Asa-Chang Emerson Kitamura "Eros", Asa-Chang & Junray "Jiken"
Two new mini-albums of projects featuring tabla-bongo player Asa-Chang have just been released. The first is a second collaboration with keyboardist Emerson Kitamura, a follow-up to their album "Debut" (2018). That new mini-album also consists of only covers. Kojima Mayumi...
Posted on April 26, 2020 at 00:31. | Released on April 22, 2020
Asa-Chang Emerson Kitamura "Debut"
Reggae meets tabla, with tabla-bongo musician Asa-chang and keyboardist Emerson Kitamura who have just released a first album together, appropriately titled "Debut". Included are several covers (see tracklist) plus an original that features singer Chieko Beauty. Tabla-bongo is an original...
Posted on July 28, 2018 at 16:36. | Released on July 27, 2018
Towa Tei "Cute"
This week brings us Towa Tei's 8th solo album, "Cute", the follow-up to "Lucky" (2013)! The album features members of METAFIVE (Tei's all-star band with Takahashi Yukihiro, Oyamada Keigo, Sunahara Yoshinori et al.), and also Hosono Haruomi, Ino Hidefumi, Yasuda...
Posted on July 27, 2015 at 23:50. | Released on July 29, 2015
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
Ōta Emiri "Renaissance"
20-year-old pianist singer-songwriter Ōta Emiri has a new mini-album coming, and it contains 2 songs produced by Konishi Yasuharu ("fune no hito" and "ude no ke"). In 2007 he was judge at a contest where she won the grand prix....
Posted on August 21, 2013 at 23:15. | Released on August 28, 2013
Asa-Chang "Asa-Chang & shūshū"
Asa-Chang, now the only member remaining of Asa-Chang & Junray, has a compilation out now of his works as a producer, spanning over his whole career. Asa-Chang used to be the leader of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, and has a...
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 14:27. | Released on November 9, 2011
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Konishi Yasuharu "Love, Lost And Found"
Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One, ex-Pizzicato Five) is releasing this month a first studio album sung by himself, also his first solo album under his own name. The album contains many songs taken from Pizzicato Five's repertory, and also ones that...
Posted on October 19, 2024 at 10:21. | Released on October 30, 2024
Tanzaku CD (8cm CD) Day 2024
This year again, Tanzaku CD Day is being celebrated on July 7, the same day as Tanabata. Started last year for the 35th anniversary of the now nostalgic 8cm CD format (3" CD/mini CD), Tanzaku CD Day brings several great...
Posted on July 7, 2024 at 17:08. | Released on July 7, 2024
Various Artists "16 Songs of Hirobumi Suzuki"
moonriders' bassist Hirobumi Suzuki celebrated last month his 70th birthday (on May 19). This tribute album consisting of covers of his various works (solo and with moonriders) was planned by Narisu Records and ayU tokiO, and kept a complete secret...
Posted on June 25, 2024 at 22:08. | Released on June 25, 2024
Cornelius "Ethereal Essence"
Cornelius is releasing a new album this week, titled "Ethereal Essence". This is an ambient-themed album of tracks from the recent years that are made available on CD for the first time, at least some of which are reworked or...
Posted on June 23, 2024 at 17:36. | Released on June 26, 2024
Musement "Physical Ladyland"
Musement (𝕏) is the solo project of Hiroshi Yabe (Controversial Spark, ex-Carnation). Having released a new album digitally in July 2023 titled "Song Pavilion", this album has now been renewed featuring several female singers, and with three new extra songs....
Posted on December 25, 2023 at 23:57. | Released on December 21, 2023
RYUTist "(en)"
Niigata-based idol group RYUTist has just released a 5th album, titled "(en)". It's the follow-up to "Falsetto" (2020). The new album includes songs produced by Shibata Satoko ("Aurora"), Pasocom Music Club ("Shirushi") and Hasunuma Shuta ("PASSPort"), among many more collaborators....
Posted on November 26, 2022 at 22:25. | Released on November 22, 2022
COUNTJOKE "One" (CD)
COUNTJOKE (Facebook page), the unit of Maezono Naoki and Arai Toshiya (SoundCloud, Mixcloud), released last year their first album "ONE" as an LP for Record Store Day which had since sold out. Here it is back as a CD, and...
Posted on July 17, 2022 at 22:36. | Released on July 13, 2022
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.25
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on March 11, 2022 at 01:26.
