Tokyo's Coolest Sound

This is a compilation of the "Quiet Corner" label and series, of songs by World Standard selected by Yūki Yamamoto (Quiet Corner). Not a collection of greatest hits, this selection consists of quiet and relaxing songs from the vast discography of World Standard, the instrumental solo project of Sōichiro Suzuki having released some 14 albums so far including ones on Haruomi Hosono's label Daisyworld Discs (the unit actually debuted on Hosono's Non-Standard label in 1985).

World Standard's latest original album "Eden" was released in January 2022. All albums preceding that latest one can be found digitally on download/streaming platforms.

World Standard "World Standard for Quiet Corner - Diamond Days"
ワールドスタンダード 「ワールドスタンダード・フォー・クワイエット・コーナー 〜ダイアモンド・デイズ」

1. Aayurveda
2. Sunlight of the Marmelo
3. Muna Xeia
4. Alabaster
5. Canon
6. Lullaby of Snow and Flowers
7. The Sound of Your Voice
8. Loving Spoonful
9. Snow Wings
10. Cheio De Luz
11. Miracle Hill
12. Kathy's Song
13. A Day and Eteernity
14. Hawaiian Gold
15. Ekwa Mwato
16. Ave Maria
17. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
18. 900 Miles From Home
19. Glow Worms
20. Lament
21. Silencio

Quiet Corner RCIP-0331
Out now (3/26), ¥2600 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Kaede (Negicco) has just released a new single titled "Leave It To Shining a Light" (Japanese title "hikari no sasu mama ni"). The title song was sound produced by Gusokumuzu, and a music video of it can be watched below. B-side "Fill With the Empty Thing" (in Japanese "karappo de mitashite") is by The Recreations (Soundcloud, Twitter).

This release follows single "Cycles" (also made available on vinyl for Record Store Day 2021).

Kaede "Leave It To Shining a Light"
Kaede 「光の射すままに」
(Japanese title: "hikari no sasu mama ni")

1. Leave It To Shining a Light
2. Fill With the Empty Thing
3. Leave It To Shining a Light (inst)
4. Fill With the Empty Thing (inst)

T-Palette Records TPRC-0290
Out 3/29, ¥1000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"hikari no sasu mama ni"

Rock band DYGL (read Day Glo) has just released a new single titled "Waves" digitally. This follows album "A Daze In A Haze" (CDJapan, , Spotify, YouTube Music) released in July 2021.

A vinyl edition of "A Daze In A Haze" is planned for release in June, and pre-orders can so far be done via Believe Music Store, though shipping directly within Japan only.

DYGL "Waves" (Download)

Hard Enough
Out 3/23
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

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 Pizzicato Five self-covers, five brand new songs in collaboration with artists who marked her career, and two very special live performances.

The Pizzicato Five self-covers are the three of the "World Mix Tour" series that were first released digitally over the recent months, featuring collaborations with overseas artists: "The night is still young" ("Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji") with Night Tempo (from South Korea), "On the sunny side of the street" with Phum Viphurit (from Thailand), and "Sweet Soul Revue" in duet with Rainych (from Indonesia) backed by Japanese band evening cinema.

The new songs are produced by Matsuo Remi (Glim Spanky) ("CANDY MOON"), Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band) ("onaidoshi"), Keitarō Takanami (playtime rock, ex-Pizzicato Five) ("otona no koi, moshiku wa koi no Etude", with lyrics writtten by Hideki Kaji), Maki's band Portable Rock ("Portable Love", with lyrics written by Maki herself), and Suzuki Keiichi (moonriders) ("utsukushii kagami", with lyrics written by Satō Nanaco, the same pair who wrote "Twiggy Twiggy" on her first album "Pink no kokoro").

And, the two live performances are of "yume de aetara" (cover of Eiichi Ohtaki) in duet with Suzuki "Martin" Masayuki, from Maki's 60th birthday show held in 2020, and another of Pizzicato Five's "Thank You" backed by Tetsuro Yafune's trio and sung in duet with Konishi Yasuharu.

The album comes in three editions. First, there's a limited edition that includes the main CD, a Blu-ray disc of a digest of Maki's 60th birthday, plus a special booklet. There's also a regular edition of just the CD album, and a limited vinyl edition (which will be released a month later on May 25). Amazon, HMV and Tower Records give away a promo postcard (each shop's has a different design) with the limited or regular CD editions (for the limited edition with postcard at Amazon, follow this link instead of the discounted one below).

