On June 29, SESSIONS COLLECTION VOL. 1 was released. This is the first digital compilation inspired Tokyo Community Radio’s recent training program “sessions.” DJ and Beatmaker Licaxxx runs the online radio platform, and the training sessions have seen incredible success, inspiring new musicians to grow and improve.   “sessions” is a training program focused exclusively on dance music. Participants work closely with DJs and other active music creators to hone their skills and share unique experiences. The main goal of the program is to teach more about current technology and to share real-world examples that can help participants thrive. Sharing actual problems that current artists are facing and how to overcome them is also a popular part of the program.   Club (RDC) and Red Bull, inviting guests to embark on a 3-day/2-night training camp in Izu to hone their DJ and dance music skills. Artists from all over Japan were selected from an open call and gathered to create new works individually or in groups after listening to advice and having discussions with track makers active in several different genres.   A ton of music produced during the “sessions” program is included on TCR’s first 18-track digital compilation album. In addition to the 14 artists that participated, Stones Taro, Carpainter, Pharakami Sanders, and Licaxxx worked with FELINE to create a track as well. This genre-crossing compilation album by the next generation of Japan-based artists is a must-hear for active DJs, and a behind-the-scenes look at the training camp is available on TCR’s official YouTube channel.   TCR will also be hosting events in Tokyo and Osaka this weekend with re:lax, a unit comprised of DJ/producers re:ni and Laksa from the UK. Keep an eye out for more details!  

On January 25, 2023, XG returned with their third single SHOOTING STAR.   The music video for the new track has racked up over 13 million views in its first two weeks of release. SHOOTING STAR has ranked in the top spot in 25 countries and regions, including the U.K., Canada, and Japan. The song ranked #3 in the United States and took the #1 spot in the worldwide music video ranking.   Following this incredible success, the group has released the performance video for SHOOTING STAR on their official YouTube channel. While the previous performance video for MASCARA was shot in an abandoned factory, the new video for SHOOTING STAR was shot on a stage surrounded by twinkling lights and a ceiling like a starry sky. Given the song’s title and message, it’s extremely fitting.   SHOOTING STAR - XG (Performance Video)

 

XG has appeared on KBS 2TV's Music Bank, MBC's Show! Music Core, SBS's INKIGAYO, Mnet’s M COUNTDOWN, Arirang TV’s SIMPLY K-POP, MBC M’s SHOW CHAMPION, and other popular Korean music TV programs.

 

The group has branched out of Korea in a big way, also appearing in interviews on popular American radio stations like iHeartRadio and WiLD 94.9. The girls have also been invited as guests to the American YouTube channel REACT, which has over 20 million subscribers. They’ve also appeared in the Hindustan Times, a major Indian newspaper, and NYLON Manila in the Philippines.

 

You’ll want to keep an eye on these rising stars in 2023!

  Mediabase Top 40 Radio Airplay Charthttp://www.mediabase.com/mmrweb/fmqb/charts.asp?SHOWYEAR=N

Kroi is a five-member band blending a wide mix of musical styles, from R&B and funk to soul, rock, and hip-hop. The group has just released their new digital single Fuurai on all major streaming services.

 

The song will also be included in Kroi’s second major EP MAGNET scheduled to be released on March 29, 2023.

 

The song is vastly different than Hard Pool released last month, featuring a relaxing melody and vocals and lyrics by Uchida. Fuurai shows off the true range of Kroi’s music.

  Fuurai also features performances by members of Zainichi Funk, a band that participated in Kroi’s Live Tour 2021-2022 “Dig the Deep.” Motoi Murakami (Trumpet), Gentle Kubota (Trombone), and Takehide Hashimoto (Sax) appear on the track.   Fuurai (Music Video)

The music video for Fuurai has also been released.

 

Takuto Shimpo, who has directed many of Kroi’s past music videos and stage productions, returned for Fuurai.

 

The many locations seen in the video match the music perfectly, and fans will want to head to YouTube right away.

  Kroi will release its second major EP MAGNET on March 29, 2023.

On January 25, 2023, XG returned with their third single SHOOTING STAR.

 

The music video for the new track has racked up over 13 million views in its first two weeks of release. SHOOTING STAR has ranked in the top spot in 25 countries and regions, including the U.K., Canada, and Japan. The song ranked #3 in the United States and took the #1 spot in the worldwide music video ranking.

 

Following this incredible success, the group has released the performance video for SHOOTING STAR on their official YouTube channel. While the previous performance video for MASCARA was shot in an abandoned factory, the new video for SHOOTING STAR was shot on a stage surrounded by twinkling lights and a ceiling like a starry sky. Given the song’s title and message, it’s extremely fitting.

