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
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
Pizzicato One "watakushi no nijuseiki"
2015 is looking like a good year for Pizzicato Five fans! Konishi Yasuharu has a second Pizzicato One album coming this June, follow-up to "One And Ten Very Sad Songs" (2011). With a title that translates to "My 20th century",...
Posted on May 17, 2015 at 12:34. | Released on June 24, 2015
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
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
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Record Day 2024
This year again, Record Day was held earlier this month on November 3, coinciding with the public holiday Culture Day. Here are some picks from the many releases of this year. The full list can be found here. Cruisic "Euphoria"...
Posted on November 19, 2024 at 23:36. | Released on November 3, 2024
Wink Music Service "It Girls"
Wink Music Service is a group started last year, formed of Keitarō Takanami (Playtime Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five) and Sally Kubota (The Phantom Gift, The Scooters, ex-Les 5-4-3-2-1, ex-SOLEIL). Following the release of four 7" singles (the first of which was...
Posted on November 19, 2024 at 00:12. | Released on November 20, 2024
Amaiwana "New Shibuya", "New Wave"
Singer-songwriter Amaiwana has released this month two 4-song EPs. Titled "New Shibuya" and "New Wave", they take inspiration from Shibuya-kei, new wave and techno-pop. "New Shibuya" includes the song "Cover Girl" which features Maki Nomiya (Portable Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five). Check...
Posted on October 29, 2024 at 00:30. | Released on October 2, 2024
Konishi Yasuharu "Love, Lost And Found"
Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One, ex-Pizzicato Five) is releasing this month a first studio album sung by himself, also his first solo album under his own name. The album contains many songs taken from Pizzicato Five's repertory, and also ones that...
Posted on October 19, 2024 at 10:21. | Released on October 30, 2024
Geinoh Yamashirogumi "Akira Remix" (2CD)
A first-ever remix album of anime classic "Akira", music originally written and performed by Geinoh Yamashirogumi, has been released. The album is produced by Akira's creator Katsuhiro Ōtomo who selected the remixers: Makoto Kubota, Konishi Yasuharu (ex-Pizzicato Five), and Kuniaki...
Posted on September 6, 2024 at 00:07. | Released on August 21, 2024
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.51
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 19, 2024 at 13:25.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.49
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 17, 2024 at 12:59.
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.45
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 19, 2024 at 22:29.
Mukaju Dan "Hinafu Tone"
Techno-pop unit Mukaju Dan has just released a brand new 3rd album, titled "Hinafu Tone". The production unit, of which the main members are arranger Shock Tarō and composer Ton-chan, this time recruited singer Hinafu (from whom the album takes...
Posted on November 26, 2023 at 12:10. | Released on November 24, 2023
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
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
The Scooters "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" (7" / 8cm CD)
This 7" by The Scooters is a brand new recording of a cover of Pizzicato Five's hit song, "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" ("The night is still young"). It was decided to record the song after Yasuharu Konishi asked...
Posted on July 7, 2023 at 00:30. | Released on July 7, 2023
Takeshi Nakatsuka and The Skamotts "Romantic ga tomaranai / futari no ai Land with Maki Nomiya" (7")
Takeshi Nakatsuka (Qypthone) collaborates with ska band The Skamotts (led by Tawoyame Orquesta's Tomoko Okamura) for this 7" single. The A-side is a cover of C-C-B's hit song "Romantic ga tomaranai", while the B-side is a cover of Ishikawa...
Posted on June 26, 2023 at 22:40. | Released on June 28, 2023
Kotaro Furuichi "kodomotachi no kodomotachi no kodomotachi e" (7")
The Collectors' guitarist Kotarō Furuichi, also active as a solo artist and actor, has released recently three cover singles. This one has for A-side a cover of Pizzicato Five's 1997 song known in English as "To Our Children's Children's...
Posted on June 23, 2023 at 23:47. | Released on May 30, 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.
Night Tempo "New Romantic feat. Maki Nomiya" (Download)
South Korean producer and DJ Night Tempo has just released a brand new song digitally which features guest Maki Nomiya (ex-Pizzicato Five)! The song is titled "New Romantic" and has lyrics written by Maki herself. Check out the official...
