SuperSonicBeatRush
Release Date: 10/30/11
Price: 1429 yen
Another doujin compilation featuring Chris Bucknall of CJ Crew.
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SuperSonicBeatRush
Release Date: 10/30/11
Price: 1429 yen
Another doujin compilation featuring Chris Bucknall of CJ Crew.
Classical Candy 2
Release Date: 10/30/11
Price: 1429 yen
So, I’m finally going to be posting the interview I conducted with Chris Bucknall (The ‘C’ of CJ Crew) soon, and in the process of writing up an artist spotlight I found that he’s been active in making Speed music again. That’s right, folks, CJ Crew are back!
This doujin compilation was released last October by Japan-based RTTF Records and compiles speed versions of classical tracks (think classical Speed) from a variety of artists. Exit Trance fans may be interested in the Hommarju track, but Dancemania fans will be more interested in the return of Chris Bucknall to the Japanese hardcore scene. The booklet even has a special interview with Chris Bucknall!
Stay tuned for more on CJ Crew!
House Flavor R&B ~Original Best~ Vol. 5
Release Date: 6/13/12
Price: 1200 yen
5th release in the digital series, which collects fulls versions of songs from various FARM compilations. Once again, it’s exclusive to iTunes Japan.
Mori mix
Release Date: 6/13/12
Price: 1200 yen
iTunes release of Mori no Cover Densetsu with The Parents Project tracks removed.
Mori no Cover Densetsu
Release Date: 6/13/12
Price: 1619 yen
Spinoff of the popular J-Pop Cover Densetsu series, this time focusing mainly on Ghibli covers and “healing” songs. The title translates to “Forest Cover Legend.” Many of the songs were featured on Ghibli in the Mix, which was released all the way back in 2009.
Exit Tunes presents Kamikyoku o Utatte Mita 6
Release Date: 7/14/12
Price: 1905 yen
I’m a bit surprised to see a new release in this series. They used to have 2 releases a year, but it looks like this will be the only release in the series this year. Participating utaite include Glutamine, Sekihan, Shamuon, and Soraru. Pretty heavy with the male utaite, actually.
J-Rap Cover Densetsu
Release Date: 6/13/12
Price: 1429 yen
First album from the J-Rap duo who were first featured on FARM’s J-Pop Cover Densetsu Best.
Exit Trance presents Speed Anime Trance Best 16
Release Date: 9/5/12
Price: 1905 yen
16th release in the Speed Anime Trance Best series. In past years there were 3 main releases per year, usually around April, August and November. Either SATB 17 will come out in December or there’ll only be two releases in the series this year. :/
Pre-order at CDJapan.
V.I.P. presents Party Covers
Release Date: 8/1/12
Price: 2171 yen
In recent years the V.I.P. series has shifted from R&B/Hip-Hop to Dance/House songs, reflecting the increased popularity of dance music thanks in part to artists like Lady Gaga and David Guetta. There’s no doubt in my mind that those two artists’ songs will be heavily featured in this new compilation from EMI, but I’m very curious as to who will be providing the covers. A lot of Japanese labels have been licensing from US-based Power Music, but I’d love to see Saifam contribute.
Pre-order at CDJapan.
Saifam Speed – June 2012
Artist: Various Artists
June’s Speed releases bring us a Disko Warp remix of the Happy Paradise 2 classic, “Bang! Ready to Go,” to accompany the recent J-Mi & Midi-D remix. I kinda wonder why the chose that track out of all the Happy Paradise songs to remix. Anyway, this marks the first time Disko Warp have done a remix for Saifam. Perhaps Saifam will return the favor in the future?
Also out is a Speed cover of the Richard Marx 80s song, “Should’ve Known Better.”
SPE193 – [3:52] Bang! Ready to Go (Disko Warp remix) / Tipsy & Tipsy
SPE194 – [5:37] Should’ve Known Better (The Factory Team Speed remix) / Speedmaster
Dancemania Party ~ Best of 90s Dance Hits
Release Date: 8/1/12
Price: 2381 yen
Dancemania lives!!! I was beginning to think that the Dancemania brand would only be revived for occasional anniversary releases every 5 years, but Dancemania’s sweet 16 will be celebrated with another collection of 90s dance hits. EMI picked up the rights to Solid Base, Mr. President and T-Spoon last year with the release of Dancemania Sparkle. They even regained the AATW rights from Avex, so it would’ve been a waste not to put them to good use.
No track list yet, but I’m hoping it’s not a straight retread of Sparkle. They used most of the best-known songs in Sparkle already, though, so it’ll be interesting to see what else they consider to be 90’s dance hits.
Update! (6/12/12): Some artists have been revealed, and I think it’s safe to say it won’t simply be a copy of Dancemania Sparkle.
01. Spice Girls
02. Smile.dk
03. Aqua
04. The Real McCoy
05. Robert Miles
06. Funky Diamonds
07. A*Teens
As far as I know only the Spice Girls and Smile.dk back catalogs are owned by EMI, so there seems to be a pretty heavy emphasis on non-EMI artists (unless EMI have since bought the rights to them as well). “Another Night,” “Children,” and “Get It On,” will probably be the Real McCoy, Robert Miles, and Funky Diamonds tracks, respectively. “Barbie Girl” was already on Sparkle, so the Aqua track may be “Roses Are Red” or “Cartoon Heroes” instead. A*Teens are an odd choice since they popped up in the late 90s. If they stick strictly to the 90s theme that leaves only ABBA covers. However, if they’re a bit more lenient we may hear “Halfway Around the World” again.
I think the track list is shaping up pretty nicely so far, but for the love of god, please include Bus Stop and Saifam. And ditch the annoying euro-reggae.
Pre-order at CDJapan.
R40 Premium Dance Mix
Release Date: 5/28/12
Price: 1905 yen
Dance covers of R40 J-Pop hits. Produced by Drive Music Entertainment. Appears to have a few tracks licensed from FARM’s Geki Love J-Euro as well as J-Pop Cover Densetsu.
Magic ~ A Collection of Black Disco Classics mixed by DJ Kawasaki
Release Date: 7/25/12
Price: 2381 yen
A new compilation from EMI mixed by DJ Kawasaki. The album will include Disco and Salsoul classics from artists like A Taste of Honey, Chaka Kahn, Quincy Jones, and Diana Ross.
Moshi Moshi (Single)
Artist: Smile.dk
Release Date: 6/5/12
American Smile.dk fans rejoice! After switching distributors, Smile.dk have finally made the song available on US iTunes! Smile.dk recently returned to the studio as well, so hopefully Makeup Collection is still on track for a 2012 release.
Soraai
Artist: Soraru
Release Date: 3/7/12
Price: 1905 yen
First major release from utaite, Soraru. Bonus items include a cellphone strap, mousepad (1 of 5 designs), clear file, and poster. There are also retailer-exclusive bonuses available. Visit the official website for samples and more info.