Wink Music Service "It Girls"
Wink Music Service is a group started last year, formed of Keitarō Takanami (Playtime Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five) and Sally Kubota (The Phantom Gift, The Scooters, ex-Les 5-4-3-2-1, ex-SOLEIL). Following the release of four 7" singles (the first of which was...
Posted on November 19, 2024 at 00:12. | Released on November 20, 2024
Tanzaku CD (8cm CD) Day 2024
This year again, Tanzaku CD Day is being celebrated on July 7, the same day as Tanabata. Started last year for the 35th anniversary of the now nostalgic 8cm CD format (3" CD/mini CD), Tanzaku CD Day brings several great...
Posted on July 7, 2024 at 17:08. | Released on July 7, 2024
Wink Music Service "To Rome With Love / My Funny Honey" (7"/Download)
Wink Music Service is an exciting brand new group formed of Keitaro Takanami (Playtime Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five) and Sally Kubota (The Phantom Gift, The Scooters, ex-Les 5-4-3-2-1, ex-SOLEIL). The project is expected to feature various guests, and the first single...
Posted on April 7, 2023 at 21:55. | Released on April 7, 2023
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
Asakura Seira "Que Será, Seira - Angel birth -"
Asakura Seira (Twitter), who was active as a lyricist mainly in the 80s and 90s (having written lyrics for artists such as Koizumi Kyoko, Watanabe Marina, Shonentai, PSY·S, Yamashita Kumiko, ribbon and many more), has finally released a first original...
Posted on January 25, 2022 at 11:18. | Released on January 19, 2022
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 (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
SOLEIL "Lollipop Sixteen"
SOLEIL is back with a 3rd album titled "Lollipop Sixteen", as singer Soleil will be turning 16 just a few days after the release. As with the first two albums, "My Name is SOLEIL" and "SOLEIL is Alright", the album...
Posted on July 13, 2019 at 23:15. | Released on July 17, 2019
Ultra-Vybe Japanese hit release re-issues
Long-running indie label and distributor Ultra-Vybe has just made available many of the acclaimed releases from its catalog, and priced them down to only ¥1000 (+tax) each! This includes many rarities. Below is a small selection from their Japanese re-issues....
Posted on July 12, 2019 at 23:18. | Released on July 10, 2019
Gallantique Kazue "Original Collection", "Cover Collection"
Singer Gallantique Kazue has two new albums being released at the same time! One is an album of her original songs, while the other is a collection of covers. "Original Collection" is actually her 2nd original album, the previous dating...
Posted on March 24, 2019 at 20:58. | Released on March 27, 2019
SOLEIL "SOLEIL is Alright" (12")
SOLEIL's 2nd album "SOLEIL is Alright" is being released on vinyl! As it has been with all their recordings and releases so far, this vinyl edition will also be in mono. All of the 12 songs from the album are...
Posted on February 21, 2019 at 22:41. | Released on March 20, 2019
The Collectors "Young Man Rock"
The Collectors have a new 23rd album out now, titled "Young Man Rock"! Takanami Keitarō (Playtime Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five) has co-arranged the two last songs, according to credits on Tower Records' page. All songs can be sampled on this official...
Posted on November 11, 2018 at 22:16. | Released on November 4, 2018
SOLEIL "SOLEIL is Alright"
SOLEIL, the band fronted by now 15-year-old singer Soleil, has a 2nd album being released very soon! Following the excellent "My Name is SOLEIL" released last March, the new full-length also consists of all original songs with the exception of...
Posted on September 16, 2018 at 23:03. | Released on September 19, 2018
Soleil "My Name is SOLEIL" (12")
The first album of 60's sound band SOLEIL (official Twitter) is being released on vinyl! SOLEIL is the band of 14-year-old singer Soleil (who will soon turn 15!), bassist and producer Sally Kubota (Sally Soul Stew, ex-The Phantom Gift, Les...
Posted on July 1, 2018 at 19:58. | Released on July 4, 2018
SOLEIL "My Name is SOLEIL"
After having debuted last year with single "Pinky Fluffy", band SOLEIL is already back with a first full-length major album! This consists of only new previously unreleased songs, and matching the band's 60's style all was recorded and mixed in...
