23:22. | Released on November 3, 2018
Nomiya Maki "Shibuya-kei Songbook" (2 CDs), "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji c/w Happy Sad" (7")
This new album by Nomiya Maki comes with 2 discs. The first is a collection of songs from her recent albums of the "Shibuya-kei Standards" series (released from 2014 through 2017), and the 2nd is of a previously unreleased entire...
Posted on October 20, 2018 at 21:26. | Released on October 31, 2018
Neil and Iraiza "Timeless Melodies" (10")
Neil and Iraiza, the band of Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Learners, Cubismo Grafico) and Horie Hirohisa (The Cornelius Group, etc.), released last December a new album titled "Timeless Melodies". It is now being released on 10" vinyl! Neil and Iraiza "Timeless...
Posted on July 18, 2018 at 22:56. | Released on August 22, 2018
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
The Pen Friend Club "Garden Of The Pen Friend Club"
The Pen Friend Club has just released a 5th album. Included are covers of Roger Nichols ("Don't Take Your Time"), Burt Bacharach ("My Little Red Book"), Ohtaki Eiichi ("suisaiga no machi"), The Rascals ("Good Lovin'"), Brian Wilson ("Melt Away") as...
Posted on March 29, 2018 at 23:15. | Released on March 21, 2018
Neil and Iraiza "Timeless Melodies"
Neil and Iraiza, the band of Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Learners, Cubismo Grafico) and Horie Hirohisa (The Cornelius Group, etc.), is back with a brand new album! This comes 15 years after "New School" (2002)! "Timeless Melodies" is packed with warm...
Posted on December 18, 2017 at 23:58. | Released on December 20, 2017
Nomiya Maki "Nomiya Maki, Holiday Shibuya-kei o utau."
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...
Posted on October 8, 2017 at 21:11. | Released on October 18, 2017
Manon "Wavy Pineapple Days" (Download)
Just ahead of the release of her first 7" single "xxFANCYPOOLxx", teenage model Manon has a 3rd brand new song now available for download on iTunes. Again produced by Yuppa (HNC), this time we get a cool reggae summer...
Posted on August 29, 2017 at 22:40. | Released on August 28, 2017
Negicco "Negicco 2011~2017 -Best- 2"
Negicco has a new greatest hits album coming this month! Included are songs revolving around albums "Melody Palette" (2013), "Rice&Snow" (2015) and "Tea for Three" (2016), but also a single B-side ("sayonara Music"), previously unreleased show opening song "Make Up...
Posted on July 16, 2017 at 22:40. | Released on July 20, 2017
Nona Reeves "Billboard Best 2011-2016"
Here's a greatest hits album of band Nona Reeves, covering the 3 original albums and 3 cover albums released during their 5 years so far on Billboard Records. Nona Reeves "Billboard Best 2011-2016" 1. P-O-P-T-R-A-I-N 2. yume no koibito 3....
Posted on June 15, 2017 at 21:11. | Released on June 14, 2017
Sunny Kubota & Old Lucky Boys "One from Sunny's Heart"
This is the 2nd album of Sunny Kubota & Old Lucky Boys, band led by Kubota Shingo who once was the frontman of late 70's new wave band 8 1/2. The band has 10 members including guitarist Muramatsu Kunio (ex-Sugar...
Posted on June 7, 2017 at 21:32. | Released on June 1, 2017
Shibata Satoko "Do You Need a Rest From Love?"
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,...
Posted on May 17, 2017 at 23:05. | Released on May 17, 2017
Gig report: "Godzilla Legend -- Music of Akira Ifukube" in New York
Text and photos by Nicholas D. Kent (Japanese Electronic Music) for Tokyo's Coolest Sound(Except where indicated) Correspondent Nicholas D. Kent went to the "Godzilla Legend" concert held recently in New York. Here's his report! "Godzilla Legend—Music of Akira Ifukube" April...
Posted on May 14, 2017 at 10:35.
Record Store Day 2017
Record Store Day 2017 will be taking place this weekend, on Saturday April 22! As usual, many limited releases will be available at record shops only from that date. Below is a selection of some of the best stuff that...
