MAX – TORA TORA TORA (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

1. TORA TORA TORA
2. SO MUCH IN LOVE
3. TORA TORA TORA (Original Karaoke)
4. SO MUCH IN LOVE (Original Karaoke)

As Namie Amuro focuses on her solo career, members of the Super Monkeys (NANA, REINA, RINA and MINA) have created a new pop unit known as MAX (which is an acronym for Musical Active eXperience).

The group were primarily background dancers and backup vocalists to Namie Amuro but in 1995, the group made their debut with “Saturday Night ~ Love Velfarre Dance~” and were a group that helped promote the opening of the dance club velfarre.

The group released their second single “Kiss me Kiss me, Baby” and here they are with their third single “TORA TORA TORA” (The theme song to the TV Asahi series “Pafopafo”) and I would have to say this is the single which will be the breakthrough single for the quartet.  Not only are we seeing this single on the pop charts, but its a single where the public can see the quartet showcase their natural talent…singing and dancing and f there is one thing that makes MAX stand out compared to the many female pop groups in Japan is their choreography.

Sexy choreography instead of the typical basic dance moves, this was evident during the Super Monkeys years but with Namie Amuro gone, the spotlight can shine on Nana, Reina, Rina and Mina.

The latest single remains consistent with the avex Hyper Euro sound that they are known for.  Upbeat, synth, club-driven dance tracks that catch your attention and “TORA TORA TORA” is one of those singles.  I really enjoy this song and how the ladies performed this song live on “HEY! HEY! HEY! Music Champ”.  Love the vocals and choreography and overall, a catchy track!

The coupling track “SO MUCH IN LOVE” is another upbeat Hyper Euro track and has a similar style to “TORA TORA TORA” and both songs are courtesy of TIGER BOY who arranged the music.

The remaining two tracks are the karaoke tracks of the single.

Overall, “TORA TORA TORA” is a wonderful single and I hope that the ladies definitely break-out with this single, because it’s a damn good single!

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