Two days of special shows celebrating Maki's 40th anniversary will be held on April 29 and 30 at Billboard Live Tokyo (each day respectively with guests Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band) and Suzuki Keiichi (moonriders)) (details), and preceded by another on April 24 at Billboard Live Osaka (this one featuring Matsuo Remi (Glim Spanky)) (details).

The album is not available digitally so far, but you can find the new song "onaidoshi" and the three "World Tour Mix" Pizzicato Five self-covers on download/streaming platforms.

Nomiya Maki "New Beautiful"
野宮真貴 「New Beautiful」

1. The night is still young (feat. Night Tempo)
2. On the sunny side of the street (feat. Phum Viphurit)
3. Sweet Soul Revue (duet with Rainych, feat. evening cinema)
4. CANDY MOON
5. onaidoshi
6. otona no koi, moshiku wa koi no Etude
7. Portable Love
8. utsukushii kagami
9. yume de aetara (duet with Suzuki Masayuki) (live from "Maki Nomiya, kanreki o utau.")
10. Thank You (live from "Maki Nomiya x Tetsuro Yafune ~ Song, Piano, Bass, Drums.")

Blu-ray (Limited edition only)
"Maki Nomiya, kanreki o utau." digest
1. Sweet Soul Revue
2. The night is still young
3. Chuo Freeway
4. Nata di marzo
5. T-jiro (Guest: Yokoyama Ken)
6. Shibuya de 5ji (Guest: Suzuki Masayuki)
7. Twiggy Twiggy
8. On the sunny side of the street

Limited edition (CD + Blu-ray + Special booklet)
Victor Entertainment VIZL-2055
Out 4/20, ¥7300 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon (21% off *), HMV, Tower Records ^†
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Regular edition (CD only)
Victor Entertainment VICL-65698
Out 4/20, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Limited LP edition
Victor Entertainment VIJL-60279
Out 5/25, ¥4500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Album digest clip

"The night is still young (feat. Night Tempo)"

"On the sunny side of the street (feat. Phum Viphurit)"

"Sweet Soul Revue (duet with Rainych, feat. evening cinema)"

Ryusenkei, the project of Cunimondo Takiguchi, is doing a series of digital releases of brand new songs. Following last month's "route no.3 shibuya" (, Spotify, YouTube Music) (a Ryusenkei self-cover), here comes a 2nd song titled "two silhouette" (in Japanese "futari no Silhouette"). Like the previous, it features Yasuyuki Horigome (ex-Kirinji).

Two more songs should be coming in April and May, also featuring Yasuyuki Horigome. Ryusenkei's new album is expected to be released later this year.

The recording musicians are drummer Kitayama Yūko, bassist Matsuki "Makkin" Toshirō, guitarist Yamanouchi Toshio, keyboardist Hirahata Tetsuya and percussionist Hirano Eiji. On this song, Shin Rizumu did the strings arrangements and Natsu Summer sings chorus.

Ryusenkei "two silhouette feat. Yasuyuki Horigome" (Download)
流線形 「ふたりのシルエット (feat. 堀込泰行)」
(Japanese title: "futari no Silhouette")

Happiness Records / CMT Production 2
Out now (3/25)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Kinoco Hotel has just released a new song titled "Akeiro", now available digitally on download/streaming platforms. This song is the first recording featuring new bassist Sophia Kinosaki, who joined the band in August 2021.

This new song follows album "Marianne no mikkai" (2021) (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

Kinoco Hotel will play at Shimokitazawa Flowers Loft this Saturday March 26, a show also featuring The Let's Go's (details here). This show is the beginning of Kinoco Hotel's 15th-anniversary tour which will continue through June. Find all dates here.

Kinoco Hotel "Akeiro" (Download)
キノコホテル 「アケイロ」

Solid Records
Out now (3/25)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Bassist and producer Sally Kubota revisits the roots and inspirations of his band SOLEIL, which was active from 2017 to 2019, in this compilation selected, supervised and designed by himself. This collection consists of 30 songs from the 60s, which can also serve as an introduction to cute pop songs from the period. As the title hints, there are apparently plans for a sequel.

