Later this month 16-year old singer Satomi is to release her debut single under the guidance of the man who brought the world such bands as Oasis, Primal Scream and Teenage Fanclub. Since 1999, British music industry mogul and founder of Creation Records Alan McGee has been running the Poptones label, and the high school student from Yamaguchi Prefecture was the first artist to be released on his new Hiptones R&B imprint, with the 12-inch record “Toxic Love” in June. A label spokesman said the beautiful youngster has all the makings of a major star. The former All-Japan aerobics champion dreamed of becoming a dancer and only sang in public for the first time at a music festival in Cannes in January. She made her UK live debut at the famous Ronnie Scott’s club in London in May. Her debut single “Heartbreaker” is due for release in the UK on October 24, though an import version will be available from Tower Records in Japan from tomorrow. Check out a sample on her Japanese label Aozora Records – this girl is going to be BIG.
• Former boy idol turned racing car driver Kondo Masahiko (41) is to release his first new original song in almost eight years. The as-yet unnamed single will be released in December, just ahead of the 25th anniversary of Macchi’s show business debut. January 1 will see the release of a boxed set of his 43 singles issued between 1980 and a 2002 self-cover. Largely unknown to younger music fans, his fame in the 1980s was such that the new single will get lots of media attention. In November, it will be used as the opening theme for the Fuji TV show “Friday Entertainment.”
• Russian pop duo tATu are pretty much yesterday’s news. But they haven’t disappeared just yet, and are in fact visiting Japan for the fourth time to promote their new album, “Dangerous and Moving.” The young pair made no friends here on their last visit two years ago when they failed to turn up for a live performance on the TV Asahi show “Music Station.” They promised not to cancel today’s recording of the TBS “Utaban” show scheduled to air on the 27th. Their record label said the pair want to go shopping and clubbing while in Tokyo, but most of all want to eat some good sushi. They are due to attend a fan event at Tokyo’s Club Asia tomorrow night.