ANIME TOONZ VOLUME 4: YUKARI FUKUI - DJ REMIXED ANIME SONGS (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)

“Anime Toonz returns with cover songs by popular voice actress Fukui Yukari (”Kareshi Kanojo no Jijo” (aka His and Her Circumstances), “Gurenn Lagann” and “Gunbuster 2”).  Covers songs are from several well-known anime series and music provided by talents such as Nigel Richards, DJ Sharpnel, dj A.Q. and more!”

ARTIST: Fukui Yukari

ALBUM: ANIME TOONZ VOLUME 4: YUKARI FUKUI - DJ REMIXED ANIME SONGS

LABEL: Fuego Media/jellybean music group

DURATION: 54:15

RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 10, 2008

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. Michinaru Basho e (”Saint October” Ending Theme) - s.o.m. Vocal Remix
2. Lonely in Gorgeous (”Paradise Kiss” Opening Theme) - Nigel Richards Dub
3. Inori You Raise Me Up (”Romeo x Julie” Opening Theme) - DJ Sharpnel Vocal Remix
4. Motteke Sailor Fuku (”Lucky Star” Opening Theme) - dj A.Q. Almight Handsup Sub-Vocal FX Rmx
5. Sorairo Days (”Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann” Opening Theme) - DJ Donna Summer Vocal Remix
6. Houki Boshi (”Bleach” Ending Theme) - Darkhalo Vocal Remix
7. Oshiete (”Heidi, Girl of the Alps” Opening Theme) - Beta vs. catnip Triangle Choke Vocal Remix
8. Onna no ko Otoko no ko (”School Rumble” Ending Theme) - DJ Seoul Vocal Remix
9. Koi no Mikiru Densetsu (”Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” Insert Song) - dj A.Q. AngelicaCore Vocal Remix
10. Doraemon no Uta (”Doraemon” Opening Theme) - Kuriku Vocal Remix
11. Michinaru Basho e (”Saint October Ending Theme) - Proper Villains Vocal Remix
12. Inori You Raise Me Up (”Romeo x Juliet” Opening Theme) - DJ Sharpnel Trancecore Remix

Back in 2002, the first edition of “Anime Toonz” was released. The album featured voice actress Inoue Kikuko (”Ranma 1/2″, “Ah! My Goddess” and many other anime series) and a second release in 2004 with voice actress Kawamura Maria (”Aura Battler Dunbine”, “Slayers” and many other anime series).

Both albums received reviews for those who dislike remixed music and those who support it.

So, a third Anime Toonz album was released but this time featuring Asian American Indie artist Kristine Sa who has received attention for singing covers of anime theme songs. And again, fans were a bit unnerved that the album has ventured away from anime voice actresses but fans of Kristine Sa were happy to have a collection of anime covers by the performer.

Here we are in Aug. 2008 with a new Anime Toonz album and a return to featuring anime voice actress with Fukui Yukari (voice actress for anime such as “Kare Kano”, “Gunbuster 2″, “Gurrenn Lagann” and many others).

The album features 12 tracks from anime such as “Bleach”, “Gurren Lagann”, “Saint October”, “The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi”, “Paradise Kiss” and many others.

When it comes to J-Pop remix albums, I’ve reviewed so many of them in the past 15 years that the best thing can say is that many of them are subjective towards the listener and sometimes how much you enjoy that artist.

I can take a Hamasaki Ayumi, Pizzicato Five, SMAP, m-flo, globe, m.o.v.e or dream remix album and have non-fans and fans listen to it and the results are typically 50/50. Those who enjoy remixes can appreciate a DJ or producer’s ability to take a song and give it a new life and those who cry foul for a desecration of a song or simply, the music is not their cup of tea.

With the latest edition of Anime Toonz, let me first say that I’m a big fan of Yukarin (Fukui Yukari). I enjoy her voice acting performances in many anime and it was interesting to see her transition from gravure model to voice actress to a singer (she made her singing debut in 2007 for the “Saint October” anime series with the ending theme “Michinaru Basho e”).

