Dancemania EX × Trance Paradise

Dancehall Lovers J-Covers
Release Date: 4/25/12
Price: 2171 yen

New release in the long-running Dancehall compilation series. This one is notable for jumping on the J-Pop cover bandwagon. Yes, that’s right, if you’ve ever been jonesing for a reggae version of “Zankoku na Tenshi no These,” this is the album for you. To further increase the novelty, it also appears that all of the songs have been translated into English. They used Bentley Jones’s existing English version for “Sunao ni Naretara” but the rest sound like almost direct translations, which results in some awkward lyrics.

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Mademoiselle Yulia ~ Neon Spread 3
Release Date: 4/25/12
Price: 2476 yen

The third release in the Neon Spread series. Neon Spread 2 was released way back in 2009, but the success of Mademoiselle Yulia’s album must have reignited interest.

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Hatsune Rock feat. Hatsune Miku
Release Date: 6/6/12
Price: 2190 yen

EMI’s second venture into the world of Vocaloid compilations. Vocalo Dance didn’t do particularly well, so this time they’re going with a rock theme, similar to FARM’s Vocarock series (the existence of which is probably why EMI avoided naming this Vocalo Rock). I’m not sure if they’ll still market this as part of the Dancemania series, given Vocalo Dance’s performance. A lot of these tracks have appeared on previous compilations, so I hope they’re not making the same mistake of having nothing but repeats again.

All copies will come with a cardboard sleeve and picture-label CD. First-press editions come with a special big coaster and cell phone strap.

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No More Dream ~Yume wa Iranai~ (Single)
Release Date: 4/11/12
Price: 500 yen

Digital release of Mademoiselle’s newest song, “No More Dream ~Yume wa Iranai~”. It’s a surprisingly fun chiptune track. Also features a new remix of “Bam Me,” which will appear on the upcoming Neon Spread 3. Available on iTunes Japan and other online retailers.

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Mogra Mix EP
Release Date: 3/30/12
Price: 750 yen

Digital EP featuring full versions of 3 songs from Mogra Mix. A bit expensive at 250 yen per track. Available on iTunes Japan and other online retailers.

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Let’s Dance -Super 80s Disco Hits-
Release Date: 12/7/11 ? 12/21/11 ? 1/18/12 ? 2/8/12 ? 3/28/12
Price: 2857 yen

2-disc compilation from EMI celebrating Roppongi disco hits. As with Mogra Mix, this was originally supposed to come out in December, but EMI has postponed the release date a few times before settling on a March 28 release date. Thankfully, they mostly avoided songs that already appeared on Dancemania Sparkle Classics. And unlike Dancemania Sparkle Classics, this release is not a non-stop mix. Instead, it has full-length songs.

The early list didn’t have David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” but thankfully the final track list has it as the lead track. 😀

Songs selected by DJ Osshy of Roppongi Nirvana.

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Utattemita J-Pop
Release Date: 3/7/12 ? 3/21/12
Price: 1905 yen

Utaite take on J-Pop classics. The track list is mostly composed of songs taken straight from J-Pop Extra Beat Densetsu and the first two Geki Atsu! Drama Euro releases.

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Utattemita Anison
Release Date: 3/7/12 ? 3/21/12
Price: 1905 yen

Uggh, based on the producers of each track it doesn’t look like there’ll be any new arrangements, much less any new songs. The first 8 tracks appear to be taken straight from Anim80s, while the remaining tracks are from previous AKBK eurobeat albums. Very disappointing. It’s also odd that they’re not branding either Utattemita release as part of the Dancemania series. The only bright side is that some of the Anim80s repeats will get longer edits.

The album will be available on Amazon Japan’s download service as well as others, but the digital version is a non-stop mix like the CD.

For those wondering, “Nazo no Jinbutsu K” is better known to Hime Trance fans as Kei. It’s just the pseudonym she uses for singing on Nico Nico.

