Jazztronik "Dig Dig Dig"
Jazztronik, the solo unit of Nozaki Ryōta, has a new album coming next week with a theme of "dancing" and sounds of funk, disco, acid-jazz, techno and hip-hop. This features guests such as Swedish-Japanese singer Maia Hirasawa, and also the...
Posted on June 3, 2011 at 00:03. | Released on June 8, 2011
mito "Dawns"
mito, bassist of band clammbon, has a solo album coming next week. Featured are many guests including electronic artist agraph, pianist kotringo, and members of bands toe and Rovo. Plus, the album is mastered by Sunahara Yoshinori! Released at the...
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 01:26. | Released on May 18, 2011
Jazztronik feat. Yuki "Bedtime Story"
Here's a new EP by Jazztronik, featuring singer Yuki (ex-Judy and Mary). Title song is being used in the movie "shikeidai Elevator" (a remake of "Ascenseur pour I'Echafaud" / "Elevator to the Gallows"). Watch video below. Jazztronik feat. Yuki "Bedtime...
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 00:25. | Released on September 29, 2010
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Record Day 2023
Record Day is being held this year again, on November 3, coinciding with public holiday Culture Day. Below are some picks that are not to be missed from the November 3 crates, but there's also much more to be found...
Posted on November 3, 2023 at 11:43. | Released on November 3, 2023
Morio Agata "Morio Agata Show Time"
In a series of releases for Morio Agata's 50th anniversary (active since 1972!), here comes a release of a legendary show from 1977 in its entirety. The movie "boku wa tenshi janai yo", directed by Morio, was first shown in...
Posted on March 23, 2022 at 13:20. | Released on March 23, 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.
Nakama Sounds feat. Odoru Mie "gutto,, gaman shite!!" (Download)
Nakama Sounds (Instagram) is a recent project that's based in San Francisco, and so far features singers from Japan. This new song released recently is "gutto,, gaman shite!!", a cover of Rumi Koyama (song originally released in 1970) presented...
Posted on February 13, 2022 at 23:53. | Released on December 3, 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
Kaede (Negicco) "Cycles"
Kaede (Negicco) released today a new single titled "Cycles", available on CD and digitally. The title song was made by Jacob Tanaka (of band Yanushi), while B-side "((( escape ))) has music written and arranged by Taiwanese band Wendy Wander...
Posted on September 15, 2021 at 21:42. | Released on September 15, 2021
POLYPLUS "move"
POLYPLUS (Twitter, Instagram) is an all-star instrumental jazz band of four, formed of members from Calmera, fox capture plan, JABBERLOOP and Neighbors Complain. This new 2nd album titled "move" includes their first ever vocal collaboration, and that in the form...
Posted on August 29, 2021 at 23:18. | Released on September 1, 2021
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
fox capture plan "NEBULA"
Instrumental jazz trio fox capture plan's 9th full-length album has just been released! "Nebula" is a concept album for which each of the members wrote songs that were put together in a story-like manner. In addition to their signature piano...
Posted on May 19, 2021 at 20:00. | Released on May 19, 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
Agata Morio "Urashima 2020"
Singer Agata Morio has just released this month a 10th yearly album of a project that he had started in 2010. This is also said to be the last under his name "Agata Morio", which is likely to mark his...
Posted on December 25, 2020 at 23:12. | Released on December 12, 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
Posted on August 14, 2020 at 19:58. | Event held on Friday August 21, 2020 at 20:00 (JST)
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
Cinema and Boy CQ "The Picture Show of Chronic Deja Vu"
Cinema and Boy CQ (named denei to shōnen CQ in Japanese) is a boy-girl idol duo with a cinematic approach, singing music of imaginary movie soundtracks. Their 2nd album has just been released. Check out the music videos below. There's...
Posted on June 8, 2020 at 21:02. | Released on June 8, 2020
Various Artists "Playwright Library of Sounds -solo works at home- vol.1" & "vol.2" (Download)
Japanese jazz label Playwright has just released two compilations worth of demos and home recordings by related musicians. Label director Taniguchi Keisuke explained that feeling privileged to often be the first to hear artist demos (whether programmed, rehearsal recordings or...
Posted on May 9, 2020 at 14:30. | Released on May 9, 2020
Tokyo's Coolest Sound radio show on La Face B: "Noël Nippon"
Tokyo's Coolest Sound is starting its own radio show! Part of La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada), the show will bring you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in...
Posted on December 14, 2019 at 01:04.
