N.E.R.D. In The New Issue of The Source.

This is a pretty cool departure for The Source. The hardcore hip hop magazine is known for featuring artists like Wu Tang Clan, G-Unit & Rick Ross on it's covers not an alternative band like N.E.R.D. or Gnarls Barkley. I'm going to pick this up just to support them broadening their horizons and including alternate definitions of hip hop in their lexicon.

SWEEP "Connect".

MOBY "The Stars".

Ayumi Hamasaki 10th Anniversary Tour Dates.

J-Pop Icon, Ayumi Hamasaki will be touring Japan this Spring in celebration of her tenth anniversary. Has it really been that long already? Wow. It didn't seem like it at all. My, how time flies. If you should be living in a major Japanese metropolitan area or planning on visiting one this spring, this is good news. Surprisingly, I don't see Sapporo listed here. Hopefully, more dates will be added so everybody gets a chance to join in on the fun. All tickets are ¥7,800 and some venues provide free admission for those under three years of age when accompanied by an adult (naturally).


Date/Venue/Open/Showtime

• April 5, 2008 (Sat.) Yoyogi National Gymnasium, First Stadium 17:30/18:30 (東京) µ
• April 6, 2008 (Sun.) Yoyogi National Gymnasium, First Stadium 15:00/16:00 (東京) µ
• April 8, 2008 (Tue.) Yoyogi National Gymnasium, First Stadium 17:30/18:30 (東京) µ
• April 12, 2008 (Sat.) Hot House Super Arena (formerly Grande 21) 17:30/18:30 œ
• April 19, 2008 (Sat.) Shizuoka Ecopa Arena 17:30/18:30 π
  
• April 26, 2008 (Sat.) Sundome Fukui Center 17:30/18:30 ˚
• May 5, 2008 (Mon. National Holiday) Nihon Gaishi Hall (formerly Nagoya Rainbow Hall) 17:30/18:30 ≈
• May 6, 2008 (Tue. National Holiday) Nihon Gaishi Hall (formerly Nagoya Rainbow Hall) 15:00/16:00 ≈
• May 10, 2008 (Sat.) Hiroshima Green Arena 17:30/18:30 Ω
• May 16, 2008 (Fri.) Kobe World Hall 17:30/18:30 †
• May 17, 2008 (Sat.) Kobe World Hall 17:30/18:30 †
• May 24, 2008 (Sat.) Osaka-Jo Hall 17:30/18:30 †
• May 25, 2008 (Sun.) Osaka-Jo Hall 15:00/16:00 †
• May 31, 2008 (Sat.) Marine Messe Fukuoka 17:30/18:30 ∆
• June 1, 2008 (Sun.) Marine Messe Fukuoka 15:00/16:00 ∆
• June 7, 2008 (Sat.) Yokohama Arena 17:30/18:30 µ
  
• June 8, 2008 (Sun.) Yokohama Arena 15:00/16:00 µ
• June 17, 2008 (Tue.) Nihon Gaishi Hall (formerly Nagoya Rainbow Hall) 17:30/18:30 #
  
• June 18, 2008 (Wed.) Nihon Gaishi Hall (formerly Nagoya Rainbow Hall) 17:30/18:30 #

µ For information call Kyodo Tokyo 03-3498-9999
† For information call Kyodo 06-6233-8888
∆ For information call Kyodo 092-715-8911
Ω For Information call Candy Promotion 082-249-8334
≈ For information call Sunday Folk Promotion 052-320-9100
˚ For information call Kyodo Hokuriku Ticket 025-245-5100
π For information call Sunday Folk Promotion Shizuoka 054-284-9999
œ For information call G/I/P 022-222-9999
# For information call Sunday Folk Promotion 052-320-9100

Source: avexnet.

Twice Shy T-Shirts.

If you are in the market for unique and attractive t-shirts and hoodies, check out Twice Shy. They have gorgeous tops for him and her on their site and at shops globally. Me? I'm lazy. I don't like to get out much so I prefer to shop online, but that's just me. lol. You can get them anyway that works for you. Definitely check them out, they've got some real nice goods.

Twice Shy.

MISIA "Yes Forever" (PV).

