The Music Video Pick of the Day goes to the #1 song in Japan right now - Tokio’s “Sei syun”

* DISCLAIMER: Youtube.com videos are courtesy of youtube.com and are not on J!-ENT servers

Nintendo Wii’s continue to be a hard-to-find album for the second straight Holiday season.

A recent article from the Associated Press, “I couldn’t find a single Wii system on the shelves — literally as I was walking into a Wal-Mart at 11 a.m., someone was walking out with the last one,” Fils-Aime said in an interview Tuesday at the company’s new Redwood City office. “Consumers are buying every game we can put into the system.”

“Fils-Aime predicted a new sales record the week before Christmas, despite being “very concerned” about the U.S. economy and the rising price of gasoline. About 40 percent of Wii sales have been in North America and Latin America, while 35 percent were in Asia, primarily Japan, and the rest came from Europe and the Middle East.”

“He dismissed speculation online that the Kyoto, Japan-based company — maker of Pokemon and Super Mario games — is deliberately constraining supply of the $250 console to generate buzz.”

“A shortage benefits no one,” he said. “We’re disappointed. This was all about how we didn’t accurately estimate demand. We need to be more bullish about the potential for the Wii.”

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BAND: KEMURI

ALBUM: BLASTIN’!

LABEL: avex io

CATALOG #: IOCD-20228

DURATION: 44:40

RELEASED ON September 26, 2007

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. Ato-Ichinen
2. birthday
3. the rhythm
4. 白いばら
5. Rainy Saturday
6. On the Street
7. Rules
8. Workin’ Dayz
9. ancient wind
10. 葉月の海
11. Knockin on the Door
12. in the perfect silence
13. 鉛の花
14. P.M.A. (Positive Mental Attitude)
15. five o’clock at night (BLASTIN’ version-)

The ska band from Japan known as KEMURI has been entertaining fans for over a decade and unfortunately, all good things often come to an end and the same with the band.

KEMURI has decided to call it quits and will breakup officially on December 9th.

With their albums going into re-release in Japan, the group released one last studio recorded album on September 26, 2007 titled “BLASTIN!”

I’ve listened to a lot of ska bands for a long time and one thing that made it easier for me to play among friends before a surf session is that the band mostly sings in English. Needless to say, they have a strong fanbase outside of Japan as well.

So, if you are a ska fan, one thing I will say with “BLASTIN’!” is that the majority of the songs are all in English and their songs are positive or P.M.A. (Positive Mental Attitude).

The album features newer tracks and previous released tracks.The first track “Ato-Ichinen” is actually one of the few Japanese only songs on the album that is very distinct. Up-tempo, guitar driven and a song that is just quick and frenetic and fun. The track along with the track “Workin’ Dayz” were originally both offered on the band’s 1997 album “Little Playmante”.

“Workin’ Dayz” is one of those songs that shows a good balance of horns and guitar. The song is one of the few tracks with profanity but is about the typical overworked employee who works 24/7… or in the case of this song, 24/8. About working and not even caring about your wife and child because all you have done is work. One of my favorite all English songs on the album.

A song that sounds very old school Kemuri is “Rainy Saturday” which goes from a simple, normal-tempo and then transitions to a fast paced track and also a reggae-like segment near the end. The song is about a rainy saturday, thinking about someone you love that is distant from you and making it alright.

The ninth track “ancient wind” is originally from their 2000 album “Senka Senrui”.

The 14th track “P.M.A. (Positive Mental Attitude” is somewhat of a song that describes KEMURI’s music. Living with a positive mental attitude and the song along with the 2nd track “birthday” are featured on the band’s “77 Days” album from 1998.

The 15th track “five o’clock at night” features a BLASTIN’ version of the track featured from their album “emotivation” (from Oct. 2001).

All in all, you get a good balance of songs old and new on this album and with fifteen tracks total.

The CD insert comes with lyrics to all songs on the album with a few pictures of the band performing live. Also, interesting is that there are Japanese lyrics for the English songs on this album. The CD packaging is a fold out cardboard piece with the insert booklet going on one end, the CD on the other end.

Many have wondered if ska is dead. Does anyone care for ska anymore? With KEMURI breaking up, is this a signal of times for ska music? Not too sure about if its the end but KEMURI lasting for 12 years in Japan for the kind of music they have done is pretty cool.

The band has managed to accomplish a lot in their career, attracting fans from all over the world and showing that Japan can do ska and do it well.

