Various Artists – Power Songs (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)

1. 大事MANブラザーズバンド (Daiji MAN Brothers Band) – それが大事
2. HOUND DOG – ff
3. TRF – survival dAnce~no no cry more~
4. TM NETWORK – Get Wild
5. 渡辺美里 (Misato Watanabe) – My Revolution
6. 光永亮太 (Ryouta Mitsunaka)- Always
7. 爆風スランプ (Bakafu Slump) – Runner
8. 中村あゆみ (Ayumi Nakamura) – 翼の折れたエンジェル (ストロングバージョン)
9. 玉置浩二 (Koji Tamaki) – 田園
10. 郷ひろみ  (Hiromi Go)- 2億4千万の瞳 -エキゾチック・ジャパン
11. PRINCESS PRINCESS – DIAMONDS
12. D-51 – NO MORE CRY
13. シャ乱Q (Sharan Q) – 空を見なよ
14. 森高千里 (Chisato Moritaka) – ララ サンシャイン
15. 楠瀬誠志郎 (Seishiro Kusunose) – ほっとけないよ
16. 岡村孝子 (Takako Okamura) – 夢をあきらめないで
17. 佐野元春 (Motoharu Sano) – サムデイ

The latest music compilation in Japan from GT Music actually was quite a surprise.

With a lot of compilations primarily focusing on the ’90s and 2000’s, “Power Songs” focuses on the ’80s through the ‘2000s and it’s probably one of the coolest compilations feature a good blend of ’80s and ’90s J-Pop which is actually quite rare to see in Japan.  You either get all ’80s or all ’90s, so to hear TRF’s “survival dAnce ~no no cry more~”, Sharan Q’s 1995 hit “Sora wo Mina yo”, Anzen Chitai frontman Koji Tamaki’s 1996 hit “Denen”, former ’80s idol Chisato Moritaka’s 1996 hit “La La Sunshine” and D-51’s 2005 hit “NO MORE CRY” as modern hits.

But then you then get cool ’80s hits such as Motohiro Sano’s 1981 hit “Someday”, Go Hiromi’s 1984 hit “2å„„4千万の瞳 -エキゾチック・ジャパン-” (which I have always shortened the title to “Exotic Japan”, Misato Watanabe’s 1986 hit “My Revolution”, TM Network’s 1987 hit song “Get Wild”, Takako Okamura’s 1987 hit “Yume wo Akiramenaide”, Princess Princess’ 1989 hit “Diamonds” and many more!

Personally, It’s hard to review compilations because the artists featured are subjective to those listening and whether or not they like the music as you get rock and pop music.

But for me, having reviewed many J-pop compilations, it’s pretty cool when you do get older music from the ’50s -’80s included in newer, modern compilations.  In this case, you do get a few ’80s hits but still, that’s a pretty cool in my book and for those who don’t own any Japanese music hits from the ’80s, then these compilations really are worth getting.

The CD comes with a lyrics booklet for each song with information on the song and the artist.

Overall, this compilation album has something for everyone but will probably appeal mostly to those who appreciate Japanese music hits from the last 35-years.  But if you are left craving for more ’80s music, definitely check out GT Music’s Climax 80’s compilation albums as well!

BUY THIS ALBUM from CDJapan.com: