Eiichi Otaki/Eiichi Otaki (1972) *

The first solo album released when he was a member of Happy End. Other Happy End members, Haruomi Hosono (bass), Takashi Matsumoto (drums) and Shigeru Suzuki (guitar) participated in the recordings full part, but more pop-oriented sound than Happy End. The songs have a variety of styles, such as rock 'n' roll, folk/country rock, the Beach Boys-style and others. Lots of good songs, such as "Sore wa Boku janaiyo (It wasn't Me)", "Omoi (Feelings)" and "Yubikiri (Pinky Promise)". "Ikasuze! Kono Koi (This Groovy Love)" is based on Elvis Presley's "I Got Stung". "Uraraka" is based on the Crystals' "Da Doo Ron Ron" (produced by Phil Spector). The CD with 10 bonus tracks, including the third single "Soratobu Kujira (A Flying Whale)" (Beatlesque), was reiisued in 1995.

m-flo/MF10: 10th Anniversary Best (1999-2009)

A music group/producer duo consisting of emcee Verbal (a Korean born in Japan) and DJ Taku, m-flo's 10th anniversary best cmpilation album (2 CDs and a DVD). Debuted as a trio including a female vocalist Lisa (Japanese-Colombian) on a major label Rhythm Zone in 1999. After Lisa left the group in 2002, they produced lots of songs featuring guest vocalists who were different each time. Easy-listening/lounge style J-pop with a combination of hip-hop, soul, jazz, bossa nova, house, 2-step and drum'n'bass. The lyrics are Japanese and English. The disc 1 includes the songs with Lisa, such as "been so long", "How You Like Me Now?" (#9 on the Japanese pop charts), "come again" (#4), "Orbit-3" (#9) and others. The disc 2 includes the songs with guest vocals, such as "Reeewind!" (Crystal Kay, #9), "Miss You" (Melody. & Ryohei Yamamoto, #8), "The Love Bug" (BoA, #8), "Starstruck - The Return of the Luvbytes" (Ai, Emi Hinouchi & Rum (Heartsdales)), "Cosmic Night Run" (Maki Nomiya & Crazy Ken Band), "Love Song" (Bonnie Pink, #9) and others.

Merzbow/1930 (1998)

Merzbow is a solo project started in 1979 by Masami Akita, a noise musician born in Tokyo in 1956. Merzbow had released enormous numbers of albums since the 1980s, and his works have been highly regarded in Europe and America too. The album "1930" (released on John Zorn's label Tzadik in 1998) is one of his masterpieces. Avant-Garde noise music by using "noise electronix", analog synths (EMS, Moog), tapes and others. A flood of harsh noises without clear melodies and rhythms, but it sounds like pretty "musical", for it has some kinds of compositions and developments.

Ling tosite sigure/just A moment (2009)

A three-piece rock band formed in Saitama in 2002, Ling tosite sigure/Rin Toshite Shigure's third full-length album and the debut album on the major label Sony Music Associated Records. The members are TK/Toru Kitajima (guitar, vocals), 345/Miyoko Nakamura (bass, vocals) and Pierre Nakano/Masatoshi Nakano (drums). The sound is in the post-hardcore/emo style featuring loud guitar and male/female twin vocals in high tones. Beautiful melodies filled with wistful lyricism. Complex, elaborate song structures with lots of changes of tempo, like prog-rock. The lyrics are Japanese. All the songs written, composed and produced by TK. Includes two singles, "Telecastic fake show" and "moment A rhythm" (short ver.). Recommended to those who like Japanese emo band such as Bloodthirsty Butchers, Eastern Youth and Asian Kung-Fu Generation.

Venus Peter/Delux Edition (The Best of V.P) (1991-1996/2006)

A rock band led by Shuntaro Okino (vocals) and formed in 1990, Venus Peter's best compilation album. Totally Western music-oriented sound greatly influenced by U.K. rock, especially British indie rock of the same period (in the late 1980s and early 1990s), such as psych/jangly guitar pop, Madchester and shoegaze. The lyrics are English. The first track 'Every Planets Son' was used as the opening theme for the TV program 'Fashion Tsushin'. 'Delux Edition' (released on Polystar in 2006) is a digitally-remastered reissue of 'The Best of Venus Peter' (released on Trattoria in 1996). It consists of disc-1 (15 tracks) and disc-2 (3 rare tracks). The disc-1 doesn't include 'Feels Like Fire' and 'Sunset Bell' (they were included in 'The Best of Venus Peter'), but it includes 'Doo Bee Free', 'Lemon' and 'Splendid Ocean Blue', instead. Recommended to those who like the Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream and Flipper's Guitar.

Violent Onsen Geisha/Otis (1993/1996)

Violent Onsen Geisha (1990-1997) is a one-man noise music act by Masaya Nakahara, a musician/film critic/novelist born in Tokyo in 1970. VOG had opened for Sonic Youth, Beck and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's concerts in Japan, and also performed live outside Japan many times, including a tour in the United States in 1995. The original of "Otis" was released on an independent label Endorphine Factory in 1993. This is a remixed edition released on the major label Toshiba EMI in 1996. Not a pure noise music, but a sound collage based on noise/industrial/hip-hop, with lots of samples of records and movie soundtracks. Humorous and chaotic sounds, for example, singing the theme song of a tokusatsu hero TV series "Mirrorman" in karaoke, and playing the melody of Paul Mauriat's "Love is blue". Recommended to those who like Boredoms, Pizzicato Five and Cornelius.

Susumu Yokota/Sakura (1999) *

An electronica musician and DJ who had released lots of singles and albums of house/techno/ambient music in several countries such as Germany, UK and Japan since 1992. His 1999 album released on his own Skintone label. Also released on the UK label Leaf in 2000. The title "Sakura" is a Japanese word which means "Cherry Blossom". An excellent ambient techno album featuring minimalism and afrobeat, like Brian Eno's 1970's experimental music. The sixth track "Gekkoh" samples Steve Reich's "Music for 18 Musicians". The eighth track "Azukiiro No Kaori" samples "Sometime Ago/La Fiesta" from Chick Corea's album "Return to Forever".

Nana Mizuki/The Museum (2000-2007)

A female singer and voice actress born in 1980, known for her outstanding singing ability, Nana Mizuki's first best-compilation album (#5 on the Japanese album charts). As a voice actress, she is known for her roles as Aria in the videgame "Sister Princess" series, Hinata Hyuga in "Naruto" and Fate Testarossa in "Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha". 2 discs of CD (16 tracks) and DVD. The CD includes the first 13 single A-side songs and others. Features "Innocent Starter" (#9. The opening theme for TV anime "Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha"), "Wild Eyes" (#13. The ending theme for TV anime "Basilisk"), "Eternal Blaze" (#2. The opening theme for TV anime "Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's"), "Super Generation" (#6) and others. The songs composed, arranged by Toshiro Yabuki and others. The DVD includes 3 studio live recordings and a music clip for a new song "Crystal Letter".

The Dynamites/Vintage Collection (1967-1969)

A GS band formed in Asagaya, Tokyo in 1965, the Dynamites' compilation album which includes all the studio recordings (all the 12 tracks from their only original album "Young Sound: R&B wa Kore da!" (1968) and 8 single tracks). Features Hiroshi Segawa (vocals) and Fujio Yamaguchi (guitar. He later joined Murahachibu). The performance is influenced by the 1960s R&B and British Blues rock, such the Rolling Stones and Them. The tracks are GS songs (composed by Kunihiko Suzuki, Koichi Sugiyama and others) and lots of covers of Western R&B/rock/pop, such as "Massachusetts" (The Bee Gees), "Daydream Believer", "Last Train to Clarksville" (The Monkees), "Walking the Dog" (Rufus Thomas), "My Girl" (The Temptations) and "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" (Joe Zawinul). The debut single "Tunnel Tengoku (Tunnel Heaven)" is a Japanese garage punk classic. "Koi wa Mou Takusan (I'm Fed Up with Love" and exotic "Manatsu no Yoru no Doubutsuen (A Midsummer Night's Zoo)" are good GS numbers.

Shinji Harada/Feel Happy (1978)

A singer-songwriter born in Hiroshima Pref. in 1958, Shinji Harada's debut album (#1 on the Japanese pop album charts). Released when he was 19 years old. Pop and melodic sound featuring piano, brass and strings, influenced by Western pop music, like Paul McCartney and Elton John. He composed and sung all the songs, played piano, keyboards, guitar and other instruments, arranged almost all the songs and produced the album with Takuro Yoshida. Includes the first two singles, "Teen's Blues" and "Candy". The guest musicians are Tatsuo Hayashi (drums), Shigeru Suzuki (guitar), Tsugutoshi Goto (bass) and others. The lyrics written by Takashi Matsumoto. The 2007 digitally-remastered reissue CD includes the third/fourth singles, "Shadow Boxer" and "Time Travel". His first three singles ranked top 20 in Japanese pop chart simultaneously. Ryuichi Sakamoto plays keyboards in "Shadow Boxer".

Chiyo Okumura/Chiyo! Coquettish Bomb (1994)

A female singer who debuted in 1965, Chiyo Okumura's compilation album (2 CDs). Compiled by Jun Miura, a manga artist/illustrator who calls himself a Chiyo Okumura fan, and released in 1994. Includes 40 tracks mainly forcusing on her songs released in around 1965-1971. Showa Kayo in the Enka/GS style, featuring Chiyo Okumura's coquettish and sensual vocals. Includes singles, "Gomenne Jiro (Sorry Jiro)" (1965), "Kitaguni no Aoi Sora" (a cover of the Ventures' "Hokkaido Skies") (1967), "Koi no Dorei (Slave of Love)" (1969. Her biggest hit song), "Shuuchakueki (Terminal Station)" (1971) and others. Recommended to Showa Kayo fans. The songs composed by Kunihiko Suzuki, Kyohei Tsutsumi, Keisuke Hama and others. "Look of love" is a cover of Burt Bacharach. "aux Camps-Elysées" is a cover of famous French pop song "Les Champs-Elysées" with Japanese lyrics.

Films/Misprint (1980/2009)

A new wave/techno pop band led by Chuji Akagi (vocals, guitar), Films' only official album. Released when Nobuo Nakahara (bass. Later he joined Portable Rock and Yapoos) and Takumi Iwasaki (synths, keyboards) were the members. Futuristic techno pop like Buggles, featuring Akagi's catchy pop songs and Kanji Honma's elaborate programmings of Roland MC-8. Includes the 1st single "TV Phone Age". All the songs written, composed and arranged by Chuji Akagi. The lyrics are mainly Japanese and partly English. The 2009 reissue CD (digitally-remastered by Akagi) includes 4 bonus tracks (2nd single "Girl" and 3 live recordings).

Masayoshi Yamazaki/Blue Period: Complete SOUND+VISION PACKAGE -Limited Edition (2008/1995-2006)

A singer/songwriter known for his acoustic guitar-centric melodic songs based on blues and folk, Masayoshi Yamazaki's best compilation album. "Blue Period" is originally a digitally remastered 2-CD single A-side collection released in 2005, and this 2008 renewal edition is a set of 4 discs, 2 SHM-CDs (includes additional 4 single tracks after the release of the original) and 2 DVDs (includes 21 music videos). Icludes "Celery" (covered by SMAP), "One More Time, One More Chance" (#18 on the Japanese pop charts. The theme song for the movie starring himself, "Tsuki to Kyabetsu/One More Time, One More Chance". Also used in Makoto Shinkai's anime film "5 Centimeters Per Second"), "Boku wa Koko ni Iru (I'm Here)" (#3), "Passage" (#6), "Ashita no Kaze (Tomorrow's Wind)" (#6), "Zenbu, Kimi Datta (You were All)" (#3), "Mikansei (Unfinished)" (#3), "Bokura wa Shizuka ni Kieteiku (We Go Away Quietly)" (#6), "Christmas in August" (#6. The theme song for the movie of the same title, starring himself) and others.

Soutaiseiriron/Chiffon/Capitalism (2008)

Soutaiseiriron (Japanese word for 'Theory of Relativity') is a Tokyo-based four-piece pop band formed in 2006. Their debut albumette (includes 5 tracks) 'Chiffon/Capitalism' was firstly recorded in 2006 and released as a self-published CD-R in 2007. Then, the remastered CD was released on the independent label Mirai Records in 2008. Guitar pop like the 1980s indie pop, featuring unemotional female vocals and surreal, strange lyrics with lots of games of rhyming. Includes 'Love Zukkyun' (the music video had been distributed on the internet such as MySpace and YouTube). All the words and music written by Shuichi Mabe (bass). It topped Tower Records Japan's weekly J-pop indies chart.

Exile/Perfect Best (2005/2001-2004)

Exile is an all-male vocal/dance group formed by Hiro as the leader in 2001, which consists of vocalists and performers (dancers). Their first best compilation album 'Perfect Best' is a set of 2 CDs ('Single Best' and 'Select Best') and one DVD. 'Single Best' includes 14 singles released from 2001 to 2004. 'Select Best' includes 15 tracks from albums, limited singles and singles featuring other artists. The DVD includes 21 music videos. Sophisticated sound in urban contemporary soul style. The songs are soul ballads at medium/slow tempo, J-pop with catchy melodies, funky dance tunes and the like. The vocalists are Atsushi and Shun. Includes the singles, 'Your Eyes Only' (#4 on the Japanese pop charts), 'Together' (#2), 'Choo Choo Train' (#2), 'Carry On' (#2), 'real world' (#1), 'HERO' (#2) and others.

Mono/You Are There (2006)

A four-piece instrumental rock band formed in Tokyo in 1999, Mono's fourth full-length album. The members are Takaakira "Taka" Goto (guitar), Yoda (guitar), Tamaki (bass) and Yasunori Takada (drums). The sound in the post-rock/ambient style with strings and feedbacking noise guitar, like Mogwai. Extremely lyrical music featuring melancholy and beautiful melodies. Engineered and mixed by Steve Albini. Released on an independent label Human Highway Records. Also released in South Korea, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Recommended to those who like Mogwai, My Bloody Valentine and World's End Girlfriend.

Livetune feat.Hatsune Miku/Re:package (2008)

Livetune is a music group of two members, kz and kajyuki. 'Hatsune Miku' is Crypton Future Media's computer music software, powered by Yamaha's singing synthesizer software 'Vocaloid2'. The voice data was created by sampling the voice of Saki Fujita, a voice actress. Livetune gained prominence in 2007, when they put songs featuring Hatsune Miku on vocals on the Internet. The debut album 'Re:package' was originally released as a dojin (self-published) music CD in 2008, and later re-released with three tracks added on a major label Victor Entertainment (#5 on the Japanese pop album charts). The songs are techno/electro pop/house style tracks and ballads with beautiful melodies. Hatsune Miku's vocals lack verve, sense of rhythm and delicate expressiveness like real human songs, but they have interesting effects by changing voice qualities, processing with a vocoder and adjusting more mechanical purposely. Includes the debut song 'Packaged' (played on the Net over seven hundred thousand times). Recommended to those who like techno pop/Dojin music listeners and Under17/Perfume fans.

