Full-text search results for iLL

  1. Lullatone "Soundtracks for Everyday Adventures"
    Nagoya dreamy toy pop unit Lullatone have a new album coming this week! The Japanese edition CD comes with a bookmark that allows you to 3 downloadable bonus tracks. Order it directly from the band via Bandcamp, or at the...
    Posted on October 17, 2011 at 22:41. | Released on October 20, 2011
  2. Luvraw & BTB "Hotel Pacifica"
    Yokohama-based mellow talkbox duo Luvraw & BTB (MySpace) have a 2nd album coming. Their previous album was "Yokohama City Blues" released in summer 2010. This time they aim at making a soundtrack for fall evenings. Included is a cover of...
    Posted on October 16, 2011 at 11:50. | Released on October 19, 2011
  3. Rocketman x Kawashima Ai "soredemo bokutachi wa ikiteyuku ~ go a long way together" (Download)
    Rocketman's latest track features singer Kawashima Ai, and is coming to you as a worldwide iTunes release (23 countries). This song was first released freely as an instrumental after the March disaster, along with efforts by Fukawa Ryō and his...
    Posted on October 12, 2011 at 00:05. | Released on October 12, 2011
  4. Matsunagota Rhythm Section "Groovy Situation Dub"
    Bassist Matsunaga Takayoshi and drummer Yashiki Gōta, both former members of Japan's first dub band Mute Beat (mainly active in the 80's), are now back as a new unit appropriately named Matsunagota Rhythm Section. Their first album is out now,...
    Posted on October 9, 2011 at 10:24. | Released on October 5, 2011
  5. Urbangarde "tokimeki ni shisu"
    Trauma techno-pop band Urbangarde has a new single out just recently, their 2nd major single. There's also news of a first major album coming on November 26, on which this single's title track will be included in a different mix....
    Posted on October 8, 2011 at 20:36. | Released on September 28, 2011
  6. Perfume "JPN"
    And here's a 4th album by Perfume! The title is "JPN". Has it already been over 2 years since "⊿"? Included are all 8 songs from the 4 singles released since ("fushizen na Girl / Natural ni koi shite", "VOICE",...
    Posted on September 9, 2011 at 23:43. | Released on November 30, 2011
  7. La Casa Azul "Cerca de Shibuya"
    Shibuya-kei-friendly Spanish band La Casa Azul has what I believe is a first Japanese release out just last week. The title translating to "Somewhere near Shibuya", this comes as a greatest hits album of songs from their previous Spanish releases...
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 15:39. | Released on August 31, 2011
  8. Nakatsuka Takeshi "barairo no seisen -The Future Is In Our Hands-" (Download)
    Nakatsuka Takeshi has produced the soundtrack for new TV series "barairo no seisen", about a 30-year-old mother who wants to become a model. Subtitled "The Future Is In Our Hands", the pop and jazzy soundtrack features jazz musicians such as...
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 00:51. | Released on September 7, 2011
  9. EeL "fuwafuwa pink jellyfishes floating in the sky" (Download)
    EeL has a new single available right now! "fuwafuwa pink jellyfishes floating in the sky" is a 2-track digital that might give an idea of what might be to expect on EeL's next album. Also check out this "EeL Mix...
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 11:29. | Released on August 18, 2011
  10. Hotei with Fellows "All Time Super Guest"
    Guitarist Hotei Tomoyasu, now celebrating his 30 years of music, has a greatest hits album coming this week under the form of collaborations featuring various guest artists, hence the title "Super Guest" (vs "Best"). The songs are from his solo...
    Posted on August 17, 2011 at 00:02. | Released on August 17, 2011
  11. Pizzicato One "One And Ten Very Sad Songs" (12")
    Konishi Yasuharu's first solo album as Pizzicato One has just been released on vinyl. You'll find all songs from the CD released last May. Be sure to check out the different artwork made especially to be better appreciated in its...
    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 02:01. | Released on August 3, 2011
  12. LAMA "Spell"
    LAMA is a new all-star band featuring Nakamura Kōji (iLL, ex-Supercar), Furukawa Miki (ex-Supercar), Ushio Kensuke (agraph) and Tabuchi Hisako (bloodthirsty butchers, ex-Number Girl). This is their first single, a song used as the opening theme of TV anime series...
