Oricon Top 10 Album Daily Charts (Japan): Ayumi Hamasaki’s “Rock n’ Roll Circus” takes the #1 spot (4.17.10)
April 15, 2010 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
On new release Wednesday. Which artist or band took the #1 spot for Japan’s Oricon Album Daily Charts?
Purchase the #1 album from CDJapan.com:
or purchase from
NOTE: Ayumi Hamasaki takes the #1 spot while UVERWorld gets #2. School food punishment takes the #3 position while last week’s #1, AKB48 drops to #4.
- Ayumi Hamasaki – Rock n’ Roll Circus
- UVERworld – LAST
- school food punishment – amp-reflection
- AKB48 – Kamikyoku Tachi
- Lady GaGa – The Monster
- FUNKY MONKEY BABYS – FUNKY MONKEY BABYS BEST
- Yoshimasa Hosoya – Medicine or…?
- DOUBLE – DOUBLE Ballad Collection Mellow
- aiko – Baby
- Love – Taisetsuna Kimochi
Purchase the #1 album from CDJapan.com:
Ayumi Hamasaki – You were…/BALLAD (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)
January 28, 2010 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Featuring two ballads and a pretty solid coupling song, “You were…/BALLAD” is another solid release from Ayu!
ARTIST: Ayumi Hamasaki
CD SINGLE: You Were…/BALLAD
LABEL: avex trax
CATALOG #: AVCD-31799/B
DURATION: 34:23
RELEASE DATE: December 29, 2009
BUY THIS CD SINGLE from CDJapan.com:
or YesAsia.com
- You Were… (Original mix)
- BALLAD (Original mix)
- RED LINE ~for TA~ (Original mix)
- You were… (Music Box mix -retake version-)
- You were… (Original mix -instrumental-)
- BALLAD (Original mix -instrumental-)
- RED LINE ~for TA~ (Original mix -instrumental)
DVD: Region 2, 16:9LB, Duration: 14:02
- You were… (video clip)
- BALLAD (video clip)
- You were… (making clip)
Avex trax’s reigning pop queen from Japan, Ayumi Hamasaki, nears her 50th CD single with the release of “You were…/BALLAD”, her 47th double-A sided CD single with the first song used as the theme for Disney’s video release of “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure” and “BALAD” which is used for the NHK drama series “Soukyuu no Subaru”.
“You were…(Original mix)” features a song written by Ayumi Hamasaki, music by Kazuhito Hara and arrangement by HAL. The passionate, upbeat ballad features a good balance of strings courtesy of Gen Itetsu and definitely a solid single from Hamasaki with a very passionate chorus.
But my favorite single on this latest release would have to go to “BALLAD (Original mix)” written by Ayumi, music by D-A-I and arrangement by Yuta Nakano. A slower ballad featuring strings by Yuko Kajitani. A gentle, delicate touch of the piano and strings with Ayumi’s vocals. Overall, a wonderful and even more passionate ballad.
The coupling track is “RED LINE ~for TA~ (Original mix)” written by Hamasaki, music by Tetsuya Yukumi and arrangement by Yuta Nakano. The song is an upbeat track and personally, I think it could have been an A-sided single itself. Catch, upbeat and pretty enjoyable track. Interesting on the insert, there are no lyrics but a one-line message which translates to: Due to the creator’s intention, the lyrics to this song have not been mentioned/noted/ listed.
I tried to do a little research of the meaning of the song and some say it deals with a friend of Ayumi’s that passed away. But the song is for her fan club “Team Ayu” (TA).
The fourth track features a music box version of “You Were…” and the remaining three tracks are the instrumental versions of the first three tracks (for a total of seven tracks overall).
The CD insert features the lyrics for “You were…” and “BALLAD”.
It’s important to note that there are three different releases of “You were…/BALLAD”. The CD only release, then two different versions of the single+DVD. The main difference is that the version I am reviewing comes with the “music box -retake version-” of “You Were…” and the other version comes with the orchestra version of “Sunset -LOVE is ALL-” instead. But both have the same DVD content.
As for the DVD, the DVD comes with the music videos for “You were…”, “BALLAD” and the making of “You were…”.
“You Were…” features Ayu wearing a white dress that has glowing parts all over (for those who saw the “Tinkbell and the Lost Treasure” film will understand the correlation of the fairy dust to this music video) and singing while snow falls. While another woman is seen, doing a robotic dance and fire flowing all around her.
