What the Japanese music celebrities tweeted right after the earthquake

Note: This page will be continually updated as we add more to the list.

The devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan has affected millions of people. No one knows how much damage was caused, nor is Japan even close to tallying how many people are missing, injured or dead as rescue efforts are continuing.

When the earthquake hit, during the first few hours, J!-ENT was monitoring our J_ENTJAPAN Twitter site and reading posts from various followers and also following the posts of various music celebrity twitter accounts and noticing how stars such as Ayumi Hamasaki, TM Revolution, MICRO of Home Made Kazoku, Hikaru Utada, Issei Ishida, model Natsuki Katou, GACKT and MIYAVI were using their celebrity status on their Twitter accounts to direct people to emergency services and also some providing information in English for the international followers who may be living in Japan.

Here are the initial tweets that took place right after the earthquake occurred.  Some tweets were done several hours later and while most were in Japanese, some stars addressed their international fans in English. Here are a few of those celebrity tweets:

• Ayumi Hamasaki - Among the most active tweets came from Ayumi Hamasaki who began trying to help people by posting emergency re-tweet information on her Twitter account.  Hamasaki posted, “Before nature, we are powerless human beings.  I hope and will retreat desperately spreading information.  Do not despair, have to courage to stand up and have hope in our hearts.  It depends on us!”  For her English fans, Ayumi tweeted, “Thank you guys to keep praying for Japan!!!! We all gonna be strong.  We can feel your heart.  It will really be helpful to us.  Thanks again for all prayers.”
• Takanori Nishikawa (TM Revolution) was also among the more active tweeters of the day as he did all he can to help people via Twitter, especially those who were non-Japanese fans living in Japan.  TMR told his fans that he was OK but used a lot of his efforts to retweet information and important emergency information for those following him on Twitter.
• Home Made Kazoku’s MICRO also followed TMR’s lead by using his Twitter account to help those who are following him on Twitter.
• Rock star MIYAVI also used Twitter to pass around important messages to his fans and urging them to learn how to Retweet.  Miyavi tweeted to his fans, “dear my ppl, thank u 4 ur prayers. me n my fam r all fine. but the ppl in the places the earthquake hit r not… so please keep prayin 4 us.
• Producer and musician Shinichi Osawa also took to Twitter to help people out.  Osawa tweeted, “Thank you I’m OK but still terrible pls pray for all victims.”
• Pop artist BENI posted, “Thank you all, I’m safe, thanks.  Anyway, we can now act on our own by conserving electricity.”  Beni followed up with a message to her fans in English, “thank you all for your concern, I’m fine as well as my family. This is all very surreal..ready to support in any way possible.#prayforjapan“
• Rocker/musician/producer YOSHIKI of X JAPAN tweeted, “Hope everybody is ok?  Yes I’m in Tokyo… I AM OK Love!!!  Trying to make sure all my fans, family and friends are ok….Trying to be calm….but I still can’t contact my mother…”.  YOSHIKI posted the following day, “My Mother is FINE!! Thank you Thank you everybody!! I’m praying for the people in Japan still trying to find their family…I talked to ToshI, Pata, Sugizo, Heath… They are all OK! Still trying to reach some of my friends….”
• m-flo’s Taku Takahashi tweeted, “hey guys. thanx 4 ur kindness. Tokyo is still shaking a little once in a while. hope it stops.”
• Actor/musician Issei Ishida tweeted, “thanks now still bit of quakes but we will survive!! To English speakers,If you at safe place,please stay there,it’s night and cold already,not good idea to walk around.reply me any question.”
• Producer/Musician Tetsuya Komuro now lives in Osaka and not in Tokyo.  He tweeted to his fans “I now work in television in Osaka, not Tokyo.  Please do not panic and remain calm.  I am worried though.”
• Music artist Hikaru Utada tweeted after the earthquake, “Wow I just experienced the biggest earthquake of my life. Gas/electricity has stopped in many areas of Japan and some people have died.  For foreigners in Japan- there are tsunami warnings in many areas, stay away from the sea and rivers, and watch out for aftershocks!”
• Hip hop artist Zeebra tweeted,  “Thank you.  Whole family is safe.” and continued with another reply to a friend, “I’m good, man. I hope it don’t get worst. Pray for us!”
• DJ and producer Towa Tei tweeted, “Thank you everybody mailing me.. I am fine. NOW, I rather save Electricity and think what i can do and pray. PEACE!”
• FANTASTIC PLASTIC MACHINE’s Tomoyuki Tanaka tweeted, “Studio is a mess.  Cracked and broken things which fell off the shelves…I hope everyone is safe!”