    Posted on August 4, 2011 at 00:00. | Released on August 3, 2011
  13. Original Love "hakunetsu"
    Original Love, the solo unit of Tajima Takao (ex-Pizzicato Five), has a new album coming this week! For this album Tajima says having played all instruments and done everything by himself down to mixing and mastering. It also includes a...
    Posted on July 27, 2011 at 19:52. | Released on July 27, 2011
  14. Gig report: Vanilla Beans & Negicco release day in-store event
    Text by Patrick for Tokyo's Coolest Sound This week was the release of Vanilla Beans' 2nd full-length original album "Vanilla Beans II"! They are now touring several record stores around the Kantō area in a promotion rush, but it all...
    Posted on July 24, 2011 at 00:00.
  15. Gig report: Yellow Magic Orchestra U.S. shows, with Cibo Matto, Buffalo Daughter, Towa Tei
    Text, photos and videos by Nicholas D. Kent (Japanese Electronic Music) for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Two reports of Yellow Magic Orchestra shows held in California last month (June 26 at Hollywood Bowl, L.A., with Cibo Matto, Buffalo Daughter and Towa...
    Posted on July 23, 2011 at 20:13.
  16. Negicco "Get It On!"
    Brought by Tower Records' new idol label T-Palette and out at the same time as "Vanilla Beans II", is this new mini-album by idol group Negicco. This trio comes from Niigata, and while being serious about their singing and dancing...
    Posted on July 18, 2011 at 12:58. | Released on July 20, 2011
  17. Vanilla Beans "Vanilla Beans II"
    Idol duo Vanilla Beans comes back to us on their Nordic winds with a brand new album full of yet unheard tracks! This includes new catchy pop track "älskar dig" (watch a live performance on YouTube) that's an answer song...
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 00:11. | Released on July 20, 2011
  18. miila and the geeks "3 songs" (7")
    miila and the geeks has a new 3-song 7" coming on July 20. This is limited to 100 copies, you know what to do! An album will follow on August 24, stay tuned for details. miila and the geeks "3...
    Posted on July 6, 2011 at 22:31. | Released on July 20, 2011
  19. Gig report: CTO LAB. Presents Tokyo Outbound #01, with (M)otocompo, Shampoo
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Monday June 27 was an event organized by CTO LAB. at Koenji High, a good venue for which I've heard many praises for its good sound and tall stage....
    Posted on July 4, 2011 at 00:18.
  20. Boot Beat "Hodgepodge"
    Here's the latest all-genre party mix CD by Boot Beat (MySpace), aka DJ Kamiya Naoaki. No tracklist is to be found, but check out the sampler clip below, and then proceed at Jet Set if you will! Boot Beat "Hodgepodge"...
    Posted on July 3, 2011 at 00:08. | Released on June 24, 2011
  21. Calmera "Knack Is The Ketchup"
    Here's a 2nd album by Osaka instrumental jazz-rock band Calmera (MySpace) on Orange Records, coming a year after debut album "Hello!! Worldwide". This one contains a cover of "Everybody Loves My Baby" feat. Maki Rinka, released on 7" earlier this...
    Posted on June 30, 2011 at 21:16. | Released on July 2, 2011
  22. Midori Hirano "Magnetic Visionaries" (Download)
    Just weeks after the release of album "RundSkipper" under the name MimiCof, Berlin-based electronic artist Midori Hirano now has a new 4-song EP of acoustic sounds wrapped into warm electronic landscapes. Out now on Overlap, the digital label of Christopher...
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 20:42. | Released on June 28, 2011
  23. Kaseki Cider "Sound Burger Planet"
    Kaseki Cider is a rapper who debuted in the mid-90's with ties to the Shibuya-kei scene but then went into a long hiatus, 13 years later he's now back with a 3rd album that promises a lot of fun! This...
    Posted on June 26, 2011 at 01:21. | Released on June 29, 2011
  24. Vanilla Beans "tengoku e no kaidan (Stairway To Heaven)"
    Vanilla Beans are back this summer with a 2nd original album coming in July, but first here's a "one-coin" single that contains new covers of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven" (!) and Pizzicato Five's "Baby Portable Rock", along with two...
