mito "Dawns"
mito, bassist of band clammbon, has a solo album coming next week. Featured are many guests including electronic artist agraph, pianist kotringo, and members of bands toe and Rovo. Plus, the album is mastered by Sunahara Yoshinori! Released at the...
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 01:26. | Released on May 18, 2011
Gig report: "Swing in the JICOO" with Nakatsuka Takeshi
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Saturday, May 7, was another swinging cruise hosted by Nakatsuka Takeshi aboard JICOO, the water bus-turned-floating bar designed by manga artist Matsumoto Leiji. The event was a sort of...
Posted on May 12, 2011 at 22:58.
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.
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.
sōtaiseiriron "tadashii sōtaiseiriron"
sōtaiseiriron have been around for 4 years and have released 3 albums. This new one features songs from the previous albums along with some brand new recordings, all revamped by many famous artists: Cornelius, Buffalo Daughter, Sakamoto Ryūichi, Ōtomo Yoshihide,...
Posted on April 25, 2011 at 23:22. | Released on April 27, 2011
Moonriders "Caméra Égal Stylo Special Edition"
The Moonriders has a reissue coming of "Caméra Égal Stylo", their 5th album first released in 1980. This edition contains a special bonus CD with remixes of all songs by the likes of CTO LAB., Kishino Yūichi (La veuve moustache...
Posted on April 24, 2011 at 23:14. | Released on April 27, 2011
Sokabe Keiichi "Pink"
Singer-songwriter Sokabe Keiichi (Sunny Day Service) has a new solo album out this week. A mellow and soulful spring album, mastered by Greg Calbi in New York. Sokabe Keiichi "Pink" 1. haru no arashi 2. Lemon 3. futsū no onna...
Posted on April 18, 2011 at 21:46. | Released on April 21, 2011
"Norageki!" (DVD, Blu-ray)
"Norageki!" is an anime film directed by Andō Hiroaki (storyboard artist for "Tekkonkincreet"), with original music by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) and a new song by Meg. So far there are no plans of the music being released on CD. Plot...
Posted on April 7, 2011 at 00:02. | Released on April 7, 2011
Panda 1/2 "Panda! Panda! Panda!" (Download)
Panda 1/2 have a new pop track available for download. The title, "Panda! Panda! Panda!" The sound breathes Shibuya-kei! Watch a trailer of the video below, showing producer James Panda Jr. visiting the pandas of the world. Today March 21,...
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 11:08. | Released on March 16, 2011
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
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.
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
"Tokyo Idol Festival 2010" (DVD)
Here is a live DVD set (2 discs) of event Tokyo Idol Festival 2010 ("TIF") held last August 7-8, which featured some 45 up-and-coming idol groups. Included are 6 or 7 songs with Vanilla Beans, making this much worth of...
Posted on February 7, 2011 at 23:22. | Released on February 9, 2011
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.
The Suzan "Golden Week For The Poco Poco Beat (Japan edition)" (CD+DVD)
The Suzan (MySpace) have been enjoying a lot of success and good word-of-mouth since the release of this album last year on A-Trak's Fool's Gold (U.S. edition this way), and now here comes an overdue Japanese release. This includes 4...
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 23:04. | Released on January 26, 2011
kotringo "picnic album 2"
A sequel to her cover album of Japanese songs, "picnic album 1", here pianist kotringo interprets favorite foreign songs! Features are songs originally by Björk, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, The Jackson 5, The Buggles and more. kotringo "picnic album 2" 1....
Posted on January 11, 2011 at 23:55. | Released on January 19, 2011
Clémentine "Covermentine"
Following last year's popular "Animentine", French bossa nova singer Clémentine has a new cover album coming this week. This time she covers both Japanese and French famous songs. Included are Yamazaki Masayoshi's "futari de Paris ni ikō" (feat. daughter Solita),...
Posted on January 10, 2011 at 15:25. | Released on January 12, 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.
Various Artists "There Was A Time ~The Beginning of Japanese Club Jazz~"
Do you like Japanese club jazz? Do you know its where it all began? Find out missing pieces on this new compilation, with U.F.O., Jazztronik, Monday Michiru, Mondo Grosso, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Chari Chari, Spiritual Vibes and more. Various Artists...
Posted on December 31, 2010 at 11:10. | Released on December 15, 2010
Gig report: Harajuku Performance+: Nomiya Maki, Open Reel Ensemble
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last week on Tuesday December 22 was the first of two days of a performance-themed event at La Foret Museum, Harajuku, titled "Harajuku Performance+". On that day were two artists that I...
