Various Artists "Juicy Fruits"
This compilation has for theme "covers of songs with fruits in their title". Tracks are produced by young units Cherryboy Function, Harley & Quin, Beat Panama, etc., and featured vocalists include Yuppa of Hazel Nuts Chocolate (with a Halcali cover!),...
Posted on February 16, 2009 at 00:29. | Released on February 18, 2009
Full-text search results for Be The Voice
Color Filter "Star Cloud" (Download)
Color Filter is a unit led by Ryuji Tsuneyoshi that started in the late 90s and made several releases in and out of Japan across a decade (some of those can be found on Spotify and other download/streaming platforms)....
Posted on May 12, 2025 at 23:11. | Released on May 7, 2025
Tomoyuki Tanaka (FPM) "Soundtracks for Ice Cream Fever"
Tomoyuki Tanaka a.k.a. FPM has done the soundtrack for the movie "Ice Cream Fever" (directed by Tetsuya Chihara). The soundtrack is available on CD and digitally. The movie features Utaha (Wednesday Campanella) as an ice cream shop worker, and also...
Posted on July 22, 2023 at 21:06. | Released on July 12, 2023
Saigenji "Covers & Instrumentals"
Singer-songwriter and guitarist with a distinctive scat style, Saigenji has just released a new album of studio recordings of about half covers and half original instrumentals, selected from his popular live repertory which includes a lot of MPB (Música popular...
Posted on June 7, 2023 at 13:43. | Released on June 7, 2023
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.39
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 May 19, 2023 at 14:29.
Posted on November 28, 2022 at 12:37. | Event held on Sunday December 4, 2022 at 18:00 (JST)
Sally Kubota Group feat. Natsumi Kiyoura "Just What I Always Wanted"
Here's a 2nd release from the "Girls At Our Best" series of cover EPs produced by Sally Kubota (The Scooters, ex-SOLEIL, The Phantom Gift, Les 5-4-3-2-1). This one features singer Natsumi Kiyoura (of Tweedees), and includes covers of "Just What...
Posted on November 25, 2022 at 22:21. | Released on November 25, 2022
Record Day 2022 Day 1
Record Day is being held this year again, on November 3 (coinciding with public holiday Culture Day) and also on December 3. Below are some picks that are not to be missed from the November 3 crates, but there's also...
Posted on November 6, 2022 at 12:11. | Released on November 3, 2022
Posted on August 25, 2022 at 22:21. | Event held on Sunday September 11, 2022 at 18:00 (JST)
Takeshi Nakatsuka "kita no kuni kara / Black Screen" (7"), "Your Voice / Make Her Mine" (7")
Four songs by Takeshi Nakatsuka (Qyptone) have just being released on 7", at the same time from two different labels. Three of the songs are from his 3rd album "Girls & Boys" ("kita no kuni kara", "Your Voice" and...
Posted on June 26, 2022 at 12:11. | Released on June 22, 2022
Record Store Day 2022
It's time for Record Store Day! This weekend on Saturday April 23 is the worldwide Record Store Day, and like always there are many releases happening in Japan too! Below is a list of recommended picks. Many releases in Japan...
Posted on April 23, 2022 at 01:33. | Released on April 23, 2022
World Standard "World Standard for Quiet Corner - Diamond Days"
This is a compilation of the "Quiet Corner" label and series, of songs by World Standard selected by Yūki Yamamoto (Quiet Corner). Not a collection of greatest hits, this selection consists of quiet and relaxing songs from the vast discography...
Posted on March 30, 2022 at 00:49. | Released on March 26, 2022
O'CHAWANZ "Episode X"
Hip-hop unit O'CHAWANZ has just released a new mini-album titled "Episode X" (read "Episode Ten"), said to be the last of their "1st generation" with this current line-up. In this one, members Sugar Shu Lala and Ichico Nico are joined...
Posted on March 13, 2022 at 12:36. | Released on March 9, 2022
kimriri "crush on you" (Download)
18-year-old singer-songwriter kimriri's (Instagram) single "crush on you" has been released today on digital platforms! Her music can be described as indie electro-pop with a cool minimal lo-fi sound, onto which she sings with her cute voice. Having been...
Posted on February 23, 2022 at 23:59. | Released on February 23, 2022
Mondo Grosso "Big World"
Mondo Grosso, the solo project of Shinichi Ōsawa (lately also active with RHYME SO), is back with a brand new album! Each song is a collaboration with different singers, Takao Tajima (Original Love), Yoshie Nakano (Ego-Wrappin')), CHAI, RHYME, DONGURIZU, and...
