Release: 2010/09/08

Price:  12.28$ (Reg) / 15.62$ (LtdP) / 20.08$ (LtdE)

Catalog #: UPCH-80204 (Reg) / UPCH-89089 (LtdP) / UPCH-89086 (LtdE)

Genie is SNSD’s (or Shojo Jidai, in Japan) first official japanese single. The original korean edition of their latest album Oh! wasn’t sold anywhere officially in Japanese stores, and it surprisingly managed to rank up in Oricon. This time, they want to do it right with a japanese version of their most popular hit.

The single includes japanese and korean versions of the song, along with a newly shot PV (which you can see in the full post).

The song manages to sound pretty good in japanese (unlike 4minute’s MUZIK), but I still prefer the original version.

There’s 3 versions of the single: Regular with just the CD, Limited Pressing with a DVD including the PV, and a Limited Edition including several goodies like a photo book and a random trading card (but it sold out already!).

First Press includes postcards.

Release: 2010/10/06

Price: 26.67$

Catalog #: DAKSFC-24

Child’s Fantastic Moment is a series of cover albums done in a cute (or kira kira) house/lounge style, along with children vocals. In text, that sounds awful, but checking some samples at Youtube, this is far from bad.

Sound production is on charge of Ryo Takahashi, using his alias ‘Quartet Vacation’.

This releases’ sound selection include covers of popular songs, among them are Michael Jackson’s ‘Heal The World’, Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’, and ‘My Favorite Things’ from The Sound Of Music.

Release: 2010/09/22

Price: 33.47$

Catalog #: TKCA-73558

“Next generation” idol unit Vanilla Beans is releasing their first best album, including several new songs and versions of their classic hits.

Among the newly added material are covers of MGMT and Pizzicato Five, with KIDS and Tokyo wa Yoru no Shichiji, respectively. I’m interested in seeing the KIDS cover and how the vocals turn out, because that’s a song I would have never associate with the group.

Some of the group’s early songs have been re-recorded including the voices of the current members, Risa and Rena, due to original member Rika leaving in 2008. Also included are the songs used for a KDDI’s Digital Radio CM and the ending theme for Nippon Television’s drama Jack 10.

Release: 2010/08/18

Price: 1,200 Yen

Catalog #: N/A

Electro Parade gets the same treatment as it’s predecessor.

Extended edits and instrumentals of a selection of songs from the original album. Also included is the HOUSE NATION re-arrange of Mickey Mouse March and remix of When You Wish Upon a Star.

Release: 2010/08/18

Price: 1,500 Yen

Catalog #: N/A

In a really surprising move of Avex, an Extended Edition of the loveable House*Disney has been released at iTunes.

The release contains Extended and Instrumental versions of a selection of songs from the original album. Unfortunately, this is Avex, so we know there’s a catch. Avex hasn’t (and most probably, never will) moved to iTunes Plus, so you’re getting low-quality 128 kbps files with DRM for the full price.

If you catch this on another download ‘more user-friendly’ service, please post it in the comments.

Release: 2010/08/18

Price: 450 Yen

Catalog #: N/A

Digital EP for Akemi Kakihara’s latest album.

It’s such a shame the EP and album didn’t include the english vocal edit of Say That You Love Me.  That one right there is one the best house songs ever.

But anyway, this release gives you a selection of 4 full-length tracks for the low price of 450 yen (about 5 dollars) and in iTunes Plus!

Release: 2010/08/18

Price: 22.26$

Catalog #: DAKFLCD-8002

J-POP KIRA KIRA (キラキラ) HOUSE is a nonstop mix done by female DJ, Hakata Megumi (博多めぐみ) and vocalist Kaura Kiwa (かうらきわ). The album consists of popular japanese pop songs done in a cute/candy house style, covering songs by artists like Yoko Oginome, GreeeeN, Whiteberry, Tetsuya Komuro, Toshinobu Kubota, PRINCESS PRINCESS and many more.

The iTunes release offers full versions and the album’s nonstop megamix as a bonus for a cheaper price, and in iTunes Plus, no less.

Release: 2010/09/01

Price: 12.28$ (Reg) / 17.85$ (DVD)

Catalog #: CTCR-40318 (Reg) / CTCR-40317 (DVD)

After her last single’s moderate success, mini is back with a new song, using it in several promotional campaigns that go from Fujifilm to Häagen Dazs! The single comes in 2 flavors, CD+DVD and DVD-less.

I tought “Are U Ready?” was a pretty decent song, but it got old and boring after hearing it several times. But GiRLS SPiRiT really sounds like the hit mini was waiting for, a fun and energetic song. You can watch the PV after the jump.

Release: 2010/09/15

Price: 22.09$

Catalog #: DAKGILFY-1

MAISON GILFY is a popular girls fashion brand, known for their rock-trendy designs. This is their first compilation, mixing everything from rock to electro house.

Known artists included are yuma, UNCLE, CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy), ELMIO, THE LOWBROWS, DEXPISTOLS, 80kidz and more. Also included, is the debut song from GILFY’s girly original artist, Jeannie.

There’s 500 premier limited editions copies, housed in digipaks.

Release: 2010/08/25

Price: £3.99

Catalog #: ALMY264

A new Almighty project has just started with a cover of popular 80’s rock band, Journey. The song, a classic among the public in the 80s, has found explosive success by being chosen as the main theme for american TV drama Glee.

At first, I tought the song was going to have awful vocals or a very busy arrangement like “All The Lovers“, but the preview sounds really good, and I think it’s one of Almighty’s best covers lately.

Release: TBA

Price: TBA

Catalog #: N/A

Vengaboys are back with new remixes for their comeback single, including works by Almighty.

The Almighty remixes omit the electro-pop vibe of the original and instead create a new anthem-perfect progressive house sound that caracterizes the Almighy team so much.