Both Ikue and I adore Misia. Yes Forever is an excellent choice for a single. The new single is in stores April 30th ad also features remixes of two tracks from her last full-length CD, Eighth World and three versions of Yes Forever. The track list for the single is included below.

1. Yes Forever.
2. Yes Forever (Piano Version)
3. 太陽の地図 (Gomi's Vajra Mix)
4. 以心伝心 (Mega Raiders Remix)
5. Yes Forever (Piano Version Instrumental)

Source: Misia .jp

Vivienne Westwood Man Sweater.

Beautiful. Available in beige only, online at Yoox.com, $254.00 / Yoox.

MARIAH CAREY "E=MC^2" - A Review.

I have spent the last three months anxiously awaiting the release of this new CD from Mariah Carey. I am not a life long fan or anything. In fact I would describe most of her music in the past as hit or miss. At least in my opinion. Sometimes I've found her music to be really good and enjoyable, sometimes completely dismissible. Her last CD, however, I thought was incredible; one of the best CDs of this decade.

I felt like at long last the product was the equal of the artist's talent. Finally. I felt like Mariah was hitting her stride. So, there was a great deal of expectations attached to E=MC^2. At least personally. While it doesn't qualify as a total reversal of fortune or anything like that, I don't feel it is a progression from or even the equal of The Emancipation of Mimi. It's good, but not great.

Admittedly, it's been growing on me the last few days, but in no way shape or form am I blown away like I was when I was in Tokyo for golden week three years ago and I walked into Tower records in Shibuya and first heard The Emancipation of Mimi. But when it soars, it is impressive. I like the dirty south electro-funk groove of Side Effects which features a guest spot by Young Jeezy more than anything else on the disc.

Another standout track is the Japan-only bonus track, 4Real 4Real which features Mariah's homegirl, Da Brat. Hopefully that will see life on U.S. shores like the Japan-only cut from the last CD, Don't Forget About Us, eventually did. Migrate featuring T-Pain and I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time will both be joining Touch My Body on the airwaves. Migrate is hot, however, the latter is yet another song that samples DeBarge's Stay With Me. I feel the same way about this cut that I feel about Sowelu's cover of EWF's September on her CD, Naked. If you're going to traverse such well-travelled terrain, whether it be a cover of a time honored classic or a sample of one, you better knock it out of the park. Good just won't cut it.

I think O.O.C., noteworthy, and I like the ballad, Thanx 4 Nothin', more than the others, although I think this CD would've benefitted from having a ballad or two cut. EOM was very well balanced, E=MC^2, like many of Mariah's past CDs, relies a bit heavily on ballads.

You're not only competing with memories of a song that touched a lot of people, you're competing with every other cover or sample of something that means a lot to a great many people. Speaking for myself, I'd rather just listen to the original. Quibbles aside, nobody is going to feel bad about adding E=MC^2 to their music collection. All of the tracks are good, Mariah's voice is still unmatched in pop music, the production work is top shelf and there are a few tracks that are brilliant. Just don't expect it to match Ms. Carey's last release, because, in my opinion, it doesn't.

LUPE FIASCO "Paris, Tokyo" (PV).

Definitely one of my favorite songs from Lupe's platinum CD, The Cool.

OYE! John Varvatos' Bowery Store.

Now admittedly, I haven't set foot in New York City since I left there 5 years ago, So I have no idea how long it's actually been open, but the other day, while I was getting my weekly fashion lesson from the Jedi Master of Fashion bloggers, Fashion Sensi, this caught my eye. I had heard about the legal battle being waged by thew owners of the legendary punk nightclub, CBGB's to keep their venue. The landlord wanted them out move in tenants that were more in line with the gentrified Bowery developers had envisioned.

I had heard last year they lost their court battle and were given the heave-ho, sadly. What I didn't know until Fashion Sensei posted this bit of information was that John Varvatos open a boutique at the historic address. Flashback: in 1994, while I was a hotshot New York nightlife promotor, my office was around the corner from CB's on King St. between 3rd & Bowery. Never in my life could I have imagined the punk rockers, winos and homeless of Bowery would give way to fashionistas.

