Original Love "Music, Dance & Love"
Original Love, which celebrated in 2021 the 30th anniversary since its debut, has just released a 20th full-length album titled "Music, Dance & Love". The song "Gentle Hands" is a collaboration with Tendre, and "Kiss" ("seppun ~ Kiss") is a...
Posted on November 19, 2022 at 22:53. | Released on November 16, 2022
City Pop on Vinyl 2022
"City Pop on Vinyl" is a campaign organized by Japan's famous record press Toyo Kasei. It takes place again in 2022, for the 3rd tme. Below is a selection of some titles not to be missed by readers of this...
Posted on August 6, 2022 at 00:55. | Released on August 6, 2022
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
Record Day 2021 Day 1
Record Day, previously happening only on November 3 for "Culture Day" (a public holiday), is being held on two separate days in 2021: November 3 and 27. Items can be ordered online without any delay. Below is a list of...
Posted on November 3, 2021 at 00:44. | Released on November 3, 2021
Various Artists "What a Wonderful World with Original Love?"
Original Love has just released an official cover album, in which many artists perform their versions of Original Love's songs from the repertory of 30 years. Featured are Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One) — with "Let's Spend The Night Together", a...
Posted on September 30, 2021 at 22:54. | Released on September 29, 2021
Posted on September 3, 2021 at 09:09. | Event held on Saturday September 11, 2021 at 11:00 (JST)
Original Love "Dreams" (Download)
Original Love is celebrating this year the 30th anniversary of its major debut — CD single "Deep French Kiss" followed by album "Love! Love! & Love!" were released in 1991. The new song "Dreams" was just released last week....
Posted on July 19, 2021 at 00:39. | Released on July 14, 2021
Record Day 2019
Record Day 2019, an initiative of Japan's long-running record factory Tōyōkasei, is being held this Sunday November 3rd (the same day as Japan's "Culture Day" national holiday). Items are available in stores and online from that date. Below is a...
Posted on November 3, 2019 at 01:12. | Released on November 3, 2019
Original Love "bless You!" (12")
Original Love (aka Tajima Takao)'s latest album "bless You!" has just been released on vinyl! Also a new music video for title song "bless You!" has been released, as well as the full length videos for "Acrobat tachi yo" and...
Posted on August 30, 2019 at 22:52. | Released on August 21, 2019
Original Love "bless You!"
Original Love (aka Tajima Takao) has a brand new album coming this month! In terms of original albums this follows "Lover Man" (2015), since which single "Golden Time" (2016) and collaboration live album "Sessions" (2018, with Nagaoka Ryōsuke (Petrolz)) were...
Posted on February 3, 2019 at 22:23. | Released on February 13, 2019
Tajima Takao & Nagaoka Ryosuke "Sessions"
This is a live album from a series of shows featuring Tajima Takao (Original Love) and Nagaoka Ryōsuke (Petrolz), which were held in October and November 2017. Included is a new song by Original Love titled "Happy Birthday Song", and...
Posted on January 30, 2018 at 22:31. | Released on January 31, 2018
the fascinations "tsuki no ura de aimashō - Let's go to the darkside of the moon -" (7")
Vibraphone-led jazz band the fascinations are back with a new 7" single! Included are covers of Original Love's "tsuki no ura de aimashō - Let's go to the darkside of the moon -" (originally released in 1991) and Alice Clark's...
Posted on January 2, 2017 at 22:13. | Released on January 18, 2017
Original Love "Golden Time"
Original Love has a brand new single out this week! Included are two other new songs, plus a remix by Miura Kōshi (Kuchiroro). The release also comes with a DVD of the title song's music video plus live footage from...
Posted on May 31, 2016 at 23:23. | Released on June 1, 2016
Original Love "Lover Man"
Original Love (aka Tajima Takao) has a brand new album coming this month! Tajima has said that after contributing "Sunshine Nihonkai" to Negicco he's been feeling like making more pop music again, and this can be felt throughout this album....
