Previously Featured Music Artists will be posted here. Comments Allowed ^^
***note - Special Edition Feature cards that are posted here may or may not expire after the feature is over. Just check the thread (by clicking on the card you want). If the card is still there you can request it. If it isn't then it has already been retired & is not available anymore.***
Jun じゅん Seba せば
February 7, 1974 – February 26, 2010
[W]as a Japanese hip-hop producer and DJ who recorded under the name Nujabes (new-jah-bes), the reverse spelling of his name in Japanese order. Nujabes was also owner of the Shibuya record stores, T Records and Guinness Records and founder of the independent label Hydeout Productions.
Nujabes was one of the most prolific contributors to the background music and soundtracks of Samurai Champloo, an anime which blends a feudal Japan setting with modern anachronisms, especially in regard to hip hop culture.
His track "Feather" drew attention from underground hip-hop listeners. [a seriously beautiful track]
On February 26, 2010, Jun Seba was involved in a traffic accident upon exiting the Shuto Expressway late at night. He died at a hospital in Shibuya Ward after failed efforts to revive him. He was 36 years old. There was a private burial with only family in attendance. Hydeout Productions has stated that Nujabes has left behind tracks, which they plan to release in the near future.
(taken from en.wikipedia.org)(click to read full article)
What happens when you mix American Electro Hop with a sprinkling of Chinese, Filipino, Japanese and Korean decent??? You get Kev Nish, Prohgress, J-Splif, and DJ Virman forming the quartet based in Los Angeles, California called Far East Movement.
Halcali (ハルカリ), stylized as HALCALI, is a Japanese pop and new-school inspired hip-hop duo consisting of members Halca (born April 21, 1988) and Yucali (born July 18, 1987) from Meguro, Tokyo, Japan. Its name is a portmanteau of Halca ( ハルカ Haruka?) and Yucali ( ユカリ Yukari?). Their debut album, Halcali Bacon, reached #5 on the Oricon charts, making it the first album by a female hip-hop artist to enter the top ten in Japanese history.
On May 26, 2010, they released their fourth album, Tokyo Groove, and released a subsequent mini-album on February 9, 2011 entitled Tokyo Connection.
(above from from wikipedia)
Has anybody seen the short CGI series Mr. Stain on Junk Alley? HALCALI does the theme - that's where I first found them. The show is pretty funny btw. It's odd.
Utada Hikaru (born Jan. 19, 1983) also known as Utada in America and Europe, is a Japanese/American singer, song writer, arranger, and producer. Born in New York City, NY, she works in many genres, including pop, hip hop, and R&B. Her debut album, First Love went on to become the best selling album in Oricon history.
Theme Songs
"This is Love" - Freedom OVA, opening theme
"Beautiful world" - Evangelion 1.0, ending theme
"Passion" - Kingdom Hearts, theme
"Be My Last" - Haru no Yuki, theme
L'Arc~en~Ciel is a Japanese rock group that was formed in Osaka in 1991. They have sold over 13 million Albums, 16 million singles, and milions of other units. In 2003 they were ranked 58 on the list of the Top 100 Japanese pop musicians, and labeled some of the most influential Japanese music artists.
The group was originally composed of four members; Tetsuya (bassist), Hyde (vocals), HIRO (guitarist), and PERO (drummer). Later, HIRO left the band after it gained notoriety in their hometown of Osaka, and PERO left the group; they were replaced by Ken and Sakura respectively. In 1997, Sakura officially quit the group, and the remaingng three formed the Zombies before recruiting Yukihiro as their new drummer.
Some of their Anime Theme Songs:
"Ready Steady Go" - Fullmetal Alchemist Op 2
"The Fourth Avenue Cafe" - Rurouni Kenshin Ed 4
"Spirits Dream Inside" (Eng. Ver.) Final Fantasy : The Spirits Within Ed Theme
"Daybreaks Bell" Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Op 1
I don't really download anymore. I have big library of mp3s backed up to disk. But since I don't listen to my ipod anymore, I haven't DLed in like 2 years lol. I have a couple of ipod shuffles loaded that I'm still not tired of. Anyway, I just go to internet radio, youtube, or myspace sometimes to listen. Sry. Maybe someone else can help you.