Various Artists "A Girl's Favourite Oldies Vol.1: The Musical Roots of SOLEIL"
オムニバス 「美少女が恋したオールディーズ1〜ルーツ・ミュージック・オブ・ソレイユ〜」

1. It Hurts To Be 16 / Andrea Carroll
2. Be My Baby / Grazina
3. Wow Wow Wee (He's The Boy For Me) / The Angels
4. Dizzy Miss Lizzy / The Escorts
5. It's In Her Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song) / The Searchers
6. Bad Boy / Larry Williams
7. L'amour c'est aimer la vie (Love Is A Swingin' Thing) / Sylvie Vartan
8. Sophisticated Boom Boom / The Shangri-Las
9. Cold Cold Winter / The Pixies Three
10. Soon You'll Be Leaving Me / The Roulettes
11. How Do You Do It / The Supremes
12. The Clapping Song (Clap Pat Clap Slap) / Shirley Ellis
13. Guns of Navarone / The Skatalites
14. It Must Be Love / Barney J Barnes and The Intro
15. Trick or Treat / Teddy Randazzo
16. I Found A Girl / Jan and Dean
17. I Could Easily Fall (In Love With You) / Cliff Richard and The Shadows
18. My Boyfriend's Back / The Angels
19. Everybody Loves A Clown / Gary Lewis and The Playboys
20. Oh Yeah, Maybe Baby / The Crystals
21. I Can't Explain / The Who
22. I Want You / Jeannie and The Big Guys
23. I Don't Love You Anymore / Keith Lyn and Ken Lazarus
24. Fools Fall In Love / Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters
25. Do-Wah-Diddy / The Exciters
26. Keep On Running / The Spencer Davis Group
27. Wings Of A Dove / Millie Small
28. Ne me laisse pas l'aimer / Brigitte Bardot
29. Life On Venus / The Tornados
30. Captain Scarlet Theme / The Barry Gray Orchestra

Trivia: An early tracklist listed "Monkey Man / Toots & The Maytals" instead of "Guns Of Navarone / The Skatalites".

Oldays Records ODR7111
Out 3/25, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

In a series of releases for Morio Agata's 50th anniversary (active since 1972!), here comes a release of a legendary show from 1977 in its entirety. The movie "boku wa tenshi janai yo", directed by Morio, was first shown in 1977 and accompanied with shows in Tokyo and Osaka. An open reel recording of the Osaka show (held on July 2, 1977 at Osaka Mitsukoshi Theater) was recently found in good condition and became the sound source for this album. Band members consist of Moonriders plus pedal steel musician Komazawa Hiroki. A cover of Happy End's "haikara hakuchi" is included.

Also check out the album "Deluxe Raizo" released earlier this month.

Morio Agata "Morio Agata Show Time"
あがた森魚 「あがた森魚 Show Time」

Disc 1
1. MC
2. hoshi no furusato ~ Tanabata-sama ~ sekishoku Elegy
3. saboten boribori
4. oborero Date-yarō
5. MC
6. natsu no bishō
7. taiyō ga ippai
8. yuki gentō
9. Monte Carlo Coffee-ten (chiisana kissaten)
10. eien no Madonna K
11. saigo no Dance Step (Showa jūkyōden no uta)
12. Plein Soleil　
13. Salvia no hana
14. MC
15. fumoresuku
16. MC

Disc 2
1. haikara hakuchi
2. tsumetaku hiyashite
3. boku wa naichicchi
4. issun to sokomade
5. Kamata kōshinkyoku
6. kimi no koto suki nanda
7. 大寒町
8. jōei Announce ~ MC
9. haikara hakuchi (Encore)

Super Fuji FJSP452
Out now (3/23), ¥3550 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Trailer clip

Kokyu (Soundcloud) is a duo formed of Miki Hirose (h-shallows, ex-Smokebees) and guitarist Shingo Takano. Formed in summer 2021, here comes their very first EP of two songs, "Prayer" and "And Then", which were recorded at studio tsuchi no ue wo aruku. The EP can be heard on most download/streaming platforms.

An event titled "sorekara vol.1" ("And Then") will be held by Kokyu on April 9 at Shimokitazawa lete, also featuring Pervenche and Coconuts Post. Details can be found here.

Kokyu "Prayer / And Then" (Download)
呼吸 「祈り／それから」
(Japanese title: kokyū "inori / sorekara")

1. Prayer
2. And Then

Kokyu
Out now (3/22)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Je et Georges (or in Japanese boku to Georges) is back as a unit formed of Himeno Tama and Satō Yūsuke (caméra-stylo). Ahead of a 3rd album (titled "III") to be released in June, which is announced as being the last of Je et Georges, here comes a new 7" single of album track "hyakunen no kodoku". The B-side is a non-album track, a cover of Sadistic Mica Band's "Dashiell Hammett & Popcorn" with music performed by Miwa Jiro and Sugar Momoe.

