Buffalo Daughter "ReDiscoVer. Best, Re-recordings and Remixes of Buffalo Daughter"
Buffalo Daughter have been around for 20 years! And of course they still rock! This is a special greatest hits album released for the occasion. Not only some of their best songs are included, but also new remixes (including one...
Posted on August 4, 2013 at 11:54. | Released on July 24, 2013
Masanori Ikeda "The Loud Works"
Masanori Ikeda (SoundCloud) (aka Mansfield) has a new album out now! This is actually his first original album under this name, and it contains a variety of tracks released over the recent years in vinyl or digital forms, including "Mu"...
Posted on July 31, 2013 at 21:30. | 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
sōtaiseiriron "Town Age"
sōtaiseiriron, band featuring singer Yakushimaru Etsuko, have a new album coming. It's been some 3 years since their previous proper album "Synchroniciteen" (2010), not counting remix/collaboration album "tadashii sōtaiseiriron" (2011). HMV gives away an original sōtaiseiriron future calendar of year...
Posted on July 20, 2013 at 23:56. | 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.
keme "shiranai sekai"
Guitarist singer-songwriter keme, aka Isabel Keme-Kamogawa of Kinoco Hotel, has a 2nd solo album out now. With her solo project, keme shows a face different from her Kinoco Hotel skillful fuzzy solos, rather playing 70's-inspired folk rock and putting focus...
Posted on July 15, 2013 at 00:18. | Released on July 4, 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.
Hosono Haruomi "Heavenly Music"
Hosono Haruomi (YMO) has a new solo vocal album out now! The album consists mainly of covers, including ones of Kraftwerk's "Radio Activity", The Carpenters' "Close to You" and Bob Dylan's "When I Paint My Masterpiece". The album's main recording...
Posted on June 16, 2013 at 01:26. | Released on May 22, 2013
lyrical school "Parade"
This is the new single by lyrical school, rap idol unit produced by tofubeats. "Parade" marks the welcoming of new member Hina. Also included is a self-cover of theme song "tengal6" (the former name of lyrical school) in a new...
Posted on May 17, 2013 at 00:07. | Released on May 15, 2013
Gig report: Vanilla Beans band live with Kaji Hideki
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Until recently, Vanilla Beans had always performed their shows "idol style", singing karaoke over a backtrack of the music. Last year marked their 5th anniversary, and then came 3rd album...
Posted on May 3, 2013 at 20:01.
Sexy-Synthesizer feat. Chihiro "POP!"
8-bit unit Sexy-Synthesizer (official Facebook page) has a new mini-album out now, with the tag line "This is not 'ROCK' but 'POP!'" This features singer Chihiro who has appeared before on 2008 album "Sexy-Synthesizer presents Funky-Bit" (Amazon). The CD is...
Posted on May 3, 2013 at 13:50. | Released on May 1, 2013
tofubeats "Lost Decade", "university of remix", "college of remix"
1990-born young genius DJ tofubeats has a first full-length album out now! This features hit song "suisei" (feat. rapper Onomatope Daijin), as well as a lot of new tracks, including songs featuring vocalists Nanba Shiho, PUNPEE, G.RINA, Kariya Seira and...
Posted on April 28, 2013 at 23:31. | 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.
Various Artists "Girls Sazanami Beat! vol.5"
This is a 5th of Sazanami Label's popular compilation series of indies girl rock/garage/neo-GS bands. Collect them all! All tracks can be sampled at the official release page. The jacket was specially designed by Italian illustrator Luca Tieri. A series...
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 23:49. | Released on February 9, 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.
Original Soundtrack "Tokyo zenryoku shōjo"
Konishi Yasuharu produced the music for TV drama "Tokyo zenryoku shōjo", about a 19-year-old girl who suddenly arrives to Tokyo to look for her father she hadn't met for 15 years. This series is from the makers of "Dekawanko" and...
Posted on December 20, 2012 at 00:09. | Released on November 28, 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 "Dancing After 1AM"
Indies rock compilation "Dancing After 1AM" album is from label Call And Response specializing in post-punk, new wave, often a bit on the noisy rock side, nevertheless a definitely pleasant listen for even my pop-oriented ears. Here are all new...
Posted on December 3, 2012 at 23:28. | Released on October 17, 2012
Ryoma Maeda "Fantastic Suicide"
Ryoma Maeda aka milch of source (producer of EeL) is releasing a new album under his real name. With more pop melodies than before, the sound is said to be an upbeat chaos of rock, punk and techno. The odd...