In “Ballad”, the music video is a very dramatic video with an actual story. A man is seen sending letters through a mailbox in the middle of a field and then we see a flashback with the man and Ayumi riding a motorcycle and see two animated cats on the road and while they try to swerve, they crash. We then see the man surrounded by clocks, while Ayumi is wearing a dress and is in a beautiful, serene place with flowers, a tree and a lake, while the man with the clocks is searching for her in the middle of a field until we learn what happened to the Ayu and the man after their accident.
The final video is the making of “You Were…”.
Overall, for those who have stuck with Ayumi Hamasaki for the long haul throughout her musical career will find “You Were…/BALLAD” to be a single release featuring three solid tracks, while others may question what happened to her original style that they loved back in the early 2000′s. But for the most part, if you are a Hamasaki fan, this CD+DVD release is solid. I enjoyed all three songs and the DVD, especially the music video for “BALLAD” is well-done and very enjoyable.
If you enjoy her music, “You Were…/BALLAD” is a single worth having in your Ayu music collection.
BUY THIS CD SINGLE from CDJapan.com:
or YesAsia.com
Ayumi Hamasaki – NEXT LEVEL (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)
May 9, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
“An interesting Ayumi Hamasaki album that goes a little experimental with her collaboration with CMJK and Yuta Nakano. Plus, a wonderful music video DVD featuring one of the highest productions for a music video for a J-Pop artist in terms of costume design, set design, location as music videos were filmed in Japan, China and the United States. Overall, “NEXT LEVEL” is another magnificent Ayumi Hamasaki release!”
Purchase this album:
ARTIST: Ayumi Hamasaki
ALBUM: NEXT LEVEL
LABEL: avex trax
CATALOG #: AVCD-23858/B
DURATION: 51:44
RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2009
- Bridge to the sky
- NEXT LEVEL
- Disco-munication
- EnergizE
- Sparkle
- rollin’
- GREEN
- Load of the SHUGYO
- identity
- Rule
- LOVE ‘n’ HATE
- Pieces of SEVEN
- Days
- Curtain call
DVD: (Region 2)
- Days
- GREEN
- Rule
- Sparkle
- NEXT LEVEL
- Curtain call
- Days -making clip-
- GREEN -making clip-
- Rule -making clip-
- Sparkle -making clip-
- NEXT LEVEL -making clip-
- Curtain call -making clip-
J-Pop diva Ayumi Hamasaki returns with her 10th full-length album “NEXT LEVEL”. Her new album would contain her 44th double A-side single “Days/Green” and her 45th CD single “Rule/Sparkle” which the song “Rule” was used as the international theme song for the film “Dragonball Evolution”.
As with most Ayumi Hamasaki album releases in Japan, there are several versions released. A CD only, CD+DVD and a 2 CD+DVD version plus a USB Flash Drive album version as well. The version that I am reviewing is the CD+DVD version.
The album kicks off with “Bridge to the sky”, a short track that features a deep bass groove (ala U2 “With or Without You” style) with cool synth and beats courtesy of Yuta Nakano and Ayumi humming and singing a bit. The song then leads into the album title track “NEXT LEVEL” with music by D-A-I and arrangement by HAL. A catchy, addictive pop song!
The third track features another short track featuring music and arrangement by CMJK that had a retro style feel with the 8-bit musical beats. The song leads into the fourth track “EnergizE” featuring music by Yuta Nakano and arrangement by CMJK. Another fun, enjoyable dance track utilizing synth and retro style sounds.
The fifth track is “Sparkle”, the latest single featuring music by Kazuhiro Hara and arrangement by CMJK. Dance club oriented, deep in synth and overall, a cool dance track and almost a Bloodshy & Avant musical style. The song was used to promote the Honda Zest Spark.
The sixth track “rollin’” features another collaboration with Yuta Nakano for music and arrangement by CMJK. Synth-driven with cool beats but 8-bit style programming in the background.
The seventh track “GREEN” is another CD single track which features music by Tetsuya Yukumi and arrangement by tasuku. The ballad is more mellow but musically upbeat with string arrangement courtesy of Gen Ittetsu. The song was used as a CM track for Panasonic.
The eighth track “Load of the SHUGYO” features an instrumental track by CMJK showcasing synth and electric guitar and clanging electric beats. The track leads right into the ninth track “identity” featuring music and arrangement courtesy of Yuta Nakano. Upbeat rock track featuring Tim Pierce on guitar.
The tenth track is a rock driven track titled “Rule” released as a single and is the International musical theme to the “Dragonball Evolution” film. Music is by Miki Watanabe and arrangement by HAL and showcases the cool electric guitar playing courtesy of Takehito Shimizu.
