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Soundtrack for the Film ‘Koishikute’
While we wait patiently for the film to start its run in Japan theaters (and pray for it to make it to US theaters), we can check out the “Koishikute” OST (original soundtrack) in the meantime. The 22-track OST (TECI-1154) will hit record store shelves on March 21, 2007 — before the film’s opening in…
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Karakui Giveaway #1
Not sure how this’ll turn out but it’s all in the name of Okinawan pop culture yeah? We’re happy to announce that we have an album from J-Pop band The Boom to give away. If you’ve been into J-Pop in say, the last 10 years or so, then The Boom may’ve been your initiation into…
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‘Cocco Live in Budokan’ to Air on TV Japan in March
Mark you calendars! TV Japan will air J-Pop singer Cocco’s (and need I say that she’s one of my favorites) “Cocco Live in Budokan” concert on Friday, March 16, 2007! I couldn’t find any info on it at the TV Japan website but it’s probably from her August 10, 2006 concert at the Budokan. The…
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Namie Amuro’s 2nd Single for 2007
Namie Amuro’s (aka Japan’s “Queen of Hip-Pop”) first single release of the year, “Baby Don’t Cry” (January 24, 2007), is doing quite well in the Oricon singles chart having peaked at the #3 spot. With a great start for 2007 what’s next for the singer? Marriage? Another child? Maybe. But for now, we know for…
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Okinawan Pop and Japanese Chindon: happyfunsmile
While looking through our blog stats I found that there are a few of you who are finding us with the keywords “okinawan” + “music” or “pop”. So, I decided to google “okinawan pop” and happened upon a chindon band out of New York City called happyfunsmile: happyfunsmile performs an eclectic mix of okinawan pop,…
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What Do These Three Have in Common?
Konishiki – a retired sumo wrestler and popular celeb Rimi Natsukawa – one of Japan’s top vocalists Jake Shimabukuro – ukulele player extraordinaire The answer? An hour-long music special called “Melody Club” that I still hear people raving about although it aired on Hawaii’s KIKU-TV station on January 7, 2007. (The lowdown on the show:…
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Currently at the Top of My Playlist
The PV for melody.’s latest single, “Finding My Road” (released on February 14), is pretty cool but it’s the song that I’m totally grooving too. If you’re not familiar with melody.’s music, seek out the English-language version of “Close Your Eyes” and “Our Journey” — also in English — which was coupled with her November…
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Yu Yamada’s Next Single to be CM Song for Kanebo
Ever heard of a J-Pop group by the name of Y’z factory? I have, but I won’t blame you for having not heard of them. The singer from that trio that you should know about is 22-year-old Yu Yamada who is slowly making her way around the Japanese entertainment biz. We’ve seen her model for…
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Rimi Natsukawa to Go Independent!
Phew, just got home from practice, took a much needed shower and I see this bit of news waiting for me to read in my newsreader. Not sure how major this bit of news will be to most readers out there but to me, this is pretty big. Rimi Natsukawa (33), who will take a…
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