Miki Hirayama & Maki Nomiya "Artist / Hot na chikyuu yo"
In homage to the famous composer and hitmaker Kyōhei Tsutsumi, who passed away in 2020 (at the age of 80), singers Miki Hirayama & Maki Nomiya got together as a duet to sing two of his unreleased songs. Both songs,...
Posted on February 23, 2024 at 23:32. | Released on February 14, 2024
Miki Hirayama & Maki Nomiya "Artist" (Download)
As the start of a project of unreleased songs written by late songwriter Kyōhei Tsutsumi, here's a new song titled "Artist" sung in duet by Miki Hirayama and Maki Nomiya. The lyrics were written by Tsutsumi's long-time collaborator Jun...
Posted on October 21, 2023 at 12:50. | Released on October 3, 2023
Takeshi Nakatsuka "Parade" (2CD)
Takeshi Nakatsuka has just released a brand new original album, titled "Parade". Included are the Toyota TV commercial song "Dreaming of the Future", a collaboration with orange pekoe titled "Forever and Ever", Pac-Man tribute song "Ladies and PAC-MAN" (from the...
Posted on August 2, 2023 at 23:56. | Released on August 2, 2023
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
The Scooters "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" (7" / 8cm CD)
This 7" by The Scooters is a brand new recording of a cover of Pizzicato Five's hit song, "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" ("The night is still young"). It was decided to record the song after Yasuharu Konishi asked...
Posted on July 7, 2023 at 00:30. | Released on July 7, 2023
Takeshi Nakatsuka and The Skamotts "Romantic ga tomaranai / futari no ai Land with Maki Nomiya" (7")
Takeshi Nakatsuka (Qypthone) collaborates with ska band The Skamotts (led by Tawoyame Orquesta's Tomoko Okamura) for this 7" single. The A-side is a cover of C-C-B's hit song "Romantic ga tomaranai", while the B-side is a cover of Ishikawa...
Posted on June 26, 2023 at 22:40. | Released on June 28, 2023
Night Tempo "New Romantic feat. Maki Nomiya" (Download)
South Korean producer and DJ Night Tempo has just released a brand new song digitally which features guest Maki Nomiya (ex-Pizzicato Five)! The song is titled "New Romantic" and has lyrics written by Maki herself. Check out the official...
Posted on June 1, 2023 at 22:09. | Released on May 31, 2023
Tetsuro Yafune "Song, Piano, Bass, Drums." (12")
"Song, Piano, Bass, Drums.", the new album of pianist and singer-songwriter Tetsurō Yafune which was produced by Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One, ex-Pizzicato Five), is being released on vinyl! All of the songs from the CD are included, with the order...
Posted on June 21, 2022 at 22:11. | Released on June 22, 2022
Portable Rock "Past & Future ~ My Favorite Portable Rock"
Portable Rock, the new wave band fronted by Maki Nomiya since the 80s together with Tomofumi "Chibun" Suzuki and Nobuo Nakahara, has just released an album of favorite songs, all newly remastered. Also included are brand new songs "Lonely Girl,...
Posted on May 26, 2022 at 21:18. | Released on May 25, 2022
Portable Rock "Lonely Girl, Dreaming Girl" (Download)
Portable Rock, the new wave band fronted by Maki Nomiya since the 80s together with Tomofumi "Chibun" Suzuki and Nobuo Nakahara, is coming back this year! An album titled "PAST & FUTURE ~ My Favorite Portable Rock" consisting of...
Posted on May 11, 2022 at 21:47. | Released on May 11, 2022
Maki Nomiya "onaidoshi" (Download)
Maki Nomiya has just released this week a brand new song digitally, a collaboration with Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band) titled "onaidoshi". The title means "the same age" as the two really are of the same age. This is...
Posted on April 15, 2022 at 22:01. | Released on April 13, 2022
Night Tempo "Ladies In The City" (12"/Cassette)
South Korean producer and DJ Night Tempo's latest album "Ladies In The City" (, Spotify, YouTube Music), which featured various female singers, has just been released on vinyl and cassette! The singers include Maki Nomiya, Bonnie Pink, and many more....
Posted on April 7, 2022 at 23:52. | Released on April 6, 2022
Maki Nomiya "New Beautiful"
Maki Nomiya (ex-Pizzicato Five) has been celebrating the 40th anniversary since her debut (with album "Pink no kokoro" released in 1981), and here comes a brand new album to mark the milestone. "New Beautiful" comes as a combination of three...