The eleventh track “LOVE ‘n’ HATE” features a rock track with a beat. Music is by Yuta Nakano. The 12th track “Piecesof SEVEN features an instrumental by HAL and leads into the ballad “Days” featuring music by Kunio Tago and arrangement by HAL. A beautiful, romantic ballad and a single track which leads into another beautiful ballad which is more piano-based titled “Curtain call” featuring music by Kazuhiro Hara and arrangement by Yuta Nakano.
The DVD:
As for the DVD, we get a total of six music video clips plus the making of those video clips.
The first music video “DAYS” (directed by Takahide Ishii) features a sad music video as Ayumi meeting up with her dancer boyfriend and friends. How she liked a ring but he couldn’t afford it. She watches him work hard and then she wakes up and realizes that she was just dreaming. And that guy actually is with another girl and bought her the same ring that she wanted.
The second music video “GREEN” (directed by Kazuyoshi Shimomura) was shot in Shanghai, China where she performed in concert. The music video features Ayumi in China during the 1930′s. She walks through the streets in China and is seen as a nightclub singer.
The third music video is for “Rule” (directed by Takahide Ishii). The music video features Ayumi Hamasaki wearing black, tight vinyl clothing and walking through a group of fighters/dancers.
The fourth music video “Sparkle” (directed by Kazuyoshi Shimomura) features Ayumi singing in a music show ala 80′s Matsuda Seiko style and then transitioning to a sexy music video in which Ayumi is in an all red leather padded room and is sporting a tight red-leather outfit, then wears a tight purple outfit. Then an all black tight outfit as she lays on red silk sheets. Overall, a sexy music video!
The fifth music video “NEXT LEVEL” (directed by Stanly Izumi Kim and Luis Hernandez) features Ayumi driving a mustang near the oceanside near La Jolla and another scene near the desert.
The sixth music video “Curtain call” (directed by Stanly Izumi Kim and Luis Hernandez) features Ayumi singing on stage and leaves the venue and heads outside the studio lot and walks as we see different weather and studio effects and she starts crying while singing.
The majority of the clips feature Ayumi behind-the-scenes and making the music video. But the real interesting music video making was for “NEXT LEVEL” with Ayumi in the US working with an American crew and hanging out with the Japanese staff. How they had to use a helicopter and the assistance of the Highway Patrol to film the shots. While her staff have fun eating, Ayumi eats vanilla ice cream. Also, the making of “Curtain call” as we hear Ayumi communicating in English. And how they had only three tries to shoot that music video and challenges of shooting the music video because of the various elements and gear utilized.
CD booklet features lyrics to the songs and production credits and pictures of Ayumi Hamasaki.
“NEXT LEVEL” was quite an interesting album. The music spotlighted her collaboration with Yuta Nakano and CMJK and gave the album an overall synth, experimental, 8-bit feel (excluding the single tracks) but overall, I felt the album was quite solid in presentation.
The album manages to keep her pop/rock theme but the amount of experiemental sounds and cool beats gave this album a refreshing musical feel. And as always, Ayumi Hamasaki albums are typically well-worth the purchase because you often get a collection of her music videos (and sometimes the actual concert) with her album releases.
The 2 CD version comes with a live CD album from “Premium Countdown Live 2008-2009 A”, otherwise depending on your budget, I highly recommend getting the version with the DVD. Her music videos are typically among the highest in quality (and expensive production) for a pop star in Japan and as evident on the music videos included on the DVD, she shot in location in China and the United States and to see major studio effects, a helicopter and even getting the 1930′s China costume design down, these were utilized in her music videos and even more. I was really impressed by her music videos that were included on “NEXT LEVEL”.
Overall, this is a solid release from Ayumi Hamasaki. Another fabulous album with a magnificent DVD, you really can’t go wrong. Highly recommended!
Purchase this album:
ayumi hamasaki – ARENA TOUR 2006 (miss) understood (a J!-ENT Music DVD Review)
February 2, 2009 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
“A wonderful release for fans of Ayumi Hamasaki. Three DVD discs with great production, video coverage behind-the-scenes and the concert and much more! Hamasaki concert DVD’s are known for their quality and this one doesn’t disappoint at all! Another solid release!”
BUY THIS DVD:
ARTIST: Ayumi Hamasaki
TITLE: ARENA TOUR 2006 (miss) understood
DURATION: Disc 1: 71 minutes Disc 2: 67 minutes Disc 3: 80 minutes
DVD INFORMATION: Region 2, Disc 1 and 2: 16:9 LB, Linear PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Disc 3: 4:3, Dolby Digital Stero
Released on November 1, 2006
COMPANY: avex trax
Concert Set List
0. Are You Wake Up?
1. Born To Be . . .
2. AUDIENCE
3. evolution
4. STEP you
5. Ladies Night
6. alterna
7. is this LOVE?