Morio Agata "Deluxe Raizo"
This year is Morio Agata's 50th anniversary since his debut (1972-2022)! This March there are two special releases of rare and previously unreleased recordings. The first is this deluxe 2-CD package, of which the 1st CD is a re-issue of...
Posted on March 5, 2022 at 23:13. | Released on March 2, 2022
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.18
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on July 29, 2021 at 00:00.
RSD Drops 2021 Day 2
Here comes the 2nd of Record Store Day's "RSD Drops" for 2021, following the first held on June 12. Online sales will start at 13:00 (JST) on release day. Below are some picks for July 17, followed by some related...
Posted on July 17, 2021 at 02:04. | Released on July 17, 2021
Various Artists "ALFA Music Live - ALFA 50th Anniversary Edition" (2 Blu-ray + 2 CDs)
In September 2015 was held a special concert for the 70th birthday of composer and music producer Murai Kunihiko, founder of the record company Alfa Music. The show was planned by Matsutoya Masataka, and featured performances of many artists close...
Posted on March 2, 2021 at 22:35. | Released on March 4, 2021
keme "hitorigoto"
Singer-songwriter keme, known for her bands Tokyo Killer and Piggy Banks as well as being the guitarist of Kinoco Hotel, has just released a 3rd solo album! "hitorigoto" is the follow-up to her previous solo album "shiranai sekai" (2013). Included...
Posted on January 30, 2021 at 22:33. | Released on January 27, 2021
SAKA-SAMA "kimi ga ichiban kakkoii jan"
Lo-fi dream pop idol group SAKA-SAMA, who have since August 2019 been active as the duo of Suzuki Kokone and Asakura Mizuho, have just released an album of 28 songs on 2 CDs! Included are all songs from limited album...
Posted on December 26, 2020 at 22:03. | Released on December 16, 2020
Aina Hirose "17"
This is the first solo album of Hirose Aina (official Twitter), following a mini-album titled "Schedule of Afternoon Hours" (2018, Spotify, , YouTube Music). In addition to songs produced by city pop artist Seki Yoshihiko, there are songs written by...
Posted on November 4, 2020 at 22:04. | Released on November 4, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.10
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on October 28, 2020 at 21:52.
No Lie-Sense "Dadalogue"
No Lie-Sense, the unit of Suzuki Keiichi (Moonriders) and Kera (Uchōten), is about to release a 3rd album! It had been 4 years since "Japan's Period". Two of the songs were released in advance on 7" in April, "warera ga...
Posted on July 23, 2020 at 23:24. | Released on July 29, 2020
Mellow Mellow "saikou kessaku"
Mellow Mellow, a trio formed of girls "not taller than 150cm", has a new single out now digitally and the title song was written and arranged by Konishi Yasuharu! Check out the cool music video below! The B-side was written...
Posted on June 11, 2020 at 23:43. | Released on June 10, 2020
Saigenji "Live 'Compass' for the Future"
Singer-songwriter and guitarist with scat skills, Saigenji has a new live album being released, of 2 CDs worth of songs selected from shows where he was accompanied by drums, bass, percussions, piano and keyboards. Those shows were held on March...
Posted on May 13, 2020 at 20:19. | Released on May 13, 2020
Sunny Kubota & Old Lucky Boys "The man who calls bliss."
Sunny Kubota & Old Lucky Boys (aka OLB), the band led by Kubota Shingo (ex-8 1/2, and one of the original "Stardust Brothers"), has a 3rd album about to be released! "The man who calls bliss." is the follow-up to...
Posted on October 22, 2019 at 22:45. | Released on October 25, 2019
Kaede "shinya. anata wa kyou o furikaeri, mata atarashii asa dane." (12")
The first solo mini-album of Kaede (Negicco), released on CD last June, is about to get a vinyl release. This includes songs written by Sokabe Keiichi (Sunny Day Service), Satō Yūsuke (caméra-stylo) among others. An in-store event will be held...
Posted on September 10, 2019 at 22:43. | Released on September 15, 2019
Kaede "shinya. anata wa kyou o furikaeri, mata atarashii asa dane."
Kaede of Negicco has officially started a solo career, and here comes a first solo mini-album on T-Palette Records! Included are songs written by Sokabe Keiichi (Sunny Day Service), Satō Yūsuke (caméra-stylo), Yamazaki Yukari (Kūki Kōdan), Kushibiki Sayaka, and Someya...
