Susumu Hirasawa: Virtual Rabbit & AURORA

A well over due continuation of this great artists catalog. Enjoy!

Virtual Rabbit (1991)

1. 嵐の海
2. バンディリア旅行団
3. 我が心の鷲よ 月を奪うな[プラネット・イーグル]
4. ヴァーチュアル・ラビット
5. UNDOをどうぞ
6. 山頂晴れて
7. 静かの海
8. 死のない男
9. 太陽の木
10. ロシアン・トビスコープ








AURORA (1994)

1. 石の庭
2. LOVE SONG
3. オーロラ
4. 力の唄
5. 舵をとれ
6. スノーブラインド
7. 風の分身
8. 広場で
9.トビラ島（パラネシアン・サークル)
10. 呼んでるベル

Frank Chickens - We Are Frank Chickens

No words to describe, just sit back, listen and enjoy!

We Are Frank Chickens (1984)

1. Cheeba Cheeba Chimpira
2. Mothra
3. Green Banana
4. Madam Fatal
5. We Are Ninja
6. Yellow Detective
7. Shellfish Bamboo
8. Pikadon
9. We Are Frank Chickens
10. Sake Ballad

Logic System - Venus

Hideaki Matsutake, also known under the moniker Logic System, is a synth musician/programer who is responsible for this superb synth masterpiece. Beginning his career working as an assistant under Isao Tomita (Asia's pioneering voice in electronic music IMHO) and then moving onto technical work as an unoffical 4th member throughout YMO's early career, Matsutake not only has talent but the credentials to assure any skeptic of his accomplishments in the genre. Logic System is a somewhat of a solo project for Matsutake, however much of his work is collaborated upon with other musicians, programmers and producers.

Venus, Logic's System's second LP, was released only a few short months after his debut album and is miles ahead in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, while I love the self titled debut, his distinct style mixed with an r&b/ital disco flair trumps the prog/spacey/kraftwerk-esque he began with. If you're interested in hearing not only his debut but 3rd release as well, head over to JJ's DOWN TO DA BONE!

I found this one on a now defunct blog about 3 years ago and I am really appreciative that I stumbled upon it! I'm pretty sure it's a vinyl rip but it definitely sounds great. I'm a big fan of early electro/dance music and if you're a fan of YMO, I think you'll dig this one too! Enjoy!





Venus (1981)

1. Venus
2. Morpheus
3. I Love You
4. Plan
5. Take A Chance
6. Automatic Collect, Automatic Correct
7. Be Yourself
8. Prophet
9. Metamorphism
10. Equivalent

The Beatniks - Existentialism

Finally found employment about a month ago and have been busy trying to settle into things. I have a long list of requests and posts to get to and I hope all my visitors have been well!  I have a good amount of files already uploaded, now its just putting the posts together. Life has been strange the last three years since I started this blog and hopefully more stability will be in my future... 

Many thanks to Fen, Corwyn, JJ and others for continuing the spirt of the blog world and reminding me to stop being lazy and post more haha! 

The album featured today is a fantastic debut collaboration from two true synth geniuses. Keiichi Suzuki of Moon Riders fame and the "voice and rhythm" of YMO, Yukihiro Takahashi, formed this side project as a tribute to the 50's/60's counter cultural movement known as the beatniks. This underground movement was a powerful force during the time and was seeped in French New Wave motifs. These aspect are featured throughout the album, with the included use of French lyrics. However, the album is unmistakably a product of the minds of the early Japanese new wave movement, with the then modern sounds and the "beatnik" concept pieced together beautifully.

Keeping up even further with the French theme, the album's name "Existentialism" is also derived from the 19th/20th century philosophical movement of the same namesake. In high school I was extremely intrigued by the works of Sartre and Camus, but if any of you have actually sat down and tried to absorb anything from "Being and Nothingness", you know how fruitless that can be haha!

The Beatniks still sporadically release albums, with their last effort seen in 2011. Fortunately I was able to come upon this 3 or 4 years ago on a now defunct blog. Many thanks to the original poster and I truly hope you all enjoy it!




