Hitomi Shimatani – Best & Covers (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)

“If you have always wanted to try and sample Hitomi Shimatani’s music, this is the literally the album to buy.  A solid best album release that features her top hits but also her popular cover songs as well.  And the two CD+DVD version features nearly all her music videos.”

Purchase this album:

Hitomi Shimatani – SMILES (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

“Hitomi Shimatani’s 30th CD single ‘SMILES’ returns to her J-pop roots but overall, the CD single is OK.  Much better if you purchase the CD+DVD version which features another short film style of music video starring Hitomi!”

ARTIST: Hitomi Shimatani

CD SINGLE: SMILES

LABEL: avex trax

CATALOG #: AVCD-31551/B

DURATION: 18:57

RELEASE DATE: March 4, 2009

BUY THIS CD SINGLE

1. SMILES
2. Stay with me
3. SMILES (Instrumental)
4. Stay with me (Instrumental)

DVD: Region 2, Duration: 9:18, 4:3

1. SMILES MUSIC CLIP
2. SMILES OFF SHOT

Singer and actress Hitomi Shimatani released her 30th CD single titled “SMILES” which was used as the theme song for the film “Parallel” which she stars in.

For those not familiar with Hitomi Shimatani’s music, in Japan, she’s an artist that is not musically consistent and each release always brings curiosity to the listener.  Sometimes you may get something Spanish, something orchestral, pop, rock and so, no one knows what kind of music to expect.

For “SMILES”, the single that is reminiscent of her earlier years of focusing on J-pop.  Overall, a pop driven track with nice utilization of acoustic guitar during some parts of the pop track.  The acoustic guitar brings a refreshing sound when it is featured throughout the track. Overall, a safe and somewhat pedestrian song for Shimatani.  Definitely an enjoyable track from her fans but for those who have been wanting something a bit demanding and unique, this is probably not the single to expect that.

The coupling song “Stay with me” continues the J-pop theme and features Shimatani singing a little in french “C’est la de pas du du fa sot” throughout the track.  Again, very reminiscent of her earlier works which is primarily sugary J-pop.

The DVD features the music video for “SMILES” (5:42) which continues Shimatani’s music videos incorporating a short film type of narrative.  In this music video,  while Shimatani is packing her things at her home, she drops a few things and while picking up those things, she discovers a photograph of when her boyfriend at the time proposed to her.  The music video features her reminiscing of that time when they went tot he beach and when they had a little fight and then made up, when he proposed and then to the present as they both are packing things up and moving out of their house and starting their new life together.  Throughout the music video, we see Shimatani singing at her home.

The second video is the OFF SHOT (11:12) which features the behind-the-scenes making of the music video on the beach and at the home and really good behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the entire music video.

The CD insert (standard bi-fold) features the lyrics and production credits.

I’ve been a supporter of Hitomi Shimatani’s music and I know that she has fans who respect a certain style of her music and those who look at the charts and realize that she’s not creating chart topping music like she used to.  I tend to liken her as a contemporary music artist, an artist that appeals to an adult demographic rather than a younger age group.

Part of the reason of my enjoyment towards her music is that avex trax has more than enough musical artists that push the envelope in sexiness with their pop music, artists who are known for that musical genre but then you have Hitomi Shimatani which is a talented music artist and now an actress who can transition to different styles of music.  You take her music as it is and enjoy it for what it is.  For those who wish she stayed consistent with her music can easily be put off by going rock from one single, to a sugary J-pop sound with the next.  She’s not an artist to expect musical consistency but you will find consistency in vocal style.

“SMILES” is a CD single that is more on the happier side of Shimatani J-pop music.  It’s somewhat sugary J-pop music that I found just fine on an album but as a single release, I found myself wanting a bit more.  So, I was hoping the coupling track would feature something different but on this CD single release, both are safe, J-pop music.  Musically, the first track was nice to hear the acoustic guitar playing in sync with the pop track but the second coupling track was a track that I don’t think I would be playing much at all.

The CD+DVD release is a much better purchase, as you can see how the music video correlates with the song.   Also, the OFF SHOT was definitely fun to watch, especially if you have interested in filmmaking.   Personally, I happen to enjoy her latest music videos as the label is giving her more of a budget to work with and also dig the short film style of music video that have come out from Shimatani as of late.   It definitely makes the CD single much more enjoyable in my opinion when you can see how her music is used on those videos.

Overall, “SMILES” is an enjoyable pop track by Shimatani.  I felt it was a safe and sugar pop single release but also felt the CD single lacks the musical flair of her previous CD singles.