Posted on June 3, 2015 at 23:20. | Released on June 10, 2015
Original Love "Lover Man" (Download)
Original Love has a brand new single out now on iTunes worldwide! The groovy title track "Lover Man" is wonderful, and Tajima Takao said it's a song he's very proud of. The single also includes 2 B-sides, one of...
Posted on March 7, 2015 at 12:21. | Released on March 4, 2015
Original Love "Electric Sexy"
Here's a new album from Original Love, the solo unit of Tajima Takao (ex-Pizzicato Five). It has been 2 years since previous album "hakunetsu", and this new album goes yet into a different direction by taking an electric influence from...
Posted on July 14, 2013 at 23:22. | Released on June 26, 2013
Original Love "Fashion Appeal" (Download)
Here's a new song from Original Love, the solo unit of Tajima Takao (ex-Pizzicato Five). "Fashion Appeal" has a surprising electro touch that makes for a danceable catchy song. The EP also contains two live tracks, and is available only...
Posted on April 28, 2013 at 23:51. | Released on April 24, 2013
Original Love "Overblow Tour 2012 Live in Shibuya Club Quattro"
Original Love has a first live album out now. This 18-song 2-CD recording is from a show held at Shibuya Club Quattro on July 21, 2012, part of the "Overblow Tour". Included are also several old hits such as "seppun...
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 21:41. | Released on November 21, 2012
Various Artists "Shibuya-kei feat. Hatsune Miku"
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku sings Pizzicato Five, Flipper's Guitar, Kahimi Karie, Kaji Hideki, Original Love and Ozawa Kenji in this Shibuya-kei cover compilation put together by producers from the Vocaloid scene. Two original songs are also included as bonus tracks....
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 20:44. | Released on July 11, 2012
Original Love "hakunetsu"
Original Love, the solo unit of Tajima Takao (ex-Pizzicato Five), has a new album coming this week! For this album Tajima says having played all instruments and done everything by himself down to mixing and mastering. It also includes a...
Posted on July 27, 2011 at 19:52. | Released on July 27, 2011
Various Artists "Mellow Back 2011 Mixed by DJ Souljah"
Here's what looks like a pretty good mix CD on the Shibuya-kei perspective, mixed by DJ Souljah. Various Artists "Mellow Back 2011 Mixed by DJ Souljah" 1. WISE × underslowjams / City Lights 2. Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra / utsukushiku...
Posted on June 19, 2011 at 14:32. | Released on June 22, 2011
Original Love "Red Curtain ~Original Love early days~"
Before Original Love, there was The Red Curtain, which released an album titled "Original Love" in 1986. Here all 8 songs are re-issued for the first time, together with 9 songs from a live show of the same year, plus...
Posted on February 21, 2011 at 21:52. | Released on March 2, 2011
Tokyo No.1 Soul Set "subete hikari"
Tokyo No.1 Soul Set continues to celebrate its 20th anniversary with this album of covers featuring various female singers such as Halcali, Kojima Mayumi, Toki Asako, Harada Ikuko (clammbon) and more. Covers include ones of Original Love, Scha Dara Parr,...
Posted on February 9, 2011 at 21:58. | Released on February 9, 2011
Sweet Jam Style "Shibuya-kei Bossa"
Bossa nova cover project Sweet Jam Style's first release is a collection of Shibuya-kei classics. Included are hit songs by Pizzicato Five, Cornelius, Kahimi Karie, Original Love, Flipper's Guitar and Ozawa Kenji. The album features various female vocalists, and is...
Posted on July 20, 2010 at 22:10. | Released on July 21, 2010
Original Love "Volare! The Best Selections of Original Love"
A new greatest hits album is coming from Original Love, containing songs from 1995 to 2006. Included is title track "Volare", a Japanese lyrics version of popular Italian song "Nel Blu, Dipinto Di Blu". Original Love's version was used in...
