Dancemania EX × Trance Paradise

Utatte Mita Anison
Release Date: 3/7/12
Price: 1905 yen

I suppose this should be a bit surprising since they abandoned the Wa Euro Best series, but it seems even EMI can’t escape the Utatte Mita craze. It’s actually not yet confirmed that Akiba Koubou will be handling this release, but the description promises House, Euro, Techno and Trance remixes so it sounds right up AKBK’s alley. Announced utaite include Kouhey, Yuge, Yamadan and Usa. This release’s theme is anime song covers, so don’t be alarmed if “Sousei” and “Zankoku” appear. So far it’s scheduled to be an 18-song non-stop mix.

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Futokoro Trance
Release Date: 1/11/12
Price: 900 yen

Oh, dear. I have no idea what the intent was for the title of this digital only compilation. The kanji can be read as “futokoro,” which has a variety of meanings. If I had to guess, the title is probably “Handbag Trance,” a reference to the genre, handbag house. All of the songs are repeats from Mega Trance, and the track lengths suggest that it’s a non-stop mix.

The release date on iTunes Japan says it was released on January 11, 2011, but FARM’s website lists the year as 2012. Whatever the case may be, I’m just hoping that FARM haven’t forgotten their trance roots.

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Exit Trance presents Speed Anime Trance Best 15
Release Date: 4/4/12
Price: 1905 yen

15th release in the SATB series arrives on schedule this April. Let’s hope MK makes a glorious return to the series.

Pre-order at CDJapan.

Toho Cyber Trance Aka Halozy Trance Collection
Release Date: 12/30/11
Price: 1000 yen (C81) or 1500 (Shop)

Well, if someone was going to make a Toho Trance album, it might as well have been Halozy. Halozy are a doujin circle comprising Sumijun (arrange), Hotaru (vocals), and others. I’m under the impression that Halozy’s Sumijun is the same person as Akiba Koubou’s Sumijun, but there’s no mention of AKBK on the Halozy website or vice versa. Anyway, Halozy are mostly known for their dance/trance arrangements, so I’m a bit surprised it took them this long to release a full-on toho trance album. Guest artists include Blue Twinkle, Irus, and crouka. You can listen to a crossfade demo on the official website.

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Etude No. 3 -Wakare no Kyoku- (Single)
Artist: N.O.-SYO
Release Date: 12/24/11
Price: $2.97

New single from rock-trance god, N.O.-SYO. Etude No. 3 -Wakare no Kyoku- (Music for Parting), also known as “Tristesse”, is a return to N.O.-SYO’s classical roots. None of the remixes really classify as trance, but there is a rockin’ Hard Rock version.

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Ama no Jaku (Single)
Artist: Mayumi Morinaga
Release Date: 2/1/12
Price: 1238 yen

Track list is out and it looks like there’ll be 3 Vocaloid covers plus one new, yet-to-be-titled Another Infinity song.

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Ama no Jaku (Single)
Artist: Mayumi Morinaga
Release Date: 2/1/12
Price: 1238 yen

3rd maxi single from songstress Mayumi Morinaga. Technically it’s the fourth if, unlike Quake, you count “Drift of the Wind”. I’m assuming this will be a cover of the 164 song. I wonder why it’s 300 yen more expensive than her previous singles, though.

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Rainbow☆Rainbow
Artist: Ryu☆
Release Date: 10/5/11 ⇨ 11/2/11 ⇨ 12/7/11
Price: 1905 yen

Final list is out, and there are really only 3 new tracks. I suppose it’ll be nice to get extended versions of the beatmania songs, but I still expected more new material given that Ryu* hasn’t been on any of the Speed Anime Trance Best release this year.

Bonus items include a cell phone strap, yupo suction tack, mouse pad, B2-size poster, fake credit card, and clear file. The clear file is available if you send in the included questionnaire card, or if you order the cyber beatnation 2 + Rainbow☆Rainbow 2 CD Set from Konami Style.

Also available from Konami Style is a cyber beatnation 2 + Rainbow☆Rainbow + Live Ticket Set. That one’s probably only of interest to those in Japan since the Live Ticket gets you access to the Exit Tunes Academy release party on January 29, 2012. In addition to Another Infinity and Mayumi Morinaga, many other beatnation artists will be performing at the event.

