Category Archives: Releases

BEGIN announces tribute and cover albums, plus more – Tokyograph

Pop group BEGIN celebrated the 20th anniversary of their debut this year, and they have now announced the simultaneous release of two special albums to celebrate that milestone. Titled “BEGIN 20th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL TRIBUTE ALBUM” and “BEGIN 20th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL COVER ALBUM,” the albums are scheduled to go on sale on March 2, 2011.

The members of BEGIN are originally from Okinawa, so the “SPECIAL TRIBUTE ALBUM” will have an all-Okinawa theme. The artists known to be participating are MONGOL800, Cocco, Kariyushi 58, MAX, ISSA (DA PUMP), Chiharu Tamashiro (Kiroro), D-51, Yanawaraba, Isamu Shimoji, 2side1BRAIN, Ponytail Ribbons, and BOURBONZ. The album’s jacket will feature actress Manami Higa, who also hails from Okinawa.

The “SPECIAL COVER ALBUM,” on the other hand, will not be limited to Okinawan artists. The album includes Yoshimi Tendo, Hiromi Iwasaki with Chikuzen Sato, Sayuri Ishikawa, Ayakaji, Sansanar, Kaori Nakata, Rimi Natsukawa, Aya Ueto, Takeshi Tsuruno, Keiko Toda, SISTER KAYA, and Tokiko Kato. Another Okinawan actress, Tomi Taira, will appear on the jacket.

[…]

(Via Tokyograph.)

Both albums look like must haves but of course, we’re most excited about the tribute album, you know, since Manami Higa will be on the cover. Hopefully there will be a track listing up for each album soon so stay tuned here or keep a lookout on BEGIN’s official website or their record label’s website. And, most importantly, remember to mark your calendar for the album’s release date: March 2, 2011. Oh, one thing that looks promising is the price of the albums: ¥2,400 (instead of the norm of about ¥3,000).

Cocco’s latest single “NIRAI-KANAI”

J-pop artist Cocco (one of our favorites) recently released her meaningful single “NIRAI-KANAI” on June 9th featuring Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko and artist Curly Giraffe — both are also in the PV.

In the PV, Cocco’s holding a jiifaa made by her good friend Kenjiro Matayoshi, a 7th generation maker of Ryukyu kanzeeku.

According to her website, the single is Cocco’s first in over two years and is coupled with the song “Yagi no Sanpo.”

Cocco’s “Nirai Kanai” is available for purchase at CDJapan (affiliate link).

(Nifee deebitan to Mark for the info!)

Featuring: J-pop unit RYCOME

RYCOME is a new J-pop unit from Okinawa who just released their debut single, “Koi,” on December 16, 2009. The duo of ma-mi (vocals) and Jacky (DJ, chorus) have created a very nice pop song in “Koi” that’s coupled on the single with “Tears of the moon.” The entire PV for “Koi” is up on YouTube.

(Via 沖縄LOVElog.)

Kazutoshi Matsuda to release 2nd album in 2010

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It’s hard to believe that two years have passed since Kazutoshi Matsuda released his debut album, “Diigunii” on June 15, 2007. Come Sanshin Day (March 3rd) in 2010, Kazutoshi will be releasing his second album titled “Uta Michi Aruki” on Tundami Label. Featuring a total of 12 tracks, the album will feature a pop rock sound (Ryūkyū Pop) compared to his debut album. The album is priced at ¥2,700.

Track list is as follows:

  1. Hana Kuduchi (Okinawa Minyou)
  2. Mura Ashibi (Okinawa Minyou)
  3. Michi (Original)
  4. Kokoro no Iro (Original)
  5. Hamachidori (Okinawa Minyou)
  6. Chanmii (Original)
  7. Ayagu (Okinawa Minyou)
  8. Tinsagu nu Hana (Okinawa Minyou)
  9. Tabi (Original)
  10. Tuutangaanii (Okinawa Minyou)
  11. Umi Yakara (Okinawa Minyou)
  12. Yume no Sora (Original)

The PV below is for the song “Michi” which will be on the new album.

(Via Campus Record Staff blog.)

In love with Namie Amuro’s “The Meaning Of Us”

Ask me about the song that I’ve been humming a lot of lately and I’ll answer Owl City’s “Fireflies” — not! (*ahem* I’m a fan of The Postal Service.) The song that’s been stuck in my head the past week is Namie Amuro’s “The Meaning Of Us” from her newly released original album, “Past<Future” — Amuro’s first in two years.

The song is being featured as the theme song to the upcoming BeeTV drama “Onnatachi wa Nido Asabu” (the video clip above is from the drama). Unfortunately, the album hasn’t made it for sale on iTunes yet (although many of her other albums are on sale there) and being that her last album, 2008’s “Best Fiction,” isn’t up either (at the U.S. store), you’ll have to go the CD route for this one.

Chihiro Kamiya’s new mini album “Cheeringu”

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A very favorite artist of ours, Chihiro Kamiya, will be releasing a mini album titled “Cheeringu” on 9/30/09. The mini album will have a total of 7 tracks. In a departure to her previous albums which were Okinawan pop focused, the mini album will be a mixture of world, pop and reggae sounds. Whatever she sings, we’ll be buying it. 😀

“Cheeringu” is available for pre-order at cdjapan.co.jp.

okinawaBBtv has an interview with Chihiro announcing her new mini album up on their site.