Posted on December 30, 2010 at 21:37.
Gig report: We "hub" music Vol. 01: Yasuda Toshiyuki, the firefly clan, Wono Satoru
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On December 11 was held a very special event organized by Yasuda Toshiyuki. The place was a beautiful house with a large garden in Yotsuya managed by Pierre Barouh, a...
Posted on December 26, 2010 at 18:54.
Gig report: Electronic World Cup 2010
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound It's been a month already since I went to this really fun event titled "Electronic World Cup 2010". Organized by Kishino Yūichi (hige no mibōjin aka La veuve moustachue aka...
Posted on December 18, 2010 at 14:08.
Original Soundtrack "Cheburashka and the Circus ~ Circus ga yatte kita ~"
There's a new Cheburashka movie around the corner, starting in theaters here on December 18 (movie official site)! Made mainly by Japanese staff, the movie consists of a remake of "Gena The Crocodile" (original 1969), plus two brand new episodes...
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 23:04. | Released on December 18, 2010
Yakushimaru Etsuko "Cosmos vs Alien"
Yakushimaru Etsuko (of Sōtaiseiriron) has a new solo single, of which title song "Cosmos vs Alien" is being used for the opening of anime series "Arakawa Under The Bridge 2". The single comes with 2 more new songs, all written...
Posted on November 8, 2010 at 23:21. | Released on November 17, 2010
Various Artists "Christmas Time Bossa"
Time flies, and here come the Christmas compilations! The first is from label Grand Gallery, featuring new recordings by its artists, in a bossa nova style. Featured are violinist Kinbara Chieko (MySpace), pianist NANASE, guitarist Takenaka Shunji, and vocalists Saiko...
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 19:15. | Released on November 3, 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.
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra "Goldfingers"
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra's new mini-album is full of goodies! Collaborations with saxophonist Kikuchi Naruyoshi (DCPRG, Spank Happy) and New York-based pianist Uehara Hiromi, remixes by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) and Sunaga Tatsuo, and covers of Frank Zappa and Charles Mingus....
Posted on October 30, 2010 at 01:23. | Released on October 27, 2010
Hatsune Miku "Hatsune Miku sings Halmens"
Part of Halmens' 30th anniversary releases is this tribute album sung by virtual idol Hatsune Miku. Not only she sings Halmens' greatest hits, but on two bonus tracks she even pays tribute to Nomiya Maki's album "Pink no kokoro"! Don't...
Posted on October 20, 2010 at 22:16. | Released on October 20, 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.
Gig report: Hoover's Ooover at the O-West
Text by Ken M (Japan Live) I have trouble with big concert venues. A phobia of sorts. Ax, Zepp, Tokyo International Forum...I'm not a fan of any of them. Visions of animals being herded through the slaughterhouse... But these places...
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 18:49.
Various Artists "Chieko Kinbara presents Classic"
Club-style violinist Kinbara Chieko has a new album, actually a compilation of new recordings of classical music covers produced by many artists and featuring herself. Producers include Nakatsuka Takeshi, Q;indivi and more. Audio samples at official release page Various Artists...
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:07. | Released on October 6, 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.
kotringo "picnic album 1"
Pianist and singer-songwriter kotringo has a cover album coming this week. Included are her takes on hit songs by Flipper's Guitar, YMO, Yuming, Clammbon, Epo and more. Audio samples on official site kotringo "picnic album 1" 1. koi to Machinegun...
Posted on September 20, 2010 at 20:47. | 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: It's a Sunny Day
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last weekend, on Sunday September 12, I had the chance to go to this very special event. Wack Wack Rhythm Band recently lost one of their important members 6 months...
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 13:29.
Gig report: Future Pop Lounge 2010
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On August 28, I went to Future Pop Lounge (official site), a festival style event at Shibuya O-Nest. It was the 3rd time the yearly summer event was held though...
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 22:37.
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.
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.
Clémentine "Animentine ~ Bossa du animé", Meja "AniMeja ~ Ghibli songs"
Clémentine's latest is a cover album of popular anime songs, arranged in a bossa nova style. Themes from "Sazae-san", "chibi Maruko-chan", "Doraemon" are included amongst many others. Released at the same time is also a cover album by Swedish singer...
Posted on July 18, 2010 at 19:50. | Released on July 21, 2010
Gig report: Shinohara Tomoe's Ultra Relax Day 2010
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Wednesday, July 14, was a show celebrating the 15th anniversary of Shinohara Tomoe's debut album "Super Model". The album was reissued just recently with bonus tracks and an added DVD of...
Posted on July 17, 2010 at 21:07.
CTO LAB. "Okie Dokie!"
There's a new techno-pop unit called CTO LAB., formed of Okada Tōru (Moonriders), Polymoog (Elektel) and Imai Kentarō (The Aprils). "CTO" standing for "Compact Techno Organization", the concept is to use small synthesizers and electronic instruments for making their music....
Posted on July 14, 2010 at 00:11. | Released on July 28, 2010
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
Cubismo Grafico Five "Double Dozen"
Cubismo Grafico Five has a new album coming. Having recently sized down to 4 members, and feeling like a brand new band, they call this a "first album", and it comes with no less than 24 tracks, hence the title...
Posted on June 23, 2010 at 22:05. | Released on July 7, 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.
Cubismo Grafico Five "Life Is Like A Season" (7"+CD-R)
Cubismo Grafico Five (MySpace) have an upcoming album to be released on July 7, titled "Double Dozen", but first comes this 3-song 7" single. The B-side is a non-album remix by US indie band The Signals (MySpace). Jet Set provides...
Posted on June 14, 2010 at 23:45. | Released on June 23, 2010
Gig report: Aira Mitsuki "6 FORCE" in-store live at Ishimaru Soft
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound This Tuesday, the day before the release of mini-album "6 FORCE", Aira Mitsuki gave her first in-store show of a promo tour. I went to have a peek. Held on the 7th...
Posted on June 3, 2010 at 00:04.
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
Gig report: Rogue Wave vol.1
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Tuesday after a rough day at work, I headed to Shindaita Fever (Shindaita is the station next to Shimokitazawa), a venue I had yet never been to. There was...
Posted on May 30, 2010 at 23:00.
Yakushimaru Etsuko "Venus to Jesus"
Yakushimaru Etsuko (sōtaiseiriron) has a new solo single out now. Title song "Venus to Jesus" ("Venus and Jesus") is the opening theme of anime "Arakawa Under The Bridge". HMV offers a sticker sheet while supplies last. Audio samples at HMV...
Posted on May 26, 2010 at 23:38. | Released on May 26, 2010
The FLiRT "Dance Terminal / Tokyo Music Lovers" (12")
The FLiRT is a brand new all-star girl unit from Tokyo's club scene. Members are DJ:C3 (aka Fujisawa Shiho), RON (aka hiro:n), Reeju (aka Shōno Juli), and cham. Their first release is a 2-song 12" single that features Kawanishi Suguru...
Posted on May 26, 2010 at 21:55. | Released on May 31, 2010
Gig report: Fabulous Soundscape vol.2
Text by Ken M (Japan Live), photos by Takanashi Haruno Time-traveling back to the not-too-distant past again, I went to a great event organized by Mr. Henachoko at a venue called Bar Coredo in Nogizaka, featuring the leading lights of...
Posted on May 22, 2010 at 20:38.
Gig report: Japanino Night
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Sunday I went to Japanino Night, an event held at Nifty's Tokyo Culture Culture café in Odaiba, promoting build-your-own 8-bit computer Japanino , the latest from popular magazine Otona...
Posted on May 21, 2010 at 22:07.
Various Artists "Tatsuo Sunaga & Norma Blu Capitolo 2"
Japan-based Italian jazz label Norma Blu was started last year by Paolo Scotti, mainly releasing albums from his Italian label Dejavu. This year began series "Capitolo" selected by Japanese DJs. The first one out last March was done by Jazztronik...
Posted on May 21, 2010 at 21:24.
Gig report: Vanilla Beans release in-store event at HMV Shibuya
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Vanilla Beans have a new mini-album titled "Def & Def" out this week. They're doing in-store live shows through the weekend to promote it, and I went to see the first one...
Posted on May 21, 2010 at 00:04.
Atom™ & Masaki Sakamoto "Alien Symphony"
Atom™ (aka Atom Heart) joins pianist/neurologist Masaki Sakamoto for a first original album titled "Alien Symphony" out now in Japan. Guest vocalists include Koshi Miharu. Also available on iTunes is a special album of remixed tracks from the album: Atom™...