Existentialism (1981)

1. Le Sang Du Poete
2. No Way Out
3. Ark Diamant
4. Now And Then … 
5. Loopy
6. Une Femme N'est Pas Un Homme
7. Mirroris
8. Le Robinet
9. L'Etoile de Mer
10. Inevitable

Susumu Hirasawa: 時空の水 &サイエンスの幽霊

Susumu Hirasawa is a genius. Now that doesn't mean he is accessible to the masses, but none the less, he is truly a unique voice in the world of music. 

Originally a member of the influential electro rock group, P-MODEL, Hirasawa continued into a solo career with the focus of breaking musical molds and constantly redefining how music is presented. Wether through his political activism, his solar powered music studio, interactive concerts or philosophical themes, Hirasawa's music demonstrates the potential dichotomies of man & machine while simultaneously utilizing both to present his art.

Some of you may be familiar with Hirasawa due to his contributions to the anime world, composing soundtracks to several films and series, particularly those of the legendary Satoshi Kon. It was Kon's series "Paranormal Agent" that initially made me familiar with Hirasawa and I've been grateful ever since. 

The two albums featured in this post are Hirasawa's first two solo efforts and while not as strong as the bulk of his catalog, they do highlight the initial framework that Hirasawa has built since. If these albums don't meet you fancy, I still urge you to check out the rest of his albums as I post them. Hirasawa is one of my favorite Japanese singers and there is no one else with a sound comparable to his. Enjoy! 



時空の水 (1989)

1. ハルディン・ホテル
2. 魂のふる里
3. コヨーテ
4. ソーラ・レイ
5. 仕事場はタブー
6. デューン
7. フローズン・ビーチ
8. 時空の水
9. スケルトン・コースト公園
10. 金星







サイエンスの幽霊 (1990)

1. 世界タービン
2. ロケット
3. フィッシュ・ソング
4. カウボーイとインディアン
5. QUIT
6. アモール・バッファー
7. 夢みる機械
8. テクノの娘
9. FGG

Haruomi Hosono: Nokto de la Galaksia Fervojo (Night on the Galactic Railroad)

Over the course of my small years in blogging, I've avoided posting a lot of cool finds since they aren't my original files. However, with the internet and file sharing getting more restrictive and many losing their passion to share, I've felt an urge to post some albums that many wouldn't otherwise hear. My site isn't large and I don't have the chance to post as much as I'd like but hopefully I can keep the spirit alive of all the individuals who have provided me with so much joy over the years.

Nokto de la Galaksia Fervojo is the soundtrack to the meta-anime film Night on the Galactic Railroad (銀河鉄道の夜) by the amazing Haruomi Honsono. The film itself is based off the novel of the same name by renowned Japanese writer, Kenji Miyazawa. Miyazawa was interested in the obscure latin based language Esperanto and this can be seen in his novel, the film and Honsono's tracklisting. 

The film is beautifully animated, slowly paced, thought provoking and the music compliments this perfectly. While the film was slightly controversial due to director Gisaburo Sugii's decision to interpret the story with anthropomorphic cats, I still feel that Miyazawa's message of "what is true happiness?" resonates. It may not be for everyone but I recommend you give it a chance if your a fan of Honsono or want to try something new. Sugii also recently released a spiritual successor to his film adapting another of Miyazawa's novels, Guskō Budori no Denki (グスコーブドリの伝記), last year with the same art style and cats! Enjoy!