Posted on June 1, 2023 at 22:09. | Released on May 31, 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.
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
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
Kono y Los Chicos de Cuba "Tokio a las 7 de la Noche" (7")
Released on CD last November, the Cuban salsa cover of Pizzicato Five's "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji (the night is still young)" by Kono y Los Chicos de Cuba is now available on 7"! Both Spanish and Japanese versions...
Posted on June 30, 2022 at 13:05. | Released on June 22, 2022
Tetsuro Yafune "Song, Piano, Bass, Drums." (12")
"Song, Piano, Bass, Drums.", the new album of pianist and singer-songwriter Tetsurō Yafune which was produced by Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One, ex-Pizzicato Five), is being released on vinyl! All of the songs from the CD are included, with the order...
Posted on June 21, 2022 at 22:11. | Released on June 22, 2022
Reina Nosa "Life Is Sportsman" (Download)
Reina Nosa just suddenly released a new song digitally, from her upcoming album "Sports and Distractions" (Japanese title "Sports to kibarashi"). The song "Life Is Sportsman" has music written by Hajime Nakajima and lyrics by Reina. Singing backing vocals...
Posted on May 27, 2022 at 21:37. | Released on May 22, 2022
Portable Rock "Past & Future ~ My Favorite Portable Rock"
Portable Rock, the new wave band fronted by Maki Nomiya since the 80s together with Tomofumi "Chibun" Suzuki and Nobuo Nakahara, has just released an album of favorite songs, all newly remastered. Also included are brand new songs "Lonely Girl,...
Posted on May 26, 2022 at 21:18. | Released on May 25, 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
Maki Nomiya "New Beautiful"
Maki Nomiya (ex-Pizzicato Five) has been celebrating the 40th anniversary since her debut (with album "Pink no kokoro" released in 1981), and here comes a brand new album to mark the milestone. "New Beautiful" comes as a combination of three...
Posted on March 26, 2022 at 11:51. | Released on April 20, 2022
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.25
This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these...
Posted on March 11, 2022 at 01:26.
Maki Nomiya "On the sunny side of the street (feat. Phum Viphurit)" (Download)
2nd installment of her "World Tour Mix" series, here comes a collaboration of Maki Nomiya with Thai singer-songwriter and producer Phum Viphurit (Facebook page, Instagram)! This song is a self-cover of Pizzicato Five's "On the sunny side of the...
Posted on February 9, 2022 at 20:27. | Released on February 9, 2022
Asakura Seira "Que Será, Seira - Angel birth -"
Asakura Seira (Twitter), who was active as a lyricist mainly in the 80s and 90s (having written lyrics for artists such as Koizumi Kyoko, Watanabe Marina, Shonentai, PSY·S, Yamashita Kumiko, ribbon and many more), has finally released a first original...
Posted on January 25, 2022 at 11:18. | Released on January 19, 2022
Konishi Yasuharu "Drama 'nigatsu no shousha -zettai goukaku no kyoushitsu-' Original Soundtrack"
Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One) made the original soundtrack for the NTV drama series "nigatsu no shōsha -zettai gōkaku no kyōshitsu-", an adaptation of the manga series by Takase Shiho. Other recent Konishi Yasuharu news include the production of jazz pianist/singer-songwriter...
Posted on December 21, 2021 at 20:27. | Released on December 15, 2021
Maki Nomiya "The night is still young (feat. Night Tempo)" (Download)
Maki Nomiya suddenly released a new version of "The night is still young", Pizzicato Five's most famous song, reconstructed by South Korean producer Night Tempo. This is part of a "World Tour Mix" project for the 40th anniversary of...
Posted on December 19, 2021 at 23:17. | Released on December 17, 2021
Tetsuro Yafune "Song, Piano, Bass, Drums."
Pianist and singer-songwriter Tetsurō Yafune has released a new full-length album, which is entirely produced by Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One, ex-Pizzicato Five)! Titled "Song, Piano, Bass, Drums." (or in Japanese "uta, Piano, Bass, Drums"), the album contains a variety of...