Posted on March 26, 2022 at 11:51. | Released on April 20, 2022
Posted on March 3, 2022 at 18:25. | Event held on Saturday March 12, 2022 at 19:00 (JST)
Maki Nomiya "Sweet Soul Revue (duet with Rainych, feat. evening cinema)" (Download)
Here's the 3rd of three "World Tour Mix" tracks in which Maki Nomiya collaborated with artists from abroad. This time she invited Indonesia's Rainych to sing along on "Sweet Soul Revue"! The music was arranged and performed by Japanese...
Posted on March 2, 2022 at 21:33. | Released on March 2, 2022
Maki Nomiya "On the sunny side of the street (feat. Phum Viphurit)" (Download)
2nd installment of her "World Tour Mix" series, here comes a collaboration of Maki Nomiya with Thai singer-songwriter and producer Phum Viphurit (Facebook page, Instagram)! This song is a self-cover of Pizzicato Five's "On the sunny side of the...
Posted on February 9, 2022 at 20:27. | Released on February 9, 2022
Maki Nomiya "The night is still young (feat. Night Tempo)" (Download)
Maki Nomiya suddenly released a new version of "The night is still young", Pizzicato Five's most famous song, reconstructed by South Korean producer Night Tempo. This is part of a "World Tour Mix" project for the 40th anniversary of...
Posted on December 19, 2021 at 23:17. | Released on December 17, 2021
Tetsuro Yafune "Song, Piano, Bass, Drums."
Pianist and singer-songwriter Tetsurō Yafune has released a new full-length album, which is entirely produced by Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One, ex-Pizzicato Five)! Titled "Song, Piano, Bass, Drums." (or in Japanese "uta, Piano, Bass, Drums"), the album contains a variety of...
Posted on December 15, 2021 at 22:41. | Released on December 15, 2021
Night Tempo "Ladies In The City"
South Korean producer and DJ Night Tempo, who has gained a lot of attention with his "Showa Groove" series of re-edits (see "Night Tempo presents The Showa Idol Groove"), is now back with a brand new original album! "Ladies In...
Posted on December 7, 2021 at 23:46. | Released on December 1, 2021
Posted on December 3, 2021 at 22:32. | Event held on Saturday December 18, 2021 at 18:30 (JST)
Pizzicato Five "pizzicato five in hi-fi" (2CD)
After the three "Pizzicato Five On Demand" digital releases over the last three months (see the Takanami keitaro, Konishi yasuharu and Nomiya maki editions), here comes a Pizzicato Five 2-CD compilation made of songs from those that were made available...
Posted on November 23, 2021 at 11:29. | Released on November 24, 2021
Pizzicato Five "Pizzicato Five On Demand (Nomiya maki edition)" (Download)
Here comes the third of the "Pizzicato Five On Demand" trilogy! The "Takanami keitaro edition" and "Konishi yasuharu edition" are of course followed by the "Nomiya maki edition", with this time 38 tracks! Some vinyl-only and non-album tracks are included,...
Posted on November 17, 2021 at 19:38. | Released on November 17, 2021
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
Pizzicato Five "Pizzicato Five On Demand (Takanami keitaro edition)" (Download)
13 songs of Pizzicato Five that have music written by K-taro Takanami and are sung by Maki Nomiya, from the catalog of Nippon Columbia, have been released digitally as a compilation album! This is apparently the first of a series...
Posted on September 23, 2021 at 10:47. | Released on September 22, 2021
Various Artists "ALFA Music Live - ALFA 50th Anniversary Edition" (2 Blu-ray + 2 CDs)
In September 2015 was held a special concert for the 70th birthday of composer and music producer Murai Kunihiko, founder of the record company Alfa Music. The show was planned by Matsutoya Masataka, and featured performances of many artists close...
Posted on March 2, 2021 at 22:35. | Released on March 4, 2021
The Shaolin Brothers "Hyo-tan Rhapsody"
Rock band The Shaolin Brothers (known in Japanese as Shaolin kyōdai) has just released an album! This follows the release of 7" singles "Pandafull World" and "koi no Dial 6700 / tasogare Wo Ai Ni". The songs "Pandafull World" and...