    Posted on June 25, 2011 at 19:43. | Released on June 29, 2011
  25. Gig report: Saori@destiny "Domestic domain" release event
    Text and photo by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound This week was the release of Saori@destiny's new mini-album "Domestic domain", and she is doing a series of mini live shows at Shosen Book Tower, a book and entertainment store...
    Posted on June 17, 2011 at 00:12.
  26. spoon+ "birth"
    Fun indies techno-pop/electro-pop unit spoon+ (MySpace) has a first album coming next week. They have been quite active performing many shows, in which singer-songwriter aco dances and sings in front of a large screen of synchronized video. Before this album...
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 22:29. | Released on June 21, 2011
  27. 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
  28. MimiCof "RundSkipper"
    Berlin-based electronic artist Midori Hirano has a new solo project going under the name MimiCof in which she says she focuses more on electronic textures and beat-oriented music. Here's a first album coming on Japanese label Progressive Form. Check out...
    Posted on June 4, 2011 at 10:55. | Released on June 15, 2011
  29. Supercar "RE:SUPERCAR 2 ~redesigned by nakamura koji~"
    Following the release of "RE:SUPERCAR 1", here's a 2nd album of "redesigned" tracks by Nakamura Kōji (aka Nakakō aka iLL). This time the album focuses on the later Supercar releases. Some audio samples can be heard at this special site...
    Posted on June 4, 2011 at 10:27. | Released on June 15, 2011
  30. Gig report: Vanilla Beans & Negicco press conference
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Tonight was a special press conference for idol groups Vanilla Beans and Negicco, held at Tower Records Shibuya's Stage One venue downstairs. It was in a way open to the...
    Posted on June 3, 2011 at 23:58.
  31. Pizzicato One "One And Ten Very Sad Songs"
    Here it is! Konishi Yasuharu's debut solo album comes under the name Pizzicato One, and is a collection of English-sung covers of foreign songs all selected and rearranged by himself. This album features an impressive list of foreign guests, even...
    Posted on May 18, 2011 at 22:32. | Released on May 25, 2011
  32. Gig report: Hikashu & Shinohara Tomoe at The Japan Society, NYC
    Text and photos by Nicholas D. Kent (Japanese Electronic Music) for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Back in late 2009 Tomoe asked to let her listen to some Hikashu (MySpace) tracks, specifically "Biro Biro", a classic 1980 released track of theirs because...
    Posted on May 17, 2011 at 23:22.
  33. Nyantora "White E.P."
    Nyantora, the solo project of Nakamura Kōji aka Nakakō (iLL, ex-Supercar), has what's being announced as a 5th album (although it looks more like a mini-album) coming this week. This is mastered by Sunahara Yoshinori and contains a remix by...
    Posted on May 16, 2011 at 22:33. | Released on May 18, 2011
  34. mito "Dawns"
    mito, bassist of band clammbon, has a solo album coming next week. Featured are many guests including electronic artist agraph, pianist kotringo, and members of bands toe and Rovo. Plus, the album is mastered by Sunahara Yoshinori! Released at the...
    Posted on May 15, 2011 at 01:26. | Released on May 18, 2011
  35. Gig report: mōretsu kara Beautiful Concert 2011: Sally Soul Stew and Keme
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday May 8 was a show of Sally Soul Stew, the band of bassist Sally Kubota (Les 5-4-3-2-1, The Phantom Gift), held at Shinjuku rock venue Red Cloth. Sally...
    Posted on May 14, 2011 at 11:55.
  36. Gig report: "Swing in the JICOO" with Nakatsuka Takeshi
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Saturday, May 7, was another swinging cruise hosted by Nakatsuka Takeshi aboard JICOO, the water bus-turned-floating bar designed by manga artist Matsumoto Leiji. The event was a sort of...
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 22:58.
  37. Gig report: Frenesi and Kaseki Cider
    Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Friday May 6 was the first day of a series of shows celebrating the 11th anniversary of venue Astro Hall in Harajuku. It was only my 2nd time there (the first being...
    Posted on May 11, 2011 at 00:10.
  38. Gig report: Farm Party #6: Abikyokan, Hosaka Akane, Young Fratellis, N'toko
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Friday April 22 was a fun event held at Asagaya GaMuSo, of the Farm Party series organized by the great Tokyo Gig Guide. Started just last year, it was...
    Posted on April 29, 2011 at 11:49.
