Tofu Records (東風レコード, Tofu Rekodo) was a US record label of Sony Music Entertainment Japan that was launched in 2003 to distribute Japanese Sony artists in the United States until its closure in 2007. Their first signed artist was T.M.Revolution, and they used the anime fandom community to spread the word. T.M.Revolution's U.S. concert debut at Otakon 2003 was successful, drawing an audience of over 5,000.

Tofu Records
Parent companySony Music (US/JP)
Founded2003
FounderYaz Noya
Defunct2007
Distributor(s)Sony Music
GenreVarious: mostly pop and rock
Country of originUS
LocationSanta Monica, California

Tofu Records' second signing was with L'Arc-en-Ciel. The label kicked off publicity for the group with a concert at 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland during Otakon 2004. L'Arc-en-Ciel made 1st Mariner Arena history by being the first music group from Japan to headline there. The concert drew an estimated 12,000. In 2006, Tofu Records also published the Splurge album by pop rock duo PUFFY. They also represented Nami Tamaki, High and Mighty Color, ZONE, Miss Monday, Rhymester, Soulhead and Polysics.

In March 2007, Tofu Records closed. Releases on Sony Music Japan now appear on Columbia or Epic Records through a new deal.

Releases

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All releases listed at discogs.com.[1]

Artist Title Catalog # Year Notes
Boom Boom Satellites Epk BBSEPK-9 2005 DVD
Various Artists Jpop CD TOF-001 2003
T.M. Revolution Coordinate TOF-002 2003
Nami Tamaki Greeting TOF-007 2004
L'Arc-en-Ciel Smile TOF-010 2004
L'Arc-en-Ciel Clicked Singles Best 13 TOF-011 2004 rerelease of Japanese album
Various Artists Japan for Sale Vol. 4 TOF-014 2004
Polysics Polysics or Die!! TOF-015 2004
Various Artists Appleseed Original Soundtrack TOF-016 2004 2-CD set
Polysics 8-Track CD Sampler + Bonus CD Extra TOF-018 2005
T.M. Revolution Vertical Infinity TOF-019 2005
L'Arc-en-Ciel Awake TOF-021 2005
Asian Kung-Fu Generation Sol-Fa TOF-022 2005 includes DVD
Polysics Now Is the Time! TOF-024 2006
Boom Boom Satellites Full of Elevating Pleasures TOF-026 2005, 2006 three versions with same catalog #
Hyde Faith TOF-029 2006 includes DVD
Hitoshi Sakamoto Final Fantasy XII Original Soundtrack TOFU 033 2006 2-CD set

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Tofu Records" discogs.com. Accessed 14 April 2013.
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