T.M.Revolution/The Complete Single Collection of T.M.Revolution 1000000000000 -billion- (1996-2006)

A singer, Takanori Nishikawa's solo project started in 1996 with total production by Daisuke Asakura. A best compilation album (2 CDs) that covers all the 21 single tracks released until 2006. Eurodance style sound featuring programmed synths and Nishikawa's powerful vocals, like TM Network or B'z in the early days. Includes "Heart of Sword -Yoake Mae (Before Dawn) -" (The ending theme for TV anime "Rurouni Kenshin"), "White Breath" (#1 on Japanese pop charts), "Hot Limit" (#1), "Burnin' X'mas" (#2), "Wild Rush" (#2), "Invoke" (#2. The opening theme for TV anime "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED"), "ignited" (#1. The opening theme for TV anime "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY"), "vestige" (#1) and others. All the songs composed, arranged by Daisuke Asakura and written by Akio Inoue.

Ogre You Asshole/Alpha Beta vs. Lambda (2007)

A rock band from Nagano Pref., who have been acting since around 2000, Ogre You Asshole's second album. Released on their own independent label Oya (distributed by UK Project). Post-rock oriented guitar pop influenced by US indie rock such as Modest Mouse and Built to Spill, and punk/new wave bands such as Television and Gang of Four. Intertwining two guitars and lightheaded, high-toned vocals.

Buono!/Café Buono! (2008)

One of the subunits derived from the girl idol groups of Hello! Project, Buono!'s debut album. The members are Momoko Tsugunaga and Miyabi Natsuyaki from Berryz Kobo, and Airi Suzuki from °C-ute. Girl idol pop with rock/power pop-oriented arrangement. Includes three single tracks, "Honto no Jibun (True Self)" (ending theme for the TV anime "Shugo Chara!"), "Kokoro no Tamago (Egg of the Heart)" (opening theme for "Shugo Chara!") and "Renai Rider (Romance Rider)" (ending theme for "Shugo Chara!"). "Internet Cupid" is a song in techno pop style, like Perfume. The first press limited edition includes a DVD.

Maximum the Hormone/Buiikikaesu (2007) *

A rock band formed in Hachioji, Tokyo in 1998, Maximum the Hormone's fifth full-length album (#4 on the Japanese pop album charts). The members are Maximum the Ryo-kun (guitar, vocals), Daisuke-han (vocals), Ue-chan (bass) and Nao (drums, vocals. Ryo-kun's elder sister). Pop and heavy sound based on heavy metal and hardcore punk, features catchy vocal melodies, death growls and Japanese lyrics which don't sound like Japanese. Sophisticated performing technique. Includes "What's Up, People?!" (opening theme for the TV anime "Death Note"), "Zetsubou Billy" (ending theme for the TV anime "Death Note"), "Akagi" (ending theme for the TV anime "Akagi"), and "Koi no Mega Lover" (opening theme for music info program "CDTV"). Recommended to Japanese heavy metal/punk pop/melodic hardcore listeners, Kinniku Shojo Tai fans, and Western heavy rock listeners too.

Pinkloop/Dischordic (2004)

A three-piece rock band formed by Yuki (bass, vocals, piano, programming, songwriting) in Kyoto in 2001, Pinkloop's second full-length album. Released on an independent label Rock Chipper Records. Power pop-oriented melodic punk pop with harmonic chorus. The lyrics are English.

Oceanlane/On My Way Back Home (2004)

A rock band formed by Hajime Takei (vocals, guitar) and Kay Naoe (guitar, vocals) in Tokyo in 2001, Oceanlane's debut album. Released on an independent label Handicraft Recordings. Totally Western music-oriented sound based on mainly UK guitar pop and adding a tinge of US emo/melodic hardcore rock. The lyrics are English. Beautiful melodies. Includes a limited single track "Sign". Re-issued in 2007 with two bonus tracks from a limited maxi single "Out of Reason". Recommended to Western music fans who like UK guitar pop with beautiful melodies.

Beat Crusaders/P.O.A.: Pop on Arrival (2005)

A rock band formed in 1997 and led by Toru Hidaka (vocals, guitar), Beat Crusaders' first full album on major label. Punk pop influenced by power pop, melodic hardcore and the 1980s new wave/synth pop. Features two singles, 'Hit in the USA' (the opening theme of TV anime 'Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad') and 'Feel'. The lyrics are English. Recommended to those who like punk pop and power pop-oriented guitar rock such as Weezer.

The Band Apart/K. and His Bike (2003)

A rock band formed in 1998, the Band Apart's debut album. The members are Takeshi Arai (vocals, guitar), Koichi Kawasaki (guitar), Masakazu Hara (bass) and Eiichi Kogure (drums). High-quality guitar rock with sophisticated performing technique, assimilating melodic hardcore, fusion, jazz, soul and bossa nova. The lyrics are English. The single track "Eric.W" is especially good for its song style like Prefab Sprout. Features a cover of "When You Wish Upon a Star" from the 1940 Walt Disney movie "Pinocchio" (released in the tribute album to Disney, "Dive into Disney") as a secret track after the eleventh track.

Tokyo No.1 Soul Set/9 9/9 (1999)

A hip-hop group debuted on a major label in 1994, Tokyo No.1 Soul Set's third album. A trio of Bikke (vocals, lyric), Toshimi Watanabe (guitar, vocals, sound production) and Hiroshi Kawabe (DJ, track making). Bikke's talking-style rap with Japanese literary lyrics, and Watanabe's songs with wailing melodies are impressive. Features the single tracks, "Yoake Mae/Before the Dawn" (9 9/9 mix), "Sunday", "Bow & Arrow" (9 9/9 mix) and "Kakusenai Asu wo Tsurete/Taking Tomorrow Can't be Hidden". The sample sources are the Motions/Freedom on "Sunday", Allen Toussaint/You Will Not Lose on "Yoake Mae" and others.

Cibo Matto/Stereo Type A (1999)

A New York-based band formed as a Japanese-born female duo of Miho Hatori (vocals) and Yuka Honda (sampler, keyboards) in 1994, Cibo Matto's second full-length album. Released when Sean Lennon, Timo Ellis and Duma Love were full-time members. A good pop album with a combination of hip-hop, funk, bossa nova and full use of samples. The guest musicians are Marc Ribot, Yumiko Ohno of Buffalo Daughter and others. Recommended to those who like Pizzicato Five and Cornelius. The Japanese edition has 16 tracks including two bonus tracks.

Combo Piano/Tetrascroll (2000)

Combo Piano (Combopiano) is a one-man project by Takuma Watanabe, a music producer, composer and keyboard/piano player born in 1975. The second album under the name of Combo Piano. Released on the independent label MIDI Creative. A collection of 10 short tracks (27 minutes in total). Experimental and acoustic music mixing electronica and jazz, ambient and minimalism. The musicians are Steve Swallow (jazz bassist), Robby Ameen (jazz drummer), Yoshihiro Hannno (computer, synths) and Hiroyuki Koike Quartet (strings quartet).

Yuko Miyamura/Best Collection (1996-1998)

A voice actress known for her roles as Angel Daisy/Hinagiku Tamano in 'Wedding Peach', Asuka Langley Soryu in 'Neon Genesis Evangelion', and Kazuha Toyama in 'Detective Conan/Case Closed'. Her sixth album and first best-compilation album. The songs composed and arranged by Kazuyuki Sekiguchi, Keitaro Takanami, Kohei Tanaka and others. Features single tracks, "Konjo Sentai Guts-man" (theme song for Kazuhiko Shimamoto's manga 'Konjo Sentai Guts-man' created by request from Yuko Miyamura as a parody of the Super Sentai series), "Heisei Ijin-den (Lives of Heisei Great Men)", "Kanon" (a cover with Japanese lyrics of Pachelbel's Canon), "Mother" (written, composed and arranged by Susumu Hirasawa), and "Koi to Yokubou (Love and Desire)". "Kare to Kanojo no Sonnet (His and Her Sonnet)" (a cover of French singer, Elsa Lunghini's hit song "T'en va pas/Don't Go Away" with Japanese lyrics by Taeko Onuki).

Thee Michelle Gun Elephant/Gear Blues (1998)

A four-piece-rock band formed at Tokyo's Meiji Gakuin University in 1991, Thee Michelle Gun Elephant's fourth album. The band's first release in the United States (released in the US in 2000). Noisy, straight-ahead rock & roll in a garage-punk style, like Iggy Pop and the Stooges, the Who, and MC5. A good rock album. Includes the single track "G.W.D". The US version features "Jenny" (B-side frack of the single "Smokin' Billy") as a hidden track.

Miyuki Nakajima/Singles (1975-1986)

A female singer/songeriter who has gained popularity for a long time with her distinctive style of heavy, dark songs about something like "Japanese pathos", Miyuki Nakajima's 3-CD best compilation album which includes all the 40 single tracks (A/B sides) in her early days (1975-1986). The debut song "Azami Jo no Lullaby" (Thistle Girl's Lullaby), "Jidai" (Time Goes Around), "Wakareuta" (The Parting Song) (#1 on the Japanese pop charts), "Akujo" (Bad Girl) (#1 on the Japanese pop charts) and others.

Laughin' Nose/Laughin' Complete VAP Tracks (1985-1986/2005)

A punk band formed with the frontman Charmy (vocals) in Osaka in 1981. A compilation album (2 CDs) which covers all the recordings on the major label VAP, including all the tracks of two original albums, "Laughin' Nose" (1985) and "Laughin' Roll" (1986). They had been a hardcore punk band in the early 1980s when they called 'big three of the indies' with The Willard and Uchoten, but they played simple rock 'n' roll with pop and catchy melodies in those days. The lyrics are mainly Japanese and partly English. "Fallin' Fallin' into Your Heart" with English lyrics is a good pop song.

Kozo Murashita/Apple & Lemon: Kozo Murashita Best Selection (1980-1994)

A singer-songwriter born in Kumamoto Pref. in 1953 (died suddenly in 1999 at age 46), Kozo Murashita's best compilation album. Known for his Showa Kayo-like beautiful melodies, sensitive songs like folk songs and lyrical lyrics (in only Japanese) about faint love or tragic love. 16 tracks in total. Mainly consists of his single tracks, such as 'Harusame (Spring Rain)', 'Yuko', 'Hatsukoi (First Love)' (#3 on Japanese pop charts. His biggest hit), 'Odoriko (A Little Dancer)', 'Shojo (A Girl)', 'Yume no Tsuzuki (Sequel to a Dream)', 'Kazaguruma (A Pinwheel)', 'Hidamari (A Sunny Spot)' (Opening theme for TV anime 'Maison Ikkoku'), 'Sonnet' and 'Akina'.

Yui/From Me to You (2006)

A female singer-songwriter born in Fukuoka in 1987, Yui's debut album. Simple guitar pop with wildly-strumming acoustic/electric guitars and catchy vocal melodies. Includes four single tracks, "Feel My Soul" (theme song for the TV drama "Fukigen na Gene"), "Tomorrow's Way", "Life" (ending theme for the TV anime "Bleach") and "Tokyo". The eleventh track "I Know" is a song released on an independent single for Kyushu area only.

Zard/Golden Best -15th Anniversary- (1991-2006)

A pop group featuring female vocalist Izumi Sakai (vocals and lyric writing), Zard's best compilation album (a set of 2 CDs. 27 songs in total). Zard created lots of hits with Izumi Sakai's unpretentious vocals and catchy songs composed by Tetsuro Oda, Seiichiro Kuribayashi and others, and established a record for the largest total single-CD sales as female vocals in Japan in the 1990s. Includes the debut single "Good-bye My Loneliness", "Makenaide (Don't Give Up)" (#1 on the Japanese pop charts), "Kimi ga Inai (You're Not Here)" (#2), "Yureru Omoi (Wavering Thoughts)" (#1), "Mou Sukoshi Ato Sukoshi... (A Little More, Just a Little More...)" (#2), "Kitto Wasurenai (Forget You Not)" (#1), "Kono Ai ni Oyogi Tsukarete mo (Tired of Swimming in This Love)" (#1), "Konna ni Soba ni Iru no ni (Even Though You're at My Side Like This)" (#1), "Anata o Kanjiteitai (I Want to Feel You)" (#2), "Ai ga Mienai (I Can't See Love)" (#2), "Sayonara wa Ima mo Kono Mune ni Imasu (Goodbyes are Still in My Heart Now)" (#1), "My Friend" (#1. The ending theme for TV anime 'Slam Dunk'), "Kokoro o Hiraite (Open Your Heart)" (#1), "Don't You See!" (#1), "Eien (Eternity)" (#1), "Unmei no Roulette Mawashite (Turn the Roulette of Destiny)" (#1. The opening theme for TV anime 'Detective Conan') and others.

Perfume/Game (2008)

The idol techno pop group of three women from Hiroshima Prefecture; Ayaka Nishiwaki (A-chan), Yuka Kashino (Kashiyuka) and Ayano Ohmoto (Nocchi), Perfume's second album (#1 on the Japanese pop album charts). Includes single tracks, 'Chocolate Disco', 'Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow', 'Polyrhythm' (used the Environment Recycle Campaign by NHK), 'Baby cruising Love' and 'Macaroni'. The title track 'Game' is a song in the electro house style. All the songs written, arranged and produced by Yasutaka Nakata (capsule). The first limited edition features a bonus DVD (live images, music video and so on).

Fumiya Tanaka/Unknown Possibility Vol.1 (1997)

A techno musician/producer/DJ from Kyoto, known as Japan's most talented techno DJ in the world, Fumiya Tanaka's debut album. Stoic and hard minimal techno with simple beats. Recommended to those who like Jeff Mills and the like.

Buffalo Daughter/New Rock (1998)

A rock band formed in 1993 by two ex-Havana Exotica members SuGar Yoshinaga (guitar, TB-303, shortwave radio, vocals) and Yumiko Ohno (bass, Minimoog, vocals) with MoOog Yamamoto (turntables, vocals), Buffalo Daughter's second full-length album. Experimental and pop sound fusing simple guitar-bass-drum rock with samples and electronic instruments such as TB-303, Minimoog and shortwave radio. A variety of styles, such as spacy psych rock like German experimental bands, garage rock/grunge, mondo/lounge-pop, hip hop/drum and bass... The lyrics are English and Japanese. The Japanese edition was released on Toshiba-EMI. The US edition was released on Grand Royal (Beastie Boys' label). Recommended to those who like Pizzicato Five and Cornelius.