Audio samples can be heard at Jet Set.

It had been 5 years since previous album "2" (, Spotify) and EP "2.5" (, Spotify), both released in February 2017.

Je et Georges "hyakunen no kodoku c/w Dashiell Hammett & Popcorn" (7")
僕とジョルジュ 「百年の孤独 c/w シール・ハメット&ポップコーン」

A. hyakunen no kodoku
B. Dashiell Hammett & Popcorn

My Best! Records MYRD147
Out 3/23, ¥1818 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

A new song by chelmico has just been released today! This one is a first collaboration with tofubeats. "Maedaimae" is the name of a train station in Setagaya, Tokyo.

This new song follows the digital EP "COZY" (, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY) released in April last year, and a single titled "¥300,000,000" released in November ( (Japan), Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY).

chelmico "Meidaimae"

Warner Music
Out now (3/18)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Lyric video

Rapper duo Cypress Ueno & Roberto Yoshino, who have been active for 20 years, have just released a 7th original full-length album titled "Shuttle Loop". Included are songs featuring Chinza Dopeness, Kan a.k.a. GAMI, and TARO SOUL & KEN THE 390. Trackmakers include STUTS ("RAW LIFE") and tofubeats ("COCOLO").

It had been just over three years since their previous full-length album, "Dream Ginza" (, Spotify, YouTube Music), since which they had also released mini-album "saue to royoshi to" (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

A 7" cut of "Raw Life" and "Cocolo" will be released in June. Pre-orders can be placed at Jet Set and HMV.

Cypress Ueno & Roberto Yoshino "Shuttle Loop"
サイプレス上野とロベルト吉野 「Shuttle Loop」

1. Shuttle Loop
2. Omoshiro Okashiku
3. RAW LIFE feat. Chinza DOPENESS
4. ?????
5. MONEY feat. Kan a.k.a. GAMI
6. STANCE
7. Mangekyō feat. TARO SOUL, KEN THE 390
8. COCOLO
9. Shōnen In The DRM
10. NICE DREAM
11. STILL 184045

Evil Line Records KICS-4050
Out now (3/16), ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Cypress Ueno & Roberto Yoshino "Raw Life feat. Chinza DOPENESS / Cocolo" (7")
サイプレス上野とロベルト吉野 「RAW LIFE FEAT. 鎮座DOPENESS / COCOLO」

A. RAW LIFE feat. Chinza DOPENESS
B. COCOLO

King Record JS7S321
Out June 2022, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"MONEY feat. Kan a.k.a. GAMI" lyric video

"NICE DREAM"

Singer-songwriter Momoko Motion's latest project, Momoko Motion and Quilts, has released today a 3rd song digitally. Watch the music video below, and hear it on your favorite streaming/download platform. The song is also available in hi-res audio from OTOTOY.

This new song follows "Feeling Vegetables" and "High", all of which will appear on the upcoming album "Lemon is gray". Stay tuned with Momoko Motion's upcoming releases by following her on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

A specially designed limited edition art booklet is available via Bandcamp. It includes a download code for the two first songs ("High" and "Feeling Vegetables").

Momoko Motion and Quilts "Triangles and the relationship" (Download)
Momoko Motion and Quilts 「三角と関係」

3rdeyedisc
Out now (3/16)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Singer Rie Aono is releasing a 2nd solo album, the follow-up to "Pastoral" (2017) (Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube). With lyrics written by herself, the music was written, arranged and produced by Seki Yoshihiko in an AOR/city-pop sound. Check out the sampler clip below!

Recording members are Iga Wataru (lake) on bass, Kitayama Yuko (misola, lake) on drums, Yamanouchi Toshio on guitar, and Hase Yasuhiro (Yume to Cosme) on piano. The whole was mixed and mastered by Satō Seiki (microstar, Nicely Nice).

The album can also be ordered autographed (or not) directly via the artist's online Booth shop.

Since previous album "Pastoral", Rie Aono had also released a digital single titled "Never Can Say Goodbye" last year (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

A special show with the recording personnel of "Rain or Shine" will be held on March 26 at Jinbocho Shichoshitsu. Details can be found here.