Susumu Hirasawa is a Japanese electropop artist and composer, born on April 2, 1954. After enrolling in Tokyo Designer Gakuin College, he performed in his first band, Mandrake. The progressive rock band was highly influenced by others such as Yes, and Crimson.
Later, in 1979, Susumu formed a New Wave synth-rock and techno-pop band called P-Model, including himself and two former members of Mandrake. The group released a string of albums through the ‘80’s, but in 1989, Hirasawa began finally releasing solo work.
He continued to work with a reactivated P-Model, which continued until 1999. Subsequently, in 2004, he started a new unit, Kaku P-Model - essentially a solo extension of P-Model.
Hirasawa uses a wide variety of Amiga applications to amplify his work, including Scala, Bars and Pipes, and OctaMED. A unique feature that sets him apart from the standard is his ever changing approach to production and music subjects.
For his Solar Ray album, the recording studio used was entirely powered by solar energy, and his most constant source of inspiration comes from Thailand, he also says that his source of lyrical inspiration is drawn from concepts of Yin and Yang, his travels, and the principles of man versus machine.
In his album, Sim City, inspiration was drawn from his travels in Thailand, and more specifically, Thai transsexuals. In later albums, Thai guest vocalists also commonly appeared, and his album Siren was also based off of Thailand.
Hirasawa sometimes hosts interactive shows, performances where participation from the audience determines the feel of the show. For example, audiences may call cell phones which correspond with background music, forming a constant melody.
Anime themes and music by Hirasawa :
Berserk - Music [ending theme](Forces)
Paprika - Music and Themes (The girl in Byakkoya)
Paranoia Agent - Music (Yume no Shima Shinen Kouen)
Millenuim Actress - Music and Themes (Rotation)
Detonator Orgun - Music (Bandiria Ryokoudan)
Yume Miru Kikai - Music (Dreaming Machine)
Official Site // MAL Page
Origin: Tokushima, Japan
Genres: rock, indie rock, power pop
Who is Chatmonchy?? (from wikipedia.org)
Chatmonchy (チャットモンチー) is a two-piece all-female rock band which consists of Eriko Hashimoto (guitar, vocals), Akiko Fukuoka (bass, chorus), and formerly Kumiko Takahashi (drums, chorus) who are from Tokushima Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, Japan.
On July 29, 2011, Kumiko announched that she would be leaving the band, on friendly terms, at the end of September 2011 after the last of the band's current gigs had finished. The band continue(s) as a duo as of October 2011.
Since 2005, they have been signed to Sony Music Japan's Ki/oon Records record label.
Chart Successes & Touring (from wikipedia.org)
As a three-piece band, Chatmonchy has debuted on various positions on the Oricon charts. On 23 November 2005, with Supercar's Junji Ishiwatari as producer, chatmonchy released chatmonchy has come, their first album under the Ki/oon Records label. The album sold over 20,000 copies. In July 2006, the band released the album Miminari which debuted at number 10 on the Oricon album charts. The following November, the single Shangurira debuted at number 6 on the Oricon single chart. The following June, chatmonchy released the single Tobi Uo no Butterfly / Sekai ga Owaru Yoru ni and it debuted at number 9 on the Oricon single chart. September 2007, they released the single Daidai, meaning bitter orange. This song was used as the 12th ending theme of the anime series Bleach. Daidai also debuted at number 12 on the Oricon single charts. In October of the same year, the band released the album Seimeiryoku which debuted at number 2 on the Oricon album charts. November 2007, chatmonchy released their first DVD, Chatmonchy Restaurant Appetizer.
In February 2008, chatmonchy released the single Hira Hira Hiraku Himitsu no Tobira and the live DVD Chatmonchy Restaurant Soup. The single debuted at number 11 on the Oricon single chart. Later that year in June, the band released the single Kaze Fukeba Koi which debuted at number 8 on the Oricon single charts. Then in November, they released the single Somaru Yo, which debuted at number 10 on the Oricon single charts.
On 4 February 2009, chatmonchy released the single Last Love Letter which debuted at number 7 on the Oricon single charts. That March, they released the album Kokuhaku, and the BD Chatmonchy Restaurant Main Dish. The album debuted at number 2 on the Oricon album charts.