Yoshihiro Hanno/Lido (2003) *

An electronica musician who formed a hip-hop group News from Street Connection in 1992, and later released an album 'King of May' as Multiphonic Ensemble from Belgian label 'Sub Rosa' in 1997. Also known for his collaboration album 'Liquid Glass' (1998) featuring Mick Karn (former-Japan bassist), and movie sound tracks such as Hou Hsiao-Hsien's 'Flowers of Shanghai' (1998) and Jia Zhangke's 'Platform' (2000). A 2003 album. A graceful sound space in chamber music/bossa nova/ambient sytle, featuring vocals and acoustic instruments, such as winds, strings, piano and guitar, with electronic sounds such as samples and glitch noises. The guest musicians are Joan La Barbara (a vocalist in contemporary music. Known for her works with John Cage), Arto Lindsay (vocals, guitar), Shigeharu Sasago (guitar) from Choro Club and others. The lyrics are French, English and Portuguese.

Eastern Youth/Koritsumuen no Hana (The Flowers of Isolation) (1997)

A three-piece rock band formed in 1988 by Hisashi Yoshino (guitar, voice) in in Sapporo, Hokkaido. One of the pioneering bands in Japanese Emo (emotional hard-core), along with Bloodthirsty Butchers. The fifth album and last one released before their major label debut. Emotional sound with loud guitars, explosive vocals, lyrical melodies and literary Japanese lyrics. Includes a single track "Hadashi de Ikazaru wo Enai (I Have to Go Barefoot)".

The Brilliant Green/Complete Single Collection '97-'08 (1997-2008)

A trio of Shunsaku Okuda (bass), Ryo Matsui (guitar) and female vocalist Tomoko Kawase, rock band the Brilliant Green's first best compilation album that includes all the 17 A-side single tracks released until Feb. 2008. A collection of good pop songs featuring the band sound influenced by Western guitar pop, the melodies of J-pop mainstream, and Tomoko Kawase's languid vocals. The lyrics are English and Japanese. The debut single "Bye Bye Mr. Mug", "There Will Be Love There" (The theme song for the TV drama "Love Again". #1 on the Japaese pop charts), "Tsumetai Hana (Cold Flowers)" (#1), "Sono Speed de (At the Speed)" (The theme song for the TV drama "Over Time". #1), "Nagai Tameiki no youni (Like A Long Sigh)" (#4), "Hello Another Way" (#8), "Angel Song" (The theme song for the TV drama "Merry Christmas at Midsummer". #3), "Stand By Me" (The ending theme for the TV drama "Detective School Q". #10), "Ash Like Snow" (The opening theme for the TV anime "Mobile Suit Gundam 00". #8) and others.

Ellegarden/Riot on the Grill (2005)

A pop punk/melodic hardcore band formed in 1998 in Chiba, Ellegarden's fourth full album. A quartet featuring Takeshi Hosomi (vocals, guitar, songwriting). The sound just like American pop punk bands since the mid-1990s. Catchy, beautiful melodies and lyrics in impeccable English are featured (the lyrics are mainly in English and partly in Japanese). A smash hit album in Japan (#3 on the Japanese album charts). Released in the US too. Includes a single "Missing". Recommended to those who like Weezer and Green Day.

Phew/Phew (1981)

A female vocalist (ex-pank band Aunt Sally member), Phew's solo debut album. Released on an independent label Pass Records. A collaboration with the members of Krautrock band Can (Holger Czukay and Jaki Liebezeit), a famous Krautrock producer Conny Plank and Yoshitaka Goto (the Pass Records organizer). Avant-garde electro pop without rock/pop standard forms. The sound is like DAF and Cluster produced by Conny Plank. Recorded at mixed at Conny's Studio and Czukay's Editing Laboratory in Germany. Reissued on CD in 2005 with "Kodomo (Children)" unreleased in the original album and the original mixed versions of "Dream" and "Aqua".

Hideaki Tokunaga/Single Collection (1986-1991) (1986-1991)

A male singer/songwriter who had created lots of hits with his husky, clear and high voice in the late 1980s and the early 1990s. Well-known for his ballads with catchy melodies. A compilation album which includes all the 13 single tracks released until 1991. "Kagayakinagara... (Shining...)" (#4 on the Japanese pop charts), "Yume wo Shinjite (Believe in Dreams)" (#3. The ending theme for the TV anime "Dragon Quest/Dragon Warrior"), "Kowarekake no Radio (A Dilapidated Radio)" (#5), "Wednesday Moon" (#1) and others.

Kosaku Yamada/Akatonbo (2005)

Kosaku Yamada (1886-1965) is a Japanese composer and conductor, and the first Japanese musician who composed pieces in the Western classical music form, such as symphonies, symphonic poems, modern vocal music and operas, and valued from Europe and the United States. An anthology (a set of 2 CDs, 58 tracks in total) which mainly consists of his songs (Lieder) and children's songs, such as "Akatombo/Red Dragonfly" (composed in 1927), "Kono Michi/This Path" (1927), "Karatachi no Hana/Trifoliate Orange Flowers" (1925), "Pechka" (1923), "Awate-Dokoya/A Barber in Haste" (1927), "Kane ga Narimasu/The Bell Rings" (1923), and "Machibouke/Waiting in Vain" (1923). Beautiful melodies with using Japanese intonation and accent. Released on Victor in 2005. The recording dates are not listed. Performed by Kurumi Kobato, Aiko Koori, Bonny Jacks, Kuniko Nakamura, Hiroko Nakamura, Kyoko Ito, Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus and others.

S.O.B./What's the Truth? (1990)

A Japanese rock band who is known as one of the pioneers of grindcore and thrashcore, and influenced the UK/US grindcore bands such as Napalm Death and Brutal Truth. The second album released on the independent label Selfish Records (the English version is released on Rise Above Records). Their music was in the hardcore punk style in their early days after the band formed in 1985, but this album has grindcore/death metal-oriented sound. The lyrics are English. The CD (released on Toy's Factory) Also features 6 bonus tracks, including 4 tracks from split EP with Napalm Death (1989).

AKB48/SET LIST -Greatest Songs 2006-2007 (2006-2007/2008)

AKB48 is an all-female idol group formed in 2005. They consist of 48 members divided into three teams: Team A, Team K and Team B. Their performance is theater-based, like Tokyo Performance Doll in the early 1990s, and they perform at their own theater "AKB48 Theater" in Akihabara most days of the week. The total produced and the lyrics written by Yasushi Akimoto, a broadcasting writer and lyricist who had produced Onyanko Club in the 1980s. The music is girls' pop in Showa Kayo (Japaese lowbrow pop songs in the Showa era) style, like Onyanko Club. The group's first original album that includes mainly single tracks, such as "Sakura no Hanabiratachi/Cherry Petals", "Skirt, Hirari/Skirt Flapping", "Aitakatta/Wanted to Meet You", "BINGO!", "Boku no Taiyo/My Sun" and "Yuuhi wo Miteiruka?/Are You Looking at the Sunset?"

(Various Artists)/Japanese Rockin' Psyche & Punk '65-'71: Psychedelic Man (Columbia) (1965-1970)

The Columbia edition of the series "Japanese Rockin' Psyche & Punk '65-'71", a compilation of Japanese psyche rock/garage punk-oriented GS tracks released in 1965-1971, co-planned by Universal, Columbia, King, Victor, Teichiku, Tokuma and Toshiba EMI. Jackey Yoshikawa and his Blue Comets/Psychedelic Man, The Mojo/Crazy Midnight, Yuya Uchida and the Flowers/Last Chance, Emy Jackson/Namida no Go Go (Tears' Go Go), Hajime Kaido/Snacky de Orodou (Dancin' with Snacky), Yasushi Suzuki/Gokiburi Tengoku (Cockroach Heaven), Jacks/Iiko dane, Mieko Hirota/Shake and Roll, Flower Travellin' Band + Herumasa Hino Quintet/Crash, and others (25 tracks in total). Includes lots of psych and cool numbers featuring fuzz guitar and organ.

World's End Girlfriend/The Lie Lay Land (2005)

The musical project of Katsuhiko Maeda, World's End Girlfriend's 4th album. Dramatic sound space in the electronica/post-rock style, blending electronic sounds with acoustic instruments (winds, strings, piano, drums and bass). A strange fusion between extreme sound editing/collage and classical beauty. Nostalgic melodies. Recommended to those who like Aphex Twin.

Shingetsu/New Moon (1979)

A Japanese progressive rock band worked in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Shingetu's one and only officially-released album. Delicate symphonic prog rock with strong spiritualism and Japanese lyricism, having something in common with the English progressive rock band, Genesis. Includes a masterpiece "Oni". The CD/DVD box "The Whole Story of Shingetsu 1976-1982" (5 CDs and DVD) including a remastered version of this album was released in 2005. The remastered CD of this album was released individually in 2007.

Tabito Nanao/Ame ni Utaeba...! disc2 (1999)

A singer & songwriter born in 1979, Tabito Nanao's debut album. A unique pop album with blending of alternative guitar rock, drum and bass, jazz and acid folk. Distinctive style of singing with high-pitched, insistently-whispering voices. Beautiful melodies. Recommended to those who like Beck and Cornelius.

Bikyoran/Bikyoran (1982)

A progressive rock band led by Kunio Suma (guitar, vocals), Bikyoran's debut album. Guitar-centered percussive and aggressive sound just like King Crimson in the early 1970s, such as "Larks' Tongues in Aspic". The dark and tension-filled atmosphere is cool. A good Japanese prog-rock album in the King Crimson style.

Chatmonchy/Miminari (Tinnitus) (2006)

A three-piece girls rock band led by Eriko Hashimoto (guitar, vocals) from Tokushima Prefecture, Chatmonchy's first full-length album. Alternative guitar pop featuring muscular, stormy band sound with guitar distortion. Girls-view lyrics. Includes "Hana no Yume (Flower's Dream)" (album mix) from debut mini album, 2 single tracks "Koi no Kemuri (Love Smoke)" (album mix) and "Ren'ai Spirits (Love Spirits)". Produced by Junji Ishiwatari (ex-Supercar guitarist).

Ayumi Hamasaki/A Best (1998-2001)

A female singer, Ayumi Hamasaki's first best compilation album. Includes mainly her single tracks released from 1998 debut through until 2000 (she had been called a 'charisma over high-school girls' at that time). A smash hit album that sold over four million copies in Japan. There are four tracks with re-recorded vocals. "Trust (New Vocal & Mix)" (A commercial image song for Kao Sofina Aube), "Depend on you (New Vocal & Mix)", "LOVE -Destiny- (New Mix)" (#1 on Japanese pop charts), "To Be (New Mix)", "Boys & Girls (New Mix)" (#1. A commercial image song for Kao Sofina Aube), "appears" (A Christmas commercial song for Kao Sofina Aube), "Fly high" (A commercial song for Lycos Japan), "vogue" (A commercial song for Kosé Visee), "Far away" (A commercial image song for TU-KA), "SEASONS" (#1), "SURREAL" (#1), "M" (#1. A commercial image song for TU-KA) and others. The songs composed by Kazuhito Kikuchi, D.A.I (Dai Nagao) and others. Produced by Max Matsuura.

Fushitsusha/Fushitsusha (1st) (1989)

An underground rock band led by Keiji Haino (guitar, vocals), Fushitsusha's debut album. They have worked as a live band since around 1978, but this is a live recording in 1987-1988. Featuring Maki Miura (guitar, ex-Les Rallizes Dénudés). Guitar-centered, drone-based avant-garde psychedelic rock on the sound concept of 'reverb junkie'. Released as 2 LPs on P.S.F. Records in 1989. Also released as 2 CDs in 1997.

Yukari Onishi & Shinsekai/Yukari Onishi & Shinsekai (2002)

A female singer from Osaka, Yukari Onishi's band. Known for her powerful and soulful shouting vocals. She had originally belonged to a gospel choir. After joining gospel singer Jaye Kohyama's "Jaye's Mass Choir", she has worked as a soul singer with her band, Shinsekai ("New World" in English. It comes from Osaka's amusement area. Her home ground). A reissued album which remastered their debut album of the same title released on an independent label in 2001 and added two bonus tracks. The sound fusing Showa Kayo (Japaese lowbrow pop songs in the Showa era) with soul music such as R&B. "Shin-Micchii Ondo" is a cover of Michi Aoyama's 1963 hit song "Micchii Ondo". "Koi no Aji (Taste of Love)" is a cover of Sanae Sasaki's 1969 song (written by Takuya Fujimoto). "Go Kart Twist" is a cover of the theme song for the 1962 Italian film "Diciottenni al sole" (sung by Gianni Morandi, composed by Ennio Morricone). "Kitaguni yuki de (To Northland)" is Eiko Shuri's 1972 hit song. Recommended to those who like Showa Kayo and Crazy Ken Band.

Luna Sea/Singles (1993-1996)

One of the popular bands of the early so-called "Visual-kei" rock scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s, along with X Japan. Knwon for their aesthetic songs with catchy melodies, featuring Ryuichi, later Ryuichi Kawamura's high tone vocals. A best compilation album (2 CDs) that includes the single tracks released from their 1993 debut on major-label to 1996 suspension of activities. A smash hit album which became a million seller in Japan. Features "Rosier" (#3 on the Japanese pop charts), "True Blue" (#1), "Desire" (#1), "End of Sorrow" (#1) and "In Silence" (#2).

Les Rallizes Dénudés/'67-'69 STUDIO et LIVE (1991/1968-1969)

Les Rallizes Dénudés (called 'Hadaka no Rallizes' in Japanese) is a psychedelic rock band formed with Takashi Mizutani (vocals, guitar) in 1967. Known for their loud and noisy feedbacking guitar. Their earliest recording (1968-1969, in Kyoto). In those days they had collaborated with an amateur underground theater troupe 'Gendai-Gekijo' (also known as 'Modern Art Society'). An original member, Moriaki Wakabayashi (bass) participated in the hijacking of Japan Airlines Flight 351 by the Japanese Communist League-Red Army Faction and defected to North Korea in 1970. The first track "Smokin' Cigarette Blues" is a loud noise instrumental piece and only recording by the original members. The other tracks are garage-rock style numbers and acid-folk style songs. Recommended to those who like the Velvet Underground and Jacks. There are only three albums officially released (on CD in 1991), this one, "Mizutani-Les Rallizes Dénudés" and "'77 LIVE" (2 CDs). Each one is a very limited edition and very hard to find in markets.

Zelda/Carnaval (1983)

An all-girl-quartet new wave band led by Sachiho Kojima (bass) and Sayoko Takahashi (vocals), Zelda's second album. A classic of the 1980s Japanese new wave. Produced by Ryomei Shirai from Moonriders. "Are You Lucky?" is a coproduction (songwriting) with Keiichi Suzuki from Moonriders.