BUY THIS CD SINGLE

Shimatani Hitomi – Flare (A J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)

“Shimatani Hitomi’s 7th album ‘Flare’ is a bit of a mixed bag of songs that is average at best. How one interpretates this album will depend on the listener’s taste of Shimatani music. Considering that she changes things up with each CD single musically, ‘Flare’ is average at best.”

ARTIST: Shimatani Hitomi

ALBUM: Flare

LABEL: avex trax

CATALOG #: AVCD-23602/B

DURATION: 52:31

RELEASE DATE: July 16, 2008

1. Heavenly
2. Start
3. Ame no Hi ni Wa Ame no Naka wo Kaze no Hi ni wa Kaze no Naka wo
4. Dita
5. Shinku
6. Nakitai nara
7. Dear…
8. Taiyou no Flare
9. WAKE YOU UP
10. Shake it up!
11. Neva Eva
12. Marvelous

DVD: Region 2, Duration: 40 minues, 16:9LB

1. Neva Eva (Music Video)
2. Shinku (Music Video)
3. Nakitai Nara (Music Video)
4. Ame no Hi ni Wa Ame no Naka wo Kaze no Hi ni wa Kaze no Naka wo (Music Video)
5. WAKE YOU UP (1 CHORUS Music Video)
6. Marvelous (1 CHORUS Music Video)
7. Papillon ~papillon~ (Live ’07)
8. Ame no Hi ni Wa Ame no Naka wo Kaze no Hi ni wa Kaze no Naka wo (Off-Shot)

Shimatani Hitomi returns with her seventh album titled “Flare”.

As usual with a Shimatani Hitomi release, always open to hear what she has to offer since she is one of the rare music artists that is not consistent with her music and likes to change things up with each CD single release.

Her latest album would feature her her 25th through 28th CD singles and overall the album is a bit of a mixed bag of sorts.

As mentioned earlier, Shimatani is known for changing things up with her music with each CD single release. So, one single would be Spanish-influenced, the next would be rock influenced, another release would be symphony-based and then the next would be pop-based.

You just never know what would come next.

Because of the inconsistency, you have one side of fans who follow her music because it’s always different and then you have another side who continues to grow frustrated because she moves away from a style of music that they enjoyed from her several years ago.

I’ve mentioned it many times in reviews that I am a fan who embraces her music with each release and my overall look at Shimatani’s image and music has since become more adult contemporary in terms of taste.

I guess a comparison would be a Celine Dion who also manages to change things up with each release and not listened to too much by younger listeners that much but those who are typically are adults.

Where I felt her last Spring album “PRIMA ROSA” was a good example of how she is able to change things up musically, “Flare” felt like an album that had it’s strong songs (ie. her CD single tracks) but then many songs that really didn’t capture my attention and were like coupling songs that were just average at best.

The first two tracks “Heavenly” and “Start” were for me, average at best. Nothing that captured my attention, nor were they songs that I felt I had to listen to over and over again.

The third track “Ame no Hi ni Wa Ame no Naka wo Kaze no Hi ni wa Kaze no Naka wo”, her 28th CD single is a catchy track that I enjoyed but even for a CD single release, it was quite…how would I put it… “pedestrian” compared to her previous CD single releases.

The fourth track “Dita” was a track that caught my attention for its musical arrangement. Very easy, smooth sailing style of track featuring pretty good music and vocals by Shimatani.

The fifth track “Shinku” is her 26th CD single and was used for the PS2 video game “Another Century’s Episode 3″. A song that had a similar feel to one of my favorite tracks by Shimatani titled “DESTINY”. A track that had a pretty cool arrangement of strings and an urgency which I enjoyed. Interesting that the other A-side track from that same very single “Ai no Uta” is not included on this album.

The sixth track “Nakitai Nara” is Shimatani’s 27th CD single and a beautiful but sad ballad. An all-out beautiful song with an arrangement that I enjoyed (especially how it relates to the music video which is featured on the DVD that comes with the album and CD single).

The seventh track “Dear…” features a samba-like track and another track that was fun, easy-listening and beautiful.

The eight track “Taiyou no Flare” is an upbeat, fast dance track which was ok.

The ninth track “WAKE YOU UP” is one of the A-side tracks from her 28th CD single. This song sounds quite retro with the backup singers in the beginning. Almost circa 1986 and possibly can be correlated by the retro-like 80′s hairstyle Shimatani displays for this CD single (especially on this album). The song is used for “Keitai Sosakan 7″.