Posted on June 11, 2019 at 23:00. | Released on June 18, 2019
moonriders "moonriders Final Banquet 2016 ~ saigo no kyōen ~" (2CD)
Despite that they were in hiatus, in 2016 Moonriders did a "hiatus hiatus" to thank their fans, and performed several times at festivals and also did a tour which ended on December 15, 2016 at Nakano Sunplaza (Tokyo). This 2-CD...
Posted on January 22, 2019 at 21:36. | Released on January 23, 2019
Record Day 2018
Record Day is this Saturday November 3, always held on the same day as national holiday "Culture Day". Led by Japan's long-running record factory Tōyōkasei, many labels and artists coordinate their releases in the favorite physical format of many to...
Posted on November 2, 2018 at 23:22. | Released on November 3, 2018
Cornelius "NHK 'Design Ah' 3"
A 3rd soundtrack album for NHK's popular educational TV program "Design Ah" (「デザインあ」) has just been released. As usual all the music is by Cornelius! Featured are vocals by Chocolat, Ohno Yumiko (Buffalo Daughter), Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius), Leo Imai (Metafive),...
Posted on July 25, 2018 at 23:04. | Released on July 18, 2018
Various Artists "NHK 'Shaki-n! Music ~kokoro ne~'" (CD+DVD)
This is the soundtrack of popular NHK E-Tele (NHK Educational TV/ETV) show "Shaki-n!", with songs composed by or featuring Kaji Hideki, Nakamura Kōji (aka Nakakō/iLL, of LAMA, ex-Supercar), Furukawa Miki (LAMA, ex-Supercar), The Natsuyasumi Band, Yashiro Aki, etc. The album...
Posted on May 29, 2018 at 23:26. | Released on May 23, 2018
Record Store Day 2018
Record Store Day 2018 is coming up this weekend! Like every year many Japanese artists, labels and shops get involved, and many exciting releases will appear on the shelves on Saturday morning. Here's a selection that Tokyo's Coolest Sound readers...
Posted on April 16, 2018 at 23:40. | Released on April 21, 2018
Cornelius "NHK 'Design Ah' 2", "Design Ah" (Blu-ray/DVD)
Out now is a 2nd soundtrack album for NHK's popular educational TV program "Design Ah" (「デザインあ」) for which all the music is by Cornelius! Featured are vocals by Chocolat, Aoba Ichiko, Harada Ikuko (clammbon), Hanaregumi, KAKATO (Tamaki ROY x Chinza...
Posted on March 27, 2018 at 22:42. | Released on March 21, 2018
Asa-chang & Junray "mahou"
Asa-chang & Junray has a brand new original album coming, their first since "kage no nai hito" (2009) after which new members Goseki Yoshihiro (flute, sax, vocals) and Suhara Anzu (violin, guitar, vocals) joined the group. Featured guest musicians include...
Posted on February 24, 2016 at 20:33. | Released on March 2, 2016
tofubeats "Positive Remixes"
Here come remixes of tofubeats' latest album "Positive"! Featured remixers include Nakata Yasutaka (CAPSULE), Sunahara Yoshinori, Cherryboy Function, okadada, Komuro Tetsuya, banvox, Pa's Lam System, PARKGOLF, tofubeats himself and more. tofubeats "POSITIVE Remixes" CD1 1. POSITIVE feat.Dream Ami -Nakata Yasutaka...
Posted on January 2, 2016 at 21:45. | Released on January 20, 2016
tofubeats "Positive"
tofubeats has a brand new album out now! This includes two songs from his latest mini-album "Stakeholder", as well as a bunch of brand new songs. Featured vocalists include okadada, Kishida Shigeru (Quruli), Nakano Yoshie (Ego-Wrappin'), Komuro Tetsuya & more....
Posted on September 18, 2015 at 22:34. | Released on September 16, 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
U-zhaan "Tabla Rock Mountain"
Tabla musician U-zhaan (formerly of Asa-chang & Junray) has a first solo album out now. Featured are guest artists Sakamoto Ryūichi (on a cover of YMO's "Technopolis"), Cornelius, Hanaregumi, De De Mouse, Hifana, Kakato (Tamaki Roy & Chinza Dopeness), Ametsub...
Posted on October 23, 2014 at 22:49. | Released on October 8, 2014
tofubeats "First Album"
tofubeats has a first major album out now. Titled "First Album", it actually follows indies album "Lost Decade" (2013). Included are collaborations with 9 guest artists, including previously released songs with Fujii Takashi ("Disco no kamisama", Moritaka Chisato ("Don't Stop...