Posted on April 18, 2017 at 22:15. | Released on April 22, 2017
Tweedees "The Second Time Around"
Tweedees, the unit of Okii Reiji (ex-Cymbals) and Kiyoura Natsumi, has a 2nd album about to be released! This is the follow-up to last year's "The Sound Sounds.". The song "Phillip" features Indonesian band ikkubaru. The limited edition includes a...
Posted on July 16, 2016 at 19:58. | Released on July 20, 2016
Kaji Hideki "The Blue Boy"
Kaji Hideki celebrates this year the 20th anniversary since his solo debut in 1996. I've lost count, but "The Blue Boy" is said to be his 15th original album! His back-band on this album is formed of Furukawa Taichi and...
Posted on May 4, 2016 at 21:44. | Released on May 25, 2016
Record Store Day 2016
This year again Record Store Day is being held in Japan, this time on Saturday April 16! A lot of special and limited vinyl editions are being released on that very day, and at first only available in physical shops....
Posted on April 14, 2016 at 23:15. | Released on April 16, 2016
Nakatsuka Takeshi "EYE"
Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone) has a brand new album coming! It has already been 3 years since "Lyrics". We're told to expect aggressive and thrilling new jazzy sounds. A release party will be held on April 21 at Daikanyama Unit (details)....
Posted on March 10, 2016 at 00:03. | Released on March 16, 2016
Harada Tomoyo "Love Song Covers"
Harada Tomoyo has a new album coming this week, consisting of covers of foreign songs such as The Beatles "I've Just Seen a Face", Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender", Julie London's "Fly Me To The Moon", Burt Bacharach-written "The Look...
Posted on March 15, 2015 at 15:37. | Released on March 18, 2015
Various Artists "Women's Liberation"
This is an album of covers of Japanese songs from the 60's to the early 70's, here sung with translated English lyrics! Both the originals and the covers were performed by Japanese women, completing the theme of this compilation. Vocalists...
Posted on January 19, 2015 at 21:32. | Released on January 7, 2015
Sugar's Campaign "Friends"
Sugar's Campaign, the unit of producers Avec Avec (aka Takuma Hosokawa) and Seiho (aka Seiho Hayakawa), finally has a full-length album coming! This includes latest single "Holiday" as well as an album version of previous hit track "Netokano". A must!...
Posted on January 5, 2015 at 23:07. | Released on January 21, 2015
NyoROBOtics "3 micron no neji"
Osaka-based "idol robot group" NyoROBOtics has a first original album out now on Orange Records. The songwriters behind this include Jean-Paul Takahashi and Rinda, both of group Chupi*Chupi on the same label. Audio samples of all songs at HMV. NyoROBOtics...
Posted on December 7, 2014 at 21:11. | Released on November 26, 2014
Various Artists "Women in Music selected by Cibo Matto"
Cibo Matto are back this year with new album "Hotel Valentine", and here's a nice-priced 2-CD compilation of songs by female artists and female-fronted bands from Japan and the world, selected by the two. Featured are Buffalo Daughter, mi-gu, Charisma.com,...
Posted on May 30, 2014 at 00:20. | Released on June 4, 2014
Hanazawa Kana "25"
This 2nd album by voice actress Hanazawa Kana was released on her 25th birthday (February 26, 2014), and the 2-CD package contains 25 tracks, involving a bunch of Shibuya-kei related artists. The whole is produced by Kitagawa Katsutoshi (Round Table),...
Posted on March 2, 2014 at 22:13. | Released on February 26, 2014
Polysics "ACTION!!!"
Polysics have a new album coming this month! This follows EP "Mega Over Drive" (released last October) of which the title track is included here. The album is said to include sounds of new wave, EDM, hard core and some...
Posted on January 6, 2014 at 23:43. | Released on January 15, 2014
Negicco "tokimeki no Headliner"
Idol group Negicco have a new single coming, their first since the release of album "Melody Palette" last July. The title track was produced by Nishidera Gōta (Nona Reeves), and B-side "sayonara Music" is by Negicco's main producer connie. A...