The tenth track “Shake it Up!” is an upbeat track which I actually did listen to quite a few times. I really like the musical arrangement for the track which had this cool style of beat and feel to it. Both “Dear” and “Shake it Up!” were programmed by Uesugi Hiroshi.

The eleventh track “Neva Eva” (her 25th CD single) next to “Ame no Hi ni Wa Ame no Naka wo Kaze no Hi ni wa Kaze no Naka wo” and “Nakitai Nara” that featured a good number of musicians in the overall track.

I actually enjoy “Neva Eva” a lot and it was an overall enjoyable, fun track featuring a good display of brass instruments and cool musical arrangement.

The final twelfth track “Marvelous” is the third A-side track from her 28th CD single. The song is an upbeat, fast track which was for me, average.

As for the DVD, that is where things are much more interesting. Also, the fact that all music videos are presented in 16:9LB which was great to see!

You have the sexy and humorous OL video of “Neva Eva” which Shimatani looks absolutely sexy and fabulous in.

The second music video “Shinku” features a somewhat post-apocalyptic intro but then features Shimatani singing in a lush, misty forest area and inside what seems to be a church that is rundown. You actually have an interested perspective in the CD single making of, when you learn that the filming of this video was done during very cold conditions. But of course, the making of’s are only included on the CD+DVD singles.

The third music video “Nakitai Nara” is the full drama video clip from the CD+DVD single. The music video is more or less a 15 minute drama about loss.

The drama is about a husband who lost his wife. His wife has a heart condition and she can not give birth. But she realizes that she is pregnant and that when she gives birth, she will die. So, basically the drama is featured in two perspectives. The husband as he has a hard time mourning and the wife who writes a letter to her husband and in conjunction with the song “Nakitai Nara” which literally means “If I want to cry”, the wife tells her husband in a final letter that he has read from her that tells him that it’s ok to cry even though she has passed because he will be there for their daughter.

The fourth music video “Ame no Hi ni Wa Ame no Naka wo Kaze no Hi ni wa Kaze no Naka wo” features a cheerful Shimatani in a house and just enjoying a day at home while it’s raining outside.

The fifth music video “WAKE YOU UP” features a very beautiful Shimatani in a beautiful outfit and singing. The video only lasts probably about a minute.

The sixth music video of “MARVELOUS” features Shimatani Hitomi filming in another country and recording the song in studio. The video lasts about a minute.

Also included on the DVD are live performances of “Papillon” and “Ame no Hi ni Wa Ame no Naka wo Kaze no Hi ni wa Kaze no Naka wo” which was a great addition to the album.

And the final DVD track is an off-shot/behind-the-scenes footage from the making of “Ame no Hi ni Wa Ame no Naka wo Kaze no Hi ni wa Kaze no Naka wo”

The CD insert features photos taken of Shimatani in another country. The photo shots are reminiscent of 80′s female pop singers especially with her outfit and hairstyle. Throughout the booklet are photos, lyrics and the production credits.

Also included is information on Shimatani’s 2008 live concert for “Flare” and a plug for a new CD single and live DVD coming in Autumn!

All in all, “Flare” is an average album at best. Very few songs that were not CD singles that caught my attention but those that are CD singles, I really enjoyed them when they were released. So, it’s a mix bag for me, since I typically really enjoy Shimatani Hitomi CD singles and albums.

I will say that having the CD+DVD version of the album is probably the version worth owning because you get the music videos, especially the complete drama music video of “Nakitai Nara” plus live performances and a cool behind-the-scenes off-shot video.

But the album on its own is a mixed bag. If you own the CD singles for the songs featured on this album, the remaining tracks are not really going to win you over. There are a few good songs that I listened to over and over but really, I found the album average at best.

But for Shimatani Hitomi fans, the DVD does offer some really cool footage and for those who never bought the CD singles, the fact that the full music videos include the drama video of “Nakitai Nara” is worth it. Heck, the music video for “Neva Eva” is probably going to win you over!

But all in all, “Flare” is an average album at best.

BUY THIS ALBUM:

Shimatani Hitomi – Nakitai Nara (J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

“Shimatani Hitomi continues the ‘you never know what you’re going to expect’ CD single release and this time for her 27th CD single ‘Nakitai Nara’, Shimatani showcases another side of her music with two beautiful ballads”

ARTIST: Shimatani Hitomi

CD SINGLE: Nakitai Nara

LABEL: avex trax

CATALOG #: AVCD-31353/B

DURATION: 16:00

RELEASE DATE: March 8, 2008

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. Nakitai Nara
2. Kuchizuke Shiyou
3. Nakitai Nara (Instrumental)
4. Kuchizuke Shiyou

DVD: Region 2, 16:9LB, Duration: 18:43

1. Nakitai Nara (Drama Version)
2. Shimatani Hitomi interview

Shimatani Hitomi is just an interesting artist to follow because her music always changes with each release and it’s always interesting to read what the fans post about her music because there are those who accept her experimentation and those who just downright get upset when she does.