KEMURI’s “BLASTIN’!” is an album that has a good balance of music from the past-pace guitar driven songs, to songs that feature a good balance between the brass horns and rock that effectively makes awesome ska music that KEMURI is known for.

For fans of KEMURI, again you get a collection of old and new with this album and you can’t go wrong. The album is a fitting end to KEMURI’s succesful twelve years as one of Japan’s awesome ska rock bands.

ARTIST: mink

CD SINGLE: beautiful/One Suitcase [Limited Release]

LABEL: rhythm zone

CATALOG #: RZCD-45267

DURATION: 31:24

Released on October 5, 2005

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. beautiful
2. One Suitcase
3. If
4. Omashinai - yukihiro fukutomi remix
5. beautiful - jazztronik remix
6. beautiful - instrumental

My first fore into the musical world of mink was back in 2006 with her CD single “Hold onto a Dream” and also the soundtrack for “Chisaki Yusha Tachi Gamera Original Soundtrack”.

Since then, I have been eager to get mink’s older material (along with her newer material as well) but was very stoked when I received the limited edition release of mink’s “beautiful/One Suitcase” CD Single.

I’ve been told many times of how beautiful this CD single was and let me just say that I agree.

The CD single features a total of six tracks. The main song “beautiful” is just that. A beautiful CD ballad showcasing mink’s vocals as strings, bass and piano play gently in the background with a beat that makes the song absolutely charming and effectively translates into a breezy, whimsical track.

The song (a theatrical edit version) was used for the live film “Initial D”.

The coupling track “One Suitcase” is a track that features mink’s English vocals. Just to remind everyone that mink (which stands for “made in Korea”), this is the same Korean artist who has done well not just in Japan but also in the US with her International CD single “Glory of Life” which did very well on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Chart.

If there is any artist that has demonstrated that she can take it Internationally is mink because her English pronunciation is spot on, no difficulty, confident and is able to transition back to English and Japanese perfectly.

With “One Suitcase”, definitely a song with Western flair and a very catch tune that is done quite well.

The second coupling track “if…” is another ballad that features a beautiful melody that is just as strong as the main track “beautiful”. A hybrid song that features both Japanese and English lyrics.

The fourth coupling track “omashinai - Yukihiro Fukitomi mix” is definitely a nice collaboration from one of the most well-reknowned figures in jazzy house music. Fukitomi’s spin on “omashinai” is a pleasant surprise addition to this CD single showcasing another breezy, melodic track from mink but a nice rhythm and hypnotic beat remixed by Yukihiro Fukitomi.

The fifth track is also another awesome collaboration as mink collaborates with Nozaka Ryota aka “Jazztronik” known for his nu jazz and jazz house music. Where Yukihiro Fukitomi goes hypnotic, Jazztronik goes with a catchier beat made simple yet vibrant.

The final sixth track is the instrumental version of “beautiful”.

As for the CD insert, the interesting thing about this CD single is that it’s packaged in a 4 x 5 case. The album cover art and interior cover is done by ena (who you can peruse artwork at www.digmeout.net). Underneath where the CD is placed is a CD cutout with the lyrics for “beautiful” and credit listing information for the CD single’s tracks.

Also, a promotional flyer for Rhythm Zone artists who had releases back in October 2005.

I really enjoy mink’s music and I agree with many people that “beautiful/One Suitcase” is one of her best CD single releases if not the best that she has done so far.

The CD single has a great balance of ballads, up-tempo tracks, English and Japanese songs and two remixes that were collaborated with two people are the top jazz house remixers from Japan.

If you are a mink fan, if you happen to spot this CD single…used or new. Definitely check it out!

BAND: Acid Black Cherry

CD SINGLE: Black Cherry

LABEL: motorod

CATALOG #: AVCD-32089/B

DURATION: 8:17

Released on September 26, 2007

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. Black Cherry
2. hatsukoi

DVD: Approx. 16 minutes, 4:3, Region 2

1. Black Cherry
2. Off Shot

I really enjoyed Black Cherry’s debut CD single “SPELL MAGIC” and with their second CD single “Black Cherry” out, was definitely curious to see how the second CD single would turn out.

For those not familiar with Acid Black Cherry, the band features JANNE DA ARC lead vocalist Yasu and a collaboration with different musicians.

For “Black Cherry”, Acid Black Cherry’s Yasu collaborated with musicians YUKI (of DUSTAR-3), SHUSE, Kozo Suganuma and female brass group Pistol Valve.

