TOKIO – Best E.P. Selection of Tokio (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)

TOKIO

1. 風になって～Studio Live Mix～
2. Ticket To Love ～Gimme Gimme Mix～
3. うわさのキッス～Brighter Mix～
4. SokoナシLOVE～New Sokonashi Mix～
5. サヨナラからとり戻せ
6. Magic Channel～Special Mix～
7. 未来派センス
8. Zettai!
9. 時代(TOKIO)をよろしく!
10. 明日の君を守りたい
11. ハートを磨くっきゃない
12. LOVE YOU ONLY
13. ありがとう・・・勇気～Hyper Energy Mix～

TOKIO started out as members who were dancers for the Johnny Jimusho group Shonentai.   They were only doing scene performance during 2 years and the guys were among the members considered for a new pop group which would be known as SMAP.  But those who didn’t make it into SMAP and had music ability became a band and that band is TOKIO which debuted in 1994 and similar to SMAP, have been quite successful having their own show on television, gracing many magazine covers, appearing on various commercials, dramas and movies.

TOKIO consists of lead singer Tomoya Nagase, drummer Masahiro Matsuoka, bassist Tatsuya Yamguchi, keyboardist Taichi Kokubun and guitarist Shigeru Johshima.

And as the group has had a good number of singles since 1994 make it into #1, the group has now released their first best album titled “Best E.P. Selection of Tokio”.

The album pretty much contains everything from 1994-1996.  From the first single “LOVE YOU ONLY” up to their 1996 Atlanta Olympics theme song “Arigatou…”.  If there is any difference to the original songs are pretty much their most recent singles “Kaze ni Natte”, “Ticket To Love”, “Uwasawa no Kiss”, “Sokonashi LOVE” and “Magic Channel” which receive a different mix.  The differences are very slight, for example, “Kaze ni natte ~Studio Live Mix” has less of the background vocals, “Magic Channel~Special Mix~” has less guitar than the original mix but the others are very close to the original tracks.

I have been listening to Tokio for awhile now and although I enjoy their music, previous albums had songs that were not that great… I’m happy to say that this being a best e.p. selection that you are getting the best Tokio album out and the songs are slightly re-mixed but the re-mixes are slight and still are very good.  Of all Tokio albums that have been released thus far, if you are curious about TOKIO, I recommend this best album.   Also, as a bonus, the CD comes with  a mini 1997 calendar for the hardcore Tokio fans which is basically 12 inserts of the group (pictures of each member and as a group) with a plastic stand to hold the inserts.  Also, the lyrics book with pictures of the group and the cover to hold the calendar and CD slip over case.

Overall, this is a solid best album.  The only thing I wish they did was stick with the original versions of their most recent singles but I’m not going to complain as these versions are still pretty good.  If you are a fan of TOKIO or wanting to pick up a first album from the group, TOKIO’s “Best E.P. Selection of Tokio” is highly recommended!

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