Salyu New Single, 'Halfway', Due February

Scanty info yet, but I definitely prefer this wintery cover to the recent weirder-than-usual thing that is the Merkmal covers. And this is what's on her official site :

Release date:　2009.2.11
Ｔｒａｃｋｓ：
01. コルテオ 〜行列〜　「シルク・ドゥ・ソレイユ」第8弾公演“ダイハツ コルテオ”イメージソング
02. HALFWAY　2009年2月公開予定 映画「ハルフウェイ」主題歌

UPDATED: Due to languishing Japanese study plans, I can't really tell you what's going on in the first link except it has something to do with Cirque du Soleil, which is cool (alert: loud background music), but the second one leads to the promotion site of 'Halfway', the movie which Salyu's namesake track is the theme song for. The 'theme song' tab is still tagged 'coming soon', but the refrain portion of the song can be heard as the background music. This is another of her higher-pitched poppish ones--nothing against that--just that my personal wish of a (however fleeting) return to Lily Chou Chou era ethereal awesomeness is left unanswered again. #heaves a wistful sigh#

(P.S. For more Salyu news and stuff please visit http://salyu.aiamu.net/. Still under construction but better than none, and I'm definitely not turning Uku into a second Salyu news blog.. =p)

Can't wait for Feb! :)

Salyu's New Album, Merkmal, Due in November

According to the official website and translation from Salyu community on livejournal:

Salyu will be releasing a best album titled "Merkmal" on November 26th. There'll be two limited edition versions: one featuring a live DVD recording of her concert at Motion Blue Yokohama on September 17th, and the other featuring a second CD with her collab work (Valon, to U, & Mirror). The limited editions also come with a ticket reserve for her 2009 Merkmal tour.

CD Only: 3,000yen (TFCC-86281)
w/ Live DVD: 3,800yen (TFCC-86282)
2CD: 3,800yen (TFCC-86283)

Setlist of Motion Blue Yokohama show:
01. ARABESQUE
02. 光りの束 (hikari no taba)
03. name
04. 双曲線 (soukyokusen)
05. 体温 (taion)
06. 夜の海 遠い出会いに (yoru no umi tooi deai ni)
07. Landmark
08. be there
09. 砂 (suna)
10. VALON-1
11. to U
12. WHEREABOUTS ~for Anthony~

 It is a little odd that she's already releasing a 'Best of' after a mere two albums (or 3, if we count Lily Chou-Chou.) This is probably more appropriately called 'The B-sides'... And what's up with the sudden fascination with foreign--and GERMAN, not in the least--words? Merkmal is simply German for 'feature'. *scratches head*

Still very excited about this though, this being the first official live recording of anything from her...? and I totally look forward to some brand new material, too. It's been some time since the last album now, Missy Salyu! ;)

Salyu- iris ～しあわせの箱～ & DVD release

I'm outdated again, not surprisingly.


Note: Left is limited press. Right is regular edition.

Salyu's new single 'iris ~ Shiawase no Hako'was released on Nov 28th. It's another touchy ballad reminiscent of 'Platform'. Salyu established herself as a stand-alone operatic pop singer in 'Salyu period' (as opposed to 'Lily chou-chou' period). The ambient ether is replaced by a crowded, glamorous cosmo. That's my feeling of her transition. Both are undoubtedly unique but somehow I miss Lily chou-chou very, very much.

Here's a look at the PV, a sweet short film about circus performers and how a pretty little girl aspires to be one of them. Her PVs are never a disappointment.By the way, there's a 'Salyu clips 2004-2007' DVD release on the same date as this single. I'm gonna grab it!



DVD Purchase guide,


cdjapan | YesAsia

Release: 2007.11.28
3,600yen(tax-in) TFBQ-18076
DVD (Region 2)

1. VALON-1
2. Dialogue
3. Peaty
4. Suisei
5. Kaze ni Noru Fune
6. Tower
7. name
8. Platform
9. Tobira
10. I BELIEVE

Bonus Tracks
VALON (Ilmari×Salyu)
Making Clips (Music from TERMINAL Tour 2007)

Salyu - Tobira

Since Jady came up with THE 'Salyu' tag, I feel overwhelmed and obliged to see its growth. Tobira is the new single to be released on 17th Jan and also the eponymous song on Salyu's new album. Compared to 'Landmark' which also seemed to define the overall message and tone for her album, Tobira is in my opinion more energetic and outwardly radiant. Getting in the bright forecast of 2007 eh? The PV features an Eskimo-like Salyu wobbling in penguin gaits and even teasing our beloved Takashi Kobayashi who (by a tremendous amount of effort) pretended to be oblivious to her malign ticklings. The video was shot in faded monotone against a dazzling expanse of sky. No further comments on the song itself except to say it's brilliant. Love the shoutings. The chorus is refreshing and uplifting.

Salyu new album 'Terminal'

2007.1.17 3,059yen(tax in)TFCC-86213 01. トビラ(Tobira) 02. 風に乗る船 03. 鏡 04. プラットホーム(Platform) 05. 故に 06. Tower 07. Apple Pie 08. I BELIEVE 09. 夜の海 遠い出会いに 10. name 11. be there 12. heartquake 13. to U（Salyu ver.）

Salyu's new album 'Terminal' is scheduled for release on 17th Jan! The album includes previously released singles 'トビラ' (current single), '風に乗る船', 'プラットホーム' (Platform), Tower, 夜の海 遠い出会いに (a single c/w), name, and to U. So in effect the album only contains half new tracks -.-!!

Salyu

Yes, my first post under the new pinkie sky! First of all, a round of claps for zhu's return haha! Although ukulele's again back to me + jady duo state as it originally started to be, I'm pretty happy with the current layout and contents ^^. (I hope blogger can consider EMOTICONS and a few remotely artistically inclined templates.)



