Dancemania EX × Trance Paradise

Vocalo Cho Mix feat. Hatsune Miku
Release Date: 9/26/12
Price: 1714 yen

This is now being billed as the second entry in EMI’s Vocaloid series, so there’s a good chance it will indeed be considered part of the Dancemania series as Vocalo Dance was. As further proof, retailers are listing it as a 39-track non-stop party mix.

Bonus items include a cardboard sleeve and picture label CD. Buying from Animate will get you a special fan. No word on any other bonus items, but with such a relatively low price they make skimp on bonuses.

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Electric Dance Madness
Release Date: 9/26/12
Price: 2190 yen

Early list is out for this upcoming EMI compilation. Apparently the title was deliberately chosen as a reference to EDM, the acronym for electronic dance music. Artists include David Guetta, deadmau5, Avicii, Moby, and others.

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You Put the Music in Me – EP
Artist: DJ Kawasaki feat. N’Dea Davenport
Release Date: 7/18/12
Price: 600 yen

Digital EP featuring the new song from DJ Kawasaki feat. N’Dea Davenport that appeared on Magic ~ A Collection of Black Disco Classics.

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Magic ~ A Collection of Black Disco Classics mixed by DJ Kawasaki
Release Date: 7/25/12
Price: 2381 yen

A new compilation from EMI, mixed by DJ Kawasaki. As the title suggests, it collects disco classics. It also has a new song by DJ Kawasaki feat. N’Dea Davenport.

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SQ Chips 2
Release Date: 7/25/12
Price: 1800 yen

Sequel to last year’s SQ Chips, once again featuring chiptune versions of classic Squaresoft songs. Visit the official website for samples. There are also retailer-exclusive CDs from Village Vanguard and Tower Records featuring bonus tracks.

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Exit Tunes presents Futsubamu -Futsudamu ni Utatte Mita-
Artist: ?? (Underbar)
Release Date: 7/18/12
Price: 1905 yen

First album from utaite, ??. Yes, that’s his name.

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Exit Tunes presents Megurhythm feat. Megurine Luka
Release Date: 7/18/12
Price: 1905 yen

Megurine Luka finally gets her chance at the spotlight with this, her first solo Exit Tunes album. Bonus items include a cell phone strap (1 of 4 varieties), mouse pad (1 of 6 varieties), clear file, and B2-size poster. There are also retailer-exclusive bonuses available. Visit the official website for more info.

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Nico Dou no Ninki Utaite Dai Shuugou! [Utatte Mita] Chou Euro Mix Honki Nori! J-Pop Best (CD+Book)
Release Date: 6/28/12
Price: 1800 yen

New CD+Book release from Akiba Koubou, featuring a 15-track non-stop CD mixed by DJ Mocchi. No new songs on the CD, which is mostly composed of J-Pop covers. The book contains pics of live utatte mita performances. More details at the official site.

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Iikara Tomato Kue (Single)
Artist: Natsu Aki
Release Date: 7/18/12
Price: 1429 yen (CD+DVD Edition) or 952 yen (CD Only Edition)

Wide release of the debut single from Akiba Koubou’s Idol duo, Natsu Aki, which is composed of Natsuko & Akiko from SDN48. Includes a new B-side track, “Fallin’ Darlin’*Daruma Otoshi.” Samples can be found on Amazon Japan.

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Yume no Tobira (Single)
Artist: Allover
Release Date: 7/18/12
Price: 1429 yen (CD+DVD Edition) or 952 yen (CD Only Edition)

Wide release of the debut single from Akiba Koubou’s Idol project, Allover. Includes a new song, “Otome no Negai,” that wasn’t on the limited release. There’s also a CD+DVD edition available that includes a DVD with the “Yume no Tobira” music video. You can listen to samples on Amazon Japan.

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Super Ita G Beat
Release Date: 7/18/12
Price: 1905 yen

Originally released during Nico Nico Cho Kaigi, Akiba Koubou have decided to give this special collaboration a wide release. It’s now available to order on major retailers like CDJapan and Amazon Japan.

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Vocalo Cho Mix feat. Hatsune Miku
Release Date: 9/26/12
Price: 1714 yen

Hatsune Rock may have been cancelled, but it looks like EMI still have some interest in Vocaloid after all. There aren’t many details about this release, and I’m not even sure it’ll be included as part of the Dancemania series at all, but the title seems to suggest it’ll be non-stop mix. It’s also interesting that it’s a full 500 yen cheaper than Vocalo Dance was.

Pre-order at CDJapan.

Electric Dance Madness
Release Date: 9/26/12
Price: 2190 yen

This new compilation from EMI will have songs from popular house/electro artists including David Guetta, Moby, Swedish Hosue Mafia, and deadmau5. House remixes of songs by Coldplay, Katy Perry, and Kylie Minogue will also be included. They should’ve just called it Dancemania Electro, but it’ll most likely be part of the VIP series.

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Age mix 2 ~All Genre Best~
Release Date: 7/11/12
Price: 1905 yen

Sequel to last year’s Age mix, which was a surprise best-seller. Features covers of J-Pop, K-Pop, Anison, Western and Disco hits. A lot of repeats from other FARM compilations, but I do spot a few new tracks. Sad that there’s no Eurobeat on this like there was on the first one.

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Crystal House -R&B Party- mixed by Daiki × ZK
Release Date: 7/11/12
Price: 1714 yen

This album just dropped today and the new songs are glorious. If you’ve never heard of Daiki × ZK before, make sure to check out my Artist Spotlight on the duo. To put it briefly, they’re the second coming of J-Trance. They use a variety of styles on their covers, including house and electro, but there’s no denying the strong trance influence due to ZK’s background. After all, ZK (Kazuhisa Hirota) was a frequent contributor to Trance Paradise, Mega Trance, and Trance Rave series under the pseudonyms Ace Closer, Cannon Cracker, Floorbreaker, and others. The funny thing is that I wasn’t always a fan of the synths he used in his trance days — “Carlito” in particular grated on my nerves — but as ZK he’s been nothing short of amazing. If you’ve been missing that J-Trance sound, definitely give Daiki × ZK a listen.

The mixed album is also available digitally on iTunes Japan for 1,200 yen.

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