COUNTJOKE "ZERO" (Download)
COUNTJOKE (Facebook page), the unit of Maezono Naoki and Arai Toshiya (SoundCloud, Mixcloud), has just released digitally a compilation of previous 7" singles including rare track "city line" that was only released on CD-R. All songs were newly remastered or...
Posted on August 19, 2020 at 21:14. | Released on August 19, 2020
COUNTJOKE "Moon Ride!" (Download)
COUNTJOKE (Facebook page), the unit of Maezono Naoki and Arai Toshiya (SoundCloud, Mixcloud), has another new song that has just been released digitally! This follows last month's "A.D. 2020". The new song "Moonride!" has music and lyrics written by...
Posted on July 27, 2020 at 12:09. | Released on July 27, 2020
COUNTJOKE "A.D. 2200" (Download)
COUNTJOKE (Facebook page), the unit of Maezono Naoki and Arai Toshiya (SoundCloud, Mixcloud), is back with a brand new song! It had been 4½ years since their previous single, although they had since contributed many songs and arrangements to...
Posted on June 29, 2020 at 20:37. | Released on June 29, 2020
Wakita Monari "AHEAD!" (12")
Wakita Monari's excellent 2nd album "AHEAD!" (2018) is being released on vinyl! This album includes several songs produced by Arai Toshiya (Count Joke), and also ones produced by microstar, Illicit Tsuboi (co-written by YUI (Bakubaku Dokin)), Sasaki Jun (ex-Cosa Nostra)...
Posted on February 14, 2020 at 21:55. | Released on February 19, 2020
Wakita Monari "Ahead!"
Wakita Monari has a 2nd album being released this month! This is the follow-up to the excellent "I am ONLY" (2017). Included are several songs produced by Arai Toshiya (Count Joke), and also ones produced by microstar, Illicit Tsuboi (co-written...
Posted on July 15, 2018 at 23:59. | Released on July 25, 2018
Smooth Ace "Sing Like Talking Complete"
First released in 2014, this 6th album by chorus group Smooth Ace had become rare. This time it is reissued on a major label, remastered and with two newly recorded songs added! Including the new songs, a total of 5...
Posted on May 8, 2017 at 21:34. | Released on May 10, 2017
Count Joke "Pink Shadow / tamago" (7"+CD)
Count Joke (aka jōdan hakushaku) (Facebook page) have a brand new 7" out now! The A-side is a cover of Bread & Butter's "Pink Shadow" (1974), while the B-side is a brand new original written by singer Maezono Naoki. Like...
Posted on September 3, 2015 at 23:05. | Released on August 26, 2015
Count Joke "itsuka dokoka de c/w yūrei no Ballad" (7"+CD)
This release completes Count Joke's "Air-Replay Series" trilogy of 7" singles. These two songs were being released on CD last December. This packaging includes both 7" and CD (with instrumentals). "itsuka dokokade" features Smooth Ace, and was written in memory...
Posted on March 21, 2015 at 20:19. | Released on March 25, 2015
Count Joke "LED c/w nagisa" (7"+CD)
A 2nd 7" from this trilogy by Count Joke (aka jōdan hakushaku) (Facebook page), unit of Maezono Naoki & Arai Toshiya, was released this week! Also check out the January-released "bird man c/w ameagari". The next will be released on...
Posted on February 27, 2015 at 22:38. | Released on February 25, 2015
Count Joke "bird man c/w ameagari" (7"+CD)
Count Joke (aka jōdan hakushaku) (Facebook page) is the unit of Maezono Naoki and Arai Toshiya. Starting this January they are releasing a series of 7"'s (coming with a bonus CD) of songs limitedly released on CD throughout last year....
Posted on February 6, 2015 at 23:50. | Released on January 28, 2015
jōdan hakushaku "yūrei no Ballad / itsuka dokokade"
jōdan hakushaku (Maezono Naoki & Arai Toshiya) (Facebook page) have a new single out now! "yūrei no Ballad" features accordionist Tanooka Saburō and a kids chorus group. B-side "itsuka dokokade" features Smooth Ace, and was written in memory of...
Posted on December 7, 2014 at 14:14. | Released on December 2, 2014
Smooth Ace "Sing Like Children"
Chorus group Smooth Ace have a new album out now, with 4 tracks arranged by Arai Toshiya, with some guest vocals by Maezono Naoki (both of jōdan hakushaku). All songs can be sampled at CDJapan. Smooth Ace "Sing Like Children"...
