Dancemania EX × Trance Paradise

Hime Trance 4
Release Date: 1/27/10
Price: 1886 yen

It’s been a long 2+ years since Hime Trance 3. The wait was more than worth it, however. In addition to new songs from Hime Trance mainstays like Tsukasa, Kei, and Misa (who makes her return after being left off Anime*Mix), we also get brand new Saifam remixes and licensed songs from popular J-Pop artists. It all makes for an extremely satisfying CD that rivals Anime*Mix and perhaps even the first Hime Trance in terms of pure enjoyment.

The last entry in the main series, Hime Trance 3, was full of repeats and songs that weren’t trance. EMI have seemingly learned their lesson, as Hime Trance 4 contains only one true repeat (“Stay,” which was featured on Trance Paradise Best) and one non-trance song (“Miku Miku…”). Another problem with Hime Trance 3 was that it only had one Delaction song, and it was a repeat at that. Hime Trance 4 has four new Delaction songs, which automatically makes it the best album ever.

The bad news is that it’s not selling all that well at the moment. The last HT release, Anime*Mix!, debuted at number 24 on Oricon’s weekly sales chart, but it’s looking like HT4 won’t even break the top 30. Heck, right now Wa Euro Best 2 is outselling Hime Trance 4 on Amazon Japan. EMI actually put some effort into this release, so if you have any interest in seeing the series continue then do consider picking up a copy. It’s available at CDJapan, HMV, Amazon Japan, Yes Asia, and JPopHelp. No word yet on whether a Download Selection will be available, but I’m certainly hoping for it.

Full review after the jump.

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Hime Trance 4 EP – DJ Sampler
Release Date: 2/3/10
Price: $10.32

First a sales update. Hime Trance 4 debuted at #71 on the Oricon charts, with 2,439 copies sold. By comparison, Hime Trance Anime*Mix! debuted at #24 with ~6,000 copies and Hime Trance Best moved 16,000 units in its first week. So, yeah, not that great. I’m thinking that those numbers are decent enough for at least one more release, but even then I’m not so sure.

Still no word on whether EMI will release a download selection, but in the meantime, Shohei Matsumoto has released an EP on iTunes featuring 3 of his original songs from Hime Trance 4. The best news is that it appears to be available worldwide! It’s $1.29 per track, and unfortunately there’s no discount for buying the whole EP, so it’s $10.32 total. Remember, you don’t need a credit card to buy from your local iTunes. Just walk on over to the nearest supermarket and grab an iTunes gift card. This is your chance to support Hime Trance! Now let’s hope he releases a Hime Trance 3 EP so we can finally get the full version of MA*GI*CA*.

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Exit Tunes presents The Complete Best of 40mP
Artist: 40mP
Release Date: 5/7/10
Price: 1905 yen

First major release from Vocaloid producer, 40mP, who is most famous for “Kimi Boshi.”

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Tragenic Best ~Next Level~
Release Date: 4/21/10
Price: 1905 yen

It’s been almost 2 years since Tragenic #3 was released, so I’m a bit surprised to see Quake resurrecting the series. DJ Yoshinori will once again be mixing, and one of the confirmed tracks is a new remix of DJ Kenny’s “Blue Force,” which previously appeared on Victor’s Trance Rave series. CDJapan also mentions that the album will include covers of songs by Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Scatman John.

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Exit Trance presents 90’s J Covers 2
Release Date: 4/21/10
Price: 1905 yen

More trance covers of 90s J-Pop hits. Quake didn’t give retailers a tentative track list, so who knows what’ll appear.

Pre-order at CDJapan.

Exit Tunes presents Kamikyoku wo Utatte Mita 2
Release Date: 3/17/10
Price: 1905 yen

No Exit Trance artists. Kinda defeats the purpose, really. It may as well be just another Vocaloid album.