Posted on December 15, 2021 at 22:41. | Released on December 15, 2021
Posted on December 10, 2021 at 08:13. | Event held on Friday December 10, 2021 at 20:00 (JST)
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
Tetsuro Yafune "A Sweet & Dangerous Scent / A Transparent Moment" (7")
Pianist and singer-songwriter Tetsurō Yafune is about to release a new full-length album on December 15, which is entirely produced by Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One)! With the title "uta, Piano, Bass, Drums." (uta means song/singing), the album will feature...
Posted on November 23, 2021 at 23:59. | Released on November 24, 2021
Pizzicato Five "pizzicato five in hi-fi" (2CD)
After the three "Pizzicato Five On Demand" digital releases over the last three months (see the Takanami keitaro, Konishi yasuharu and Nomiya maki editions), here comes a Pizzicato Five 2-CD compilation made of songs from those that were made available...
Posted on November 23, 2021 at 11:29. | Released on November 24, 2021
Kono y Los Chicos de Cuba "Tokio a las 7 de la Noche"
Habana-based group Kono y Los Chicos de Cuba, led by Japanese percussionist Haruhiko Kōno, is releasing a Cuban salsa cover of Pizzicato Five's "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" (aka "The night is still young")! Konishi Yasuharu praised the cover...
Posted on November 23, 2021 at 11:06. | Released on November 21, 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
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
Pizzicato Five "Pizzicato Five On Demand (Konishi yasuharu edition)" (Download)
Following last month's "Pizzicato Five On Demand (Takanami keitaro edition)", here comes the second digital compilation of Pizzicato Five, this time focusing on songs penned by Konishi Yasuharu. The 32 songs (over 2 hours!) were apparently selected from Columbia's catalog...
Posted on October 20, 2021 at 20:35. | Released on October 20, 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
Pizzicato Five "Pizzicato Five On Demand (Takanami keitaro edition)" (Download)
13 songs of Pizzicato Five that have music written by K-taro Takanami and are sung by Maki Nomiya, from the catalog of Nippon Columbia, have been released digitally as a compilation album! This is apparently the first of a series...
Posted on September 23, 2021 at 10:47. | Released on September 22, 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.
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.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.
Q.A.S.B. "Candy Dream"
Here's a 5th album from 8-piece funk/soul band Q.A.S.B., which has just been released today! Having been releasing 7"'s at a high pace, the album contains songs from several of these, plus a few brand new tracks too! Included are...
Posted on April 28, 2021 at 22:54. | Released on April 28, 2021
Various Artists "Kyohei Tsutsumi Song Book"
Famous songwriter Tsutsumi Kyōhei passed away last October at the age of 80. This album is a tribute made of brand new recordings, featuring the work of producers Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato One), Nishidera Gōta (Nona Reeves), Takebe Satoshi, Kameda Seiji,...
Posted on March 25, 2021 at 10:14. | Released on March 24, 2021
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.15
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 25, 2021 at 00:36.
World Standard "World Standard" (12")
World Standard's first original album, first released in 1985 on Haruomi Hosono's Non-Standard label, is being re-issued on vinyl remastered under the supervision of Suzuki Sōichiro (World Standard). Included are newly written liner notes by himself, in Japanese and English....
Posted on March 20, 2021 at 13:48. | Released on March 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.
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.
The Shaolin Brothers "Hyo-tan Rhapsody"
Rock band The Shaolin Brothers (known in Japanese as Shaolin kyōdai) has just released an album! This follows the release of 7" singles "Pandafull World" and "koi no Dial 6700 / tasogare Wo Ai Ni". The songs "Pandafull World" and...
Posted on December 26, 2020 at 14:35. | Released on December 16, 2020
Sally Kubota Group "Twiggy Twiggy c/w Le Canon De Manon" (7"+Download code)
Bassist Sally Kubota (The Scooters, ex-SOLEIL, Les 5-4-3-2-1) has just turned 60 this summer, and his latest project is Sally Kubota Group, a trio that features Nakayama Tsutomu (The Scooters) on organ, Hara "Gen" Hideki on drums, and himself on...
Posted on November 28, 2020 at 23:45. | Released on December 2, 2020
Various Artists "City Music Tokyo invitation"
Cunimondo Takiguchi, the leader of city pop band Ryusenkei (and also known as the producer of albums by hitomitoi and Natsu Summer), has selected this compilation of songs that have influenced him. While some are famous songs, others are rare...
