Some more music on its way...

SHINICHI OSAWA (no title yet)
RHYTHM ZONE RZCD45666/B Date: 09-26-2007
I spoke too soon last month, here comes Shin with his first solo album,
and he's left Sony for Avex. There's a limited version with a DVD!
CD Japan: "New full-length album from Shinichi Osawa (aka Mondo Grosso)
marks his first release on the Avex label and his first release under his real
name! Limited edition includes bonus DVD with non-stop VJ mix for select
songs on the album."

TOKYO JIHEN "Goraku (Variety)"
TOSHIBA/EMI TOCT-26350 Date: 09-26-2007
Ringo Shiina's up to something yet again, and I'm still absorbing her
orchestrated album (and the live DVD with similiar material):
CD Japan: "Third full-length album from Tokyo Jihen, this time featuring
a little something new. All compositions carefully selected from the vast
number of demos created by the band, and all lyrics written by Ringo Shiina
herself. Includes 13 songs total (subject to change) with seven tracks from
Ukigumo, five tracks from Izawa, and one composed by Kameda."

Ringo Shiina also provided the soundtrack to the movie SAKURAN, which
is being re-released on 08-03-2007, this time with English subtitles.

MONDAY MICHIRU "Co-Collaborator Works Of Monday Michiru"
SIGMA UPCH20045 Date: 09-19-2007
I'm not sure yet what's going on here, and Monday didn't mention it in
her recent newsletter. Not likely that it's new music, so I suppose it could
be a collection of tracks where Monday lent her talents to others (e.g.,
60 Channels, Basement Jaxx, etc.), but that's just a wild guess at this
point.

DOUBLE "Reflex"
FOR LIFE FLCF4192 Date: 08-08-2007
Yet another new set with a bonus DVD version. I expect that Double has
backed away from her effective jazz-flavored "Life Is Beautiful" album and
is back in the hip-hop/dance/r&b flavor of her recent singles (which most
likely will be included here). I'll be surprised if there are any surprises,
but I've usually enjoyed her music up to this point.

COSA NOSTRA "Life"
GENEON GNCL1123 Date: 09-05-2007
I was a big fan of Cosa Nostra in their mid-1990s peak (and they've cut
some good tunes up through the early 2000's). After several quiet
years they're back on the same label as Monday Michiru and other major
groove artists, so that leads me to hope that they may be back on the
right track. Not sure what the lineup is (would love it if Momoko Suzuki
returned to the group).

ORANGE PEKOE "Kirakira"
BMG JAPAN BVCS-29621 Date: 09/05/2007
First new OP music in awhile! Also comes as a limited edition with a DVD.
CD Japan: "New single release from Orange Pekoe features an ethnic
soul sound with string arrangement. Limited edition includes bonus DVD
with premium acoustic live footage of songs from after the duo's debut"

METIS "One Love"
NIPPON CROWN CRCP40180 Date: 08-15-2007
MUNEHIRO "Limited"
UNIVERSAL UMCF1005 Date: 08-01-2007
Tracks from HMV Japan's website:
1 It`s Time-intro-
2 Music
3 Simple Answer Feat.shock Eye(From Syonannokaze)
4 Saigo No Yoru
5 Onna No Himegoto
6 Touch Me
7 Sweet & Bitter Feat.boy-ken
8 Matsuri
9 Onna No Tawagoto
10 Kagayaku Onna
11 Bird
12 Puzzle
13 Limited
14 Finale-outro-
Two of my favorite J-reggae/dancehall singers, Metis with her 1st
full-length album and Munehiro with her 3rd.

HIKARU UTADA "Beautiful World / Kiss & Cry"
TOSHIBA EMI TOCT40120 Date: 08-29-2007
A new single from Hikki, which includes a "2007 Mix" of "Fly Me
To The Moon." I wonder if she re-recorded the vocal?

M-FLO "Cosmicolor Remix Album"
RHYTHM ZONE RZCD45631 Date: 09-26-2007
I haven't seen the track listing, but it's likely to be in the same vein
as their other recent remix albums, which reworked tracks from the
most recent studio album. This is a 2CD set.

JABBERLOOP "And Infinite Jazz..."
COLUMBIA COCB53658 Date: already released
I haven't heard this group yet, but here's what Dusty Groove has to
say 'bout it: "A silly name, but a decidedly deep little combo -- one
who follow strongly in the Japanese club jazz mode of Sleepwalker
and Soil & Pimp Sessions! As with those groups, the instrumentation
here is almost all acoustic and played live -- saxes, trumpet, piano,
bass, and drums -- plus just a bit of keyboards, slight programming,
and turntable work to round out a dancefloor groove slightly -- all
wrapped together wonderfully in a host of soaring, upbeat rhythms!
The tenor and soprano sax work on the album are especially nice --
often warmly melodic, but filled with feeling and a nice sense of edge
that keeps things real throughout. Titles include "The Art Of Blakey",
"In Groove", "Ugetsu", "Missing My Bird", "Source Of Spring", "Q Track",
and "Look To The Sky".

HERBIE HANCOCK "Joni Mitchell Project"
Date: 09-19-2007 (Japan release, no doubt will be out in the USA and
worldwide shortly thereafter)
This one has got my hopes up high:
CD Japan: "Advanced Japanese release of the first new jazz album from
Herbie Hancock in nearly nine years and tribute to Joni Mitchell. Includes
vocal and instrumental songs with guest performances form Joni Mitchell
herself, Norah Jones, and Corinne Bailey Rae. Japanese edition includes
Japan-only bonus track (subject to change). Produced by Larry Klein."

That's all I got time for now.

Best,
John

NP: Namie Amuro "PLAY"