Dancemania EX × Trance Paradise

Trance Paradise
Release Date: 9/1/04
Price: 1900 yen

I remember when Trance Paradise was first announced, I had somehow thought it would be related to EMI’s Happy Paradise eurobeat series. Alas, it wasn’t to be, but we ended up with something just as special. The very first Trance Paradise release was a collaboration between Toshiba-EMI and FARM Records (both label logos appear in the booklet and spine). FARM had licensed Misa’s “Banzai” a few months earlier for Mega Trance 01, so it’s assumed that’s how their working relationship began. There’s a pretty heavy reliance on FARM’s catalog in this first release, though EMI also draw a bit upon their All Around the World license to fill out the album.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ultra Party Anthem mixed by DJ Toshiya
Release Date: 9/24/14
Price: 1667 yen

New dance compilation from the relatively new label that brought you Edge Beat Idol. First-press copies come with a bonus DVD.

The first track is labeled as a “short mega mix,” but it’s unclear if the rest of the album is full versions or a longer continuous mix.

Read the rest of this entry »

Cyber Trance 2014

The Cyber Trance 2014 event lineup was announced recently, and the Water stage features legendary epic trance artists like DJ Kaya, DJ Tora, and DJ U*Hey? Despite OHC’s appearance on the recent Cyber Trance EP, he won’t be appearing at Cyber Trance 2014. o_O So far there’s been no tie-up album announced, and it doesn’t seem likely since they’re usually announced months in advance.

Keep reading after the jump for details on a contest!

Read the rest of this entry »

Trance Paradise 10th Anniversary

Ten years ago, on September 1, 2004, the trance boom in Japan reached a fever pitch. Although Victor Japan’s Trance Rave series had kicked off the trend in 2001, it was 2004 that saw the debuts of several major Japanese trance compilation series. FARM’s own Mega Trance 01 was released in July of 2004, but September 1 was the release date of two major trance behemoths: Avex’s Super Best Trance and Toshiba-EMI’s Trance Paradise. In honor of the 10th anniversary of the trance boom, I’ll be devoting a number of articles over the new few months to the best of these epic trance compilations.

Trance Paradise
Trance Paradise 2

Read the rest of this entry »

Best Mix ~Cheval Edition~ EDM & All Mix Party mixed by *Groovy workshop.
Release Date: 9/24/14 ? 10/29/14
Price: 2200 yen

The latest release in Avex’s ongoing Best Mix series. Expected to feature 25 songs from various genres. Mixed by *Groovy workshop.

Pre-order at CDJapan.

Exit Trance presents Actors -Extra Edition 2- feat. Kitsuma, Ryou, Mitsuki
Release Date: 11/5/14
Price: 1500 yen

Second mini-album in the Actors series, featuring a few Vocaloid covers and some drama tracks. Featured voice actors are Ryoutarou Okiayu, Tomohiro Tsuboi, Kenji Nojima. Visit the official website for more info.

Read the rest of this entry »

Good School Girl
Artist: Mikito P
Release Date: 11/5/14
Price: 2500 yen (CD+DVD Edition) or 2000 yen (CD Only)

Second album from Mikito P. Comes in both a CD+DVD version as well as a CD only version. Bonus items include a guitar pick and poster. Visit the official website for info and samples.

Read the rest of this entry »

Parallel Universe -tribute to jimmythumbP-
Artist: Jimmy Thumb P
Release Date: 10/15/14
Price: 2000 yen

New tribute album celebrating the works of Jimmy Thumb P. Features many guest producers and vocalists. Bonus items include a can badge and poster. Visit the official website for info and samples.

Read the rest of this entry »

Host Collection presents Champagne Call 2014
Release Date: 8/27/14
Price: 2500 yen

New CD+DVD set from Avex featuring songs that are popular in host clubs. Unfortunately, no eurobeat or trance in sight, so I’m gonna be lazy and just copy and paste the track list from the official website.

Read the rest of this entry »

I Love Party Pop ~ Be Happy!
Release Date: 10/29/14
Price: 1850 yen

Update (8/27/14): The release has mysteriously disappeared from most retailers, so it may be canceled or just delayed.

Ayup, Universal are definitely trying to build up their “I Love” brand. As opposed to the main series, the “I Love Party Pop” albums focus a bit more on general pop and less on dance. Featured artists include Ariana Grande, The Vamps, Carly Rae Jepsen and *shudder* Justin Bieber. Fun fact: “Beauty and a Beat” has somehow been on all three releases in the I Love Party series thus far.

Read the rest of this entry »

I Love EDM -Hits & Anthems-
Release Date: 10/8/14
Price: 1850 yen

New dance compilation from Universal. EDM Anthem IV really should’ve been announced by now, so I think this may be its substitute. The title sort of coincides with Universal’s I Love Party series, which makes me think it’ll be part of some larger “I Love” series. Of course, since this will technically be a new release I wouldn’t be surprised if they use it as an excuse to feature repeats from EDM Anthem.

The release is also being touted as an unofficial tie-in to the Ultra Music Festival Japan, er, festival. Sony Music Japan are releasing the official compilation, but that’s not stopping all of the other labels from trying to cash in.

Pre-order at CDJapan.

Cyber Trance Summer Drive – EP
Release Date: 8/20/14
Price: 500 yen

Avex continue their summer trolling with another EP of readily available songs. As far as I can remember, “Be the One” never actually appeared on a Cyber Trance release.

Read the rest of this entry »

Vibes Zenkai Summer Festival! (Vibes Zenkai Natsu Matsuri!)
Release Date: 7/23/14
Price: 1000 yen

Full versions of 24/28 of the songs from Vibes Zenkai Natsu Mix. It looks like they have plans for the future of the series, as they’ve already set up an official website.

Read the rest of this entry »

WMC -World Music Cruise- -White- DJ Hosaka & DJ Baby-T & DJ Sone DJ Mixes
Release Date: 8/20/14
Price: 1200 yen

Digital non-stop mix from FARM Records. Mixed by DJ Hosaka & DJ Baby-T & DJ Sone. Mostly composed of EDM from Spinnin’ Records.

Read the rest of this entry »

Mafia’s Blood ~Onzoushi Vito no Kowareta Ningyou~ Vol. 04
Artist: Natsuki Hanae
Release Date: 8/20/14
Price: 2000 yen

First release in the second trilogy of “Mafia’s Blood” drama CDs. The featured voice actor on this volume will be Natsuki Hanae. Check out the official site for more info. If you collect all three releases, you can get a special cardboard case. Retailer-exclusive bonuses are also available.

Read the rest of this entry »