Tag: Album

When Z2 Comics Offers The Blues Brothers: The Escape Of Joliet Jake, and Unreleased Recordings!

Fans of the Blues Brothers will want to make sure they’ll catch the Katy this time, because there’ll be music to accompany this graphic novel release.

The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet JakeA day that changed comedy forever. With the release of The Blues Brothers, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd unleashed a film that would thrill and entertain generations with their Mission From God. Now, exactly 45 years later, Z2 Comics has partnered with the Aykroyd and Belushi families and estate to deliver the sequel to that film in the original graphic novel,  The Blues Brothers: The Escape Of Joliet Jake.

Uncovered by the late Judy Belushi Pisano, this series of unreleased recordings is a rare musical glimpse at Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues at the height of their blues powers. Belushi and Aykroyd blast through a 13-song set with some of the greatest musicians who ever lived. The gang’s all here, as Blues Brothers legends Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Steve “The Colonel” Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Paul “The Shiv” Shaffer, Lou “Blue Lou” Marini, Tom “Bones” Malone, Alan “Mr. Fabulous” Rubin, Steve “GETDWA” Jordan, and Tom “Triple Scale” Scott show why this band is timeless.

The album features unheard versions of blues classics including “Hey Bartender,” “Rubber Biscuit,” and “Green Onions.” This album will be available exclusively as a Royal Blue-colored vinyl release, packaged with the graphic novel.

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J-pop Star, Ai Otsuka’s Anniversary Gets An Art Exhibition, Fancy Album Release and More!

Ai Otsuka Publicity StillFrom the Press Release:

Since her debut in 2003, J-pop star Ai Otsuka’s numerous hit songs have included ‘Sakuranbo’ and ‘Planetarium.’ In addition to her career as a singer-songwriter, this talent has established herself as a unique multi-talented artist who not only creates music but also picture books, illustrations and stories. Now, as part of the ongoing celebration of the 20th anniversary of Otsuka’s debut, she will hold her first ever solo art exhibition at Tokyo’s Spiral Garden venue, titled AI OTSUKA 20th ANNIVERSARY ART EXHIBITION AIO ART, from July 18 to 29.

The booklet for this exhibition, titled ‘AIO ART’, presents a collection of oil paintings by Otsuka based on her own songs, as well as a CD of her first ever mini-album of piano instrumentals, ‘graine.’ The set will be sold exclusively at the exhibition venue and on the mu-mo shop online store as a limited-edition release.

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Slash is Back with Orgy of the Damned, and a Look at the Making of 4

After Making of 4 and Orgy of the Damned, just what will Slash the auteur will dream of next has me excited!

slash is pure goldAnyone who doesn’t know Gibson as a guitar maker, will get to discover them as a documentary producer with the Making of 4, available to freely view on YouTube (and also Slash’s latest album Orgy of the Damned). The Gibson Films label is official, and while this work is no different from the other videos on this streaming channel, what’s offered shows higher production values and even bigger names getting involved in this venture. Some of my favourite musicians use Gibson guitars, and their signature sound really makes a different. From the classic years, I’d say Chuck Berry helped make this instrument iconic. And as a Blues music aficionado, I have to mention that Robert Johnson’s most famous photo sees him holding an L-1 Acoustic.

This feature length work takes viewers into a look back at how Slash put together his band, why he continues touring, and what Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators (SMKC) feel while on stage with this legend. I’d say he’s the face of Gibson back when GnR was still together. After parting ways with this band (and returning), he formed other groups to collaborate with to keep on rocking. After working with this particular crew for over a decade across four albums, we see what they’ve been up to during the pandemic years. These recordings (edited to music video standard) represent their best tracks! Although I wanted to know more about Myles and the group, what’s presented is a fair balance between them and who Slash is before taking up the guitar.

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AmPM’s Release of Stereo Sunset shows why Initial D’s sequel is here and MF Ghost is Racing Ahead of the Competition!

If you love the anime, Initial D, then you’ll love MF Ghost. And AMPM is leading the race with a musical teaser of Stereo Sunset ahead of their album release.