Popuri "Popuri to fuwafuwa monogatari"
Popuri (also spelt Pot-Pourri) is a unit formed of Reina and Sasaki Atsushi (SoundCloud) (also of Melting Holidays). Both compose and perform the music, with Reina singing lead vocals. While their visuals consist of cute illustrations of a girl and...
Posted on April 29, 2019 at 22:39. | Released on April 24, 2019
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
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
Non "Super Heroes", "Non, KAIWA Fest Vol.1 ~ongaku ga areba kaiwa ga dekiru!~" (DVD)
Actress-gone-rockstar Non (previously known as Nōnen Rena) has a first full-length album being released! This follows a few singles that were released since her debut as a singer last summer at the World Happiness festival. With five songs written by...
Posted on May 2, 2018 at 21:57. | Released on May 9, 2018
Takkyu Ishino "Takkyu Ishino Works 1983-2017"
Takkyu Ishino (Denki Groove), who just turned 50 on December 26, is releasing an box set of eight CDs! This includes a lot of his works except his solo original albums and Denki Groove original songs. This sums up to...
Posted on January 6, 2018 at 00:23. | Released on January 24, 2018
Nomiya Maki "Nomiya Maki, Holiday Shibuya-kei o utau."
Nomiya Maki's new album is coming this month, and this time she sings Shibuya-kei standards that share a winter theme. Included are duets with Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band), Watanabe Marina, Takano Hiroshi and Suzuki Masayuki, with also chorus by...
Posted on October 8, 2017 at 21:11. | Released on October 18, 2017
Agata Morio & Hachimitsu Pie "Baby-lon"
Hachimitsu Pie was a band formed in the early 70's by singer Agata Morio and Suzuki Keiichi, a few years after which Morio went on with his solo career while several others moved on to become Moonriders. Some 45 years...
Posted on April 25, 2017 at 23:17. | Released on April 26, 2017
Record Day 2016
Record Day (not the same as "Record Store Day") has been set to coincide with Japan's "Culture Day" public holiday on November 3 since 1957. Since last year, Japan's only record press Tōyō Kasei takes the lead inviting Japanese artists...
Posted on November 6, 2016 at 23:02. | Released on November 3, 2016
petit milady "cheri*cheri? milady!!"
Follow-up to last year's "petit miladear", here's a 2nd album by unit petit milady of voice actresses Yuki Aoi and Taketatsu Ayana. Once again most songs are produced by Satō Seiki (microstar). The album comes in 3 different editions. Limited...
Posted on May 23, 2015 at 17:31. | Released on May 13, 2015
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
Various Artists "Yaba-kayō 2 Non-stop DJ Mix -TV Theme hen- Mixed by DJ Fukutake"
Following the success of compilation "Yaba-kayō" (sometimes better spelled "Yava-kayō"), here comes a follow-up that's full of songs once heard on TV, mainly in the 70's and 80's. Another common point is that they're all groovy as can be, and...
Posted on February 22, 2015 at 22:43. | Released on February 25, 2015
Tarte Tatin "Pro Ducer"
Here's a 4-song EP by Tarte Tatin, this time produced by Tanaka Takashi (of indie bands shinkou-houkou and koto no yūbe). Tarte Tatin is currently formed of Aoi and Yurie, after member Yuki quit early this year for health reasons....
Posted on February 8, 2015 at 22:38. | Released on February 4, 2015
Various Artists "Women's Liberation"
This is an album of covers of Japanese songs from the 60's to the early 70's, here sung with translated English lyrics! Both the originals and the covers were performed by Japanese women, completing the theme of this compilation. Vocalists...
Posted on January 19, 2015 at 21:32. | Released on January 7, 2015
Nomiya Maki "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards"
A waterfall of events led Nomiya Maki (ex-Pizzicato Five) and producer Sakaguchi Osamu (a soundtrack producer who first got in touch with Maki in the Portable Rock days) to start a project that re-introduces Shibuya-kei hit songs and important influences...
Posted on November 8, 2014 at 14:26. | Released on November 12, 2014
Various Artists "Twilight Time"
This compilation from Grand Gallery consists of covers of Japanese city pop hit songs from the 70's and 80's. Featured are artists including Nakatsuka Takeshi, hitomitoi, Sokabe Keiichi, Kimyō Reitarō, Hicksville and more. Many of the songs are brand new...
Posted on November 4, 2014 at 22:44. | Released on October 29, 2014
petit milady "petit miladear"
This is the first album by petit milady, the unit of voice actresses Yuki Aoi and Taketatsu Ayana. Most of the tracks are produced by Satō Seiki (microstar), and the included "Retro Future Mix" is by Elektel! All tracks can...