 

SHOOTING STAR - XG (Performance Video)

 

XG has appeared on KBS 2TV's Music Bank, MBC's Show! Music Core, SBS's INKIGAYO, Mnet’s M COUNTDOWN, Arirang TV’s SIMPLY K-POP, MBC M’s SHOW CHAMPION, and other popular Korean music TV programs.

 

The group has branched out of Korea in a big way, also appearing in interviews on popular American radio stations like iHeartRadio and WiLD 94.9. The girls have also been invited as guests to the American YouTube channel REACT, which has over 20 million subscribers. They’ve also appeared in the Hindustan Times, a major Indian newspaper, and NYLON Manila in the Philippines.

 

You’ll want to keep an eye on these rising stars in 2023!

In 2013, Shinichi Ishizuka’s BLUE GIANT manga series hit the scene. Serialized in Big Comic, the series has sold over 9 million copies to date. Readers have fallen in love with the author’s depiction of emotion and Ishizuka has even influenced the real-world jazz scene with his creation. BLUE GIANT will be adapted into an anime film coming to theaters on February 17, and the staff’s dream of bringing real jazz at max volume to the masses will finally come true.

 

The world-renowned pianist Hiromi Uehara oversaw the film’s music. The authentic jazz heard in the film’s trailer has already become a hot topic, and the original soundtrack will be released on February 17, the same day as the film's release.

 

Hiromi Uehara has been a close friend of Shinichi Ishizuka for years, and even before the film adaptation was announced, she had privately composed an original song for JASS, the trio formed by the main character Dai Miyamoto. Uehara wrote, performed, and produced the entire soundtrack including the songs FIRST NOTE, N.E.W., and WE WILL.

  

Saxophonist Tomoaki Baba will play the saxophone for the character Dai, who aspires to be the best sax player on Earth. Auditions were held in cooperation with Universal Music, featuring leading players from Japan and abroad. Baba was an easy choice, wowing judges with his large sax and powerful performance. Shun Ishiwaka, the drummer of the band Millennium Parade, will play the drums for Dai’s classmate Shunji Tamada.

 

 

More than 30 top-class classical and jazz musicians participated in the soundtrack’s production, including a string section conducted by Miho Hazama and led by members of Hiromi Uehara’s Piano Quintet.

 

Hiromi Uehara also wrote the original track BLUE GIANT, used as the film’s end-roll song. “When I was doing the recording for this film, this melody suddenly popped into my head. I became obsessed and immediately wrote it down,” Uehara said. “I was so inspired by the BLUE GIANT film that I created this song that same day. Of course, I had to title it the same thing!”

 

The soundtrack contains 29 songs and is perfect for listening to while you enjoy a quiet winter night at home. Don’t miss it!

On January 25, the Japanese hip-hop R&B girls’ group XG released the music video for their long-awaited third single SHOOTING STAR. The single is also available now via download and streaming, and fans can also snag a CD Box while supplies last. XG is comprised of seven members–Jurin, Chisa, Hinata, Harvey, Juria, Maya, and Cocona.   SHOOTING STAR features stunning space-inspired visuals and fashion, blending heavy bass and the group’s signature ‘BellSound.’ The stunning harmonies, powerful rap, and delightful vocals stand out, with the lyrics expressing the member’s single-minded desire to strive and grow into world-class artists.   Also included with the new single is the addictive track LEFT RIGHT, featuring a catchy synth loop and trap beat with strong bass and a fine-tuned hi-hat sound. Fans will want to sing around to the rap portion, and the song is filled with positive energy–XG’s signature. The girls don’t let anyone but themselves dictate their actions, always believing in themselves as they move forward.   The two songs settle well into the genres of hip-hop and R&B. The girls want listeners to trust in themselves and become who they want to be.   Alongside the music video, fans can also enjoy the SHOOTING STAR LIVE STAGE, where the girls perform both new songs.   The videos pulled in an incredible amount of attention and commentary from fans around the world.   XG - SHOOTING STAR (Official Music Video)

In the SHOOTING STAR video, the members can be seen in cool over-the-top outfits sharing their music from a place beyond the universe. This high-end, innovative work is unfathomably unique, showing off the youthful power of XG.   Following the group’s first single Tippy Toes and second single MASCARA, the sky’s the limit for this budding girl group. With unbeatable choreography and a signature style, keep an eye on XG in 2023!