Posted on October 22, 2014 at 22:57. | Released on October 2, 2014
Various Artists "Clo Clo Made In Japan 2013"
Here is a special reissue of the 2008 compilation "Clo Clo Made In Japan", tribute album to French singer Claude François. This new edition contains 4 new bonus recordings and the price is lower than the original, and was released...
Posted on July 27, 2013 at 18:16. | Released on July 17, 2013
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
Soil & "Pimp" Sessions "Magnetic Soil"
Soil & "Pimp" Sessions, a jazzy band that mixes in sounds of rock, punk, electro and funk, have a new (7th!) album out just now, their first in 2 years. This includes the title track from single "Movin'" released earlier...
Posted on October 8, 2011 at 21:28. | Released on October 5, 2011
Jimi Shijimi "Shijimi no onna"
New-comer female singer Jimi Shijimi has a debut single out now, produced by multi-talent artist Lily Franky. The single includes remixes by FPM and Kawanabe Hiroshi (Tokyo No.1 Soul Set, InK), and the limited edition comes with the music...
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 23:16. | Released on August 17, 2011
EmiLy "tear drop"
Singer-songwriter EmiLy (Hashimoto Emiri) has a 2nd album out now, with songs arranged by the likes of Imai Kentarō (The Aprils) and Hase Yasuhiro (Yume to Cosme). Also the wonderful video clip for title song was directed by Nakama Norihisa...
Posted on May 29, 2011 at 01:48. | Released on May 25, 2011
Koizumi Kyoko "Collaborakyon"
Kyon-kyon aka Koizumi Kyōko's new compilation album of old and new collaborations, appropriately named "Collaborakyon", seems to have quite a bit of a Shibuya-kei direction. Featured are Jazztronik, Asa-Chang & Junray, Tokyo No.1 Soul Set, Sokabe Keiichi, Hosono Haruomi, Watanabe...
Posted on February 12, 2011 at 23:40. | Released on February 16, 2011
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
Various Artists "CC:01 -commmons compilation-"
Here's a first label sampler compilation from Sakamoto Ryūichi's commmons, also hoping to give a good starting point to new fans of the label. Featured artists include HASYMO, Sakamoto Ryūichi, mi-gu (aka Araki Yūko, drummer of The Cornelius Group), naomi...
Posted on February 19, 2010 at 23:37. | Released on February 24, 2010
Maezono Naoki Group "hi o tsukeru. Maezono Naoki Group dai1shū."
Maezono Naoki Group, band featuring Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato Five) on piano, released its first album on vinyl only last June and sold out quickly. Finally this is also coming on CD, and that in a mini-LP sleeve! The CD will...
Posted on December 6, 2009 at 01:43. | Released on December 9, 2009
Crazy Ken Band "Girls! Girls! Girls!"
Crazy Ken Band is back with a new 11th album! It's their first on a major label. A limited edition contains a bonus DVD with live performances from the "Zero Tour". Crazy Ken Band "Girls! Girls! Girls!" クレイジーケンバンド 「ガール! ガール!...
Posted on August 15, 2009 at 16:02. | Released on August 12, 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
akiko "a white album" (12")
Jazz vocalist akiko's Christmas album "a white album", produced Konishi Yasuharu last year, is being reissued on vinyl for DJs and analog jazz lovers. akiko "a white album" (12") A1. Auld Lang Syne A2. Santa ga machi ni yatte kuru...
Posted on December 14, 2008 at 13:54. | Released on December 3, 2008
Hosaka Akane "Niko Niko Denki Muzic"
Japanese electronic artist Hosaka Akane, who makes wonderful melodies using her Moog, Casios and an endless toy box, has a first album being released on French label Sonore. "Niko Niko Denki Muzic" is actually her 3rd album, and was originally...
Posted on May 19, 2008 at 15:47. | Released on June 10, 2008
Various Artists "Clo Clo Made In Japan"
French singer Claude François, aka Cloclo, is known in Japan mostly for his song "Comme d'habitude" that became the "My Way" hit everyone knows. Produced by Saeki Kenzō (Pearl Brothers), this tribute album features artists such as YMCK, Elektel, Pecombo,...