Posted on November 3, 2013 at 14:33. | Released on November 6, 2013
Negicco "Melody Palette"
Negi-loving idol group Negicco from Niigata has a new album out now! This is actually their first real album, as their previous full-length release "Negicco 2003~2012 -Best-" was made up of early tracks. The new album includes latest single "Idol...
Posted on July 20, 2013 at 03:09. | Released on July 17, 2013
Taketatsu Ayana "apple symphony"
Popular voice actress Taketatsu Ayana ("K-on!", etc.) has a first album coming, and it contains songs written by composers including Okii Reiji (ex-Cymbals), Suemitsu Atsushi and hit-maker Tsutsumi Kyōhei. Lead track "haru ga kimi o kirei ni shita" was written...
Posted on April 5, 2013 at 00:19. | Released on April 10, 2013
Gig report: Monochromoon: Tabuchi Jun, Nosa Lena, Nacional, DeliciouSweets
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On March 6 was event "Monochromoon!" at yumemiru kimiomou (aka Moon Romantic). I wanted to go there for at least 3 reasons. The first was to see Nosa Lena, a...
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 23:59.
Nona Reeves "Pop Station"
This is a new original album by Nona Reeves, it has been 4 years since their previous, "GO" (2009, Amazon). It has a pop music theme, as you can guess from the title, and label-mate female singer hitomitoi is featured...
Posted on March 4, 2013 at 21:14. | Released on March 6, 2013
Hanazawa Kana "claire"
This is the first album by anime voice actress Hanazawa Kana. This seems to have a good dose of Shibuya-kei, as the whole is sound produced by Kitagawa Katsutoshi (Round Table), with some songs written by Kaji Hideki ("Library de...
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 23:25. | Released on February 20, 2013
Wack Wack Rhythm Band "XX Classics"
Wack Wack Rhythm Band is now celebrating its 20th anniversary! Time flies! This first greatest hits album contains favorites from their whole career, as well as the 2 new recordings from their latest 7" single. A total of 20 tracks....
Posted on November 3, 2012 at 21:21. | Released on November 7, 2012
Sayonara Ponytail "sora mo toberu hazu / Bianca / koi suru Sports"
The limited edition of pop band Sayonara Ponytail's new EP comes with remixes by Tofubeats, Hyadain,... which is what deserves it a mention here. Lead track "sora mo toberu hazu" is a cover of Spitz. The various editions are a...
Posted on June 4, 2012 at 22:54. | Released on May 23, 2012
Gig report: Love And Hates "L.A.H." release party
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Sunday, February 5, was the release party for Love And Hates' 1st album "L.A.H." The event was held at Shinjuku Marz, starting at 5pm and to finish around 10!...
Posted on February 14, 2012 at 21:41.
Hirado Yūsuke "Speak Own Words"
Hirado Yūsuke is the pianist and leader of jazz band quasimode. Here's a first solo album that features appearances of bird, Hatakeyama Miyuki (Port of Notes) and more. Included are covers of Amy Winehouse, Burt Bacharach, Carole King among others,...
Posted on January 8, 2012 at 01:18. | Released on January 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.
Halcali "Tokyo Connection"
Here's a new mini-album from Halcali! Included are several new songs, a remix by 80KIDZ and a self-cover of early song "Strawberry Chips". Shibuya-kei fans will rejoice that new song "Girl!Girl!Girl!" is produced by Nakatsuka Takeshi with lyrics written by...
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 22:37. | Released on February 9, 2011
Gig report: WOWOW "Music Ltd." 17th public live recording
Text by Patrick for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On October 12 I went to a public live recording for pay TV channel WOWOW's "Music Ltd." show. The recording isn't done in a TV studio but at a regular live house, and...
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 22:50.
Star Dish "Conversation"
Star Dish, the club-jazz unit of Sano Atsushi (Sherlock Notes) and Playa, brings us a first full-length album. This features guest Raphael Sebbag (United Future Organization), as well as members of Jabberloop and Immigrant's Bossa Band. Included are all tracks...
Posted on June 16, 2009 at 22:35. | Released on June 3, 2009
Star Dish "Jazz Conversation E.P." (12")
Star Dish is the new unit of Organ Bar DJ Sano Atsushi (behind the brilliant unit Sherlock Notes) together with Katokunnlee (aka Playa). This first single contains a future latin jazz cover of "Balkan Blue" featuring members of Jabberloop, and...