  39. Gig report: Charity event: KAJI Hideki, Chabe, Harvard, Love and Hates
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Wednesday was held a charity event organized by Kaji Hideki, with the help of Harajuku Astro Hall where he has been doing regular events for a long time. The...
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 23:25.
  40. April Set "Fairground"
    April Set, the solo project of DJ Suzuki Masanori, has a new full-length album coming this week, containing both covers and original songs with bossa, house, jazz and disco sounds. Featured are vocalists Necozawa Emi, Okawara Izumi (Qypthone), Pecombo, Suzuki...
    Posted on April 24, 2011 at 23:39. | Released on April 27, 2011
  41. Moonriders "Caméra Égal Stylo Special Edition"
    The Moonriders has a reissue coming of "Caméra Égal Stylo", their 5th album first released in 1980. This edition contains a special bonus CD with remixes of all songs by the likes of CTO LAB., Kishino Yūichi (La veuve moustache...
    Posted on April 24, 2011 at 23:14. | Released on April 27, 2011
  42. Supercar "RE:SUPERCAR 1 ~redesigned by nakamura koji~"
    Supercar (disbanded in 2005) has a new release coming, that's of previously released songs "redesigned" by former member Nakamura Kōji (aka Nakakō aka iLL). The songs are mainly taken from early albums "Three Out Change", "Jump Up", "OOYeah!" and "OOKeah!"....
    Posted on April 17, 2011 at 00:34. | Released on April 20, 2011
  43. Various Artists "Velvet Songs"
    This cover compilation from Grand Gallery consists of new recordings of songs from the repertory of Alfa label. Featured artists include Nakatsuka Takeshi, Cubismo Grafico feat. Kushibiki Sayaka, Sokabe Keiichi, Nanao Tavito, Shimazaki Hitomi with Nanase feat. Kinbara Chieko, Chocolat...
    Posted on April 14, 2011 at 21:36. | Released on April 20, 2011
  44. Aira Mitsuki "Aira Mitsuki LiVE TOUR 2011 '???' in LIQUIDROOM" (DVD+CD)
    Aira Mitsuki has a 2nd live DVD coming up, this time of the awesome final show of her latest tour for 3rd album "???". This show was held last January 30 at Liquidroom in Ebisu, Tokyo. I had the great...
    Posted on April 10, 2011 at 00:19. | Released on April 20, 2011
  45. Perfume "Laser Beam/kasukana kaori"
    Perfume's next double-A-sider single is coming in May, and the song "Laser Beam" can already be heard in a TV commercial (watch below). Part of the profit from the sales will be given to charity for the recent earthquake/tsunami victims....
    Posted on April 9, 2011 at 01:16. | Released on May 18, 2011
  46. Beastie Boys "Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 (Japanese edition)"
    The Japanese edition of the Beastie Boys' new album comes with a bonus remix by... Cornelius! It will also be out a week early on April 27. The remix is of "Make Some Noise" of which the original can currently...
    Posted on April 7, 2011 at 23:12. | Released on April 27, 2011
  47. Cubismo Grafico Five "Half Dozen"
    Shortly following leader Chabe's first solo album "Me." (out on March 16), and last year album "Double Dozen", this is a new mini-album from Cubismo Grafico Five. A tour of Tokyo/Ozaka/Nagoya will follow the release, stopping on May 28 at...
    Posted on April 5, 2011 at 00:04. | Released on April 13, 2011
  48. Kinoco Hotel "Marianne no kōkotsu", "Monzetsu!! namakinoko zuroku" (Book)
    Kinoco Hotel has a brand new original album coming up, being announced as their first full-length album. The title translates to "Marianne's ecstasy", and the CD will include a video clip as CD-Extra content in a "not suitable for children"...
    Posted on March 31, 2011 at 22:10. | Released on April 6, 2011
  49. Denki Groove "Denki Groove no Golden Hits ~ Due To Contract", "Denki Groove no Golden Clips ~ Stocktaking" (DVD, Blu-ray)
    Denki Groove have a new greatest hits compilation, and also a collection of all their 28 videoclips since the early days, both being released at the same time. The CD contains several non-album edits as well as a previously unreleased...
