Amazon sells MP3 and not DRM-ed garbage like iTunes, so naturally I gravitate to it. Unfortunately, its J-pop library is very small. It's mostly just Puffy (of whom I have everything on CD) and Utada (who I cannot stand for some reason). Just to make things harder, their recommendation system fails hard when the purchase density is small. So, as a public service to DRM-hating weaboo everywhere, here are two items I managed to unearth.

First is "Anime no Magic" album from "I Love You Project". The vast majority of the schlock that I Love You Project pump out consists of poorly remixed anime soundtracks, typically instrumental. The cover artwork is horrifying, and heaven forbid you visit their website. Overall the operation would be better named Exploit People Who Are Desperate for Anime Music But Too Shy to Yarr From Nipponsei Project, but their Anime no Magic is an exception. Although the cover is just as tacky as everything else, the tracks, all of which are vocal, are competently performed and recorded.

Second is "Mirai" by Megumi Okutsu. This album has the essential sound that I seek (at least in some tracks). A quick google search indicates that Mrs. Okutsu was a one-album flash in the pan, which is too bad. She could stand some development, because what she did in Mirai sounds suspiciously like Yoko Ishida in her singles. Still, it's something.

P.S. Forgot the ancient imitation of Ayumi Hamasaki, which is about as close to Ayumi Hamasaki as you can get at Amazon. That was kinda rad and a nice wedge in the mass market.