Posted on December 26, 2020 at 14:35. | Released on December 16, 2020
Sally Kubota Group "Twiggy Twiggy c/w Le Canon De Manon" (7"+Download code)
Bassist Sally Kubota (The Scooters, ex-SOLEIL, Les 5-4-3-2-1) has just turned 60 this summer, and his latest project is Sally Kubota Group, a trio that features Nakayama Tsutomu (The Scooters) on organ, Hara "Gen" Hideki on drums, and himself on...
Posted on November 28, 2020 at 23:45. | Released on December 2, 2020
Naive Super "Memories Of Moonage Nightlife feat. Maki Nomiya" (7")
Naive Super, the solo unit of Yushi Ibuki (keyboardist of Pictured Resort), has just released a first 7" of two collaboration songs, featuring Maki Nomiya and sugar me! Both songs were released digitally earlier this year. The A-side features...
Posted on October 31, 2020 at 01:59. | Released on October 31, 2020
Posted on September 3, 2020 at 21:26. | Event held on Sunday September 13, 2020 at 18:00 (JST)
RSD Drops Day 1
This year Record Store Day has been hit hard by the pandemic, and after one postponement that didn't work out, it ended up finding shape as "RSD Drops Day". Three "RSD Drops" days will be held: on August 29, September...
Posted on August 29, 2020 at 17:18. | Released on August 29, 2020
Fernanda Takai "Será que você vai acreditar?"
Brazilian singer Fernanda Takai, known as the vocalist and guitarist of band Pato Fu, has released just today a brand new album titled "Será que você vai acreditar?", which includes a collaboration with Maki Nomiya (ex-Pizzicato Five)! Along with many...
Posted on July 10, 2020 at 20:59. | Released on July 10, 2020
Portable Rock "Beginnings" (12")
Portable Rock's early works album "Beginnings", first released on CD only in 1990, is being released on vinyl for the first time! Portable Rock was a band in the late 80's formed of Nomiya Maki (who later joined Pizzicato Five),...
Posted on January 4, 2020 at 23:45. | Released on February 5, 2020
YMC "Yellow Magic Children #01"
YMC, or Yellow Magic Children, was a special tribute concert featuring artists who were influenced by or have strong ties with Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO), for the 40th anniversary of the legendary group. The show was held at the Shinjuku...
Posted on December 30, 2019 at 23:20. | Released on December 25, 2019
The Shaolin Brothers "koi no Dial 6700 / tasogare Wo Ai Ni" (7")
Rock band The Shaolin Brothers' new 7" single is a rock'n'roll cover of FInger 5's hit song "koi no Dial 6700", with on the flip side a new original in duet with Nomiya Maki! This follows a recent single...
Posted on October 28, 2019 at 23:14. | Released on October 30, 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
Kaji Hideki "Goth Romance"
Kaji Hideki has a brand new album being released! With the title "Goth Romance", he revisits his early music days and also invites a whole lot of friends to participate. The album is produced by Horie Hirohisa (Neil and Iraiza),...
Posted on June 5, 2019 at 00:04. | Released on June 5, 2019
Suzuki Masayuki "Funky Flag"
Singer Suzuki Masayuki has a new album released just recently. The album's last song, "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch Marching Band", which was written and produced by Konishi Yasuharu and it features chorus by Nomiya Maki (!) and Yoshikawa Tomoko (of...
Posted on March 21, 2019 at 21:40. | Released on March 13, 2019
Nomiya Maki "miss maki nomiya sings (Re-issue)"
Nomiya Maki's solo album "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings" was released in July 2000 (back when Pizzicato Five was still active) and it is finally being re-issued! The album had a theme of Maki being a jetsetter and travelling across the...
Posted on February 21, 2019 at 22:13. | Released on March 20, 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 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
Nomiya Maki "Nomiya Maki, Holiday Shibuya-kei o utau." (2x7")
4 songs from Nomiya Maki's recent winter song cover album are being released on vinyl in the form of a set of two 7"'s. The exclusive artwork was designed and photographed by Shindō Mitsuo in Shibuya's Nonbei Yokochō. Valentine's Day-themed...
Posted on December 24, 2017 at 10:48. | Released on December 27, 2017
Nomiya Maki with Stardust Brothers "hoshikuzu kyoudai, tsuki e yuku" (Download)
Nomiya Maki has a new song out now on iTunes Japan! This space disco track appears in sci-fi musical movie "The Brand New Legend of the Stardust Brothers" directed by Macoto Tezka (son of Tezuka Osamu), to open in...