Posted on January 16, 2009 at 23:36. | Released on January 16, 2009
Oikawa Mitsuhiro "Rainbow-Man"
Konishi Yasuharu wrote and produced a track for the new album of Oikawa Mitsuhiro (aka Michie). The track in question, titled "That's Entertainment.", has Konishi's distinctive club sound and sure reminds of Pizzicato Five, and also seems to borrow a...
Posted on October 30, 2008 at 22:12. | Released on November 5, 2008
Lullatone "the bedtime beat"
I just learned about it, but Lullatone (MySpace) has a new album out just last month, on Australian label Someone Good. Lullatone is the Nagoya-based unit of American Shawn James Seymour and his Japanese wife Yoshimi. They create beautiful pajama...
Posted on April 9, 2008 at 16:06. | Released in March 2008
Various Artists "mōshiwake nai to From Akasaka Urban Mix" / "Idol Mix"
Regular club party Mōshiwake Night's DJ team has put together these two mix CDs, under "Urban" and "Idol" themes, totaling 100 songs! Each CD features two DJs selecting a dozen tracks in turn. Those selectors are DJ Mitsy, Uta Maru...
Posted on March 10, 2008 at 17:21. | Released on April 16, 2008
Riddim Saunter "Brighten Ours From The Remixes"
Party band Riddim Saunter, label-mates of Cubismo Grafico Five, have a remix album coming featuring Cubismo Grafico, Kiiiiiii & DJ Codomo, Kotani Yōsuke (Avalon, ex-Harvard), Tzboguchi Masayasu (Tokyo Zawinul Bach, DCPRG)) and more. At the same time will be released...
Posted on February 8, 2008 at 16:55. | Released on March 23, 2008
Emi Kawano Trio "Rainy Day" (12")
Jazz pianist and singer-songwriter Kawano Emi brings us this first swinging release, produced by young jazz DJ Miura Makoto (aka Monsieur Mieurax) and released on his label Comedy Tonight. This contains 4 brilliant original female-vocal jazz songs written by Emi...
Posted on February 8, 2008 at 00:13. | Released on November 22, 2007
Various Artists "Grand Gallery presents New Wave"
Grand Gallery is to bring us a compilation of Japanese club/dance scene artists performing covers of new wave hit songs. All new recordings, this features Mansfield, Akakage, Tycoon To$h & Sugimoto Kuni, Coldfeet, Tica and many more. Various Artists "Grand...
Posted on October 13, 2007 at 20:14. | Released on October 24, 2007
m-flo "electriCOLOR -COMPLETE remix-"
m-flo's upcoming remix album, of songs from the album "Cosmicolor", includes remixes by Fantastic Plastic Machine, Sunaga t̀ Experience, Nakata Yasutaka (capsule), Ishino Takkyū, Akakage, Dexpistols, Ram Rider, Alex of Clazziquai Project, and more! Included is a bonus non-stop mix...
Posted on September 5, 2007 at 14:30. | Released on September 26, 2007
Various Artists "Our Favourite Shops ~Roots of KOGA Melody~"
Label KOGA will release a compilation of indies artists performing rock covers. Included is a new recording by Macdonald Duck Eclair doing Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song"! Various Artists "Our Favourite Shops ~Roots of KOGA Melody~" 1. Berry Roll / Top...
Posted on June 15, 2007 at 14:29. | Released on June 20, 2007
Various Artists "popular music ~Tsutsumi Kyōhei Tribute~"
Active since 41 years ago, Japan's #1 pop songwriter Tsutsumi Kyōhei with a biography of over 3000 songs having together sold over 75,480,000 copies to this day! This is a first tribute album where young artists cover his hit songs....
Posted on June 13, 2007 at 15:49. | Released on July 11, 2007
Various Artists "Bossa Nova 1991 Shibuya Scene Retrospective"
Well the title says it all, or almost! This 2-CD compilation of Shibuya-kei is selected by none other than Pizzicato Five's Konishi Yasuharu! A surely difficult (let's hear the "where's this?" and "what's that?") but thoughtful selection and salute to...