I'm sure the two flop houses, heroin spot and bodega that smelled like cat litter which used to be next door are all gone as well. I have a feeling that would be something of an uneasy mix. In any case, as I have said time and time again, if you want a lesson on what's cool in the fashion world check out Fashion Sensei. While you're there you can read more on the Varvatos shop, it's worth a read and I don't want to spoil the reading experience.

Fashion Sensei.

Music Now: An Ikinoii Mixtape For You.

Lately I've been buying and listening to a lot of R&B, J-urban and hip hop, so I think I'll focus on that for this new ikinoii mixtape. Included in this version are tracks by Misia, Twenty4-7, Snoop Dogg, my favorite track off Mariah's new CD, Angie Stone, Teriyaki Boyz, Satomi', Miss Monday, Kato Miriya, Ray J. and DJ Komori. Enjoy.

PERFUME "The Game".

I had planned on writing a full review for this but the demands of my course load really isn't helping out as far as blogging goes. This is the last two weeks of classes here at UGA and I have several exams, papers and lab projects to deal with as I prep for finals which (sadly) begin in two weeks. Ugh. Suffice it to say, I really like this CD. I really don't go for cute, which is why I NEVER blog about Morning Musume or the H!P/Berryz/C-ute J-Pop stuff.

However, Perfume is undeniable cute and they back it up with well-produced, well-written, energetic and enjoyable dance music that even the most serious music aficionado would find difficult to marginalize and snobby grown-ups like myself can appreciate. Pick any track, you'll love them all. Anyway, as always, I am providing the CD in it's entirety for you to judge it for yourselves before you pick it up for yourself. This Weekend I will give a full review of Mariah Carey's E=MC^2, and the new CDs from Rize and Sweep. Damn... I buy a lot of music.

Track list:

1.ポリリズム
2.plastic smile
3.Game
4.Baby cruising Love
5.チョコレイト・ディスコ
6.マカロニ
7.セラミックガール
8.Take me Take me
9.シークレット シークレット
10.Butterfly
11.Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow
12.Puppy love

GLAY "Starless Night".

I spend way too much money at iTunes. It was for somewhat nostalgic reasons, but when I saw this today, I just had to buy it. It's not bad at all, I'm just not into them like I used to be. However, hearing them does bring back good memories of when I was in Fukuoka. What was the name of that song? Ahh! Layla. That's right. They're still cool though. Hey, it's always fun to rock out a bit. Anyway, it's back to the books for me. Finals are fast approaching. Enjoy.

Kamiki Aya "君去りし誘惑" (PV).

The hottie, twenty-two year old rocker from Hokkaido is back with her seventh single and a companion PV. I wonder how do you say "hot-diggity" in Japanese?

JERO "海雪" (PV).

This young man from Pittsburgh, PA has gotten pretty high up there on the Oricon charts in the most unexpected manner. That's good for him, I'm definitely not hating on him. Although, I will admit, four weeks ago when I first saw this video on dailymotion, I was scratching my head. A young half-black/half Japanese kid, with straight up hip hop style singing traditional Japanese えんか music. Say what? He's got the hat cocked to the side and doing moves like he was in Day 26. But hey, he does it very well, both the singing and the dancing, and he's enjoy success with it, so more power to him. Also, I like that little graffiti strip in Yokohama where they shot the video. Nice touch.

Men's Suit - Burberry Black.

Having to live within a Budget the last few months has thought me how to hunt for bargains. If there's one thing I know right now, it's a good deal when I see one. Like this black men's suit available from Burberry Black in Japan for ¥75,600 ($750/€475). Classic and clean, yet contemporary and urban, this is a winner.

Burberry Black.

Sowelu "Naked".

I didn't hear of Sowelu until she did that track with Miss Monday a few years ago. However, Ikue likes her, which is how I happened to come across this, which is now living on her iPod. It's pretty good. Not my favorite of all the new stuff we picked up, but it's cool. She's got the good looks part down, definitely, and while I think her voice is good, I really don't think it's good enough to cover Earth, Wind & Fire's September.

At least not in my opinion. That's one of the most uplifting, feel good songs to come out of an era bursting with them and for me, she just doesn't make it fly. It's reduced to a very standard dance cut. The single with Exile & Doberman Inc., 24 Karats, in addition to Hikari and Lie, in my opinion, are the three best tracks. Perhaps after I give this a few more listens I'll be more into it. For now, I just think it's good, not great.