• Singer Crystal Kay tweeted, “Holy shit that was big.  omg is everyone ok!!?!?!?!?!?!?!? tsunami is destroying miyagi…im watching it on tv ;(;(.  sending out my prayers!!!!!!!!!  yokohama had a ６mag. my shoe shelf has fallen over ;s.  im at homeeeeeeee im ok. so scared. the sky looks so weird right now.  omgggg sendai is getting destroyed now…houses and everything. fire is moving with the wave…omg….this is unreal. 仙台のみなさん、祈ってます！！omg i have never seen a tsunami before. they are showing it on tv. everyone PLS go somewhere high up!! stay safe!!! im sending out my prayers to everyone in the miyagi and sendai area…and all the affected areas!!!  its coming again and again and again. its never ending…i hate it.
• Singer Emi Hinouchi tweeted, “Glad to be alive.  Crying”
• Singer Nanase Aikawa tweeted in English, “Dear oversea fans Thanks for your messages worried about me. We, my family, are fine. No need to worry.  It was definitely the biggest earthquake ever that hit east Japan.  It reminds me of Hanshin earthquake, another huge earthquake happened in the past, and hurts my heart.  I don’t know what I can do, but I just hope there won’t be any more damage than there already is.”
• Music artist KEN THE 390 tweeted, “I’m worried and hope everyone in the Northeast is safe!  By the way, the book shelf inside is all messed up…”
• DJ Sugiurumn tweeted, “Please Stay Tough please!”
• Singer/musician/producer Tomoyasu Hotei tweeted, “I’m safe.  I ran to the school.  The location group of drama is worried.  Everyone alright?”.  Hotei continued, answering questions of how his wife, actress/singer Miki Imai is doing.  Hotei said, “Miki is safe, sorry to have you worrying about us.   Miyagi and Ibaraki, however, have damage.  Prepare for aftershocks.
• Aya Matsuura tweeted on Saturday, “Late post, sorry.  I hope everyone is safe.”
• Morning Musume member Erina Mano tweeted, “Is everyone all right?  I am unable to contact my family on the phone (/ _ ; )”
• The management? of pop quartet SCANDAL posted the following on Twitter, “All four members are all right.  Please be careful and listen to the breaking news of the earthquake.”
• Former Morning Musume member Ai Kago tweeted, “I was in the first floor and the shaking was enormous that you couldn’t walk.  One of the people was so scared!  Is everyone alright? OK everyone, Be careful! I hope everyone is safe!”
• Former KAT-TUN member Jin Akanishi tweeted, “Is everyone all right?  I’m good.  Thank you for your comments, I just worried a lot.  It looks like the aftershocks are continuing and can not sleep at all.  I hate that.  Be careful everyone.”
• AKB48 member Tomomi Itano tweeted, “Since I am not in Japan, I am safe.  Everyone Ok?  I’m quite worried.”
• AKB48 member Sayaka Akimoto tweeted, “Everyone, I am safe”.  Akimoto later tweeted, “I’m watching the news.  We should all cooperate and support.  I hope the damage does not increase.”
• AKB48 member Mariko Shinoda tweeted, “I’m on Twitter now!  Are you all right!!  。・゜・(ノД`)・゜・”  Shinoda tweeted concern for her fellow AKB48 members, “I am concerned about all members!  In Japan…everyone is okay.”
• AKB48 member Hana Tojima tweeted, “I’m alive.  Take care everyone.”
• AKB48 member Ayaka Umeda tweeted to her fans, “I came back from a trip and was unable to update. I’m sorry.  Is everyone ok from the earthquake?
• Singer ARIA contacted us and said, “I’m alright, my family’s too, Thank you for your kindness.”  After the earthquake, Aria posted, “Alone in a scary mess.  My room is messy but I’m in a safe place.  I’m alright.  Everyone okay?
• Hisashi of GLAY tweeted, “I have never seen such a tsumani…”, Hisashi later tweeted, “Felt some trembling but I’m fine.”
• AAA leader Naoya Urata tweeted, “I can not use the phone at all but because I am connected to Twitter, I can try to exchange information using Twitter.  My parents home inside is messy and I’m sure my family will blame me.  The power of nature is really scary.”
• AAA member Chiaki posted “No injuries?  I’m safe and sound!”
• AAA member Misaki Uno tweeted, “I wish everyone is safe. I think many people are lonely and alone.  I fear they are not alone.  Please be safe!”
• AAA member Shinjiro Atae tweeted, “OK!  I was at the theater and left.  I arrived at my apartment and saw a crack on the wall.  It messed up my room.  But all right now.  Aftershocks still continues.”  Atae continued to tweet but this time in English.   “I’m so scared!!! but I’m ok!! thx!!”  “r u guys ok??we need to help each other!!!anyway calm down,calm down!!u r not alone definitely!!!!!!!”
• Former AAA member Yukari Gotoh tweeted, “I’m sorry but my hands are trembling in fear”
• Base Ball Bear tweeted, “Everyone is home safely but preparing emergency bags and helmets”.
• Hiroki of D tweeted, “Got in touch with everyone earlier and everyone is safe!  Please be careful because the aftershocks still continue.”