I said it before and I say it with each CD single, I’m one of those who have accepted her musical changes and experimentations and I respect that she’s an artist that does something different.

For her 27th CD single, Shimatani goes with two ballads. “Nakitai Nara” which is more acoustic guitar and strings driven and “Kuchizuke Shiyou” which is piano-driven.

Both ballads are quite beautiful and I’ve always seen Shimatani as more of a classy artist that tends to appeal to a more mature audience but because of the frequent changes in her style of music, both young and old can appreciate her music. It’s definitely adult contemporary.

As for how the ballad plays out, it’s tied into the drama included on the DVD (for the CD+DVD version) of “Nakitai Nara” which is more or less a 15 minute drama about loss.

The drama is about a husband who lost his wife. His wife has a heart condition and she can not give birth. But she realizes that she is pregnant and that when she gives birth, she will die. So, basically the drama is featured in two perspectives. The husband as he has a hard time mourning and the wife who writes a letter to her husband and in conjunction with the song “Nakitai Nara” which literally means “If I want to cry”, the wife tells her husband in a final letter that he has read from her that tells him that it’s ok to cry even though she has passed because he will be there for their daughter.

Shimatani narrates the film and her song plays throughout the end when the husband and baby daughter are together and he finally mourns by crying.

The interview portion is the interview with Shimatani and a behind-the-scenes clip of her at the recording studio doing voice work for the narration of the film.

A very sad and touching drama and I’m so glad to see artists from Avex including short films or mini dramas in their albums or CD singles. We have seen it with Koda Kumi, AAA, Kiyokiba Shunsuke and now with Shimatani, so it’s a nice touch to see this drama included.

The bi-fold features the lyrics to the songs.

I love and enjoy Shimatani’s music because she keeps things fresh and new with each release. You never know what you are going to get and again, I know many faithful fans hate that she doesn’t focus on the upbeat pop side for her music.

But there are fans who do respect her experimentation in each CD single that is released or songs featured on an album. She is a woman of musical and acting talent that I adore her work.

As for this ballad, two beautiful ballads that I enjoyed and a touching short film (or drama) that really is quite touching.

Again, it’s something different. It may not be for everyone but if you are a Shimatani fan who has embraced her ever changing musical style, you’ll appreciate these two ballads.

Shimatani Hitomi – LIVE 2007 – PRIMA ROSA – 2007.6.22 Tokyo Livehall Stellarball (a J!-ENT Music DVD Review)

ARTIST: Shimatani Hitomi

DVD TITLE: Shimatani Hitomi LIVE 2007 – PRIMA ROSA

LABEL: avex trax

CATALOG #: AVBD-91489

RELEASED ON September 12, 2007

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Energetic. Vibrant. Beautiful.

Among the words I can describe Shimatani Hitomi in her latest concert DVD titled “LIVE 2007 – PRIMA ROSA”.

Shimatani Hitomi’s latest concert was filmed at the “Tokyo Livehall Stellarball” back in June and features a live band and a supportive crowd.

Previous concerts that I have watched Shimatani, typically the songs featured were ballads or faster dance tracks, so I was a bit curious to see how a full Shimatani Hitomi concert would be.

What you get is a very energetic concert with Shimatani really getting into the groove, dancing during the faster songs and looking elegant during the ballads.

In this concert, Shimatani performs many of the songs from her latest album “PRIMA ROSA” album which include CD singles such as “PASIO”, “Dragonfly”and “Neva Eva”. As well as beautiful ballads such as “Koimizu ~tears of love~” and classics such as “Garnet Moon”, “Falco” and “ANGELUS” ala medley.

In the early performance of the concert, Shimatani comes out with a black leather jacket, a dress that is not as ballerina-froofy-esque ala Jodie Watley and black boots. Her performance of “Dragonfly” was pretty much spot on and with the band performing and rocking out with her on stage, early on I was wondering how songs such as those that utilized an orchestra or symphony would be performed and I realized that a lot of my favorites were not being performed possibly because the stage was smaller to accommodate live rock band, background singers, dancers and Hitomi herself.

So, the live band worked well with songs such as “Dragonfly”, “Ramblin’”, “Bye-Bye” and “C’est la vie!”.