With that being said, unlike Inoue Kikuo and Kawamura Maria and even Kristine Sa, Yukarin hasn’t really been a singer all that long.

And for seiyuu singers, some like Hayashibara Megumi and Momoi Halko are able to have success with their music. But for some, the otaku are very hardcore when it comes to seiyuu-related music and will support there favorite voice actresses no matter what!

As for remix albums, as mentioned before, part of the musical experience is to hear a remixer take an original song and give it new life.

With the songs featured on “Anime Toonz Volume 4″, I have to admit that I’m not familiar with many of the original songs but there are songs that caught my attention musically.

The second track “Lonely in Gorgeous” (Opening theme from “Paradise Kiss”) features popular Philadelphia-based DJ and producer Nigel Richards (especially known for his record shop 611 Records) creating a whimsical, dreamy dub track.

The third track “Inori You Raise Me Up” (Opening Theme from “Romeo x Juliet) features fan-favorites DJ Sharpnel (Japanese electronic artists Jea and Lemmy) who are known for their happy hardcore, gabber and speedcore style which they infuse with anime sound. All in all, this track was energetic, fun and overall enjoyable. And Sharpnel returns with a transcore remix of the same song in track 12 which was very fast, upbeat and enjoyable as well!

The fourth track “Motteke Sailor Fuku” (Opening theme from “Lucky Star”) is a remix by dj A.Q. For one, dj A.Q. is known for remixing anime and video game songs and known for getting his start with his remixes from the 1998 MTV Music Generator game. And appreciated his music when I found out that his influence was trance DJ System-F (Ferry Corsten). The track is fun, light and energetic.

And again, the same can be said for dj A.Q.’s remix of “Koi no Mikuru Densetsu (”Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” insert song) which A.Q. did a great job on

The sixth track “Houki Boushi” (originally sung by Younha) for the anime BLEACH. Loved the original for it’s rock track and her vocals but Yukarin’s version and Yukarin’s vocals were ok but I really enjoyed Darkhalo’s remix version of this song (3/4 of it). A lighthearted, upbeat version of the song. Although, near the end of the track, it becomes a bit more experimental with sounds and it becomes too pronounced and for me, it took away what I enjoyed of the track.

The eleventh track “Michinaru Basho e” (the second remix version of Yukarin’s Saint October theme song) receives a very cool remix by New York’s Proper Villains. Definitely enjoyed the vibe and energy from their remix.

And as many tracks on the album that I did enjoy, there are songs that are not bad musically but marred by bad singing. “Sorairo Days” from “Gurren Lagann” was an awesome rocking track by Nakagawa Shoko but vocally, Yukarin’s version was just not well done. I’m sure hardcore fans may find it her vocal version cute but it didn’t work for me at all.

Another track is “Onna no Ko Otoko no Ko” (”School Rumble” ending theme) where the vocals were a bit unstable but the music by DJ Seoul were very cool.

When it comes to J-Pop remix albums, I’ve reviewed so many of them in the past 15 years that the best thing can say is that many of them are subjective towards the listener.

Among my fellow Japanese music reviewing colleagues, many of them dislike remix albums. And those who do are primarily more inclined to say that the remixes they have enjoyed are from Hamasaki Ayumi or artists that feature well-known DJ’s.

And again, I can take album remixes from various J-Pop artists and some will enjoy it and some won’t.

As for “Anime Toonz Volume 4″, it’s strength is that it features various talent known for remixing music for various genres. You get dub, happy hardcore, trancecore and more. So, the variety is there.

You have some impressive names on this album such as Nigel Richards, DJ Sharpnel and remix fan-favorite dj A.Q. and also other names known for their music as well.

As for Yukarin’s vocals, some tracks are hit and miss. But again, it’s subjective to the listener and for me, I don’t listen to that much seiyuu music but know that what some may see as vocally not that good, another may see it as cute and adorable.

Remixes are never easy to review but if you are a big fan of Fukui Yukari, fans of the talent who remixed the songs on this album or want to hear different musical interpretations of anime theme songs featured, then definitely check this album out! It’s now available on iTunes.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS ALBUM