• Teruki Nagata of AN CAFE tweeted, “Is everyone safe?”  Teruki tweeted not long after, “An e-mail came from my father.  I am relieved.”
• Takuya of AN CAFE tweeted, “Is everyone in the northeast OK?”
• Kiyoshi of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION tweeted, “We are all safe in Ajikanmenba.  Everyone OK?!”
• Singer Mini tweeted, “That was an earthquake, is everyone fine?”  Min later tweeted, “Everyone in Miyagi OK?  Saw an article in Shibuya, saw a sewer pipe that bursted.  There are many fires, everyone please be careful.”
• moumoon vocalist YUKA tweeted, “Hiroshima was shaking slightly, I’m safe!  Watch out for aftershocks”  She and Masaki then tweeted that due to the severity of the earthquake/tsunami, the two would postpone their schedule concerts.
• YUCALI of HALCALI tweeted, “was a great earthquake (‘・ _ ・ `)  I caught a train!  Everyone okay?”
• Singer, alan tweeted, “I’m fine.  Please be careful.  Shake is terrible.We thank the staff of the venue during rehearsal…earthquake, fled immediately.”
• Producer Daisuke Asakura tweeted, “Home!  I was waiting for a while because I felt a tremor.  I am safe but aftershocks are still following.”
• Pop star ICONIQ tweeted, “I’m fine.  Everyone OK?  It seems that the aftershocks still continue today but please be careful!”
• Singer Kohmi Hirose was at photoshoot with her staff when the earthquake happened.  Kohmi posted “Everyone, are you all right? I’m fine.  So, please be careful.”
• Singer Jamosa tweeted, “Enoshima had an earthquake but there is no tsunami warning.  Back in Tokyo.  Fujisawa firefighters, thank you very much!  I can not use the phone at all!  Everyone, are you okay?
• ASIA ENGINEER’s ZERO commented, “Not an odd quick earthquake.  Phone won’t connect at all.  Please tell us about the situation in Tokyo?”
• mihimaru GT producer Hideyuki Daichi Suzuki tweeted, ” Thank you! I’m OK . The aftershocks are still continuing, everyone has to stay calm.  Yes, in Tokyo. This is less damage. But the aftershocks are still continuing. I stayed at home. Many people go home last night and stayed the trains to stop.”
• GooF of SOFFet was leaving a radio interview at FM Osaka and then felt the earthquake and tweeted, “Huh everyone okay?  Osaka was shaking!”
• Singer Tomoe Shinohara tweeted, “I pray for your safety, please pray for those who are wounded from the earthquake.  My heart is shaking.”  Shinohara continued, “I hope everyone is not hurt.”
• Shanadoo’s Rose tweeted, “I am hearing – Earthquake”.
• Shanadoo’s CK tweeted, “Everyone safe?”
• Masa of the rock band BASARA tweeted, “This is dangerous!  Great earthquake shaking the train! “
• Music artist WYOLICA tweeted, “Shibuya.  Alive. Shattered windows from the building near me.”  Wyolica would go on to tweet later that day,  “Aftershocks are enormous.  It may shake all night.  Everyone have shoes beside you.  I will be wearing a jacket.  Out of respect for the neighbors.”
• Music artist Miray tweeted, “I’m all right.”
• Ryuichi Kawamura of LUNA SEA tweeted, “the earthquake was awful! are everybody okay? please be careful since there are still some aftershock! I am fine!”
• SUGIZO of LUNA SEA tweeted, “I’m fine. Please don’t worry about me guys!”.  As for the LUNA SEA members, Sugizo followed up with, “All LUNA SEA’s member is fine!! Thank you so much guys!! Please don’t worry about us!! From Tokyo with Love…”
• Tatsuro of MUCC tweeted the following, “Aftershocks are continuing, is everyone all right?  Together we will persevere!”
• Hiroto of Alice9 tweeted, “I wish everyone to be safe!  I am fine.  E-mail and telephone is not connected but I can be reached on Twitter.”
• Naoko of Shonen Knife tweeted, “We had an earthquake. I’m in Osaka and there are not so strong one but in Northern part of Japan, it was strong. We decided to stay in Osaka because of the earthquake.I deeply appreciated kind messages from overseas. I just can pray for the people who suffer from the disaster.”
• Japanese reggae artist RYO THE SKYWALKER was in Jamaica at the time of the earthquake but tweeted the following, “Im in Jamaica right now so 大丈夫です〜 but nuff ppl in north they get damaged …. thx anyway !!! i jus fine and work in anchor studio !! worry bout big earthquake in JPN …”