Kobukuro/All Singles Best (2001-2006)

A male pop duo of Kentaro Kobuchi (guitar, vocals) and Shunsuke Kuroda (vocals), Kobukuro's best compilation album (2 CDs. 20 tracks) that includes all the A-side single tracks released until 2006. A smash hit album that sold over two million copies in Japan. They started as a folk duo on the streets in Osaka in 1998, and after their major-label debut in 2001, they have created lots of national hit songs with catchy melodies. Includes their debut song "Yell", "Towa ni Tomo ni (Forever Together)" (a standard song for wedding party), "Koko ni shika Sakanai Hana (A Flower That Blooms Only Here)", "Sakura (Cherry Blossom)", "Kimi toiu Na no Tsubasa (Wings Named You)" and others

EP-4/Lingua Franca-1 (1983)

A funk band formed with Kaoru Sato (voice) in Kyoto in 1980, EP-4's one and only full-length album. Underground electro funk with heavy beat and processed voice by using effectors. Recommended to those who like the Pop Group, A Certain Ratio and trip hop.

Omokage Lucky Hole/Dairi-Haha (A Surrogate Mother) (1998)

A Kayo-funk rock band formed by ACKY (vocals) and Sinner-Yang (bass) in 1994, Omokage Lucky Hole's major-label debut album. The sound is based on soul music such as funk, R&B and hip hop. The melodies and lyrics are in Showa Kayo (Japaese lowbrow pop songs in the Showa era) style such as mood chorus kayo and enka. The lyrics (each song has each story) on the dark sides of lives (liquor trade, prostitution and others) are striking, but the music itself is high-quality finished. Includes lots of good songs such as "Kon-ya Sugamo de (In Sugamo Tonight)", "Kanarazu Onaji Tokoro de (Surely in the Same Situation)", "Anna ni Hantai shiteta Otou-san ni Beer wo Tsugarete (My Stepfather Poured Me a Beer, Though He Had Been So Against Me)", "Suki na Otoko no Namae Ude ni Compass no Hari de Kaita (I Wrote My Favorite Man's Name on My Arm with Needle of a Compass)", "Ore no sei de Koshien ni Ikenakatta (We Couldn't Enter Koshien at My Hands)" and "Yoru no Mizutamari (A Puddle of the Night)". "Tama-Plaza Kaikyou (Tama-Plaza Channel)" is a song like the Southern All Stars' old tunes. "Kin-yobi no Tenshi (Angel on Friday)" is a cover of Haruo Chikada & Vibratones. Three tracks arranged and produced by OTO (ex-Jagatara, Vibrastone). Recommended to those who like Showa Kayo and Crazy Ken Band.

Eiichi Otaki/Each Time (1984)

A pop album with elaborate and massive sound, which developed the style of his previous album "A Long Vacation". #1 on the Japanese pop album charts. The songs in themselves are mellow and peaceful. Not so glamorous as "A Long Vacation". I recommend the 2004 reissued CD "Each Time 20th Anniversary Edition", for it has best quality of sound and it features two single tracks not included in the original LP, "Bachelor Girl", "Fjord no Shojo (A Girl in the Fjord)", and three bonus tracks. "Peppermint Blue" and "Bachelor Girl" are especially good.

JAM Project/Best Project -JAM Project Best Collection- (2000-2002)

JAM Project (Japan Animationsong Makers Project) is an Anison (anime song) singers group formed in 2000 by Ichiro Mizuki to get back the original, powerful anime songs full of spirits to the contemporary animes. The first best compilation album featuring the primary period members, Ichiro Mizuki, Hironobu Kageyama, Rica Matsumoto, Eizo Sakamoto and Masaaki Endoh. The dynamic sound in the hard rock style. Includes "Storm" (OAV "Shin Getter Robo vs. Neo Getter Robo" opening theme), "Soultaker" (TV anime "The SoulTaker" opening theme), "Hagane no Kyuseishu (Steel Savior)" (PlayStation game "Super Robot Wars Alpha Gaiden" opening theme), "Fire Wars" (OAV "Mazinkaiser" opening theme), "Crush Gear Fight!" (TV anime "Crush Gear Turbo" opening theme) and others. The album jacket is a parody of Deep Purple's album "Deep Purple in Rock".

Rei Harakami/Red Curb (2001) *

A Hiroshima-born, Kyoto-based electronica musician, Rei Harakami's third album. Beautiful electronica sound (instrumental) with a peaceful atmosphere and a delicate touch like painting in watercolors. Very easy to listen to and comfortable, but exquisite music full of complex rhythms and unpredictable changes. The title track 'red curb' is a good tune with effectively-used arpeggio guitar.

Kazuyoshi Nakamura/Kinjitou (A Gold Tower) (1997)

A musician born in Tokyo in 1975, Kazuyoshi Nakamura's debut album. Acoustic melodic pop inspired by the 1960s UK/US pop such as the Beatles and the Beach Boys. High-toned vocals with lots of falsetto voices. Unique Japanese lyrics. The sound is filled with lightheadedness. The songs have superior quality. All the songs except "Maru, Sankaku, Shikaku (Circle, Triangle, Square)" (a cover of a hit song from children's TV show 'Hirake! Ponkicki'. Composed by Akira Oyamada) composed, written, arranged and produced by Kazuyoshi Nakamura. Based on his bedroom recording in which he sang, chorused and played drums, guitar, bass and percussions. The guest musicians are Hiroshi Takano (guitar), Shigeru Suzuki (guitar) and others. Features single tracks, 'Inu to Neko (Dog and Cat)/Koko ni Iru (I'm Here)', 'Machi no Hi (City Lights)/I-sse-no-se! (Hup!)', 'Tensai towa (Genius is)/Itsuka (Someday)' and 'Eien narumono (Eternal)'.

Angela Aki/Home (2006)

A female singer/songwriter born in 1977 to a Japanese father and an Italian-American mother, Angela Aki's major-label debut album. Simple style mainly based on the piano accompaniment. Powerful vocals and dynamic piano playing. The lyrics are Japanese (partly English). Includes four single tracks, "Home", "Kokoro no Senshi (Fighter of the Heart)", a good ballad "Kiss Me Good-Bye" (the videogame for PlayStation2 'Final Fantasy XII' insert song) and "This Love" (the TV anime 'Blood+' ending theme song).

L-R/Lefty in the Right (1992)

A three-piece pop band by the Kurosawa Brothers (Kenichi Kurosawa (vocals, guitar), Hideki Kurosawa (guitar, chorus)) and Hiroharu Kinoshita (bass), L-R's first full-length album. Takako Minekawa (keyboards, chorus) was a member in those days. A first-rate pop album with sound strongly influenced by the 1960s western pop such as the Beach Boys and the Beatles. Beautiful melodies and chorus harmony. Includes singles "Lazy Girl" and "Bye Bye Popsicle". Produced by Daiji Okai (ex-Yonin Bayashi leader/drummer).

Masayoshi Takanaka/Jolly Jive (1979)

A rock/fusion guitarist who once had been a member of Sadistic Mika Band, Masayoshi Takanaka's 1979 solo album. Refreshing fusion sounds with a tropical atmosphere, featuring guitar instrumental pieces. Includes his masterpiece "Blue Lagoon". "Taj Mahal" is a cover of Brazilian musician, Jorge Ben's 1972 hit single. "Rainy Day Blue" is a good song with choking guitar like Santana.

Chihiro Onitsuka/Insomnia (2001)

A female singer/songwriter, Chihiro Onitsuka's debut album. Simple and acoustic vocal pop with mainly piano and strings, influenced by Western popular music, especially American/Canadian female singers/songwriters such as Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Jewel and Alanis Morissette. Powerful and spiritual vocals. A smash hit album which sold one and a half million copies in Japan. Features the singles, 'Shine', 'Gekko (Moonlight)' (the ending theme for the TV drama 'Trick'), 'Cage', 'Memai (Vertigo)/Edge'. Produced by Takefumi Haketa.

Melocure (Ritsuko Okazaki & Megumi Hinata)/Melodic Hard Cure (2004)

A duo project of two female singer/songwriters, Ritsuko Okazaki (she had worked as a solo singer and also had wrote lots of anime series theme songs such as "Minky Momo" (2nd), "Wedding Peach", "Love Hina", "Fruit Basket" and "Princess Tutu") and Megumi Hinata (she debuted as a singer named 'Gumi' for the TV anime "Card Captor Sakura" first opening song "Catch You Catch Me" (wrote by Kohmi Hirose) and then worked as a singer/songwriter/producer). Formed in 2002, and released three singles until 2003. Cute and innocent sound with clear whispering voices. The songs are catchy tunes in up-tempo with loud band, like power pop, and ballads with beautiful melodies. Includes three singles, "Itoshii Kakera (My Dear Fragment)" (opening theme song for the TV anime "UFO Ultramaiden Valkyrie" Season 1), "1st Priority " (opening theme song for the TV anime "Stratos 4"), and "Meguriai (An Encounter)" (opening theme song for the TV anime "UFO Ultramaiden Valkyrie" season 2). Unfortunately, Ritsuko Okazaki died from septic shock in 2004, after releasing this debut album, so this became Melocure's first and last album.

The Street Sliders/Tenshitachi (Angels) (1986)

A four-piece rock band, the Street Sliders' 5th album. The members are Harry (vocals, guitar), Ranmaru (guitar), James (bass) and ZuZu (drums). Full-fledged rock 'n' roll strongly influenced by the Rolling Stones, but this album produced by Masahide Sakuma and the single "Boys Jump the Midnight" became major hits. Recommended to those who like the Stones and Murahachibu.

Wataru Takada/Goaisatsu (A Greeting) (1971)

One of the Japanese leading folk singers, along with Nobuyasu Okabayashi. His major-label debut album. Pastoral and simple folk songs influenced by American traditional folk such as Pete Seeger. Humorous and ironic style following Azenbo Soeda (1872-1944), a pioneering Soshi-enka (political street songs) singer in Showa era. There are several songs with poems written by Japanese contemporary poets such as Baku Yamanokuchi. Happy End members (Eiichi Otaki-guitar, Shigeru Suzuki-guitar, Haruomi Hosono-bass, Takashi Matsumoto-drums) joined in four tracks as the backing players. Arranged by Yoshio Hayakawa.

Sandii/Eating Pleasure (1980)

A female singer who was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1952 as half-Spanish and half-Japanese, and raised in Hawaii. Her solo debut album released in Japan and the United Kingdom is a masterpiece of oriental and ethnic techno-pop/new wave. The lyrics are English. Produced and arranged by Haruomi Hosono (bass, Keyboards, vocals) with full support by YMO. The musicians are Yukihiro Takahashi (drums), Ryuichi Sakamoto (keyboards), Makoto Kubota (guitar, vocals), Kenji Omura (guitar), Hideki Matsutake (computer programming) and others. "Drip Dry Eyes" (composed by Yukihiro Takahashi) is a good song in the dub style. "Hey Rock-a Lala" is a cover of Ronnie Barron, a soul singer from New Orleans. "Jimmy Mack" is a cover of Martha & the Vandellas' 1967 Motown hit.

Ann Lewis/Womanism Complete Best (1974-1989)

A female singer born in 1956 to a American father and a Japanese mother. Though she was an idol pop singer in the early 1970s, she released lots of hit songs in the 1980s in the catchy 'Kayo-Rock' style (like Kenji Sawada in the same time) influenced by Western rock, especially hard rock. A best compilation album which is a set of CD and DVD. The CD includes her 19 masterpieces such as "Goodbye My Love" (1974), "Onna wa Sore wo Gaman Dekinai (Women Cannot Endure It)" (1978), "Linda" (1980. Composed by Mariya Takeuchi), "Koi no Boogie-Woogie Train (Love's Boogie-Woogie Train)" (1980. Composed by Tatsuro Yamashita), "La Saison" (1982. Composed by Kenji Sawada), "Roppongi Shinju (Double Suicide in Roppongi)" (1984. Composed by Nobody), and "Ah, Mujou (Ah, Cruelty)" (1986. Composed by Nobody). The DVD includes music videos for 10 songs.

Crazy Ken Band/Crazy Ken Band Best: Oldies but Goodies (2004/1998-2003)

A rock band formed by Ken Yokoyama (vocals/chorus/songwriting/arrangement/keyboards. Ex-volcaist of rock 'n' roll band Cools RC) in 1997, Crazy Ken Band's best compilation album. Pop-oriented sound mixing rock 'n' roll, soul, jazz, funk, Latin, bossa nova and Kayokyoku/Enka (Japanese lowbrow pop songs/ballads) of the Showa era. Features singles, "September", "Mappira Rock", "GT", "Tiger & Dragon" and other good songs such as "Hayama Twist", "Chojamachi Blues", "Hirusagari (Midafternoon)", "Oh Langfang", "Hong Kong Grand Prix" and "Sportmatic". "Oldies but Goodies" is a commercial song for 'Vodafone'. Recommended to those who like Showa Kayo.

aiko/Sakura no Ki no Shita (Under the Cherry Tree) (2000)

A female singer-songwriter from Osaka, aiko's second album on major label. Girl's pop in the style like Ringo Shena. Unique melody lines with using lots of chromatic scales and modulations. A million-seller album (#1 on the Japanese pop album charts) featuring three hit singles, "Hanabi (Fireworks)", "Kabutomushi (A Beetle)" and "Sakura no Toki (The Time of Cherry)" (the image song for 'Calpis Water'). "Momoiro (Pink)" is the commercial song for 'NTT DoCoMo 502i'. "Power of Love" is a re-recording of the song of her indies-era. "Ren'ai Junkie (Love Junkie)" is included as a bonus track in the last of the album.

Rinsho Kadekaru/Hukyokajin: The Best of Rinsho Kadekaru (2000/1965-1983)

Rinsho Kadekaru (1920-1999) is a pioneering singer in Okinawan folk music after the end of World War II.A best compilation album that includes excellent performances of 18 songs recorded in his glory days. Rinsho Kadekaru sings and plays sanshin=Okinawan strings. The lyrics are mainly Okinawan language (Uchinaguchi). Many famous Okinawan musicians joined, such as Seijin Noborikawa (vocals, sanshin), Teihan China (sanshin, ryukin=Okinawan koto/harp), Sadao China (sanshin, vocals), Tsuneo Fukuhara (kokyu=Chinese fiddle), Rinsuke Teruya (drums, bass), and Misako Oshiro (sanshin, vocals, sanba=Okinawan castanet). Supervised by Bisekatsu (Campus Records president/lyricist/music producer).