Posted on February 9, 2022 at 23:26. | Released on February 9, 2022
Machida Girls' Choir "Orion-za ryuseigun"
Girl chorus group Machida Girls' Choir, formed in 2015, has just released a brand new album! Aside from the many songs by their main producer Ishida Shōkichi (ex-Scudelia Electro, Spiral Life), there are also songs written by Sally Kubota ("yūsei...
Posted on January 26, 2022 at 23:35. | Released on January 26, 2022
Night Tempo "Ladies In The City"
South Korean producer and DJ Night Tempo, who has gained a lot of attention with his "Showa Groove" series of re-edits (see "Night Tempo presents The Showa Idol Groove"), is now back with a brand new original album! "Ladies In...
Posted on December 7, 2021 at 23:46. | Released on December 1, 2021
Record Day 2021 Day 2
Record Day, previously happening only on November 3 for "Culture Day" (a public holiday), has being held once more this November, on Saturday November 27. Also check out the post about day 1! Items can be ordered online. Below is...
Posted on December 4, 2021 at 00:54. | Released on November 27, 2021
Pizzicato Five "Pizzicato Five On Demand (Nomiya maki edition)" (Download)
Here comes the third of the "Pizzicato Five On Demand" trilogy! The "Takanami keitaro edition" and "Konishi yasuharu edition" are of course followed by the "Nomiya maki edition", with this time 38 tracks! Some vinyl-only and non-album tracks are included,...
Posted on November 17, 2021 at 19:38. | Released on November 17, 2021
Machida Girls' Choir "hoshizora no Synthesizer" (Download)
Girl chorus group Machida Girls' Choir has released yet another new single digitally, this time a song written by Ishida Shōkichi. This follows three more of the spacey series: "Planetarium no aru machi de" (, Spotify, YouTube Music), "Seven...
Posted on November 1, 2021 at 23:15. | Released on November 1, 2021
Takako Ohta "Voice of Angel"
Takako Ohta, a singer and voice actress known for "Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel" and many songs from the series, has just released a new album titled "Voice of Angel", her first in 31 years! Several self-covers are included, plus...
Posted on October 20, 2021 at 23:38. | Released on October 20, 2021
Pasocom Music Club "See-Voice"
Pasocom Music Club has just released a 3rd album titled "See-Voice". Featured guest vocalists are Kawabe Moto (Mitsume), ayu inotsume (aka ayU tokiO), Yumiki Erino, Tokiyo Ooto (And Summer Club), unmo and Sagesaka Tomoyuki (isagen). Pasocom Music Club "See-Voice" パソコン音楽クラブ...
Posted on October 13, 2021 at 22:42. | Released on October 13, 2021
Machida Girls' Choir "Voice In Space" (Download)
Girl chorus group Machida Girls' Choir has just released a new single digitally. Titled "Voice In Space", it was written by the two of microstar! This is the 3rd monthly single, all of which had a spacey theme, starting...
Posted on October 3, 2021 at 23:12. | Released on October 1, 2021
Nagie Lane "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji (future a cappella ver.)" (Download)
Nagie Lane is an a cappella group of six, which aims to make city pop and dance music with no instrument other than their voices! Their new digital single that has just been released is a cover of Pizzicato...
Posted on August 18, 2021 at 23:07. | Released on August 18, 2021
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.
Les Sewing Sisters "Les Sewing Sisters" (Download)
Les Sewing Sisters (Facebook) is a duo based in L.A. and formed of Lun*na Menoh and Saori Mitome. Their music is made of nothing but sounds sampled from sewing machines (no drums or synths) and their voices. Find a review...
Posted on July 24, 2021 at 22:09. | Released on July 23, 2021
RSD Drops 2021 Day 1
Record Store Day is happening this year, as two "RSD Drops" on June 12 and July 17! It seems in good shape looking at the impressive list of releases, with many good ones. Online sales will start at 13:00 (JST)...
Posted on June 10, 2021 at 00:16. | Released on June 12, 2021
Posted on May 18, 2021 at 23:42. | Event held on Wednesday May 19, 2021 at 20:00 (JST)
Toshiyuki Yasuda "Once a Robot Sings (Piano Solos of Robo*Brazileira)" (Download)
For the 20th anniversary of the release of Toshiyuki Yasuda's album "Robo*Brazileira" (released in 2000) (, Spotify, YouTube Music) — a concept album on which a robot sang human feelings over Brazilian music — the artist did self-covers of all...