Posted on November 2, 2014 at 20:30. | Released on October 8, 2014
jōdan hakushaku "nagisa"
jōdan hakushaku (aka Count Joke, at least according to their Facebook and Twitter account names) is the unit of Maezono Naoki (Maezono Naoki Group) and Arai Toshiya (Missing Linc). Together they deliver catchy pop tunes. This 2nd single is available...
Posted on October 26, 2014 at 22:52. | Released on October 21, 2014
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usabeni "textures!"
Self-produced idol Beni Usakura recently changed her solo artist name to usabeni (until then her nickname), with the digital release of new song "trip", and here comes a first mini-album under her new name, titled "textures!". Included is latest...
Posted on October 25, 2023 at 22:11. | Released on October 25, 2023
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.27
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 13, 2022 at 12:49.
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.
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.
Posted on June 11, 2021 at 00:23. | Event held on Saturday June 12, 2021 at 13:00 (JST)
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
Various Artists "Brilliant Ideas Works Of Yasuharu Konishi 1986-2018" (5CD)
Here comes a massive boxed set compilation of works by Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One, ex-Pizzicato Five) spanning his whole career from 1986 to now! Included are many of the hits and wonderful songs he wrote music or lyrics for, produced,...
Posted on June 3, 2018 at 23:09. | Released on June 6, 2018
Wakita Monari "Take It Lucky!!!!" (CD+7")
Wakita Monari's latest song "Take It Lucky!!!!", released digitally last month, is being released on 7" with a previously unreleased B-side! Both songs have music written and produced by Arai Toshiya (Count Joke). The A-side has lyrics by singer UKO,...
Posted on April 20, 2018 at 22:01. | Released on April 25, 2018
Wakita Monari "Wingscape / LED" (CD+7")
Wakita Monari has a new single out this week! Her new funky jazz tune "Wingscape" was written and produced by COUNTJOKE (aka jōdan hakushaku, unit of Maezono Naoki and Arai Toshiya) (Facebook page) and features Smooth Ace on chorus! The...
Posted on November 20, 2017 at 23:15. | Released on November 22, 2017
Maezono Naoki Group "tabun modotte mairimasu / itoshi no Macks" (7")
After 2 albums of only covers, here's a first original song from Maezono Naoki Group, coming as a 7" and a few days later for download. The title track has music written by Kirinji's Horigome Takaki and lyrics by the...
Posted on September 28, 2011 at 23:50. | Released on October 2, 2011
Gig report: Maezono Naoki Group in-store at Tower Records Shinjuku
Text and photo by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Monday July 11 was held an in-store event at Tower Records Shinjuku with Maezono Naoki Group in promotion of 2nd album "tooku e." (translates to "To far away") released...
Posted on July 13, 2011 at 22:37.
Pizzicato One "One And Ten Very Sad Songs"
Here it is! Konishi Yasuharu's debut solo album comes under the name Pizzicato One, and is a collection of English-sung covers of foreign songs all selected and rearranged by himself. This album features an impressive list of foreign guests, even...
Posted on May 18, 2011 at 22:32. | Released on May 25, 2011
Maezono Naoki Group "tooku e. Maezono Naoki Group dai2shu"
Maezono Naoki Group, the band in which Konishi Yasuharu plays piano, has a 2nd album coming this month! It's already been almost 2 years since their first. This time the trio (vocals, bass and piano) are joined by drums and...
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 01:54. | Released on May 13, 2011
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.
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
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
Zonies live
Zonies (ゾニーズ) is a new band led by Maezono Naoki, singer-songwriter who runs the Love Shop Record shop and also appeared on the latest columbia*readymade sampler compilation "uta to Guitar. Piano. kotoba." The other band members are Konishi Yasuharu on...
Posted on May 30, 2008 at 14:58. | Released on June 8, 2008
Various Artists "uta to Guitar. Piano. kotoba."
This new compilation from columbia*readymade is to be a sort of collection of "demo tapes", meaning simple arrangements with just guitar or piano maybe. "Music that people over 30 will truly enjoy", claims producer Konishi Yasuharu. About half of the...
Posted on February 15, 2008 at 17:30. | Released on April 23, 2008
Various Artists "Bossa Nova 1991 Shibuya Scene Retrospective"
Well the title says it all, or almost! This 2-CD compilation of Shibuya-kei is selected by none other than Pizzicato Five's Konishi Yasuharu! A surely difficult (let's hear the "where's this?" and "what's that?") but thoughtful selection and salute to...
Posted on April 27, 2007 at 11:21. | Released on August 8, 2007