Soul Flower Union/Ghost Hits 95-99 (2001/1995-1999)

A rock band led by ex-Newest Model member Takeshi Nakagawa (vocals, guitar, sanshin=Okinawan strings), Soul Flower Union's second best compilation album (on Ki/oon Records, Sony). Two bands, Newest Model and Mescaline Drive disbanded at the same time and merged into this band in 1993. A mixed sound with fusion of rock, Asian (Japanese/Ainu/Okinawan/Korean) folk songs, Japanese old pop songs, Ching-Dong (Japanese old street music), Irish trad. music and others. The music of festival and liberation. "Umiyukaba Yamayukaba Odorukabane (Go To the Sea, Go To the Mountains, the Dead Bodies are Dancing)" (2001 remix), "Horizon March" (2001 remix), "Blue Monday Parade" (2001 remix), "Eejyanaika (Nevermind)", "Mangetsu no Yube (A Full Moon Evening)" (1997 alternate mix), "Cosmic Futen Swing" and others. Also features two songs by their alias project Soul Flower Mononoke Summit, "The Internationale" (a cover with Japanese lyrics of the revolutionary song composed by Pierre Degeyter) and "Fukko-Bushi (Recovery Song)" (a cover with Japanese lyrics of Chinese folk song). "Each Little Thing" is a cover of Irish accordionist Sharon Shannon's song (comopsed by Steve Cooney).

Bump of Chicken/Yggdrasil (2004)

The four-piece rock band led by Motoo Fujiwara (vocals, guitar and songwriting), Bump of Chicken's sixth album (second on major label) (#1 on the Japanese pop album charts). Melodic guitar pop characterized by emotional vocals, driving band sound and narrative lyrics. Features the album version of "Only Lonely Glory" (#1 on the Japanese pop single charts), "Sailing Day" (theme song for the anime "One Piece the Movie: The Dead End Adventure"), "Sharin no Uta (The Wheel Song)", "Snow Smile" and "Lost Man".

Mongol800/Message (2001)

The second album of Mongol800, an Okinawa-based punk/melodic-hardcore band. The members are Kiyosaku Uezu (bass, vocals), Takashi Gima (guitar) and Satoshi Takazato (drums). A smash hit album released on the Okinawan independent label Tissue Freak Records (High Wave) and reached #1 on album charts for the first time in the Japanese independent music history. The sound is very simple, like the Blue Hearts, but the songs and melodies are impressive. The lyrics are English and Japanese. Features "Anata ni (For You)" (used as the commercial song for Lion's detergent 'Top'), "Chiisana Koi no Uta (A Song of Little Love)", and an antiwar song about Okinawa "Ryukyu Aika (Ryukyu Elegy)". The title song "Message" is included in the end of the album as a secret track. Recdommended to those who like pop punk bands such as Green Day and Offspring.

Shikao Suga/All Singles Best (1997-2007)

A singer-songwriter from Tokyo, Shikao Suga's best compilation (2 CDs, 26 tracks) that includes all the singles, from his debut single "Hit Chart wo Kakenukero (Dash Through the Hit Charts)" to the 2006 song "Gogo no Parade (Afternoon Parade)", and other major songs. Husky voice and funk/soul-influenced sound production with electric piano, organ and wow-guitar. Features "Affair" (TV drama theme song), "Aozaora (Blue Sky)" (theme song for the movie "Honogurai Mizu no Soko kara/Dark Water"), "Asymmetry" (TV drama theme song), "19-Sai (19 Years Old)" (opening theme for the TV anime "xxxHOLiC"), "Manatsu no Yoru no Yume (A Midsummer Night's Dream)" (song for the movie "Death Note") and others. "Yozora no Mukou (Beyond the Night Sky)" is a self cover of SMAP's single (lyrics written by Shikao Suga).

Hiroshi Sato/awakening (1982)

Hiroshi Sato is a singer/songwriter, keyboardist, composer, arranger and producer who had joined Shigeru Suzuki's band Huckleback and Tin Pan Alley in the mid 1970s, and produced lots of music for TV commercials and TV show themes since the 1980s. His fourth solo album. A stylish pop album in the adult-contemporary style, produced by overdubbing his own vocals, guitar, piano, synths, Linn Drum (rhythm machine) and other instruments. The guest musicians are Wendy Matthews (vocals), Tatsuro Yamashita (guitar) and others. The lyrics are English. "From Me to You" is a cover of the Beatles. "Love and Peace" is a cover of Arthur Adams.

Nobukazu Takemura/Scope (1999) *

An Osaka-born, Kyoto-based electronica musician, Nobukazu Takemura's solo album released on the Thrill Jockey label (Tortoise and others), Chicago, the US. An experimental sound art work with white noises, staccato electronic sounds, female vocal samples (Tsuyuko Aki) and CD skips, like Oval and Ryoji Ikeda, but several tracks are impressive for the soft and beautiful sounds influenced by minimalism, such as Terry Riley and Steve Reich, and ambient music.

Cinema/Golden Best (1980-1981/2006)

A compilation (a set of 2 CDs) that includes almost all the recordings of Cinema, the new wave pop band featuring Kiyonori Matsuo (lead vocals, songwriting) and Saeko Suzuki (drums, chorus). Includes all the 10 tracks from their one and only album 'Motion Picture' (1981) produced by Keiichi Suzuki (Moonriders), single tracks 'Ame no Chinatown (Rainy Chinatown)/Okashina Lady Killer (Funny Lady Killer)', 'Koi no Birthday (Love Birthday)' (an unreleased commercial song for Kose Cosmetics' 'Esprique'), and other rare tracks such as unreleased ones and demo recordings. Lots of good pop songs inspired by the 1960s/1970s British pop.

Yumi Arai/Hikouki-gumo (Contrail) (1973)

Female singer & songwriter, Yumi Arai's debut album. Released when she was 19 years old and a student in Tama Art University. Unlike her later pop-oriented, downmarket works released under the name of Yumi Matsutoya, the sound is strongly influenced by European popular music, and it has jazzy and melancholic atmosphere. This album is an epoch-making work in the Japanese pop music history, because it opened the way to the new style of Japanese pop called "New Music" since the 1970s and called "J-Pop" later, which was different from Kayokyoku (lowbrow pop songs), Enka (schmaltzy traditional ballad) and folk. The backing players are the group 'Caramel Mama', the quartet of Masataka Matsutoya (keyboards), Tatsuo Hayashi (drums), Shigeru Suzuki (guitar) and Haruomi Hosono (bass). The digitally-remastered CD was released in 2000.

Melon/Do You Like Japan? (1982)

The new wave band formed by Toshio Nakanishi (vocals, guitar) and Chika Sato (vocals) after Plastics disbanded. The debut album. The sound is like Plastics in the last days and Talking Heads. The lyrics are English. The guest musicians are Masami Tsuchiya (guitar, technical direction) from Ippu-Do, Yukihiro Takahashi (drums) and Haruomi Hosono (bass) from YMO, Percy Jones (fretless bass), Bernie Worrell (keyboards) from Funkadelic/Parliament and others. Produced by Toshio Nakanishi and Moichi Kuwahara (from Snakeman Show). Includes 'Honey Dew'. A danceable pop tune 'I Will Call You (& Other Famous Last Words)' is cool.

B'z/B'z The Best "Treasure" (1990-1998)

The second best compilation album that features the top 14 songs selected in fan balloting from the past tracks except ones included in the best compilation album "B'z The Best Pleasure". "Blowin'", "Koi-Gokoro (Amorous Attention)", "Liar! Liar!", "Invisible One", a ballad "Mou Ichido Kiss shitakatta (I Wanted to Kiss You Again)", a hard-rock number with English lyrics 'Real Thing Shakes" and others.

Tin Pan Alley/Caramel Mama (1975)

'Caramel Mama' is a producers/studio musicians' group formed in 1973 with Masataka Matsutoya (keyboards), Tatsuo Hayashi (drums), Shigeru Suzuki (guitar) and Haruomi Hosono (bass). They produced several albums such as Minako Yoshida's "Tobira no Fuyu (Winter of Door)" and Yuki Arai (Yumi Matsutoya) 's "Hikouki-gumo (Contrail)". They changed their name to 'Tin Pan Alley' in 1974, and produced/backed Yuki Arai, Izumi Yukimura, Ayumi Ishida and some other musicians. This is their first studio album. Funky fusion, oriental pop, Japanese lyrical rock and so on. The lyrics are Japanese and English. The guest misicians are Tsugutoshi Goto (bass), Yuu Imai (keyboards) and Masayoshi Takanaka (guitar) from Sadistic Mika Band, Tatsuro Yamashita (chorus) and Taeko Onuki (chorus) from Sugar Babe, Nobu Saito (percussion) and others.

Ryuichi Sakamoto/Field Work + Steppin' Into Asia + The Arrangement (1982/1985)

A compilation album (11 tracks) that includes nine tracks from three 12-inch singles, "Field Work" (a collaboration with Thomas Dolby. "Field Work" Long London mix, "Field Work" long Tokyo mix and "Exhibition". 1985), "Steppin' Into Asia" ("Steppin' Into Asia" and "Steppin' Into Asia (urban mix)". 1985) and "The Arrangement" (a collaboration with Robin Scott. "The Arrangement", "The Left Bank", "Just About Enough" and "Once in a Lifetime". 1982) and two single versions of "Field Work" (London Mix and Tokyo Mix). "Field Work" is a synth pop featuring Thomas Dolby's vocals. "Exhibition" is a long instrumental track in ambient style. "Steppin' Into Asia" is a Asian-style hip-hop techno featuring Tomoko Asano's Thai rap and Akiko Yano's vocals. "The Left Bank", "Just About Enough" and "Once in a Lifetime" are remix versions (featuring Robin Scott's vocals) of the three tracks ("Venezia", "Relâché" and "Tell'em to Me") from the album "Left Handed Dream" (1981).

(Various Artists)/Grand Gallery Presents: Tokyo Luxury Lounge (2005)

The fourth of the compilation series presented by Grand Gallery (DJ/music producer, Yasushi Ide's label and selected CD shop in Shibuya, Tokyo). A collection of lounge-oriented Japanese light club/dance music with vocals such as FreeTEMPO/Prelude, i-dep/Rainbow, Studio Apartment/Flight (Frankie Feliciano remix), Jazztronik/Feel the Air 2005, and Fantastic Plastic Machine/Reaching for the Stars (Masters at Work Mix). Compiled by Yasushi Ide.

Sukima Switch/Natsugumo Noise (Summer Cloud Noise) (2004)

The pop duo of two songwriters, Takuya Ohashi (vocals, guitar) and Shintaro Tokita (piano, keyboards), Sukima Switch's first full album. Melodic pop of high-quality with piano, brass and strings. Catchy melodies. All the tracks of this album are good. Features the debut single "View", "Kimi no Hanshi (Your Story) -Evolution Mix-", the second single and a long-selling hit ballad "Kanade", the third single "Furete Mirai wo (Touching the Future)" and others. All the songs written, arranged and produced by themselves. Recommended to those who like Kirinji.

Harumi Miyako/Sange (Dispersing Flowers) (1964-2000)

A female Enka singer who became a nationally-popular singer with lots of hit songs in the late 1960s and the 1970s, since her debut in 1964 when she was 16 years old. Characterized by her style with powerful tremolo and delicate vibrato. A best compilation (a set of 2 CDs, 26 tracks in total) that includes all her major songs such as "Anko Tsubaki wa Koi no Hana" (first hit song), "Namida no Renrakusen", "Suki ni Natta Hito", "Kita no Yado kara", "Osaka Shigure", "Futari no Osaka" (a duet with Tadashi Miyazaki), "Naniwa Koi Shigure" (a duet with Chiaki Oka), "Meoto-zaka" and "Otaru-unga" (re-debut single in 1990).

Geisha Girls/The Geisha Girls Show (1995)

The alias project of a Japanese popular comedy duo, Downtown (Hitoshi Matsumoto and Masatoshi Hamada), the Geisha Girls' only album. the Geisha Girls are duo of Ken (Matsumoto) and Sho (Hamada). Produced by Ryuichi Sakamoto. There're several comedy skits by Downtown between the musical tracks, such as hip hop, jungle/drum'n'bass, bossa nova and noise rock. The musicians are: Towa Tei, Arto Lindsay, Yan Tomita, Boredoms, Tetsuya Komuro and others.

(Various Artists)/Kyoto Jazz Massive (1994)

Kyoto Jazz Massive is a DJ group formed by the Okino Brothers, Shuya and Yoshihiro Okino in their hometown Kyoto in 1991. Their debut album is a club jazz compilation featuring lots of artists such as Shinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso), Monday Michiru, DJ Krush and others. Sophisticated and stylish club jazz based on acid jazz and house. Includes Mondo Grosso's "Souffles H (King St.Club Mix)" remixed by Masters At Work and "City Folklore", the rimix of the main theme for the movie "Waga Jinsei Saiaku no Toki/The Most Terrible Time in My Life".

Mayumi Iizuka/berry best (1997-2000)

One of idol-like voice actress/singers who became popular among anime fans since the 1990s. Known for her voice roles as Nanaka Nakatomi in "Magic User's Club", Cleao Everlastin in "Sorcerous Stabber Orphen" and Kasumi in "Pokemon" series. Her first best compilation album that includes 15 tracks selected by herself from albums and singles in her early days (on Pioneer LDC). The songs composed by Tomoki Hasegawa, Miki Ohtsu and others. Features "love letter", "caress", "My wish", "Mint to Kuchibue (Mint and Whistle)", and "Destiny".

(Various Artists)/Techno Kayo: Teichiku edition/Lovely Singin' Circuit (1982-1987)

Features Shi-Shonen/"Kiss Kiss Kiss", James Brown & F.O.E.(Friends of Earth)/"Sex Machine", Miharu Koshi/"Hashire Usagi (Rabbit, Run)", Kaori Nakahara/"Ginga Tetsudo no Yoru" (image song for the anime movie "Night on the Galactic Railroad"), F.O.E.(Friends of Earth)/"Return of Body Snatchers" (Exterminated mix), Yapoos/"Barbara Sexaroid", Urban Dance/"Ceramic Love", Mikado/"Carnaval" and many other rare techno pop songs.

See-Saw/Dream Field (2003)

The pop duo of two women, composer Yuki Kajiura, who is known for her music for anime ('Noir', '.hack//SIGN' and others), video games, films and commercials, and vocalist Chiaki Ishikawa. Their third album. Catchy pop songs with digital synths (sequencer) and classical, acoustic ones like ballads. Oriental and beautiful melodies. Features "Obsession" (opening theme for TV anime '.hack//SIGN'), "Yasashii Yoake (A Gentle Dawn)" (ending theme for '.hack//SIGN'), a smash hit "Anna ni Issho datta no ni (We were So Close Together...)" (the first ending theme for TV anime 'Mobile Suit Gundam SEED'. #5 on the Japanese pop charts), and "Kimi ga Ita Monogatari (The Story with You)-Dream Field Mix" (opening theme for the OAV '.hack//Liminality vol.3').

Perfume/Perfume -Complete Best- (2003-2006)

The idol techno pop group of three girls from Hiroshima Prefecture; Ayaka Nishiwaki (A-chan), Yuka Kashino (Kashiyuka) and Ayano Ohmoto (Nocchi). Their first full-length (best compilation) album that includes all their seven single tracks released until 2006 on major label, such as "Linear Motor Girl", "Computer City" and "Electro World" (album version), four songs on independent label, "Sweet Doughnut", "Monochrome Effect", "Vitamin Drop" and "Inryoku (Gravitation)", and a new song "Perfect Star, Perfect Style" (12 tracks in total). All the songs composed, arranged and produced by Yasutaka Nakata (capsule).