Posted on November 4, 2012 at 10:09. | Released on November 10, 2012
Wack Wack Rhythm Band "XX Classics"
Wack Wack Rhythm Band is now celebrating its 20th anniversary! Time flies! This first greatest hits album contains favorites from their whole career, as well as the 2 new recordings from their latest 7" single. A total of 20 tracks....
Posted on November 3, 2012 at 21:21. | 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
Wack Wack Rhythm Band "Long Island Margarita / Ain't Got No, I Got Life" (7")
Party big band Wack Wack Rhythm Band has a new 7" single out now! The A-side is a new version of their hit song "Wack Wack Rhythm Island" now featuring vocals by their newest member Lemon. The B-side is a...
Posted on October 28, 2012 at 22:19. | Released on October 24, 2012
Nosa Reina "don't kiss, but yes"
"Pizzicato Five 2012 edition!?", "Post-Nomiya Maki?" dare official blurbs say! Nosa Reina is a new singer whose debut album is being produced by Takanami K-tarō (ex-Pizzicato Five), who has also hired the two musicians from Portable Rock for the back...
Posted on September 29, 2012 at 23:58. | Released on October 10, 2012
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "Fashion Monster"
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has a new single coming in October! Always produced by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule), this time the title track is a rocking tune. An extended version of "tsukema tsukeru" is included, as well as a B-side that's used...
Posted on September 23, 2012 at 15:34. | Released on October 17, 2012
Calmera "1000nichimae High Colors"
Osaka-based instrumental jazz-rock band Calmera has a 4th album out now on Orange Records! Included are 2 remixes, one by Groove Unchant. Also, the first limited pressing comes with a bonus DVD of a show held in Osaka on February...
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 23:06. | Released on August 29, 2012
Gig report: frenesi "gendai" release party
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On September 15, 2012, was the release party for frenesi's album "gendai". It was held at Shibuya WWW, one of my favorite venues lately (it used to be a movie...
Posted on September 17, 2012 at 00:34.
Chocolat & Akito "tobira ep"
Chocolat & Akito, the unit of Chocolat and husband Katayose Akito (Great3). Aside from new song "tobira" are included remixes by Nagai Seiichi (sōtaiseiriron), Hamano Kenta (Sakerock), John McEntire (Tortoise) and Miyauchi Yuri. This new EP comes on the Rallye...
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 00:20. | Released on September 5, 2012
Rocketman "koi Romantic!!"
Rocketman (aka Fukawa Ryō) has a new album out this week! This contains a few tracks that were released for download only over the past few years, but also several brand new songs. Featured are Verbal (m-flo) and Hatsune Miku,...
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 23:55. | Released on August 8, 2012
Sawagi "Punch Games"
Sawagi has a first full-length album coming. The band of guitar/bass/synths/drums has a concept of performing instrumental dance music entirely live, no programming involved, with hints of rock, jazz, funk and electro influences. This album follows the brilliant mini-album "hi...
Posted on July 30, 2012 at 22:25. | Released on August 8, 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
Vanilla Beans "Non-Section"
Vanilla Beans have a brand new single out this week! "Non-Section" is a rocking catchy pop tune. The video for this song also gives life to a few scenes from their recently released photo book. This comes in 3 different...
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 22:51. | Released on July 4, 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.
Yucca "our journey (to anywhere we want)"
Wonderful post-rock band Yucca from Tokyo has a 3rd album out now, 6 years after the previous that was titled "the orange sun in my room". The hiatus had much to do with their drummer who broke a bone in...
Posted on June 9, 2012 at 21:31. | Released on June 9, 2012
Shonen Knife "Pop Tune"
Shonen Knife, who celebrated their 30th anniversary last year, have a new album out now! A special site for the album has been set up here with plenty to read (in English too!), such as this comment from Marty Friedman...
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 23:39. | Released on June 6, 2012
Sakanaction "boku to hana"
Rock band Sakanaction's new single has a remix by Ishino Takkyu (Denki Groove) for B-side. The first pressing comes with a 20-page booklet. All tracks can be sampled at Victor's official release page (click the green WMP icons and cross...
Posted on June 4, 2012 at 23:36. | Released on May 30, 2012
Zoobombs "The Sweet Passion"
Here's a 10th album from worldwide-acclaimed rock band Zoobombs, 6 years since their previous "B★B★B". This album is planned for release this fall in the U.S., Canada and Australia, and a world tour should be held around the same time....
Posted on June 4, 2012 at 21:50. | Released on June 6, 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.
tengal6 "City"
Indies 6-girl idol unit tengal6, formed a year ago, finally have a 1st full-length album out now. Two songs are produced by Tofubeats, including "puchahenza!" that got a single release last year. HMV gives away a sticker (while supplies last)....