On March 19, 2010, Chatmonchy played at the prestigious SXSW festival in Austin, Texas as part of the Japan Nite. The band also the chance to do a mini-tour of the US, taking in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.[1]
Later that year, their song "Koko Dake no Hanashi" ("Just Between Us") was used as the opening of the anime series Kuragehime.
You can see their discography by visiting either the wiki page or their official site with the links above.
Anime Themes:
Bleach (Dai Dai - ED 12)
Hataraki Man (ED)
Kuragehime (Koko Dake no Hanashi - OP)
Thermae Romae (Thermae Roman - ED)
Some of their Vids:
Koi no Kemuri (live)
Last Love Letter
Koko Dake no Hanashi
Thermae Roman
Dai Dai (live)
Shangri-la
Sekaiga Owaru Yoruni
you can collect this Staple Collection Chatmonchy member card:
by clicking on it xD
Sony Music Official Site // MAL Page
Origin: Japan
Genres: Rock, alternative rock
~You can see their discography by visiting either the wiki page or their official site with the links above.
Who is Sambomaster?? (from wikipedia.org)
Sambomaster (サンボマスター) is Takashi Yamaguchi (Lead Vocal, Guitar), Yasufumi Kiuchi (Drums, Chorus), and Yoichi Kondo (Bass, Chorus).
From MAL: "The band's name, Sambomaster, refers to the Russian martial art called Sambo."
They are fairly popular in Japan. Takashi Yamaguchi joined as the vocalist for Inawashirokos in support of the major earthquake & nuclear tragedy that occured in Fukushima, Japan. You can visit this site to see the information & famous video dedicated to Fukushima and its family & friends. http://en.rocketnews24.com/2011/04/09/i-love-you-i-need-you-fukushima-famous-japanese-musicians-and-actors-create-music-video-beautiful-tribute-to-japans-solidarity/
Anime Themes:
Bleach (Theme Song Performance) (OP)
Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion (Theme Song Performance) (ED)
Hataraki Man (Inserted Song Performance)
Kuragehime (Theme Song Performance) (ED)
Naruto (Theme Song Performance) (OP 5)
Some of their Vids:
Kimi ni Kirei no Kizuite Okure
Hikari no Rock
Kimi wo Mamotte Kimi wo Aishite (live)
I Love You
you can collect this Special Edition member card:
by clicking on it xD
Origin: South Korea
Active: 2003-2007
Members: 3
Genres: Indie, Pop, Rock
Official Site (current group): http://loveholics.co.kr/
***The singer Ji Sun left in 2007, and the other members (Kang Hyun Min & Lee Jae Hak) renamed themselves Loveholics at that time. They only featured guest vocalists in projects. It is currently unknown if they will get another permanent vocalist, keep using guests, or just be done with the band.
Origin: Fujioka, Gunma, Japan Active: 1983–present Studio Album Count: 18 Official Site: buck-tick.com/ Genres: Alternative rock, gothic rock, industrial rock,
electronic rock, dark wave, power pop, punk rock Members: [since 1985] Atsushi Sakurai (lead vocals), Hisashi Imai (guitar),
Hidehiko Hoshino (guitar), Yutaka Higuchi (bass) and Toll Yagami (drums)
(from generasia): NIKIIE is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter from Ibaraki Prefecture under Columbia Music Entertainment. She made her major debut in December of 2010 with the single "Shunkashuutou". NIKIIE's stage name is a corruption of the word "Niki", which means two periods or terms, and chose it because she wishes to expand and live her potential enough to span two lifetimes.
Starting to play piano at the age of three and pursuing piano lessons from the age of four, NIKIIE's childhood was surrounded by music, giving her a dream to become a musician. She began writing songs at the age of 16 as a way of self-expression, and she also started a band. When she turned 17, NIKIIE left the band to realize her dream of becoming a solo singer. She then moved to from Ibaraki to Tokyo and got the attention of Columbia Music Entertainment. In 2010, NIKIIE was chosen to perform the opening theme for the drama Mori no Asagao, "Gensou Form". The song was coupled with her major debut single, "Shunkashuutou", which was released in December 2010.