Posted on May 19, 2010 at 22:01. | Released on May 19, 2010
Kahimi Karie "It's Here"
Almost 4 years since "Nunki", Kahimi Karie brings us a new album titled "It's Here". Produced by Jim O'Rourke and Ōtomo Yoshihide, this band style album also features drummer Yamamoto Tatsuhisa. Kahimi gave birth to a first child last November,...
Posted on May 17, 2010 at 23:22. | Released on June 9, 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
Como-Lee "Roboghibli Talk Box by Como-Lee"
Talk box artist Como-Lee has an album out where he covers Ghibli theme songs. Various vocalists are also featured (no talk box for them though). Audio samples at Amazon Como-Lee "Roboghibli Talk Box by Como-Lee" Como-Lee 「ロボジブリ トークボックス by Como-Lee」...
Posted on May 9, 2010 at 11:14. | Released on March 17, 2010
Gig report: Nagisa Yoko Recital 2010
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Monday April 26 was Nagisa Yōko's recital at Shibuya Quattro, an event to celebrate the issue of her new 400-page photo book titled "NAGISA" . The show featured a full band,...
Posted on May 4, 2010 at 18:55.
Gig report: HNC Release Party "Cult Club"
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Friday April 30 was the overdue release party for HNC's album "Cult" released last December. HNC used to be known as Hazel Nuts Chocolate, the solo project of a girl...
Posted on May 2, 2010 at 14:50.
Gig report: Farm Party 2
Text and photos by Patrick Benny (chipple.net) [...] We really wanted to hear some more sitar, but we had another place to go, so we left just a bit past 20:00, heading for Gamuso in Asagaya where was being held...
Posted on April 18, 2010 at 20:42.
Roman Porsche. "nusunda Bike de amagigoe"
Comical new wave (?) two-guy unit Roman Porsche (MySpace) have a new album coming, after about 6 years. Member Okite Porsche, who is an active figure in the idol world, has recently been supporting Vanilla Beans who find themselves here...
Posted on April 17, 2010 at 00:52. | Released on April 21, 2010
Vanilla Beans "Def & Def"
Vanilla Beans are back with a new mini-album titled "Def & Def", after the song they sing in a commercial for unisex deodorant "D&D" (this one stands for "Deo & Dry"). The song is included here in two different versions,...
Posted on April 13, 2010 at 23:08. | Released on May 19, 2010
Serani Poji "Merry Go Round Jailhouse"
Serani Poji (MySpace), the unit of Sasaki Tomoko, is back with a new album! It had been 5 years since her 3rd album "ochamekan". While until now her works had featured various singers, here she presents us an album all...
Posted on March 13, 2010 at 22:23. | Released on March 3, 2010
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
Gig report: The Aprils "Back To The Future Music" release party
Text and photos by Patrick Benny (chipple.net) This week was the release party for The Aprils' 4th album, "Back To The Future Music", out last month. Buying the album gave you right to go to a free show, and even...
Posted on February 7, 2010 at 00:23.
The Aprils "Back To The Future Music", "Space Dream Bathroom"
First thing to look forward to in 2010 is The Aprils' new 4th album, titled "Back To The Future Music"! We can expect again more of that great band-style future-pop sound. The album's first pressing comes with a bonus CD...
Posted on December 30, 2009 at 15:15. | Released on January 6, 2010
DG-10 "Golden Synthesizer!"
A new mini-album from DG-10, the 3-girl unit featuring music made with the Korg DS-10. This one contains covers of Ghibli's "kaze no tani no Nausicaa", "Ghostbusters" and Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime", plus one new original song. The CD contains...
Posted on December 22, 2009 at 23:39. | Released on December 23, 2009
Denki Groove "Nomovideo DVD", "Minotaurus+Kentaurus+Shimizu Kentaurus DVD", "Yakyuū Disco DVD" (DVD)
Here's your chance to get your hands on some rare footage from Denki Groove. Previously released only on VHS, "Minotaurus" (1993), "Kentaurus" (1994) and "Yakyuū Disco" (1997) make it to DVD for the first time! Also being reissued is "Nomovideo"...
Posted on December 13, 2009 at 23:04. | Released on December 16, 2009
Erieza Royal & AsamixJuice "Vacuum"
This is a new 2-girl techno-pop unit with an adult twist, featuring SM queen and punk band Ecodamned drummer Erieza Royal with performer and "doll" maker AsamixJuice. Their first album is produced by Nagata Kazunao and features remixes by Yoshida...