Posted on May 4, 2010 at 12:25. | Released on May 19, 2010
Full-text search results for Original Love
The Pen Friend Club "Back In The Pen Friend Club"
The Pen Friend Club has released a new album titled "Back In The Pen Friend Club", the first featuring their new vocalist Niina (UK-born British-Japanese). This album consists of all covers, with the exception of a self-cover of original song...
Posted on May 2, 2024 at 22:26. | Released on May 1, 2024
RYUSENKEI "Illusions"
RYUSENKEI, the city pop group led by Cunimondo Takiguchi, has come back as a unit fronted by new singer Sincere (Instagram, 𝕏) as an official member. The new album "Illusions" has just been released, as the first original release of...
Posted on April 28, 2024 at 11:29. | Released on April 24, 2024
Hideki Kaji "Being Pure At Heart"
Hideki Kaji has just released a brand new album, titled "Being Pure At Heart". It had been about 5 years since the previous original full-length "Goth Romance". The new album contains some songs released digitally over the last few years,...
Posted on April 27, 2024 at 23:58. | Released on April 24, 2024
Record Store Day 2024
Record Store Day was held worldwide on Saturday April 20. Below is a list of recommended releases coming from Japan. The full list of Record Store Day Japan can be found here. Online sales in Japan have already started. Also...
Posted on April 23, 2024 at 00:54. | Released on April 20, 2024
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.44
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 22, 2023 at 20:42.
Tetsuro Yafune "Yafune Tetsuro, Bellissima o utau", "Wakusei / Yubikiri" (7"/Download)
Jazz pianist and singer-songwriter Tetsurō Yafune's next album has been announced as being a cover album of Pizzicato Five's 2nd album "Bellissima!" (1988) in its entirety, and produced by Konishi Yasuharu (ex-Pizzicato Five)! Like his previous album —"Song, Piano, Bass,...
Posted on October 23, 2023 at 22:54. | Released on November 22, 2023
°C-want you! "Peppermint Patty Telephone / Tokimeki" (7")
℃-want you! (also a member of Magic, Drums & Love) is releasing a new 7" single. The A-side is a cover of The Good-Bye's "Peppermint Patty Telephone" (a song released in 1986 as B-side of single "Yes! Yes!! Yes!!!"),...
Posted on August 11, 2023 at 01:20. | Released on August 16, 2023
Negicco "Perfect Sense" (Download)
Negicco is back with a brand new mini-album, titled "Perfect Sense" and out now digitally! Included are songs written by Konishi Yasuharu ("Good to See You Again - How Are You", Japanese title "ohisashiburi desu - ogenki desuka"), Yasuhiro Hase...
Posted on July 23, 2023 at 11:40. | Released on July 20, 2023
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.41
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 21, 2023 at 20:33.
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
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.40
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 16, 2023 at 22:23.
perfect young lady "PYL 3rd Season..." (Download)
Lo-fi synth-pop solo artist perfect young lady (SoundCloud, Bandcamp), who for the past three years has kept sharing on SoundCloud a great number of original songs, has just released a new album on Bandcamp, titled "PYL 3rd SEASON..." (as it...
Posted on June 3, 2023 at 00:11. | Released on June 1, 2023
Rinda & Marya "Everybody's Happy Nowadays / Candy Superman" (7")
First released part of LP compilation "Nu Psychic Teen Sounds!" last year, here comes a 7" cut of the two songs by Rinda & Marya (Instagram, Twitter). "Everybody's Happy Nowadays" is a cover of Buzzcocks, while "Candy Superman" is...
Posted on May 23, 2023 at 23:55. | Released on May 26, 2023
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.38
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 April 21, 2023 at 12:33.
Record Store Day 2023
Record Store Day will be held worldwide on Saturday April 22! Below is a list of recommended releases coming from Japan. The full list of Record Store Day Japan can be found here. As always, there are no online pre-orders,...