To hear a complete internet stream of Naked, hit the appropriate link below.

itunes/winamp users:

Windows Media Users:

Keep It Casual With Bape.

Men's camouflage t-shirt, ¥9,240 ($92/€58) with tax included, women's striped mini skirt, ¥13,440 ($133/€84) also with tax included, both from Bape. Super hot and still super cool.

Bape.

Britney Spears Involved In Minor Car Accident.

At this point I really sympathize for the troubled pop star. It seems that everything she does nowadays is front page news. Even being involved in a minor fender bender on the Ventura freeway in Los Angeles off of the 405. I don't even the figures for daily car accidents in L.A., but I'm sure it's pretty high. Reportedly, Britney was in stop-and-go traffic (it's my understanding that all traffic on L.A. freeways is stop and go traffic), when she rear-ended a 2006 Nissan with her '08 mercedes around 8:30 PM (PST) last night.

Neither vehicle sustained any damage and nobody was hurt. It's no secret the singer's had car trouble in the past, but this isn't anywhere near her driving without a license fiasco from early last year or the parking lot accident, yet still this is a top news story this morning. Slow news day, I guess. Well it's cool it wasn't serious. It's not that I'm this big Britney Spears fan (heavens, no), but it's kind of funny how the media tries to throw her name out there all the time to try to create a scandal. I mean, she didn't even receive a citation from the highway patrol for this. To be completely honest, looking at her track record, you probably won't have to wait too long for her to give you a real scandal. I'm not wishing for that, but let's be real.

Source: Associated Press.

Perfume On The Cover of May Issue of Bomb.

This is a little bit of hype for their upcoming CD, I guess. It's a nice picture of the young trio of cuties and a feature article as well. The new CD, Game, hits stores on Tuesday and features the two singles, Baby Cruising Love and シークレットシクテット (Secret Secret), the video for which I've posted here.

IMMI "Klaxon" E.P.

This E.P. is terrific. I picked it up on my aforementioned iTunes Japan shopping expedition. If you like electro-pop you're definitely going to dig it, whether or not you can understand Japanese. However, the cover of the Cure's classic, Lovesong is in english. So, bonus. Give it a shot. I think you'll be glad you did.

久保田利伸 Featuring MISIA "Flying Easy, Loving Crazy" (PV).

LEAD - "Stand Up!" (PV).

Just the other day while I was logged into iTunes Japan purchasing this video and a whole bunch of other goodies (including a pre-order of Mariah's new CD), I started thinking about exactly how much money I spend via apple. Between iTunes Japan, iTunes U.S. and the apple store, over the last three years, I've been good for about $3300 per year. That's a hell of a lot of downloads, hardware, software, iThis & iThat. I gotta curb that a bit, I think. In any case... I think this is a really funny video. I'm not too sure what the people running around dressed up like cobs of corn is all about, but it's definitely amusing. Sit back and enjoy the video while I figure out how to scale back my spending.

Music Now: Ikinoii Mixtape - Special Edition.

A few days ago, I mentioned how the whole planet has gone totally 80s. To illustrate that point, at least as far as contemporary music goes, I thought it would be cool to present the new ikinoii with something I frequently did with the old version, A Musical presentation I call Music Now. This inaugural, special edition is all about electro. So all you fellas throw on a skinny tie, you ladies dress up like Pat Benatar or Belinda Carlisle and we can all dance like we were in the Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go video. Or perhaps not.

In any case enjoy the musical trip, I think my point is pretty obvious regarding the global 80s electro rebirth. The artists featured here are from all over the world, the U.S., Japan England, France and Germany and span musical genres, alternative, rock, techno, R&B and hip hop. I even threw in some classics for comparison. Enjoy.

playlist:

Madonna - 4 Minutes.
Danity Kane - Strip Tease
Britney Spears - Break The Ice
New Young Pony Club - The Bomb
Duran Duran - Planet Earth
Diddy Featuring Keyshia Cole - Last Night
Janet - Feedback
Ami Suzuki - Free Free
Kylie Minogue - Come Into My World (Fischerspooner Remix)
Namie Amuro - What A Feeling
Justice - DVNO
Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence
KanYe West - Flashing Lights
Felix Da HouseCat -
What Does It Feel Like? Featuring Miss Kittin (Royskopp Remix)
Ladytron - Seventeen
Crystal Castles - Crimewave
80tto - AF (80z Kidz Remix)
Immi - Klaxon
The-Dream - Get That...
Prince - DMSR

CoSTUME NATIONAL Sunglasses.

