Dancemania EX × Trance Paradise

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. It was originally set for release last December and would have been EMI’s first Vocaloid-related release, but since it’s been delayed so many times that distinction now goes to Vocalo Dance. It’s now set for release on March 14. In addition to Vocaloid, there are also House songs from artsits like DJ Kawasaki, Digitalism, Ram Rider and Rap Bit.

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

New album from DJ Kawasaki featuring house covers of Disco anthems. Visit his official website for samples and more info.

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

Vocalo Dance Mania! It looks like EMI are marketing this as part of the Dancemania series, as they’ve put a special site up for it: Vocalo Dance Official Website.

The first Vocaloid compilation from EMI comes with a bevy of bonuses. In addition to a special cardboard sleeve and picture label CD for all editions, 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.

I can’t help but be disappointed by the track list, though. I was hoping for new arrangements, but most of these appear to be the original versions.

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Dancemania 25 Tracks
Release Date: 2/15/12
Price: 1200 yen

Dancemania’s first exclusive iTunes release! It’s 25 tracks from the history of Dancemania. In other words, it’s full versions from Dancemania Sparkle. A bit late, isn’t it? The digital only release confirms that EMI have picked up the rights to Mr. President and Solid Base songs. The other licensed tracks from Sparkle have been replaced with other tracks from Dancemania, including some that were released well after the 90s.

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Utatte Mita J-Pop
Release Date: 3/7/12
Price: 1905 yen

More repeats from Akiba Koubou. Again, there had better be new arrangements or this’ll be another waste of space. If you didn’t notice, “Ginga Tetsudou 999” is listed on this as well as the Anison album. Maybe they’ll do both “Ginga Tetsudou 999” as well as “The Galaxy Express 999.” Or maybe they’ll put the same song on two different albums. :{

Announced utaite include Kouhey, Yuge, Yamadan, Usa and Priko.

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

Sigh, here comes “Zankoku” again. Almost all of the tracks announced so far have been covered by Akiba Koubou in the past. At the very least we’ll get some resings, but the description provided to retailers did mention house, techno and trance remixes in addition to the usual euro so perhaps we’ll get new arrangements as well. Announced utaite include Kouhey, Yuge, Yamadan and Usa.

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Dancemania Sparkle Classics – Best of 80s Disco Pop
Release Date: 1/18/12 ? 1/25/12
Price: 2381 yen

It’s the same repeats you know and love and are sick of by now. Mixed by Mitsugu Matsumoto and DJ Mocchi.

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Utatte Mita J-Pop
Release Date: 3/7/12
Price: 1905 yen

It looks like EMI took a page from Tokuma’s book and will be releasing TWO AKBK CDs on the same day. I think we can officially declare March 7, 2012 as AKBK Day. For those keeping track, March 7 will see the release of 2 Utatte Mita CDs from EMI, 2 Geki Atsu! Drama Euro CDs from Tokuma, and Utatte Mita Best Selection from Full Moon.

Announced utaite include Kouhey, Yuge, Yamadan, Usa and Priko. This release’s theme is J-Pop covers, but I still wouldn’t be surprised if “Sousei” and “Zankoku” appear. So far it’s scheduled to be an 18-song non-stop mix.

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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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V.I.P. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop/Dance Trax DVD Mix 2
Release Date: 12/14/11 ? 12/21/11 ? 12/28/11
Price: 2171 yen

A special “DVD mix” of music videos from V.I.P. artists. It’s a shame they didn’t release a special Dancemania DVD this year. 🙁

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V.I.P. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop/Dance Trax VIII
Release Date: 12/21/11
Price: 1200 yen

Download selection featuring 12 tracks from V.I.P. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop/Dance Trax VIII plus 2 other random EMI tracks.

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Vocalo Dance
Release Date: 2/15/12
Price: 2190 yen

It’s taken a while, but even EMI couldn’t resist jumping on the Vocaloid bandwagon. Their first Vocaloid compilation will focus on Miku dance anthems. The CD will have a full-color picture label and will come in a special sleeve case, but other than that there haven’t been any other bonuses revealed. Right now there are 14-16 tracks planned. Whether they’ll use the originals or have remixes is still up in the air.

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V.I.P. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop/Dance Trax VIII
Release Date: 12/14/11
Price: 2171 yen

Eighth release in the V.I.P. series. In the past it’s mostly been a showcase for EMI’s artists, but this time they’ve spared no expense in licensing tracks from other labels. I’m still pretty shocked that dance has reworked its way back into the mainstream. Just a few years ago this series was nothing but R&B/Hip-Hop. Also, in the past these albums were not mixed, but the commercial states that this will be a non-stop mix.

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Dance Dance Revolution 2nd MIX Original Soundtrack Deluxe Edition presented by Dancemania
Release Date: 11/9/11 ? 11/30/11
Price: 3619 yen (2 CD+DVD Version) or 3048 yen (2 CD Only Version)

Update (12/20/11): The entire OST, including bonus tracks and non-stop mix, is now available on iTunes Japan. It’s 150 yen per track or 2,400 yen for the whole album.

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Dancemania Sparkle Classics – Best of 80s Disco Pop
Release Date: 1/18/12 ? 1/25/12
Price: 2381 yen

Update (12/27/11): Final track list has been revealed. There are seven “new” tracks, meaning that they’ve never appeared on Dancemania before. The bonus track is Wink’s Japanese cover of “Turn It into Love.”

Now get to work on Dancemania Speed Sparkle, EMI.

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