Various Artists "01:11"
Japanese electro label PROGRESSIVE FOrM has a first label greatest hits compilation coming that covers from the label start in 2001, hence the title of "01:11" (reads "one eleven"). Included are tracks by MimiCof, Aoki Takamasa (one song featuring Tujiko...
Posted on January 7, 2012 at 13:22. | Released on January 11, 2012
yanokami "toku wa chikai"
yanokami, the unit of Yano Akiko with rei harakami (the latter who passed out in July of a brain hemorrhage), has a last album coming. This consists of a few new original songs plus a selection of covers of Arai...
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 21:43. | Released on December 14, 2011
LAMA "New!"
After singles "Spell" and "Cupid / Fantasy", here finally comes a first album from official site, the super-group of Nakamura Kōji (iLL, ex-Supercar), Furukawa Miki (ex-Supercar), Ushio Kensuke (agraph) and Tabuchi Hisako (bloodthirsty butchers, ex-Number Girl). "New!" contains a total...
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 00:05. | Released on November 30, 2011
Toki Asako "sings the stories of 6 girls"
Toki Asako (ex-Cymbals) has a new mini-album of 6 songs. Included is a new version of "Gift ~anata wa Madonna~", previously released as a single, now also featuring singer Epo. The limited edition contains a DVD of 6 live songs...
Posted on November 21, 2011 at 23:13. | Released on November 23, 2011
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
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.
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
Cherryboy Function "suggested function EP#1"
Following the popularity of "suggested function EP#2" released last January, here comes Cherryboy Function's rare "#1" that was released on 12" only in 2006 and sold out almost instantly. Added are two remixes that were previously only available on the...
Posted on May 16, 2011 at 23:13. | Released on May 18, 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
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.
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.
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
pupa "dreaming pupa", "floating 6 pupas ~Live in Tokyo 2008~" (DVD)
All-star band pupa (*), that was believed by many to be a one-time thing, is back with a 2nd album out now! Released at the same time is a live DVD containing a full show held in November 2008. Also...
Posted on July 28, 2010 at 22:50. | Released on July 28, 2010
Various Artists "Kill your T.V. meets felicity EP -curated by Aiha Higurashi-"
Higurashi Aiha (ex-Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her) selects this nice-priced compilation EP of songs from label felicity's catalog. Included are yet unreleased new songs by her unit LOVES. (from upcoming album to be released on July 28), and also...
Posted on June 6, 2010 at 18:32. | Released on June 16, 2010
Various Artists "Tokyo Auto-Reverse ~ Neo-Shibuya-kei x 80's ~" (Download)
Here's an interesting compilation of 80's Japanese hit song covers by young bands of the post-Shibuya-kei scene! Featured are The Aprils, Yume to Cosme (previously known as solange et delphine), Mr.COCKROBIN, roly poly ragbear, Sucrette, the Caraway and more. This...
Posted on May 27, 2010 at 23:58. | Released on May 26, 2010
Ishiwatari Junji & Sunahara Yoshinori + Yakushimaru Etsuko "kamisama no iu tōri"
Sunahara Yoshinori has teamed up with ex-Supercar guitarist Ishiwatari Junji for a new unit, called Ishiwatari Junji & Sunahara Yoshinori. Their first release is a single of an ending theme for anime "yojōhan shinwa taikei", and features singer Yakushimaru Etsuko...
Posted on May 11, 2010 at 22:18. | Released on May 26, 2010
Halcali "Tokyo Groove"
Halcali is finally back this month with a new album! The previous was "Cyborg oretachi" 3 years ago. This time we are treated to 2 CDs of 8 songs each. The first contains original songs, and the other all covers....
Posted on May 10, 2010 at 23:24. | Released on May 26, 2010
FPM "FPM"
Fantastic Plastic Machine has officially changed his artist name to FPM! Plus, this new album being self-titled has to show how much this release means to him. This 6th album comes exactly 4 years after "Imaginations". Featured artists include Monkey...
Posted on December 19, 2009 at 13:57. | Released on December 23, 2009
capsule "FLASH BEST"
After Nakata Yasutaka has gained lots of fame as a producer for various artists (Perfume, Meg, Suzuki Ami,..), it's now time for a first greatest hits album from capsule! This focuses on releases since "S.F. sound furniture" (2004) and seems...
Posted on August 25, 2009 at 23:30. | Released on August 26, 2009
Various Artists "Silent Dream 2 - mixed by Masanori Ikeda"
Ikeda Masanori (aka Mansfield) (MySpace) has selected tracks from house label Flower Records for this non-stop compilation mixed by himself. Several of the tracks are presented in a special edit just for this release. Audio samples at Flower Records Various...
Posted on September 18, 2008 at 22:49. | Released on September 3, 2008
Various Artists "Beautiful Techno"
Especially with Perfume taking over the charts lately, Japan is really in techno-pop mode right now! This compilation is a great opportunity to catch up, and will feature artists like Meg, Aira Mitsuki, immi, Q;indivi, and more. It will total...
Posted on May 28, 2008 at 15:49. | Released on July 16, 2008
Various Artists "mōshiwake nai to From Akasaka Urban Mix" / "Idol Mix"
Regular club party Mōshiwake Night's DJ team has put together these two mix CDs, under "Urban" and "Idol" themes, totaling 100 songs! Each CD features two DJs selecting a dozen tracks in turn. Those selectors are DJ Mitsy, Uta Maru...