Posted on April 15, 2023 at 23:40. | Released on April 22, 2023
Wink Music Service "To Rome With Love / My Funny Honey" (7"/Download)
Wink Music Service is an exciting brand new group formed of Keitaro Takanami (Playtime Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five) and Sally Kubota (The Phantom Gift, The Scooters, ex-Les 5-4-3-2-1, ex-SOLEIL). The project is expected to feature various guests, and the first single...
Posted on April 7, 2023 at 21:55. | Released on April 7, 2023
Tokimeki Records "seppun feat. Hikari & MELRAW" (7")
Tokimeki Records (YouTube, Twitter)'s cover of Original Love's "seppun", released last November digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY), has just been released on 7". It is sung by Hikari (Twitter) (a singer in bands Mime and Jintana & Emeralds),...
Posted on March 23, 2023 at 23:03. | Released on March 22, 2023
Record Day 2022 Day 2
It's still time to check out Record Day held a month ago on December 3, which had many great releases and therefore took me some time to write it up. It was the 2nd of two days, following November 3....
Posted on January 3, 2023 at 20:16. | Released on December 3, 2022
Perfume "Perfume Live 2021 [polygon wave]" (Blu-ray/DVD)
Perfume has released a new live Blu-ray/DVD of a show held in August 2021 at Pia Arena MM in Yokohama under the title "polygon wave". Watch the special teaser clip below. There's a limited edition, also available in Blu-ray or...
Posted on January 2, 2023 at 00:29. | Released on December 24, 2022
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.33
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 18, 2022 at 22:33.
Kera "fugitive K"
Kera (aka Keralino Sandorovich, of No Lie-Sense, Uchōten) has just released a brand new solo album, titled "fugitive K"! Check out the animated sampler clip below. This new original album follows cover album "Marude Sekai" released last year. The album...
Posted on September 30, 2022 at 22:13. | Released on September 21, 2022
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.31
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 September 9, 2022 at 13:25.
Crazy Ken Band "Jyuei"
Crazy Ken Band has just released this month a brand new album, their 22nd it seems! This follows cover album "I Like It" (2021) and previous original album "Now" (2020). Check out the music videos and sampler clip at the...
Posted on August 16, 2022 at 00:31. | Released on August 3, 2022
Machi Akari "Colorful! Exciting! Pop Music!"
Singer-songwriter Machi Akari has just released a brand new album of all original songs. Of the great line-up of songs, all written by herself, four were arranged by Sally Kubota & Yumi Okada ("A Wonderful Time", "Making Up for Eye...
Posted on July 6, 2022 at 21:27. | Released on June 29, 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
Shingo Katori "Tokyo SNG"
Shingo Katori (Twitter, Instagram) (ex-SMAP) has just released a new album, the follow-up to "20200101". The album's concept is "tuxedo jazz". Featured guests are Takao Tajima (Original Love), Atarashii Gakko!, H ZETTRIO, Gentle Forest Jazz Band, Higuchi Ai and...
Posted on April 17, 2022 at 11:14. | Released on April 13, 2022
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.26
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 April 14, 2022 at 23:51.
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.
Reina Nosa "The Closet Music" (Download)
Reina Nosa has built a studio in her closet, from which she has been regularly delivering countless fun ukulele covers via her YouTube channel and Instagram. Meanwhile, she has found the time to make this charming and beautiful mini-album of...
Posted on February 24, 2022 at 23:56. | Released on December 20, 2021
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
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.23
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 13, 2022 at 23:08.
Cutemen "Love On The Beach", "Cutemen 30th Anniversary Best CM30" (Download)
Cutemen, the techno unit of CMJK (ex-Denki Groove) and singer Picorin, has released towards the end of 2021 a new single titled "Love On The Beach", and also a greatest hits album covering their 30 years of activity. Both are...
Posted on January 5, 2022 at 13:30. | Released on November 24, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.22
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 9, 2021 at 23:13.
