Dancemania EX × Trance Paradise

Saifam Speed – September 2013
Artist: Various Artists

Quite a few new Speed tracks in September, which is nice to see after the relatively light output during July and August. One of the tracks, “Kryptonite,” is almost 200 BPM, while the others range from 156-168.

SPE230 – [4:47] Kryptonite (Speed remix) / Speedogang
SPE231 – [4:49] Mr Jones (The Factory Speed remix) / Speedmaster
SPE232 – [4:58] Who Are You (The Factory Speedo-Rock remix) / Speedmaster
SPE233 – [4:34] American Woman (The Factory speed mix) / Speedmaster
SPE234 – [4:19] Our Song (The Factory Speedo Mix) / Speedogang
SPE235 – [4:20] I Will Follow (The Factory Team speed mix) / Speedmaster

What’s EDM? mixed by DJ Komori
Release Date: 3/20/13
Price: 1886 yen

This came out earlier this year, and I wasn’t planning on covering it, but I thought I might as well mention it along with the other recent Warner releases. It’s an EDM compilation with slightly less mainstream artists than those featured in other EDM series. Really weird title, though.

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Million Dance
Release Date: 10/30/13
Price: 1886 yen

Warner have really been on a dance kick lately. It really warms my heart to see dance back on the forefront after being treated like a bastard child during the ’00s. This compilation is particularly interesting because it mostly eschews mainstream acts in favor of more obscure European artists. It also has a few Japanese artists, like DJ Dirt Flare and Prog5 (Shohei Matsumoto/Heavens Wire).

Don’t ask me what on Earth the title means, though. I just hope there’s a sequel so they can call it Billion Dance.

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The Finest -Dance The Best-
Release Date: 9/18/13
Price: 2171 yen

A new dance compilation from Warner Music. The Finest is an R&B compilation series similar in vein to EMI’s VIP or Universal’s What’s Up. In fact, Universal and Warner collaborated on a The Finest × What’s Up release as well as on What’s Up × The Finest.

This CD was originally conceived as a 2-CD set titled The Finest The Best of Best R&B / Dance / Hip Hop. However, dance is back in fashion now, so Warner apparently decided to ditch the R&B/Hip-Hop and went for a single-CD dance compilation instead. Also, CD Japan list it as “The Finest -The Dance The Best-,” which I find mildly amusing for its overuse of articles.

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V.I.P. 10th Anniversary Best Mix
Release Date: 10/30/13
Price: 2171 yen

The 10th release in the V.I.P. series will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the series, which began in 2003. The release is a little earlier than usual, though. Previous release in the main series have always come out in December. I wonder if this non-stop mix is a special release, and they’ll release a proper V.I.P. X in December?

Anyway, it’s nice to see Universal continue an EMI series. There may be hope for Dancemania yet. I’m sure in 2016 they’ll announce a 20th anniversary Dancemania release…then cancel it two months later.

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DJ Kaori’s Party Mix 5
Release Date: 8/21/13
Price: 2286 yen

The latest release in the hugely popular DJ Kaori’s Mix series, which has sold over 4 million copies over the years since its debut in 2005. You can visit the official website for more info on previous entries. A lot of EDM tracks on this one.

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Anison “Kamikyoku” Cover Mix!! -2nd Season-
Release Date: 8/7/13
Price: 1429 yen

Tsutaya-exclusive compilation featuring eurobeat covers of anime themes. There’s a chance that it’ll receive a wide release in the future, as the first one was originally exclusive to Tsutaya, but became widely available about 7 months later.

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Super Ita G Beat presents Anime Mach
Release Date: 9/22/13
Price: 1500 yen

Basically the sequel to Super Ita G Beat, which was released in April of 2012. This one was released during the Ita G Festa on September 22. It’s unknown if it’ll eventually see a wide release, but seeing as it’s nothing but repeats it wouldn’t be a huge loss.

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Super Euro Smash Vol. 4
Release Date: 8/12/13
Price: 952 yen

The fourth release in the Super Euro Smash series was released during Comiket 84 last month. Unlike the third volume, Vol. 4 contains brand new tracks.

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Toho Eurobeat Vol. 8 ~ Subterranean Animism
Release Date: 8/12/13
Price: 1400 yen

Doujin release featuring eurobeat covers of popular touhou songs. Released last month to coincide with Comiket 84. You can visit the official website for a crossfade demo and more info.

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recognize
Artist: recog
Release Date: 9/18/13
Price: 1905 yen

New album from utaite, recog. Bonuses include a cell phone strap (1 of 5 designs), poster, and clear file. Retailer-exclusive bonuses range from Talk CDs to stickers. The official website has more info and samples.

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Exit Tunes Academy Best 2
Release Date: 9/18/13
Price: 1905 yen

The second release in the ETA Best series, which features the best songs from the ongoing Exit Tunes Academy tour. Bonus items include a free ticket to one of the events. The official site has more details as well as samples.

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in the rain
Artist: keeno
Release Date: 6/19/13 ? 7/17/13 ? 9/18/13
Price: 1905 yen

New album from Vocaloid producer, keeno. Judging by the track list, this will be the most depressing Vocaloid album ever. Bonus items include a “rainstrap” (1 of 5 designs), clear file, and poster. Retailer-exclusive bonuses are also available, the best of which is a PV DVD. Visit the official website for samples and more info.

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Whatever Harajuku
Artist: Mademoiselle Yulia
Release Date: 9/18/13
Price: 1886 yen

Second album from the electro queen.

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Harajuku Wander (Single)
Artist: Mademoiselle Yulia
Release Date: 8/28/13
Price: 250 yen

Lead single from Mademoiselle Yulia’s second album. Available on iTunes Japan.

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