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Mademoiselle Yulia ~ Neon Spread 3
Release Date: 4/25/12
Price: 2476 yen

The third release in the Neon Spread series. Neon Spread 2 was released way back in 2009, but the success of Mademoiselle Yulia’s album must have reignited interest. Speaking of which, two of the songs from her album will appear with new remixes. There’ll also be a new song, titled “No More Dream ~Yume wa Iranai~”

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Black & Gold
Artist: DJ Kawasaki
Release Date: 3/14/12
Price: 2381 yen

New cover album from DJ Kawasaki with J-House covers of Disco classics. Comes in a special digipak case. Visit DJ Kawasaki’s official website for samples and more info.

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Mogra Mix Vol. 1 mixed by DJ Wildparty
Release Date: 12/7/11 ? 12/21/11 ? 2/1/12 ? 2/29/12 ? 3/14/12
Price: 2476 yen

New compilation from EMI, done in collaboration with Club Mogra. In addition to Vocaloid, there are also House songs from artists like DJ Kawasaki, Digitalism, Ram Rider and Rap Bit. Exclusive new songs and remixes will make their debuts on this album.

Retailer-exclusive bonuses are also available. Animate will be giving out sticker sheets, while Tsutaya will distribute clear files and Tower Records will hand out posters.

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Vocalo Dance -Best Age! Tracks-
Release Date: 2/15/12 ? 2/29/12
Price: 2190 yen

The album came out yesterday, and in addition to EMI’s Vocalo Dance Website, Akiba Koubou have also put up a special website of their own, including a page detailing the bonuses.

Again, all editions come with a special cardboard sleeve and picture label CD, while first-press copies will also come with a special calendar and fake credit card. Retailers will also be distributing B2-sized posters on a first-come, first-served basis. If you go to the URL listed on the obi strip and answer a quick survey, you can also download some special wallpapers for your PC or smartphone, though this offer only lasts until August. CD Japan says there’ll be a sticker, but there’s no longer any mention of that on Amazon or EMI’s website.

As for retailer-exclusive bonuses, Animate will be offering a special “can badge,” which is just a fancy Japanese term for a pin. Tora no Ana will also have special can badge with a different design. Tsutaya will give out A4 clear files.

EMI have also uploaded a special digest of songs on YouTube:

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Utattemita J-Pop
Release Date: 3/7/12 ? 3/21/12
Price: 1905 yen

Utaite take on J-Pop classics. The track list is mostly composed of songs taken from J-Pop Extra Beat Densetsu and the first two Geki Atsu! Drama Euro releases. I’m still hopeful that these will be new house/trance/euro arrangements, but I’m prepared for the worst. 🙁 Oh well, at least it can finally be confirmed that BB Storm = Bibi, KoRo-Girl = Korosuke, and Koko on Boku = Boku, though in hindsight I feel like an idiot since those should have been really, really obvious.

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Utattemita Anison
Release Date: 3/7/12 ? 3/21/12
Price: 1905 yen

Delayed a few weeks, but cover art and final list have been revealed. The good news is that they somehow managed to forget to put “Zankoku” and “Sousei” on this. The bad news is that most of these songs have been done by Akiba Koubou before. The good news is that the description for the album mentions house, techno and trance arrangements, so there’s a good chance that we’ll at least get some new arrangements. The bad news is that Akiba Koubou are very lazy, and there’s just as a good a chance that they’ll use the songs straight from Anim80s and other albums.

For those wondering, “Nazo no Jinbutsu K” is better known to Hime Trance fans as Kei. It’s just the pseudonym she uses for singing on Nico Nico.

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Let’s Dance -Super 80s Disco Hits-
Release Date: 12/7/11 ? 12/21/11 ? 1/18/12 ? 2/8/12 ? 3/28/12
Price: 2857 yen

2-disc compilation from EMI celebrating Roppongi disco hits. As with Mogra Mix, this was originally supposed to come out in December, but EMI has postponed the release date a few times before settling on a March 28 release date. The delay was probably for the best, or else it would’ve been in direct competition with the similarly themed Dancemania Sparkle Classics. Songs selected by DJ Osshy of Roppongi Nirvana.

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