Posted on December 5, 2017 at 23:28. | Released on December 6, 2017
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.
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
"'Zen and Bones' Original Soundtrack"
"Zen and Bones" is a documentary film directed by Nakamura Takayuki ("Yokohama Mary") about Japanese-American Buddhist priest Henry Mittwer. This soundtrack features music by many artists including Nomiya Maki, Comoesta Yaegashi, Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band), Kishino You-ichi (La veuve...
Posted on September 17, 2017 at 23:51. | Released on September 20, 2017
Nomiya Maki "Nomiya Maki, Vacances Shibuya-kei o utau." (7"x2)
From the album of the same name released in May, here's a set of two 7"'s containing four summer-themed Shibuya-kei related covers sung by Nomiya Maki. The two records come packaged in a gatefold jacket, designed and photographed by art...
Posted on August 13, 2017 at 09:37. | Released on August 30, 2017
Hideki Kaji et Maki Nomiya "Rainy City / Summer Beauty 1990" (7")
This 7" is of two live recordings from Nomiya Maki's "Shibuya-kei Standards" show series. In the one held in November 7, 2014 she was joined on stage by Kaji Hideki, and they sang "amefuri toshi" (a duet with Maki from...
Posted on June 4, 2017 at 12:03. | Released on May 31, 2017
Nomiya Maki "Nomiya Maki, Vacances Shibuya-kei o utau. ~Wonderful Summer~"
Of her "Shibuya-kei standards" series, Nomiya Maki brings us a new album of summer & vacation-themed covers of Shibuya-kei songs, or ones that inspired the scene's artists. Included are songs originally by Watanabe Marina (written by Ozawa Kenji & Oyamada...
Posted on April 20, 2017 at 21:46. | Released on May 3, 2017
DJ Hasebe "DJ HASEBE Butter Smooth - Tokyo 90's Groove -"
DJ Hasebe (official Facebook page) has a new mix album out now of 90's songs revolving around Shibuya-kei. This includes a brand new original song that features Nomiya Maki! DJ Hasebe "DJ HASEBE Butter Smooth - Tokyo 90's Groove -"...
Posted on February 24, 2017 at 00:10. | Released on February 22, 2017
Halmens X "35 seiki"
Halmens X is a limited time project led by two original members of new wave band Halmens (formed in 1979), Saeki Kenzo and Sensui Toshiro. 2016 marks the 35th anniversary of the release of album "Halmens no 20 seiki" (1981),...
Posted on October 10, 2016 at 11:49. | Released on September 21, 2016
Nomiya Maki "otoko to onna 'Un Homme et Une Femme' ~ Nomiya Maki, French Shibuya-kei o utau."
Nomiya Maki has a brand new album just about to be released! This album has a theme of "French Shibuya-kei", highlighting bits of the French culture that influenced the Shibuya-kei scene. This is a 2-CD release of both a studio...
Posted on August 29, 2016 at 23:22. | Released on August 31, 2016
Nomiya Maki "What The World Needs Now Is Love"
Nomiya Maki has a new album coming! Following her live album from last year, "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards", this time she takes some of those standards (and then some) to the studio! Included are songs by Pizzicato Five,...
Posted on November 8, 2015 at 11:05. | Released on November 11, 2015
Bajune Tobeta "Tokyo Galaxy"
Following EP "Teddy Bear and Password", here's a brand new full-length album by producer Bajune Tobeta! This features an impressive line-up of guests including Nomiya Maki, FPM, Sakamoto Miu, Shing02, Arto Lindsay and bo en among others. Bajune Tobeta "Tokyo...
Posted on September 13, 2015 at 23:44. | Released on September 16, 2015
The Collectors "iitai koto ienai koto iisobireta koto"
The Collectors' new album (their 21st!) is coming this week, and will feature Nomiya Maki as a guest vocalist. Also, according to Tower Records' track list, Takanami Keitaro has apparently (co-?)arranged "eien Romance" and "Song For Father". The limited edition...