Posted on May 1, 2021 at 20:48. | Released on April 30, 2021
Rikako Aida "Fiction"
Voice actress Aida Rikako (Twitter) has just released a 2nd EP, of which one song is written and produced by Kaji Hideki: "taikutsu ga daisuki". The song was co-arranged by Arai Toshiya (COUNTJOKE), and features Nagai Seiichi (ex-sōtaiseiriron) on...
Posted on March 2, 2021 at 00:07. | Released on February 24, 2021
Interview: BJ Rubin
Interview of BJ Rubin by Patrick Benny (Tokyo's Coolest Sound)--> BJ Rubin is the New Yorker who is behind the eclectic TV show titled "The BJ Rubin Show" that's currently being aired on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN). The show...
Posted on February 27, 2021 at 22:00.
Aya Nakano y Central "La Vida"
Once again, singer Nakano Aya has teamed up with latin sound band Central, this time as Aya Nakano y Central, for a brand new album titled "La Vida"! Along with a bunch of originals is included a cover of Yuming's...
Posted on January 29, 2021 at 21:27. | Released on January 27, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.11
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 November 25, 2020 at 23:58.
Record Day 2020
Record Day 2020, ran by Japan's long-running record factory Tōyōkasei, is just about to happen this November 3rd. Being on the same day as Japan's "Culture Day", it's a day off well spent doing record shopping. Record Day items are...
Posted on November 3, 2020 at 01:59. | Released on November 3, 2020
World Standard "Shikisai Ongaku"
World Standard, the solo unit of Suzuki Sōichirō that debuted 35 years ago on Hosono Haruomi's label Non-Standard, is releasing a brand new 12th album! Not only had it been 10 years since his previous full-length — "Silencio" (2010, Amazon,...
Posted on October 26, 2020 at 21:40. | Released on November 28, 2020
STAMP "Jailhouse feat. SKY-HI" (Download)
Famous Thai singer STAMP (official Facebook page) has teamed up with rapper SKY-HI for a Japanese version of his song "Jailhouse Rap" (original sung in Thai). This is the 2nd collaboration of the two, following a song by SKY-HI...
Posted on September 28, 2020 at 00:07. | Released on September 18, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.6
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 June 25, 2020 at 01:32.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.5
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 May 28, 2020 at 01:10.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "Kimiga Iine Kuretara" (7")
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's latest song, "Kimiga Iine Kuretara" (released digitally last May), is getting released on 7" vinyl this month! The song comes on cute pink vinyl, and the B-side is a previously unreleased instrumental. Also check out latest...
Posted on February 8, 2020 at 15:10. | Released on February 26, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.2
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 January 22, 2020 at 23:55.
Way Wave "Soul Punch"
Way Wave, the funky duo unit of soulful-voiced sisters Anna and Yuna, has a brand new mini-album that has just been released! Follow-up to the excellent "Show Time", this time they have teamed up with songwriters such as Sokabe Keiichi...
Posted on December 31, 2019 at 15:36. | Released on December 18, 2019
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.1
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's first official episode of its own radio show (following a Christmas special)! The show is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada), it brings you some...
Posted on December 26, 2019 at 01:31.
Perfume "Perfume The Best 'P Cubed'"
Perfume, who did their major debut 14 years ago this month, has a new greatest hits album about to be released! Included are 52 songs on three CDs, included are two brand new songs, "nananananairo" and "Challenger". Nakata Yasutaka himself...
Posted on September 12, 2019 at 22:55. | Released on September 18, 2019
Enoshima Bakusou Gals "surume Boy" (7")
Self-produced new wave idol Kanou Emiri joins forces with soulful voiced sisters Way Wave in this new collaboration unit called Enoshima Bakusō Gals. Their first 7" single is titled "surume Boy" (surume = dried squid), a super catchy track...
Posted on June 23, 2019 at 12:21. | Released on June 26, 2019
ammakasie noka "Little Ghost House"
ammakasie noka is a unit featuring songwriter Mayutan. This new album has a conceptual story of two twin sisters in a deep forest, the elder is a ghost and the younger one who became a witch. The music is made...