Posted on March 7, 2018 at 23:58. | Released on March 21, 2018
Soleil "Pinky Fluffy" (7"+CD)
SOLEIL is a brand new band produced by Sally Kubota (Sally Soul Stew, ex-Les 5-4-3-2-1, The Phantom Gift), and led by the 14-year-old singer of the same name: Soleil! Their first release comes as a single (7"+CD) of original song...
Posted on September 2, 2017 at 11:48. | Released on September 20, 2017
Takanami Keitaro "Memorandum" (CD+7")
Takanami Keitarō (Playtime Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five) has a brand new single coming this week! A-side "Walk Don't Run" is a duet featuring Hoshino Michiru, while B-side "Mind Excursion?" features Ichiba Mina of Playtime Rock. This comes as a set of...
Posted on December 20, 2015 at 11:04. | Released on December 23, 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
Hoshino Michiru "You Love Me ~you love me more today than yesterday but not as much as tomorrow~"
This week comes a brand new album by singer Hoshino Michiru! This includes latest single "natsu nandashi" (written and produced by Konishi Yasuharu) and its B-side "sakamichi no tochū" (written by Takanami Keitarō), and a cover of the Doopees' "Through...
Posted on September 1, 2015 at 23:20. | Released on September 2, 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
Sally Soul Stew "Joy To The World / Black Coffee" (7"+CD)
Sally Soul Stew, the band led by Sally Kubota (ex-The Phantom Gift, ex-Les 5-4-3-2-1), has a brand new single out this week! A-side "Joy To The World" is a new song with music written by Takanami K-taro (ex-Pizzicato Five)...
Posted on June 29, 2015 at 21:58. | Released on July 1, 2015
Konishi Yasuharu/Pizzicato Five "'dakishimetai!' Music Collection"
P5 fans rejoice, here come some lost Pizzicato Five sounds! Hit TV drama "dakishimetai!" was originally aired in 1988, and it's back this year as a special sequel marking its 25th anniversary. The original had music by Pizzicato Five —at...
Posted on September 14, 2013 at 20:52. | Released on September 27, 2013
Seiji "Smooth Chanson kuchibiru ni uta o"
Seiji is a singer from Osaka who takes his roots from French chanson. He has already been active for several years on stage, but had never got around to record his music. He decided to ask Takanami K-taro (ex-Pizzicato Five)...
Posted on July 25, 2013 at 23:59. | Released on June 19, 2013
playtime rock "Play Time"
Playtime Rock (blog) is the unit of Takanami K-taro (ex-Pizzicato Five) and flutist/singer Ichiba Mina. After last year's split-album "Evening Primrose" (2012), here comes their real first full-length album "Play Time". Half of the tracks are covers of foreign songs...
Posted on July 23, 2013 at 22:48. | Released on July 24, 2013
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.
Various Artists "NHK CD dai! tensai terebi-kun MTK the 17th"
This latest soundtrack for NHK kids program "dai! tensai terebi-kun" (aka "TV-kun") has tracks produced by Takanami Keitarō ("sora to umi no hikari"), Kamomiya Ryō ("bokuntoko koi Blues") (both ex-Pizzicato Five), The Aprils ("High Flying Girl"), Omodaka, Okii Reiji (Scott...
Posted on February 25, 2013 at 23:35. | Released on March 6, 2013
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.
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
Noko Inoko "Noko Inoko taizen Returns"
"TV commercial song queen" Noko Inoko, having sung some 800 during her career, has an album coming. This is a follow-up to "Noko Inoko taizen" released in 2006. Included here are 42 tracks, many of commercial and TV show jingles,...
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 21:52. | Released on June 20, 2012
Takanami Keitarō to Playtime Rock meets Shibata Kenichi "Evening Primrose"
Takanami Keitarō (ex-Pizzicato Five) (blog) seems to put aside his Nangasaki Five project to work on this new unit called Playtime Rock, which features vocalist and flutist Ichiba Mina. This first album is a collaboration with Nagasaki trombonist Shibata Kenichi,...
Posted on February 9, 2012 at 23:39. | Released on February 10, 2012
Takanami Keitarō to Nangasaki Five "Do-Re-Mi no daikōkai Nagasaki yōgaku kotohajime"
It took me this long to notice, but Takanami Keitarō (ex-Pizzicato Five) has a new album that was released last month! Continuing the series with his "Nangasaki Five", this album still focuses on his home roots of Nagasaki while taking...