    Posted on March 27, 2011 at 01:28. | Released on April 6, 2011
  50. Various Artists "Nagisa ongaku-sai presents In The Mix mixed by Tomoyuki Tanaka (FPM)"
    Tanaka Tomoyuki aka FPM has a new mix CD out today, put together for beach rave event Nagisa Music Festival where he will be DJing. The event is to be held in Tokyo on April 10 and in Osaka on...
    Posted on March 23, 2011 at 22:42. | Released on March 23, 2011
  51. Panda 1/2 "Panda! Panda! Panda!" (Download)
    Panda 1/2 have a new pop track available for download. The title, "Panda! Panda! Panda!" The sound breathes Shibuya-kei! Watch a trailer of the video below, showing producer James Panda Jr. visiting the pandas of the world. Today March 21,...
    Posted on March 21, 2011 at 11:08. | Released on March 16, 2011
  52. Chabe "Me."
    Cubismo Grafico aka Matsuda Gakuji is back with a new album, his first under his popular nickname, Chabe. This includes songs from last December's now sold out debut 10" EP that marked the opening of his KIT Gallery, and contains...
    Posted on March 7, 2011 at 21:24. | Released on March 16, 2011
  53. Sloppy Joe "With Kisses Four"
    The next offering from HNC's White Lily Records is this 1st full-length album by Sloppy Joe, guitar-pop band of five that debuted with a mini-album and 7" in 2006. Artwork is by Yuppa (HNC). A few audio samples at White...
    Posted on February 26, 2011 at 00:21. | Released on March 9, 2011
  54. If By Yes "Salt On Sea Glass"
    If By Yes is a new all-star band led of Yuka Honda (Cibo Matto) with Petra Haden (that dog., The Rentals), Araki Yuko (mi-gu, The Cornelius Group) and Shimizu Hirotaka (also of The Cornelius Group)! This first album also features...
    Posted on February 21, 2011 at 22:27. | Released on March 2, 2011
  55. Gig report: Ohno Yumiko "The Rainy Table" release party
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Friday was a public holiday, Japan's National Foundation Day, and early evening I went to Roppongi SuperDeluxe for an event organized by multi-talent Ohno Yumiko of Buffalo Daughter. Yumiko...
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 22:52.
  56. capsule "World Of Fantasy"
    capsule has a brand new album coming this March May! The album is said to be at a constant 128 BPM. I've heard that this time there will be no stock vocals, and that it's the first time singer Koshijima...
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 22:33. | Released on May 25, 2011
  57. capsule "World of Fantasy" (Download)
    Yes, capsule is back with more! This new song is released today on iTunes, ahead of upcoming new album "Killer Wave" to be released on March 23. Stay tuned regarding the album. capsule "World of Fantasy" (Download) Yamaha Out now...
    Posted on February 9, 2011 at 22:09. | Released on February 9, 2011
  58. "Tokyo Idol Festival 2010" (DVD)
    Here is a live DVD set (2 discs) of event Tokyo Idol Festival 2010 ("TIF") held last August 7-8, which featured some 45 up-and-coming idol groups. Included are 6 or 7 songs with Vanilla Beans, making this much worth of...
    Posted on February 7, 2011 at 23:22. | Released on February 9, 2011
  59. Gig report: Aira Mitsuki "???" tour final
    Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Sunday I had the chance to catch Aira Mitsuki's last stop of her tour for the release of latest album "???". The show was held at Ebisu LiquidRoom on January 30....
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 22:56.
  60. YO!HEY!! "Cult Club Manners Vol.1: Fantazy Mix"
    Out this Friday on HNC's White Lily Records is the first of a mix album series, on which YO!HEY!! shows how hip-hop and indie rock go together. YO!HEY!! is one of the three members of Threepee Boys who contributed a...
    Posted on February 2, 2011 at 23:29. | Released on February 4, 2011
  61. Gig report: Club Aloe live at 440
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound My first show of the year was Club Aloe, the anti-aging post-punk band featuring 5 ex-members of Modern Choki Chokies. It was their 2nd show in Tokyo, following the one...
    Posted on February 1, 2011 at 00:17.
  62. 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
  63. Perfume "Perfume Live @ Tokyo Dome '1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11'" (DVD)
    Perfume has a new DVD coming of their concert held at Tokyo Dome on November 3 last year. Their biggest yet show for an audience of 50000 fans marked their 10th anniversary (and also the 5th of moving to a...