Posted on January 31, 2019 at 00:01. | Released on January 30, 2019
Way Wave "Show Time"
Way Wave, the funky duo formed of soulful-voiced sisters Anna and Yuna, has released a first album just recently! The producers are Seki Yoshihiko, Satō Yūsuke (caméra-stylo) and Lainy J Groove, and featured musicians include Hase Yasuhiro (Yume to Cosme),...
Posted on January 3, 2019 at 11:57. | Released on December 19, 2018
Way Wave "Summer Girl / Lovin' You" (7")
Way Wave is a duo formed of sisters Anna and Yuna with soulful voices, and their first 7" single is produced by Seki Yoshihiko and classifies as city pop. The A-side is original "Summer Girl", while the B-side is...
Posted on June 27, 2018 at 23:57. | Released on June 27, 2018
Lucky Tapes "22"
Lucky Tapes have a new mini-album about to be released. While until now they were on the Rallye label, this is their first on a major label. Lucky Tapes can be caught live at the Greenroom Festival '18 to be...
Posted on May 21, 2018 at 22:35. | Released on May 23, 2018
Ozawa Kenji "Arpeggio (kitto mahou no Tunnel no saki)"
Ozawa Kenji has a new single being released on Valentine's Day. The title song is the theme of movie "River's Edge", and also features the voices of lead actress Nikaidō Fumi and actor Yoshizawa Ryō. The B-side is a live...
Posted on February 12, 2018 at 21:54. | Released on February 14, 2018
Nakajima Megumi "Curiosity"
A 4th album by singer and voice actress Nakajima Megumi is about to be released. Included are songs written by Maedayama Kenichi (aka Hyadain), Avec Avec (Sugar's Campaign), CMJK (Cutemen) (with lyrics by Kai Minori and Twisty aka Takashi Tsugumi),...
Posted on February 11, 2018 at 22:13. | Released on February 14, 2018
fox capture plan "KOTODAMA -kono koe o kimi ni Soundtrack-", "SEPT"
Here are two new soundtracks by instrumental jazz trio fox capture plan. Both are for TV drama series. The final show of their "UИTITLƎD" tour will be held on February 2 at Shibuya O-East. fox capture plan "KOTODAMA -kono koe...
Posted on January 25, 2018 at 22:54. | Released on January 24, 2018
Inoue Honoka "Sparkling Chinatown" (7")
Two songs from voice actress Inoue Honoka's excellent first mini-album "First Flight" are being released on 7"! This was written and produced by Mukaju Dan (ex-blue marble), and comes from the Luxury kayō label. The 7"'s sleeve is reversible....
Posted on June 25, 2017 at 14:17. | Released on June 28, 2017
Inoue Honoka "First Flight"
Voice actress Inoue Honoka has a debut album that was released just recently. This was entirely written and produced by Mukaju Dan, a production unit formed of Shock Tarou and Ton-chan, both songwriting members of blue marble (unit that ended...
Posted on January 12, 2017 at 22:58. | Released on December 28, 2016
Taketatsu Ayana "Lyrical Concerto"
Voice actress/singer Taketatsu Ayana has a 3rd album about to be released. It features an outstanding list of composers/producers including Takeshi Yokemura (YMCK), Hayashibe Tomonori (Plus-tech Squeeze Box), Mito (clammbon), Okii Reiji (Tweedees, ex-Cymbals) and Nakatsuka Takeshi among others. The...
Posted on November 1, 2016 at 00:29. | Released on November 2, 2016
FPM "Motions (Best Killer Remixes & Produce works by FPM)" (3CD)
FPM is still celebrating his 20th anniversary, and following greatest hits album "Moments" here comes a 3-CD set of tracks he has produced or remixed for other artists. Some rare and previously unreleased tracks are also included. The album's first...
Posted on March 12, 2016 at 00:56. | Released on March 16, 2016
Hanazawa Kana "Blue Avenue"
Voice actress Hanazawa Kana's recent 3rd album "Blue Avenue" has an all-star lineup of songwriters and producers including Kitagawa Katsutoshi (Round Table), Nakatsuka Takeshi, Yakushimaru Etsuko (sōtaiseiriron), Yano Hiroyasu (ex-Cymbals), mito (clammbon), Studio Apartment, Okuda Kensuke with Nishidera Gōta (Nona...
Posted on May 31, 2015 at 16:57. | Released on April 22, 2015
petit milady "cheri*cheri? milady!!"