File source (Defunct): Music Blog of Saltyka and His Friends

Nokto de la Galaksia Fervojo (1985)

1. La Ceftitolo

2. Temo el la Mondo de la Fantazia Kvara Dimensio

3. Fantazio Kaj Realo

4. En Tago Serena

5. La Kanto de la Rondiro de la Steloj

6. Fantazio de Giovanni

7. La Stelfesto de Centauro

8. La Masto de 'Tenkirin'

9. La Gojo

10. La Norda Kruco

11. La Pliocena Marbordo

12. La Historio en Fantazio

13. La Harpo de la Paradizo

14. La Travida Malgojo de Giovanni

15. La Pleja Felico

16. Temo de la Adiauo

17. Kuro

18. 45 Minutoj

19. Rekviemo

20. Temo Finala- Nokto de la Galaksia Fervojo

Here is the soundtrack in its entirety

Here is the film in its entirety

I Like Chopin Mix

This song came on in my itunes shuffle so I got inspired to put together a little compilation of some of its' various versions and covers! Kinda random but a great song none the less! One of those quintessential 80's dance songs. Enjoy!

I Like Chopin Mix - Various Artists


Gazebo (1983/1991)
I Like Chopin (7" short version)
I Like Chopin (12" long version & album version) 
I Like Chopin (12" long version)

Asami Kobayashi (1984)
雨音はショパンの調べ

Alan Tam (1984)
我愛雀斑

Ámokfutók (1997)
Meghalok 1 Csókodért!

Atsushi Sakurai (2004)
雨音はショパンの調べ -I like Chopin-

Masami Tsuchiya: Time Passenger, Mod'Fish & 森の人～Forest People

Woke up this morning with tonsillitis, so no work today but I'm missing the school field trip. At least I have a day to rest up a bit. So here are the remainder of Masami Tsuchiya's works. Time Passenger, his last solo effort of the 80's, has a distinct middle eastern theme with the album including quite a bit more experimental instrumentation then his previous efforts. However it still holds a familiar "Masami" sound and compliments his career up till that point. Shortly afterwards, he moved to London and it would be nearly a decade before he would release the Mod'Fish EP. With the exception of two tracks, Mod'Fish travels into bold new territories for Masami with a "electronic avant-pop" sound. This is not surprising, as many of his peers had already explored this territory earlier in the decade. I feel though, Mod'Fish utilizes the distinct 90's drum&bass samples heard in much of the "trip-hop/experimental electronica" giving it kind of like a "Masami meets Massive Attack" feel. Masami then moved further down the road of electronic experimentation with the "environmental/fantasy themed" 森の人～Forest People. In some ways I think its the most experimental album in his entire catalog and what started on Mod'Fish really finds its home on this album. He even get some help from friends, Mick Karn and Atsushi Sakurai! Sadly, he has not released any more solo material since this point. However as of 2008, he has been a member of the group "VITAMIN-Q featuring ANZA" but I hope that someday soon we will get at least one more Masami album. Enjoy!

Time Passenger (1989)

1. MIND FRICTION

2. LADY ROXY

3. 太陽とラムセス

4. 水鏡

5. ラヴ・ラヴ・ラヴ

6. UNDER THE BAD SIGN

7. 詩人達の血

8. TIME PASSENGER

9. VELVET FLOWER

Mod'Fish (1997)

1. Sea Monstar

2. Frank

3. Mod' Fish

4. Welcome

5. Alexis

Mick Karn on bass

森の人～Forest People (1998)

1. 森のプレリュード

2. 真夏の夜の森

3. 森の天使

4. 雨の森の人

5. ガラスの森

6. 南の森の出来事

7. ボジョレー氏の森

8. 黒い森

9. 森になる日

10. 小さな森の人

11. ローズマリーの森

12. 森の妖精のメッセージ

Atsushi Sakurai on vocals

Miharu Koshi: TUTU, Parallelisme, Boy Soprano & Echo De Miharu

Sorry for the long depature. Per request, here is Miharu Koshi's TUTU and 3 more albums. All great albums and all thanks to "The Vault" (the memory lives). I hope to start posting some more soon, sooooo tired! Enjoy!

