[MUSIC REVIEW] mink - “Innocent Blue ~Chi hate umi tsukiru made” CD+DVD Version

The blue wolf has been unleashed and the film “Aoki Ookami” will be in theaters in Japan on March 3rd.

The epic Japanese/Mongol film which stars Sorichmachi Takashi and Korean CM queen Ara and many, many others about the life of legendary ruler (or conqueror), Genghis Khan.

Singing the theme song for this epic film is rhythm zone recording artist mink (which stands for “Made IN Korea”).

Released on New Year’s Day, the CD single “Innocent Blue ~Chi hate umi tsukiru made” features a beautiful slow ballad that continues to showcase mink’s vocal talents.

The CD single comes with a total of three ballads and three instrumental versions of those tracks.

The second track is “Aoki Ookami”, a mid-tempo ballad and like most her CD single releases, an all-English song is included. For this CD single, the third track in English is “BLESSING OF LOVE”.

For many people, this may be their first time discovering mink but this artist’s career has continued to blossom on the Amazon and iTunes music charts.

In April 2006, mink’s “Glory of Life” which was released in the US reached the #1 position on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play.

Her first concept album “Prologue” (RZCD-45228, released on Aug. 3, 2005) featuring covers of hits by Extreme, the EAGLES, DREAMS COME TRUE and Stevie Wonder debuted at #3 on Amazon Japan’s music chart and her CD singlereached to #2 on iTunes Japan.

Her second concept album “e+motion” (RZCD-45314, released on Dec. 7, 2005) debuted at #1 on the iTunes Music Store pop chart in Japan.

Her music has also been featured on several films and soundtracks.

Her last movie song “Eternal Love (Remix Version) was used for the film “Chisaki Yusha Tachi GAMERA” (RZCD-45342, released on April 19, 2006), “Beautiful” was used in the live film version of “Initial D” and in December of 2006, her song “Here by my side (original version)” was used as the theme for the 3D anime short “Joe and Marilyn” for the anime anthology “Amazing Nuts!” and featured in the soundtrack.

The singer who grew up listening to Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston has been attracting fans to her music and has recently been in the headlines promoting the film “Aoki Ookami”, performing the theme song “Innocent Blue~Chi hate umi tsukiru made~” on a number of music shows.

So, far I have enjoyed Mink’s music and to be perfectly honest, I have grown enamored with her ballads.

Having listened to her previous CD singles, her song “Here by my side” won me over and this CD single continues my enjoyment of her music.

For Avex, who has many women in their roster who are known for their R&B, Eurobeat or rock music, Mink has a way of standing out positively as a unique female vocalist.

Not only is she Korean woman who can sing Japanese and English (perfectly) but she’s managed to attract the attention of J-POP and non-J-POP fans.

As for the DVD in the CD/DVD version, the music video for “innocent blue” stars “Aoki Ookami” actress (Korean commercial queen) Ara and features both women in lush, beautiful backgrounds. Beautiful song and a beautiful music video.

Also, the two trailers for the film “Aoki Ookami” is included on the DVD.

A solid single that I would love to see an orchestra-based version someday but all in all, I’m quite content with it. So, check it out!

Also, an FYI that on Feb. 28th, mink will release her first full-length album “Shalom” which will feature “innocent blue ~Chi hate umi tsukiru made” and many of her previous hits.

— DENNIS A. AMITH

Catalog #: RZCD-45483/B | Dur. 29:14
Release date: January 1, 2007

For audio samples of this CD single, visit mu-mo 

1. Innocent Blue ~Chi Hate Umi Tsukiru
Made
2. Aoki Ookami
3. BLESSING OF LOVE
4. Innocent Blue ~Chi Hate Umi Tsukiru
Made (instrumental)
5. Aoki Ookami (instrumental)
6. BLESSING OF LOVE (instrumental)

DVD:
8 minutes, Region 2, 4:3

1. Innocent Blue ~Chi Hate Umi Tsukiru
Made~ Video Clip
2. Aoki Ookami Trailer 1
3. Aoki Ookami Trailer 2

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