I love Prada, YSL, Original Penguin, Burberry and Theory. But my hands-down favorite designer label is Costume National. I especially love Ennio Capasa's shoes and feel their in a league of their own, however all the other accessories in this line are just as cool. Take these sunglasses for example. I think they are pretty hot. But that's not all, folks! There's plenty more where these come from. Hit the link and you'll see what I mean.

Costume National.

Issuu Find: One Small Seed.

This is a really cool fashion magazine I found at my favorite "digital newsstand", issuu. I think issuu is one of the coolest things on the web, it is absolutely amazing. If you're not up on it yet, you definitely need to change that. It's bursting with international magazines and user created goodies. See it for yourself. You can flip through One Small Seed in mini mode here or click on it for an incredibly beautiful large view.

issuu.

PERFUME "Secret, Secret" (PV).

Ayumi Hamasaki In May Issue of Scawaii.

The woman is everywhere now. Last week she had, like, 30 videos in the iTunes top 100 for that week. Who knew she even made 30 videos. This is her third cover on newsstands this month. Ayumi mania in full effect.

Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson Are Getting Hitched.

It seems like everybody's getting married these days. Jay-Z and Beyonce became Mr. & Mrs. Shawn Carter last weekend and today comes news that Fall Out Boy bassist and ultra cool human being, Pete Wentz is going to tie the knot with his own pop starlet/lady love, Ashlee Simpson. How cool. Congratulations Pete & Ashlee.


Source: Associated Press.

80s Flavored Jackets From Diesel.

Wherever you go throughout this little planet of ours, Whether you're in a bustling U.S. metropolis like New York City, a cutting edge, far eastern ones like Tokyo or Singapore, or cities steep in historical culture like Paris, Berlin and London, you'll see examples and representations of this whole 80s revival that we currently find ourselves in.

The roots of which can be traced back to the mid to late 90s when New York City designers like As Four, Bands like Detroit's Adult, Fischerspooner (Brooklyn) and Ladytron from the U.K., Germany's Miss Kittin & The Hacker along with DJs Felix Da Housecat, Larry Tee and DJ Hell and countless club kids in Brooklyn and Berlin began Jacking 80s icons from Depeche Mode & Duran Duran, to Prince, Soft Cell & Devo, and to Basquiat, Molly Ringwald, Flashdance and Beat Street for every bit of inspiration they could get off of them.

Fast forward to 2008 and you have our current state of affairs. Every record on the radio sounds like a Prince track; Brett Michaels has young women fighting to get in his pants again, the Yankees are a mediocre baseball team, the economy sucks. It's daija vu However all is not lost. You can get your Member's Only sexy courtesy of Diesel. Diesel invokes the legendary 80s jacket with their spring outerwear lineup. They got it down to a T, people. The boxy, angular shoulders, the zippers, snaps, buttons and angular lines.

Only they don't cost $39.99 like those Member's Only jackets back in the day. Oh, no. These'll set you back from $240 to $1000. Seeing how I have to pay for summer semester in two weeks, I won't be copping one. But if I could, I would. Whether you're financially strapped like I am, or you're just rolling in money, you should hit the link below to see other drool worthy, 80s-inspired clothing on Diesel's site.

Diesel.

IMMI "Klaxon" (PV).

This is a pretty cool Japanese electro track I found on Myspace TV. I remember 10 years ago when the only cats doing electro were in Berlin, Detroit and Brooklyn. Now it's a worldwide, genre transcending phenomenon. Cool.

木村カエラ "Stars" (PV).

I'm not sure why, but it seems the majority of Japanese singers I like are halfu; half Japanese, half something else. Crystal Kay, Thelma Aoyama, Leah Dizon, the list goes on and on. Add Kaela Kimura, the quirky, avant garde, half British/half Japanese popstress, to that list. I loved her video for Jasper as much as the song itself. Her new one, Stars, is pretty much the same situation. Check it out.