Posted on November 8, 2020 at 21:48. | Released on November 4, 2020
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
Childish Tones feat. Beni Usakura "God Bless the Girls" (CD/10")
Childish Tones (Twitter) has just released a full-length album, titled "God Bless the Girls", and it's the first featuring singer Beni Usakura (Twitter, Instagram)! Following the early-bird cassette edition released for Cassette Store Day, here it comes on CD and...
Posted on October 28, 2020 at 23:59. | Released on October 28, 2020
Cassette Store Day 2020: Childish Tones feat. Beni Usakura, Learners
Today is a rainy Cassette Store Day in Tokyo. Luckily the items are available online too, at a few of the participating shops at least! Here are just a few picks that Tokyo's Coolest Sound readers might not want to...
Posted on October 17, 2020 at 12:51. | Released on October 17, 2020
Tetsuro Yafune "Optimist Winter / If You Want To Meet" (Download)
Pianist and singer-songwriter Tetsurō Yafune has just released two new songs digitally! It had been 5 years since his previous solo release, album "The Romantist" (2015, Amazon, HMV). Featured musicians are Suzuki Katsuto on bass, Kakizawa Ryūsuke on drums,...
Posted on October 15, 2020 at 22:12. | Released on October 15, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Tokyo's Coolest Sound" vol.8
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, 2020 at 21:40.
Mukaju Dan "Madoromu"
7 years since blue marble's "full color", the songwriting/production duo formed of Shock Tarō and Ton-chan is back with a first full album as Mukaju Dan. Their sound is self-described as "Hyper Technology Pops", a blend of techno-pop and city...
Posted on August 5, 2020 at 13:17. | Released on August 7, 2020
World Standard "taiyou wa oshiete kurenai" (7")
World Standard has just released a 7" of two songs from album "Allo!" (1986). The song "taiyō wa oshiete kurenai" has lyrics written by Konishi Yasuharu (of Non-Standard labelmates Pizzicato V) and music by then-member Mikami Masaharu, while B-side...
Posted on July 29, 2020 at 21:48. | Released on July 29, 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.
Fernanda Takai "Será que você vai acreditar?"
Brazilian singer Fernanda Takai, known as the vocalist and guitarist of band Pato Fu, has released just today a brand new album titled "Será que você vai acreditar?", which includes a collaboration with Maki Nomiya (ex-Pizzicato Five)! Along with many...
Posted on July 10, 2020 at 20:59. | Released on July 10, 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.
Reina Nosa "Jealousy Overheat" (Download)
Nosa Reina has released digitally yet another song from her upcoming album "Sports and Distractions" (Japanese title "Sports to kibarashi"). The new single's artwork was illustrated by Ayaka Hama. This follows "Pink Delusional Aquarium", "City Blue Carnival" and Eccentric...
Posted on April 21, 2020 at 21:12. | Released on April 21, 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.
Portable Rock "Beginnings" (12")
Portable Rock's early works album "Beginnings", first released on CD only in 1990, is being released on vinyl for the first time! Portable Rock was a band in the late 80's formed of Nomiya Maki (who later joined Pizzicato Five),...
Posted on January 4, 2020 at 23:45. | Released on February 5, 2020
Q.A.S.B. "Thank You / Week-End" (7"/Download)
Japanese funk/soul band Q.A.S.B., formed in 2008, pays tribute to Pizzicato Five with this single of two excellent covers: "Thank You" (from "This Year's Girl" (1991)) and "Week-End" (from "Playboy & Playgirl" (1998))! Nothing much else to say for...
Posted on December 30, 2019 at 23:57. | Released on December 21, 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.
Reina Nosa "Pink Delusional Aquarium" (Download)
Nosa Reina has a new song out now digitally! She has also announced that it's from her upcoming album "Sports and Distractions" (Japanese title "Sports to kibarashi") to be released in 2020. Reina can be heard playing ukulele (as...