• Entertainer Emyli was among the few entertainers like Crystal Kay who had a lot things on their mind during the earthquake especially family members.  Emyli tweeted within the first 24 hours, “i cant reach my father, he might be trapped inside a train.  freshness burger in gaienmae wont let me use their phone.  was able to reach my father. thank you for your prayers. bought food & the last iphone charger, food was all out except instant food. will stay overnight at the studio & walk a few cities home tmrw.  tokyo tower is bent. ground is shaking right now.   sleepy, but scared, started shaking again.  cant tell if it’s my heart shaking or the ground shaking. earthquakes are ongoing.  these are times when u really appreciate the small things–drinking clean water, being able to shower, eat clean food–and most importantly, being alive. live ur day to the fullest everyone, turn ur dreams into reality. the end can come at anytime for anyone & anywhere.  i truly thank every one of you who are praying for us. that is the only thing that’s holding this country together right now. all i can think about is surviving today.  my daddy’s home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.  thank u everyone for all ur prayers & thoughts & love during this difficult time. just elated & so thankful that my family is alive & unhurt.  may we be able to survive this day. my heart goes out to all persons affected by this catastrophe.”
• Aoi from the rock band the GazettE tweeted, “I remember the drill. Food and water has been stocked. Information is flowing through Twitter. There is also an emergency message board. I’m fine. Please respond calmly.”
• Ruki of the GazettE tweeted, “Big earthquake. Watch out for aftershocks everyone”
• Singer and voice actress Haruko Momoi tweeted, “I am  safe.  It was a bad earthquake and came back home to check out the apartment and to find shelter.  I pray the damage will not get worse.  Because my father was sick, I was concerned about his unstable blood pressure because of the earthquake.  I was also concerned about the deterioration of his physical condition from the psychological stress.  I think the anxiety is felt in the Kanto region.  I have a pain in my chest.”  Momoi issued the following tweet to her intl. fans, “Dear overseas Momoists.THX to your worrying about us.I’m OK.I appreciate your tender words.  I hope sing a anisong with Japanese and every country’s fans,again…Thank you for your encouragement tweet.Arigatou gozaimasu!”
• Anison singer HIMEKA tweeted, “I updated my blog. People who worried about me, thank you. I’m doing fine.  Keeping the victims of the tsunami in my thoughts and prayers…”
• staff for Ami and Yumi of PUFFY tweeted, “amiyumi is safe.  We thank everyone who has worried and hope that everyone is safe.”
• Shinji of SID tweeted, “I hope everyone in the northeast is all right.  Earthquake in Tokyo was enormous.  The bookshelf in the house fell.  Paying attention to the aftershocks”.
• Producer and musician Tetsuro Oda tweeted, “I’m getting more worried and home many are completely safe. Take care everyone.”
• Olivia Lufkin tweeted, “My family, friends and I are safe everyone!!! Sending out my love to all the earthquake victims. <3 <3 <3.  Thank you all for the concerned messages. My family is together at my parents place, where we will be staying till…”
• Eriko Imai from SPEED had a tweet from her staff to please check her blog.  On her blog, she posted, “  Everyone, are you safe??  Me and my song are safe.  For the first time, I felt fear.  I’m sure everyone feels the same.  Please act calmly and everyone, please be safe.  Thank you.  Please be safe.”  As for the other members of SPEED, Eriko posted, “Thanks for everyone’s concerns.  SPEED members are all safe.  We again experienced the horrors of nature.  I will still continue. Many people have died in the earthquake and the impact from tsunami.  We pray for you.  Finally, do not forget hope.”
• Nana from MAX tweeted, “Earthquake.  Everyone safe?  I’m fine.  It’s really scary…”
• Rina from MAX tweeted, “water supply at my parent’s home has been cut off.  But water supplies are at the public citizen’s hall.  Also, continuous power failure.  I’m am scared.”
• The staff for the female pop group BRIGHT tweeted, “Earthquake is everyone okay? Please be careful for the aftershocks! ! Members are safe! For now!
• Singer/actress Meisa Kuroki tweeted, “Is everyone safe?  I’ll be fine for now!  Be careful of tsunami.  Take care!”
• Singer Nami Tamaki tweeted, “Is everyone OK because I am doing OK?!  I felt the earthquake in the house and the aftershocks are still continuing.  Trying to open the window without it falling down.  I hope your safe from the bottom of my heart.”
• Singer GACKT was a bit more personal, creating a Twitter account the day after and posting a long message about getting together and doing something.  Asking celebrities to join him and posting a message on the following website.  In an excerpt of that message, GACKT tweeted “We need the courage to reach out and help those who are affected, to show a little courage and SHOW YOUR HEART!”
• Singer JASMINE tweeted, “(“° b °)”<<< just tell me whether or not it is safe ーーー”
• Model Natsuki Katou has been active since the earthquake in providing emergency information on Twitter.  Her first tweet after the earthquake was “Everyone!! Please do not go near the sea or river.  When moving, protect your head, please.”