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
Izumi Kobayashi "Lum no Love Song (Reboot) / Bambutsuruten" (Download)
Izumi "Mimi" Kobayashi (Instagram), who composed "Lum no Love Song" (the popular theme song of "Urusei Yatsura"), is back with a brand new "rebooted" version of it with a jungle beat. The B-side is also a self-cover of an...
Posted on November 18, 2021 at 23:50. | Released on November 17, 2021
Mondo Grosso "Mondo Grosso Official Best" (2CD)
Mondo Grosso, the solo unit of Shinichi Ōsawa (lately also active with RHYME SO), has just released a greatest hits album that's filled with tracks taken from the project's 30 years of history. Some new remixes, new mixes and re-edits...
Posted on November 8, 2021 at 09:16. | Released on November 3, 2021
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.
Francis "Bolero"
Francis is the solo project of bassist and singer-songwriter Makoto Ori (who previously played in bands Picky Picnic, Original Love and The Collectors), and after a long wait here comes finally a brand new album titled "Bolero"! Included are several...
Posted on September 27, 2021 at 00:48. | Released on September 27, 2021
Crazy Ken Band "I Like It"
Crazy Ken Band is releasing a cover album for the first time ever, including many songs that are part of band's and most precisely leader Yokoyama Ken's musical roots. The selection spans from the 70s to the early 90s. Check...
Posted on September 6, 2021 at 21:17. | Released on September 8, 2021
City Pop on Vinyl 2021
"City Pop on Vinyl" is a campaign organized by Japan's famous record press Toyo Kasei, and this is the 2nd year it takes place (see City Pop on Vinyl 2020). Below is a selection of some titles not to be...
Posted on August 28, 2021 at 00:58. | Released on August 28, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.19
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 26, 2021 at 00:23.
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
Port of Notes "Two", Miyuki Hatakeyama "Song Book #1"
Port of Notes, the unit of singer Miyuki Hatakeyama and guitarist Daisuke Oshima (aka DSK), is celebrating this year its 25th anniversary! This new album titled "Two" was recorded by just the two, and consists of self-covers of their previous...
Posted on July 8, 2021 at 23:48. | Released on July 7, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.17
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 24, 2021 at 00:26.
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
Wakita Monari "Place" (Download)
A brand new original song by Wakita Monari has just been released digitally! "Place" has music co-written by Arai Toshiya (COUNTJOKE) & Dorian, and lyrics by YURINA da GOLD DIGGER (Magic, Drums & Love). Monari also took part in...
Posted on June 5, 2021 at 23:14. | Released on June 5, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.16
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 26, 2021 at 21:01.
Various Artists "Night Tempo presents The Showa Idol Groove"
Night Tempo is a Korean producer and DJ, who in the recent years has gained popularity by revisiting city pop and 80's idol sounds from Japan and giving them his special touch. This is a compilation of many of his...
Posted on May 19, 2021 at 22:57. | Released on May 19, 2021
Cutemen "Covers & Mellow Tunes 2" (Download)
Cutemen, the techno unit of CMJK (ex-Denki Groove) and singer Picorin, has just released a mini-album of mainly covers! Included are covers of Gary Numan's "Cars", Hideki Saijō & Barry Manilow's "In Search Of Love", Sparks, Killing Joke and The...
Posted on May 19, 2021 at 19:10. | Released on May 19, 2021
Latin Quarter "pattern01" (Cassette/Download), "Mock" (Cassette+Download), "Hearty Party"
Latin Quarter (Twitter), trackmaker/DJ of the Pan Pacific Playa collective from Yokohama, has a brand new album being released! His first original release in 13 years, "pattern01" is available either on cassette or digitally (via Bandcamp). Jet Set also has...
Posted on April 12, 2021 at 23:26. | Released on April 14, 2021
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra "SKA=ALMIGHTY"
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra has just released a brand new album titled "SKA=ALMIGHTY". This follows album "tsugihagi Colorful" (2019). Included are theme songs from Kamen Rider, "Almighty ~ Kamen no yakusoku", "Kamen Rider Saber" and "tajū rokō", as well as...