Rie Aono "Rain or Shine"
青野りえ 「Rain or Shine」

1. Waiting for you
2. Rain Rain
3. Blue Moon River
4. 9gatsu no mizu
5. Rainbow in your eyes
6. Endroll
7. ame ni utaeba
8. Last Scene
9. henei
10. yoake no Dance

Fly High Records VSCF-1776 / FRCD-071
Out 3/16, ¥2727 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Sampler clip

Following the release of two 7" singles ("Parade" and "Someday"), here comes a first CD mini-album by Sotaro (Twitter), the 10-year-old son of the couple who form chorus group Smooth Ace. Included are all 4 songs from the two singles (covers of Tatsurō Yamashita, Folder and Jackson 5), plus a new recording of a cover of Okamura Yasuyuki's "daisuki". All songs are produced by COUNTJOKE.

SOTARO "SMILE"

1. Parade
2. daisuki
3. Parachuter
4. I Wanna Be Where You Are
5. Someday

High Contrast / Vivid Sound HCCD9613
Out 3/16, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Parade"

"Parade / Parachuter" single teaser clip

"Someday / I Wanna Be Where You Are" single teaser clip

Hip-hop unit O'CHAWANZ has just released a new mini-album titled "Episode X" (read "Episode Ten"), said to be the last of their "1st generation" with this current line-up. In this one, members Sugar Shu Lala and Ichico Nico are joined by support member Lil Hina (Twitter). Included is a collaboration with rapper and voice actor Meteor (Instagram, Twitter). The jacket was illustrated by Sugar Shu Lala.

O'CHAWANZ has also posted a cover of Scha Dara Parr's "konya wa Boogie Back" on YouTube.

O'CHAWANZ "Episode X"

1. THIS IS MY STYLE feat. METEOR
2. JUNE
3. yume no TinyBoy
4. Winter Snow
5. Colorful

Second Factory SCDF-033
Out 3/9, ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Colorful"

Perfume has just released a new single titled "Flow". The title song is the theme of TV drama series "Fight Song". Check out the music video below! Also included is a live performance of another new song, titled "mawaru kagami", from the "Perfume LIVE 2021 [polygon wave]" show held in August 2021. As always it's produced by Nakata Yasutaka (CAPSULE). This release follows the "Polygon Wave EP" released last September.

The limited edition comes with a bonus Blu-ray or DVD, with special packaging and also including original "Flow" sticky notes.

It has been announced that a new song by Perfume titled "sayonara Plastic World" will appear on NHK program "minna no uta" in April and May.

Perfume "Flow"

1. Flow
2. mawaru kagami (Polygon Wave Live Ver.)
3. Flow (Instrumental)
4. mawaru kagami (Polygon Wave Live Ver. / Instrumental)

Blu-ray/DVD (Limited edition)
1. mawaru kagami (Polygon Wave Live Ver.) @ Perfume Live 2021 [Polygon Wave] -New Edit-
2. Perfume View -Perfume Live 2022 [Polygon Wave]-

Limited edition type A (CD+Blu-ray)
Universal Music UPCP-9030
Out 3/9, ¥2545 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Limited edition type B (CD+DVD (Region 2 NTSC))
Universal Music UPCP-9031
Out 3/9, ¥1909 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Regular edition (CD only)
Universal Music UPCP-5013
Out 3/9, ¥1364 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, OTOTOY
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Flow"

Limited edition bonus disc teaser

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. Tune in at the times below at https://lafaceb.live. Happy listening!

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.25) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on March 10, 2022 from 20:30 (EST = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: March 11, 2022 from 10:30 a.m.

This episode was not archived as-is, but it will be replayed at the times below:

EST/EDT (Montréal/New York) —

Fri. March 11 at 16h30, Mon. 14 at 12h30, Tue. 15 at 8h30, Wed. 16 at 4h30, Thurs. 17 at 0h30

Japan time —

Sat. Feb. 12 at 6h30, Tue. 15 at 1h30, Tue. 15 at 21h30, Wed. 16 at 17h30, Thurs. 17 at 13h30

Listen to the Spotify playlist of the songs played, or scroll down this page to find music videos and individual songs, and also listen to the narration.

Below is the full tracklist with liner notes, and narration parts that you can listen to.

1. KOMONO LAKE "Justified" (2021)

KOMONO LAKE is a unit with a theme of "natural style city pop", formed of singer Kanbin (also an illustrator), London-born producer SKYTOPIA (Facebook page) (ex-Kero Kero Bonito), and bassist Kuroji. The song The song "Justified" is the title track of their 2nd EP released digitally in January (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

This followed 1st EP "LAKE" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) which was released last year. Check out their YouTube channel which for covers and more, as well as a home session from last October.