• Singer MISIA tweeted, “I hope everyone is safe?  Please support those who meet survived from the damage and those who are displaced, are in physical and mental fatigue. Aftershocks still continue.    The situation is serious, we all need to try and act cool!”
• Singer JUJU tweeted, “I’m safe at home.  I’m scared too!”
• Rina of SCANDAL tweeted, “Are you okay?  If you are worried about me or the staff members, we are in a safe place and everyone is OK!  Thank you!  Let’s help each other!  OK!”
• Nohana of Stereopony tweeted, “Ok guys its (>_<)? earthquake Stereopony is safe! You guys take care (>_<)”
• Shiho of Stereopony tweeted, “Everyone OK?  It seems that the aftershocks that followed are still continuing.  Be careful!”
• Singer Tommy february6, who was not feeling well that day tweeted the following day, “Shun-chan is safe.  Our cats are safe.  I went to a meeting today and came back home awhile ago.  I was scared because it was in a building which was being used as a shelter.  Anyway, I’m OK, scared but calm.  I like being calm.  How is everyone’s place?”
• Singer Hiromi tweeted,  “Are you all right in the Northeast? ? (>_<) screaming sore throat”.  Hiromi later tweeted, “I’m alright… we still have earthquakes tho. i don’t wanna fall asleep”
• Singer Rie Fu tweeted, “As for me I am safe and sound, but there are much more out there needing your support. Please send donations!!”
• Singer Kylee tweeted, “I heard that a very large earthquake hit Japan, are you guys all right?  I am very worried.”
• Kaneko Nobuaki of RIZE tweeted, “Nobuaki Kaneko, RIZE and staff are safe.”
• Singer Saori@destiny tweeted, “Is everyone OK? I’m worried.  I remember a horrible childhood experience with the Great Hanshin earthquake.  Please be careful, please!”
• Singer Keita Tachibana of w-inds. tweeted, “I hope everyone is in a safe place.”
• DJ/Producer Satoshi Fumi tweeted, “to my friends,i’m ok.but stop the traffic!”
• Singer Yu Shirota tweeted, “Are you okay?  I am fine!  It’s really dangerous, so please stay away from the sea.”
• Singer Kat McDowell tweeted throughout the day, “Wow!! The train was shaking so bad!!! The was the scariest earthquake ever!  I hope the people outside were ok!! I hope the people in Miyagi are ok!!  trains stopped.. So walking home. It’s nice to walk and see other people!  We are ok. Thank you for all the messages!! We are home now trying to find out what happened.. 4 million homes with no power, and it’s night now and cold so please pray for those who have lost homes! #prayforjapan.  For those who are stuck in Tokyo tonight, you can stay at the near by schools, or the budokan or saitama super arena.  wow.. it’s like the tremors never stop… この余震が止まらないね。　I’m praying that God will be with all of us in Japan tonight, and give us peace.  Thank you for all the messages!! Most of Tokyo is safe, just shaken up!! We’re praying for the people up North!  I am awake!! It’s hard to sleep, but I am sooo grateful I can go to church today to pray with people together! see what we can do to help!”
• Singer Blaise Plant of Monkey Majik lives in Sendai and tweeted throughout the day with probably the most detail of his experience since he lives near the epicenter.  Plant tweeted, “My house is trashed! I’m ok! It was spooky…the biggest one yet!!  Hey Everyone! It seems to have calmed down a bit.from where I am.the buildings are all busted up..massive billboards on the verge of falling.  I urge everyone to keep alert…things are falling all over the place… I heard tsunami looks pretty big on TV.  I currently can’t go home the ground is still shaking and shaking.  So far a lot of people from the neighborhood gathered together to keep warm.  Just checked out Mayn’s Studio, everything is ok, not much damage…my place is…trashed.  This is my only way to talk to you all, sorry, just trying to write as fast as I can. I think these tremors are going to last all week.  I know it’s a little dangerous to be in a car throughout all this, but just needed a little charge for my iPhone.  We are getting non-stop tremors…a big one every 15 mins or so. It sucks cause every shake makes u wonder if it’s the big one.  Still pitch black, power is not back yet…walked outside…smell of propane.  Currently 2am, power still out, cold. Keeping positive, but so many people have been injured, or killed. It’s hard to sleep. Unimaginable.  Just heard from Maynard…there headed over here…looks like things are slowly coming together on this side. Pray for others.”
• Maynard Plant, brother of Blaise and a member of Monkey Majik has also been tweeting about his experience in Sendai.  Here is a chronicle of a few twitter posts from Maynard, “Omg.. That was scary.  Is everyone ok?  I finally found Blaise… He’s ok… But his mansion was in terrible condition. I am now going to check my studio. Haven’t had Internet, phone, power, water, heat since my last twit on Friday. I’m back downtown to see how Blaise is doing.  Using ocean water to cool down the nuclear reactor. Many people exposed at this point.”

