For anyone considering Nakamori Akina’s “BEST II”, it no doubt captures Nakamori Akina’s domination on the characters from 1986-1988. You get three years of awesome music and no doubt an album I have come back to when I want to listen to Nakamori Akina. Recommended!
ARTIST: Nakamori Akina
ALBUM: Best II
LABEL: Warner Pioneer
CATALOG #: 32L2-49
DURATION: 42 Minutes
RELEASE DATE: December 24, 1988
1. ノンフィクション エクスタシー
2. TATTOO
3. DESIRE -情熱-
4. TANGO NOIR
5. BLONDE
6. I MISSED “THE SHOCK”
7. AL-MAUJ (アルマージ)
8. Fin
9. ジプシー・クイーン
10. 難破船
Nakamori Akina gave a Christmas gift for her fans back in 1988 with the release of “BEST II”, a collection of her singles from 1986-1988.
The single kicks off with “Nonfiction Ecstasy”, a song which was released only as a limited edition compact cassette on November 10, 1986 and debuted at #1 on the Oricon Charts. A sexy, catchy pop song from Nakamori which debuted at #1 on on the Oricon Charts.
The second song is “TATTOO”, a song which made me interested in Nakamori Akina’s music.
Her 21st single released back on May 18, 1988. The goal was to create a song which was inspired by the film “Blade Runner” and include big-band elements in a pop song. The single debuted #1 on the Oricon Charts.
The third song featured is “DESIRE -Jounetsu-” and is Nakamori Akina’s 14th single and was released back on February 3, 1986. The song debuted at #1 and was the CM song for Pioneer’s “PRIVATE CD 500AV”. And she shocked her staff when she said she wanted to perform this song in a kimono, high heels and wearing a wig. Needless to say, despite staff’s hesitation, the image change for this single was positive as it was regarded as “innovative and unusual”.
The fourth song featured on “BEST II” is “TANGO NOIR” and is Nakamori’s 17th single which debuted at #1. Released back on February 4, 1987 and the song is classic Nakamori but the song also allowed Nakamori to be creative in clothing style and choreography. From performing solo, with dancers or with ballroom dancers behind.
On June 3, 1987, Nakamori’s 18th single “BLONDE” was released and debuted at #1 on the Oricon charts and was written by England-based singer/songwriter, composer and producer Biddu Appaiah. Biddu known for his music in England and his Indian pop, created many hit songs for Nakamori.
The next song featured is “I MISSED “THE SHOCK”” which is Nakamori’s 22nd single and for the costume for this song, Nakamori saw an advertisement by a model at Isetan and said it was the perfect costume for the song.
The song debuted at #3 on the Oricon charts and stayed at #3 for two weeks straight. The song broke Nakamori’s 16 consecutive #1 single streak but she returned back to #1 with her 23rd single “LIAR”.
The next track is “AL-MAUJ” which is Nakamori’s 20th single released in January 27, 1988 and debuted at #1 and was #1 for two consecutive weeks. The song was surprising when Nakamori’s costume for this performance was like a belly dancer.
The next track is “fin” (her 16th single released in September 25, 1986) and earned Nakamori Akina a #1 single on the Oricon charts but also the Grand Prix at Nihon Record Taisho.
The ninth track on “BEST II” is Nakamori’s “Gypsy Queen”, her 15th single which debuted at #1. A wonderful song which showcases Nakamori’s vocals.
The final track on this album is “Nanbasen”and is Nakamori Akina’s 19th single and is a cover of Kato Tokiko’s 1984 song. The single was Nakamori Akina’s second Nihon Record Taisho win for “Best Single of the Year” and FNS Matsuri’s “Best Singing Award”.
For anyone considering Nakamori Akina’s “BEST II”, it no doubt captures Nakamori Akina’s domination on the characters from 1986-1988. You get three years of awesome music and no doubt an album I have come back to when I want to listen to Nakamori Akina. Recommended!
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