🎙 Listen to Narration I
Presenting: KOMONO LAKE, MIDORINOMARU

2. MIDORINOMARU "UP!UP!" (2021)

MIDORINOMARU is an instrumental piano & drums duo that was formed in 2010, featuring pianist NiKA and drummer Akihiro Mitsuboshi (both also members of The ZOOT16, band led by Toshimi Watanabe of Tokyo No.1 Soul Set). "UP!UP!" is from their 6th album "Mellow", which was released last year first in physical form (via their official online shop, shipping within Japan) and just recently for digital streaming (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

An LP edition of "Mellow" is planned to be released in May, containing 9 of the album's songs. Pre-orders can already be placed at Jet Set, Amazon, HMV and Tower Records (Tower ships only within Japan).

3. Nakama Sounds "Ai no Kyouhansha feat. Yuki Ijuuin" (2021)
(Japanese title: Nakama Sounds 「愛の共犯者 feat. 伊集院幸希」)

Nakama Sounds (Instagram) is a collaborative music project based in San Francisco, California, by Marty Garrett (also a member of band Ichiban (Bandcamp, Instagram)). "Ai no Kyouhansha" (Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music) is the first single that was released last year, an original song with lyrics written and sung by Japan-based singer-songwriter Yuki Ijūin (Twitter, YouTube).

Since then, Nakama Sounds has released another song, a cover of Rumi Koyama's "gutto,, gaman shite!!" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) sung by Odoru Mie. Also, Ichiban released a new EP in December titled "Take the Stage" (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music).

4. GOOD BYE APRIL "missing summer" (2021)

Good Bye April is a band that takes inspiration from 70s new music, city pop and 80s sound, with their added touch of fresh air. The song "missing summer" appears on their new full-length album "swing in the dark" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) that was just released in January, featuring guest musicians are trumpeter Yūsuke Orita and Junnosuke Fujita (both of TRI4TH), trombonist Kayoko Yuasa and pianist Yūshō Kiyono.

A 7" of album tracks "Sailor fuku to kikanju" (known as the debut song of Hiroko Yakushimaru) and "feel my hush" was released for City Pop on Vinyl 2021.

🎙 Listen to Narration II
Presenting: Nakama Sounds, GOOD BYE APRIL, COUNTJOKE

5. COUNTJOKE "Trendy Grace" (2021)
(Japanese title: 冗談伯爵 jōdan hakushaku "Trendy Grace")

COUNTJOKE is the unit of Naoki Maezono and Toshiya Arai. The song "Trendy Grace" is from their first official album "ONE" (2021) (Spotify, , YouTube Music, OTOTOY), released on vinyl for Record Store Day 2021.

COUNTJOKE has since released a 7" single titled "Love Step", of which the title song can be heard digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music). They have also recently produced the two first 7" singles of 10-year-old singer Sotaro (Twitter), "Parade" and "Someday, whose first mini-album "Smile" will be released this March.

6. Sunny Kubota & Old Lucky Boys "asa made odorō" (2019)
(Japanese title: サニー久保田とオールドラッキーボーイズ 「朝まで踊ろう」)

Sunny Kubota & Old Lucky Boys is a band of currently 8 members, led by singer-songwriter Kubota Shingo, once the frontman of '70s band new wave band 8½ and known as being one half of "The Stardust Brothers" (a cult rock musical movie from 1985, which was followed by a sequel some 30 years later). The band also features guitarist Muramatsu Kunio (ex-Sugar Babe), keyboardist Kotaki Mitsuru (ex-Cinema), bassist Yajima Chikara (ex-8 1/2) among others, not to forget "mascot boy" Sasha who was once a roadie for Pizzicato Five and Boredoms. The song "asa made odorō" (translates to "Let's dance until the morning") is taken from their 3rd and latest album "The man who calls bliss." (2019) (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Sunny Kubota & Old Lucky Boys have been playing monthly shows at Harajuku Crocodile, which are also streamed live online. Their next will be on March 20, and details can be found here on Tokyo's Coolest Sound's Live streaming calendar.

