City Pop on Vinyl 2023
City Pop on Vinyl is being held for the 4th time, on August 5, 2023. There are many exciting releases this time again, and below are some recommendations to Tokyo's Coolest Sound's readers. There's also a lot more to find...
Posted on August 5, 2023 at 23:05. | Released on August 5, 2023
Posted on May 18, 2022 at 00:51. | Event held on Saturday June 18, 2022 at 12:30 (JST)
Especia "Wizard"
After becoming a trio a year ago, one-of-a-kind idol group Especia are now quitting at the end of this month (March 2017)... but not without releasing a last album. "Wizard" contains 4 brand new songs, some tracks from recent EPs...
Posted on March 27, 2017 at 21:28. | Released on March 22, 2017
Especia "Danger"
Especia has a brand new single out now! Both songs were written and produced by Kai Takahashi of Lucky Tapes. A live show titled "Danger" featuring both Especia and Lucky Tapes will be held on January 9 at Shibuya...
Posted on December 10, 2016 at 13:21. | Released on December 7, 2016
Especia "Mirage"
Idol group Especia is now back as a trio with a brand new EP! There has been a serious image change following their dramatic move from Osaka to Tokyo earlier this year, with a cool sound that has evolved and...
Posted on August 11, 2016 at 22:45. | Released on August 10, 2016
Especia "Carta"
Osaka 80's style idol group Especia has a brand new album coming this month! Included are songs written by Fujii Naoyuki (ex-Checkers), Rillsoul, Schtein & Longer, PellyColo, with the rest mainly written by Hi-Fi City. The album is being released...
Posted on February 16, 2016 at 00:11. | Released on February 24, 2016
Especia "Aviator / Boogie Aroma"
Osaka 80's-inspired idol group Especia have a new single out now! This double-A-sider is actually their first one on a major label, and it has songs produced by Schtein&Longer and PellyColo respectively. Check out the sampler clip below which give...
Posted on July 28, 2015 at 21:10. | Released on July 22, 2015
Record Store Day 2015
Here comes Record Store Day 2015, to be held this Saturday April 18! On that day, people go to record shops to buy vinyl records available exclusively in shops on that day. No pre-orders or even online sales, at least...
Posted on April 15, 2015 at 23:37. | Released on April 18, 2015
Especia "Primera"
Osaka-based 80's style idol group Especia have made a move to a major label, and their first major release comes as a mini-album (still clocking over 38 minutes). This includes songs written by Meserati Nagisa (LUVRAW (Image Cluv) & PellyColo),...
Posted on February 22, 2015 at 23:25. | Released on February 18, 2015
Especia "Gusto (7" Vinyl Sampler)" (7")
Here's a 7" cut of two songs from Especia's excellent album "Gusto", here presented in vinyl-only edits by Schtein & Longer and PellyColo. Audio samples can be heard at Jet Set. Especia "Gusto (7" Vinyl Sampler)" (7") A. No1 Sweeper...
Posted on October 26, 2014 at 22:36. | Released on October 17, 2014
Especia "Viva Discoteca Especia 2014" (DVD)
Osaka-based city-pop idol group Especia had a new live DVD out now, of a show held on June 1st, 2014 at Umeda Club Quattro in Osaka. In this show, they were backed by a live band of 8 musicians. The...
Posted on October 22, 2014 at 22:10. | Released on October 1, 2014
Negipecia "Girl's Life"
Negicco (3-girl idol group from Niigata) and Especia (6-girl idol group from Osaka) join forces for a special temporary project named Negipecia! The song "Girl's Life" was written and produced by hit-maker Gotō Tsugutoshi, who wrote songs since the 80's...
Posted on August 23, 2014 at 01:04. | Released on August 26, 2014
Especia "Gusto"
Osaka-based 80's-style idol group Especia have a first album out this week. Their nostalgic synth sounds and touches of brass makes them stand out, as does the retro feel of their videos. The album has a total of 16 tracks,...
