We’re back with this week’s edition of Oricon Flashback. This is where we look back on what topped Oricon this week 5, 10, 15, and 20 years ago. Think of it as a way to reminisce and learn about the past of Japanese music.

This week’s guests were Superfly, V6, and aiko.

Superfly – Fall

V6 – Crazy Rays

aiko – Hana ga Saita

This month’s guests were Miyano Mamoru, KANA-BOON, Akko Gorilla, Morning Musume. ’18, and cero.

Miyano Mamoru – EXCITING!

KANA-BOON – Samayou Hibi to Fanfare

Akko Gorilla –  Yoyuu

Morning Musume. ’18 – Are you Happy?

cero – Usuyami no Hana

This week’s episode featured aiko. She is currently celebrating her 20th anniversary. Known for her concerts, this episode revolves around a studio live performance.

aiko – Unmei / Kabutomushi / Straw

Pop/Reggae vocal group Shonan no Kaze are currently celebrating their 15th Anniversary in the music industry.  Over the next couple of weeks, this celebration will reach its peak with the release of both a new Double A-side single and a new Studio album.

The single, titled “Rokugatsu no Hana / Kokushi Musou”, will be released on June 6th.  The second A-side, “Kokushi Musou”, is already being used as the theme song for the drama “Akagi ~Washizu Mahjong Kanketsu-hen~”.  Of note, neither of these songs will be included on their upcoming album.

This record, titled “Shonan no Kaze ~Ichigo Ichie~”, will be released the following week on June 13th and include the group’s previously released songs “Hanabi”, “KING OF THE WILD”, “Winner”, and “Yamechimae!”, as well as 11 new tracks for a total of 15.  Among these new songs are “Grand Blue”, which will be used as the opening theme song for the anime of the same name, and “Gaki no Ore e”, which will serve as the theme song for Shonan no Kaze’s documentary film, which will hit theaters in July.

Read on below to find the covers and track lists for both of these releases, as well as a preview of the group’s new song “Grand Blue”.

Last month we reported that fusion/acid jazz band Suchmos would be releasing a new mini-album titled “THE ASHTRAY” on June 20th.  Now that this date has drawn closer, the group have chosen to publish the music video for its lead track “VOLT-AGE”.

This PV features the band performing the track while surrounded by a wall of monitors which display images that correspond to the song’s lyrics.  “VOLT-AGE” has already been selected as NHK’s theme song for both the soccer season and the 2018 World Cup, the tense rock number intended to capture the excitement felt by the players.

You’ll find the full music video for “VOLT-AGE” below.

This year funk-rock collective CRAZY KEN BAND will be celebrating their 20th anniversary in the music industry.  As such, the group have decided to release a new studio album, their first in three years, titled “GOING TO A GO-GO” on August 1st.

“GOING TO A GO-GO” is based around the theme of ‘incoherence’ and will include a whopping 20 new songs from the 11 member ensemble, intending to explore a variety of genres like soul, funk, jazz, bossa nova, and reggae.  In addition, the record’s Limited Edition will include a pair of DVDs containing footage from the band’s 20th anniversary show at the Outdoor Stage of Yokohama’s Red Brick Warehouse, which featured guest appearances by RHYMESTER, FIRE BALL, IKURA, CHIBOW (SKA9), MIGHTY CROWN, and Full Of Harmony.

Read on below to find the cover and complete track list for “GOING TO A GO-GO”.

Earlier this week folk/pop duo Yuzu released their latest digital single “Koen Doori”, which is currently being used as the CM track for Ito En’s “Oi Ocha” line of green tea.  In further support of this release, the group have now published a PV for the song to their Youtube channel.

This music video was directed by Masaki Okita, who also directed the videos for early Yuzu tracks “Tomodachi no Uta” and “Sentimental”, and features the pair walking down Shibuya’s own Koen Doori.  After the PV’s conclusion, Okita has included footage from the group’s first headlining concert at the Shibuya Koen Doori Gekijou, wherein they perform part of their songs “Ame to Namida” and “Shounen”.

You’ll find the music video for the nostalgic “Koen Doori” right after the jump.