Posted on May 25, 2012 at 23:18. | Released on May 25, 2012
Various Artists "Vanilla"
Here's a charity compilation consisting of, it seems, all new recordings. Featured are various female vocalists, including DadaD, Toki Asako (ex-Cymbals), Suzuki Momoko (ex-Cosa Nostra) and many more. Monsieur Kamayatsu (Spiders) also appears on 2 tracks. The album's jacket shows...
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 23:10. | Released on April 4, 2012
Gig report: Tokyo eleport 006: The Aprils, Candles, Cutie Pai, ExceNtRip
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On April 12 was the 6th event of the "Tokyo eleport" series organized by indies techno-pop unit Candles. It was held at Shibuya Star lounge, a quite nice venue I...
Posted on April 14, 2012 at 17:05.
Recoride "MP3 no danmatsuma"
Formed 3 years ago, here's a first full-length album by Recoride, a synth-punk band led by Sasaki Kissa (ex-Gekkan Pro-Bowler) and fronted by a female singer. Check out the new-wave-y video clip below! Includes a PandaBoY remix. More audio samples...
Posted on April 13, 2012 at 22:16. | Released on April 4, 2012
Nakamura Kazuyoshi "6 Remix'n Birds"
Singer-songwriter Nakamura Kazuyoshi, leader of J-rock band 100s, has a remix mini-album out just now. The originals aren't something I'd recommend, but the impressive list of remixers here is sure to draw attention, with Ishino Takkyu (Denki Groove), FPM, Yakenohara,...
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 23:04. | Released on March 28, 2012
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.
Tokyo Girls' Style "Limited addiction"
5-girl idol unit Tokyo Girls' Style has a 2nd album coming, and one song features their good friends Vanilla Beans. The album comes in 3 different editions: Type A includes a DVD of 5 live songs, Type B includes a...
Posted on March 7, 2012 at 21:52. | Released on March 14, 2012
Calmera "Mix Modern Covers!", "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie feat. akiko" (7")
Osaka instrumental jazz band Calmera has a 3rd album out now on Orange Records. This is a cover album, including covers of well known jazz, latin and rock songs rearranged in their style. "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" features jazz singer akiko,...
Posted on February 18, 2012 at 11:35. | Released on February 8, 2012
Negicco "Negicco 2003~2012 -Best-"
Negicco, the 3-girl negi-promoting idol group from Niigata that was signed last year to Tower Records' T-Palette idol-specialized label, has a first full-length album coming. This comes as a greatest hits album covering their 8-year ongoing career, with many rare...
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 21:04. | Released on February 22, 2012
Gig report: Love And Hates "L.A.H." release party
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Sunday, February 5, was the release party for Love And Hates' 1st album "L.A.H." The event was held at Shinjuku Marz, starting at 5pm and to finish around 10!...
Posted on February 14, 2012 at 21:41.
Gig report: (M)otocompo vs The Aprils, with BiS, Ezypt
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On February 4 was an event organized by (M)otocompo, together with The Aprils, BiS and Ezypt. It was held at Shibuya Milkyway, and it was my first time at this...
Posted on February 12, 2012 at 00:30.
Takanami Keitarō to Playtime Rock meets Shibata Kenichi "Evening Primrose"
Takanami Keitarō (ex-Pizzicato Five) (blog) seems to put aside his Nangasaki Five project to work on this new unit called Playtime Rock, which features vocalist and flutist Ichiba Mina. This first album is a collaboration with Nagasaki trombonist Shibata Kenichi,...
Posted on February 9, 2012 at 23:39. | Released on February 10, 2012
tokyo pinsalocks "Hallelujah Girls"
New wave/post-rock band tokyo pinsalocks has a new album out just now! This is produced by Miura Shunichi of Kera & The Synthesizers. Two tracks can be sampled at MySpace. Also, recent non-album track "Salon de Tokyo (remixed by miurashun)"...
Posted on January 10, 2012 at 23:19. | Released on January 11, 2012
Nomiya Maki "30 ~Greatest Self Covers & More!!!~"
Let's start 2012 with a bang! Finally here's a new album by Nomiya Maki! This time she celebrates 30 years of her singing career by doing self-covers in collaboration with various other artists. Featured are Cornelius, Kaji Hideki, Takahashi Yukihiro,...
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 13:00. | Released on January 25, 2012
Vanilla Beans "toki no kakera"
Vanilla Beans will have a new single released in January! This adds a rare (first?) minor scale song to their repertory with title track "toki no kakera", which can be seen performed in the clip below from a recent morning...