    Posted on January 24, 2011 at 22:16. | Released on February 9, 2011
  64. Toki Asako "Toki Asako Light! ~CM & Cover Songs~", "Gift ~anata wa Madonna~"
    Toki Asako (ex-Cymbals) has a new album coming, a collection of cover songs plus some recent songs for TV commercials (for Shiseidō, Uniqlo, Nissan and DoCoMo). Lead song "Gift ~anata wa Madonna~" has been released as a "one coin" ¥500...
    Posted on January 22, 2011 at 01:20. | Released on February 2, 2011
  65. The Suzan "Golden Week For The Poco Poco Beat (Japan edition)" (CD+DVD)
    The Suzan (MySpace) have been enjoying a lot of success and good word-of-mouth since the release of this album last year on A-Trak's Fool's Gold (U.S. edition this way), and now here comes an overdue Japanese release. This includes 4...
    Posted on January 16, 2011 at 23:04. | Released on January 26, 2011
  66. EeL "for common people"
    Osaka cute-electro-punk-future-pop indies artist EeL has a new album on the way, full of brand new songs! This comes on post-Vroom Sound label Stubbie Records. Check out the new video and sampler clip below. Also if you missed it, last...
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 22:27. | Released on January 26, 2011
  67. kotringo "picnic album 2"
    A sequel to her cover album of Japanese songs, "picnic album 1", here pianist kotringo interprets favorite foreign songs! Features are songs originally by Björk, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, The Jackson 5, The Buggles and more. kotringo "picnic album 2" 1....
    Posted on January 11, 2011 at 23:55. | Released on January 19, 2011
  68. Dorian "Melodies Memories EP.1" (12")
    Cuts from Dorian's excellent first album "Melodies Memories" are being released on 12". This first EP contains "Shooting Star", the collaboration with Nanao Tavito and rapper Yakenohara, song from 1st video clip "Morning Calling", the cover of Denice Williams' "Free",...
    Posted on January 2, 2011 at 14:04. | Released on January 7, 2011
  69. Gig report: CTO LAB., Candles, Hi-5, spoon+
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Monday (December 27) was my first occasion to see CTO LAB., a side-unit of Imai Kentarō (The Aprils), polymoog (Elektel) and Okada Tōru (Moonriders), which I had been wanting...
    Posted on December 31, 2010 at 17:46.
  70. Gig report: Groove Unchant "Notre Musique" release party
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On December 18, Groove Unchant was of passage in Tokyo part of a tour for the release of his first album "Notre Musique" (out last month on Orange Records). Even...
    Posted on December 30, 2010 at 01:46.
  71. Gig report: Electronic World Cup 2010
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound It's been a month already since I went to this really fun event titled "Electronic World Cup 2010". Organized by Kishino Yūichi (hige no mibōjin aka La veuve moustachue aka...
    Posted on December 18, 2010 at 14:08.
  72. EeL "Kung-Fu People Etcetera"
    Have you missed EeL's early albums? Here's a new release that contains the best tracks from both "Kung-Fu Master" and "people people", now both pretty rare, as well as 2 new tracks and a new arrangement! A free MP3 if...
    Posted on December 15, 2010 at 22:56. | Released on December 21, 2010
  73. "Oh! Mikey Romance" (DVD)
    Oh! Mikey is celebrating its 10th anniversary already!? Here comes a DVD of 10 brand new black humor-filled episodes, the first new material in almost 3 years. Mikey fans rejoice! "Oh! Mikey Romance" (DVD) (Region 2 NTSC, 4:3, English subtitles)...
    Posted on December 5, 2010 at 23:10. | Released on December 3, 2010
  74. Groove Unchant "Notre Musique"
    DJ and producer Groove Unchant has a first full album out just now on Orange Records! Featured are vocalists Nomoto Karia, Hamasaki Yōko (Urbangarde), Pecombo, Suzuki Momoko and more, as well as remixes by Tanaka Tomonao (S-Klapp, Tremorela, One Four...
    Posted on November 30, 2010 at 18:38. | Released on December 1, 2010
  75. Various Artists "FPMBoot"
    Here's an interesting one, a said "unofficial" remix album of FPM tracks! Included are various previously unreleased remixes and other goodies, mixed and remixed by young DJs but also Kuchiroro, Tahiti 80, Ryohei with Verbal (m-flo)... Including the megamixes this...
