Japanese Entertainment News & Pop Culture since 1993
Neo-Tokyo 2099 Reviews of Singles & Albums from the ’90s
Although it may be too early for a best album, “BPM ‘BEST FILES’” features the duo’s first six singles, coupling songs and songs from their previous albums plus additional bells and whistles in a bonus CD with music videos and a TV spot. Overall, a Read More …
“Kiseki no Hoshi” is a wonderful collaboration and a single that showcases Kuwata Keisuke and Sakurai Kazutoshi’s vocals. A catchy, rock track with synth and brass featured prominently in the opening and transitioning to a music that allows both vocalists to shine. ARTIST: 桑田佳祐 & Read More …
Probably one of the best remix albums I have heard for a Japanese pop group. Awesome! GROUP: WINK ALBUM: REMIXES LABEL: Polystar Co., Ltd. CATALOG #: PSCA-5400 DURATION: 1:10:22 RELEASE DATE: September 1, 1995 TURN IT INTO LOVE ~BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU’VE GOT SEXY Read More …
“Japanese hip hop goes mainstream with the collaboration of hip hop group EAST END and YURI from Tokyo Performance Dolls. An awesome CD single made even better with its smooth coupling song ‘Sunao ni’!” GROUP: EAST END x YURI CD SINGLE: DA.YO.NE LABEL: Epic/Sony Records Read More …
“EZ DO DANCE” will continue to be an album that I can never foresee myself letting go. This album was my first fore into the music of trf and what turned me on to the group. This album is definitely a J-POP classic! GROUP: trf Read More …
The #1 single of 1998 is a heartfelt, slow jam from SMAP. The group’s 27th single was a pleasant surprise and definitely an awesome single worth checking out! GROUP: SMAP CD SINGLE: 夜空ノムコウ (Yozora no Mukou) LABEL: Victor CATALOG #: VIDL-30188 DURATION: 16:53 RELEASE DATE: January Read More …
A more passionate rock ballad from Nanase Aikawa! A solid CD single! ARTIST: Aikawa Nanase (相川七瀬) CD SINGLE: Koigokoro (恋心) LABEL: motorod CATALOG #: CTDR-28008 DURATION: 13:17 RELEASE DATE: October 7, 1996 恋心 天使のように踊らせて 恋心(original karaoke) Reviewed back in October 1996: Nanase Aikawa continues to be Japan’s Read More …
I would look at this ep as an introduction to a new direction for Pizzicato Five with three tracks, an MC portion and an interview. It’s a much different style that I’m used to hearing from Pizzicato Five but I’m looking forward to seeing how Read More …
Fantastic! “Don’t Wanna Cry” is another musical home run by the Amuro and TK team! ARTIST: 安室奈美恵 (Amuro Namie) CD SINGLE: Don’t Wanna Cry LABEL: avex trax CATALOG #: AVDD-20119 DURATION: 18:36 RELEASE DATE: March 13, 1996 Don’t wanna cry Present Don’t wanna cry Read More …
A short but sweet soundtrack for Morning Musume and Heike Michiyo’s film ‘Morning Cop’. Worth it if you are a big fan of Morning Musume or Michiyo, otherwise it may be a bit too expensive for the casual J-Pop fan. GROUP/ARTIST: Morning Musume & Michiyo Read More …
“SPEED’s first best album featuring their hit CD single tracks from the 90’s including some of the awesome coupling songs and for SPEED fans at that time, this was just simply a fantastic album worth owning!” GROUP: SPEED ALBUM: MOMENT – THE BEST ALBUM LABEL: Read More …
SMAP’s 21st CD single features the final single for SMAP member Katsuyuki Mori (who is leaving the group to become a professional moto racer). Upbeat, catchy and an enjoyable pop track from SMAP! GROUP: SMAP CD SINGLE: はだかの王様 ～シブトクつよく～ (Hadaka no Ousama ~Shibutoku Tsuyoku~) LABEL: Read More …
“Konya wa Boogie Back” is an awesome single and if you enjoyed listening to these guys perform this track on various music shows, then you’ll be happy to know that they did include a live version of the song on this single. Definitely recommended! GROUP: Read More …
Of all the numerous best album releases from B’z, their 25th anniversary double album “THE BEST XXV” releases are the best albums for fans to purchase by far! “B’z – B’z The Best XXV 1988-1998” is highly recommended! BAND: B’z ALBUM: B’z The Best XXV Read More …
The single debuted at #7 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Charts but that’s pretty good considering the competition for the week. But overall, a very good single that I have been listening to a lot these last two weeks. BAND: TOKIO CD SINGLE: Ashita no Kimi Read More …