Ishida Yuko - Changes (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

August 29, 2008 by Dennis Amith

“Gravure model turned music artist, Ishida Yuko (formerly known as Juan), returns with her second CD single ‘Changes’ and tries to prove that she’s not just your average model with a record contract and that she has what it takes to become an pop star.”

GROUP: Ishida Yuko

CD SINGLE: Changes

LABEL: Rhythm Zone

CATALOG #: RZCD-45941/B

DURATION: 16:01

RELEASE DATE: July 30, 2008

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Changes
darling
Changes (Instrumental)
darling (Instrumental)

DVD: Region 2, 4:3, Duration: 8 minutes

Changes (Music Video)
Changes (Making of Music Video)

It’s really interesting to see the business expansion of rhythm zone and with bringing jazz music to the once known as an urban R&B label. But after promoting gravure model turned music artist Takasugi Satomi as one of their primary female solo artist (along with sexy diva, Koda Kumi and singer/songwriter Sakazume Misako) for the label, the label has brought in another gravure model, Ishida Yuko.

Personally, I’m used to seeing Ishida Yuko more as a lingerie model and even doing a google search on her name alone, you are greeted with a number of photos with her hardly with any clothes on.

So, after her first CD single “Missin’ U” in March, Ishida is back with her second CD single “Changes”.

The pop/rock song written, arranged and music by SUPALOVE duo Maeyamada Kenichi and Fujisawa Yoshiaki features a song about life changes after a breakup and self-reflection of making a change and getting out of a rut and being happy.

The song is catchy as it features an acoustic guitar intro with a strong beat and gradually features a pop/rock feel with it’s electric guitars clanging in the background with a bass drum beat.

The coupling song “darling” is a very cool R&B track produced by Yamaki Ryuichiro (known for his work with DOUBLE). A smooth, freeflowin’ R&B track that actually goes well with her vocals.

The vocals of Ishida Yuko for both tracks is actually done quite well for the song but before I fully praise her, I would like to see more of her performance live.

As for the DVD, the DVD features Ishida Yuko sitting in a tiled room or laying in a black leather couch while singing the song. The music video takes advantage of featuring her sexiness that she’s known for and putting her in outfits which showcases her in sexy poses and overall a sexy video. The second track is a making of the music video and also footage from her photo shoot.

The CD insert booklet features lyrics for the two tracks, production credits and photos of Ishida in a black background. Included is a flyer for Rhythm Zone artist releases for the month of July 2008.

I was very pleased with this CD single. The music, her vocals and in balance with her sexiness worked very well.

Of course, Koda Kumi will be known as the frontrunner for her sexiness for the Rhythm Zone label, while Takasugi Satomi has taken a different approach by going with a pure, girl-next-door image and her music and music videos tend to showcase her as such, with Ishida Yuko, you expect sexy.

For a model that is seen in her bra and panties in many advertisements for various lingerie, you would expect nothing but sexy from this artist and on her music video, from the variety of poses and leg shots, sexy is what is being featured. With more of a smooth R&B style than an in-your-face Koda Kumi style, she definitely fits into the Rhythm Zone musical and image style.

“Changes” is a solid CD single with two very well done songs. Good producer collaborations with good music and Ishida does a good job vocally.

So, with two CD singles under her belt, my eyes are opened to her and her music but I still want to see more. So, we’ll how the third CD single comes out, how well she performs live and continue to see if this model is indeed the real deal.

Check out more of our reviews at J!-ENT’s World Groove

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