Posted on April 27, 2007 at 11:21. | Released on August 8, 2007
Various Artists "Groovy Sauce -Genovese-"
Qypthone's Nakatsuka Takeshi brings us a second Groovy Sauce compilation, again a collection of tracks from the popular "Groovy Sauce Collection" vinyl-only series. Out now! Various Artists "Groovy Sauce -Genovese-" (Title / Artist) 1. Melody Fair -Shiho Fujisawa version- /...
Posted on November 29, 2006 at 13:58. | Released on November 22, 2006
jenny01 "Listen or Love"
jenny01's 3rd major mini-album is produced by Sunaga Tatsuo. It will contain a cover of Ōnuki Taeko's "tokai", a song produced by Abe Noboru (Studio Apartment), a remix of debut song "Monologue" by Ikeda Masanori (Mansfield), and appearances by Takamiya...
Posted on August 3, 2006 at 12:23. | Released on October 4, 2006
melody. "see you..."
Gotta point out this maxi single by melody. that just came out last week. The title song is arranged by m-flo's Taku, and a remix by Halfby (track 3) is included. melody. "see you..." 1. see you... 2. Close Your...
Posted on February 23, 2006 at 11:04. | Released on February 15, 2006
Tei Towa "Flasher"
Following his latest album "Flash", Tei Towa has a remix/compilation album coming out soon. The album is not expected to only contain remixes, but also apparently "Flash"-inspired original tracks by other artists. Featured artists will include Atom™, Grant Nelson, Joey...
Posted on September 20, 2005 at 14:40. | Released on November 23, 2005
Various Artists "Readymade Digs Disney 3"
Last time we got Disney's jazzy grooves, this time we get soft rock songs from the 60's and 70's, of course all selected by Konishi Yasuharu. All songs are said to be released on CD for the first time, so...
Posted on April 27, 2005 at 16:40. | Released on July 13, 2005
Tei Towa "Flash"
Tei Towa's new album will be here in April! The album will feature a bunch of guest artists such as Sakamoto Ryūichi, Nomiya Maki, Tycoon To$h (Nakanishi Toshio (Plastics, [Water] Melon,...)), Buffalo Daughter, Arto Lindsay, Moritaka Chisato, Kylie Minogue, Byron...
Posted on January 14, 2005 at 13:15. | Released on April 2, 2005
Sunaga Tatsuo "World Standard.04 -A Tatsuo Sunaga Live Mix-" (CCCD)
Record banchō Sunaga Tatsuo (Sunaga t̀ Experience) is back with a new live mix album, 4th of his "World Standard" series. Sunaga Tatsuo "World Standard.04 -A Tatsuo Sunaga Live Mix-" (CCCD) 須永辰緒 「World Standard.04」 Track list 1. TNBC nihongo hōsōkyoku...
Posted on August 24, 2004 at 17:06. | Released on October 20, 2004
Nao "melody" (CCCD)
The next Nao single is arranged and produced by Sunaga Tatsuo! Audio and video samples at Avex. Nao "melody" (CCCD) Track list 1. melody 2. yasashii kaze 3. melody (Instrumental) Rhythm Zone RZCD-45136 Out 9/23, ¥1050 Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower...
Posted on August 11, 2004 at 20:37. | Released on September 23, 2004
m-flo "Astromantic Charm School" (CCCD)
Following their recent album "Astromantic" featuring Nomiya Maki, Crazy Ken Band, Sakamoto Ryūichi, Black Bottom Brass Band, and many other J-Pop artists, m-flo will release a remix album including remixes by Halfby, Comoesta Yaegashi, FreeTEMPO, Kenji Jammer, Tomita Lab, and...
Posted on July 12, 2004 at 16:01. | Released on September 15, 2004
Coco d'Or "Coco d'Or" (CCCD)
20-year-old Shimabukuro Hiroko, aka hiro (former member of late-90's idol group Speed), will be releasing a jazz cover album under the name Coco d'Or. Most interesting is the impressive list of producers: Sunaga Tatsuo, Fukutomi Yukihiro, Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone), Coldfeet,...
Posted on July 6, 2004 at 15:45. | Released on August 4, 2004
