Anything related to music reviews or articles
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 …
The following was also featured on Neo-Tokyo 2099: In the late 1970’s and through the 1980′,s “City Pop” (a term used for adult contemporary music in Japan) was very popular. According to music writer Kanazawa Hisakazu, City Pop is ” a popular music genre in 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 …
On February 6th, global pop group IZ*ONE will be releasing 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 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 …
I’ve written about my love for the Korean music show “Produce48” (here and here) and now that the show is over, the top 12 of the show have formed the global pop group, IZ*ONE (pronounced as “Eyez One”/IZ=12 and the meaning is 12 members coming 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 …
Hi everyone! Sorry for the short blog post, but I’ve been busy these past few days, but definitely want to share that I received my copy of Amuro Namie’s “namie amuro Final Tour 2018 – Finally ~”. There are five Blu-ray + DVD releases for 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 …
Last weekend, I went to the 16th Annual Korea Times Music Festival. The event has become like a yearly tradition but for the most part, it’s because we have so much fun. And each year, I discover so many artists and groups that I have 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. And I hope that by sharing what I’m listening to this week, may influence some of you to go out and 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. And I hope that by sharing what I’m listening to this week, may influence some of you to go out and 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 …
Back in 1976, Yo Shitahara created the Japanese clothing brand, BEAMS in the Harajuku area of Tokyo. The company has since grown beyond clothing and fashion to showcase accessories, home fashion, books and also has a music label, BEAMS RECORDS. BEAMS RECORDS’ theme is “Life 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 …
For those who love Japanese culture and are learning the language, will definitely want to check out Tokyo FM World’s “Dempa ch. ~Tokyo Dempa International~” weekly show. The show is hosted by former Seattle resident Matthew Masaru Barron along with Dempagumi Inc. members Mirin and Read More …
In Japan, there are very few female pop stars that has not only had a long lasting music career, continually pump out chart topping hits and have a significant role in Japanese pop culture than Amuro (last name) Namie (first name). Born in Osaka and Read More …
The album I am featuring in today’s “Discovering Japanese Music” is My Little Lover’s second album, “PRESENTS”. My Little Lover is a group that began back in 1995 with vocalist Akko, guitarist Kenji Fuji and producer/songwriter Takeshi Kobayashi (best known for producing hits for The Read More …
My review was featured on J!-ENT (2007): With the sad and depressing news of the death of Sakai Izumi, lead singer of the popular band ZARD, I pulled this album out and just listened to it over and over. With the October 2006 release of Read More …
I can easily remember when I first heard of Every Little Thing (ELT), then a trio which featured vocalist Kaori Mochida, guitarist Ichiro Ito and keyboardist Mitsuru Igarashi. The song was “Feel My Heart” and discovered the group while watching CDTV (a top 40 video Read More …
AKB48, the idol group that took Japan by storm and has been one of the few music groups in Japan that continuously reaches over a million in sales thanks to their dedicated fanbase. Back in 2011, AKB48 released their 23rd CD single “Kaze wa Fuiteiru” Read More …
Sometimes you just want to go back to your music collection and find music you just are in the mood for. And you know that you start to feel old when artists you enjoyed immensely start to receive the cover treatment. But fortunately, in this Read More …