Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.5

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 pages. If you couldn't tune in at the times below, or to listen once more, you can still listen anytime on Mixcloud.

This time is a selection with a lounge music theme, often with somewhat of an electronic side, digging some older and newer tracks that will add to a classy atmosphere or also sound fine as BGM. Hoping that you will find some new favorite songs or artists!

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.5) was aired at http://lafaceb.live on May 27, 2020 from 21:00, repeated at 23:00 (EDT = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: May 28, 2020 from 10:00 (a.m.) and 12:00 (noon).

Below is the full tracklist with liner notes.

1. Elektel "Panoramic View of Jazz" (2005)

Elektel is a unit formed of polymoog (also a member of CTO LAB.) and Ueken, also often featuring various guest singers. "Panoramic View of Jazz" is a song that appeared on their 2nd album "Bit Stream Lounge" (, Spotify, YouTube Music). A long time favorite!

Elektel's newest track was released just recently part of the compilation "Casiotunes!", an indie tribute album to Casiotone. Check it out! Elektel was formed on January 1st of the year 2000, so it's been 20 years this year! Congratulations, and here's looking forward to more great music!

2. Qypthone "On The Palette" (2002)

Here's another favorite when it comes to jazzy party music, by the band Qypthone which was very active since the late 90's, linking with the Shibuya-kei movement. "On The Palette" is from their 4th album "Montuno No.5" (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

Just last year, Qypthone were featured on New York producer Ursula 1000's new album "Esoterique", and they also went to perform in Vietnam! Leader Takeshi Nakatsuka has been active solo singer-songwriter for a long time (you'll hear one of his later on the show), and vocalist Izumi Ookawara has also released several solo songs digitally in the recent years (find them all here).

3. Toshiyuki Yasuda "Mr. Teleco-Teco" (2005)
(Japanese title: 安田寿之「Mr. Teleco-Teco」)

Toshiyuki Yasuda is an innovative artist who often goes into unprecedented directions, like with his 2000-released debut solo album "ROBO*BRAZILEIRA" in which he had an imaginary robot sing bossa nova. The song "Mr. Teleco-Teco" comes from a sequel album that revisits the concept, released 5 years later with the title "WITH ROBO*BRAZILEIRA" (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

His latest album is "Breaking the Silence (Version 10.3.3)" (2018) (, YouTube Music, Spotify), which he made part of a concept he called "Version Up Music" where the songs keep evolving into various versions. You might also find a version 10.4.0 that was released digitally a year later!

4. Hase Hajimu "Ajiro Dub" (2005)
(Japanese title: はせはじむ「Ajiro Dub」)

Before becoming a songwriter and producer for other artists, Hase Hajimu (Instagram) released two excellent albums titled "Radio" (2003) and "Camp" (2005) ( (Japan)), mixing some exotic sounds and breakbeats. This song is from the latter.

In the recent years, Hase Hajimu has been mostly writing and producing music for other artists, including many songs for Nakano Aya and Hoshino Michiru. Just lately, he has started a new project called Do Nothing Productions, who released a first 7" single last December, with another to follow next month.

5. Neil and Iraiza "Potassium Purple" (2017)

Neil and Iraiza is a band formed of Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Learners, Cubismo Grafico) and Horie Hirohisa (The Cornelius Group, Dots+Borders, etc.), formed back in 1996. This instrumental is from their latest album "Timeless Melodies" (, Spotify, YouTube Music), which was also released on 10" vinyl.

6. CTO LAB. "Chemi-con" (2010)

Here's a song from CTO LAB.'s first album "Okie-Dokie!" ( (Japan)), an instrumental for which the music was written by polymoog (also of Elektel) and arranged by the whole group.

CTO LAB. is a supergroup formed of Okada Tohru (Moonriders), polymoog (Elektel) and Imai Kentarō (The Aprils). With a meaning of "Compact Techno Organization", their concept is to use nothing but small synths and gadget instruments. Their latest album is titled "Beyond The Box" (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

7. Wakita Monari "Lemon" (2018)
(Japanese title: 脇田もなり「LEMON」)

From singer Wakita Monari's 2nd album "Ahead!" (, Spotify, YouTube Music), which got released on vinyl for the first time just last February. Usually making full use of her strong voice, this is one of her quieter and most mysterious tracks.

Monari's latest album is titled "Right Here" (, Spotify, YouTube Music) and it was released last summer. Just recently, Monari posted on YouTube a remotely recorded cover of Original Love's "Kiss".

8. Pyokn "Be Yourself" (2004, 2011)

Here's one song by Pyokn, a trio who I first knew from seeing them perform live at a festival-like all-night event by label Usagi-chang Records. Originally part of their album "Colorful Vibration" (2004) (, Spotify), the song "Be Yourself" was remastered and re-released as a digital EP in 2011 (, Spotify) on label Flawless World (a reincarnation of Usagi-chang Records).

9. Nakatsuka Takeshi "Earth And The Universe (Tsuchi To Sora)" (2010)
(Japanese title: 中塚武「大地と宇宙 (TSUCHI TO SORA)」)

This jazzy party tune by Nakatsuka Takeshi (who you heard in Qypthone earlier in the show) is from album "53512010" (), which was released only digitally in a collaboration with men's fashion brand 5351 Pour Les Hommes. Since then he has released several more solo albums, of which the latest is "EYE" (2016) (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

10. Groove Unchant "Break The Guinness" (2010)
(Japanese title: グルーヴあんちゃん「Break The Guinness」)

DJ Groove Unchant's name is most often seen credited as a remixer. In 2010 he released a full album titled "Notre Musique" of both original songs and covers, featuring a great variety of singers. "Break The Guinness" is a fun original and instrumental track that stands out around midtime!

One of Groove Unchant's recent production works is Dahlia's latest album "Mirror" (2017).

11. Elektel "Integrale" (2005)

One more by Elektel, also from the "Bit Stream Lounge" album (, Spotify, YouTube Music). "Integrale" has lyrics written by Saeki Kenzō.

12. Toshiyuki Yasuda "Nunca Mais (Piano Solo)" (2020)
(Japanese title: 安田寿之「Nunca Mais (Piano Solo)」)

The ending song is a brand new recording by Toshiyuki Yasuda, which hasn't yet been released! This year is actually the 20th anniversary of his first solo album "ROBO*BRAZILEIRA" (, Spotify, YouTube Music) which contained the original of "Nunca Mais", sung by an imaginary robot. He has revisited this composition, playing it on a felt piano with a very soothing sound. Enjoy!

Thanks for tuning in!

Find previous radio shows here.

Below are videos of songs and artists featured in this radio show.

Elektel "Panoramic View of Jazz (Ursula 1000 Remix)"