Sadly, it appears that Konami are forgoing a Ryu* goods set for this release.

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cyber beatnation 2 -Hi Speed conclusion-
Release Date: 12/7/11
Price: 2381 yen

Sequel to the 2005 album featuring new remixes of Beatmania songs. This one essentially serves as yet another Ryu* album, however, considering that every track is either originally by Ryu* or remixed by him. Guest remixers include kors k, Hommarju, DJ Shimamura, REDALiCE, and JAKAZiD.

The album is available exclusively at Konami Style, so you’ll have to order it through a middleman if you’re outside of Japan. CDJapan has a special request service, but the commission fee starts at 1,500 yen. Another potentially cheaper option is Otokichi, who charges a nonrefundable request fee of 500 yen plus an additional commission fee of 500 yen for up to a 5000 yen order. Finally, VGM World is also known to take special orders, though I don’t know how much they’ll charge for this.

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Daisy×Daisy
Artist: Daisy×Daisy
Release Date: 11/16/11
Price: 3048 yen

First album from Daisy×Daisy, the solo project from rock vocalist, MiKA. Visit her official website for more background information (in English!).

Another Infinity make two appearances here, one of them featuring Mayumi Morinaga. Rap Bit, Sexy Synthesizer, and 40mP are just some of the other producers who contributed. The bonus track is a Ring Suzune version of “Yakimochi Tokidoki Hare,” which is odd since MiKA provided the vocal samples for Ring .o_O

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Exit Trance presents Speed Anime Trance Best 14
Release Date: 11/16/11
Price: 1905 yen

14th release in the SATB series and the first time since SATB 11 that there are 20 tracks. Dizzi Mystica absolutely dominates with 6 tracks, though Hommarju isn’t far behind with 5. Icon appears on 2 tracks, while booing day and plazma each get one. Mars, Hiro’s Alliance and Signal+K appear to be new artists or aliases. No tracks are attributed to MK

Pre-order early to ensure that you’ll get a limited edition cell phone strap and poster.

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Vocaloid Trance
Release Date: 10/5/11
Price: 2400 yen

I spotted this on iTunes Japan and thought it was a new release, but it turns out it’s just the digital version of Vocalo*Trance Best. Only 7 of the tracks from the CD can be found on the digital release. 6 of those 7 also get exclusive extended remixes. Still, 2400 yen and it’s not even iTunes Plus? Come on, Avex, get with the program already!

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Eikyuu no Kizuna (Single)
Artist: Daisy×Daisy
Release Date: 10/19/11
Price: 1524 yen (CD+DVD Edition) or 1238 yen (CD Only Edition)

Third single from Daisy×Daisy, this time featuring Another Infinity (Ryu* + Starving Trancer). The lead track was used as the OP theme for the anime, “Fairy Tale.” The single also contains 3 new collaborations from various Vocaloid producers.

The single is available as both a CD+DVD edition and a CD only edition. The DVD contains a couple of PVs, while the CD Only version comes with a mousepad if you order early.

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Digital Trax presents Vocalo*Trance Best
Release Date: 10/5/11
Price: 1905 yen

J-Trance legends OHC and DJ Kaya are just some of the names involved in this vocaloid trance cover album. Visit the official website for a crossfade demo.

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Rainbow☆Rainbow
Artist: Ryu☆
Release Date: 10/5/11 ⇨ 11/2/11 ⇨ 12/7/11
Price: 1905 yen

We finally have a title! Ryu’s 2nd/3rd album (depending on your perspective) will be titled after a song from IIDX 10th Style. Quake have also revealed more tracks, though so far there’s nothing new. According to Amazon there’ll be over 15 tracks, so at the very least we’ll get 2 new tracks.

Bonus items include a cell phone strap, yupo suction tack, mouse pad, B2-size poster, fake credit card, and clear file. Some of these bonuses will be limited, with the last two only available if you return the included survey. I imagine Konami Style will also offer their own exclusive bonus items if you order through them.

Looks like Ryu has a new logo, too. I liked the old one better. :/

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