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SPEED – Yubiwa (指環) (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

Another beautiful ballad single release from SPEED (their 18th single) sporting a beautiful ballad showing us their maturity as performers and an upbeat dance track.  Featuring production by JIN and nishi-ken.  Definitely another SPEED single worth checking out!

GROUP: SPEED

CD SINGLE: Yubiwa (指環)

LABEL: Sonic Groove

CATALOG #: AVCD-16214

DURATION: 19:00

RELEASE DATE: September 1, 2010

BUY THIS CD SINGLE from cdjapan.com:

SPEED – SPEEDLAND The Premium Best Re Tracks (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)

“Nearly 15 years later after I discovered SPEED, I’ve seen these young teenagers mature to women.   ‘SPEEDLAND’ represents that maturity as the quartet revisits all their classic hits and re-record them.  Although I prefer the original hit tracks to the re-recordings, as a fan of SPEED, it’s great to see the women reunite and hear their current reinterpretation of their hit songs.”

Purchase this album:

SPEED – S.P.D. (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single)

Another beautiful ballad single release from SPEED (their 18th single) sporting a beautiful ballad showing us their maturity as performers and an upbeat dance track. Featuring production by JIN and nishi-ken. Definitely another SPEED single worth checking out!

GROUP: SPEED

CD SINGLE: S.P.D.

LABEL: Sonic Groove

CATALOG #: AVCD-16180-B

DURATION: 14:11

RELEASE DATE: May 27, 2009

BUY THIS CD SINGLE from cdjapan.com:

SPEED – Ashita no Sora (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

SPEED is back after nine years with a new single after the announcement that their return will be permanent!  Their 15th single “Ashita no Sora”, especially the medley cover of their past hits show a maturity in the vocals of Eriko Imai and Hiro Shimabukuro.

GROUP: SPEED

CD SINGLE: Ashita no Sora

LABEL: Sonic Groove

CATALOG #: AVCD-16167

DURATION: 28:44

RELEASE DATE: November 12, 2008

BUY THIS CD SINGLE from:

SPEED – MOMENT – THE BEST ALBUM (a J!-ENT World Groove Classic Album Review)

“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: Toy’s Factory

CATALOG #: TFCC-88136

DURATION: 1:05:55

RELEASE DATE: December 16, 1998

1. White Love
2. ALL MY TRUE LOVE
3. STEADY
4. Wake Me Up! (growin’ up! mix)
5. ALIVE
6. Body & Soul
7. ナマイキ (愛▽▽▽ヴァージョン)
8. Go! Go! Heaven
9. 熱帯夜
10. Luv Vibration
11. my graduation
12. White Love (christmas standard)
13. White Love (karaoke)

I can remember when I first saw SPEED. It was actually before the quartet released their first album and it was on the karaoke variety show “Yoru no Hit Parade” which starred fellow Okinawa Actors School artists Amuro Namie and MAX.

The ladies brought the next talent from the school which consisted of vocalist Imai Eriko and Shimabukuro Hiro and background dancers and vocals Uehara Takako and Arakaki Hitoe.

The quartet when they debuted were quite young with Hiro only 12-years-old and the others around 14 and 15 and here they are coming out in Japan which at the time was dominated by the TK family and here were these young spunky girls singing and showcasing choreography.

While fellow Okinawan friends Amuro Namie and MAX have been in the scene for several years, it was a surprise because they simply came out of nowhere and dominated the mid-to-late 90s.

Then the girls released their first CD single “Body & Soul” in 1996 and I just remember how the song just took off on the charts and the ladies were just dominating the airwaves, magazines and CM’s not long after.

In Jan. 1999, I could remember being in Shibuya and “ALL MY TRUE LOVE” playing on the big screen and walking into HMV and picking up that latest CD single and their best album which was released a month prior.

SPEED’s “MOMENT – THE BEST ALBUM” was the quartet’s first best album and it would feature 8 CD singles and coupling songs and a song from an album that would become fan favorites for years to come.

The album would start off with the group’s beautiful ballad “White Love” (their fifth CD single released back in 1997). I was just in love with this song. The lyrics were utterly sad of wanting to be with a love one during the Winter time and promises broken. Each time I listen to this song, I can literally feel the sadness through the vocals. An excellent song!