🎙 Listen to Narration III
Presenting: Sunny Kubota & Old Lucky Boys, Monari Wakita

7. Monari Wakita "CUTi-BiL" (2018)
(Japanese title: 脇田もなり 「CUTi-BiL」)

This episode closes with a song from singer Wakita Monari's 2nd album "Ahead!" (2018) (Spotify, , YouTube Music). "CUTi-BiL" is a favorite from that album, with music written by Jun Sasaki (ex-Cosa Nostra) and lyrics by his wife Kaori Hifumi. A few copies of the album's vinyl edition are still available at Amazon Japan.

Monari's latest album is titled "Right Here" (2019) (Spotify, , YouTube Music), and since then she released a 7" titled "Place" of which the title song can be heard digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

Thank you for tuning in! There are also replays within one week listed at the top of the page.

Find previous radio shows right here. You can also listen to some older ones on Mixcloud.

Here are more music videos by the artists featured in this episode.

KOMONO LAKE "Century"

MIDORINOMARU "Ready?"

Nakama Sounds "gutto,, gaman shite!!"

GOOD BYE APRIL "koi ga hajimaru"

COUNTJOKE "A.D. 2200" lyric video

Sunny Kubota "kinben de doryokuka to fuichō suru Peten-shi"

Monari Wakita "A la Espadrille"

This year is Morio Agata's 50th anniversary since his debut (1972-2022)! This March there are two special releases of rare and previously unreleased recordings. The first is this deluxe 2-CD package, of which the 1st CD is a re-issue of the album "Raizō sanjō" (1991) of his unit Raizō that was active in 1990-1991, and the 2nd CD is a selection of live recordings by Raizō. Fukutomi Yukihiro was credited as manipulator of the "Raizō sanjō" album.

Another release will come later in March, a live album titled "Morio Agata Show Time" of a show from 1977 backed by the members of Moonriders and pedal steel musician Komazawa Hiroki.

Morio Agata "Deluxe Raizo" (2CD)
あがた森魚 「デラックス雷蔵」

Disc 1 "Raizō sanjō"
1. furamu kirin no kōtei
2. Song Cycling (rakkyarakkyasa)
3. gesshoku
4. kaze no hikaru asa
5. TAMIYA2 (Tamiya Jirō no junjō)
6. yukiwarisō to aoi mugiwara
7. jikan no owaru toki ~ kujaku to menyō

Disc 2 "Raizo Live Mix"
1. Song Cycling (rakkyarakkyasa)
2. taiyō no Lartigue
3. omokage wa hamashi-mu
4. TAMIYA2 (Tamiya Jirō no junjō)
5. hone
6. hoshi no kai
7. furamu kirin no kōtei
8. gesshoku
9. jikan no owaru toki

Super Fuji FJSP454
Out 3/2, ¥3550 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Sampler clip

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 band evening cinema. A making-of clip will premiere on evening cinema's YouTube channel on March 3 at 18:00 JST.

Check out the previous two: "The night is still young (feat. Night Tempo)" released in December, and "On the sunny side of the street (feat. Phum Viphurit)" out last month.

It has also been announced that Maki's 40th anniversary album, titled "New Beautiful", will be released on April 20! Along with the "World Tour Mix" songs, there will be some brand new songs (collaborations with K-tarō Takanami & Hideki Kaji, Keiichi Suzuki (Moonriders), Portable Rock, Crazy Ken Band and Glim Spanky), and also the live performance of "Thank You" backed by Tetsurō Yafune Trio, in which Maki and Konishi Yasuharu sang together in duet last December! Stay tuned for details soon, or pre-order at your favorite online shop now. The album will be available in limited and regular editions, and also on vinyl a month later!

Maki's 40th anniversary show will be held on April 29 and 30 at Billboard Live Tokyo. Find details here.

Maki Nomiya "Sweet Soul Revue (duet with Rainych, feat. evening cinema)" (Download)
野宮真貴 「スウィート・ソウル・レヴュー (duet with Rainych, feat. evening cinema)」

Victor Entertainment
Out now (3/2)
Sample/buy: Spotify, YouTube Music,

Rapper valknee has released a surprise 3-song EP titled "SPRING2022..u_u..vV", which can be found on digital platforms! All three tracks are by Shampoo, including a remix of "Lip Lacquer" released last summer.

The artwork is by Aoi Itoh, who also released on Instagram an original valknee face filter that can be used in stories.

valknee "SPRING2022..u_u..vV" (Download)

1. Scrapbook
2. Luvbug
3. LIP LACQUER (Shampoo Remix)

valknee
Out now (3/2)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY