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
Perfume "Perfume Complete 'LP' BOX" (12"x6)
For Perfume collectors, vinyl fans and DJs, here comes a set of five LPs! This includes albums "Perfume ~Complete Best~", "GAME", "Triangle", "JPN" and "Perfume Global Compilation 'LOVE THE WORLD'" (a 2-LP set). All are pressed on high quality 180g...
Posted on February 15, 2016 at 23:23. | Released on February 17, 2016
Kera "Brown, White & Black"
Kera (aka Keralino Sandorovich, of No Lie-Sense, Kera & The Synthesizers) has a new solo album coming, his first since 1988 ("genshoku"). This new album is said to be jazz, "fake jazz". Included are covers of jazz standards "Shine (That's...
Posted on January 10, 2016 at 12:13. | Released on January 20, 2016
Count Joke "nikyu tenshi no Theme / ame ni hohoemi o" (7"+CD)
Count Joke (aka jōdan hakushaku) (Facebook page) have released yet another 7" single this month! "nikyū tenshi no Theme" is a brand new original, while "ame ni hohoemi o" is a Japanese lyrics disco cover of Neil Sedaka's "Laughter in...
Posted on December 30, 2015 at 21:53. | Released on December 9, 2015
Nomiya Maki "What The World Needs Now Is Love"
Nomiya Maki has a new album coming! Following her live album from last year, "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards", this time she takes some of those standards (and then some) to the studio! Included are songs by Pizzicato Five,...
Posted on November 8, 2015 at 11:05. | Released on November 11, 2015
Count Joke "Pink Shadow / tamago" (7"+CD)
Count Joke (aka jōdan hakushaku) (Facebook page) have a brand new 7" out now! The A-side is a cover of Bread & Butter's "Pink Shadow" (1974), while the B-side is a brand new original written by singer Maezono Naoki. Like...
Posted on September 3, 2015 at 23:05. | Released on August 26, 2015
Original Love "Lover Man"
Original Love (aka Tajima Takao) has a brand new album coming this month! Tajima has said that after contributing "Sunshine Nihonkai" to Negicco he's been feeling like making more pop music again, and this can be felt throughout this album....
Posted on June 3, 2015 at 23:20. | Released on June 10, 2015
Harada Tomoyo "Love Song Covers"
Harada Tomoyo has a new album coming this week, consisting of covers of foreign songs such as The Beatles "I've Just Seen a Face", Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender", Julie London's "Fly Me To The Moon", Burt Bacharach-written "The Look...
Posted on March 15, 2015 at 15:37. | Released on March 18, 2015
Original Love "Lover Man" (Download)
Original Love has a brand new single out now on iTunes worldwide! The groovy title track "Lover Man" is wonderful, and Tajima Takao said it's a song he's very proud of. The single also includes 2 B-sides, one of...
Posted on March 7, 2015 at 12:21. | Released on March 4, 2015
Negicco "Rice&Snow"
Negicco have a brand new album just out this week! This includes songs written by Tajima Takao (Original Love), Yoshida Tetsuto, Yano Hiroyasu (ex-Cymbals), Nishidera Gōta (Nona Reeves), Miura Kōshi (Kuchiroro), and of course Negicco's main producer Connie. Also there...
Posted on January 22, 2015 at 21:25. | Released on January 20, 2015
Various Artists "Women's Liberation"
This is an album of covers of Japanese songs from the 60's to the early 70's, here sung with translated English lyrics! Both the originals and the covers were performed by Japanese women, completing the theme of this compilation. Vocalists...
Posted on January 19, 2015 at 21:32. | Released on January 7, 2015
Sugar's Campaign "Friends"
Sugar's Campaign, the unit of producers Avec Avec (aka Takuma Hosokawa) and Seiho (aka Seiho Hayakawa), finally has a full-length album coming! This includes latest single "Holiday" as well as an album version of previous hit track "Netokano". A must!...
Posted on January 5, 2015 at 23:07. | Released on January 21, 2015
Vanilla Beans "Vanilla Beans IV"
Vanilla Beans have a brand new album coming, you guessed it, "Vanilla Beans IV"! Once again this comes with artwork that's both very non-idol-like and unforgettable. The album will include several brand new songs, plus the title tracks of the...
Posted on December 31, 2014 at 23:24. | Released on February 3, 2015
Gig report: Miss Maki Nomiya sings "Shibuya-kei Standards" 2014
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On November 7 was a show by Nomiya Maki (ex-Pizzicato Five) at Billboard Live Tokyo. With the title "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards", it was the 2nd of the...
Posted on December 31, 2014 at 15:43.
Nona Reeves "Choice III"
The latest in Nona Reeves' "Choice" series is a cover album of Wham!, or an album of only Wham! covers, if you prefer. The artwork refers to the fact that Wham! songs "Bad Boys" and "Freedom" were used in TV...
Posted on December 29, 2014 at 20:16. | Released on November 5, 2014
NyoROBOtics "3 micron no neji"
Osaka-based "idol robot group" NyoROBOtics has a first original album out now on Orange Records. The songwriters behind this include Jean-Paul Takahashi and Rinda, both of group Chupi*Chupi on the same label. Audio samples of all songs at HMV. NyoROBOtics...
Posted on December 7, 2014 at 21:11. | Released on November 26, 2014
Kojima Mayumi "On the Road"
Kojima Mayumi has a 9th album out now! Her back-band features Kaji Hideki on bass, with guest appearances by Asa-chang and others. All songs are originals. Her "last show of the year" is to be held on December 18 at...
Posted on December 7, 2014 at 14:47. | Released on December 3, 2014
Negicco "hikari no Spur"
Negicco have a new single out now, featuring two new songs. While both were produced by Negicco's main producer connie, the winter-themed title track is arranged by Tajima Takao (Original Love) who also produced previous single "Sunshine Nihonkai". Two limited...
Posted on December 7, 2014 at 13:46. | Released on December 2, 2014
Nomiya Maki "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards"
A waterfall of events led Nomiya Maki (ex-Pizzicato Five) and producer Sakaguchi Osamu (a soundtrack producer who first got in touch with Maki in the Portable Rock days) to start a project that re-introduces Shibuya-kei hit songs and important influences...
Posted on November 8, 2014 at 14:26. | Released on November 12, 2014
Various Artists "Twilight Time"
This compilation from Grand Gallery consists of covers of Japanese city pop hit songs from the 70's and 80's. Featured are artists including Nakatsuka Takeshi, hitomitoi, Sokabe Keiichi, Kimyō Reitarō, Hicksville and more. Many of the songs are brand new...
Posted on November 4, 2014 at 22:44. | Released on October 29, 2014
Josei "I See You While Playing The Piano"
Jōsei, pianist of jazz band Soil & "Pimp" Sessions has a 1st solo album out now, on which he plays a Fazioli concert grand piano. Included are covers such as jazz standard "Blue in Green" and Japanese traditional children's song...
Posted on October 26, 2014 at 22:14. | Released on October 8, 2014
Buffalo Daughter "Konjac-tion"
Here comes a brand new original album by Buffalo Daughter, follow-up to "The Weapons of Math Destruction" (2010). The new album has a theme of "block party" and comes as a set of 2 CDs, one of the original new...
Posted on July 20, 2014 at 17:56. | Released on July 23, 2014
Negicco "Sunshine Nihonkai"
Negicco's new single is written and produced by Tajima Takao (Original Love)! Its B-side is also a Shibuya-kei-sounding track by Negicco's regular producer connie. The single comes in 3 different limited editions, two of which each include a DVD of...
Posted on July 16, 2014 at 23:52. | Released on July 22, 2014
POiSON GiRL FRiEND "rondoElectro"
Do you remember POiSON GiRL FRiEND (Facebook page)? Solo unit of nOrikO, its name took inspiration from Momus who later produced two of her albums ("Shyness" and "Mr. Polyglot Remix"). 20 years have passed since "Love Me" (1994) and now...
Posted on July 10, 2014 at 23:22. | Released on July 14, 2014
quasimode "My Favorite Songs"
Jazz band quasimode have a new cover album out now, including covers of Radiohead, Stevie Wonder, Boys Town Gang, Nat King Cole and more. The limited edition comes as a higher quality SHM-CD (plays in normal CD players) and a...
Posted on April 27, 2014 at 11:22. | Released on April 23, 2014
Record Store Day 2014 in Japan
Record Store Day in Japan has been getting bigger every year. This year there are dozens of exclusive vinyl releases to be found on the shelves of these record shops on Saturday April 19. Below is a selection of releases...
Posted on April 13, 2014 at 13:46. | Released on April 19, 2014
Various Artists "Sushi Disco"
Here's a 3rd compilation of original tracks made especially for Odawara spinning sushi restraurant "Zen" that goes beyond the rules by not only serving top-class sushi but also wine and French dishes. This time the style of choice is disco,...
Posted on March 22, 2014 at 23:01. | Released on March 17, 2014
Yakenohara "Self-Portrait"
This is an album of various remix works by rapper, DJ and trackmaker Yakenohara. Also included are original tracks he previously contributed to compilations "White Album" and "Pan Pacific Playa Presents 'Old Fashion Vol.1'", including previously unreleased remixes. Check out...
Posted on March 22, 2014 at 22:41. | Released on March 19, 2014
the fascinations "Green In Blue"
Recently I had been wondering what the fascinations are up to, and here's a new album! This is the follow-up to "latona" (2009). "Green In Blue" contains plenty of new originals by the vibraphone-led jazz band, as well as covers...
Posted on January 10, 2014 at 00:15. | Released on December 11, 2013
Cutie Pai "Love chururi"
Self-produced idol-songwriter Cutie Pai has a new single out now! Title track "Love chururi" was arranged by tessy (CANDLES). B-side "zutto, gyutto" is an image song for character Noobow who celebrates its 25th anniversary, this one was arranged by elect-link...
Posted on November 23, 2013 at 18:07. | Released on November 13, 2013
Luvraw feat. Costa De Palma "seppun -kiss-"
This is a first release from Image Cluv, the new label of Luvraw (of talkbox duo Luvraw & BTB). Here Luvraw does a talkbox cover of Original Love's famous "seppun -kiss-", with the help of band Costa De Palma (SoundCloud)....
Posted on October 18, 2013 at 21:57. | Released on October 16, 2013
Various Artists "Monchhichi Birthday Party"
Here's what looks like a fun compilation, put together for the 40th birthday of popular Japanese doll Monchhichi. Featured are cool girly indies tracks from the last few years, making it a good opportunity to catch up with the scene...
Posted on September 20, 2013 at 23:20. | Released on September 18, 2013
Perfume "LEVEL3"
Perfume have a brand new album to be released this October! "LEVEL3" comes about 2 years after the previous, "JPN", and will include lead tracks from singles "Spring of Life", "Spending all my time", "mirai no Museum" and "Magic of...
Posted on August 9, 2013 at 00:25. | Released on October 2, 2013
Nakano Aya "heta na uso"
Here's a 2nd album by hostess and singer Nakano Aya. Like her previous album "zurui hito", this is produced by DJ Hase Hajimu and consists of various covers in jazz and latin styles. A 7" can also be found at...
Posted on August 4, 2013 at 21:50. | Released on July 24, 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.
Original Love "Electric Sexy"
Here's a new album from Original Love, the solo unit of Tajima Takao (ex-Pizzicato Five). It has been 2 years since previous album "hakunetsu", and this new album goes yet into a different direction by taking an electric influence from...
Posted on July 14, 2013 at 23:22. | Released on June 26, 2013
Misola "Correspondence"
Misola is a recent band that debuted with a 7" last March, and now here comes a 1st album on Orange Records! The band actually features some famous members, with Ōhashi Nobuyuki (aka Pate, now part of BANK, ex-Bridge) on...
Posted on July 13, 2013 at 23:59. | Released on June 12, 2013
Gig report: Vanilla Beans, Nomiya Maki & BIBA
Text and 2nd photo by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound. 1st photo by Kaz Sekiguchi, courtesy of Yoko Fujiwara. On July 5th was the 4th edition of Vanilla Beans' series of shows with a live band. Every time they...
Posted on July 11, 2013 at 23:34.
Ino Hidefumi "New Morning"
Electric piano player Ino Hidefumi has a new album out now! "New Morning" contains 8 new original songs, and also 3 covers of songs by Todd Rundgren ("Hello It's Me"), Julie London ("Cry Me A River" written by Arthur Hamilton)...
Posted on May 30, 2013 at 22:49. | Released on May 30, 2013
Perfume "Magic of Love" (Single), "Perfume WORLD TOUR 1st" (DVD)
Perfume is back with a double release. Both coming on May 22 are new single "Magic of Love", and a DVD of Perfume's 1st world tour, more specifically a show held in Singapore. There's a limited edition of the single...
Posted on May 7, 2013 at 22:38. | Released on May 22, 2013
Original Love "Fashion Appeal" (Download)
Here's a new song from Original Love, the solo unit of Tajima Takao (ex-Pizzicato Five). "Fashion Appeal" has a surprising electro touch that makes for a danceable catchy song. The EP also contains two live tracks, and is available only...
Posted on April 28, 2013 at 23:51. | Released on April 24, 2013
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.
FPM "Scale"
FPM's 7th original album is almost here! It has been 3 years since "FPM" (not counting classical music cover album "Qlassix"). "Scale" is full of brand new tracks, including some that have been partially heard in commercials for various brands...
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 22:55. | Released on February 13, 2013
Nakatsuka Takeshi "Lyrics"
Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone), who this year celebrates 10 years of solo activity, has a new album coming. While several of the songs here have been previously released in demo form for free on the "Takeshi Lab" section of his web...
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 21:45. | Released on February 6, 2013
Gig report: Saitō Neon Sign, Love & Revolution, Emmy Lee & The Psyzans
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday January 6, I went to an event at Koenji U.F.O. Club part of a series celebrating the 17th anniversary of the popular GS (Group Sounds)/garage rock oriented venue....
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 00:11.
Gig report: Happy X'mas with The Scooters
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Christmas day, I went to a show of The Scooters who got active again this year after some 30 years! Last summer was released new album "Une Manche et...
Posted on December 28, 2012 at 23:48.
Kushibiki Sayaka Trio "Day & Midnight"
Kushibiki Sayaka Trio, featuring Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Cubismo Grafico) and Furukawa Taichi (aka TA-1, ex-Riddim Saunter), has a first album out now. This mainly consists of covers of Japanese songs (and some covers of Japanese covers of foreign songs). Both...
Posted on December 23, 2012 at 23:46. | Released on December 19, 2012
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.
Various Artists "The Beat Goes On ~Salsoul Classics Mixed By Towa Tei~"
Towa Tei has a new mix CD, in fact his first ever! He has released many compilation CDs before but it seems like this is his first attempt at a non-stop mix. Here he selects tracks from legendary New York...
Posted on December 8, 2012 at 00:16. | Released on December 5, 2012
Original Love "Overblow Tour 2012 Live in Shibuya Club Quattro"
Original Love has a first live album out now. This 18-song 2-CD recording is from a show held at Shibuya Club Quattro on July 21, 2012, part of the "Overblow Tour". Included are also several old hits such as "seppun...
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 21:41. | Released on November 21, 2012
hitomitoi "YOUR TIME Route #1"
Following its "Choice" series of foreign song covers, Billboard Records begins a series of Japanese song cover albums titled "Your Time". The first artist of the series is hitomitoi who released her latest original album "City Dive" on the label....
Posted on November 5, 2012 at 21:58. | Released on November 14, 2012
DJ Fumiya "Beats For Daddy"
DJ Fumiya (Rip Slyme, O.T.F) has a 1st solo original album coming! As the title says, the concept is club music intended for the current "dad generation" he belongs to. :) Featured guests include Bakubaku Dokin with Nagashima Tomoko (orange...
Posted on November 3, 2012 at 22:56. | Released on November 7, 2012
Vanilla Beans "Vanilla Beans III"
It's a busy year for Vanilla Beans! Not only have they released 3 singles, a DVD and a photo book so far, but here comes a brand new 3rd album! This one is said to have the particularity of being...
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 00:55. | Released on November 7, 2012
Various Artists "Shibuya-kei Respect" series
October saw the release of a series of 3 Shibuya-kei tribute cover compilations! All of these are full of famous Shibuya-kei songs covered by younger artists and bands who have been influenced by the movement. Included are songs originally by...
Posted on November 1, 2012 at 22:46. | Released on October 10, 2012
Kushibiki Sayaka Trio "Lover's Concert" (7")
Kushibiki Sayaka Trio features Matsuda "Chabe" Gakuji (Cubismo Grafico) and Furukawa Taichi (aka TA-1, ex-Riddim Saunter), and this 7" is a first release under this name. The single includes covers of Sarah Vaughan's "Lover's Concert" (original on YouTube) and Suzuki...
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 22:48. | Released on October 9, 2012
Julia Oki "É da Julia"
This is the debut album of Julia Oki, her music described as Japanese Brazilian Crossover. The album is produced by jazz singer-songwriter akiko, and this also features artists such as Nakatsuka Takeshi, Shimizu Hirotaka (The Cornelius Group), Miura Makoto, and...
Posted on September 5, 2012 at 21:57. | Released on September 5, 2012
frenesi "gendai"
frenesi has a brand new album coming in September! Titled "gendai" ("modern times"), it contains the song from latest video of the same name, and also a track that appeared in game "taiko no tatsujin" last year, and a cover...
Posted on August 20, 2012 at 22:49. | Released on September 5, 2012
Blu-Swing "Find Your Way"
New-jazz band Blu-Swing has a 2nd original album coming. Along their original songs are included covers of "Say You Love Me" and "Free". This follows their first original album "Revision" (2008). Blu-Swing can be seen live on July 28 at...
Posted on July 22, 2012 at 00:42. | Released on July 25, 2012
Sally Soul Stew "Blue Angel Deluxe"
Sally Soul Stew, the band of bassist Sally Kubota (Les 5-4-3-2-1, Phantom GIft), has released a deluxe CD edition of its latest 7", "anata ni maketa no" (2010). The band also features singers Mashiro Megumi (Hicksville), Lemon, guitarist Nakamori Yasuhiro...
Posted on July 15, 2012 at 10:22. | Released on June 27, 2012
Various Artists "Shibuya-kei feat. Hatsune Miku"
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku sings Pizzicato Five, Flipper's Guitar, Kahimi Karie, Kaji Hideki, Original Love and Ozawa Kenji in this Shibuya-kei cover compilation put together by producers from the Vocaloid scene. Two original songs are also included as bonus tracks....
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 20:44. | Released on July 11, 2012
Scooters "Une Manche et La Belle"
It's a dream come true: Tokyo's Motown sound girls' group the Scooters are back! The band directed by Shindō Mitsuo have a new album coming, 30 years since their previous only original album "musumegokoro wa Scooters" (1982). The first cut...
Posted on July 7, 2012 at 00:04. | Released on July 11, 2012
Gig report: Vanilla Beans one-man live vol.4
Text and photo by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday June 17, I went to see Vanilla Beans who were holding their 4th one-man live. I had been to the first held in December 2009 (report), and have...
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 23:35.
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
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.
Gig report: Beat Communist vol.10: Nakatsuka Takeshi, Kaji Hideki, akiko, P.O.P ORCHeSTRA
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Saturday May 26 was the 10th edition of the "Beat Communist" event presented by Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone), which is regularly held every 3 months at jazz club JZ Brat....
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 23:20.
Gig report: Nomiya Maki's 30th anniversary concert
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound. Photos by Kasuga Miwa. On Monday March 19, I went to Nomiya Maki's 30th anniversary concert held at O-East, coincidentally (?) almost the same place where was held Pizzicato Five's last concert...
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 22:31.
Various Artists "Crue-L Café"
From Crue-L Records comes this new compilation titled "Crue-L Café", full of songs that are either brand new, previously unreleased or available for the first time on CD! (All except for Tucker's track which is from his latest album.) The...
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 19:20. | Released on March 19, 2012
m-flo "Square One"
Some 5 years have past since m-flo's "Loves" series, and since what I believe was their latest original album "Cosmicolor" (not counting the bunch of "best", "tribute", "remix" albums that came since). Now here's a new album being advertised as...
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 21:57. | Released on March 14, 2012
Okamura Yasuyuki "katei kyōshi"
Okamura Yasuyuki's 4th album, "katei kyōshi" (1990), is being re-issued as a high quality Blu-Spec CD. Plus, the album was remastered by Sunahara Yoshinori! The title translates to "home teacher". Lately the song "(E)na" can be heard covered by The...
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 21:00. | Released on February 15, 2012
Hirado Yūsuke "Speak Own Words"
Hirado Yūsuke is the pianist and leader of jazz band quasimode. Here's a first solo album that features appearances of bird, Hatakeyama Miyuki (Port of Notes) and more. Included are covers of Amy Winehouse, Burt Bacharach, Carole King among others,...
Posted on January 8, 2012 at 01:18. | Released on January 11, 2012
Gig report: Sally Soul Stew and The Fave Raves
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound The last show I went to in 2011, on December 28, was one organized by Sally Soul Stew, band of bassist Sally Kubota (Les 5-4-3-2-1, The Phantom Gift). I had...
Posted on January 6, 2012 at 23:30.
Love and Hates "L.A.H."
Love and Hates, the girl party unit of Yuppa (HNC) and Moe (Miila and the Geeks) has finally a first album coming, after several cassettes that all sold out almost instantly! 17 tracks are included, totaling 36 minutes (2:07 average)....
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 17:27. | Released on December 7, 2011
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
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.