The second track “ALL MY TRUE LOVE” would be the eighth CD single from SPEED (rel. 1998) and another CD single that would sell over a million copies. An upbeat track that was just fun and energetic to listen to.

The third track “STEADY” is the group’s second CD single released back in 1996. After the group’s first CD single, I was definitely going to buy the second CD single and I could easily remember watching Uehara Takako and Arakaki Hitoe’s dancing and how it caught my eye. The song was used for a drama titled “Itazura na Kiss” and is a fast-paced, energetic song which the group featured cool vocals and cool choreography. Just awesome!

The fourth track “Wake Me Up!” features a “Growin’ Up Mix” on this best album and was the group’s fourth CD single released in 1997. My memories of this CD single was actually the music video which was shot in the Philippines and the group performing in a tropical area. Another cool, energetic track!

The fifth track “ALIVE” (rel. in 1998) is a song that was used for their film “ANDROMEDIA” and if you watched the film and know how the lyrics relate, you just literally want to cry. Because it’s quite sad. The song just really made an impression on me and demonstrates how love is truly alive. A wonderful ballad and a song that I consider my favorite SPEED song of all time.

Just these lyrics alone made an impression on me:

Tooku hanaretemo asu ga mienakutemo
Ai wo tomenaide
Kono umi no hate wa yagate aoi sora e tsuzuiteru
Hitori ja nai
Kono mune ni zutto ai wa ikiteru
Ikite yukou
Ai wa ikiteru
Love is alive

The sixth track is the group’s first CD single “Body & Soul” (rel. 1996) and I can remember these girl’s with so much energy in their basketball jersey’s in Los Angeles and just dancing. That was quite interesting. The CD single was fun and it was definitely an eye-opener of having these girls come out of nowhere and really doing something different at that time that was not TK-related.

The seventh track “Namaiki” and ninth track “Nettaiya” were coupling tracks. “Namaiki” for “White Love” and “Nettaiya” for “Wake Me Up!”. “Nettaiya” is actually another favorite song of mine by the group and had an actual music video for it. The song was a bit controversial because it was about loving someone so much, wanting to be with them, sleep with them and they are not there. And of course, the controversy was that these young girls in their early teens were singing such a song.

The eighth track “Go! Go! Heaven” was the group’s third CD single (rel. 1998) and I just remembered the girl’s trying to be dangerous with their dance choreography but yet retaining that sweetness. Of course, tabloids had a different interpretation of the song’s title to have a different, implied meaning but overall, the song was fun, energetic and enjoyed the choreography for the song.

The tenth track “Luv Vibration” was a song from the first album “Starting Over” and featured as a music video in their first VHS release. The song featured the girls rehearsing and having fun in what looks to be Saipan. All in all, it was a fun, upbeat track that I enjoyed listening to a zillion times.

The eleventh track “my graduation” was another powerful ballad and the group’s sixth CD single that would continue their trend of selling over a million copies. It was a powerful song that I will remember for hiro’s vocals but also the lyrics for those graduating from school and eventually separating from the person they love as they begin the next stage of their lives.

The twelfth track features a “Christmas Standard” version of “White Love” and feature more of a string arrangement and the thirteenth track is the karaoke version of their hit song.

The CD insert booklet would feature lyrics to every track but also include a lot of pictures of the group in the snow, riding on a sled and having fun.

The packaging was quite interesting as the cardboard box opened up on all four sides and fit into a plastic sleeve.

At the time of this release, this best album was just incredible because it featured all of their chart topping hits from 1996-1998 and those tracks, even listening to it over a decade later still sounds fresh and doesn’t even show its age at all.

There are simply too many awesome hits on this album to ignore and before they broke up and released “DEAR FRIENDS 1 and 2″, this was simply the album to get and if you can still find this album for a great price, it’s highly recommended!

In fact, I even recommend “MOMENT – THE BEST ALBUM” because it strictly features SPEED songs during their peak and these songs were just fun, sad, passionate and overall enjoyable.

It’s nearly ten years since the release of this album and hearing it again and knowing that SPEED has announced their return is just a great feeling!

All in all, this best album is highly recommended!

