It's that time again, when I raid my dad's mp3 collection. Hope you enjoy them.


ARTIST: Ohtsu Yoshiko
TITLE: Tokyo Anna
COMMENTS: I'm not familiar with this singer. This song was released in 1955. According to my parents, it was very popular back then. It sounds like something from a musical.


ARTIST: Nishida Sachiko
TITLE: Akashiya no ame ga yamu toki
COMMENTS: Nishida Sachiko was a popular singer in the '60's. This 1960 classic is one of her most beloved songs. I believe it became kind of a theme song to represent the student political movements at the time..or something like that.


ARTIST: Ishida Ayumi
TITLE: Blue Light Yokohama
COMMENTS: These days Ishida Ayumi is better known as an actress. This was her biggest hit song, released in 1968. I think this song was covered by an idol singer or two in recent years.


ARTIST: Okumura Chiyo
TITLE: Koi no dorei
COMMENTS: Often called the Japanese Sylvie Vartan (a famous French pop singer),this 1969 single was a big hit for her. I had no idea how naughty this song was - "Please hit me when I am bad..."


ARTIST: Fuji Keiko
TITLE: Keiko no yume wa yoru hiraku
COMMENTS: Yes, it is that Fuji Keiko, Utada Hikaru's mom. She was an enka singer in the early 70's. This song was a big hit in 1970. You can hear the huskiness in both mother and daughter.

Music for those times when you're in that groovy disco party night mood.


ARTIST: Cymbals
TITLE: Wingspan
ALBUM: Anthology
COMMENTS: Cymbals was a Shibuya-kei band that broke up a few years ago. They sing most of their songs in English. This song sounds shiny if that makes any sense.


ARTIST: Fujifabric
TITLE: Ginga
ALBUM: Fabfox
COMMENTS: The first time I heard this one, I thought it was kind of annoying and cheezy and just oh so fab!


ARTIST: Super Butter Dog
TITLE: Gojuu-on
ALBUM: Grooblue
COMMENTS: I'm not a huge fan of funk but I like the way this band makes groovy funk-rock music.


ARTIST: Ram Jam World
TITLE: Space
ALBUM: Happy Space
COMMENTS: I bought this cd years ago mainly because it features the vocals of Go-Bang's lead singer Moriwaka Kaori. This song is fun fun fun.


ARTIST: Ketsumeishi
TITLE: Kimi ni bump
ALBUM: Ketsunopolis 4
COMMENTS: Wow, this song is like, really disco, dude. It's definitely a song to add to that essential fun and cheesy party music playlist.

I thought it was time for some female alternative rock bands.


ARTIST: Toddle
TITLE: A Sight
ALBUM: I Dedicate D Chord
COMMENTS: Former Number Girl member Tabuchi Hisako fronts this band. This song has some catchy hooks. It's rockin' and kind of poppy too.


ARTIST: Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her
TITLE: Sentimental Journey
ALBUM: Future or No Future
COMMENTS: SSKHKH is a great band. This is one of my favourite SSKHKH songs. Call me a prude but did they have to use the f-word here? :P


ARTIST: Ieha
TITLE: She Said
ALBUM: The Neglected Ghost Tree
COMMENTS: This is a fairly unknown band. I bought this cd in Japan years ago because I liked the album title. It's nice alternative rock.


ARTIST: Clams
TITLE: P-Nut Butter Irony
ALBUM: VA-Beautiful Freak Vol. 001
COMMENTS: Ooohhh, I love this one. Besides the cute title, it also has that great fuzzy shoegaze sound.


ARTIST: Veltpunch
TITLE: Killer Smile
ALBUM: A Huge Mistake
COMMENTS: This is a pretty catchy tune. You have soft female vocals with a dude spazzing along.