When it got to the medley featuring her classics such as “ANGELUS”, “Garnet Moon” and “Falco”, Shimatani came out with two background dancers and that is when her fans became more vocal and shouting as if you were watching an idol singer perform. During this performance, Shimatani was energetic and vibrant as halfway through the concert, we get a glimpse of classic Shimatani as she dances and definitely feeding off the energy from the audience.

Songs that utilized the Latin or Spanish style definitely worked well in this concert as Shimatani wagged her hips and got into motion with songs such as “PASIO” and “El Dorado”.

As for crowd participation, the crowd was definitely supportive especially during the medley of “ANGELUS” and “Garnet Moon” as the diehard fans started to scream during segments of a song.

Probably the most interaction was during the performance of “Camelia” as Shimatani, the band and the audience started twirling and waving their towels. I don’t think I’ve seen this much towel waving in an event that’s not sports related, so that was interesting to see. Especially as the camera starts to focus on the audience as they spin their towels over their head.

Camera angles used in the filming of the concert were well done as we get an angle of Shimatani closeup, faraway, sideways and angles behind the audience and looking towards the front of the audience. Also, various cameras on various band members and her background singers.

As for the editing of the camera angles, I noticed a five second setting per angle before a switch. Edited well and not dizzying.

As for the stage, the stage setup is elegant with the live band behind her, the background singers on the viewer’s left side and mobility for Shimatani and her dancers to dance. Background setup was a blue drape and lighting was very well done.

The concert does not include hardly any talk segments with Shimatani and her audience. Just a straight play through of her performing her songs and her band playing during intermission. I think the only time I see them include it in the editing is during the performance of “Perseus” where Shimatani asks the crowd “Are you ready”? and the majority of the interaction with the audience with Hitomi talking taking place after each song during the encore.

As for the encore songs, for “Neva Eva”, Shimatani and her background dancers came out with their eyeglasses and business outfit (while Shimatani donned a white and black checkerboard outfit) and performed the final four songs.

As for the special feature, the 15-minute document of “Hitomi Shimatani Live 2007 – Prima Rosa-” feature Shimatani and her background dancers learning the choreography for her songs, Shimatani and the band gettings things prepared for the concert and many scenes of Shimatani singing in front of her band with no music and overall rehearsals in the studio and then at the Stellarball.

Also included are footage before the concert, during the concert, what went on behind-the-scenes before the encore and also to see the fans waiting in line and coming into the concert area.

The document ends with a personal message from Shimatani talking about the behind-the-scenes footage and more.

As for the DVD insert, the booklet contains photos from the concert, concert credits and tracklisting.

DVD INFORMATION: Region 2, 4:3, Duration: 112 minutes, two audio: 1. LPCM/Stereo 2. Dolby Digital 5.1

1.	解放区
2.	Dragonfly
3.	Domenica
4.	Ramblin’
5.	君の声
6.	Bye-Bye
7.	C’est la vie!
8.	市場に行こう(メランコリック・ヴァージョン)
9.	恋水-tears of love-
10.	いつの日にか…
11.	ANGELUS-アンジェラス-intro〜Garnet Moon〜Falco-ファルコ-〜ANGELUS-アンジェラス-(メドレー)
12.	PASIO-パッシオ-〜El Dorado(メドレー)
13.	Perseus-ペルセウス-
14.	太陽神
15.	Camellia-カメリア-(Original Version)
16.	Neva Eva
17.	亜麻色の髪の乙女
18.	サイケデリック*フューチャー
19.	Brand new Dream

BONUS CONTENTS:

Document of Hitomi Shimatani Live 2007 – PRIMA ROSA-

Before I go on, the version that I watched is an Avex Taiwan release and there is no difference from the Japanese release aside from the back cover.

All in all, I enjoyed this concert DVD. Because of the concert arena, audience participation and the fact that it was more of a live house feeling, you feel the energy of the concert and you see Shimatani really feed off that energy.

It may not have the orchestral/symphonic songs that I enjoy but I happen to enjoy her recent CD singles and to see them performed with this band but Shimatani was indeed vibrant, energetic and sexy.

Because to be truthful, I have seen previous concert performances and frankly, they missed that vibrant energetic feeling that this concert had and the rest were ok, some boring… and not as vibrant as this performance.

The overall DVD was fun to watch and I really like the addition of the bonus content showing Shimatani and band and dancers, behind-the-scenes. Definitely a different perspective compared to someone like Hamasaki Ayumi and what you would see on her DVD.

So, overall, compared to previous DVD’s that I have watched and concert performances from various other events from her CD+DVD, “LIVE 2007-PRIMA ROSA” was enjoyable.

Check it out!