Follow-up to last year's "petit miladear", here's a 2nd album by unit petit milady of voice actresses Yuki Aoi and Taketatsu Ayana. Once again most songs are produced by Satō Seiki (microstar). The album comes in 3 different editions. Limited...
Posted on May 23, 2015 at 17:31. | Released on May 13, 2015
Towa Tei "Heaven" (Download)
Towa Tei has a brand new single out today! "Heaven" is a song made for Valentine's Day, and it's also released as a special package with delicious rusk from Gateau Festa Harada. At digital music shop Mach Beat, the...
Posted on February 11, 2015 at 11:18. | Released on February 11, 2015
Gig report: "Frenesi school: The legendary end-of-business ceremony"
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound The last show I saw in 2014 was Frenesi, and it was a very special one. In November Frenesi announced that she would put a stop (though maybe temporary) to...
Posted on January 4, 2015 at 00:34.
Taketatsu Ayana "Colore Serenata"
Voice actress Taketatsu Ayana has a new album out now, with some tracks written and arranged by Yoshida Tetsuto ("Colore Solfege" and "Marshmallow") and Oki Reiji (ex-Cymbals) ("Princess no dassō keikaku" and "Surf de Go Go Go"), and also a...
Posted on November 24, 2014 at 11:16. | Released on November 19, 2014
Ruby* "sweet music float"
Ruby*, the solo-project of whisper-voice singer Lily, is back with a new album with songs produced by CTO LAB., Imai Kentaro (The Aprils, CTO LAB.), Okada Tohru (Moonriders, CTO LAB.), Nishiura Kensuke (daredemo Esper, ex-sōtaiseiriron), POCO (ku-tyu-bunkai) and more. Included...
Posted on November 13, 2014 at 22:52. | Released on November 5, 2014
Buffalo Daughter "Konjac-tion"
Here comes a brand new original album by Buffalo Daughter, follow-up to "The Weapons of Math Destruction" (2010). The new album has a theme of "block party" and comes as a set of 2 CDs, one of the original new...
Posted on July 20, 2014 at 17:56. | Released on July 23, 2014
Taketatsu Ayana "Wonderful World"
Voice actress Taketatsu Ayana has a new single coming. Title song "Wonderful World" is a band-driven upbeat pop track, while its B-side was written by Okii Reiji (ex-Cymbals). The limited edition includes a DVD of the music video. CDJapan and...
Posted on May 28, 2014 at 22:29. | Released on June 4, 2014
petit milady "petit miladear"
This is the first album by petit milady, the unit of voice actresses Yuki Aoi and Taketatsu Ayana. Most of the tracks are produced by Satō Seiki (microstar), and the included "Retro Future Mix" is by Elektel! All tracks can...
Posted on May 11, 2014 at 12:23. | Released on May 7, 2014
Nakatsuka Takeshi "Swinger Song Writer"
Nakatsuka Takeshi (ex-Qypthone) has had an active solo career for some 10 years, and here comes a first greatest hits album that period. Alongside some all-time favorites, new song "Zero no mugen" (released digitally the week before) is included as...
Posted on April 20, 2014 at 15:58. | Released on April 23, 2014
Gig report: Takako Minekawa solo live at Tensai Sansūjuku
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On March 19, Minekawa Takako played a solo show part of a cassette-themed exhibition. Held at Asakusabashi Tensai Sansūjuku, a multipurpose venue, the exhibition showed various artworks made using audio...
Posted on April 10, 2014 at 22:37.
Hanazawa Kana "25"
This 2nd album by voice actress Hanazawa Kana was released on her 25th birthday (February 26, 2014), and the 2-CD package contains 25 tracks, involving a bunch of Shibuya-kei related artists. The whole is produced by Kitagawa Katsutoshi (Round Table),...
Posted on March 2, 2014 at 22:13. | Released on February 26, 2014
Perfume "Perfume Clips" (Blu-ray/DVD)
This is Perfume's first collection of video clips, including all from their years on label Tokuma Japan since major debut "Linear Motor Girl". The limited edition comes with a bonus disc of rare versions, 25 TV commercials, and an audio...
Posted on February 6, 2014 at 23:41. | Released on February 12, 2014
Hanazawa Kana "Love Planet"
Voice actress/singer Hanazawa Kana's new single again features a great line-up. The title track was written and produced by Kitagawa Katsutoshi (Round Table), with strings arranged by Hase Yasuhiro (Yume to Cosme). "Spanish Apartment" was written and produced by Okii...