Tokedashita Garasu Bako (Takashi Nishioka, Takasuke Kida, Tetsuo Saito)/Tokedashita Garasu Bako (Melting Glass Box) (1970) *

'Tokedashita Garasu Bako' (means 'Melting Glass Box') is a studio-recording project by Takashi Nishioka (frontman of the folk group 'Itsutsu no Akai Fusen/Five Red Balloons'. Vocals, guitar, percussions, words, music), Takasuke Kida (ex-Jacks. drums, flute, tenor sax, percussions, arrangement) and Tetsuo Saito (folk singer. Vocals, percussions). Their only album released on URC (Underground Record Club). A masterpiece of Japanese psych/acid folk. The sound with lots of effects. Called 'progressive folk' in those days. The guest musicians are Kazuhiko Kato (guitar), Kazuo Takeda (guitar), Haruomi Hosono (bass) and others. Loved by psych/garage rock fans outside Japan too. Cool.

Yo Hitoto/Bestyo (2002-2006)

A female singer/lyricist/actress born in 1976 to a Taiwanese father and a Japanese mother. Her first best-compilation album that includes all the eight singles released unitl 2005, seven tracks from her albums and a new song "Tentou-Mushi (A Ladybug)" (16 tracks in total). Acoustic pop with clear voice in the traditional style like Asian folk songs. The lyrics are Japanese (partly Mandarin Chinese). The songs composed, produced and arranged by Satoshi Takebe and others. Features her debut single "Morai-naki (Cry in Sympathy)", a long-selling single "Hanamizuki (Dogwood)" (the theme song for NTV Wednesday Suspense Drama. The commercial song for JRA/Japan Racing Association), "Kage-fumi (Shadow-Stomping)" (the commercial song for JRA), "Ureshii koto. (A Happy Thing)" (The commercial song for Bausch&Lomb Japan's "ReNu MultiPlus"), and "Sayonara-arigato (Goodbye-thanks)" (the commercial song for Misawa Homes).

ROVO/Condor (2006)

The band formed in 1996 with guitarist Seiichi Yamamoto (ex-Boredoms), electric violinist Yuji Katsui, and other important instrumentalists from Japanese avant-garde/underground music scene. The seventh album that includes one track (a suite of three parts. 55 minutes). Spacy instrumental sound full of sense of euphoria, featuring electric violin and two powerful drum sets. Greatly influenced by psych rock, krautrock/German prog-rock and trance.

Ill Bone/Shisha (Dead) (1985) *

A new wave band led by the vocalist Nakada Jun. Formed under the name of 'Zouhan-Igaku (Rebellion-Medicine)' in 1979. The band changed the name to 'Ill Bone' (double meaning of 'Ilbon', the word which means 'Japan' or 'Japanese' in Korean, and 'Ill Bone' in English) in 1983. A 4-track EP released on the independent label Trans Records in 1985. Gloomy dark psychedelia, like the 1980s British new wave bands and the Japanese rock band Jacks. Political lyrics filled with lyricism. Produced by Masashi Kitamura (YBO²). Reissued on CD with a bonus track 'Numberless Land' in 1992. Nakada Jun has turned into a sports/non-fiction writer.

I've/Disintegration (2002)

The music production group based in Sapporo City, Hokkaido (the island in the north end of Japan). Known for its music (vocal songs and BGM) for X-rated PC games forbidden for people under 18 and anime. The third of their albums named 'Girls Compilation' series. Melodic songs in the Eurobeat/trance style featuring programmed digital sound and female vocalists called 'Uta-hime'. Much of the tracks are from the songs of X-rated games, but the music itself has superior quality, and it is comparable to mainstream J-pop. The songs composed and arranged by Kazuya Takase and others. The vocalists are Mell, Eiko Shimamiya, Kotoko and others. Includes 'Namida no Chikai (Tearful Vow)' (the opening theme for the PC game 'Triangle Heart 3 -Sweet Songs Forever-').

Ali Project/Collection Simple Plus (1996-2006)

The duo of female vocalist Arika Takarano (vocals, lyrics) and composer Mikiya Katakura (composition, arrangement). Debuted on the major label Toshiba EMI in 1992. Known for their music for commercials, movies and TV animes. They perform both pop songs with programmed rhythm and classical pieces with strings. The dark and theatrical songs (sometimes described as 'Gothic and Lolita' style), like J. A. Seazer/J. A. Cesar's incidental music for plays, are particularly excellent. A best compilation album that mainly consists of AliPro's early singles released in 1996-2003. Feaures a masterpiece 'Coppelia no Hitsugi (Coppelia's asket)' (opening theme for the TV anime 'Noir'), 'Wish' (theme song for the radio drama 'Wish'), 'Peony Pink' (opening theme for the TV anime 'Clamp School Detectives'), 'Gesshoku Grand Guignol (Lunar Eclipse Grand Guignol)' (opening theme for the TV anime 'Avenger'), 'Mirai no Eve (Eve Future)' (ending theme for 'Avenger'), 'Jigoku no Kisetsu (Une Saison en Enfer)' (ending theme for the last episode of 'Avenger'), and 'Boukoku Kakusei Catharsis (Ruined Country Awakening Catharsis) [orchestral crowd ver.]' (ending theme for the TV anime '.hack//Roots').

Cockc'Nell/Boys Tree (1986)

The new wave band formed with ex-Mentanpin member Yoichiro Ikeda (guitar) and female vocalist Setsu Nogata in Tokyo in 1980. The only studio-recorded album released on the independent label Balcony Records. Acoustic-oriented sound in the folk/jazz style featuring Tori Kudo on piano. Reissued on CD in 2002. Digitally-remastered by Yoichiro Ikeda. Includes the original six tracks (the order of the tracks is different from the priginal LP) and a bomus track 'Kono Hikari no Naka (In this Light)', which is the remix version of 'High on Life'.

Murasaki/Murasaki Forever + 2 (1976-1978)

The rock band formed by the leader George Murasaki (keyboards) with Toshio Shiroma (bass), Masao Shiroma (vocals), Yukio Shimoji (guitar), Kiyomasa Higa (guitar) and Eiichi Miyanaga (drums) in Okinawa under the rule of the US forces in 1970. Authentic hard rock influenced by Deep Purple. The lyrics are English. A best compilation that includes 10 tracks in total. 'Lazy' is a cover of Deep Purple.

Ryuichi Sakamoto/Beauty (1989)

The eighth solo album released on Virgin Records. World music-oriented electro ethnic sound with a mixture of Western, Asian and African music elements, like the previous album "Neo Geo". "Asadoya Yunta" and "Chinsagu No Hana" are covers of Okinawan folk songs. "We Love You" is a cover of the Rolling Stones. "Romance" is a cover of Stephen Foster's "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair" with Okinawan lyrics. "Adagio" is a cover of Samuel Barber. The musicians are Brian Wilson (ex-The Beach Boys/vocals), Robbie Robertson (ex-The Band/guitar), Robert Wyatt (ex-The Soft Machine/vocals), Youssou N'Dour (vocals), Arto Lindsay (vocals), Sly Dunber (drums) and others.

Sentimental City Romance/Sentimental City Romance (1975)

The rock band formed with ex-Ranmado guitarist Nobutaka Tsugei (guitar, keyboards, vocals) as the leader in 1973. The debut album produced by Haruomi Hosono. Influenced deeply by American West Coast rock in the late 1960s and early 1970s, called 'country rock'. Lyrical and delicate sound, like Happy End and Hachimitsu-Pie. The lyrics are Japanese. The guitar playing, chorus work, melody and arrangement... Everything is excellent.

Bonnie Pink/Every Single Day -Complete Bonnie Pink (1995-2006)- (1995-2006)

A female singer/songwriter from Kyoto, born in 1973 (real name: Kaori Asada). Melodic vocal music influenced by Western mainstream rock/pop. She goes through many different styles such as rock, pop, ballad and R&B, with her voice like Chrissy Hynde or Suzanne Vega. The lyrics are Japanese and English. The best compilation album (2 CDs) that features 28 tracks including her 21 singles released on Pony Canyon and Warner Music Japan until 2006. "Heaven's Kitchen" (a hit song produced by Tore Johhansen), "It's gonna rain!" (the ending theme for the TV anime 'Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X'), "Daisy" (produced by ex-The Rentals Tom Grimley), "You are Blue, So Am I" (produced by Mitchell Froom), "Last Kiss" (the ending theme for the TV anime 'GANTZ -the first stage-'), "Love is Bubble" (the theme song for the movie 'Kiraware Matsuko no Issho/Memories of Matsuko'), "A Perfect Sky" (the commercial song for Shiseido Cosmetics 'Anessa') and others.

Gauze/Equalizing Distort (1986)

The hardcore punk band formed in 1981, Gauze's second album. Released in the independent label Selfish. The sound is like Discharge and Chaos UK. This album has 10 tracks and only 17 minutes and 48 seconds in total because the tracks are very short.

(Various Artists)/Seishun Uta Nenkan: 70-Nendai Soshuhen (Youth Song Yearbook: The 1970s Digest) (1970-1979)

The decennial digest edition (a set of 2 CDs, 36 tracks) of 'Seishun Uta Nenkan (the 1970s)', a compilation series that includes the 1970s smash hit songs per year, beyond the the bounds of record companies. Includes:

Disc 1:
1. Osamu Minagawa/Kuro-neko no Tango (Black Cat Tango) (1970)
2. Saori Yuki/Tegami (Letter) (1970)
3. Hide & Rosanna/Ai wa Kizutsukiyasuku (Love is Fragile) (1970)
4. Kiyohiko Ozaki/Mata Au Hi made (Until We Meet Again) (1971)
5. Norihiko Hashida & Climax/Hanayome (Bride) (1971)
6. Masaaki Sakai/Saraba Koibito (Farewell My Lover) (1971)
7. Billy Banban/Sayonara wo Surutame ni (To Say Goodbye) (1972)
8. Takuro Yoshida/Tabi no Yado (Travel Lodging) (1972)
9. Takao Hirata & Sellstars/Akuma ga Nikui (I Hate the Devil) (1972)
10. Pedro & Capricious/Wakare no Asa (Farewell Morning) (1972)
11. Aoi Sankakujogi/Taiyo ga Kureta Kisetsu (The Season Given by the Sun) (1972)
12. Garo/Gakusei-gai no Kissaten (The Tearoom of the Students' Quarter) (1973)
13. Kaguya-hime/Kanda-gawa (The Kanda River) (1973)
14. Mari Amachi/Koi-suru Natsu no Hi (Summer Day in Love) (1973)
15. Miyoko Asada/Akai Fuusen (A Red Balloon) (1973)
16. Akiko Kosaka/Anata (You) (1974)
17. Masatoshi Nakamura/Fureai (Mutual Touch) (1974)
18. Finger5/Koi no Dial 6700 (Love's Dial 6700) (1974)

Disc 2:
1. Akira Fuse/Cyclamen no Kaori (The Scent of Cyclamen) (1975)
2. Kyoko Kosaka/Omoide Makura (Memory Pillow) (1975)
3. Down Town Boogie Woogie Band/Minato no Yoko, Yokohama, Yokosuka (Yoko in the Harbor, Yokohama, Yokosuka) (1975)
4. Hiromi Iwasaki/Romance (1975)
5. Masato Shimon/Oyoge! Taiyaki-kun (Swim! Taiyaki-kun) (1976)
6. Hiromi Ohta/Momen no Handkerchief (A Cotton Handkerchief) (1976)
7. Teruhiko Aoi/Anata dake wo (Only You) (1976)
8. Momoe Yamaguchi/Yokosuka Story (1976)
9. Yumi Arai/Ano Hi ni Kaeritai (I Want to Back to that Day) (1976)
10. Koichi Morita & Topgalant/Seishun Jidai (Youth) (1977)
11. Naoko Ken/Abayo (Goodbye) (1976)
12. Hi-Fi Set/Feeling (1977)
13. Takao Horiuchi/Kimi no Hitomi wa Hyaku-man Volt (Your Eyes Have Megavolt) (1978)
14. Pink Lady/UFO (1977)
15. Candies/Hohoemi-gaeshi (Smile in Return) (1978)
16. Circus/Mr. Summertime (1978)
17. Judy Ongg/Miserarete (Enchanted) (1979)
18. Hideki Saijo/Young Man (1979)

Ryuichi Sakamoto/Neo Geo (1987)

Electro ethnic sound combining Asian (Okinawan folk music, Indonesian Kecak) and Western music (classical, pop, funk). The musicians are Bootsy Collins (bass), Bill Laswell (bass), Sly Dunbar (drums), Iggy Pop (vocals), David Van Tieghem (percussion), Tony Williams (drums), Yoriko Ganeko (vocals), Misako Koja (vocals), Kazumi Tamaki (vocals) and others. Coproduced by Bill Laswell. "Free Trading" is a cover of Yuji Nomi's synth-pop band, Oshare TV's "Asia no Koi (Asian Love)". "Okinawan Song-Chin Nuku Juushii" is a cover of Okinawan girl folk chrus group, Four Sisters' 1968 hit song.

Shibusashirazu/Shibuzen (2006)

An entertainment-type avant-garde jazz performance group influenced by underground theater. Formed by jazz bassist Daisuke Fuwa (he plays the bass and conducts the band) in 1989. Known for its exciting live performance like carnival, with the big band consisting of over twenty musicians, dancers and stage sets. They play instrumental performances which fuse lots of different types of genres, such as jazz, rock, dance and popular. The musicians are Hiroaki Katayama (tenor sax), Takeshi Shibuya (organ), Hiroshi Itaya (trombone) and many many others. Their major-label debut and first best compilation album that includes a new piece "New Gate" and new recordings/remasterings of previously released/played pieces such as "P-chan" and "Hyottoko". "The Washington Post" (a cover of the march composed by John Philip Sousa) is used as a commercial song for "Men's TBC".

Boom Boom Satellites/Out Loud (1998)

The electronica/rock duo of Michiyuki Kawashima (guitar, vocals) and Masayuki Nakano (programming, bass), Boom Boom Satellites' full-length debut album. Released on the Belgian techno label R&S. Basically rock-oriented club/dance sound featuring breakbeat/drum'n'bass, like the Prodigy and the Chemical Brothers, but the sound production with heavy live drums (by Naoki Hirai), strings and jazzy embellishments (trumpet, sax and flute) is unique. Includes single cuts, "Push Eject" and "On the Painted Desert".

Ryoji Ikeda/+/- (1996) *

The electronic music composer who began his activity as a sound artist and DJ in 1990, and began to work as the composer for the multimedia art group Dumb Type in 1994. His second solo album released on U.K.-based Touch label. Experimental minimal techno by using pulsed tone and digital noise as materials. A pure sound art produced only by sampling and hard-disk recording. A masterpiece Jim O'Rourke described as "Fucking brilliant".