Posted on February 28, 2008 at 16:55. | Released on April 3, 2008
Fantastic Plastic Machine "Sound Concierge Japan"
FPM brings us a 10th installment of his popular "Sound Concierge" series! This time he focuses his selection to nothing but house tracks with Japanese lyrics! As the rest of the series, we can expect limited edition artwork with desktop...
Posted on January 30, 2008 at 15:02. | Released on March 26, 2008
Various Artists "kirakira Ghibli"
Club artists offer us covers and remixes of songs from the well known films of Studio Ghibli. Featured are Halfby, Mr.comicstore, Boot Beat and many more. This is available only at Jet Set and Village Vanguard for the time being,...
Posted on November 27, 2007 at 10:48. | Released on November 28, 2007
akiko "a white album"
Jazz vocalist akiko has a Christmas album coming up, produced by Konishi Yasuharu! Aside from an instrumental track written by akiko, titled "12gatsu 25nichi no asa." ("The morning of December 25"), all songs are covers of Christmas standards everyone knows....
Posted on September 28, 2007 at 14:09. | Released on November 7, 2007
Various Artists "Miss Vocalies, Tokyo -with her Strikes Sextet-"
I had completely overlooked this new compilation put together by Sunaga Tatsuo, containing nothing but jazzy songs featuring Japan's best female vocalists. Included are two brand new songs, by Sunaga t̀ Experience and pianist Akiko Grace, and a bunch of...
Posted on March 15, 2007 at 23:37. | Released on March 7, 2007
Various Artists "Hosono Haruomi Tribute Album - Tribute to Haruomi Hosono"
Here comes a very interesting tribute album to Hosono Haruomi (Sketch Show, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Happy End). The 2-CD set will include appearances and many surprising collaborations, such as Sakamoto Ryūichi + Minekawa Takako (a return!), Yano Akiko + Rei...
Posted on March 1, 2007 at 11:47. | Released on April 25, 2007
Various Artists "SAG VOYAGE 2006 : summer Archive - Compiled by Kaoru Inoue"
Inoue Kaoru (Chari Chari) selects tracks by artists on and about his label Seeds and Ground, a sub-label of Crue-L Records started in 2003. Most if not all seems previously unreleased. Various Artists "SAG VOYAGE 2006 : summer Archive -...
Posted on September 25, 2006 at 17:20. | Released on October 25, 2006
Rocketman "Love, sea & music"
Rocketman, aka comedian Fukawa Ryō, is back in music with a 3rd album under the monicker. His first two albums were produced by Konishi Yasuharu, and this one keeps a Readymade connection by involving Konishi-san's programmer Yoshida Tetsuto! Also co-producing...
Posted on June 6, 2006 at 11:22. | Released on August 2, 2006
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 "Cover Lover Vol.1 ~Bossa de Punk~"
Bossa-ish compilation of 70's/80's punk/new wave hits covered by female vocalists, including a first recorded song by Oui Oui (Nomiya Maki and Teramoto Rieko). Various Artists "Cover Lover Vol.1 ~Bossa de Punk~" 1. Anarchy in the UK / Ishigaki Airi...
Posted on February 17, 2005 at 20:51. | Released on April 6, 2005
Crazy Ken Band "abuku"
Crazy Ken Band is back again with a new single including two new songs and two remixes ("Cosmic Night Run" feat. m-flo and Nomiya Maki). Comes in a limited edition with extra DVD. ii ne!!! Crazy Ken Band "abuku" クレイジーケンバンド...
Posted on November 29, 2004 at 16:39. | Released on December 1, 2004
Wada Akiko "Free Soul Wada Akiko"
Konishi Yasuharu selected his favorite Wada Akiko songs, and the result is this new greatest hits album. The compilation is dedicated to the late Ray Charles. Wada Akiko "Free Soul Wada Akiko" Track list 1. doshaburi no ame no naka...
Posted on September 24, 2004 at 14:21. | Released on November 24, 2004
Sunaga Tatsuo "World Standard.04 -A Tatsuo Sunaga Live Mix-" (CCCD)
Record banchō Sunaga Tatsuo (Sunaga t̀ Experience) is back with a new live mix album, 4th of his "World Standard" series. Sunaga Tatsuo "World Standard.04 -A Tatsuo Sunaga Live Mix-" (CCCD) 須永辰緒 「World Standard.04」 Track list 1. TNBC nihongo hōsōkyoku...
Posted on August 24, 2004 at 17:06. | Released on October 20, 2004