Posted on September 13, 2015 at 23:16. | Released on September 16, 2015
Bajune Tobeta "Teddy Bear and Password" (CD+DVD), "Space Loungin'" (12")
Producer Bajune Tobeta has a new EP out today! Three vocalists are featured: Nomiya Maki (ex-Pizzicato Five), Bonjour Suzuki (a female singer who debuted earlier this year), and Vivian Sessoms (who has been featured many times on songs by Towa...
Posted on August 26, 2015 at 23:44. | Released on August 26, 2015
Towa Tei, Leo Imai, Nomiya Maki, Takano Hiroshi "Intersect By Lexus Records #001"
Intersect By Lexus is a showroom and event space located in Omotesando, Tokyo. A new label has just been started under Towa Tei's direction, and here comes this first 7" single! Included is "Cul de sac", a brand new...
Posted on July 21, 2015 at 21:58. | Released on July 22, 2015
Nomiya Maki "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji / aru hi totsuzen" (7")
Out this week is a 7" cut from Nomiya Maki's latest live album, "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards". Included is a self-cover of Pizzicato Five's most famous song, "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" (aka "The night is still...
Posted on March 5, 2015 at 22:39. | Released on March 6, 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
Gig report: Miss Maki Nomiya sings "Shibuya-kei Standards" 2014
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On November 7 was a show by Nomiya Maki (ex-Pizzicato Five) at Billboard Live Tokyo. With the title "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards", it was the 2nd of the...
Posted on December 31, 2014 at 15:43.
Nomiya Maki "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards"
A waterfall of events led Nomiya Maki (ex-Pizzicato Five) and producer Sakaguchi Osamu (a soundtrack producer who first got in touch with Maki in the Portable Rock days) to start a project that re-introduces Shibuya-kei hit songs and important influences...
Posted on November 8, 2014 at 14:26. | Released on November 12, 2014
Boogie the Machmotors "Hi! Erectus!"
Boogie The Machmotors is a 3-piece band from Hakata (Fukuoka prefecture). This new album features Nomiya Maki (on "Eleki-Trick") who has previously toured with them and collaborated on a Halmens tribute album, after which they appeared at her 30th anniversary...
Posted on August 28, 2014 at 23:46. | Released on August 27, 2014
Towa Tei "94-14", "94-14 Covers"
Towa Tei continues to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his solo career. Following remix collection "Towa Tei 94-14 Remix" released in July, here comes greatest hits album "94-14" and best covers album "94-14 Covers". The latter includes 6 brand new...
Posted on August 24, 2014 at 13:16. | Released on September 3, 2014
Kaji Hideki "Ice Cream Man"
Kaji Hideki has a brand new album coming this week! "Ice Cream Man" takes inspiration of Jonathan Richman's song of the same name. All songs are originals, and feature guest vocalists such as Nomiya Maki, Kojima Mayumi, Sakamoto Miu, Shoko,...
Posted on August 3, 2014 at 14:22. | Released on August 6, 2014
No Lie-Sense "First Suicide Note"
No Lie-Sense (official Facebook page) is a new unit formed of Suzuki Keiichi (Moonriders) and Kera (aka Keralino Sandorovich, of Kera & the Synthesizers, ex-Long Vacation, ex-Uchōten). Featured artists include Nomiya Maki (ex-Pizzicato Five), Sakamoto Miu, Ueno Yōko, Inuyama Inuko...
Posted on November 15, 2013 at 23:36. | Released on November 6, 2013
Gig report: Vanilla Beans, Nomiya Maki & BIBA
Text and 2nd photo by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound. 1st photo by Kaz Sekiguchi, courtesy of Yoko Fujiwara. On July 5th was the 4th edition of Vanilla Beans' series of shows with a live band. Every time they...
Posted on July 11, 2013 at 23:34.
Gig report: Nosa Reina release party w/ Portable Rock, Nomiya Maki, Takanami K-taro
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On November 30, I went to the release party for Nosa Reina's first album "don't kiss, but yes". Producer Takanami K-taro was on stage too part of the band, more on that...
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 00:19.
Cornelius "CM4"
Cornelius has a new collection of his remixes and mixes for other artists over the last few years. Titled "CM4", it contains tracks by Nomiya Maki, sōtaiseiriron, Yoko Ono, If By Yes (band formed of Yuka Honda, Petra Haden, Araki...
Posted on August 29, 2012 at 00:15. | Released on September 5, 2012
Gig report: Portable Rock
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Saturday June 2, I went to see Portable Rock at small venue Club Crawl in Shibuya. It was the first of two "one-man" shows (no opening band) the band played. This...