Posted on December 13, 2009 at 01:42. | Released on December 11, 2009
Yasuda Toshiyuki "Children's Songs 2050"
In his new album, Yasuda Toshiyuki (MySpace) (early Fantastic Plastic Machine) covers children's songs from around the world into his wonderful electronic sounds, featuring various singers including ROBO*BRAZILEIRA of course. Yasuda Toshiyuki "Children's Songs 2050" 1. Ah! Vous dirai-je, maman...
Posted on November 18, 2009 at 23:23. | Released on November 25, 2009
XXX Residents "Attack of Killer Black Eye Ball!!!!" (CD+DVD)
Spin-off from visual artist Ukawa Naohiro's Ukawanimation! project, XXX Residents is a mysterious multimedia cosplay unit paying tribute to of The Residents. Inside of the eyeballs, it is rumored that Ukawa himself is joined by musicians from iLL, Cicada... Also...
Posted on November 14, 2009 at 19:31. | Released on November 18, 2009
Denki Groove "Upside Down"
Denki Groove is back again with a brand new single called "Upside Down", a previously unreleased song being used as the opening theme of anime "kūchū buranko". The B-side here is hit song "Shangri-La" in a new "remodeled" version by...
Posted on November 11, 2009 at 20:52. | Released on November 18, 2009
Vanilla Beans "Vanilla Beans Produce kaigi DVD" (DVD)
Neo-Shibuya-kei idol unit Vanilla Beans has a first DVD coming. Included is a talk event held earlier this year with Okite Porsche (of unit Roman Porsche), a funny long-haired guy who's an important figure of the idol scene. The DVD...
Posted on October 26, 2009 at 23:00. | Released on October 28, 2009
Boot Beat "Manifesto! 4"
DJ Boot Beat (aka Kamiya Naoaki) has a 4th mix CD of his popular "Manifesto!" series. Like the previous, this mixes pop, happy jazz, easy listening, Latin, Brazillian sounds, centered on swinging tunes from the 60's and 70's, plus breakbeats...
Posted on October 22, 2009 at 23:26. | Released on October 20, 2009
BUBBLE-B "BUBBLE-B no Big Bang" (CD+DVD)
Indies techno artist and video remixer BUBBLE-B, who keeps the J-death techno scene alive with his label Speedking, has a brand new album out! Follow-up to the "BUBBLE-B no Good Evening" DVD (2004), this new release actually contains both CD...
Posted on October 20, 2009 at 20:23. | Released on October 21, 2009
"komadori eiga: Komaneko no Christmas ~maigo ni natta Present~" (DVD)
A sequel to the popular cute stop-animation movie "Komaneko" (2006), featuring a cat who in turn created stop-animation, is coming in time for Christmas! The title translates to "Komaneko's Christmas: The Lost Present". The previous movie had no dialog, except...
Posted on October 18, 2009 at 11:51. | Released on December 2, 2009
Various Artists "From Us To You! The covers of the Fab Four by Japanese performers"
This new Japanese release contains previously released covers of The Beatles performed by Japanese artists, including Takahashi Yukihiro (Yellow Magic Orchestra), Clammbon, Hirota Mieko and many more. Nice jacket too! Various Artists "From Us To You! The covers of the...
Posted on October 13, 2009 at 23:43. | Released on October 21, 2009
Vanilla Beans "LOVE&HATE"
Vanilla Beans are back with a new single, following their first full-length self-titled album earlier this year. They continue to appeal to Shibuya-kei fans, with title song "LOVE&HATE" having lyrics by Kaji Hideki. The two B-sides are also great! This...
Posted on September 14, 2009 at 23:58. | Released on September 9, 2009
YMCK "hateshinai sekai" (Download)
After first being heard as anime series "Arado senki"'s ending theme, and released for download on mobile phone only last May, finally here comes this great YMCK song to a more consumer-friendly form through iTunes Japan! This is the full-length...
Posted on September 3, 2009 at 19:43. | Released on August 26, 2009
Various Artists "PANIC Level.01"
Excellent magazine Marquee, always keeping the post-Shibuya-kei scene happy, brings us a compilation featuring some of the best Japan has to offer recently, and that at a nice price. Included are songs by Urbangarde (MySpace), Dr.USUI (Motocompo), Sweet Vacation (MySpace),...