Various Artists "Mellow Back 2011 Mixed by DJ Souljah"
Here's what looks like a pretty good mix CD on the Shibuya-kei perspective, mixed by DJ Souljah. Various Artists "Mellow Back 2011 Mixed by DJ Souljah" 1. WISE × underslowjams / City Lights 2. Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra / utsukushiku...
Posted on June 19, 2011 at 14:32. | Released on June 22, 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.
Maezono Naoki Group "tooku e. Maezono Naoki Group dai2shu"
Maezono Naoki Group, the band in which Konishi Yasuharu plays piano, has a 2nd album coming this month! It's already been almost 2 years since their first. This time the trio (vocals, bass and piano) are joined by drums and...
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 01:54. | Released on May 13, 2011
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.
Hosono Haruomi "HoSoNoVa"
Hosono Haruomi (YMO) has a new solo album coming this month! This is his first vocal album on which he sings all songs since "Hosono House" (1973). Along with many new original songs, included are covers such as "Ramona" and...
Posted on April 12, 2011 at 23:51. | Released on April 20, 2011
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
Original Love "Red Curtain ~Original Love early days~"
Before Original Love, there was The Red Curtain, which released an album titled "Original Love" in 1986. Here all 8 songs are re-issued for the first time, together with 9 songs from a live show of the same year, plus...
Posted on February 21, 2011 at 21:52. | Released on March 2, 2011
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
Tokyo No.1 Soul Set "subete hikari"
Tokyo No.1 Soul Set continues to celebrate its 20th anniversary with this album of covers featuring various female singers such as Halcali, Kojima Mayumi, Toki Asako, Harada Ikuko (clammbon) and more. Covers include ones of Original Love, Scha Dara Parr,...
Posted on February 9, 2011 at 21:58. | Released on February 9, 2011
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.
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.
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
Nakano Aya "zurui hito"
Trying to move on to 2011 but here's something I had failed noticing from last year. 25-year-old hostess Nakano Aya has a debut album released at the end of November that was produced by Hase Hajimu, consisting of various covers...
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 21:30. | Released on November 24, 2010
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.
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
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
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.
Various Artists "Speedking Vol.3", "Speedking Vol.1 Remastered and Separated"
J-death techno label Speedking Productions brings a 3rd compilation of original tracks. The 2-CD release features Yoshida Tetsuto, Bubble-B, Cherryboy Function, Leopaldon, Hally (VORC Records) , omoshiro Sangokushi and many others. Out at the same time is a re-issue of...
Posted on August 26, 2010 at 21:21. | Released on August 24, 2010
Gig report: Rehabilitation: yes, mama ok? & Yume to Cosme
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Friday August 6, I went to mona records in Shimokitazawa for an event called "Rehabilitation", featuring a show by mid-90's indies band "yes, mama ok?". 5 years ago leader...
Posted on August 15, 2010 at 20:09.
Sunahara Yoshinori "Subliminal"
Sunahara Yoshinori is back with a first original solo release since "Lovebeat" (2001)! That's if you don't count soundtrack "No Boys, No Cry" (2009) and the collaboration single "kamisama no iu tōri" out recently. This new EP consisting of 4...
Posted on July 25, 2010 at 23:41. | Released on July 28, 2010
Sweet Jam Style "Shibuya-kei Bossa"
Bossa nova cover project Sweet Jam Style's first release is a collection of Shibuya-kei classics. Included are hit songs by Pizzicato Five, Cornelius, Kahimi Karie, Original Love, Flipper's Guitar and Ozawa Kenji. The album features various female vocalists, and is...
Posted on July 20, 2010 at 22:10. | Released on July 21, 2010
Hosokawa Fumie "The Best Hit & Heal + Clips 'Hosokawa Fumie' Best Collection"
Big-chested gravure idol Hosokawa Fumie was only active musically for 2 years in the early 90's, but she had some great songs including ones produced by Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato Five) and Ishino Takkyū (Denki Groove). Greatest hits album "Hit &...
Posted on July 12, 2010 at 22:18. | Released on July 14, 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.
Boot Beat "Manifesto 5"
This 5th of Boot Beat's popular "Manifesto" mix CD series brings us more happy and catchy, fresh-sounding jazzy tunes, both standards and obscure, and sure to make you want to dance. Available now at Jet Set! Boot Beat "Manifesto 5"...
Posted on June 2, 2010 at 21:28. | Released on March 24, 2010