(Various Artists)/Tokyo Rockers (1979)

A compilation album that includes 10 tracks by 5 Japanese punk bands who are based on S-Ken's studio in Roppongi, Tokyo. The artists are Friction, Mr.Kite, Lizard, Mirrors and S-Ken. Live recording in Shinjuku Loft.

Miki Nakatani/Absolute Value (1996-1997)

After debuting in an idol group 'Key West Club' from TV show 'Sakurakko Club' in 1991, she had been an idol singer in the early 1990s, but she had acted as an actress since 1993. She re-debuted with the single 'Mind Circus' composed and produced by Ryuichi Sakamoto in 1996. A best compilation album that includes ten songs selected from her five singles and two albums released in 1996-1997. Features single tracks, "Mind Circus", "Strange Paradise", "Suna no Kajitsu (Sand Fruit)", "Wilder Than Heaven" and "Ibara no Kanmuri (Crown of Thorns)". Cool and melancholy sound featuring her clear and androgynous vocals. The songs composed, arranged and produced by Ryuichi Sakamoto. "Aibiki no Mori de (In the Forest of Secret Dating)" is a good song in the jazz style, written, composed and arranged by Yasuharu Konishi.

MiniMoni/MiniMoni Song Dai-Hyakka 1-Kan (MiniMoni Large Song Encyclopedia Vol.1) (2001-2002)

One of the subunits derived from the girl idol groups of Hello! Project, MiniMoni's debut album. The primary members are the three of Morning Musume, Mari Yaguchi, Nozomi Tsuji and Ai Kago, and Mika of Coconuts Musume. Includes 9 songs previously released as singles and 7 new songs (16 tracks in total). Lots of comical, happy and catchy pop songs for children. A variety of styles, such as drum & bass, trance, blues, jazz, funk, tango, march and reggae. Features "MiMoni JanKenPyon!", "MiniMoni Telephone! Ring-Ring-Ring", "MiniHams no Ai no Uta (MiniHams' Love Song)" (released under the name of "MiniHams". Theme song for anime "Hamtaro the Movie: Adventures in Ham-Ham Land"), two songs released under the name of "Bakatono-sama to MiniMoni Hime" (a collaboration with a big-name comedian Ken Shimura): "Ai-in Taiso (Ai-in Exercises)" and "Ai-in! Dance no Uta (The Song of Ai-in! Dance)". The songs written, composed and produced by Tsunku.

bloodthirsty butchers/kocorono (1996)

The rock band formed in Sapporo, Hokkaido in 1987. One of the albums released when they are a trio of Hideki Yoshimura (vocals, guitar), Takeshi Imoriya (bass) and Masahiro Komatsu (drums) (Ex-Number Girl guitarist Hisako Tabuchi joined in 2003). Emotional and delicate sound with simple band formation (only guitar, bass, drums and vocals) featuring feedback noise guitar and lyrical, sentimental Japanese lyrics. They had a great influence on Japanese alternative rock scene, such as Quruli and Number Girl.

(Various Artists)/Seishun Uta Nenkan: 60-Nendai Soshuhen (Youth Song Yearbook: The 1960s Digest) (1961-1969)

The decennial digest edition (a set of 2 CDs, 40 tracks) of 'Seishun Uta Nenkan (the 1960s)', a compilation series that includes the 1960s smash hit songs per year, beyond the the bounds of record companies. Includes:

Disc 1:
1. Kyu Sakamoto/Ue wo Muite Arukou (Sukiyaki) (1961)
2. Yukio Hashi, Sayuri Yoshinaga/Itsudemo Yume wo (Always Keep Dreams) (1962)
3. Michiyo Azusa/Konnichiwa Aka-chan (Hello, My Baby) (1963)
4. Kyu Sakamoto/Miagete Goran Yoru no Hoshi wo (Look Up at the Stars in the Night) (1963)
5. Fubuki Koshiji/Sans Toi Mamie (1964)
6. The Wild Ones/Omoide no Nagisa (The Beach of Memories) (1966)
7. Teruhiko Saigou/Hoshi no flamenco (Flamenco of the Stars) (1966)
8. The Peanuts/Koi no Fugue (The Fugue of Love) (1967)
9. Mike Maki/Bara ga Saita (The Rose Bloomed) (1966)
10. The Spiders/Yuuhi ga Naiteiru (The Sunset is Crying) (1966)
11. The Broadside Four/Wakamono tachi (The Youths) (1966)
12. Ichiro Araki/Sora ni Hoshi ga Aruyouni (Like There are the Stars in the Sky)(1966)
13. Yukari Itou/Koyubi no Omoide (The Memory of Little Finger) (1967)
14. Jun Mayuzumi/Koi no Hallelujah (Hallelujah of Love) (1968)
15. Ryoko Moriyama/Kono Hiroi Nohara Ippai (Full in this Wide Field) (1967)
16. Jackey Yoshikawa and his Blue Comets/Blue Chateau (1967)
17. The Carnabeats/Sukisa Sukisa Sukisa (I Love You) (1967)
18. The Folk Crusaders/Kaettekita Yopparai (The Return of the Dead Drunkard) (1967)
19. Pinky and Killers/Koi no Kisetsu (The Season of Love) (1968)
20. Jun Mayuzumi/Tenshi no Yuuwaki (Angel's Temptation) (1968)

Disc 2:
1. The Tigers/Hana no Kubikazari (Flower Necklace) (1968)
2. Purple Shadows/Chiisana Snack (A Small Snack Bar) (1968)
3. The Golden Cups/Nagai Kami no Shojo (A Long-haired Girl) (1968)
4. The Village Singers/Amairo no Kami no Otome (A Tow-haired Girl) (1968)
5. The Tempters/Emerald no Densetsu (The Legend of Emerald) (1968)
6. Tomoko Ogawa/Yuube no Himitsu (The Secret of Last Night) (1968)
7. Ayumi Ishida/Bluelight Yokohama (1968)
8. Jun Mayuzumi/Yuuzuki (The Moon in the Evening Sky) (1968)
9. The Folk Crusaders/Kanashikute Yarikirenai (Deadly Grief) (1968)
10. Carmen Maki/Tokiniwa Haha no Nai Ko no Youni (Sometimes Like A Motherless Child) (1969)
11. Itsutsu no Akai Fusen (Five Red Balloons)/Tooi Sekai ni (To A Distant World) (1969)
12. Billy Banban/Shiroi Buranko (A White Swing) (1969)
13. Saori Yuki/Yoake no Scat (Scat of Dawn) (1969)
14. Mieko Hirota/Ningyou no Ie (A Doll's House) (1969)
15. Noriko Shintani/Francine no Baai (In the Case of Francine) (1969)
16. Norihiko Hashida and Schuberts/Kaze (Wind) (1969)
17. Toi et Moi/Aruhi Totsuzen (One day Suddenly) (1969)
18. Naomi Sagara/IIjyanaino Shiawase naraba (It's OK If I'm Happy) (1969)
19. Chiyo Okumura/Koi no Dorei (Slave of Love) (1969)
20. The Kingtones/Good Night Baby (1968)

Pico/abc-Pico First (1972)

The one and only solo album by Pico (real name: Yasuo Higuchi), who debuted as a member of vocal/chorus group Sing Out in 1969, and after that he has worked as a composer in various fields of music. Soft rock featuring brass section, like A&M sound. The music composition, arrangement, vocals and keyboards by Pico himself. Features his great song "I Love You", which became a revival hit around the club scene in the late 1990s, and this album reissued on CD in 2000 became a huge hit. The lyrics are Japanese. A gem of the Japanese 1970s pops.

Lolita No.18/Best of Lolita No.18 (1997-2002)

The all-female, four-piece punk band led by Masayo Ishizaka (vocals). Pop-oriented, straight-ahead punk influenced by the Ramones. Joy Ramone from the Ramones and Olga from the Toy Dolls have produced their albums. A best compilation album that includes 23 tracks in total, from their major-label debut song "Saruun" (1997) to 2002 new song "SADA Nagashi".

Kaela Kimura/Kaela (2004)

A female singer, Kaela Kimura's debut album. She had been a fashion model for the magazine 'Seventeen' since 2002, and debuted as a singer with the single 'Level 42' in 2004. Rock-oriented sound featuring loud guitar. The music composed and produced by Taiyo Yamazawa, Shigekazu Aida (El-Malo, FOE, Honesty) and others. Features the single hits "Level 42" (album take) and "happiness!!!".

(Various Artists)/Seishun Uta Nenkan: 50-Nendai Soshuhen (Youth Song Yearbook: The 1950s Digest) (1946-1960)

The decennial digest edition (a set of 2 CDs, 44 tracks) of 'Seishun Uta Nenkan (the 1950s)', a compilation series that includes the 1950s smash hit songs per year, beyond the the bounds of record companies. Includes:

Disc 1:
1. Shizuko Kasagi/Tokyo Boogie-Woogie (1948)
2. Michiko Namiki, Noboru Kirishima/Ringo no Uta (Song of Apple) (1946)
3. Ichiro Fujiyama, Mitsue Nara/Aoi Sanmyaku (Blue Mountain Range) (1949)
4. Hideko Takamine/Ginza Kan Kan Musume (Ginza Street Girl) (1949)
5. Katsuhiko Haida/Tokyo no Yane no Shita (Under the Roof of Tokyo) (1948)
6. Ichimaru/Shamisen Boogie-Woogie (1949)
7. Ichiro Fujiyama/Nagasaki no Kane (The Bell of Nagasaki) (1949)
8. Akiko Futaba/Mizuiro no Waltz (Light Blue Waltz) (1950)
9. Minoru Obata/Hoshikage no Komichi (Path under the Starlight) (1951)
10. Ken Tsumura/Shanghai Gaeri no Lill (Lill Returning from Shanghai) (1951)
11. Yoshiko Yamaguchi/Yelaixiang (Night Fragrant Flower) (1951)
12. Hamako Watanabe/Cisco no Chinatown (Chinatown of Cisco) (1950)
13. Hibari Misora/Tokyo Kid (1950)
14. Hisao Ito/Iyomante no Yoru (Iyomante Night) (1949)
15. Shigeko Orii/Kimi no Na wa (What's Your Name) (1953)
16. Toriro Miki, Kiyoko Tange, Hisaya Morishige/Boku wa Tokkyu no Kikanshi de -Tokaido no Maki- (I'm an Express Driver -Tokaido Version-) (1950)
17. Shizuko Kasagi/Kaimono Boogie (Shopping Boogie) (1950)
18. Teruko Akatsuki/Tokyo Shoeshine Boy (1951)
19. Mariko Ike/Botton to Ribbon (Buttons and Bows) (1950)
20. Izumi Yukimura/Aoi Canariya (Blue Canary) (1954)
21. Chiemi Eri/Tennessee Waltz (1952)
22. Hibari Misora/Ringo Oiwake (1952)

Disc 2:
1. Hibari Misora/Omatsuri Mambo (Festival Mambo) (1952)
2. Atsuo Okamoto/Kougen-ressha wa Yuku (Plateau Train Goes) (1954)
3. Kazuya Kosaka/Seishun Cycling (Young Cycling) (1957)
4. Shodai Columbia Rose/Tokyo no Bus Girl (A Bus Girl in Tokyo) (1957)
5. Shiro Sone/Wakai Omawari-san (A Young Cop) (1956)
6. Ichiro Wakahara/Ooi Nakamura-kun (Hallo, Nakamura) (1958)
7. Mariko Miyagi/Guard-shita no Kutsumigaki (A Shoeshine in Underpass) (1955)
8. Kunie Eto/Kasbah no Onna (A Woman in Kasbah) (1955)
9. Hideo Ko/Yuki no Furu Machi wo (In a Snowy Town) (1953)
10. Yoshiko Otsu/Koko ni Sachi Ari (There's Happiness Here) (1956)
11. Akira Wakayama/Yorokobi mo Kanashimi mo Ikutoshitsuki (Years of Joy and Sorrow) (1957)
12. Frank Nagai, Kazuko Matsuo/Tokyo Nightclub (1959)
13. Ichiro Kanbe/Ginza Kyu-chome Mizu no Ue (Ginza 9-chome on Water) (1958)
14. Frank Nagai/Yurakucho de Aimashou (Let's Meet at Yurakucho) (1958)
15. Akira Kobayashi/Guitar wo Motta Wataridori (A Migratory Bird with Guitar) (1959)
16. Yujiro Ishihara/Arashi wo Yobu Otoko (The Man Who Generates a Storm) (1958)
17. Michiko Hamamura/Banana Boat (1957)
18. Three Cats/Kiiroi Sakuranbo (Yellow Cherries) (1959)
19. Chiyoko Shimakura/Karatachi Nikki (Trifoliate Orange Diary) (1958)
20. Hiroshi Moriya/Boku wa Naichicchi (I'm Crying) (1960)
21. Masaaki Hirao/Hoshi wa Nandemo Shitteiru (The Stars Know Everything) (1958)
22. The Peanuts/Kawaii Hana (Pretty Flower) (1959)

Makoto Kubota and Sunset Gang/Second Line (1979)

Makoto Kubota and Sunset Gang's last album. The sound is based on New Orleans R&B and second-line funk. "Hey! Pocky A-way" is a cover of the Meters. "Dixie Chicken-Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is a cover of Little Feat. "Roochoo Gumbo-Hoodoo Chunko" is a song in the Okinawan folk style (written by Haruomi Hosono and Makoto Kubota). "China Boat Song" is a cover with Japanese lyrics of Chinese folk song. The original of "Iko Iko" is James "Sugar Boy" Crawford's "Jock-O-Mo" (Dr. John's cover is famous). The guest musicians are Haruomi Hosono, Tatsuo Hayashi, Steve Cropper, Levon Helm and others.

The Genbaku Onanies/Essential (1984-1987)

A compilation album that includes the early songs (released on the independent label Alchemy Records) by the Genbaku Onanies, the punk band formed in Nagoya in 1982. Simple and straightforward sound inspired by the late 1970s original punk, such as the Ramones and the Damned, and hardcore punk. Includes "Hakkyo Mezamashi KuruKuru Bakudan (Insanity, Wake-up, KuruKuru Bomb)", "Go Go Kareha-Sakusen (Go Go Defoliating)" and others. 23 tracks in total (5 tracks are previously unreleased). "Do You Remember Rock'n'Roll Radio?" is a cover of the Ramones.