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 23:08. | Released on November 11, 2011
Takanami Keitarō to Nangasaki Five "Ryōma no hanauta (aoban)"
Takanami Keitarō has a 2nd album supposedly completing the "Ryōma no hanauta" series (the previous was the red album and here's the blue one)! Again he is joined by Nagasaki singer/gekkin player Kotone and friends, but while the red album...
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 23:07. | Released on November 17, 2010
Takanami Keitarō to Nangasaki Five "Ryōma no hanauta (akaban)"
Where did Takanami K-tarō go? He's doing fine, back to his hometown of Nagasaki since last year. And it seems like he fell in love with the roots he found there, as he offers this surprising new album consisting of...
Posted on July 24, 2010 at 00:49. | Released on June 16, 2010
Various Artists "AKSB ~kore ga Akishibu-kei da!~"
There's a relatively new genre called Akishibu-kei, a mix of Shibuya-kei and Akiba-kei (the latter referring to cosplay idols singing in high-pitched voices over electro-pop), which is getting acknowledged by this compilation of anime songs from Victor's discography. Featured producers...
Posted on July 31, 2007 at 15:35. | Released on September 21, 2007
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Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.55
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 22, 2024 at 13:46.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.51
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 19, 2024 at 13:25.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.49
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 17, 2024 at 12:59.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.38
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 21, 2023 at 12:33.
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
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
SOLEIL "SOLEIL in STEREO 2"
Following last year's "SOLEIL in STEREO" album which remixed into stereo all songs from already legendary band SOLEIL's first two albums ("My Name is SOLEIL" and "SOLEIL is Alright"), as the originals were recorded and mixed in mono, here comes...
Posted on December 25, 2020 at 22:19. | Released on December 23, 2020
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
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.8
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, 2020 at 21:40.
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.
SOLEIL "Pinky Fluffy" (7") (Re-issue)
SOLEIL's debut 7" "Pinky Fluffy" (2017) which had sold out long ago is being released once again with a different jacket! Recorded when singer Soleil was still 13, both songs have remained non-album tracks. Note that this release doesn't...
Posted on November 11, 2018 at 19:16. | Released on November 14, 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
Pizzicato Five "Couples", "Bellissima!"
The two first albums of Pizzicato Five, "Couples" (1987) and "Bellissima!" (1988), are being re-issued! Both were newly remastered from the original master tapes under the supervision of Konishi Yasuharu himself, and are pressed as high-quality Blu-spec CD2 (they play...
Posted on August 23, 2016 at 21:59. | Released on August 24, 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
Reina & The Blue Valentines "Lady or Girl?"
After the release of two 7" singles, here's a first album by Reina & The Blue Valentines, girl band fronted by Nosa Reina (whose latest solo album "don't kiss, but yes" was produced by Takanami K-tarō (ex-Pizzicato Five)) and formed...
Posted on February 6, 2015 at 21:56. | Released on February 11, 2015
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.
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.
kayōkyoku bangaichi ~ Live & DJ event: arcorhyme live
arcorhyme, the unit of Takanami K-taro (ex-Pizzicato Five) and singer Nishimura Ikuyo, will take the lead at this kayōkyoku live event organized by Hotwax, celebrating the release of a related book sub-titled "Queen of Japanese Pops" . Also featured will...
Posted on July 22, 2008 at 14:43. | Released on July 25, 2008
arcorhyme afternoon live at Grand Cru (vol.5)
This month will be held the 5th edition of arcorhyme's early afternoon monthly show at Après-midi Grand Cru, the pasta and wine restaurant located below Café Après-midi. There will be two free sets with different songs. Charge is free, so...
Posted on July 3, 2008 at 15:04. | Released on July 20, 2008
arcorhyme afternoon live at Grand Cru (vol.4)
For the 4th month in a row, arcorhyme will play an early afternoon show at Après-midi Grand Cru, the pasta and wine restaurant located below Café Après-midi. There will be two free sets with different songs. Charge is free, so...