Posted on December 31, 2013 at 18:35. | Released on December 25, 2013
CANDLES "Sense of direction"
Electro-pop unit CANDLES has a 3rd mini-album out now, filled with melodious upbeat dance tracks. New remixes by NUXX and A-bee are included. A release party will be held on December 13 at Shibuya Glad, also featuring Cutie Pai, SAWA...
Posted on December 10, 2013 at 22:58. | Released on December 4, 2013
Taketatsu Ayana "shūmatsu Cinderella"
Voice actress Taketatsu Ayana has a new single out now, of which title track "shūmatsu Cinderella" (translates as "Weekend Cinderella") is a ska song written by TMGX (Frontier Backyard). Musicians include members of Frontier Backyard, Wack Wack Rhythm Band, etc....
Posted on December 8, 2013 at 22:40. | Released on December 4, 2013
Taketatsu Ayana "apple symphony"
Popular voice actress Taketatsu Ayana ("K-on!", etc.) has a first album coming, and it contains songs written by composers including Okii Reiji (ex-Cymbals), Suemitsu Atsushi and hit-maker Tsutsumi Kyōhei. Lead track "haru ga kimi o kirei ni shita" was written...
Posted on April 5, 2013 at 00:19. | Released on April 10, 2013
Takako Minekawa & Dustin Wong "Toropical Circle"
What a surprise! Takako Minekawa is back with a new album, and that as a new unit with Dustin Wong (ex-Ponytail)! It has been 13 years since Takako's previous release, "Maxi On" (2000, Amazon U.S.) (a collaboration with New York...
Posted on March 26, 2013 at 20:43. | Released on May 15, 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.
Hanazawa Kana "claire"
This is the first album by anime voice actress Hanazawa Kana. This seems to have a good dose of Shibuya-kei, as the whole is sound produced by Kitagawa Katsutoshi (Round Table), with some songs written by Kaji Hideki ("Library de...
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 23:25. | Released on February 20, 2013
Komatsu Mikako "THEE Futures"
Voice actress Komatsu Mikako's first album contains two songs produced by James Panda Jr. (Twitter). Those who miss Panda 1/2 (from which singer Minami quit at the end of 2012) should check out this one! All songs can be sampled...
Posted on February 10, 2013 at 13:29. | Released on February 13, 2013
Hanazawa Kana "Silent Snow"
This is a 4th single by Hanazawa Kana, a voice actress who debuted as a singer last year. All songs are written by Kitagawa Katsutoshi (Round Table), and the title song has strings arranged by Hase Yasuhiro (yume to...
Posted on January 15, 2013 at 22:20. | Released on January 16, 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.
Small Boys "ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ"
Small Boys is a new unit formed of Nona Reeves' Nishidera Gōta and singer-songwriter Dōjima Kōhei. The two have in the past contributed many songs to Japan's top male idol groups such as SMAP, V6, Shōnentai, Kinki Kids, KAT-TUN, and...
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 21:55. | Released on December 19, 2012
Gig report: Nosa Reina release party w/ Portable Rock, Nomiya Maki, Takanami K-taro
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On November 30, I went to the release party for Nosa Reina's first album "don't kiss, but yes". Producer Takanami K-taro was on stage too part of the band, more on that...
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 00:19.
DJ Fumiya "Beats For Daddy"
DJ Fumiya (Rip Slyme, O.T.F) has a 1st solo original album coming! As the title says, the concept is club music intended for the current "dad generation" he belongs to. :) Featured guests include Bakubaku Dokin with Nagashima Tomoko (orange...
Posted on November 3, 2012 at 22:56. | Released on November 7, 2012
Gig report: hitomitoi sings "City Dive"
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last June singer hitomitoi's new album "City Dive" was released on Billboard Japan Records. The album was produced by Cunimondo Takiguchi of city pops unit Ryūsenkei, with some tracks by Dorian and...
Posted on September 3, 2012 at 00:20.
Various Artists "Who is the Star? WITS Compilation Vol.3 -20th anniversary edition-"
WITS was a Shibuya-kei label that in its early years mainly focused on releases by L⇔R (a band of which Minekawa Takako was a member for some time), Spiral Life, and also Minekawa Takako's early solo career ("Chit Chat", "(A...