(Various Artists)/Seishun Uta Nenkan: 80-Nendai Soshuhen (Youth Song Yearbook: The 1980s Digest) (1979-1989)

The decennial digest edition (a set of 2 CDs, 37 tracks) of 'Seishun Uta Nenkan (the 1980s)', which is a compilation series that includes the 1980s smash hit songs per year, beyond the the bounds of record companies. Includes:

Disc 1:
1. Monta & Brothers/Dancing All-night (1980)
2. Saki Kubota/Ihojin (Alien) (1979)
3. Akira Terao/Ruby no Yubiwa (The Ruby Ring) (1981)
4. Crystal King/Daitokai (The Big City) (1979)
5. Masahiko Kondo/Sneaker Blues (1980)
6. Amin/Matsuwa (I'll Wait) (1982)
7. Chanels/Runaway (1980)
8. Imokin Trio/High School Lullaby (1981)
9. Chiharu Matsuyama/Nagai Yoru (A Long Night) (1981)
10. Hiromi Iwasaki/Madonna tachi no Lullaby (Madonnas' Lullaby) (1982)
11. Off Course/Sayonara (Goodbye) (1979)
12. Mayumi Itsuwa/Koibito yo (My Lover) (1980)
13. Toshihiko Tahara/Aishu Date (Melancholy Date) (1980)
14. Masatoshi Nakamura/Kokoro no Iro (Color of Heart) (1981)
15. Hirofumi Banba/Sachiko (1979)
16. Shinji Tanimura/Subaru (Sterope) (1980)
17. Gamu/Ai wa Kagerou (Love is Air Turbulence) (1980)
18. Jun Horie/Memoly Glass (1981)

Disc 2:
1. Warabe/Moshimo Ashita ga... (If Tomorrow Will be...) (1983)
2. Hikaru Genji/Paradise Ginga (Paradise Galaxy) (1988)
3. Hiroko Yakushimaru/Tantei Monogatari (The Detective Story) (1983)
4. Princess Princess/Diamonds (1989)
5. Anri/Cat's Eye (1983)
6. The Checkers/Julia ni Heartbreak (Heartbreak for Julia) (1984)
7. Seiko Matsuda/Sweet Memories (1983)
8. Anzen Chitai/Wine Red no Kokoro (Wine-Red Heart) (1983)
9. Akina Nakamori/Second Love (1982)
10. Wink/Ai ga Tomaranai (I Can't Stop My Love) (1988)
11. Otoko-Gumi/Daybreak (1988)
12. Shizuka Kudo/Koi Hito-yo (One Night Love) (1988)
13. Tomoyo Harada/Toki wo Kakeru Shojo (The Little Girl Who Conquered Time) (1983)
14. Akiko Kobayashi/Koi ni Ochite (Fall in Love) (1985)
15. Kozo Murashita/Hatsukoi (First Love) (1983)
16. Akemi Ishii/Cha-Cha-Cha (1986)
17. Asami Kobayashi/Amaoto wa Chopin no Shirabe (The Sound of Rain is Chopin's Tone) (1984)
18. ALFEE/Hoshizora no Distance (The Distance of the Starry Sky) (1984)
19. C-C-B/Romantic ga Tomaranai (I Can't Stop Romantic) (1985)

Kome Kome Club/Kome -Best of Best- (1985-2005)

A pop group featuring James Onoda (lead vocals), Karlsmokey Ishii (vocals), Joplin Enou (guitar, keyboards) and Bon (bass). An entertainment/live-oriented big band with the horn section and dance team. Pop-oriented music based on funk. A best compilation album (a set of 2 CDs) that includes 25 major songs requested by fans and 5 rare tracks (30 tracks in total). Features "Kome Kome War", "Funk Fujiyama", "Roman Hikou (Romance Flight)" (the commercial song for JAL) and "Kimi ga Iru dakede (Just with You)" (the theme song for TV drama "Sugao no Mama de").

Sunny Day Service/Tokyo (1996)

The rock band led by Keiichi Sokabe (guitar, vocals), Sunny Day Service's second album. Acoustic-oriented sound influenced by the 1970s folk/country-based rock and melodic pop such as Japanese rock bands Happy End (featuring Keiichi Otaki) and Sentimental City Romance. Includes singles, 'Seishun Kyousou-kyoku (Young Rhapsody)' and 'Koi ni Ochitara (Falling in Love)'. 'Ajisai (Hydrangea)' is a good song.

Nobuyasu Okabayashi/Watashi wo Danzai seyo (Condemn Me) (1969)

Folk singer, Nobuyasu Okabayashi's debut album. A Japanese folk classic influenced by early Bob Dylan. The first single "Sanya Blues" is a song about unhappiness of day workers living in Tokyo's Sanya Area. "Tegami (Letter)" is a song on the problem of discrimination against outcast people. Includes three covers with Japanese lyrics of American folk song; Tom Paxton's "Ramblin' Boy", Eric Andersen's "Come to My Bedside", and Bob Dylan's 'Masters of War'. The guest musicians are Isato Nakagawa (guitar), the three members from Jacks; Hitoshi Tanino (bass), Hiro Tsunoda (drums) and Takasuke Kida (piano, organ), and others.

Bon-Bon Blanco/B3 Master Pieces 2002-2004 (2002-2004)

An idol pop group consist of five girls. The members are the vocalist Santos Anna (quarter-breed of Hispanic-American) and four Latin percussion players; Mako (maracas), Tomoyo (timbales), Izumi (conga) and Ruri (bongo). Latin-flavored dance pop featuring Anna's powerful, resounding vocals. A single collection that includes all the tracks from the singles released from 2002 debut until January 2004 and several other popular songs. Features 'Datte Onnanoko Nandamon! (Because I'm a Girl)', 'Namida no Hurricane (Tearful Hurricane)' (the ending theme for TV anime 'GetBackers') and 'Bon Voyage!' (the opening theme for TV anime 'One Piece'). The music produced by Being. The songs composed by Kohsuke Oshima and others. 'Ureshii! Tanoshii! Daisuki! (Goody! Pleasant! I Love It!)' is a cover of Dreams Come True. 'Come to Me' is a cover of Bobby Caldwell.

The Mods/Fight or Flight (1981)

The four-piece rock band led by Tatsuya Moriyama (vocals, guitar), from Hakata. The debut album. Melodic and straightforward rock sound influenced by the 1960s British rock and the late 1970s punk such as the Clash. 'Furyo Shonen no Uta/Song for Bad Boys (Song for John Simon Ritchie and Us)', 'Watch Your Step' and 'Kuzureochiru mae ni (Before Tumbling Down)' (first single) are cool songs. 'Two Punks' is a reggae-style tune.

The Willard/Good Evening Wonderful Fiend (1985)

A popular band called 'big three of the indies' with Laughin' Nose and Uchoten in the mid 1980s, the Willard's debut album. Released in the independent label Captain Records. Pop-oriented punk influenced by the Damned. A hit album that sold over ten thousand copies.

Chihiro Yonekura/Best of Chihirox (1996-2003)

The female singer who debuted with the single 'Arashi no Naka de Kagayaite (Shine in the Storm)' (the OAV 'Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team' opening theme) in 1996. She is known for her songs tied up with anime works and video games and her powerful, emotional vocals. She also does songwriting. A best compilation album (a set of 2 CDs) that covers all her anime/game tie-up songs released until 2003 (30 tracks in total). Features 'Arashi no Naka de Kagayaite', '10 Years After' ('Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team' ending theme), 'Will' (the TV anime 'Senkaiden Houshin Engi' opening theme), 'Just Fly Away' (the TV anime 'Rokumon Tengai Mon Colle Knight' opening theme), 'Butterfly Kiss' (the TV anime 'Rave' opening theme), 'Yakusoku no Basho e (To the Promised Place)' (the TV anime 'Kaleidostar' opening theme) and others.

Gastunk/Dead Song (1985)

The four-piece rock band. The members are Baby (bass), Baki (vocals), Matsumura (drums) and Tatsu (guitar). Their debut album released on the independent label Dogma. Thrash/speed metal-oriented hardcore punk. The last track "Dead Song" is a good melodic song.

Doji Morita/Bokutachi no Shippai (Our Failure): Doji Morita Best Collection (1975-1982)

A female singer and songwriter born in Tokyo, who had worked from the late 1970s to the early 1980s. She sang lots of introspective songs filled with sense of loss after the defeat and end of the student movements of the early 1970s. Whispering vocals with feeble and delicate voice. 'Bokutachi no Shippai (Our Failure)' was used as the theme song for the TV drama 'Koko Kyoshi (High School Teacher)' and became a revival hit in 1993, and it caused a reevaluation of Doji Morita. A best compilation album (13 tracks in total) that includes her masterpieces such as 'Bokutachi no Shippai' and 'Sayonara Boku no Tomodachi (Good-bye My Friend)' (the live version).

Begin/Single Daizenshu (Complete Singles) (1990-2004)

The acoustic pop trio by three males from Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Eisho Higa (vocals), Masaru Shimabukuro (guitar) and Hitoshi Uechi (keyboards). Melodic and song-oriented style based on roots music such as blues and Okinawan traditional folk songs (Shimauta). A compilation album (a set of 2 CDs) that includes all their 28 single tracks released until 2004. Features their debut song 'Koishikute/Missing You' (the image song for Nissan Motor commercial film), 'Koe no Omamori Kudasai/Give Me a Lucky Charm of the Voice' (the commercial song for PHS company Astel Tokyo), 'Sora ni Hoshi ga Aru youni/As There are Stars in the Sky' (the them song for the movie 'Watashitachi ga Suki datta Koto'), 'Uchi e Kaerou/Let's Go Home' (the commercial song for National's air conditioner 'Eolia'), and 'Namida SouSou/Tears Flowing'. Also fertures 'Ojii Jiman no Orion Beer (Eisa Version)/Grandfather's Specialty Orion Beer' (the commercial song for Orion Beer), which was released only in Okinawa.

(Various Artists)/Pass No Past-EPs & Singles (1979-1981)

A compilation album (2 CDs) that includes 22 pieces of music (6 artists) released on the Pass Records, which is a punk/new wave/post-punk-tinged independent label, as EPs and singles. The artists are Friction (a punk band like New York's No Wave. 4 tracks), Masatoshi Tsunematsu (ex-Friction guitarist. 5 tracks), Phew + Ryuichi Sakamoto (a female vocalist/ex-Aunt Sally. 2 tracks produced by Ryuichi Sakamoto), Boys Boys (a girls punk band. 2 tracks), Totsuzen Danball (post-rock/minimalistic. 7 tracks) and Gunjogacrayon (avant-garde improvisation like free jazz. 2 tracks).

Char/Char (1976)

The rock guitarist, Char/Hisato Takenaka's solo debut album. The single "Navy Blue" is a pop song in the Enka (schmaltzy Japanese ballad) rock style, but other tracks are stylish and funky guitar rock in the fusion/jazz-rock style. "Smoky" is especially cool. The lyrics are Japanese and English. One of the greatest Japanese 1970s rock albums.

Shizuka Kudo/gradation (1987-1988)

Singer and actress (ex-member of Onyanko Club). A compilation album that includes all the 10 tracks (A/B sides) from her first 5 singles and a christmas song "X'mas ga Ippai (Full of Xmas)". A smash hit album featuring "Kindan no Telepathy (Forbidden Telepathy)" (#1 on Japanese pop charts), "Again" (#3), "Daite kuretara iinoni (I Wish I Got Laid)" (#3), "Fu-Ji-Tsu (Faithless)" (#1) and "Mugon...Iroppoi (Wordless...Sexy)" (#1. A commercial song for Kanebo Cosmetics). All the songs composed and arranged by Tsugutoshi Goto.

capsule/S.F. sound furniture (2004)

The duo of producer/remixer/DJ/art director/designer Yasutaka Nakata and female vocalist Toshiko Koshijima, capsule's fourth album. Fancy and cute 'interior' pop featuring house, bossa nova, lounge, electro, mondo, French and breakbeat elements. The sound is like Pizzicato Five. All the songs written and produced by Yasutaka Nakata. The single track "Retro Memory" is the song for House Foods' commercial film (produced by Studio Ghibli). The promotion video of "Portable Kuko (Portable Airport)" is a short film produced by the collaboration between Yasutaka Nakata and Studio Ghibli director Yoshiyuki Momose.

Hiroko Taniyama/Taniyama Hiroko Best: Siro to Kuro (Black and White) (1975-2003)

A female singer & songwriter, who debuted in 1972 when she was fifteen years old, and then she has continued her activities for a long time. She has produced lots of simple and approachable songs with her clear voice. Her songs are mainly based on the piano accompaniment, and they have various styles like folk songs, nursery songs, and fantasy stories and dramas. Some songs are much like Akiko Yano's. A best compilation album (a set of 2 CDs) that includes 34 tracks selected by herself. The disc 1 (white) includes her major songs, like "Neko no Mori ni wa Kaerenai (Can't Go Back to the Forest of the Cats)", "Kawa no Hotori ni (By the River)", "Country Girl", "Kaze ni Nare -Midori no Tame ni- (Be a Wind -For Greenery-)", "Koisuru Niwatori (Chicken in Love)", and "Makkura Mori no Uta (The Song of the Pitch-dark Forest)". The disc 2 (black) includes mainly surreal and eccentric songs.

Haruomi Hosono and the Yellow Magic Band/Paraiso (1978)

A solo album released just before YMO (Yellow Magic Orchestra) formed, under the name of 'Haruomi Hosono and the Yellow Magic Band'. The last and greatest work of his 'tropical' trilogy, following the albums 'Tropical Dandy' (1975) and 'Bon Voyage' (1976). Oriental pop with funky rhythms. The guest musicians are Tatsuo Hayashi (drums), Ryuichi Sakamoto (synths), Yukihiro Takahashi (drums) and others. 'Japanese Rumba' is a cover of the song composed by Glenn Miller. 'Asadoya Yunta' is a famous Okinawan folk song. "Fujiyama Mama" is a cover of the rock'n'roll song written by Earl Burrows. "Shambala Tsushin (Shambala Communication)" is an instrumental number by using rhythm machine (Ace Tone) and gamelan gongs.

Totsuzen Danball/Can I? (1981)

The rock band led by the Tsutaki Brothers, Eiichi Tsutaki (vocals) and Shunji Tsutaki (guitar). The debut album released on the Pass label of Trio Records (with six bonus tracks added). Unconventional and uncategorizable music based on extemporization. Simple and minimalistic sound in the new wave/post-rock style. The second track is a cover of "The Girl from Ipanema", a bossa nova classic composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim. This album was highly valued outside Japan too, and then they collaborated with Fred Frith (ex-Henry Cow guitarist) and saxophonist Lol Coxhill.

Aunt Sally/Aunt Sally (1979)

One of the first pank bands in Japan. Featuring a female vocalist Phew. The band consisted of three females, Phew (vocals), Bikke (guitar), Mayu (keyboards), and the males, Yoshio Nakaoka (bass) and Takashi Maruyama (drums). Their first and last studio-recording album released on Vanity Records, an independent label of music magazine 'Rock Magazine'. Produced by Yuzuru Agi (the chief editor of 'Rock Magazine'). New wave sound using lots of inharmonic tones. Offhand way of singing and cool voice like Patti Smith.