[MUSIC REVIEW] Cheers ~Undokai Songs~

Every year in Japan, schools hold an “undokai” (school sports event) which is typically held in September (May in some schools).

For many of you who have probably seen this on Japanese television show or perhaps an anime may have seen this before.

Whereas in the US which has its annual field day where individuals compete typically for a ribbon and showcase the athletes in grade school, Japan makes it a group effort and groups compete with other groups in racing, tug-of-war and

other related sporting events.

Also, unlike the US where parents don’t watch their kids perform at Field Day (come to think of it, we have grown up thinking of Field Day as a great day of not having to do homework and getting free ice cream) but in Japan, it’s a serious event where family tend to watch their children/siblings participate in the sports activities.

Several record labels have partaken in releasing music compilations for “undokai” and being offered by Avex Trax is “Cheers ~undokai songs~” featuring artists from Dept. 4 (an A&R division of Avex Entertainment, Inc. representing artists featured on this compilation).

There are two versions of this compilation with one containing 12 tracks and an another which is 2-CD’s (AVCD-23081) featuring the instrumental versions of the twelve songs.

The version I am reviewing is the single CD version.

Although this compilation is educational, the price for this compilation is around Y1,886 (a little over $15 US).

It makes this CD a great purchase to obtain songs that were released that same year such as Otsuka Ai’s “Frienger”, AAA’s “Hurricane Lilly, Boston Mari”, misono’s “VS” and many more.

There are some songs that are interesting choices to be featured on this album such as the classic TRF song “EZ DO DANCE” (the only 90’s song from Avex on this compilation) and Tokyo Purin’s “Jitensya nandayo jinsei ha” (2000) and you also get a chance to sample artists that you may never had heard before.

There is a good balance of music from pop and rock and each artist featured on this compilation are diverse in the type of music offered on this album.

As for contents, the album’s booklet comes with the lyrics for each song.

Of course, it would have been nice to see a DVD of the music videos of each song but this compilation is being marketed as educational and for such a low price.

So, if you want to learn more about Avex Entertainment, Inc. music artists, you may want to also check out “a-nation `06 Best-Hit Selection” which does come with a DVD featuring many music videos for the majority of the tracks on the album.

All in all, you really can’t go wrong if you buy this compilation. You get a total of 12 songs for a great price and there is a really good balance of songs featured.

A cool compilation for a great price! Check it out.

— DENNIS A. AMITH

Catalog #: AVCD-23083 (single CD version)/ AVCD-23081 (2-CD version) | Dur. 49:30
Release date: September 19, 2006

1. Otsuka Ai - Frienger (2006)
2. Do As Infinity - Honjitsu wa seiten nari
(2003)
3. AAA - Hurricane Lilly, Boston Mari (2006)
4. BoA - Shine We Are! (2003)
5. SweetS - Earthship - Uchusen Chikyugo
(2005)
6. Tokyo Purin - Jitensya Nandayo jinsei ha
(2000)
7. ZZ - Samurai Blue (2006)
8. Ricken’s - Hungry mind (2006)
9. misono - VS (2006)
10. siflow - LOVE & PEACE (2006)
11. Suzuki Ami - Delifghtful (2005)
12. TRF - EZ DO DANCE (1993)