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 22:17. | Released on January 18, 2012
Takanami Keitarō to Nangasaki Five "Do-Re-Mi no daikōkai Nagasaki yōgaku kotohajime"
It took me this long to notice, but Takanami Keitarō (ex-Pizzicato Five) has a new album that was released last month! Continuing the series with his "Nangasaki Five", this album still focuses on his home roots of Nagasaki while taking...
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 23:08. | Released on November 11, 2011
Various Artists "Hatsune Miku Dance Remix Vol.1"
This is a compilation of Hatsune Miku tracks remixed by various artists from the club and pico-pico scenes, including Rocketman, Sexy-Synthesizer, PandaBoY, Higedriver and many more. Closing the album is an original by Rocketman, recently released on iTunes. The official...
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 19:17. | Released on December 7, 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
Crazy Ken Band "Wild de ikō!!!"
Crazy Ken Band has a new single coming, including 2 songs recently featured in TV commercials. Title track "Wild de iko!!!" was used in men's scalp care product "Rigaos", and "ikinokore!!!" for a pachinko CM (yes..!). This comes with a...
Posted on November 20, 2011 at 23:33. | Released on November 23, 2011
Rocketman feat. Hatsune Miku "tonda Hattary Boy" (Download)
Rocketman (aka Fukawa Ryō) has a new track now available for download, and featuring virtual idol Hatsune Miku. Quite a good track, though some Miku fans have expressed disappointment of the fact that she only sings chorus while Rocketman sings...
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 13:55. | Released on November 9, 2011
Tucker "Tucker Plays 19 Post Cards"
The latest from Crue-L Records is a 3rd album by multi-player/keyboardist Tucker, who performed and recorded everything by himself. The genre-less instrumental album contains hints of soul, rock, rare groove, lounge, cosmic and soundtrack-like sounds, with a touch of Asian...
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 23:20. | Released on October 28, 2011
Various Artists "Hatsune Miku sings New Wave"
Out this week is this new Hatsune Miku compilation of new wave covers sung by the virtual idol. Included are songs originally by Plastics, Nomiya Maki, Portable Rock, Juicy Fruits, Hikashu, P-Model, Halmens, Cosmic Invention and more. The compilation is...
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 00:24. | Released on October 26, 2011
Portable Rock "Beginnings + 5"
Portable Rock was an 80's techno-pop band featuring Nomiya Maki (later of Pizzicato Five) with Suzuki Tomofumi (guitar) and Nakahara Nobuo (bass). First released in 1990, "Beginnings" is a collection of early recordings, now being reissued with 5 rare bonus...
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 23:46. | Released on October 26, 2011
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
Applecider "Star Black"
Osaka indies electro-punk girl-boy double-vocal unit Applecider has a 2nd album coming, and The Aprils' Imai Kentarō has done mixing and arrangement for all tracks! Check out video below for song "wear dischord", and then go hear more samples over...
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 20:21. | Released on September 7, 2011
DadaD "Touch Touch Touch"
Following their fun debut single "Go Around" release in June, girl-boy duo DadaD (pronounced "Da da da") finally has a full-length album coming this week! DadaD makes guitar-driven pop songs with soft beats and a slight touch of electro. "Go...
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 15:50. | Released on September 7, 2011
yanokami "Bamboo Music" (Download)
yanokami, the unit of rei harakami and Yano Akiko, has a new song available for download. This is a cover of "Bamboo Music", a song from 1982 by Sakamoto Ryūichi and David Sylvian (hear the original on YouTube). rei harakami...
Posted on August 4, 2011 at 23:53. | Released on August 3, 2011
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.
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.
Rocketman feat. Treindle Reina "Love Disco" (Download)
Rocketman (aka comedian Fukawa Ryō) has a new disco-ish track out digitally, featuring fashion model Treindle Reina (half-Austrian half-Japanese) on vocals. This is available on iTunes Japan as either just audio or a music video. Watch the preview clip below....
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 22:47. | Released on July 20, 2011
Captain Funk "Versions 2011" (Download)
Captain Funk aka Tatsuya Ōe has a new digital EP of remixes, including ones of tracks originally released on albums "Sunshine" (2009, Amazon) and "Heavy Mellow" (2007). French artist Bestrack also contributes a remix. Samples of all 4 tracks can...
Posted on July 12, 2011 at 23:02. | Released on July 11, 2011
naomi & goro & Kikuchi Naruyoshi "calendula"
Bossa nova duo naomi & goro have a new collaboration going with Kikuchi Naruyoshi (saxophone - Spank Happy, DCPRG, etc.). This brings us a new album of mainly covers but also with a new song from each party. Watch the...