Posted on May 27, 2014 at 23:54. | Released on May 28, 2014
Especia "YA-ME-TE! / Aventure wa giniro ni"
Osaka-based idol group Especia has a new single coming, and track "Aventure wa giniro ni" was produced by Maserati Nagisa, unit of LUVRAW (LUVRAW & BTB) and PellyColo (SoundCloud). Especia are one of those few idol groups that are likely...
Posted on January 4, 2014 at 13:12. | Released on January 8, 2014
Full-text search results for Especia
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.61
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 August 11, 2025 at 10:00.
Tanzaku CD (8cm CD) 37th Anniversary
The "Tanzaku CD" format, a.k.a. 8cm or 3" or mini CD, is celebrating its 37th anniversary today February 21, 2025. Ten new titles in the nostalgic format are being released on this day. Find some of the release details below,...
Posted on February 22, 2025 at 01:31. | Released on February 21, 2025
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.57
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 February 12, 2025 at 13:17.
YIKO "YIKO"
YIKO (𝕏) (pronounced "ikō") is a brand new band fronted by singers Monari Wakita (ex-Especia) and Satori (ex-The Nampa Boys, ex-Healthy Dynamite Club), with five more members totaling seven. Monari fans may recognize more familiar faces, as the band also...
Posted on December 12, 2024 at 00:10. | Released on December 11, 2024
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.55
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 22, 2024 at 13:46.
Monari Wakita "UNI"
Monari Wakita is about to release a brand new 4th album, titled "UNI" (pronounced as in "Universe"). All of the songs are produced by Dorian, with some lyrics written by Yurina da Gold Digger (Magic, Drums & Love), with also...
Posted on August 29, 2023 at 12:36. | Released on September 6, 2023
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.42
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 August 18, 2023 at 13:44.
Tanzaku CD (8cm CD) Day
What's going on in 2023? Well, it's the 35th anniversary of the 8cm CD, also known as "Tanzaku CD" (or also 3" CD or "mini CD"), which was a very popular format for singles in Japan in the 90s. A...
Posted on July 8, 2023 at 01:15. | Released on July 7, 2023
Interview: The Courettes in Japan
Interview & translation by Patrick Benny (Tokyo's Coolest Sound) Just one year after "Back in Mono", The Courettes made it to Japan to entertain, meet and greet their fans in Japan who seem to have been increasing very quickly. In...
Posted on March 28, 2023 at 12:32.
Gento Miyano "Starry Rain feat. HALLCA" (Download)
Gento Miyano (Twitter), who has for a long time been renowned for his songwriting and arrangement works for other artists, has released a new song as his solo project under his own name. The song "Starry Rain" features singer...
Posted on February 19, 2023 at 00:54. | Released on February 11, 2023
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.35
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 20, 2023 at 00:04.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.29
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 15, 2022 at 13:15.
Interview: The Courettes × Seiki Sato
Interview & translation by Patrick Benny (Tokyo's Coolest Sound) Rock band The Courettes is releasing its 3rd album "Back in Mono" on October 15th, 2021 from Damaged Goods Records (UK), and the album has the particularity of having been mixed...
Posted on October 14, 2021 at 20:00.
HallKariMaako "One day traveller" (Download)
HallKariMaako (Twitter), the recently formed unit of HALLCA (ex-Especia), Seira Kariya and AmamiyaMaako, has just released a new song today. This song's music and lyrics were written by member AmamiyaMaako. "One day traveller" follows the release of EP "Terminal"...
Posted on August 11, 2021 at 22:19. | Released on August 11, 2021
Posted on March 27, 2021 at 00:53. | Event held on Sunday March 28, 2021 at 21:00 (JST)
HallKariMaako "Terminal"
HallKariMaako (Twitter) is a new unit formed of three singer-songwriters: HALLCA (ex-Especia), Seira Kariya and AmamiyaMaako. On this first EP, "Terminal" and "Glitter" were written in collaboration of the three, while "nettai no Citronade" was written by HALLCA, "Brand New...