Posted on March 10, 2008 at 17:21. | Released on April 16, 2008
Miura Makoto "be bop or do something"
DJ Miura Makoto (aka Monsieur Mieurax) brought us earlier this year this mix CD of happy, upbeat jazz with hints of breakbeats and latin house. Included is Fun Lovers' "Samba" that FPM has been spinning. The German version of "Hit...
Posted on December 29, 2007 at 22:26. | Released on June 16, 2007
DJ Codomo "Today"
Best known as Kiiiiiii's producer, but also for his works with Cornelius and Buffalo Daughter, DJ Codomo (MySpace) has a first solo album coming up. The sound is described as 8-bit club-pop with a definite Japanese touch, and featured will...
Posted on December 12, 2007 at 11:28. | Released on January 23, 2008
Perfume "Fan Service ~Prima Box~" (3CD+DVD), "Fan Service: bitter (Normal edition)" (DVD)
This year again, idol unit Perfume will "service" their fans to special releases for Valentine's Day. First, there will be a boxed set containing their 3 indies-era singles ("Sweet Donuts", "Monochrome Effect" and "Vitamin Drop") plus a DVD of videos...
Posted on November 27, 2007 at 18:14. | Released on February 13, 2008
Meg "Beam"
Following single "OK", electro-pop singer Meg has a full album coming up. It's entirely produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) and, guess what, it's out on the same day as the new capsule album, "Flash Back"! It also includes a cover...
Posted on October 29, 2007 at 10:56. | Released on December 5, 2007
Various Artists "Good Girls Don't! Neo"
Indies label K.O.G.A has a new girls band compilation coming up, 3rd of the "Good Girls Don't" seres, including new songs by Micro Mach Machine, Hazel Nuts Chocolate and many others. A video for Micro Mach Machine's "GR" can be...
Posted on August 20, 2007 at 13:24. | Released on September 5, 2007
Perfume "Perfume ~Complete Best~" (CD+DVD) (re-release)
Idol unit Perfume's sold out first album, which had only been released in a limited edition, is being re-released in a standard edition. The only difference seems to be the bonus track on the DVD which has been swapped for...
Posted on February 6, 2007 at 14:50. | Released on February 14, 2007
Chocolat & Akito "Tropical"
Following their first self-titled album released in 2005, Chocolat & Akito will be back with a new album in February. The album will feature Shimizu Hirotaka (Little Creatures, ex-Bridge), and also John McEntire who mixed the whole album. Chocolat &...
Posted on December 28, 2006 at 16:25. | Released on February 15, 2007
jenny01 "Listen or Love"
jenny01's 3rd major mini-album is produced by Sunaga Tatsuo. It will contain a cover of Ōnuki Taeko's "tokai", a song produced by Abe Noboru (Studio Apartment), a remix of debut song "Monologue" by Ikeda Masanori (Mansfield), and appearances by Takamiya...
Posted on August 3, 2006 at 12:23. | Released on October 4, 2006
Perfume "Perfume ~Complete Best~" (CD+DVD)
After many indies and major singles, Perfume will finally have an album released this summer! This is actually a collection of all previously released singles (including the indies ones, it seems), and also some new songs. All is produced by...
Posted on June 27, 2006 at 17:14. | Released on August 2, 2006
capsule "FRUITS CLiPPER"
Follow-up to "L.D.K. Lounge Designers Killer" released last September, a new capsule album is coming this May! They promise a high level of dancefloor-oriented electro-club music. There will be a limited edition, contaning a CD-sized vinyl record holding the song...
Posted on March 26, 2006 at 23:26. | Released on May 10, 2006
"Oh! Mikey Hardcore" (DVD)
Coming next month is a new Oh! Mikey DVD, this time containing unreleased episodes that didn't make it to TV. Black humor, adult stuff, you name it. A must for hardcore Oh! Mikey fans! The DVD's jacket shows Mikey, Lola...
Posted on July 7, 2005 at 21:36. | Released on August 26, 2005
Fantastic Plastic Machine "Sound Concierge #502"
A new mix CD in FPM's Sound Concierge series is coming out in August. The mix CD will contain a new FPM song, "Tell Me", from his forthcoming album expected in October! As usual, there will be a limited edition...
Posted on July 4, 2005 at 10:54. | Released on August 31, 2005
Higurashi Aiha "Platonic"
Although her solo works hadn't quite caught my attention so far, ex-Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her Higurashi Aiha's new album seems like it will be a winner! Producers include Sunahara Yoshinori (ex-Denki Groove), Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius), Asa-chang, Hatori Miho...
Posted on May 11, 2005 at 16:32. | Released on May 25, 2005
Various Artists "Yellow Magic kayōkyoku" & "Techno Magic kayōkyoku"
Two interesting compilations of 80's techno-pop/kayō, certainly containing a lot of gems, will be released in February at a relatively low price. The first compilation has 3 CDs and consists of only songs written/produced by Yellow Magic Orchestra members (Sakamoto...
Posted on December 7, 2004 at 17:54. | Released on February 23, 2005
Fantastic Plastic Machine "Sound Concierge" #501 and Annex
A third series of mix CDs by Tanaka Tomoyuki aka Fantastic Plastic Machine has been announced. The formula is same as before, one lounge CD and one house CD. Update 1/6: This time, one of the two CDs seems to...
Posted on November 12, 2004 at 13:12. | Released on February 23, 2005
8-ban Records Nu-Music Sampler Softly! Edition
Now isn't this the coolest stuff ever! Label Softly!, teaming up with other indie labels, is releasing a series of eight 8-ban records and also an original Softly! color 8-ban player! Featured artists include Aprils, EeL, Hazel Nuts Chocolate and...
Posted on September 17, 2004 at 10:31. | Released on October 1, 2004