Salyu Salyu! Did I write a post on Salyu before? The wikipedia entry is here, too brief to be informative but I can't add any more details as Salyu is indeed a mystery, a real Lily chou chou walking right out of the movie. Since all of the songs (and most lyrics) are single-handedly composed and written by Takeshi Kobayashi, a well-known composer in Japan for producing brilliant soundtracks for Shunji Iwai's movies, Salyu is a materialization of Kobayashi's ideal of music, a mix of new age, pop and acoustic. Salyu's 'angelic' voice (as most people like to describe it although I think it's more draggy, semi opera and maternal) lifts you high above ground into an imaginary world of wuthering winds (like 'Kaze ni noru fune') or a conundrum of still air, of emptiness. Scary or blissful depending on the situation. Most of her songs have a strong healing power which is reminiscent of Lily chou chou and we all love her for that =D (emoticons please!) We also love her wacky wardrobe and big loving smiles, and how she distorts her facial muscles to the extent we see an over-representation of mouth and too little of eyes! Yes, not to forget her chubbiness!!

Among her singles released so far, my favourites are VALON, Kaze ni noru fune, to U and Platform. All her PVs are superb! I wonder if it's the same director.

Some clips from youtube

Landmark - from 2006 live 'close to you'


VALON1 Live Countdown (lovely makeup!)


Me and Jady's mutual favourite - Kaze ni noru fune


Platform live (First appearance on Music Fighter)


To U - ap Bank fest

Sub directory: Japanese Artists

First 'real' post so to speak. We'll add on.

In alphabetical order (ongoing)

:: Arai Akino(新居昭乃) ::


Very limited knowledge. I only have this one album, which's produced by Yoko Kanno, one of my favourite composers.

Album: Sora no uta
-> Official Site


:: Ayano Tsuji(过亚弥乃) ::


Theme song performer of Ghibli animation film 'The cat returns'. Our ukulele lady!! She said she wanted to play guitar but her hands were too small, so she ended up choosing a very special Hawaiian instrument - ukulele. Her style is a combination of pop and folk singing and it's always very light and comfortable.

Album:
Balanco | CALENDAR CALENDAR | 春蜜柑(Haru mikan) | 春は遠き夢の果てに | Cover Girl | 恋恋风歌(Renrenfuka) | 恋爱眼镜(Koi suru megane)

Single:
桜の木の下で | 雨音 | パレード | 幻化成风 (Kaze ni Naru) | Yubikiri/Hoshi Furu Yoru no Christmas

-> emule library link


:: Chara ::


Most people recognize Chara as the singer and actress from Shunji Iwai's film 'Swallowtail Butterfly' & 'Picnic'. Her singing is very very emotional. Despite the unconventional voice which may at first sound discomforting (like a child's whining), her passion will pull you right into her world.

Album: A senery like me | Chara best | Montage

-> Official Web


:: Do As Infinity ::


Do As Infinity (DAI) is a great Jpop rock band. They officially disbanded in late September 2005. DAI is probably one of the rare Jpop groups who perform live just as great as studio recordings, if not better. The lead vocal Van Tomiko's working on her solo career and the guitarist Ryo formed a new group called Missile Innovation.

Album:
Break of dawn | New world | Deep forest | True song | Gates of heaven | Need your love
Do the live | Live in Japan | Do the B-side | Do the A-side

-> Official Site


:: GARNET CROW ::


GARNET CROW, my favourite Jpop group ever. They certainly don't blend into the conventional 'Jpop' genre, and surely shouldn't be categorised so. They performed a couple of well known songs used in the anime series 'Detective Conan'. Some of them are 'Mysterious Eyes', 'Natsu no Maboroshi' (summer illusion), 'Yume mita ato do'(after waking up from a dream).

Albums: 1st Kaleidscope | 1st Soundscope | Sparkle | Crystallize | I'm waiting 4 you
BEST album| Remix album|

Singles: 1-20

-> Official Site

Here's my fansite (Seven Seas) dedicated to them, in both Chinese and English.



:: The Gospellers ::


The Gospellers, much like a small ensemble of talented choir boys who perform in a wide range of styles. Unfortunately they're no longer active.

Albums: Soul serenade | Love notes | FRENZY | A capella | Dressed up to the nines

-> Official Site


:: Love Psychedelico ::


A two-membered Japanese band with the style of the 60s' rock n blues. The lead vocal (Kumi) sings in a mixture of Japanese and English (perfect English!). Her voice is very powerful and versatile.

Albums: The Greatest Hits | Love Pschedelic Orchestra | LP III | Early Times

-> Official Site


:: Maaya Sakamoto(坂本真綾) ::

Grapefruit | DIVE | Lucy | Easy listening | Shonen Alice | Yunagi Loop
Hotchpotch | Nikopachi | 23-ji no ongaku (23h music)


:: Namie Amuro(安室 奈美恵) ::
181920 | Love enhanced | STYLE


:: Rie Fu ::


A talented solo artist who writes her own songs and she sings in English most of the time. Her style is a blend of pop and country music . Most well-known song is 'Life is like a boat'.

Album: Rie Fu
Singles: 1 - 3

-> Official Site


:: Salyu ::


Salyu's most often known as 'lily chou' from Shunji Iwai's movie. She collaborates with the famous music composer Takeshi Kobayashi and she's still considered a new comer in J music. She has a very unique 'ethery' voice.

Albums: Kokyu (breathe) | Landmark
Singles: 1-6

-> Official Site


:: Utada Hikaru (宇多田ヒカル) ::
First love | Distance | Deep river | Exodus