    Posted on November 3, 2010 at 12:55. | Released on November 17, 2010
  76. Cornelius "Fantasma" (2CD+DVD)
    It's been 13 years since the release of "Fantasma", Cornelius' masterpiece that won him worldwide recognition. Here it is reissued entirely remastered, by none other than Sunahara Yoshinori! The limited edition comes with a bonus CD of rare tracks, remixes...
    Posted on October 30, 2010 at 15:57. | Released on November 3, 2010
  77. Gig report: Fantastic Explosion "Sounds In Space" release party
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last week, on Friday October 22, was Fantastic Explosion's release party for new mini-album "Sounds In Space". The event was held at heavysick ZERO, a small-sized 2-floor club in Nakano,...
    Posted on October 30, 2010 at 11:39.
  78. Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra "Goldfingers"
    Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra's new mini-album is full of goodies! Collaborations with saxophonist Kikuchi Naruyoshi (DCPRG, Spank Happy) and New York-based pianist Uehara Hiromi, remixes by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) and Sunaga Tatsuo, and covers of Frank Zappa and Charles Mingus....
    Posted on October 30, 2010 at 01:23. | Released on October 27, 2010
  79. JiLL-Decoy association "JiLL-Deco 4 ~ugly beauty~"
    "Shibuya-kei funk pop" unit (as I saw them described somewhere) JiLL-Decoy association is a trio of guitar, drums and female vocals. Having debuted in 2007 they're already at their 4th album. While mostly original tunes, this one contains two Sunaga...
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 22:01. | Released on October 20, 2010
  80. Gig report: Hoover's Ooover at the O-West
    Text by Ken M (Japan Live) I have trouble with big concert venues. A phobia of sorts. Ax, Zepp, Tokyo International Forum...I'm not a fan of any of them. Visions of animals being herded through the slaughterhouse... But these places...
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 18:49.
  81. Ino Hidefumi "Kaleidoscopic"
    Ino Hidefumi (MySpace) has a live album coming next week, of the final show of his tour for album "Inocology". Held at Shibuya Club Quattro on April 10, the show featured his songs in different arrangements, and also some new...
    Posted on October 9, 2010 at 22:01. | Released on October 15, 2010
  82. Various Artists "Girls Sazanami Beat! vol.3"
    A third sampler compilation from Sazanami Label has been released, containing a total of 22 tracks with many previously unreleased ones, and the whole at a nice price too. Included is a new recording by sono na wa Spade (The...
    Posted on October 7, 2010 at 22:07. | Released on September 22, 2010
  83. Various Artists "Grrrls Talk (compiled by Twee Grrrls Club)"
    Twee Grrrls Club (MySpace) is a grrrls unit doing what indie grrrls do: make cassette mix tapes, fanzines, collect records and DJ. The unit features Yuppa (HNC, Love And Hates), Miila (Love And Hates), Sumire and Satomi. This is their...
    Posted on October 4, 2010 at 20:56. | Released on October 6, 2010
  84. Various Artists "To b. by agnès b. - Red Lipstick Remix"
    Japan exclusive girls brand To b. by agnès b. is releasing this compilation album featuring both Japanese and French artists. Included are previously released tracks by Kahimi Karie and Tokumaru Shūgo among many others. Various Artists "To b. by agnès...
    Posted on October 3, 2010 at 02:29. | Released on October 6, 2010
  85. Various Artists "Shibuya9010"
    It sure is missing more than a few bits, but nevertheless here's an interesting Shibuya-kei-themed compilation featuring many artists from the genre. Maybe an occasion to find a few gems we didn't know of? Many tracks can be sampled on...
    Posted on September 29, 2010 at 00:49. | Released on September 22, 2010
  86. Tropico Q "Hard Rock PAFE"
    What's hidden behind this strange name? It's the new unit of Plus-tech Squeeze Box' Hayashibe Tomonori, together with Maeda Ryōma. This album is all covers of hard rock songs you've heard before, but redone in electro-dance fashion, all featuring vocals...