BUY THIS ALBUM:

[WORLD GROOVE] Currently listening to hiro – Special Box

 

ARTIST: hiro

ALBUM: Special Box

LABEL: SONIC GROOVE

CATALOG #:  AVCD-16082

DURATION: [disc 1] 1:17:47, [disc 2] 56:40, [disc 3/DVD]:  86 minutes

RELEASED: February 1, 2006 

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

DISC 1: Single Collection

1. Mitsumeteitai
2. AS TIME GOES BY
3. Bright Daylight
4. What’s up!
5. Treasure
6. Your innocence
7. Confession
8. love you
9. Eternal Place
10. Notice my mind
11. Baby don’t cry
12. Ai ga Naiteru
13. Hikari no Naka de
14. clover
15. hero*
16. Send My Love for you

DISC 2: Remix Collection

1. Baby don’t cry -extended version-
2. sunlight -extended version-
3. Ai ga haiteru -Nitelist Remix-
4. clover -Gira mundo primero remix-
5. Namida -SWAG’s Remix-
6. ME AND YOU (Riding Waves) -Version 2-
7. LOVE IS SHOUTING OUT
8. Confession-M -Control Mix-
9. Baby don’t cry -world’s end girlfriend remix-
10. Mitsumeteitai – DJ Hasebe Remix PART 2-

DISC 3 (DVD): Clips Collection – Region 2, 4:3, Duration: 86 minutes

1. Mitsumeteitai
2. AS TIME GOES BY
3. Bright Daylight
4. Treasure
5. Your innocence
6. Confession
7. love you
8. Eternal Place
9. Notice my mind
10. Baby don’t cry
11. Ai ga haiteru
12. Hikari no Naka de
13. clover
14. hero*

SPECIAL FEATURE: Off Shot – 15:48

When it comes to hiro (Shimabukuro Hiro) or any other member of SPEED, I always look forward to their music.  Having watched SPEED since before they released their first CD single, purchasing their first CD single, album, VHS video, etc.

Earlier in 2007, we have seen the release of Uehara Takako’s collection and last year was the release of the special limited edition box set release from hiro.

Hiro has always had that distinct voice because of her high pitched vocals and she added something special to SPEED because of those vocals.

Since SPEED broke up, from August 1999 from her first CD single release of “AS TIME GOES BY” up to her 13th CD single “Hero*”, a special box set was released.

The box set contains three disc’s.  The first being her singles collection which contains a total of 16 songs (13 CD singles) and includes “Mitsumete Itai” (a solo song that was on SPEED’s “ALL MY TRUE LOVE” CD Single) and two unreleased songs “What’s up!” and “Send My Love for you”.

The second disc features a remix collection which includes ten songs.  Remixes feature a Latin-style for songs such as “Ai ga haiteru” and “clover”, others incorporating a very cool underground style that goes from jungle to techno to trip hop.  A very good balance of remixed music, pumping new life into her CD singles.  Definitely thought the remix album was very fresh and unique for her music which is a great addition to the box set.

The third disc is a DVD featuring her music videos for her 13 CD singles plus the music video for “Mitsumeteitai”.

The DVD features a special feature off-shot showing an interview with hiro, watching hiro shop and behind-the-scenes of the making of her music video that is almost 16 minutes long.  For those who have been collecting hiro’s DVD’s, one thing that is not included in the Clip Collection is the music video for “IN SEASON” (from her album “Brilliant”) which was a special music video for the release of her “BRILLIANT ON FILMS” DVD release.

The CD’s are in 3 CD jewel cases and each case featuring a CD insert.  The first featuring lyrics to the songs and a picture of the CD single next to the lyrics.  The second insert for the remix collection features lyrics.  The third disc, the DVD insert is nearly identical to the first insert featuring a picture of the CD single and the lyrics to it.

If you are a hiro fan, you really can’t go wrong with this box set release.  Not only do you get all her CD singles (plus three other songs), a remix album and a DVD with all her music video clips from 1999-2006.

Also, a major plus because the label could have separated these to different volumes which many Japanese labels have done with many other artists.

Of course, you can purchase the CD Single Collection and the DVD Clip Collection separately but really, you want the box set because the remix album is definitely worth owning.

So, if you dig her music or are curious and want to make a purchase of a hiro release, I highly recommend checking out the Special Box.

SPEED – Wake Me Up! (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

An upbeat, funkier pop song from SPEED!  Their first anniversary CD single release shows some maturity for the young quartet.

GROUP: SPEED

CD SINGLE: Wake Me Up!

LABEL: TOY’S FACTORY

CATALOG #: TFDC-28064

DURATION: 15:56

RELEASE DATE: August 6, 1997

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SPEED – GO! GO! HEAVEN (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

Enjoyable, catchy and just another wonderful single from SPEED!

GROUP: SPEED

CD SINGLE: GO! GO! HEAVEN

LABEL: TOY’S FACTORY

CATALOG #: TFDC-28061

DURATION: 15:44

RELEASE DATE: March 23, 1997

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SPEED – STEADY (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single)

If you enjoyed “Body & Soul”, “Steady” is an even more impressive single and a wonderful followup to their first single.  Definitely a single worth checking out!

GROUP: SPEED

CD SINGLE: STEADY

LABEL: Toy’s Factory

CATALOG #: TFDC-28048

DURATION: 18:50

RELEASE DATE: November 18, 1996

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