8. (miss)understood
9. tasking
10. Pride
11. rainy day
12. Startin’
13. UNITE!
14. Bold & Delicious
DISC 2: ENCORE:
16. teens
17. BLUE BIRD
18. Humming 7/4
19. Boys & Girls
20. Beautiful Day
DISC 3 [SPECIAL DISC]:
1. MC
2. OFF SHOT
3. Ayuchan Guitar Comment
4. SCREEN
5. Encore A Mark Digest
Directed by Chikara Tanaka
Director of Photography: Hirofumi Edo
Producer: Kimihiko “Warrior” Yoshino, Kiyoshi Utsumi
Executive Producer: max matsuura
Live Chief Producer: Motohiro Abe
Live Producer: Katsumi Kuroiwa
Technical Producer: Taizo Akiyama
Technical Director: Eiji Hashimoto
Associate Editor: Shinji Kobukata
Starring:
Originally featured on a PDF review on J!-ENT back in 2007. Reposted for the blog:
Hamasaki Ayumi concerts have been known to be big budget concerts featuring lavish stages, cool contraptions, unique costumes and just utilizing technology to enhance the overall concert experience.
In fact, for concert DVD’s, in my opinion, Hamasaki Ayumi sets the bar pretty high on quality presentation for J-POP concert DVD’s.
Ayu concert DVD’s are not only visually and musically entertaining, you get your money’s worth with the extra features added.
In her latest concert DVD “ayumi hamasaki- ARENA TOUR 2006 ~(miss) understood~, the production quality of this concert continues to impress me.
Not only do you have a concert that is technologically impressive, great lighting and packed with supportive ayu fans, an awesome live band, cool choreography and of course, an energetic and fun Hamasaki Ayumi in balance with great camera work and well done editing.
Ayu’s latest concert DVD features three DVD’s.
The first is the main concert which starts off with a video featuring Hamasaki Ayumi, her dancers and band in robes preparing to enter the arena.
The first song “Born To Be…” features Hamasaki inside a rose bud singing, while her dancers in tribal outfits are dancing and a large central video panel with four additional video panels on the side (showing off clouds and outdoor scenery) really enhance the concert showing great visuals effectively.
The live performance of “evolution” is just a great sight of everyone on stage and the audience getting into it.
One of my favorite scenes from the concert was the video preceding her performance of “STEP you” which featured Ayu in a pink and black outfit trying to flirt and avoid the male dancers trying to get close with her.
This is leading to a performance of “STEP up” which ends with the male dancers chained, when the lights go off for a few seconds, Ayu and the female dancers are the ones chained. Very nicely done!
Many well-planned and beautifully choreographed segments throughout this whole concert and overall is well-produced and definitely entertaining.
Disc 2 which is the encore DVD pretty much features the interaction segments where the guitarist Nomura Yoshio reads a fan letter (and supplying the voices) to Hamasaki and she answers the questions.
This segment is actually quite lengthy but the concert audience was very intrigued and laughing at Nomura’s imitation of the fan and Hamasaki’s answers.
The DVD features several performances with the audience all singing along with her (which was great to see happen).
During the credits, you get to see clips of Hamasaki, band and dancers prepare for the concert, stage setup and more.
On the third DVD (Special Disc), the DVD features around 70 minutes worth of MC talking segments between guitarist Nomura reading off fan questions and Hamasaki Ayumi answering them.
The next segment is OFF SHOT’s which features clips such as TRF’s CHIHARU and ETSU figuring out the chains on Hamasaki Ayumi (that was part of her concert routine) and a hilarious surprise from her dancers and staff as they get Ayu to parody DJ OZMA’s “Age Age Every Knight” (with everyone wearing the DJ OZMA blonde afro wig).
Also included is an off shot from different concerts of Nomura’s guitar solo and having a message written on the back of his guitar in regards to Ayu which is different with each performance. And the videos used during her concert (shown during the wardrobe changes) is also included on this DVD.
What I love about this DVD is that it’s very entertaining. The interactive elements in her concert works effectively for the DVD and you don’t miss a beat.
The special disc of her answering fan questions and the many off shot segments of her and the staff and dancers interacting with each other like a tight unit, to see footage like that included on the DVD is just awesome. These extra incentives of enhancing already what is a cool concert DVD makes this DVD a no-brainer.