“Black Cherry” features an almost rockabilly style that is very reminiscent of Stray Cats and even old school Adam Ant. The song is actually very cool and with the bass line and horns, it’s definitely something different. Although, not as J-Rock frenetic as the guitar-laden “SPELL MAGIC”, “Black Cherry” is pretty cool.

The coupling track similar to the last CD single “Hatsukoi” features something totally different as the main track. For this CD single, “Hatsukoi” is a beautiful acoustic ballad which is a cover of a popular 1983 song by Murashita Kozo.

The actual interesting part of the single is the DVD. For the DVD version, “Black Cherry” features Yasu and the his band members in a gangster like setting (reminiscent of the 1920-30’s gangster films but in modern times) in a club, up to mischief, while on stage features Yasu as a woman (yes, Yasu cross dresses).

The music video is quite fun featuring Yasu and band members in various outfits such as the gangsters, computer nerds and playing in the band (which Pistol Valve can be seen playing as well).

The Off Shot track features Yasu cross dressing for the CD single cover and the promotional video and the band having to dress up in various outfits. Very humorous and enjoyable to watch.

The CD insert features the lyrics and credits and a flyer promoting the live and backstage concert for November 2007.

I am really enjoying the music from Acid Black Cherry. The second CD single is totally different from the first. I know some people may prefer the J-Rock first CD single of “SPELL MAGIC” but I get a feeling that perhaps that Acid Black Cherry is definitely a musical project which Yasu can go into doing different things and not be compared to his JANNE DA ARC music.

And so far, with two CD singles and four songs, he manages to do something different in all four songs and succeeds.

Acid Black Cherry’s latest CD single “Aishtenai” is currently out this week and I look forward to that CD single coming up.

Definitely another awesome CD single with a very cool DVD to accompany it. Check it out!

ARTIST: Various

ALBUM TITLE: SAIYUKI - Original Soundtrack

LABEL: Rhythm Zone

CATALOG #: RZCD-45663

DURATION: 1:13:13

Released on August 1, 2007

21 tracks with 19 of the songs being instrumental tracks by Takebe Satoshi and two vocal tracks. Track 20 is “Tabibito” by Takasugi Satomi and the final track “Around the World - movie ver.- by MONKEY MAJIK.

The following review is for the soundtrack for the film “Saiyuki” starring SMAP’s Katori Shingo.

Back in 2006, Katori Shingo, Fukatsu Eri and a few others did a drama on FUJI TV based on the character of “Saiyuki” (or Monkey King) that was not exactly based on the Chinese book. It was more of a humorous take on the adventures of the monkey king and of course, was very different for the story and was to be taken light heartedly.

Thus the film came out continuing those adventures and the soundtrack was released.

Interesting enough, the soundtrack does feature vocal tracks. For those who have purchased a drama or film soundtrack in Japan, you typically get an instrumental version of the vocal track or some weird remix.

All in all, you get 21 tracks featuring instrumentals by Takebe Satoshi which range from lighthearted, traditional Japanese music. Some that may sound new world type of music but the majority that utilize traditional Japanese instruments. There are some that feature scores that are serious and dramatic and overall, for the music featured in the soundtrack, you get a good balance of music on the soundtrack.

As for the vocal tracks, you get “Tabibito” by singer and gravure model Takasugi Satomi which features a pop song utilizing a blend of Chinese and Japanese instruments. The song is actually quite good and having never heard of Takasugi’s vocals but knowing she was a gravure model, I wasn’t expecting too much. But for this track, well sung.

And of course, the popular song on the soundtrack features MONKEY MAJIK’s “Around the World - movie ver.-” Which happens to be a song that help catapult the band to its current popularity and an awesome all English song nevertheless.

The CD insert features tracklist, no lyrics for the songs and just cast information for the film.

Personally, I wish I can go into depth of how the music and the film work great together but having never seen the film, it makes it a bit difficult in that aspect.

But listening to the overall soundtrack, the film’s score is actually pretty good. You get a good balance of a well-scored instrumental tracks that sound adventure driven and something from a big budget film to tracks that combine traditional Japanese and Chinese instruments and then give it a more modern spin.

“Tabibito” by Takasugi Satomi is actually very cool and MONKEY MAJIK’s “Around the World” is one of my favorite songs from the band, so it was nice and a surprise to hear that track on this soundtrack.

If you enjoyed the film and its music, this soundtrack is definitely for you!