Posted on June 3, 2012 at 21:57.
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: Nomiya Maki's 30th anniversary concert
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound. Photos by Kasuga Miwa. On Monday March 19, I went to Nomiya Maki's 30th anniversary concert held at O-East, coincidentally (?) almost the same place where was held Pizzicato Five's last concert...
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 22:31.
Portable Rock "Lost & Found"
Portable Rock, the 80's band fronted by Nomiya Maki, has a new CD coming! This contains 2 songs that had remained unreleased back in the day, one of which surfaced on Maki's 30th anniversary album "30". Both songs have lyrics...
Posted on March 4, 2012 at 18:39. | Released on March 14, 2012
Nomiya Maki "30 ~Greatest Self Covers & More!!!~"
Let's start 2012 with a bang! Finally here's a new album by Nomiya Maki! This time she celebrates 30 years of her singing career by doing self-covers in collaboration with various other artists. Featured are Cornelius, Kaji Hideki, Takahashi Yukihiro,...
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 13:00. | Released on January 25, 2012
Various Artists "Hatsune Miku sings New Wave"
Out this week is this new Hatsune Miku compilation of new wave covers sung by the virtual idol. Included are songs originally by Plastics, Nomiya Maki, Portable Rock, Juicy Fruits, Hikashu, P-Model, Halmens, Cosmic Invention and more. The compilation is...
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 00:24. | Released on October 26, 2011
Nomiya Maki "Looker" (Download)
Nomiya Maki has a new 2-song single available on HearJapan and iTunes Japan from today! These two songs have been the theme of her on-going "Looker" tour. Maki's site says that Looker is actually the name of her new solo...
Posted on July 6, 2011 at 00:33. | Released on July 6, 2011
Furukawa Honpo "Alice in wonderword"
Furukawa Honpo, the solo unit of Vocaloid-style producer Furukawa P, has a first album coming that will feature various vocalists. While most seems to have a standard J-pop tone, there are tracks sung by Nomiya Maki and Kahimi Karie (both...
Posted on June 12, 2011 at 13:43. | Released on June 15, 2011
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: Harajuku Performance+: Nomiya Maki, Open Reel Ensemble
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last week on Tuesday December 22 was the first of two days of a performance-themed event at La Foret Museum, Harajuku, titled "Harajuku Performance+". On that day were two artists that I...
Posted on December 30, 2010 at 21:37.
Hatsune Miku "Hatsune Miku sings Halmens"
Part of Halmens' 30th anniversary releases is this tribute album sung by virtual idol Hatsune Miku. Not only she sings Halmens' greatest hits, but on two bonus tracks she even pays tribute to Nomiya Maki's album "Pink no kokoro"! Don't...
Posted on October 20, 2010 at 22:16. | Released on October 20, 2010
Saeki Kenzo & Boogie The Machmotors "21seiki-san Sings Halmens"
Out at the same time as "Pink no kokoro + 2" is this tribute album to early 80's new wave band Halmens (Techno-Pop Academy). Produced by original member Saeki Kenzō, this features guest appearances by Nomiya Maki and Urbangarde's Hamasaki...
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 13:19. | Released on October 20, 2010
Nomiya Maki "Pink no kokoro + 2" (SHM-CD)
First released in 1981 (almost 30 years ago!), Nomiya Maki's debut album as a new wave idol, "Pink no kokoro", is being reissued (again), this time with 2 rare live tracks as a bonus. This is a great album produced...
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 11:19. | Released on October 20, 2010
Gig report: Nagisa Yoko Recital 2010
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Monday April 26 was Nagisa Yōko's recital at Shibuya Quattro, an event to celebrate the issue of her new 400-page photo book titled "NAGISA" . The show featured a full band,...
Posted on May 4, 2010 at 18:55.
Various Artists "for winter music lovers ~ Technopop Xmas"
This new compilation of both recent and classic Christmas-themed techno-pop songs features Nomiya Maki (with a song from her first 1980 album), Aira Mitsuki, Denki Groove, Hosono Haruomi, Takahashi Yukihiro, Logic System, and much more. Various Artists "for winter music...
Posted on November 6, 2009 at 23:52. | Released on November 11, 2009
Nomiya Maki/Fernanda Takai "Maki Takai No Jetlag"
Nomiya Maki (ex-Pizzicato Five) unites with Brazilian singer Fernanda Takai (Pato Fu) for a mini-album containing songs selected by the two. Included are a new original song by Maki called "Nagoya" with Japanese lyrics, P5's "A Message Song", Ishida Ayumi's...
Posted on October 14, 2009 at 00:20. | Released on October 20, 2009
Nakatsuka Takeshi "Kiss & Ride Extended" (12")
A 12" EP containing extended versions of 6 tracks from Nakatsuka Takeshi's latest album "Kiss & Ride" has been released. This of course includes the great "Beautiful" song featuring Nomiya Maki! Audio samples at Jet Set Nakatsuka Takeshi "Kiss &...
Posted on February 15, 2009 at 23:51. | Released on February 13, 2009
Moonriders "Moonriders Live at Shinjuku Loft 2006.4.15" (DVD)
Moonriders have a live DVD coming up next month, of their 30th anniversary show where they shared the stage with Portable Rock! If it includes encores, as it seems to do, that would mean that you can catch Nomiya Maki...
Posted on November 30, 2008 at 21:01. | Released on December 17, 2008
Nomiya Maki "Eleganceholic"
Nomiya Maki has a special Tower Records-only release coming in February 2008! The Japanese title translates to "Elegance poisoning" and it looks like the English title is going to be "Eleganceholic", it's also the title of her upcoming 2nd recital...
Posted on December 18, 2007 at 17:25. | Released on February 6, 2008
Nomiya Maki "Party People"
Nomiya Maki's next album "Party People" will be out in October. Seems like she's back on the major scene, on the Avex label Rhythm Zone, news that goes hand in hand with her September single with m-flo "Big Bang Romance"....
Posted on August 11, 2005 at 09:52. | Released on October 12, 2005
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Hideki Kaji "Being Pure At Heart" (Download)
Hideki Kaji released this month a brand new song digitally, a short & sweet summer track titled "Being Pure At Heart". This new song follows EP "We Are The Borders E.P." released last December. "Being Pure At Heart" again...
Posted on March 31, 2024 at 19:36. | Released on March 13, 2024
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.42
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 18, 2023 at 13:44.
Takeshi Nakatsuka "Dreaming of the Future" (Download)
Takeshi Nakatsuka has a brand new song & 3 remixes out now as an EP digitally! "Dreaming of the Future" is a song used in a TV commercial for Toyota's Prius (watch it below). The remixes are by FPM, in...
Posted on July 6, 2023 at 21:16. | Released on July 5, 2023
Konishi Yasuharu "Drama 'nigatsu no shousha -zettai goukaku no kyoushitsu-' Original Soundtrack"
Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One) made the original soundtrack for the NTV drama series "nigatsu no shōsha -zettai gōkaku no kyōshitsu-", an adaptation of the manga series by Takase Shiho. Other recent Konishi Yasuharu news include the production of jazz pianist/singer-songwriter...
Posted on December 21, 2021 at 20:27. | Released on December 15, 2021
Tetsuro Yafune "A Sweet & Dangerous Scent / A Transparent Moment" (7")
Pianist and singer-songwriter Tetsurō Yafune is about to release a new full-length album on December 15, which is entirely produced by Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One)! With the title "uta, Piano, Bass, Drums." (uta means song/singing), the album will feature...
Posted on November 23, 2021 at 23:59. | Released on November 24, 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.
Momoko Motion and Quilts "High" (Download)
Singer-songwriter Momoko Motion, previously active with Re:Served and also an ex-member of Futon (Thailand), is back with a new project called Momoko Motion and Quilts, and she aims to release a full album titled "Lemon is gray" next year....
Posted on August 11, 2021 at 20:46. | Released on August 11, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.13
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 28, 2021 at 01:13.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.12
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 24, 2020 at 00:34.
Various Artists "Magical Connection 2020"
This is a compilation of new generation Shibuya-kei, compiled and supervised by Sally Kubota (The Scooters, ex-SOLEIL, les 5-4-3-2-1, The Phantom Gift). Featured are a few brand new recordings, including new SOLEIL covers by microstar (songwriters of "Baby Boo"), Tweedees...
