5th Elements 10th Anniversary

via 5th Elements

Vocal duo 5 Elements (A-RA and YU) is celebrating their 10th anniversary with the release of a new album THE BEST which features 15 tracks — including the song below (Minami no Shima e Dekakeyou) with sanshin by Maeda Hideyuki.

Minami no Shima e Dekakeyou

The new album also features the song Party which was written by Daizou from the group Ketsumeishi. Unfortunately, their music is currently only available in Japan for Apple Music and iTunes so importing the CD seems like the best bet.

YouTube: Namie Amuro feat. Tomohisa Yamashita “Unusual”

[updated] Video is no longer available since Avex pulled it. Hopefully, Avex will release an official version that fans can view.

PV of Namie Amuro’s song “Unusual” (featuring Tomohisa Yamashita) from her upcoming best collaboration album “Checkmate!” which will be released on March 23, 2011.

(Via @fyiMango.)

Model Lena Fujii dating DA PUMP’s ISSA – Tokyograph

Fashion model Lena Fujii (24) has confirmed rumors of her dating DA PUMP member ISSA (30). Last week’s issue of Josei Seven had published photos of the two sharing a kiss together late at night.

On Wednesday, Fujii held a press conference presenting a red wedding dress that she produced. Reporters at the event took the opportunity to ask her about the magazine article, and she admitted that the rumor is true.

ISSA’s past romances include actress Kou Shibasaki (27) and talento Yu Abiru (22). His agency declined to comment on his relationship with Fujii, saying that it is a private matter.

(Link: Model Lena Fujii dating DA PUMP’s ISSA – Tokyograph.)

I haven’t been keeping up with DA PUMP so it’s nice to hear about them (well, one of them) even if it’s not related to a new single or album. Issa and Lena. Sounds good.

Oh, and as for DA PUMP, they’ll be releasing a new single titled “SUMMER RIDER” — their first for the year — on July 15, 2009. And, if you didn’t know, they now have a total of 9 members in the group — only two are original members (ISSA and KEN).

PV for BENI’s upcoming single “Kiss Kiss Kiss”

BENI’s new single—and her 2nd since going solely by her first name—won’t be released until April 8, 2009, but luckily, her record label has released the PV of the single on their official YouTube page. The new single, titled “Kiss Kiss Kiss,” sports BENI in a short bob-style hairdo (which I really like, BTW) and I think it’s a good follow-up to her previous single “Mou Nidoto…” (links to YouTube).

In addition to the new single, BENI will have a song featured on the website of the fashion store FOREVER 21 which will be opening a branch in Harajuku on April 21, 2009.

(via bounce.com.)

Emi Tawata collaborates with apparel brand SOULSMANIA

Singer Emi Tawata’s latest mini album, “Sweet Soul Love,” was just released on the 18th and it features a collaboration with popular apparel brand SOULSMANIA. The combined effort produced a lineup of t-shirts that perfectly compliment both sides as the apparel from SOULSMANIA are influenced by black culture and Emi’s style of music is a mix of R&B and Reggae. The t-shirts will be available for sale during Emi’s “Sweet Soul Tour 2009” beginning March 24, 2009.

The video above is a promotional clip for her new mini album featuring the song “Baby Come Close To Me.” (A full version of the song can be found on YouTube.)

(via bounce.com.)