Posted on June 11, 2008 at 15:00. | Released on June 15, 2008
arcorhyme live and workshop vol.2
arcorhyme (MySpace), the unit of Takanami K-tarō and Nishimura Ikuyo, will do a 2nd and last (of the series) workshop event at café Go Slow located inside the Ikejiri Institute of Design. The event of course includes a live show,...
Posted on May 30, 2008 at 15:08. | Released on June 7, 2008
arcorhyme afternoon live at Grand Cru (vol.3)
For the 3rd month, arcorhyme will play at Après-midi Grand Cru, the pasta and wine restaurant located below Café Après-midi. There will be two free sets with different songs. Charge is free, so come early and have a pleasant lunch...
Posted on May 15, 2008 at 17:50. | Released on May 18, 2008
arcorhyme afternoon live at Grand Cru (vol.2)
This month again, arcorhyme will play at Après-midi Grand Cru, the pasta and wine restaurant located below Café Après-midi (the café). There will be two free sets with different songs. Charge is free, so come early and have a pleasant...
Posted on April 14, 2008 at 14:42. | Released on April 20, 2008
arcorhyme and the Soundmatic Circle of Friends vol.2
arcorhyme, the unit of Takanami K-taro (ex-Pizzicato Five) and singer Nishimura Ikuyo, brings us one of their biggest events so far. It will be the first time that they perform on stage in Tokyo with their all-star recording members, so...
Posted on April 8, 2008 at 17:30. | Released on May 24, 2008
Anime Soundtrack "Dragonaut Drama & Character Song Vol.4"
Arcorhyme side-work info! Nishimura Ikuyo has written lyrics, and Takanami K-tarō arranged one song ("Fragments") on this drama and soundtrack CD from anime Dragonaut -The Resonance-. Anime Soundtrack "Dragonaut Drama & Character Song Vol.4" アニメサウンドトラック 「ドラゴノーツ ドラマ＆キャラクターソング Vol.4」 1. Drama...
Posted on March 5, 2008 at 16:10. | Released on March 5, 2008
arcorhyme live and workshop
arcorhyme (MySpace), the new unit of Takanami K-tarō and Nishimura Ikuyo which just released 2 albums in January, will do a special event at café Go Slow located inside the Ikejiri Institute of Design. More than just a live show,...
Posted on January 29, 2008 at 11:55. | Released on March 1, 2008
arcorhyme in-store live at HMV Shibuya
arcorhyme (MySpace), the new unit of Takanami K-tarō and Nishimura Ikuyo, will play an in-store live at HMV Shibuya to promote their two new albums out January 23. Those who plan to attend should buy the CDs at HMV Shibuya...
Posted on January 7, 2008 at 10:02. | Released on February 10, 2008
arcorhyme "amai hibi ~la douce vie~" & "Soundmatic Brain"
arcorhyme, the new unit of Takanami K-tarō (ex-Pizzicato Five) featuring Nishimura Ikuyo (ex-devbacc), finally has some CD releases coming up! In January we will be treated to not one but two albums! The first, "amai hibi ~la douce vie~", is...
Posted on November 15, 2007 at 10:51. | Released on January 23, 2008
Saint yume to Cosme
solange et delphine is back with a 3rd of its fantastic "yume to Cosme" (dreams & cosmetics) live shows series. This time they will share Aoi Heya's intimate stage with arcorhyme (ex-P5's Takanami K-tarō's unit) playing a first full set...
Posted on October 26, 2007 at 11:22. | Released on December 16, 2007
Future vol.2 (arcorhyme live!)
arcorhyme, the up-and-coming unit of Takanami K-tarō and Nishimura Ikuyo, will make a quick guest appearance during artist BANK's set at this event. I think it will be the first time that they perform some original songs live. They will...
Posted on October 24, 2007 at 11:51. | Released on November 2, 2007
arcorhyme "amai hibi -la douce vie- / Koiny Baby" (Download)
arcorhyme, the new unit of Takanami K-taro (early Pizzicato Five) and Nishimura Ikuyo, will be releasing two songs, in 4 versions each, for download on iTunes worldwide (Japan, U.S., Canada, U.K., France, Germany). A video for "la douce vie" can...
Posted on May 18, 2007 at 10:13. | Released on May 30, 2007
