Hey Marty, Some of us are curious about the JPOP scene but are inhibited by the language barrier of what is worth checking out! While we try to learn Japanese... We need you to fill us in about it and since you're a part of the JPOP scene you can give a more in-depth view on it. BTW speaking of "in-depth view" I thought you were negotiating with your publisher to produce an English version of your JPOP book? Is that still on the table or in the scrap heap? And what happened to your monthly faves? I was using that as a reference for checking out JPOP music. (On a side note; really digging "Spice" by Perfume at the moment). Thanks, John

Sorry I haven`t updated the faves--it just got too busy with my own music and sadly although I have been up on the latest stuff, it gets too hard to choose sometimes! I would recommend anything by Momoiro Clover or Passpo or for rock go to Nightmare or The Gazette. And yes, the new Perfume is great. I did a 2nd book but no plans for English. I will be giving a HUGE seminar on J-Pop at MIDEM in Cannes, France in Jan., I hope you can see it on video or live.