The awesome theme song to “Long Vacation”, “La-La-La Love Song” by Toshinobu Kubota and feat. Naomi Campbell is just a fantastic song to take us to the summer time. Definitely a must-own single! ARTIST: Toshinobu Kubota CD SINGLE: La-La-La Love Song (feat. Naomi Campbell) LABEL: Read More …
“Body Rock” is a song from 2002 that I will always remember from Heartsdales. Two decades later and the song still holds up remarkably well and definitely worth checking out! GROUP: HEARTSDALES SINGLE TITLE: BODY ROCK DURATION: 6 Songs (28 Minutes) RELEASED ON: August 28, Read More …
What happens when TM NETWORK gives their masters out to America’s top producers to recreate the music of popular songs. It may not be for everyone, but for those intrigued by the concept, may want to check it out! BAND: TM NETWORK ALBUM: DRESS DURATION: Read More …
Captivating, addictive, inspiring…“fight” is another highly recommended CD single from YUI. ARTIST: YUI CD SINGLE: fight LABEL: Sony Music Records CATALOG #: SRCL-8097 DURATION: 16:54 RELEASE DATE: September 5, 2012 01. fight 02. If you 03. Happy Birthday to you you ~YUI Acoustic Version~ 04. fight Read More …
No matter what year and how much time has passed, Yamashita continues to create endearing music that is upbeat, delightful and captivating and these songs will continue to live on. He is one of the rare music legends in this world and “SOFTLY” is another Read More …
If you are looking for cool albums to listen during the summer, check out all three of Yamashita Tatsuro’s “COME ALONG” albums! ARTIST: Yamashita Tatsuro (山下達郎) ALBUM: COME ALONG 3 LABEL: Moon/Warner Music Japan DURATION: 55:41 CATALOG #: BVCL-835 RELEASED ON AUGUST 2, 2017 1 Read More …
There are a few musicians that shown amazing potential at a young age with a ukulele. Hawaii’s Jake Shimabukuro and Taimane (who was discovered at a young age by Don Ho), Taiwan’s Feng E (who has quickly received worldwide attention) and Japan’s Kondo Toshiki (Family Read More …
I feel that the musical style is fitting for a Kimura Takuya of today…soulful and if anything, a man who is going with the flow. Recommended! ARTIST: 木村拓哉 (Kimura Takuya) ALBUM: Go with the Flow LABEL: Victor CATALOG #: VICL-1679 DURATION: 58 minutes RELEASE DATE: Read More …
While Charan Po Rantan’s style of music may not be for everyone, If you do like their ethno-influenced music style from what you see on their music videos, then this album is definitely recommended for the music and hours worth of content! GROUP: Charan Po Read More …
IZ*ONE is back with their third Japanese single titled “Vampire”, which is just in time as Japan goes full-force with Halloween festivities. The single was a success as first day sales was 174,242 copies but brought in weekly sales of 205,032 copies (Oricon Charts) and Read More …
CIRCUS TOWN” is a solid album debut for Yamashita Tatsuro. ARTIST: Yamashita Tatsuro ALBUM: Circus Town LABEL: BMG CATALOG #: BVCR-17013 DURATION: 46 minutes RELEASE DATE: December 25, 1976 TRACK LISTINGS: 1. CIRCUS TOWN 2. WINDY LADY 3. MINNIE 4. 永遠に 5. LAST STEP 6. Read More …
“SONGS – 40th Anniversary Ultimate Edition” is a magnificent Sugar Babe album that shines even brighter when compared with the previous releases and currently is the definitive version to own! But just know that in 2025, with the 50th anniversary release, one can only expect Read More …
I believe that one should own a copy of “A Long Vacation”, it’s a classic and beloved album in Japan, others call it a representative of “City Pop” but for the most part, it’s simply a well-produced album and as we approach the 40th year Read More …
B’z is one of Japan’s most successful rock duo’s in Japan which consists of guitarist, composer and producer Matsumoto “Tak” Takahiro and vocalist and lyricist Inaba Koshi. Since their debut back in 1988, the band shows no signs of wavering, having sold over 100 million Read More …
On February 6th, global pop group IZ*ONE released their debut Japanese single “Suki to Iwasetai” (I want to say I Like You). IZ*ONE (pronounced as “Eyez One”/IZ=12 and the meaning is 12 members coming together as ONE). The group features Jang Wonyoung, Miyawaki Sakura, Jo Read More …
Yamashita Tatsuro’s “Christmas Eve” is just one of those must-play songs and for me, this single is one of the few that I own that will always be played every year! Recommended! ARTIST: Yamashita Tatsuro (山下達郎) CD SINGLE: Christmas Eve (クリスマス・イブ) LABEL: Moon Records CATALOG Read More …
You get 55 tracks in this magnificent best album. This may be the final Yamashita Tatsuro produced best album on CD and he no doubt wanted it to be special. And it’s a special best album featuring hit songs and also unreleased songs from 1975-2012 Read More …
I’ve written about my love for the music show “Produce48”. In South Korea, there is a television show called “Produce 101” in which they get young women (season 1) and young men (season 2) from different talent agencies and they compete to become a 12-member Read More …
“namie amuro Final Tour 2018 ~Finally~” is a magnificent final concert release for Amuro Namie. You get three concerts, the final, one in her home of Okinawa and then a concert at from earlier in 2018 in Japan (depending on which version you purchase). You Read More …
“Melodies” is a classic album from Yamashita Tatsuro that still is on my playlist to this day! ARTIST: Yamashita Tatsuro (山下達郎) TITLE: Melodies LABEL: Alpha Moon Inc./Moon Records CATALOG #: 32XM-27 DURATION: 41 Minutes RELEASE DATE: June 8, 1983 1. 悲しみのJODY (She Was Crying) 2. Read More …
I am a major believer in opening one’s mind to the world and that includes enjoying pop culture from other countries. That includes music. Lately, I’m listening to Yamashita Tatsuro’s “山下達郎 – OPUS ～ALL TIME BEST 1975-2012～”, Dream Come True’s “DREAMS COME TRUE GREATEST HITS Read More …
In 2004, singer/songwriter YUKA and musician/composer Kousuke Masaki were introduced by a mutual friend. Eventually, the two appreciated each other’s music and in 2005, the two would form the rock unit, moumoon. The group based their name from the French world “mou” and the English Read More …
Originally featured in J!-ENT Feb. 2013: In Japan, AKB48 member Yuki “Yukirin” Kashiwagi is one of the more popular and highly ranked members of the group. A member of AKB48 and the side-group French Kiss, Kashiwagi has had solo songs featured on the French Kiss Read More …