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Drive ga 100-bai Tanoshiku Naru 80s Best
Release Date: 1/30/13 ? 2/27/13 ? 3/20/13
Price: 1886 yen
Pretty standard set of 80s tracks that Dancemania fans have seen countless times. Judging by the track lengths, this won’t be a non-stop mix. Also available on iTunes Japan for 900 yen.
EDM ~Electronic Dance Madness~ 3
Release Date: 3/13/13 ? 3/20/13
Price: 2190 yen
The third release in the EDM series was delayed a week to March 20. Expect EDM hits from David Guetta, Deadmau5, Moby, Calvin Harris, and…Duran Duran?! I wish Tomo Hirata would choose some more recent songs, though. I’m sure EMI force him to choose from their catalogue, but there’s really no reason to have “Teenage Dream” on a 2013 album. -_-
On a related note, EMI Music Japan were recently acquired by Universal Japan as part of Universal’s global acquisition of EMI. It’ll be very interesting to see how the acquisition will affect EMI’s compilations in the future. At best, it means they’ll be able to draw on Universal’s large catalogue of artists. At worst, they’ll neglect EMI altogether. 🙁
Update: An interview with Tomo Hirata confirms that EDM 4 is already in the works.
No.1 Party Mix -R&B House Best- mixed by DJ Satoshi
Release Date: 3/6/13
Price: 2190 yen
Interesting new house compilation from VillageAgain. All of the tracks are licensed from the seemingly ubiquitous American label, Power Music. However, some of the tracks have been remixed by Japanese producers. The non-stop mix is by DJ Satoshi, previously known as half of the Mega Trance act, Glutton Boyz, and he even contributes some remixes of his own. The Mega Trance connection doesn’t end there, as there are also tracks by DJ U*Hey?, both under his main alias as well as under his Threemason alias. DJ ET-Q, perhaps best known for his Hime Trance appearances, is also present with a remix. Unfortunately, the remixes aren’t trance, but more garden variety house and EDM.
Also available on iTunes Japan.
Deluxe Age mix -International Custom Tune-
Release Date: 3/6/13
Price: 1714 yen
The latest in the surprisingly popular Age mix series, this time focusing on Yogaku (Western) hits. I was expecting all repeats, but there are actually a few new productions. I just wonder if Antoki no Inoki will actually be MCing over the entire album, as he does in the commercial.
Greatest Hits! -Dance Mix-
Release Date: 3/1/13
Price: 1800 yen
New compilation from FARM Records with house covers of classic and current pop hits. Includes the usual FARM artists like Minimum Cox, Daiki × ZK, and I.T.T. Also features new productions from NRG Factory.
Manhattan Records & Nylon Japan presents “The Night Out” Non Stop Party Mix -Supported by Nomine-
Release Date: 2/27/13
Price: 2200 yen
New house compilation from Manhattan Records, with music produced by Power Music.
EDM Anthem
Release Date: 2/27/13
Price: 2190 yen
New EDM compilation from Universal Japan. A lot of mainstream US artists are signed to the label, so expect tracks from familiar names like LMFAO, Rihanna, and Nicki Minaj. Whether that’s a good thing or not depends on the listener. Check out Universal’s official EDM Anthem website for more info.
EDM ~Electronic Dance Madness~ 3
Release Date: 3/13/13 ? 3/20/13
Price: 2190 yen
The third release in the EDM series has been delayed a week. Cover art and the final track list have been revealed, though. Expect EDM hits from David Guetta, Deadmau5, Moby, and others. Also includes a new song and remix by Tomo Hirata. Hmm, I wonder how long before we start seeing more new remixes by Japanese producers?
Drive ga 100-bai Tanoshiku Naru 90s Best
Release Date: 1/30/13 ? 2/27/13 ? 3/20/13
Price: 1886 yen
Cover art and final list have been released for this compilation of 90s pop and dance classics. It’s the usual fare from Smile.dk, Me & My, MC Hammer, Bellini, and more. Nothing terribly interesting.
Drive ga 100-bai Tanoshiku Naru 80s Best
Release Date: 1/30/13 ? 2/27/13 ? 3/20/13
Price: 1886 yen
After being delayed from January to February, this 80s pop compilation was then delayed further to March. It seems like they’ve finally settled on a date as well as a track list. Pretty standard set of 80s tracks that Dancemania fans have seen countless times. Judging by the track lengths, this won’t be a non-stop mix.
Out of all the bands involved with The Big Reunion, Atomic Kitten made the biggest impression on Dancemania. Their first single, “Right Now” was absolutely huge in Japan. It first appeared on ZIPmania III in 2000 and would go on to appear as a playable track on Dance Dance Revolution 5th MIX. After “I Want Your Love” appeared on Dancemania X8 in 2001, Atomic Kitten wouldn’t be seen in Dancemania again until the EX series. During 2004, they became a staple of the series, with “Be With You,” “The Tide Is High” and “Ladies Night” appearing on various Dancemania releases.
The band actually released a 2004 version of “Right Now,” which was surprisingly never used for a Dancemania EX release.
Despite being under the EMI label in Japan, British boy band Blue only appeared once on Dancemania. I actually remember being quite annoyed by “One Love” when it appeared on ZIPmania DX because it was too R&Bish for Dancemania.
In 2011, they represented the UK in Eurovision with a more synth-infused song than they were known for, becoming the second Dancemania-associated act to represent the UK (following Daz from Bus Stop).
Dancemania 22 was an amazing album full of incredible Almighty remixes, but for me the standout track was Almighty’s remix of “Thinking It Over.” Sadly, it was to be Liberty X’s first and only appearance on Dancemania.
911 were a boy band trio comprising Jimmy Constable, Simon “Spike” Dawbarn, and lead singer, Lee Brennan. They made their first appearance on Dancemania in 1998 with the song, “Love Sensation,” before following it up with “A Night to Remember” and “Party People…Friday Night” on various Dancemania subseries. They made their final appearance with “More Than a Woman” on the 2-disc set, Dancemania Delux 3. Oddly, one of their biggest hits, “Bodyshakin’,” has an awesome dance remix yet never appeared on Dancemania.
Move over, Downton Abbey, ITV’s most addictive new show brings back the biggest UK pop bands of yesteryear for one more chance in the limelight. “The Big Reunion” is a new reality show featuring bands from the 90s and 2000s reuniting after years apart. The show follows them as they reminisce over the good (and not so good) ol’ days and rehearse for a one-off gig, later expanded to an areana tour.
The bands in question? Well, there’s Honeyz, 5ive, and B*Witched, only the last of whom I’ve heard of as the other two never really broke into the US market. However, as a huge Dancemania fan I was excited to learn that 911, Atomic Kitten, Blue, and Liberty X would also be participating. Over the next few days I’ll take a trip down nostalgia lane and revisit each band’s contributions to Dancemania.
Perhaps most excitingly of all, “The Big Reunion” has been a big success in the UK and will soon be licensed to other countries. The 90s movement is in full swing all across Europe, as evidenced by the return of 2 Unlimited, and I’d love to see the format spread to other countries and potentially bring back some other groups that played huge roles in Dancemania.
DanceMaster | 
03 19th, 2013| 
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