Posted on July 10, 2011 at 12:24. | Released on July 13, 2011
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
DadaD "Go Around"
DadaD (pronounced "da da da") is making a major debut with this new maxi-single. The girl-boy duo makes guitar-driven pop songs with non-intrusive beats and an amount of synths. Singer Kate, who is half-Taiwanese and half-Japanese, sings in English and...
Posted on June 18, 2011 at 11:05. | Released on June 22, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Macdonald Duck Eclair "kono tokimeki imasugu"
Pico-pico rock band Macdonald Duck Eclair are back with a 3rd album! It's been 5 years since "The Genesis Songbook" (2005, Usagi-chang Records), and this time they're back to their roots on K.O.G.A Records which released their debut maxi-single "Many...
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 01:43. | Released on May 11, 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.
Tequila Production "Rockin' Jazz"
Here's a rocking club-jazz album that consists of tracks by Tequila Production, a trio of DJs Takehana Eiji, Nakamura Yūsuke and Kanno Katsuya who together form various units: Rockin' Jazz Society, Spiritual Unity and tg.electronics. Aside for a cover of...
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 12:05. | Released on March 2, 2011
Bakubaku Dokin "guppy" (Download)
First released last December on Towa Tei's Mach Beat digital label (which unfortunately only sells within Japan so far), here comes a first song by Bakubaku Dokin on iTunes! The wacky 2-girl unit formed of Naoko and Yui is produced...
Posted on February 17, 2011 at 22:47. | Released on February 16, 2011
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
Misswonda "In Flawless"
Misswonda has a 2nd album coming on new label flawless world (post-Usagi-chang Records)! It's already been 5 years since "Wonderful Tangent" (2005). The album takes inspiration from UK new wave and various rock/pop/dance influences from the 80's and 90's, and...
Posted on January 29, 2011 at 01:11. | Released on February 9, 2011
Rocketman "re:dancemusic ~rocketman non-stop mix~" (Download)
Rocketman (Fukawa Ryō) has done a non-stop mix of his own tracks, available now for download on iTunes Japan. Included are songs from his recent greatest his album "thank you for the music!" as well as latest single "Happy End...
Posted on January 2, 2011 at 12:51. | Released on December 22, 2010
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: 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.
Polysics "eee-P!!!"
Polysics have a new mini-album, celebrating their 10th anniversary since moving to a major label. This is also their first release since having left singer Kayo behind. There's a limited edition that comes with a DVD containing a documentary about...
Posted on December 8, 2010 at 00:07. | Released on December 8, 2010
Rocketman "Happy End of the World" (Download)
Rocketman (Fukawa Ryō) has a new track now available for download on iTunes Japan. The title is surely a wink to Pizzicato Five who he greatly respects. Rocketman "Happy End of the World" (Download) Victor VE2ML-15400 Out now (10/27), ¥200...
Posted on October 30, 2010 at 01:08. | Released on October 27, 2010
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.
Nomiya Maki "Pink no kokoro + 2" (SHM-CD)
First released in 1981 (almost 30 years ago!), Nomiya Maki's debut album as a new wave idol, "Pink no kokoro", is being reissued (again), this time with 2 rare live tracks as a bonus. This is a great album produced...
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 11:19. | Released on October 20, 2010
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
Gig report: Nakatsuka Takeshi "53512010" Release Cruise
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last week, on Friday September 24, I had the chance to go to a live event in a very special place. Nakatsuka Takeshi threw a release party for his new...
Posted on October 2, 2010 at 20:33.
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
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 "VerSus 'Japanese Rock VS FPM' selected and non-stop mixed by FPM"
FPM starts a new series of mix CDs, titled "VerSus". In the first he has his take on J-rock, mixing rocking tracks while keeping a club attitude. The first pressing comes in a specially printed jewel case, like it was...
Posted on August 3, 2010 at 21:41. | Released on August 4, 2010
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
Rocketman "dancemusic" (Download)
2 weeks ahead of an upcoming greatest hits album, Rocketman offers an iTunes-only collection of 8 recent works. Aside of 6 that can be found on the upcoming album ("thank you for the music" is previously unreleased though), there's a...
Posted on July 25, 2010 at 11:12. | Released on July 21, 2010
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
Rocketman feat. Cosmetics "Love Is All II ~korekara hajimaru Story~" (Download)
Rocketman (aka comedian Fukawa Ryō) is back with the 3-girl unit he produces, Cosmetics, that he had just disbanded last year stating for reason that their first CD (a limited release at Tower Records) failed to make the charts, even...
Posted on July 8, 2010 at 00:13. | Released on July 7, 2010