Posted on November 29, 2019 at 01:05. | Released on November 21, 2019
Konishi Yasuharu & Playboys "Inoue Jun no Playboy kouza 12 shou"
This is Konishi Yasuharu's latest project! A modern take on 1969-released album "Enraku no Playboy kōza 12 shō", a 12-chapter narrative course for becoming a playboy with perfect lounge music BGM (then performed by pianist Maeda Norio & His Playboys),...
Posted on November 14, 2019 at 23:37. | Released on November 20, 2019
Towa Tei "Arbeit" (2CD), "Future Listening!" (2x12")
Towa Tei is celebrating the 25th anniversary since his solo debut (album "Future Listening!" released in October 1994). Taking part in the celebrations are the releases of 2CD album "Arbeit", a collection of mainly production or remix works for other...
Posted on November 4, 2019 at 15:16. | Released on November 6, 2019
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
The Shaolin Brothers "koi no Dial 6700 / tasogare Wo Ai Ni" (7")
Rock band The Shaolin Brothers' new 7" single is a rock'n'roll cover of FInger 5's hit song "koi no Dial 6700", with on the flip side a new original in duet with Nomiya Maki! This follows a recent single...
Posted on October 28, 2019 at 23:14. | Released on October 30, 2019
Sunny Kubota & Old Lucky Boys "The man who calls bliss."
Sunny Kubota & Old Lucky Boys (aka OLB), the band led by Kubota Shingo (ex-8 1/2, and one of the original "Stardust Brothers"), has a 3rd album about to be released! "The man who calls bliss." is the follow-up to...
Posted on October 22, 2019 at 22:45. | Released on October 25, 2019
Hoshino Michiru "Moonlight Confessions (tsuki ga kirei desune)"
Hoshino Michiru, who this year started her own label and released 4-song EP "gyakkō", is now back with a new full-length album! It's also her first album in her singer-songwriter style, which puts the focus on gentle and beautiful melodies....
Posted on October 13, 2019 at 13:16. | Released on October 23, 2019
Pizzicato Five "The Band of 20th Century: Nippon Columbia Years 1991-2001"
Pizzicatomania all over the world! Check this out! This is a compilation of the best from Pizzicato Five's Nippon Columbia years (Triad/Readymade), which featured vocalist Nomiya Maki. The whole was supervised and selected by Konishi Yasuharu himself, with art direction...
Posted on August 2, 2019 at 23:40. | Released on November 3, 2019
SOLEIL "Lollipop Sixteen"
SOLEIL is back with a 3rd album titled "Lollipop Sixteen", as singer Soleil will be turning 16 just a few days after the release. As with the first two albums, "My Name is SOLEIL" and "SOLEIL is Alright", the album...
Posted on July 13, 2019 at 23:15. | Released on July 17, 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
Various Artists "Non-Standard collection - Non-Standard no hibiki -" (4CD)
Here comes a massive compilation of the Non-Standard label, which was produced by Hosono Haruomi (YMO) during the 80's. With genres covering techno-pop, ambient and improvised music, the label featured artists such as World Standard, Koshi Miharu, Mikado, Urban Dance,...
Posted on March 24, 2019 at 12:47. | Released on March 27, 2019
Suzuki Masayuki "Funky Flag"
Singer Suzuki Masayuki has a new album released just recently. The album's last song, "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch Marching Band", which was written and produced by Konishi Yasuharu and it features chorus by Nomiya Maki (!) and Yoshikawa Tomoko (of...
Posted on March 21, 2019 at 21:40. | Released on March 13, 2019
SOLEIL "SOLEIL is Alright" (12")
SOLEIL's 2nd album "SOLEIL is Alright" is being released on vinyl! As it has been with all their recordings and releases so far, this vinyl edition will also be in mono. All of the 12 songs from the album are...
Posted on February 21, 2019 at 22:41. | Released on March 20, 2019
Nomiya Maki "miss maki nomiya sings (Re-issue)"
Nomiya Maki's solo album "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings" was released in July 2000 (back when Pizzicato Five was still active) and it is finally being re-issued! The album had a theme of Maki being a jetsetter and travelling across the...
Posted on February 21, 2019 at 22:13. | Released on March 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.