Posted on March 3, 2021 at 21:34. | Released on March 3, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.12
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 December 24, 2020 at 00:34.
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
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.
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
Tsudio Studio "Promise of Summer feat. HALLCA" (12")
Tsudio Studio (Twitter) has just released a new song which features HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia). The release includes a 10-miute remix by Cat System Corp (猫 シ corp.). The tracks are available digitally via Bandcamp, but also as...
Posted on September 4, 2020 at 13:26. | Released on August 30, 2020
kiarayui "MOONLESS" (Download)
Singer-songwriter kiarayui has just released a new album! The song "Strawberry Moon" HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) released digitally in April is included, as well as two songs featuring Northern Ireland singer-songwriter Joe Barry. This album follows album "bambina" released...
Posted on August 15, 2020 at 13:54. | Released on August 15, 2020
Pizzicato One "The Night Before: Pizzicato One In Person"
Pizzicato One (Instagram), the solo project of Konishi Yasuharu (of Pizzicato Five), has a first live album being released! Made from recordings of shows held at Billboard Live Tokyo and Osaka in October 2019, it features Konishi personally singing his...
Posted on June 13, 2020 at 23:30. | Released on June 24, 2020
HALLCA "Twisted Rainbow / Pink Medicine" (Download)
HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) has just released two brand new songs digitally! "Twisted Rainbow" was arranged by PellyColo, and "Pink Medicine" by Blackstone Village (unit of Rillsoul). If you haven't yet, also check out her recent collaborations with...
Posted on April 19, 2020 at 18:44. | Released on April 19, 2020
kiarayui feat. HALLCA "Strawberry Moon" (Download)
Singer-songwriter kiarayui has a new song out now digitally which features HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia). The song was made in collaboration by the two, and HALLCA also sings chorus. The track was sound-produced by keyboardist ken akamatsu. It's...
Posted on April 10, 2020 at 22:39. | Released on April 10, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.3
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 26, 2020 at 08:00.
HALLCA & AmamiyaMaako "Floating Trip" (Download)
Singer-songwriters HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) and AmamiyaMaako have teamed up for this new song. They co-wrote the music, HALLCA did the lyrics, and AmamiyaMaako the arrangements. HALLCA and AmamiyaMaako plan to hold an event together, on Friday March...
Posted on March 11, 2020 at 19:58. | Released on March 11, 2020
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.
HALLCA "Villa"
Following the release of an EP and 5 digital singles, here finally comes a full-length album by HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia)! In addition to previously released tracks, new song "Complex City" and also two remixes are included. Check out...
Posted on September 19, 2019 at 07:38. | Released on September 25, 2019
HALLCA "Utopia" (Download)
HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) has a brand new song out now digitally! "Utopia"'s music was co-written by herself and Rillsoul, and arranged by Blackstone Village (unit of Rillsoul), with lyrics by HALLCA. This is her 5th song released...
Posted on June 22, 2019 at 23:20. | Released on June 22, 2019
Mia Nascimento "Lucky Girl" (Download)
Mia Nascimento (Milli Milli Bar, ex-Especia) (Twitter) has a new song out now digitally! It was written and produced by Yafune Tatsurō. Upcoming shows include event "otonanbo Fest." on Saturday May 25 at Asagayake Gekijō in Asagaya (details), and...
Posted on May 22, 2019 at 23:41. | Released on May 21, 2019
HALLCA "Show the Night" (Download)
HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) has just released a new track digitally! "Show the Night" is a brand new song written by herself and arranged by PellyColo. HALLCA's next show will be her self-organized event "Tipsy Bar Vol.4" on...
Posted on May 6, 2019 at 23:22. | Released on May 6, 2019
Record Store Day 2019
Record Store Day 2019 is just around the corner! This year it's to be held on April 13, a week earlier than usual. This year again there are many great releases happening in Japan. Below are Tokyo's Coolest Sound's picks!...