    Posted on September 20, 2010 at 21:10. | Released on September 22, 2010
  87. Fantastic Explosion "Sounds In Space"
    Fantastic Explosion (label ExT Recordings' MySpace) has a new mini-album coming this week! This succeeds the soundtrack for SF hero movie Hyperion released last year, though it's been 6 years since their previous original album "Return of Fantastic Explosion" (1994)....
    Posted on September 19, 2010 at 15:45. | Released on September 22, 2010
  88. Vanilla Beans "VaniBest"
    Vanilla Beans have a new release that comes as a greatest hits album, although over half of it is actually previously unreleased tracks. Most notably there's a cover of Pizzicato Five's "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" ("the night is still...
    Posted on September 19, 2010 at 14:47. | Released on September 22, 2010
  89. Sally Soul Stew "anata ni maketa no" (7")
    Sally Soul Stew, the solo unit of Sally Kubota (Les 5-4-3-2-1, The Phantom Gift), has a new 7" coming this month! The A-side is a cover of Koyama Rumi's "anata ni maketa no" (1970), while the B-side is an original...
    Posted on September 13, 2010 at 23:50. | Released on September 20, 2010
  90. Nakatsuka Takeshi "53512010" (Download)
    Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone) has a new download-only album out now on iTunes! This album is a collaboration with men's fashion brand 5351 POUR LES HOMMES by Abahouse. When buying the full album, a bonus 42-minute non-stop mix is included. A...
    Posted on September 9, 2010 at 23:04. | Released on September 8, 2010
  91. Gig report: Future Pop Lounge 2010
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On August 28, I went to Future Pop Lounge (official site), a festival style event at Shibuya O-Nest. It was the 3rd time the yearly summer event was held though...
    Posted on September 8, 2010 at 22:37.
  92. Gig report: Rocketman Summer Fes 2010 - thank you for the music!!
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday August 22, I went to Liquidroom in Ebisu for "Rocketman Summer Fes 2010", an event celebrating the 10 years since the debut of Rocketman, Fukawa Ryō's music unit....
    Posted on September 1, 2010 at 22:47.
  93. Gig report: Club Aloe
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Two weeks ago, on August 10, I had the chance to see what I believe was the first show by Club Aloe, a new band by 5 ex-members of Modern...
    Posted on August 28, 2010 at 02:00.
  94. Gig report: Fujimura Tohru + Yasuda Toshiyuki "Shimokitazawa Silent Disco"
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Recently I got to go to an interesting event held in a café called Slow Comedy Factory in Shimokitazawa. Limited to some 30 people, as many seats as there were,...
    Posted on August 5, 2010 at 23:50.
  95. Perfume "VOICE"
    Next week brings a brand new single by Perfume, again of course produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule)! Check out the teaser video clip below. There is (was?) a limited edition too, including a bonus DVD with the title track's video...
    Posted on August 5, 2010 at 21:18. | Released on August 11, 2010
  96. Rocketman "thank you for the music!"
    Rocketman (aka comedian Fukawa Ryō) has a greatest hits album coming soon. Aside from 7 songs from his two solo albums ("Love, sea & music" (2006) and "The Sound of Musique" (2007)), included are 3 songs he produced by Cosmetics,...
    Posted on July 29, 2010 at 23:05. | Released on August 4, 2010
  97. 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
  98. KOR=GIRL "KOR=GIRL I"
    A first mini-album from KOR=GIRL (MySpace) is coming this week! KOR=GIRL is a new unit of 2 girls who sing while banging Korg Wavedrums. It's produced by Terukado (Aira Mitsuki, Saori@destiny). It seems that the release had to face some...
    Posted on July 18, 2010 at 11:57. | Released on July 21, 2010
  99. Gig report: Shinohara Tomoe's Ultra Relax Day 2010
    Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Wednesday, July 14, was a show celebrating the 15th anniversary of Shinohara Tomoe's debut album "Super Model". The album was reissued just recently with bonus tracks and an added DVD of...
    Posted on July 17, 2010 at 21:07.
  100. CTO LAB. "Okie Dokie!"
    There's a new techno-pop unit called CTO LAB., formed of Okada Tōru (Moonriders), Polymoog (Elektel) and Imai Kentarō (The Aprils). "CTO" standing for "Compact Techno Organization", the concept is to use small synthesizers and electronic instruments for making their music....
    Posted on July 14, 2010 at 00:11. | Released on July 28, 2010

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