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
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.
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.
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.
salyu x salyu "s(o)un(d)beams"
Singer Salyu has a new album coming this month under the name "salyu x salyu" ("salyu by salyu"), and music is written and produced by Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius) who she says made her discover new things about her voice. This...
Posted on March 5, 2011 at 14:52. | Released on April 13, 2011
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.
Various Artists "mahō no tenshi Creamy Mami kōshiki Tribute Album"
In the same line as last year's "Kirakira Majocco Cluv", here's another cover compilation this time focusing on amine series "Creamy Mami" (title translates to "Magical Angel Creamy Mami Official Tribute Album). This again features Shinohara Tomoe and many various...
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 13:28. | Released on February 9, 2011
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
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.
Gig report: WOWOW "Music Ltd." 17th public live recording
Text by Patrick for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On October 12 I went to a public live recording for pay TV channel WOWOW's "Music Ltd." show. The recording isn't done in a TV studio but at a regular live house, and...
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 22:50.
80kidz "Weekend Warrior"
Melodic electro unit 80kidz's 2nd full length album upon us. This is a follow-up to "This Is My Shit" (April 2009), since which they've also released download-only EP "Voice" and single "Spoiled Boy" . Jet Set offers a "Blackbox Test"...
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 19:43. | Released on October 20, 2010
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.
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
Gig report: "E*P=10Y" Elektel and Pyokn's 10th anniversary
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last weekend, on Sunday June 13, was held an event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of two bands, Elektel and Pyokn, incidentally formed around the same time. The event was...
Posted on June 20, 2010 at 18:21.
Gig report: Tokyo Pinsalocks, Noodles, Kinoco Hotel at Que
Text and photos by Ken M (Japan Live) Sunday was girl band night at the Club Que, but the three featured groups had little in common other than that they were all girls. First up was Kinoco Hotel, AKA "mushroom...
Posted on March 8, 2010 at 03:37.
Various Artists "Kirakira Majocco Cluv"
This looks like it might be a real gem of a compilation! The concept is of idols singing theme songs of anime series about magical girls, and tracks are produced by various club-oriented artists. Featured singers include Shinohara Tomoe and...
Posted on February 8, 2010 at 21:21. | Released on February 10, 2010
HMO toka no naka no hito (PAw Lab.) "Hatsune Miku Orchestra"
The virtual idol with a software voice, Hatsune Miku sings on these covers of YMO, born from Japan's leading video sharing social network Nico Nico Dōga. The album was mastered by an engineer who worked with YMO and Sketch Show....
Posted on September 3, 2009 at 22:29. | Released on August 26, 2009
frenesi "Cupra"
DiscID: a20a320d
Posted on June 7, 2009 at 01:21. | Released on June 3, 2009
Various Artists "Juicy Fruits"
This compilation has for theme "covers of songs with fruits in their title". Tracks are produced by young units Cherryboy Function, Harley & Quin, Beat Panama, etc., and featured vocalists include Yuppa of Hazel Nuts Chocolate (with a Halcali cover!),...
Posted on February 16, 2009 at 00:29. | Released on February 18, 2009
Horie Yui "Vanilla Salt ~Toradora Ending Theme"
Anime voice actress Horie Yui's latest single will certainly appeal to Perfume and Aira Mitsuki fans, and it's arranged/produced by Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone)! A limited edition contains a video clip of the title track, which can also be seen on...
Posted on November 30, 2008 at 21:22. | Released on October 22, 2008
Kahimi Karie "Music For Nipper"
Kahimi Karie has produced a short compilation aimed at dogs and their owners, hoping to make it ambient music able to soothe both. The music is written by Kanda Tomoki, with one track co-written by Kojima Daisuke of Port of...
Posted on November 11, 2008 at 23:25. | Released on November 5, 2008
C-C-B "Romantic wa tomerarenai"
80's band C-C-B, most famous for their hit song "Romantic ga tomaranai" (translates to "'Romantic' doesn't stop") and their falsetto voice drummer, is back this year with a new album! This is their first since 1988. It contains a new...
Posted on April 4, 2008 at 10:13. | Released on April 30, 2008
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
Port of Notes "Joint Adventure 2"
Port of Notes has a new remix album coming soon. Included are remixes by Sunaga t̀ Experience, Lindstrom and Prins Thomas, and DJ Kawasaki, along with the Crue-L regulars, and also a new track produced by Kanda Tomoki. Important info...
Posted on June 21, 2007 at 15:55. | Released on June 30, 2007
Various Artists "10Girls' Voice"
A compilation of electronic tracks with female vocal will be released by label Elegant Disc. Including songs by both pro and amateur singers, the compilation features Yoshimi (Sonicberry Favour), Anna Yamada (singer praised by Sakamoto Ryūichi), Takahashi Yūki (Paradigm), Urara...
Posted on May 16, 2007 at 14:22. | Released on May 23, 2007
Various Artists "Tokio Integral Presents Metropolitan Classics"
This club music compilation selected by Nasu Kisaku (Jazz Integral) contains mostly previously released songs by Fantastic Plastic Machine, Halfby, Nakatsuka Takeshi feat. Toki Asako (Cymbals), jenny01 (Ōnuki Taeko cover produced by Sunaga Tatsuo), FreeTEMPO, Mizumoto Akira (PAM, TMVG), a...
Posted on April 11, 2007 at 11:51. | Released on April 25, 2007
Inoue Marina "Beautiful Story"
Out last week is this single of the ending theme from anime TV series "getsumentoheiki Mi-na" (「月面兎兵器ミーナ」), produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule). The song is sung by voice actress Inoue Marina who has the leading role in the series. The...
Posted on February 27, 2007 at 12:07. | Released on February 21, 2007
Various Artists "Blue Cafe"
DJs of Organ b.'s "Blue Cafe", regular event, led by Suzuki Masanori (April Set / Premium Cuts), have put down their best tracks for a compilation of the same name. The event recently celebrated its 7th anniversary. Sunaga Tatsuo, former...
Posted on October 23, 2006 at 17:43. | Released on October 25, 2006
arvin homa aya "Amazing"
Singer arvin homa aya, best known for her vocals with Jazztronik, has a second solo album coming up. It will feature collaborations with Sunaga Tatsuo, Fukutomi Yukihiro, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Studio Apartment, Exile, Harukawa Hitoshi, AI, and Minmi. The album...
Posted on September 11, 2006 at 20:09. | Released on October 18, 2006
Various Artists "moe Techno poppuu"
Is it a first compilation that makes a genre "official"? If so, better watch out for 萌えテクノ ("moe techno")! With nearly 100,000 hits on Google (at time of writing) and this new compilation from the T4P indie label, the said...
Posted on August 4, 2006 at 16:49. | Released on September 6, 2006
Sunaga t̀ Experience "A Letter from Allnighters"
After all those compilations released recently, it has finally come: a new Sunaga t̀ Experience album! This will be Sunaga Tatsuo's 3rd solo album, and might be yet a bit more jazzy than the previous ones. Out on Konishi day...
Posted on April 1, 2006 at 12:09. | Released on May 24, 2006
Nobuchika Eri "Nobuchikaeri.rx"
Singer Nobuchika Eri, always produced by Ōsawa Shinichi (of Mondo Grosso, Sakura Hills Disco 3000, and bird fame), has a first remix album coming out including contributions by Fantastic Plastic Machine, Matthew Herbert, and more. Nobuchika Eri "Nobuchikaeri.rx" 信近エリ 「Nobuchikaeri.rx」...
Posted on March 22, 2006 at 16:23. | Released on May 10, 2006
Various Artists "Maison de Chocola"
Konishi Yasuharu, who produced the Nomoto Karia-sung opening and ending themes to anime series "Sugar Sugar Rune", has written music, arranged and produced an "image album" for the series. While not used in the series itself, the songs were inspired...
Posted on November 1, 2005 at 14:48. | Released on December 28, 2005
Alien vs. Vanessa Paradis
French wacky horror/comedy film "Atomik Circus: Le retour de James Bataille" seems to be very good, compared by many to Peter Jackson's classic "Bad Taste", and it's coming to Japan in November. Watch out for the horrible Japanese title though:...
Posted on August 25, 2005 at 11:43. | Released on October 15, 2005
Mogy Junwich "MOGY-TV"
Musician and narrator Mogi Junichi, or Mogy Junwich as he prefers, is best known to me as the announcer's voice in the hilarious "Ski Jumping Pairs" DVDs (3 stunts are also included on Halcali's first DVD ). I'm not too...
Posted on June 27, 2005 at 16:54. | Released on August 10, 2005
Björk "Music from 'kōsoku no Drawing 9'"
I have been a huge Björk fan since "Debut", though I've been a bit out of the loop lately, not having been much into her voice-only album "Medlla". I'm however looking forward to her new film "Drawing Restraint 9" directed...
Posted on June 27, 2005 at 10:21. | Released on July 21, 2005
Moog: The Documentary
The Moog documenary by Hans Fjellestad will be shown at Shibuya Cinema Society from February 19. I definitely won't miss that one! There will also be a series of talk shows featuring Ohno Yumiko, Mooog Yamamoto (both Buffalo Daughter), Tokiwa...
Posted on January 15, 2005 at 20:12. | Released on February 19, 2005