Posted on April 11, 2019 at 22:33. | Released on April 13, 2019
HALLCA "Moisture Milk" (Download)
Today HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) has a new track out now digitally! This one was produced by PellyColo, and it concludes a series of three monthly releases (see also "Wanna Dance!" and "burning in blue"). HALLCA's next live...
Posted on April 1, 2019 at 22:22. | Released on April 1, 2019
HALLCA "burning in blue" (Download)
HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) has a new track out now digitally! "burning in blue" is a track arranged by Rillsoul, who also produced "guilty pleasure" on "Apéritif e.p". One more song is to follow on April 1st. Stay...
Posted on March 1, 2019 at 23:24. | Released on March 1, 2019
HALLCA "Wanna Dance!" (Download)
HALLCA (aka Tominaga Haruka, ex-Especia) has a new track out today digitally! "Wanna Dance!", a new dancefloor-oriented track with music written by PellyColo, is the follow-up to "Apéritif e.p" released last summer. It has been announced that there will...
Posted on February 1, 2019 at 21:14. | Released on February 1, 2019
Gig report: Adieu, Vanilla Beans!: Retrospective & last gig reports
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound They came carried by winds from Northern Europe, where they returned to last October 7 (2018). So goes the setting of Vanilla Beans, a unique idol group that had debuted...
Posted on December 31, 2018 at 22:03.
Mia Nascimento "Dance in the Moonlight" (Download)
Mia Nascimento (Milli Milli Bar, ex-Especia) (Twitter) has a new solo song out now on iTunes, Spotify, etc. It was written and produced by Yafune Tetsurō (Milli Milli Bar). The song has often been played in their shows and...
Posted on September 12, 2018 at 22:37. | Released on September 3, 2018
HALLCA "Aperitif e.p"
It's been a bit over a year since Especia disbanded, and it's now the turn of group leader Tominaga Haruka to come back as a solo singer! Under the new monicker HALLCA, here comes a first EP of which the...
Posted on July 8, 2018 at 00:22. | Released on July 25, 2018
Milli Milli Bar "My Sweet Seventeen" (Download)
Milli Milli Bar (Twitter) is the new band featuring pianist/singer-songwriter Yafune Tetsurō and singer Mia Nascimento (ex-Especia), with bassist Hishikawa Kōtarō and Sugata Naoto. Already having played some shows in Tokyo (some of which can be watched on YouTube)...
Posted on January 19, 2018 at 22:52. | Released on January 19, 2018
Vanilla Beans "Vani Best II"
Vanilla Beans are celebrating their 10th anniversary! This is a greatest hits album that consists of all singles since their debut in 2007. Also included are one brand new song and also a new version of "Tokyo wa yoru no...
Posted on November 30, 2017 at 23:54. | Released on December 6, 2017
Wakita Monari "I am ONLY"
After three great singles, here comes Wakita Monari (ex-Especia)'s 1st solo album! All songs are said to be worth single cuts. Included are songs written by Hase Hajimu, Microstar, Fukutomi Yukihiro, Yafune Tetsurō, Nishidera Gōta (Nona Reeves), Count Joke, Hase...
Posted on July 22, 2017 at 23:38. | Released on July 26, 2017
Wakita Monari "I'm with you" (CD+7")
Wakita Monari (ex-Especia) has a 3rd single being released this week, ahead of a 1st solo album to come later on July 26! The new single's title song is a house tune written and produced by Fukutomi Yukihiro! Mellow jazz...
Posted on June 17, 2017 at 10:57. | Released on June 21, 2017
Wakita Monari "Boy Friend"
Wakita Monari (ex-Especia) has a 2nd solo single being released on Vivid Sound! Both synth-pop style songs were produced by the two of Microstar: Satō Seiki and Iizumi Yūko. The single is available in 3 editions, a limited edition including...