Posted on March 6, 2021 at 01:00. | Released on March 3, 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.
Keiichi Suzuki "Mother Music Revisited"
Keiichi Suzuki (Moonriders, No Lie-Sense, Controversial Spark), who was recently celebrating the 50th anniversary of his musical career, has just released an album that revisits songs from the soundtrack of Famicom game "MOTHER" (aka "EarthBound Beginnings") that he composed. All...
Posted on January 31, 2021 at 18:19. | Released on January 27, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.13
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 28, 2021 at 01:13.
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.
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
Interview: Izumi "Mimi" Kobayashi
Original interview text by Takashi Ikegami Translated from Japanese by Patrick Benny (Tokyo's Coolest Sound) Izumi "Mimi" Kobayashi (below "Mimi") is an interesting artist from actually many perspectives. First, there is the one where she expresses original works as the...
Posted on November 2, 2020 at 00:25.
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.
sugar me "Wild Flowers"
Singer-songwriter sugar me is releasing a brand new album, her first original album since "Around the Corner" (2015) which had been followed by cover mini-album "6 femmes". Featured musicians include Horie Hirohisa (Neil & Iraiza) on keyboards, Kamiya Jumpei (Akai...
Posted on October 5, 2020 at 21:35. | Released on October 7, 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
RSD Drops Day 2: Pizzicato One, Toki Asako, Avec Avec
Record Store Day's second of three "RSD Drops Days" is being held on September 26. In addition to the items being sold in physical shops from the morning, online sales are allowed from 13:00 on release day. Below are just...
Posted on September 25, 2020 at 20:57. | Released on September 26, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.9
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 September 24, 2020 at 00:19.
ikkubaru "Chords & Melodies"
Indonesian city pop band ikkubaru, also very active in the Japanese city pop scene, has just released a 2nd album of which the Japanese edition CD contains several bonus tracks! Included are three songs from a commemorative release of their...
Posted on September 6, 2020 at 00:14. | Released on September 2, 2020
Little Anthony & The Imperials / The Dells "a man and a woman / jeepers creepers" (7")
This is the twelfth and last of this year-long monthly series of 7", named "Readymade mirai no ongaku" (aka "Readymade Oldays") and consisting of Konishi Yasuharu's all-time DJ classics! This time Konishi chose two covers of movie hit songs,...
Posted on August 26, 2020 at 23:55. | Released on August 29, 2020
City Pop on Vinyl 2020
"City Pop on Vinyl" is a campaign organized by Japan's famous record press Toyo Kasei, and on August 8 will be a special day with many releases that file under the "city pop" category that we love! While only sold...
Posted on July 27, 2020 at 00:30. | Released on August 8, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.7
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 22, 2020 at 23:35.
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.
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
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.
Yukihiro Fukutomi "It's About Time" (12")
Fukutomi Yukihiro has a new 12" out now. Included are "It's About Time", a track from the 1994 CD compilation "Remix Trax vol.6 - Japanese New Vibes", as well as two songs from his 2nd album "Post" (1993). This...
Posted on April 4, 2020 at 14:55. | Released on March 20, 2020
Recto Berso "No Recto, No Berso"
Singer-songwriter guitar duo Recto Berso have a first full-length album out now! This follows their 2012 mini-album "Nice To Love You!" which was produced by Okada Tohru (Moonriders, CTO LAB.). The album which was entirely recorded at home contains plenty...
Posted on March 28, 2020 at 19:20. | Released on March 25, 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.
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.
SOLEIL "SOLEIL in STEREO"
SOLEIL's first two albums ("My Name is SOLEIL" and "SOLEIL is Alright") are being reissued as a two-in-one album, and that remixed in stereo for the first time! SOLEIL having always recorded and released in mono only, this time they...