Origin: JapanNagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, Japan Genres: Indie rock Years active: 1998 – Present
(from generasia): Suneohair is the stage name of Japanese rock singer-songwriter, producer, and actor Watanabe Kenji. Since early 2010, he has been signed with the major label STARCHILD, a sub-label of KING RECORDS. He had transferred from the Sony Music Entertainment sub-label EPIC Records after the release of his first best album in September of 2009. He is mostly known for signing the ending theme songs for the anime Hachimitsu to Clover, "Waltz" and "Split".
Origin: Hokkaidō, Japan Genres: Alternative rock, indie rock, power pop Years active: 1989–present Members: Sawao Yamanaka, Yoshiaki Manabe, & Shinichirou Sato (past member - Kenji Ueda)
The Pillows (stylized as the pillows) are a Japanese alternative rock band formed in 1989. As of 2012, the group has released 18 original studio albums, several EPs and compilations, and over 30 singles. Outside Japan, they are best known as the group responsible for the soundtrack to the FLCL OVA series.
Origin: Kanagawa, Japan Genres: Hip Hop Years active: 1994–present Members: Ryo-Z, Ilmari, Pes, Su, DJ Fumiya, (past members - DJ Shige, DJ Shouji)
(from wikipedia): The group was formed in 1994 by Ryo-Z and Ilmari, who were later joined by Pes. The Rip in Rip Slyme stands for their initials. Slyme was a popular children's toy at that time. Their name is also a pun on the phrase "lips' rhyme". Winning an amateur rapping contest "Young MCs In Town", they started their musical career with their first album Lips Rhyme in 1995. Later they added DJ Fumiya and Su. In general, Fumiya composes most of the music, while Ryo-Z, Pes, Ilmari, and Su write their own lyrics. However, before Fumiya became a member, Pes composed most of the songs.
They became more successful when signed to Warner Music Group in 2000. Their first major single was "Stepper's Delight" released 22 March 2001. In 2002 they received MTV Video Music Awards Japan for "Best Newcomer" and "Best Hip-hop Group". The same year they released a big-budget album "Tokyo Classic", which became Japan's first million-selling hip-hop album, with a sound compared to James Brown's soul and funk. Two singles from the album, "Funkastic" and "Rakuen Baby" collected MTV awards in 2003. "Super Shooter", featured as a B-side to their single "Galaxy", is the theme song for the anime Gantz. Rip Slyme has also provided voiceover work as well as the ending theme for the Japanese dub of SpongeBob SquarePants. In 2010, Rip Slyme was one of the artists launched on Warner Music's new sublabel, unBORDE.
To date they have released 6 indies singles with 17 major singles. They as well have released 2 indie albums, 7 major albums, 1 live album, 1 indies collection album, and 1 best of album.
☆ Members' Pick ☆ Origin: Miyagi Prefecture, Japan Years active: 1986 - present Genres: Jazz, classical, orchestral, electronic, new age, blues, folk rock, electronic rock, pop, art rock
Yoko Kanno is a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many anime films, television series, live-action films, video games, and advertisements. She has written scores for famous animated works, including Macross Plus, Turn A Gundam, Cowboy Bebop, The Vision of Escaflowne, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Wolf's Rain, Sakamichi no Apollon, and is the most trusted composer by veteran and new-wave directors such as Yoshiyuki Tomino, Shinichiro Watanabe and Shoji Kawamori. Kanno has also composed music for pop artists, the most notable being Maaya Sakamoto and Kyōko Koizumi. She is also a skilled keyboardist, and is the frontwoman for the Seatbelts, who perform many of Kanno's compositions on the various original soundtracks for which she is responsible. (from wikipedia)
Yoko Kanno is an amazing artist! I love her work on Bebop, SAC, and Escaflowne. I also love Maaya Sakamoto, although I did not know that Kanno had composed some of her music. My favorite Kanno song is the "The Real Folk Blues" and my favorite Sakamoto song is "Hemisphere".
RYOJI KAJI
[to Shinji] So, I understand you're living with Katsuragi.
SHINJI IKARI
Uh, yeah...
RYOJI KAJI
So, is she still so... wild in bed?
