date unknown

A new single “Tokubetsu na Koibito” (A Special Lover), written and produced by Mariya Takeuchi, will be released on 2011/11/23.

Though Seiko and Mariya have been in the music industry for a long time, the first encounter between the two legends did not take place until July last year. Seiko requested Mariya to write a song for her 30th anniversary.

Seiko’s 76th single is the first song written by another female artist since “Shanghai Love Song” for which Akiko Yano provided the lyrics in 2000.

• Sepcial Edition w/ DVD
• Regular Edition
• Special Website (Universal Music)

Seiko is on the cover of “Bi Method” Vol.2 by Kadokawa Magazines which was released today (9/28). The “mook” (Janglish for “magazine” + “book”) also features Seiko’s message as well as photos.

She was also on the cover of Vol.1 which was published back in June.

Fujifilm’s “ASTALIFT”, for which Seiko is the image character, will release a new TV ad on 2011/09/01.

This new version, “Shôgeki no Deai” (A Shocking Encounter), will feature Seiko and Kyôko Koizumi, who was one of the top idols in the 1980s and 1990s.

This is the first time Seiko and Kyôko saw each other for almost 20 years, let alone being on a same TV ad. The clip can be viewed here.

Seiko will be starring in the NHK Taiga Drama, “Taira no Kiyomori“.

Matsuda will play the role of Lady Gion (Gion no Nyougo), an expert in song and dance entertainment, who watches over Kiyomori in his early childhood days. Afterwards, she changes her name and appears as the singing teacher who consults Kiyomori and Emperor Shirakawa.

“I want to do my best to play the wonderful role of Lady Gion,” commented Seiko. Meanwhile, producer Tomoaki Iso stated, “Arguing the influential characters on equal terms, the role is essential, as she is a mother-figure for Kiyomori. Matsuda-san is perfect, because she doesn’t lose her radiance.”

“Taira no Kiyomori” starts in January 2011.

Official Drama Site (in Japanese)

“MemorieS ~ Bitter Sweet Pineapple ~”, the third of the Chiaki-produced official cover album series, will be released on 2011/8/24.

It will feature 10 female artists/groups with Tomoyuki Tajiri (of “note native”), cargo, and DATASPEAKER as the sound producer. The selections are releated to the summer.

Seiko will be one of the guest performers for a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, featuring Quincy Jones.

Quincy Jones featuring the Global Gumbo All-Stars and Friends
2011/09/07 (Wed) 8:00pm
Hollywood Bowl
2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, CA

Guests:
The Brothers Johnson
Patti Austin
Richard Bona
Paulinho Da Costa
Nathan East
Seiko Matsuda
Alfredo Rodriguez
Nikki Yanofsky
The Quincy Jones Big Band
Gloria Estefan (special guest)

Click here for more information.

Seiko, who celebrated her 30th anniversary as a singer last year, kicked off her summer concert tour “Cherish” on 2011/6/12 at Saitama Super Arena.

This tour mainly consists of the songs from the album “Cherish”, released on 6/1. The opening day had Sayaka Kanda joining her mother.

The tour will have 11 shows at 7 locations until 2011/8/7 at Marine Messe Fukuoka.

Seiko and Sayaka will be the guest hosts for the “All Night Nippon Gold” which will be aired on 6/2.

They have appeared on the television programs together since “The Best Ten 2003″, but this will be the first time on radio. “It’s kind of awkward to be with her in a studio like this”, says Seiko. On the other hand, Sayaka says, “we can talk face to face on the radio, and it’s more like our normal conversation”.

Sayaka’s 10th anniversary concert “Sweet Liberty”, which will take place at Akasaka BLITZ on 2011/6/30, will be produced by Seiko. The tickets will be on sale on 6/12.

SAYAKA KANDA 1st.LIVE ALIVE 2011「Sweet Liberty」
2011/6/30 (Thu) – Akasaka BLITZ
Door open @ 6:00pm
Show starts @ 7:00pm
Ticket: 5,250 yen