Posted on November 23, 2020 at 10:40. | Released on November 25, 2020
Record Day 2020
Record Day 2020, ran by Japan's long-running record factory Tōyōkasei, is just about to happen this November 3rd. Being on the same day as Japan's "Culture Day", it's a day off well spent doing record shopping. Record Day items are...
Posted on November 3, 2020 at 01:59. | Released on November 3, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.7
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 July 22, 2020 at 23:35.
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.
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.
Kai "Paper Diamond"
Singer Kai has a 2nd solo mini-album out now! It's entirely produced by Suzuki Keiichi (Moonriders, Controversial Spark, No Lie-Sense), and includes three new originals written by himself, plus covers of ones he wrote for Nomiya Maki ("onna tomodachi",...
Posted on December 11, 2019 at 00:17. | Released on December 7, 2019
Record Day 2019
Record Day 2019, an initiative of Japan's long-running record factory Tōyōkasei, is being held this Sunday November 3rd (the same day as Japan's "Culture Day" national holiday). Items are available in stores and online from that date. Below is a...
Posted on November 3, 2019 at 01:12. | Released on November 3, 2019
Kaji Hideki "Autumn Olive"
Kaji Hideki has a brand new EP being released just ahead of fall. The EP's two lead songs take their theme from fashion magazine Olive (published from 1982 to 2003). Both of these songs were produced by Horie Hirohisa (Neil...
Posted on August 19, 2018 at 13:23. | Released on September 5, 2018
Pizzicato Five "On Her Majesty's Request -Analog Edition-" (12")
Pizzicato Five's 3rd album, "On Her Majesty's Request" (1989), is being released on vinyl for the first time! This follows a 7" EP release of 3 songs earlier this year. Just for the record, back in the day a 4-song...
Posted on July 7, 2018 at 01:15. | Released on July 13, 2018
Pizzicato Five "On Her Majesty's Request;ep" (7"), "Lovers Rock" (7")
Following the release of two Pizzicato Five 7" cuts last year, "couples ep" and "Bellissima! ep", here are two more limited 7"'s coming this month! The first contains 3 songs from the 1989 album "On Her Majesty's Request", when...
Posted on May 3, 2018 at 22:47. | Released on May 16, 2018
Stardust Brothers "hoshikuzu kyoudai no densetsu" (Download)
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...
Posted on October 5, 2017 at 23:28. | Released on October 4, 2017
Smooth Ace "Sing Like Talking Complete"
First released in 2014, this 6th album by chorus group Smooth Ace had become rare. This time it is reissued on a major label, remastered and with two newly recorded songs added! Including the new songs, a total of 5...
Posted on May 8, 2017 at 21:34. | Released on May 10, 2017
Crazy Ken Band "Hong Kong Taxi"
Crazy Ken Band's new album "Hong Kong Taxi" consists mainly of self-covers of songs first written for other artists. Included are songs first sung by Nagisa Yōko, Wada Akiko, SMAP, and many others. Also included are a few rare songs...
Posted on August 3, 2016 at 00:01. | Released on August 3, 2016
YMCK "Tokyo Upside Down" (Download)
YMCK released a new song, now available on iTunes worldwide. It was made especially for the Short Shorts Film Festival, to be used by video creators who want to participate in the music category. Details can be found here. The...
Posted on January 5, 2014 at 21:14. | Released on December 9, 2013
Kayano Yoshiaki "This is the life" (Download)
Trumpeter Kayano Yoshiaki has a new 2-track single out now on Nakatsuka Takeshi's digital label Delicatessen LAB. Both instrumentals have rhythm guitar that stands out. Kayano was a member of Nomiya Maki's band for her 30th anniversary show. Kayano Yoshiaki...
Posted on February 17, 2013 at 12:12. | Released on February 13, 2013
hitomitoi "YOUR TIME Route #1"
Following its "Choice" series of foreign song covers, Billboard Records begins a series of Japanese song cover albums titled "Your Time". The first artist of the series is hitomitoi who released her latest original album "City Dive" on the label....
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 21:58. | Released on November 14, 2012
Nosa Reina "don't kiss, but yes"
"Pizzicato Five 2012 edition!?", "Post-Nomiya Maki?" dare official blurbs say! Nosa Reina is a new singer whose debut album is being produced by Takanami K-tarō (ex-Pizzicato Five), who has also hired the two musicians from Portable Rock for the back...
Posted on September 29, 2012 at 23:58. | Released on October 10, 2012
