Dancemania EX × Trance Paradise

Anim80s 2 ~Anime Hits in 80s Disco Style~
Release Date: 11/28/12
Price: 1886 yen

Well, this is a shock. The original Anim80s came out in December of 2010 and was an incredible mix of Anime themes with 80s hits. It didn’t sell all that well, however, so it’s surprising that they’re giving the series another shot almost 2 years later. No word yet on which songs or artists will be included, but Akiba Koubou will most likely be producing once again.

Also, apologies for the intermittent updates lately. I’ve been a bit busy, and there’s been a drought in dance-related CDs coming out in Japan. If things don’t pick up, I may switch to updates every other day instead of daily.

Pre-order at CDJapan.

Vocalo Cho Mix 39 feat. Hatsune Miku
Release Date: 9/26/12
Price: 1714 yen

This second Vocaloid compilation from EMI features a non-stop mix of 39 songs. It’s priced much lower than Vocalo Dance, so there are fewer bonus features. You’ll just get a picture label CD and cardboard sleeve this time around. Animate are also offering a folding fan featuring the cover art if you order from them.

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EDM ~Electronic Dance Madness~
Release Date: 9/26/12
Price: 2190 yen

Previously known as Electric Dance Madness, this EDM (Electronic Dance Music) compilation will have songs from popular house/electro artists including David Guetta, Moby, Swedish Hosue Mafia, and deadmau5. I thought it would be part of the VIP series, but EMI have set up a completely separate page for it: http://www.emimusic.jp/intl/edm/

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Poi Poi Poi Remix
Artist: Roll Deep
Release Date: 8/29/12
Price: 500 yen

Funkot/hardcore remix of the Roll Deep song that was recently featured on VIP Party Covers. The remix is done by DJ Jet Baron, a Japan-based Indonesian DJ. Funkot = Funky kota house, an Indonesian genre of music that’s pretty much happy hardcore. The single is available digitally on iTunes Japan.

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Dancemania Party ~ Best of 90s Dance Hits
Release Date: 8/1/12
Price: 2381 yen

Dancemania is still alive!! That’s MST’s special message, in English no less, to Dancemania fans!

Yes, Dancemania Party is full of many songs that fans have heard multiple times, but there are 12 songs that are “new” to the series. “Roses Are Red” turned out to be a different remix than the one previously used on ZIPmania Best, so it technically counts as a “new” track. The other new tracks are great representatives of 90s eurodance, particularly the tracks that previously appeared on Victor’s Dance Panic series. I’m just glad they shied away from the euro-reggae that was prominent on Sparkle.

For those interested, “Moonlight Shadow” is the original version from Dancemania 7 and not the new vocal version from X8, while “My Heart Will Go On” is the Definitive mix.

The mixing by MST is generally very good. I think he put more effort into this one than usual just because he didn’t have to mix the same old tracks again. I just wish he’d stop using that fake crowd noise.

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V.I.P. presents Party Covers
Release Date: 8/1/12
Price: 2171 yen

Dancemania lives!!! Oh, wait, wrong album. It’s easy to get confused since the track list for this CD is dominated by Saifam. After being excluded from recent Dancemania albums I was getting worried that EMI had cut ties with the Italian label, but Saifam are here in full force. Tracks by Che’Nelle, Roll Deep and Bentley Jones round out the list.

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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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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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V.I.P. presents Party Covers
Release Date: 8/1/12
Price: 2171 yen

OMG, it’s Dancemania EX 10!!! I thought that EMI might start licensing from Power Music like every other Japanese label, but it looks like they still have connections with Saifam as a majority of the album is made up of Saifam covers. Tracks by Che’Nelle, Roll Deep and Bentley Jones round out the tracklist. Seriously, they should’ve just made this a Dancemania album, though I’m glad Saifam still get some love from Japan.

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

Whoops, I meant to post this earlier, but this release has obviously been canceled. Vocalo Dance sold poorly, so I guess EMI had second thoughts about continuing the series.

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Dancemania Party ~ Best of 90s Dance Hits
Release Date: 8/1/12
Price: 2381 yen

Edit (7/10/12): Cover art is out! The new font for Party is much more pleasant to look at and readable. By the way, anyone interested in a contest to celebrate the release? 😉

Final list is out! All 17 tracks from the early list made it. The remaining 10 tracks include 3 Dancemania repeats as well as 7 tracks never before seen on Dancemania. In all, there are 11 tracks out of 27 that are “new” to the series.

In addition to previously announced licenses, there are “new” tracks from N.Y.C.C., Scooter, Matt Bianco, Afrika & The Zulu Kings, Look Twice, and Solid Base. Interestingly, these 6 artists all used to be signed to Victor Japan, though the Solid Base back catalog has been owned by EMI since Dancemania Sparkle. Look Twice were originally signed to EMI in the early 90s, back when Veronica Almqvist (of Smile.dk) was still part of the group, but “Funk You Up” was produced during their Victor Japan days in the late 90s. I wonder if EMI have since picked up the rights to these other former Victor artists…

One of the “new” tracks is the original version of Deja Vu’s “My Heart Will Go On,” which, despite being featured repeatedly on the Speed series, has never appeared on the main series. Great to see Almighty represented once again, but Saifam still get no love. 🙁

Other newly announced tracks include Me & My’s “Baby Boy,” Jennifer’s “If You Were Here,” and 2 Unlimited’s “Twilight Zone.”

Personally, I’m just happy we no longer have to look at that ugly “Sparkle” font. Now bring on Dancemania Party Speed! Please?

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