Posted on May 11, 2014 at 12:23. | Released on May 7, 2014
Gig report: Happy X'mas with The Scooters
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Christmas day, I went to a show of The Scooters who got active again this year after some 30 years! Last summer was released new album "Une Manche et...
Posted on December 28, 2012 at 23:48.
Various Artists "Happy Holidays! ~80's Pops Covers~"
This is a compilation of various covers of 80's hit Japanese pop songs, featuring Sakamoto Ryūichi with Minekawa Takako, Toki Asako, Yakushimaru Etsuko, Hitomitoi with Sokabe Keiichi, clammbon, Sebastian X, and more. Various Artists "Happy Holidays! ~80's Pops Covers~" 1....
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 21:53. | Released on March 21, 2012
Various Artists "Ryuichi Sakamoto Tribute"
Here's a tribute album to Sakamoto Ryūichi, produced by Tobeta Bajune and featuring plenty of great electronic artists such as Atom, MimiCof, DJ Yogurt and more. A cover of "dennōgiwa" also features Ōnuki Taeko. The album is released on Sakamoto's...
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 01:13. | Released on January 17, 2012
Toki Asako "Toki Asako Light! ~CM & Cover Songs~", "Gift ~anata wa Madonna~"
Toki Asako (ex-Cymbals) has a new album coming, a collection of cover songs plus some recent songs for TV commercials (for Shiseidō, Uniqlo, Nissan and DoCoMo). Lead song "Gift ~anata wa Madonna~" has been released as a "one coin" ¥500...
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 01:20. | Released on February 2, 2011
kotringo "picnic album 1"
Pianist and singer-songwriter kotringo has a cover album coming this week. Included are her takes on hit songs by Flipper's Guitar, YMO, Yuming, Clammbon, Epo and more. Audio samples on official site kotringo "picnic album 1" 1. koi to Machinegun...
Posted on September 20, 2010 at 20:47. | Released on September 22, 2010
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
Aira Mitsuki "PLASTIC"
This week, Aira Mitsuki is back with a 2nd album, not even a year since "Copy". I count 7 tracks taken from the three latest singles: "Robot Honey", "sayonara Technopolis", and "BARBiE BARBiE", leaving us with 7 brand new tracks...
Posted on July 19, 2009 at 22:25. | Released on July 22, 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
Various Artists "14 Girls' Life"
This compilation titled "14 Girls' Life" has a concept of featuring female vocalists from different genres, from electronica to post-rock, jazz and future-pop. I'm delighted to see favorite future-pop artists such as Iguchi Miho (Aprils), Yuppa (Hazel Nuts Chocolate) and...
Posted on April 2, 2009 at 22:20. | Released on April 1, 2009
Various Artists "Beautiful Girls -The Strictly Best Works Collection-"
Reggae Disco Rockers, the funky club-reggae band, has a compilation of works with other artists coming out. The theme is female vocals, and included are songs by Toki Asako (ex-Cymbals), eico, Jazztronik, bird, Mansfield, dorlis, Wada Akiko, their Pizzicato Five...
Posted on March 27, 2008 at 10:48. | Released on April 2, 2008
Cover Lover Project "seishun Dance ~ The Best of Bossa Covers"
The "cover lover" series, that's been going on ever since the fun "Vol.1 ~Bossa de Punk~", is now back with something of interest. This time we're offered a selection of hit J-pop/dance songs performed as acoustic bossa nova. Included are...
Posted on February 27, 2008 at 17:37. | Released on March 19, 2008
Various Artists "Detroit Metal City Tribute Album ~ikenie Metal Mix~"
How to headbang to Kahimi Karie? Check out this tribute album to popular manga "Detroit Metal City", consisting mainly of metal remixes of hit songs by popular J-pop artists. Also featured are Scha Dara Parr, Kimura Kaela, Tommy february6, Yuki,...
Posted on February 22, 2008 at 11:23. | Released on March 26, 2008
Various Artists "Wall of Sound Japan"
Like Sudō Kaoru's "Tender Love" (1989), produced by Konishi Yasuharu, quite a bit of J-pop took inspiration from Phil Spector's "wall of sound" technique. This compilation offers us a selection featuring many essential artists such as Matsuda Seiko, Watanabe Marina,...
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 14:20. | Released on March 19, 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 "Jazzy End"
This cover compilation aims at having J-pop hits re-done into light jazz. Included is Utada Hikaru's "Travelling" sung by dahlia! Various Artists "Jazzy End" 1. 信清 Megumi / yasashisa ni dakamareta nara (Arai Yumi) 2. dahlia / traveling (Utada Hikaru)...