SNL Skit: The Clinton's Discuss Their $109 Million Income.

Jay-Z And Beyonce Get Married.

People.com, MTV and TMZ are all reporting that Jay-Z and Beyonce got married yesterday. Finally. After approximately two years of rumors and hearsay they couple are finally Mr. & Mrs. Carter, tying the knot before a small group of family and friends under a tent on the roof of their Manhattan residence. Further adding to the speculation, People.com said DJ Cassidy, who reportedly played the reception, let it fly a week ago that he was "really excited" about Jay-Z and Beyonce's impending wedding.

The super-private couple even tried to throw fans & media off their trail by writing songs and verses about their break-up, see Lost One from Jay-Z if you don't know. On Tuesday, April Fool's Day, they got a marriage license in Scarsdale NY., by sunrise Friday morning a tent was up on their building's roof and then Jay-Z's mom showed up, as did Beyonce's family, Chris Martin & Gwenyth Paltrow, KanYe West and Beyonce's former Destiny's Child bandmates, Kelly Rowland & Michelle Williams.

Presumably, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo were there since N.E.R.D. has been in New York all week and Jay-Z's protege, Rihanna, since they are a very tight knit group. Pictures of flowers, 5,000 wild orchids imported from Thailand, AV equipment and candelabras showing up also appear on the people.com website. TMZ has photographs of the waitstaff on the roof of the building as well as of Beyonce's parents arriving at the Tribeca residence of the two pop music icons and right now MTV is reporting the wedding news on-air.

TOHOSHINKI (DBSK) "Beautiful You" (PV).

Fists Fly on The Set of N.E.R.D. Video Shoot.

Things got rough when a fight broke out during the video shoot for N.E.R.D.'s new single "Everybody Nose" this week in New York City. The video co-stars Lindsey Lohan and Kanye West, neither of whom were around when cats started throwing blows.

The new N.E.R.D. long play, Seeing Sounds is due out later this month and is the long awaited follow up to their huge sophomore release, Fly of Die which featured ?uestlove from The Roots, Lenny Kravitz and the Madden brothers from Good Charlotte, an array of guests as diverse as The Neptunes sound.

Guys started wildin' out at around 9:30PM, according to a report on MTV, and it involved two extras who apparently, just weren't getting along while the video was being filmed on location inside the Madison Club. Yet another bourgeois manhattan nightclub. One of the props broke, one of the brawlers got cut and needed medical attention.

Fortunately, none of the band members were hurt, which may have resulted in them missing some dates on the Glow In The Dark Tour which, beside N.E.R.D., features Kanye West, Rihanna and Lupe Fiasco. That would have been a very bad thing.

MADONNA "4 Minutes" featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland (PV).

This is a pretty hot video. Although some may find it a little weird to see Madonna bumping & grinding on J.T., but being 1/2 of a May-December romance myself, I'm all for it. lol. Do your thing Madonna! I'm not mad at you...

MIKA NAKASHIMA "Sakura".

NANA KITADE "Siren" (PV).

Fergie's Viva Mac IV Campaign Hits Japan.

Fergie, the new Mac Viva Glam girl and future Mrs. Josh Duhamel talks about being selected to represent Mac worldwide in a video on the Mac Cosmetics Japan site. Hit the link to see more and to see the video.

Mac Cosmetics Japan.

Ayumi Hamasaki on Cawaii magazine.

KANYE WEST "Homecoming" (PV).

KATO MIRIYA "Tokyo Star".

Although I just got this, I really haven't had time to listen to it, not with a chemistry exam, pre-calculus quiz and a psychology experiment staring me in the face. Still what I've heard so far seems likable enough. Ikue gives Futurechecka a thumbs up. I've been acquiring a lot of J-urban stuff lately. I posted Aoyama Thelma's new CD here and the new Satomi' here. I waited patiently until those arrived last week courtesy of amazon.co.jp, not the usually iTunes method. Enjoy.

Madonna On Cover of New Vanity Fair.

LEAH DIZON "Love Paradox".

YAMADA YU "Leave All Behind" (PV).