Samples can be found at the official site: http://kamiuta.com/

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Scatman (Pipappaparappoppippo) (Single)
Artist: Mark ‘Oh feat. Scatman John
Release Date: 4/21/10
Price: 571 yen

It’s been a while since Quake have released a single. I get the sense that they’re positioning this remake of “Scatman” to be the next “Caramelldansen.” We’ll see if they succeed. No mention of how many tracks will be on the single, but I suspect we’ll get some exclusive Japan remixes.

01. Scatman (Pipappaparappoppippo)

Pre-order at CDJapan.

Digital Love (Single)
Release Date: 3/3/10
Price: 952 yen

The fourth single from technopop unit, Cosmetic Robot. They previously made a few appearances on FARM’s Anime Dance series.

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Make Up Collection 2010
Artist: Smile.dk
Release Date: 2010

The Smile.dk website has been updated with new details on the upcoming album. As reported, the bulk of the album will be made up of remakes of Smile.dk’s greatest hits, with new vocals recorded by Veronica and Hanna. Additionally, the album will also include FIVE brand new tracks. No word yet on when the album will be released, but I can’t wait!

Kitchy Kitchy (Single)
Artist: Pandora feat. Bloom 06
Release Date: 3/16/10

Pandora’s label released a “Kitchy Kitchy” as a single track download late last year and it’s been so long since then that I assumed they’d never release remixes. Thankfully, 2010 finally brings a set of dance remixes, including a fantastic remix by Bloom 06. United Forces also contribute a couple of fun remixes. I’m fairly sure it’s not the same United Forces associated with Viverus Studios, but I could be wrong.

Samples can be found here: http://peoplesmusicstore.com/catalogue_items/588974. According to Pandora’s website, the remix single should be out on iTunes worldwide soon.

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Mega*Best -2010-
Release Date: 2/24/10
Price: 2362 yen

I think Victor Japan are officially the most repetitious label ever. Is it really necessary to have “Stay” on yet another album? This is the third time in the last two months that they’ve used the song.

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Disko Warp presents Speedisko Hyper Anime Trax
Release Date: 4/10
Price: TBA

Disko Warp will be releasing a collection of high-speed anime covers this April. The only confirmed track so far is “Zankoku na Tenshi no These.” Thankfully, Pete has also promised that neither “Sousei” nor “Ponyo” will appear, so at least we’ll be spared from those again. There’ll be 10 songs in all, and the album will be available in both CD form and as a digital release.

Disko Warp presents Speedisko Vol. 2
Release Date: 3/10
Price: TBA

Second release in the Speedisko series from Disko Warp records. Vol. 2 will be another digital release and will come out this March. Five tracks have been confirmed so far, though there’s no word on how many tracks will be included in all.

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House Nation 3rd Anniversary
Release Date: 4/7/10
Price: 2427 yen

It seems a little strange to be celebrating a 3rd Anniversary, but at least it’s not a best-of release. Only first-press copies will come housed in a digipak.

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Sta*Remi – StarChild Remix Collection
Release Date: 12/23/09
Price: 2190 yen

This anime remix compilation came out last December, and is notable for including some Akiba Koubou remixes. I believe all of the songs feature the original vocals.

http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/s-remix/

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Exit Trance presents Speed Anime Trance Best 9
Release Date: 4/7/10
Price: 1905 yen

Quake put up a page for SATB 9 with half of the tracks listed. Starving Trancer, MK, Hommarju, and DJ Kyon-C are among the announced artists so far. Disco da gama, who made his debut on R25 SATB 5, looks like he’ll be a regular Exit Trance producer.

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Wa Euro Best 3
Release Date: 4/1/10
Price: 1886 yen

Wa Euro Best 2 didn’t sell anywhere near as well as the first WEB, but apparently it was enough to warrant a third release. Expect more pachislot, anime, and J-Pop covers. They’re really running out of Misa songs to use, though. The LED remix of “So So” is decent, but I would’ve preferred a new remix of one of her other songs.

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