Posted on January 17, 2008 at 17:38. | Released on December 26, 2007
Argyle "Melodies Snowflake"
Osaka club record label Orange Records's groovy party band Argyle brings us a winter-themed mini-album. While a bit more quiet and soft than usual, we're told that these are party tunes nonetheless. Out just now! Argyle "Melodies Snowflake" 1. Argyle...
Posted on November 29, 2007 at 17:35. | Released on November 30, 2007
Various Artists "10Girls' Voice"
A compilation of electronic tracks with female vocal will be released by label Elegant Disc. Including songs by both pro and amateur singers, the compilation features Yoshimi (Sonicberry Favour), Anna Yamada (singer praised by Sakamoto Ryūichi), Takahashi Yūki (...
Posted on May 16, 2007 at 14:22. | Released on May 23, 2007
Pecombo "Serendipity"
Tokyo scat chorus group Pecombo has a 2nd album just out, featuring a long list of guests that includes (of those I know) The Fascinations and accordionist Tanooka Saburō (of sabou et mamie). Pecombo will perform for free at Tower...
Posted on March 22, 2007 at 17:42. | Released on March 21, 2007
Various Artists "Blue Cafe"
DJs of Organ b.'s "Blue Cafe", regular event, led by Suzuki Masanori (April Set / Premium Cuts), have put down their best tracks for a compilation of the same name. The event recently celebrated its 7th anniversary. Sunaga Tatsuo, former...
Posted on October 23, 2006 at 17:43. | Released on October 25, 2006
Various Artists "LOHAStyle ~forest"
Happiness Records, the label of Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone), will release a second compilation of its "LOHAStyle" series that began this year. I'm especially eyeing this one for the solo track by eli (girl it's U, ex-Love Tambourines). For those not...
Posted on August 21, 2006 at 15:25. | Released on September 6, 2006
Q.,indivi "ComeBAby"
This one almost slipped through... Producer Tanaka Yusuke's new project Q.,indivi has a first release out now on Felicity's citys label. The producer is best known for Yuki's "Joy" and Halcali's "Tips Taps Tip". Included is a bonus remix CD...
Posted on July 28, 2006 at 14:11. | Released on July 26, 2006
Usagi-chang "Mini" Night vol.0004
The end of the month will see Usagi-chang Records's 4th "mini" night, featuring the label's regular DJ roaster and a MissWonda mini live. Let me use this occasion to remind PINE*am U.S. fans that the band will be playing in...
Posted on April 17, 2006 at 14:26. | Released on April 29, 2006
Halcali "Tip Taps Tip"
Halcali is back with a new single after a label switch over to Epic Records. The single is produced by their usual O.T.F. (members of Rip Slyme), (<- sorry, this was a mistake!) and at least the title track is...
Posted on October 5, 2005 at 14:05. | Released on December 7, 2005
Various Artists "Shōwa Dance Party @ Ikenoue Koan" (7"+2x12")
Finally, the promised vinyl edition of the great compilation of Shōwa-era rare groove, "Moodsville Presents Shōwa Dance Party @ Ikenoue Koan", is coming soon! One 7" on Readymade, one 12" on Moodsville, and another on Ballroom Record (which wasn't a...
Posted on September 16, 2005 at 10:35. | Released on October 12, 2005
Various Artists "Moodsville Presents Shōwa Dance Party @ Ikenoue Koan"
Following the regular event Shōwa Dance Party held at Ikenoue Koan, DJs Konishi Yasuharu, Hirabayashi Shinichi (Moodsville) and Uchikado Hiroshi (Ballroom Records) have selected tracks for this compilation of wamono/rare groove. Vinyl release also being planned. Various Artists "Moodsville Presents...
Posted on March 8, 2005 at 12:21. | Released on April 20, 2005
Various Artists "Yellow Magic kayōkyoku" & "Techno Magic kayōkyoku"
Two interesting compilations of 80's techno-pop/kayō, certainly containing a lot of gems, will be released in February at a relatively low price. The first compilation has 3 CDs and consists of only songs written/produced by Yellow Magic Orchestra members (Sakamoto...
Posted on December 7, 2004 at 17:54. | Released on February 23, 2005
Halcali "ongaku no susume"
Halcali's second album will feature O.T.F, Yo-King, Yuki, Spanova, DJ Tasaka, Ishiwatari Junji (Supercar), Totem Rock (Kaseki Cider and Kogure Shinya (Hicksville)), Shun & Shuya (Skebo-King (SBK)), Fantastic Plastic Machine and Verbal (m-flo). Halcali "ongaku no susume" ハルカリ 「音楽ノススメ」 Track...
Posted on October 26, 2004 at 15:22. | Released on November 24, 2004