The Collectors "Young Man Rock"
The Collectors have a new 23rd album out now, titled "Young Man Rock"! Takanami Keitarō (Playtime Rock, ex-Pizzicato Five) has co-arranged the two last songs, according to credits on Tower Records' page. All songs can be sampled on this official...
Posted on November 11, 2018 at 22:16. | Released on November 4, 2018
SOLEIL "Pinky Fluffy" (7") (Re-issue)
SOLEIL's debut 7" "Pinky Fluffy" (2017) which had sold out long ago is being released once again with a different jacket! Recorded when singer Soleil was still 13, both songs have remained non-album tracks. Note that this release doesn't...
Posted on November 11, 2018 at 19:16. | Released on November 14, 2018
Record Day 2018
Record Day is this Saturday November 3, always held on the same day as national holiday "Culture Day". Led by Japan's long-running record factory Tōyōkasei, many labels and artists coordinate their releases in the favorite physical format of many to...
Posted on November 2, 2018 at 23:22. | Released on November 3, 2018
Nomiya Maki "Shibuya-kei Songbook" (2 CDs), "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji c/w Happy Sad" (7")
This new album by Nomiya Maki comes with 2 discs. The first is a collection of songs from her recent albums of the "Shibuya-kei Standards" series (released from 2014 through 2017), and the 2nd is of a previously unreleased entire...
Posted on October 20, 2018 at 21:26. | Released on October 31, 2018
Ino Hidefumi "Song Album"
Fender Rhodes musician Ino Hidefumi has released a brand new album titled "Song Album", of which all songs are vocal and sung by himself. "Skytree" and "From 3000 Feet The Sky Of Tokyo" have lyrics written by Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato...
Posted on October 20, 2018 at 19:06. | Released on October 10, 2018
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu "Japamyu"
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has a 4th album about to be released! "Japamyu" comes over 4 years after "Pika Pika Fantajin" (2014). Included are the previously released songs "Harajuku Iyahoi", "Kimi No Mikata" and "Todoke Punch", as well as a new...
Posted on September 21, 2018 at 23:52. | Released on September 26, 2018
SOLEIL "SOLEIL is Alright"
SOLEIL, the band fronted by now 15-year-old singer Soleil, has a 2nd album being released very soon! Following the excellent "My Name is SOLEIL" released last March, the new full-length also consists of all original songs with the exception of...
Posted on September 16, 2018 at 23:03. | Released on September 19, 2018
Learners "Learners High"
Chabe's rockabilly band Learners is back with a brand new mini album! This includes two new original songs, "Cassis Oolong" and "Take a Trip", as well as covers of The Bangles, Brigitte Bardot, The Looking Glass (in a cover featuring...
Posted on September 11, 2018 at 21:31. | Released on September 12, 2018
"'Be My Baby' Shindo Mitsuo Retrospective" (Book)
Shindō Mitsuo has been active as a prolific art director since the 80's, creating countless CD, record and poster artworks for Japanese artists of all kinds including many of the Shibuya-kei scene such as Pizzicato Five, Flipper's Guitar, Cornelius,...
Posted on July 22, 2018 at 20:10. | Released on July 24, 2018
The Scooters "Be My Baby" (7"+CD)
The Scooters have a brand new single that has just been released! "Be My Baby" is a new original song that was made as the theme of leader Shindō Mitsuo's exhibition held a few months ago sharing the same title....
Posted on July 14, 2018 at 22:58. | Released on November 14, 2018
Pizzicato Five "On Her Majesty's Request -Analog Edition-" (12")
Pizzicato Five's 3rd album, "On Her Majesty's Request" (1989), is being released on vinyl for the first time! This follows a 7" EP release of 3 songs earlier this year. Just for the record, back in the day a 4-song...
Posted on July 7, 2018 at 01:15. | Released on July 13, 2018
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
Pizzicato Five "On Her Majesty's Request;ep" (7"), "Lovers Rock" (7")
Following the release of two Pizzicato Five 7" cuts last year, "couples ep" and "Bellissima! ep", here are two more limited 7"'s coming this month! The first contains 3 songs from the 1989 album "On Her Majesty's Request", when...
Posted on May 3, 2018 at 22:47. | Released on May 16, 2018