Posted on February 7, 2017 at 21:15. | Released on February 15, 2017
Wakita Monari "In The City / anone,,," (CD+7")
Wakita Monari (ex-Especia) is back as a solo artist! She now shows up on the great Vivid Sound label with a first solo single. Both songs are originals, with the A-side "In The City" arranged by Arai Toshiya (Count Joke),...
Posted on November 14, 2016 at 23:56. | Released on November 16, 2016
Hoshino Michiru "Love Me Again feat. ikkubaru" (CD+7")
Hoshino Michiru has a new single coming, the A-side is a Japanese cover of Indonesian 4-piece band ikkubaru's "Love Me Again" and features the band itself (recent live version by ikkubaru). By the way, ikkubaru is also known for writing...
Posted on July 2, 2016 at 14:08. | Released on July 6, 2016
Negicco "nee Vardia"
This week a brand new single from Negicco has been released! "nee Vardia" is a song written and produced by Ikeda Takafumi (aka Rekishi). B-side "oyasumi" was written by Negicco's usual producer connie, with lyrics by MEG and arrangements by...
Posted on August 13, 2015 at 22:24. | Released on August 11, 2015
Nomiya Maki "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji / aru hi totsuzen" (7")
Out this week is a 7" cut from Nomiya Maki's latest live album, "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards". Included is a self-cover of Pizzicato Five's most famous song, "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" (aka "The night is still...
Posted on March 5, 2015 at 22:39. | Released on March 6, 2015
Gig report: Miss Maki Nomiya sings "Shibuya-kei Standards" 2014
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On November 7 was a show by Nomiya Maki (ex-Pizzicato Five) at Billboard Live Tokyo. With the title "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards", it was the 2nd of the...
Posted on December 31, 2014 at 15:43.
Team Syachihoko "ii kurashi"
Team Syachihoko is an idol group of six from Nagoya who debuted in 2011 and went major last year. "ii kurashi" is their 6th single so far, and it is especially of interest because it's produced by Yoshida Tetsuto. Who...
Posted on May 3, 2014 at 21:49. | Released on May 14, 2014
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "Family Party"
Here's Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's new single! "Family Party" was written especially for upcoming animated movie "Crayon Shin-chan: Serious Battle! Robot Dad Strikes Back" (Wikipedia) to open in theaters in Japan on April 19. Check out the video clip below! Both...
Posted on April 9, 2014 at 22:05. | Released on April 16, 2014
Various Artists "Sushi Disco"
Here's a 3rd compilation of original tracks made especially for Odawara spinning sushi restraurant "Zen" that goes beyond the rules by not only serving top-class sushi but also wine and French dishes. This time the style of choice is disco,...
Posted on March 22, 2014 at 23:01. | Released on March 17, 2014
YMCK "Tokyo Upside Down" (Download)
YMCK released a new song, now available on iTunes worldwide. It was made especially for the Short Shorts Film Festival, to be used by video creators who want to participate in the music category. Details can be found here. The...
Posted on January 5, 2014 at 21:14. | Released on December 9, 2013
Gig report: The Scooters, Juicy Fruits, Kotaro & The Bizarremen at Shibuya WWW
Text and photos Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On December 5 was a show featuring The Scooters, and it was held at my favorite venue, WWW in Shibuya. Since their official come-back last year, after some 30 years, The...
Posted on December 14, 2013 at 23:51.
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.
Gig report: Joy Ride vol.133: soyuz project, CTO LAB., NeoBallad
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Friday April 19 was the 133rd edition (!) of electro-themed event series "Joy Ride" that started in 2006. That's an average of 2+ events per month! I went to...
Posted on April 25, 2013 at 23:18.
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.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "kimi ni 100 Percent / furisodeshon"
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, who will be turning 20 on January 29, has a new single to be released on the next day. This double-A-single contains "kimi ni 100 Percent", theme song of anime series "Crayon Shinchan", and new song "furisode-shon"...
Posted on January 4, 2013 at 16:51. | Released on January 30, 2013
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.
Recto Berso "Nice To Love You!"