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 12:28. | Released on August 8, 2012
Hanazawa Kana "hatsukoi no oto"
Proficient voice actress Hanazawa Kana has a 2nd single coming, and all 3 songs are written and produced by Nakatsuka Takeshi! A limited edition contains a DVD of the title track's music video. Hanazawa Kana "hatsukoi no oto" 花澤香菜 「初恋ノオト」...
Posted on July 16, 2012 at 23:00. | Released on July 18, 2012
Perfume "Perfume 3rd Tour 'JPN'" (DVD)
Perfume have a new DVD coming of their latest tour for album "JPN". This DVD consists of the show in their hometown of Hiroshima held on April 1st this year. 21 songs are included! At this time, online shops are...
Posted on July 8, 2012 at 12:27. | Released on August 1, 2012
Open Reel Ensemble "Open Reel Ensemble" (CD+DVD)
Open Reel Ensemble have been active on stage for several years, using USB-controlled open reel tape recorders to create a unique performance. Here's finally a first album, and it comes from Sakamoto Ryūichi's label commmons. A bunch of unexpected guests...
Posted on June 23, 2012 at 21:25. | Released on June 27, 2012
World Order "2012" (Blu-ray/DVD+CD)
World Order, the Genki Sudō-led salaryman robot dance unit that got the world's attention with their impressive videos on YouTube, such as one of a performance held at a Microsoft event, has a 2nd album out now! This comes as...
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 21:18. | Released on June 20, 2012
Gig report: Beat Communist vol.10: Nakatsuka Takeshi, Kaji Hideki, akiko, P.O.P ORCHeSTRA
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Saturday May 26 was the 10th edition of the "Beat Communist" event presented by Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone), which is regularly held every 3 months at jazz club JZ Brat....
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 23:20.
Ram Rider "Audio Galaxy - Ram Rider vs Stars!!! -", "- Ram Rider Strikes Back!!! -"
Ram Rider is back with a new album out just now. It features collaborations with various "stars", including Nomiya Maki, Meg, Bose (Scha Dara Parr), Furukawa Miki (ex-Supercar), Fujioka Minami (Panda 1/2), and more. Out at the same time is...
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 23:45. | Released on April 11, 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.
Nakata Yasutaka "Liar Game - saisei (Reborn) - Original Soundtrack"
Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) has produced a 3rd soundtrack for the a new movie of the Liar Game series. Along with many new songs is a remastered version of theme "Liar Game". The soundtrack is said to be mainly upbeat electro,...
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 23:24. | Released on March 2, 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: Tokyo Outbound vol.02, with CTO LAB., Open Reel Ensemble, etc.
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Saturday was event "Tokyo Outbound vol.02" at Koenji High, presented by CTO LAB. and Otona no kagaku, a popular magazine that always comes with something that you can build...
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 23:36.
Gig report: Sally Soul Stew and The Fave Raves
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound The last show I went to in 2011, on December 28, was one organized by Sally Soul Stew, band of bassist Sally Kubota (Les 5-4-3-2-1, The Phantom Gift). I had...
Posted on January 6, 2012 at 23:30.
Various Artists "The Chocolate Factory" (Download)
Nakatsuka Takeshi, eli (ex-Love Tambourines), Small Circle of Friends and P.O.P Orchestra have all collaborated together to create this 5-song mini-album, out now on iTunes worldwide. A release party will be held at Daikanyama Loop on December 11. Details at...
Posted on December 7, 2011 at 23:49. | Released on December 7, 2011
Various Artists "We 'hub' music! Vol. 01-04" (Download)
Just about a year ago was held the first "We 'hub' music!" event organized by Yasuda Toshiyuki. Since then the series has seen 4 events, where the artist always acts as a "hub" inviting others from different genres and scenes,...
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 20:55. | Released on November 23, 2011
Gig report: Dorian "studio vacation" release party, w/ Luvraw & BTB, (((sssurrounddd)))
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound We've been enjoying some cool autumn weather in Tokyo lately, but last Friday was a hot summer night at Shibuya WWW where was held the release party for Dorian's "studio...
Posted on November 6, 2011 at 23:33.
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
Perfume "JPN"
And here's a 4th album by Perfume! The title is "JPN". Has it already been over 2 years since "⊿"? Included are all 8 songs from the 4 singles released since ("fushizen na Girl / Natural ni koi shite", "VOICE",...
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 23:43. | Released on November 30, 2011