Posted on December 15, 2019 at 12:06. | Released on December 18, 2019
Kaede "Remember You" (CD/7")
Negicco's Kaede has a new solo single about to be released! Title song "Remember You" is an original written and produced by Dōjima Kōhei, while the B-side is a cover of idol group Shiritsu Ebisu Chūgaku (aka Ebichū) arranged by...
Posted on October 12, 2019 at 23:39. | Released on October 15, 2019
Negicco "I Love Your Love" (CD/7")
Negicco has a brand new single being released this month! Title song "I Love Your Love" was written by Nishidera Gōta (Nona Reeves) and its recording features himself and Nona Reeves member Komatsu Shigeru. Meanwhile, "I Am A Punk!" was...
Posted on September 19, 2019 at 07:09. | Released on September 24, 2019
chelmico "Fishing"
chelmico, 2-girl rap unit formed of MCs Rachel and Mamiko, has a 2nd major album being released this month! This time there are tracks made in collaboration with Mikeneko Homeless, ryo takahashi and Toshiki Hayashi (%C), and also Chikada Haruo...
Posted on August 14, 2019 at 22:27. | Released on August 21, 2019
Ultra-Vybe Japanese hit release re-issues
Long-running indie label and distributor Ultra-Vybe has just made available many of the acclaimed releases from its catalog, and priced them down to only ¥1000 (+tax) each! This includes many rarities. Below is a small selection from their Japanese re-issues....
Posted on July 12, 2019 at 23:18. | Released on July 10, 2019
Kudo Shizuka "Deep Breath"
Kudō Shizuka, who debuted as an idol in 1987, has a concept cover album being released that consists of covers of foreign songs under the theme "relax". Konishi Yasuharu has arranged and produced two songs, a cover of "Heartbreak Hotel"...
Posted on June 14, 2019 at 23:56. | Released on June 12, 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
Gallantique Kazue "Original Collection", "Cover Collection"
Singer Gallantique Kazue has two new albums being released at the same time! One is an album of her original songs, while the other is a collection of covers. "Original Collection" is actually her 2nd original album, the previous dating...
Posted on March 24, 2019 at 20:58. | Released on March 27, 2019
Her Serves & Receive "Service Ace -kaitei ban-"
Future tennis icon unit Her Serves & Receive's excellent first album "Service Ace" is being re-released as a "revised" edition. Included is the entire original album plus new track "One" that was contributed by Kobe pop group Sappy. The jacket...
Posted on February 14, 2019 at 23:08. | Released on February 23, 2019
Childish Tones feat. Usakura Beni "Cruel To Be Kind / There She Goes" (7")
Childish Tones (Twitter) is a band that plays rock'n'roll using nothing but toy instruments! This new 7" single is a collaboration with Beni Usakura (of Avandoned). Included are covers of Nick Lowe's "Cruel To Be Kind" and The La's' "There...
Posted on February 10, 2019 at 10:58. | Released on February 20, 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.
Wakita Monari "I Love You Oh! Oh! from The Planet (Get Loose Mix)" (Download)
Just days ahead of Wakita Monari's new single "Just a 'Crush for Today'", a new remix of song "yūsei kara no I Love You oh! oh!" has been released digitally. The remix was done by Arai Toshiya (Count Joke) who...
Posted on November 24, 2018 at 20:45. | Released on November 24, 2018
Urbangarde "Urbangarde of Love and Fantasy"
Trauma techno-pop band Urbangarde, which is now celebrating its 10th anniversary, has just released a new special album! Closely following the release of "shojo Fiction" (April 2018), this new album collects rarities and tracks not available on any of their...
Posted on November 23, 2018 at 21:23. | Released on November 21, 2018
The Pen Friend Club "Merry Christmas from The Pen Friend Club"
The Pen Friend Club, a band that takes inspiration from The Beach Boys and Phil Spector (etc.), has just released a "first and last" Christmas album! Included are 15 covers, of songs by Mariah Carey ("All I Want For Christmas...
Posted on November 14, 2018 at 23:27. | Released on November 14, 2018
