[WORLD GROOVE] Currently listening to COLOR – “Blue Sky” CD single

September 1, 2007 by Dennis Amith 

GROUP: COLOR

ALBUM: Blue Sky

LABEL: Rhythm Zone

CATALOG #: RZCD-45606/B, Released on July 25, 2007

Official Website

1. Blue Sky
2. Make It Hot
3. I’m thinkin’ bout U
4. Tell Me It’s Real

DVD TRACK LISTING: Region 2, 4:3, 4 minutes

1. Blue Sky (video clip)

I enjoy soul R&B and enjoyed groups such as Jodeci, Shai, Silk, Troop and dig that old school sound.

When COLOR first came around and seeing that ATSUSHI of EXILE would be working on a new project, I will tell you that I really digged the music and enjoyed their CD single and album and as fast as they came together as a group and released a few CD singles and an album, the group broke up in 2006 with their last CD single back in December 2005 (Neiro).

With EXILE becoming a music powerhouse, I figured that is why each member of EXILE that had a side-project (the other was the hip-hop, R&B group RATHER UNIQUE) would end them and personally, it sucked because I was really getting into the music of these groups.

Fortunately, COLOR announced that they would be back and on April 2007, the group now with a few new members (consisting of TAKA, YUICHIRO, KEISEI and RYO) released “Namida ga Ochinai no Youni”.

The group has released their second CD single of the year titled “Blue Sky” written and produced by former member ATSUSHI and also a cover of the popular K-Ci and JoJo song “Tell Me It’s Real”.

The quartet’s latest song “Blue Sky” continues the same R&B style of COLOR and manages to continue the blend of great vocals and the R&B sound that the group is known for.

“Blue Sky” has music similar to recent EXILE single releases. By saying that, I mean that the sound is more commercial, pop and R&B driven.

My favorite tracks are “I’m thinkin’ bout U” because its more soul R&B and of course, the cover of the K-Ci and JoJo song “Tell Me It’s Real” was a pleasant surprise and the group did a wonderful job singing the song in English.

The accompanying DVD features the music video for “Blue Sky” and a one minute brief intro. of the new COLOR and Website announcement.

The CD insert features the lyrics to the song and information on upcoming Rhythm Zone artists and the COLORSOUL official website and fan club.

Now, for one to appreciate COLOR, if you enjoyed the old school soul and R&B music of the 90′s, this is what makes the music of COLOR special because they continue that trend without straying away from the formula.

You can find any Japanese boy band that focuses their music on pure J-Pop and dance music but COLOR takes the unique path of using their vocals, their harmonizing and incorporate soul R&B music and embrace it.

So, the group is very Western influenced musically and also visually and because of that,
they are clearly distinguishing themselves from other male R&B groups in Japan.

So, if you dig the old school sounds of K-Ci and JoJo, Shai, Jodeci, etc., then you will more than likely dig COLOR.

“Blue Sky” is a good and balanced CD single and the main track is a good pop R&B track from the group, consistent from past CD single in terms of sound and even current EXILE releases but I found the soul R&B tracks much more enjoyable.