Recto Berso is a band of two guys who love vintage instruments, especially Beatles-era Gibson guitars. They even go as far as using recording equipment from back in the day to create sounds of the same texture. For that reason...
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 22:06. | Released on August 8, 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
Puffy "tomodachi no wao!"
This new single by Puffy is a first collaboration with Ishino Takkyū (Denki Groove) who wrote the music and co-wrote the lyrics. The song was made especially for kids' TV show "Shimajirō no wao!", and it was arranged by Ushio...
Posted on May 23, 2012 at 23:38. | Released on May 23, 2012
Nakata Yasutaka "Panoramic Experience" (Download)
Nakata Yasutaka (capsule) has a new track released exclusively for download on iTunes Japan. This is a theme song written especially for an exhibition about popular manga and anime One Piece to be held from March 20 to June 17...
Posted on February 7, 2012 at 23:24. | Released on February 3, 2012
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.
Kimura Kaela "8EIGHT8"
Singer Kimura Kaela is back with a new album, especially noteworthy because it's entirely produced by Asparagus' Watanabe Shinobu, responsible for her recent catchy singles "Ring a Ding Dong" and "A winter fairy is melting a snowman". Kimura Kaela "8EIGHT8"...
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 18:31. | Released on October 12, 2011
Pizzicato One "One And Ten Very Sad Songs" (12")
Konishi Yasuharu's first solo album as Pizzicato One has just been released on vinyl. You'll find all songs from the CD released last May. Be sure to check out the different artwork made especially to be better appreciated in its...
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 02:01. | Released on August 3, 2011
Nakatsuka Takeshi "Black Screen" (Download)
Nakatsuka Takeshi has a brand new club track available on iTunes (Japan) only. The song was made especially for a TV commercial for DoCoMo's SH-12C phone, which can be viewed here. A music video is planned to be made available...
Posted on June 26, 2011 at 19:11. | Released on June 22, 2011
Vanilla Beans "tengoku e no kaidan (Stairway To Heaven)"
Vanilla Beans are back this summer with a 2nd original album coming in July, but first here's a "one-coin" single that contains new covers of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven" (!) and Pizzicato Five's "Baby Portable Rock", along with two...
Posted on June 25, 2011 at 19:43. | Released on June 29, 2011
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.
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: 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.
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: 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: 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.
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.
Various Artists "Beautiful Techno"
Especially with Perfume taking over the charts lately, Japan is really in techno-pop mode right now! This compilation is a great opportunity to catch up, and will feature artists like Meg, Aira Mitsuki, immi, Q;indivi, and more. It will total...
Posted on May 28, 2008 at 15:49. | Released on July 16, 2008
Various Artists "JeNnY Special Collection - New Style of '80s Hits"
Named after the JeNnY doll by toy-maker Takara, this cover compilation of 80's girl pop hits supervised by Cubismo Grafico appears to be stock full of unexpected collaborations! I'm especially looking forward to Cubismo Grafico with Kiiiiiii! Various Artists "JeNnY...
Posted on January 18, 2008 at 16:29. | Released on March 19, 2008
Various Artists "Rock For Baby"
Following "Lingkaran for Baby", here comes a rock cover compilation also targeted at babies, and their parents. I'm especially interested in Sakai Shūko's "Computer obaachan" (see "Yellow Magic Kayōkyoku") performed by Polysics, and also Noko Inoko's "Yasetan to Korontan" (see...
Posted on October 22, 2007 at 22:15. | Released on October 17, 2007
"standard of 90's" re-issue series part 1
EMI and BMG have got together and decided to re-issue a bunch of Shibuya-kei related CDs, under a "standard of 90's" theme. Part 1 and 2 (out in October and November) got my interest with titles by Original Love, Spank...
Posted on October 21, 2007 at 14:33. | Released on October 24, 2007
Cubismo Grafico "Nuit"
DiscID: 8908080a
Posted on March 28, 2007 at 13:49. | Released on May 30, 2007