TUTU (1983)

1. L'Amour Toujours

2. Laetitia

3. Scandal Night

4. L'amour ou ironie noire

5. Sugar Me

6. Pussy Cat

7. Keep on Dancing

8. 日よは行かない

9. Petit Paradis

Extra from We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Belle Tristesse 妙なる悲しみ

Parallelisme (1984)

1. 龍宮城の恋人

2. Capricious Salad

3. Image

4. サン・タマンの森で

5. メフィストフェレスを探せ！

6. 逃亡者

7. Parallelisme

8. Decadence 120

9. 薔薇の夜会～あるいは甘い蜜の戒め

EXTRA from Apogee & Perigee 超時空コロダスタン旅行記

1. アニマロイド・MVII

2. 逆さ賢人・イーガス

Boy Soprano (1985)

1. 野ばら

2. 夕べの祈り

3. Ave Maria

4. Marie-Ange

5. Mademoiselle Juju

6. カトレアの夜

7. 走れウサギ

8. Lip Shutz

Echo de Miharu (1987)

1. La canción de marcelino

2. Satyricon

3. Beyond the blue horizon

4. It's raining sunbeams

5. La traviati brindisi

6. Save the last dance

7. Doggie in the window

8. Diga diga do

9. L'acqua sonora

10. Alleluja

11. One more hour

Masami Tsuchiya: Horizon

Posting will probably continue to be a little erratic over the next few weeks. I haven't even begun my english camp materials, oh lord lol. This is yet another fantastic album. I think its the perfect culmination of all of his efforts up to this point in his career. Enjoy!

Horizon (1988)

1. 仮面の夜

2. Forbidden Flowers

3. Horizon

4. 風と砂と水と

5. ハチドリの夢

6. Silhouette

7. 冬のバラ

8. Bird's Eye

9. Too Many Tears

10. Diamond

Perfume: 不自然なガール / ナチュラルに恋して

The songs that solidified Perfume in my "cool book". This single will be the last from them, but everyone should check out their new full length "JPN". Sorry I've been AWOL the last few days but the end of the semester pressures are on and I'm now planning my students finals and English camp lessons for next month summer. I'm also losing energy with this heat/rain/heat/rain business! Anyway, I took a break...headed to a PC Room and decided to do a mass post of 5 albums. I urge everyone to check em out. Also, hopefully if time and energy permits, I'm showing interest in starting another blog dedicated to Video Game music and reviews (not too original I know). Since I'm an old fart at heart, its mainly gonna be about old games but trust me when I say some video game music is a better listen then most music. Anywho, enjoy the tunes and be on the watch out for some Hiroko Yakushimaru re-posts and other random goodies. Enjoy!

不自然なガール / ナチュラルに恋して (2010)

1. 不自然なガール
2. ナチュラルに恋して
3. 不自然なガール -Original Instrumental-
4. ナチュラルに恋して -Original Instrumental-

Love this video!!!

While the blocking is impressive, girl's shopping on a conveyor belt though....anyway great song!

Masami Tsuchiya: Life in mirrors

Yet another fantastic album from Masami Tsuchiya. While I enjoyed TOKYO BALLET, Life in mirrors is more reminiscent of the later Ippu-do/RICE MUSIC sound, which I prefer. Also it doesn't hurt when David Sylvian and Mick Karn (Japan), John Taylor (Duran Duran) and Andy Mackay (Roxy Music) lend their talents to the mix. Great Stuff, highly recommended! Enjoy!

Life in mirrors (1986)

1. STAY IN HEAVEN
2. DON'T STOP LOVING
3. KHAOS TOWN（日射しの罪人)
4. 水の中のホテル (HOTEL ATLANTIS)
5. PERFECT DAYS
6. DAYDREAMS OF YOU
7. 一日千夜(ONE DAY A THOUSAND NIGHTS)
8. LAPIS
9. BECAUSE
10. PLANET MIRRORS

Perfume: ⊿ (Triangle)

⊿ (2009)

1. Take off

2. love the world

3. Dream Fighter

4. edge (⊿-mix)

5. NIGHT FLIGHT

6. Kiss and Music

7. Zero Gravity

8. I still love U

9. The best thing

10. Speed of Sound

11. One room Disco <----------- (Sorry track is missing)

12. 願い (Album-mix)

Masami Tsuchiya: TOKYO BALLET

A superb second album from one of my favorite artists. Enjoy!

