“Another collaborative CD single from the artists and groups from Office Augusta coming together for another enjoyable CD single from artists such as Suga Shikao, Hajime Chitose, Yamazaki Masayoshi, Kyoko, MICRON’STUFF, Okamoto Sadayoshi, Nagasawa Tomoyuki, Kawamura Yuka, Motohiro Hata, Baba Kazuyoshi, Araki Yuko (mi-gu), Sukima Switch, COIL and many more.â€
BAND: FUKUMIMI
CD SINGLE: DANCE BABY DANCE / Natsu wa Kore Kara Da!
LABEL: rhythm zone
CATALOG #: RZCD-45925/B
DURATION: 37:44
RELEASE DATE: July 16, 2008
- DANCE BABY DANCE
- Natsu wa Kore Kara Da!
- Yozora no Mukou (Augusta Camp 2007 Live Version)
- Hoshi no kakera wo sagashi ni Ikou Again (Augusta Camp 2007 Live Version)
- DANCE BABY DANCE (Backing Track)
- Natsu wa Kore Kara Da! (Backing Track)
DVD: Region 2, Duration: 47 minutes, 16:9 LB for the making of segments, 4:3 for the music video
- behind the MUSIC (32 minutes)
- behind the VISUAL (9 minutes)
- MUSIC VIDEO (6 minutes)
FUKUMIMI is a collaborative group from artists that belong under Office Augusta. The group began back in 2002 but pretty much has been a group effort that usually performs together for an event titled “Augusta Camp” which began back in 1998.
The artists featured on this CD single are Suga Shikao, Hajime Chitose, Yamazaki Masayoshi, Kyoko, MICRON’STUFF, Okamoto Sadayoshi, Nagasawa Tomoyuki, Kawamura Yuka, Motohiro Hata, Baba Kazuyoshi, Araki Yuko (mi-gu), Sukima Switch and COIL.
The collaboration group is back with a fourth CD single (the group has released a DVD and an album) titled “DANCE BABY DANCE” and another A-side single “Natsu wa Kore Kara Da!”.
The first track is very cool rock track with Blues elements with a large collaborative efforts but primarily featuring vocals primarily by Kyoko, Yamazaki Masayoshi, Hajime Chitose and Suga Shikao. Many of the artists collaborating provide background vocals and contributing musically to the song
Also, with so many people involved in this collaborative effort, the song is the “10th Anniversary theme” for their live Office Augusta concert Augusta Camp.
The second track “Natsu wa Kore Kara Da!” is another rock track that features vocals primarily by Hajime Chitose and Sukima Switch but features the other Office Augusta artists taking part vocally and MICRON’STUFF providing the rap portions of the track.
Both songs were produced by COIL.
The third track features the popular ballad “Yozora no Mukou” (which was created by Suga and sung by SMAP) and a live “Augusta Camp 2007” version. The song is one of my all-time favorite ballads and was very to hear this track on the album and FUKUMIMI artists (ie. AUGUSTA ALL STARS) singing together.
The fourth track features another Augusta Camp 2007 live song with “Hoshi no kakera wo sagashi ni Ikou Again” sung by the artists of FUKUMIMI/AUGUSTA ALL STARS.
The main vocals for both live tracks were by Sugashi Kao, Yamazaki Masayoshi, Kyoko, Hajime Chitose, Sukima Switch, Motohiro Hata and Nagasawa Tomoyuki.
The normal CD single version features these four tracks but the CD+DVD version includes the backing tracks for the first two songs.
As for the DVD, the DVD is not just awesome but it is also quite lengthy.
“Behind the MUSIC” is a 32 minute behind-the-scenes making of the song. The footage features in-depth coverage of each artists participating vocally and musically and the featurette is featured step-by-step of each artist as they perform each part which was wonderful to see.
“Behind the VISUAL” features a 9 minute video featuring the photo session for the CD single cover and photography sessions with each member of the FUKUMIMI family.
Both behind-the-scenes video are 16:9LB and the final video is the actual music video for “DANCE BABY DANCE”.
The music video features Kyoko and Hajime Chitose singing while the other guys singing, singing background vocals or playing their instruments. This video is presented in 4:3.
The CD insert booklet features more group photos of the artists, lyrics and production credits. And inside the insert is information on Office Augusta artists and promotion for Augusta Camp 2008 (July 26-August 9th).
Pretty much, when you get collaborative CD singles like this, you can’t help but be excited. Especially with the talent on the Office Augusta roster.
For me, just having Yamazaki Masayoshi and Suga Shikao performing together is a major plus.
And the fact is that since 2002, there have only been four CD singles within the past six years, the primary focus for the collaboration effort are the AUGUSTA CAMP summer concerts.
But nevertheless, it was cool to see so many people together (vocally, musically, production-wise) and taking part to celebrate the 10th Year Anniversary of Augusta Camp.
All in all, you get a CD single with really good music and for those who purchase the CD+DVD version, you get one of the coolest behind-the-scene “making of’s” on a CD+DVD release and again, the DVD itself is over 45 minutes long. So, spending a few bucks for the DVD is definitely worth it!
As for the CD single portion, although I did enjoy “DANCE BABY DANCE”, I definitely preferred “Natsu wa Kora Kara Da!” much more. And the inclusion of the two live tracks is simply icing on the cake!
All in all, “DANCE BABY DANCE / Natsu wa Kore Kara Da!” is another awesome collaborative effort from the Office Augusta artists and for those who are fans of these artists will definitely want to pick this CD single up!
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