Posted on August 11, 2009 at 23:54. | Released on August 5, 2009
Star Dish "Conversation"
Star Dish, the club-jazz unit of Sano Atsushi (Sherlock Notes) and Playa, brings us a first full-length album. This features guest Raphael Sebbag (United Future Organization), as well as members of Jabberloop and Immigrant's Bossa Band. Included are all tracks...
Posted on June 16, 2009 at 22:35. | Released on June 3, 2009
Maezono Naoki Group "hi o tsukeru. Maezono Naoki Group dai1shū." (12")
Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato Five) is a pianist! Maezono Naoki Group started performing late 2008 and has been releasing small-sized magazines irregularly. Finally here's a first album, but be aware that it's vinyl only (no CD anyway). If you're interested at...
Posted on June 12, 2009 at 00:42. | Released on June 24, 2009
Vanilla Beans "koi no Theory" (Download)
More good post-Shibuya-kei pop from Vanilla Beans with their latest single "koi no Theory", now available for download only. The song is the theme of movie "fujoshi kanojo". There's some remix contest going on, grab the files by going here...
Posted on June 10, 2009 at 23:59. | Released on April 28, 2009
Furukawa Miki "Bondage Heart-Remixes"
Ex-Supercar singer and bassist Furukawa Miki (MySpace) has a remix album out last month featuring Sunahara Yoshinori, iLL (also ex-Supercar), De De Mouse, Tanaka Fumiya and many more. Furukawa Miki "Bondage Heart-Remixes" フルカワミキ 「Bondage Heart-Remixes」 1. B.B.W. (remixed by The...
Posted on June 8, 2009 at 23:41. | Released on May 13, 2009
frenesi "Cupra"
DiscID: a20a320d
Posted on June 7, 2009 at 01:21. | Released on June 3, 2009
Konishi Yasuharu selection - Universal
Taken from his upcoming book "Marshall McLuhan kōkoku dairiten. Konishi Yasuharu. Disc Guide 200mai.", Konishi-san brings us two series of rare albums being re-issued on CD. While in the same direction as the columbia*readymade Japanese jazz-rock reissues from last year,...
Posted on May 3, 2009 at 01:14. | Released on April 22, 2009
Konishi Yasuharu selection - RCA
Taken from his upcoming book "Marshall McLuhan kōkoku dairiten. Konishi Yasuharu. Disc Guide 200mai.", Konishi-san brings us two series of rare albums being re-issued on CD. While in the same direction as the columbia*readymade Japanese jazz-rock reissues from last year,...
Posted on May 3, 2009 at 00:45. | Released on April 22, 2009
ravex "trax"
Here's a full-length album by ravex, the all-star producer unit of Fantastic Plastic Machine, Ōsawa Shinichi and Taku Takahashi (m-flo). This special unit celebrates the 20th anniversary of Avex, and the 80th anniversary of birth of Tezuka Osamu, and the...
Posted on April 4, 2009 at 22:53. | Released on April 29, 2009
Various Artists "14 Girls' Life"
This compilation titled "14 Girls' Life" has a concept of featuring female vocalists from different genres, from electronica to post-rock, jazz and future-pop. I'm delighted to see favorite future-pop artists such as Iguchi Miho (Aprils), Yuppa (Hazel Nuts Chocolate) and...
Posted on April 2, 2009 at 22:20. | Released on April 1, 2009
Star Dish "Latin Conversation E.P." (12")
Already a 2nd EP and appetizing plate from Star Dish, club-jazz unit of Sano Atsushi (Sherlock Notes) and Playa. This time we get groovy latin beats, some French vocals by Raphael Sebbag (United Future Organization), and a remix by Gerardo...
Posted on March 27, 2009 at 22:24. | Released on March 26, 2009
Digiki "Dense Music EP" (12")
Digiki's remix album "Dense Music" (out last year) finally gets a vinyl release! Included are remixes by Toshiyuki Yasuda (ex-Fantastic Plastic Machine), Dexpistols, O.Lamm, Jean Nipon, plus even some non-album remixes. Out on Tokyo Fun Party! Audio samples at Jet...
Posted on January 20, 2009 at 23:44. | Released on January 21, 2009
Vanilla Beans "ashita wa ashita no natsu ga kuru" (Download)
Here are two more recent Vanilla Beans downloads that I had nearly missed. Both of these are to be included on the upcoming self-titled first album, although they will be offered respectively in "album version" and "remastered version". So, just...
Posted on January 4, 2009 at 23:09. | Released on December 24, 2008