MF Ghost Teaser Poster ahead of Stereo SunsetDon’t let the title deceive you because it’s October. But MF Ghost is a new anime series that’s now broadcasting in Japan and it is a sequel to Initial D.  Fans can enjoy the musical teaser, ‘Stereo Sunset (Prod. AmPM)’ while waiting for this series eventual release to foreign markets.

This track is available on various music streaming platforms, and it’s sung by Himika Akaneya from voice actor/idol hybrid unit i☆Ris.

Download and streaming links can be found through https://avex.lnk.to/StereoSunset_TVsize

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Celebrating 25 Years of Cowboy Bebop. Complete Soundtrack Coming Soon to Vinyl and Everything You’ll Want to Know

To bring the anniversary of Cowboy Bebop to a close, coming Dec 13, 2023 is the vinyl release of the complete soundtrack of the series (in all its forms)!

Cowboy Bebop LP Box SetPress Release

The original anime Cowboy Bebop, directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, was broadcast on TV in 1998. Its stylish visuals left a profound impact on viewers, transcending the boundaries of anime and inspiring numerous fans. The anime TV series achieved immense popularity, not only domestically but also internationally. It was subsequently adapted into a theatrical version and even a live-action series on Netflix.

Notably, the music composed by Yoko Kanno, which accompanied the visuals, gained significant recognition. The soundtrack’s first volume, titled “COWBOY BEBOP,” included the iconic opening theme “Tank!” and achieved tremendous success. It was awarded the 13th Japan Gold Disc Award for Animation Album of the Year. The music’s versatility spanned genres from jazz, rock, and French pop to house music. Additionally, the renowned jazz engineer from Blue Note Records’ golden era, Rudy Van Gelder, contributed to the production, further elevating its reputation beyond the confines of anime music both domestically and internationally.

Addendum: Tim Jensen helped co-write the lyrics to at least ten songs, which includes, “Blue,” “Words That We Couldn’t Say,” and
“Ask DNA (sung by Raj Ramayya).

Now, an 11-disc box set, encompassing all 7 albums and maxi-singles of the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack, is set to be released on December 13, 2023. Encased in a deluxe box, each title’s jacket will sport its original design. The artwork, which received high praise at the time of the CD releases, will now come in LP size, a tantalizing prospect for collectors.

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AmPM’s Ready to be ‘Traveling Without Moving’ and Track Listing

Electronic DJ duo AmPM has put together a full album and also released a music video Traveling Without Moving to show how to keep listeners dancing!

AMPM Traveling Without Moving Album CoverAmPM’s debut album ‘Traveling Without Moving’ is finally here, and it’s jet-set on taking listeners to a sonic journey that best represents what Tokyo, Jakarta, Amsterdam and New York City is all about! And the best part of this release is that it features guest vocalists from the UK, Singapore and Japan (11 talents in total), including hotly tipped Lilly Ahlberg and RAENE.

From the Press Release:

This album encapsulates the essence of exploration, experiences, and personal reflections on travelling. Through their imaginative lyrics, AmPm and their featured vocalists delve into the emotions, memories, and impressions associated with these vibrant metropolises. “Travelling is an integral part of our lives, and we have drawn inspiration from our own journeys,” explained the band. “This album serves as a window into our personal stories, inviting listeners to experience the diverse emotions associated with travelling. Each city represented in the album holds significance to us, whether it be Tokyo, Jakarta, Amsterdam, or New York City. We wanted to create a musical narrative that captures the essence of these cities and the unique feelings they evoke.”

This song draws on inspiration from a broad spectrum of electronic genres, with house at its heart. The album brings together a collection of lighter-than-air pop songs which immerse listeners in a world of sonic bliss. Each track takes on a unique identity, blending infectious melodies, lush harmonies, and pulsating rhythms. “We have created a work that can give an individually unique experience to our listeners,” say the band. “We also wanted to fully express house music, which is at the core of our sound. It’s a very original sound; a sense of pop, but also with speed and exuberance, with house music at the heart of it. This album is a signature of what AmPm are, and we’re proud to say that we’ve made a house music album that represents the year 2023.”

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