An audition is on-going for a male vocalist of the theme song “Merry Song” for a non-profit cultural project, in which Kanno is the composer and producer. The demo is being streamed, and the instrumental and lyrics of the songs are available in the PIANO INC. website. The final recording is possibly composed of one or more vocalists.

The requirements for the vocalists are as follows:

- Male
- Student / Professional / Amateur experience doesn’t matter. Age may be up to 21 and a half years old.
- Resume with a photo
- Residence is not important. Foreigners are welcome.
- Should participate in a recording around the middle of February, should be filmed for a music video, and perform in an event.

Deadline for submission is on January 30.

The instrumental version sounds very much like Hana wa Saku, but with the lyrics it tends to sound very different. Looking forward to the actual purpose of this song!

Source: PIANO INC., Coma

Details:

Release Title: Macross Plus Complete Blu-ray Box (Limited Edition)
Price: Y17,000 (Y17,850yen Tax in) [approx. US$ 190.58]
Format: Blu-ray (Region-free)
Release Date: June 21, 2013
Description: Blu-ray release from amazing SF anime “Macross Plus” directed by Shoji Kawamori and characters designed by Masayuki (“Evangelion”)! Music made famous Yoko Kanno composer and songs were performed by Mai Yamane and Akino Arai! Includes the 4 OVA series and movie edition in HD remaster version with English language (dubbed and subtitles.) Also comes with booklet (100 pages), sketch book (32 pages), box illustrated by Hidetaka Tenjin and inner jacket by Masayuki. This is a limited release to remain available only through December, 2013.
Special Features: North America report, staff interview, TV spots, PV, trailers, and more.
Purchase from CDJapan.

Kanno during the rehearsal

Last December 31, 2012, Kanno was once more involved in the Kouhaku Uta Gassen for the performance of “Hana wa Saku”. She also notably wrote the theme song for the previous year. This year, she conducted for “Hana wa Saku”, alongside the piano accompaniment of Nobuyuki Tsujii, and a chorus which included notable personalities Toshiyuki Nishida, Masatoshi Nakamura, Kumiko Mori, Shizuka Arakawa, and Sandwich Man.

Kanno was also reported to be a judge in the said singing contest.

Source: Natalie.mu, Coma

The new Oronain H Ointment CM, entitled “Mother’s hands also grows old” is composed by Kanno. The music is not yet in Grand Funk, and the credits to the composition is hard to stumble by, but it’s in the staff section of Otsuka’s site for the CM.

How touching

Last December 2012, NHK aired a piano and chorale version of Hana wa Saku where pro-figure skater Shizuka Arakawa danced to the song, along with child figure skaters from Miyagi. The chorale is composed of children from Sendai.

It’s really beautiful, not sure about licenses so watch it while it’s up here at YouTube.

Kanno will be arranging Tokiko Kato’s song “KAZEUTA [trans: WINDSONG]“, to be released this November 21, 2012. The song will be used in TV Tokyo’s 2013 New Year drama presentation, Byakotai.

Details:

Release Title: Tokiko Jyojyoka – Kazeuta -
Price: Y2381 (Y2500 Tax incl.) [approx. US$ 29.30 US Dollar]
Release Date: November 21, 2012
Description: Album from Tokiko Kato includes “Kazeuta,” “Aoi Koinobori to Shiroi Carnation,” and more.
Purchase from CDJapan.

Tokiko Kato also describes the arrangement as having a chorus of males, and having festive drums. She has photos from her blog about the recording.

Sounds interesting!

According to Ken’s net, aside from Kanno’s work, Michiru Oshima‘s Horatio was also performed. I am not sure though if Ms. Oshima is an alumnus of Waseda University like Kanno.

The writer describes Kanno’s piece “Song of Departure” as something that resembles her drama work, but some portions are different. He couldn’t pinpoint a specific existing piece to compare it to, but he said that it’s wonderful.

He also comments on Kanno’s unorthodox conducting (you guys know how this looks like…), that it’s not like she’s commanding. He says that it’s more like her existence directed the music, and he doubts that the performance can be reproduced if another conductor was in command.

They performed all-male choir versions of “Hana wa Saku”, and “Kagiri Naki Tabiji” of Turn A Gundam for their encore.

She did not sing, but she performed a solo piano of the Waseda University song.

According to coma, there will be a CD and DVD release in the future, but Kagiri Naki Tabiji will not be included in the DVD, not sure of the reason but maybe for licensing issues.

Here is a set of videos containing the Mellsavon CM, with music by Kanno,  featuring the light, relaxing vocals of Frida. Don’t forget to check it out also in Grand Funk for a much clearer and longer version of the song.

The videos that came originally with the Mitsubachi special edition single will be released separately, on January 2013.

Details:

Release Title: Maaya Best Clips
Price: Y4000 (Y4200 Tax in.) [approx. US$ 50.08]
Release Date: January 23, 2012
Description: DVD release of Maaya Sakamoto including music clip compilation. Originally this DVD comes on blu-ray format with new single collection album limited edition (reference VTZL-50).
Purchase from CDJapan.

Release Title: Maaya Best Clips [Blu-ray]
Price: Y4500 (Y4725 Tax in.) [approx. US$ 56.33]
Release Date: January 23, 2012
Description: Blu-ray release of Maaya Sakamoto including music clip compilation. Originally this blu-ray comes with new single collection album limited edition (reference VTZL-50).
Purchase from CDJapan.

1. Saigo no Kajitsu
2. Triangler
3. Ame ga Furu
4. Magic Number
5. everywhere
6. DOWN TOWN
7. Himitsu
8. Buddy
9. Okaerinasai
10. Short Movie　Driving in the silence
（Driving in the silence～Sayonara Santa～Driving in the silence-reprise-）
11. More Than Words

Kanno will be making the music for the movie “Petal Dance”, directed by Hiroshi Ishikawa. They have previously worked on the movie Tokyo.sora in 2002, Su-ki-da, back in 2005. The movie will air on April 30, 2013. Watch the trailer above, the music sounds ethereal.