TOKYO BALLET (1985)

1. SUDDENLY　突然の明日

2. SILENT HUNTERS

3. LIKE A FOREIGNER

4. THE FOREVER HOUR

5. NIGHT IN THE BABYLON

6. TOKYO BALLET

7. ALIEN

8. MANNEQUIN

9. 最上階のバタフライ

10. UNKNOWN SOLIDER

11. 風石

Masami Tsuchiya: Rice Music

Happy June!!!

Masami Tsuchiya is the voice behind the new wave group Ippu-do and both during and after their run, he released a string of strong experimental pop albums that are fantastic. Rice Music not only features Tsuchiya's unique sound but that of his peers and mentors from other new wave masters: Yellow Magic Orchestra, Japan, Bill Nelson, Brand X and The Plastics. In fact KAFKA is a Ryuichi Sakamoto composition. These individuals would continue to create and collaborate throughout the years and still today and have created some of my favorite albums! Check it out and Enjoy!

Rice Music (1982)

1. ライス・ミュージック

2. せっせっせっ

3. HAINA-HAILA

4. タオ・タオ

5. NEO-RICE MUSIC

6. KAFKA

7. ライス・ドッグ・ジャム

8. SECRET PARTY

9. サイレント・オブジェクト

10. ナイト・イン・ザ・パーク

Perfume: GAME

Their second, but technically first, album. This was their breakthrough album, going double platinum. Watch out for one more album and a single in the near future. Enjoy!

GAME (2008)

1. Polyrhythm

2. plastic smile

3. GAME

4. Baby cruising Love

5. Chocolate Disco

6. Macaroni

7. Ceramic Girl

8. Take me Take me

9. Secret Secret

10. Butterfly

11. Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow

12. Puppy love

Perfume: Perfume ~Complete Best~

Guilty Pleasure time! If you want more...tell me! Enjoy!

Perfume ~Complete Best~ (2006)

1. Perfect Star Perfect Style

2. Linear Motor Girl

3. Computer City

4. Electro World (Album Version)

5. Gravity

6. Monochrome Effect

7. Vitamin Drop

8. Sweet Donuts

9. Foundation

10. Computer Driving

11. Perfume

12. Wonder2

Japan: Quiet Life & Gentlemen Take Polaroids

These are the two that defined Japan and marked their shift from Glam to New Wave. David Sylvian's introduction of the lower register vocals, Mick Karn's fretless bass grooves, Richard Barbieri's signature synths and the solid percussion of Steve Jansen. These albums did however, mark the minimization of guitarist Rob Dean contributions to the band (which caused his departure in 1980) but his presence in these albums is key, his instrumental composition "The Width of A Room" and the title tracks of both albums are a testament to that. Some amazing musicianship and fantastic representations of minimalist pop music. This also marks the first collaboration between David Sylvian and Ryuichi Sakamoto on "Taking Islands in Africa". Enjoy!

Quiet Life (1979)

1. Quiet Life

2. Fall In Love With Me

3. Despair

4. In-Vogue

5. Halloween

6. All Tommorow's Parties

7. Alien

8. The Other Side Of Life

BONUS FROM 2001 & 2004 RE-ISSUE

9. All Tomorrows Parties (12'' Version, 1983 Remix)

10. All Tomorrows Parties (7'' Version)

11. A Foreign Place (B-Side Of Quiet Life)

12. Quiet Life (7'' Version)

13. Quiet Life (12" version)

14. Life In Tokyo (12" version)

DOWNLOAD

Gentlemen Take Polaroids (1980)

1. Gentlemen Take Polaroids

2. Swing

3. Burning Bridges

4. My New Career

5. Methods Of Dance

6. Ain´t That Peculiar

7. Nightporter

8. Taking Islands In Africa

BONUS FROM 2003 RE-ISSUE

9. The Experience Of Swimming

10. The Width Of A Room

11. Taking Islands In Africa (Steve Nye Remix)

DOWNLOAD