So, which artist or band came out on top of the new releases on the Oricon Daily Charts on Wednesday? Let’s see…

NOTE: Johnny’s takes the #1 spot again on CD singles with TOKIO at #1, the AIDS Charity Project takes #2 and Acid Black Cherry with another strong showing at #3.  Last week’s #1, KAT-TUN drops to #8.

1. TOKIO - SEI SYuN
2. AIDS Charity Project - RED RIBBON Spiritual Song
3. Acid Black Cherry - Aishitenai
4. ERIKA - Destination Nowhere
5. mihimaru GT - I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY/Ai koto ba
6. Kuraki Mai - Silent love~open my heart~/BE WITH U
7. Berryz Kubou - Tsukiattieru noni kataomoi
8. KAT-TUN - Keep the faith
9. Ketsumeishi - Sei na Yoru ni
10. KOH+ - Kiss shite

Who took the #1 spot in Japan for top album for new releases on the Oricon Charts?  Let’s check and see….

NOTE:  Oda Kazumasa takes the #1 spot with the second of his best albums released.  His part 1 is at #9.  Good showing for RIP SLYME and WaT and L’Arc~en~Ciel drops to #4 from last week’s #1 spot.

1. Oda Kazumasa - Jiko Best - 2
2. RIP SLYME - FUNFAIR
3. WaT - WaT Collection
4. L’Arc~en~Ciel - KISS
5. Gospellers - The Gospellers Works
6. alice nine - Alpha
7. Aqua Timez - Dareka no Chijoe
8. MINMI - THE LOVE SONG COLLECTION 2006-2007
9. Oda Kazumasa - Jiko Best
10. Beyonce - B’Day~ The Beyonce Experience Live

Actress/model Yamaguchi Tomoko joined Nicole Kidman (40) at “The Golden Compass” premiere in London. Yamaguchi told reporters that Nicole Kidman was one of her favorite actresses.

Yamaguchi Tomoko provides the Japanese dub voice for Kidman’s character and was joined by fellow Japanese actresses Nishivchi Mariya and Niko Narumi at the premiere.

The voice work for the film was Yamaguchi’s second time as a voice actress.

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Image courtesy of Sankei Sports

Nintendo DS Passes Game Boy Advance Sales Record, Wii Becomes Must-Have Gift

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 27, 2007 - In the first week of the 2007 holiday shopping season, Nintendo of America has sold more Nintendo products than at any other time in its history. This includes more than 653,000 Nintendo DS™ portable video game systems, 350,000 Wii™ home systems and millions of games and accessories throughout the United States - and the season is just getting started.

Nintendo DS set a new all-time sales record for Thanksgiving week, eclipsing the previous mark of 600,000 Game Boy® Advance systems sold during the same period in the United States in 2005. Nintendo DS remains on track to be the top-selling video game system of 2007.

Nintendo’s 350,000 Wii systems represent the highest one-week U.S. sales total outside of its launch week one year ago. Wii has been dubbed the must-have gift of the 2007 holiday season and has been placed at the top of numerous gift lists. Nintendo has repeatedly increased its shipments and its fiscal-year sales forecast for Wii in an attempt to meet soaring demand. Wii reached 5 million sold in the United States faster than any video game system in history, after only 12 months of availability there.

Both Wii and Nintendo DS have continued their yearlong momentum into the holidays without altering their prices. And both remain attractive values for shoppers: Wii has an MSRP of $249.99, while Nintendo DS has an MSRP of $129.99.

“As shoppers look for ways to maximize their limited holiday spending money, they turn to gifts that can be used by the entire family,” says George Harrison, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. “Wii and Nintendo DS offer something for every member of the family. They’re the most fun video game experiences at the most affordable price.”

With higher gas prices and fuel costs, and the lukewarm expectations for the 2007 holiday shopping season, Wii and Nintendo DS might be just what Santa ordered: Thirty-five percent of consumers said they plan to spend less than they did last year, according to a survey conducted by Opinion Research Corp. for the Consumer Federation of America and the Credit Union National Association. Similarly, a USA Today/Gallup Poll showed that 25 percent of Americans expect to spend less on gifts this year than they did in 2006.

Note that the internal Nintendo of America numbers referenced in this release represent sales from Sunday, Nov. 18, through Saturday, Nov. 24.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

The worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™, Nintendo DS™, Game Boy® Advance and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. Since 1983, Nintendo has sold nearly 2.5 billion video games and more than 430 million hardware units globally, and has created industry icons like Mario™, Donkey Kong®, Metroid®, Zelda™ and Pokémon®. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, visit the company’s Web site at www.nintendo.com.