Yoshika, TiA, DBSK, Love Psychedelico, Retro G-Style, SUITE CHIC, Yamamoto Ryohei
Hey all!! ^_^
The end of the year sees a lack of new releases until January.
This weeks selections are therefore either personal choices or requests along with a few new singles.
EDIT for next week.
Mainly because of personal conflicts at this busy Holiday time, this update will be left up until New Years eve instead of Christmas eve.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Enjoy the music!☆~
≫ Right click on files and choose 'save target as' to download.
≫ Do Not Hotlink.
≫ Rotated Weekly (Saturday/Sunday)
≫ Please leave a comment regardless of how many songs you take. I do read every one of them.
≫ Support the musicians - Yes Asia | CD Japan | Amazon Japan | HMV Japan
YOSHIKA
『 Straight Ahead 』 ~ SNATCH
『 My love is all about U 』 ~ SNATCH
Album - STRAIGHT AHEAD
Style - R&B
Language - English (*Japanese language artist)
Release - 2003.11.23
Quality - 128Kbps
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile//
Yoshika is a new R&B artist who is most well known for her colaboration with the rapper m-flo on the song 'let go', earlier this year.
In her own light, she released her debut album in November 2003, and the debut single 'Straight Ahead' some month previous.
Although she is a native Japanese speaker, twenty-year-old Yoshika's entire debut album was recorded in English, partially due to that fact that she lived in Canada for some time, becoming influenced by Western language and music.
♪ Notes//
Yoshika has always been somebody who I was curious over after her m-flo collaberation, so when I saw the opotunity to sample her album I was quite suprised at how very American sounding it was.
Although it's nothing different from what somebody like Ashanti could do, Yoshika's English language album has a really nice vibe.
I've chosen what I felt are the best songs to showcase.
吳克群 [Wu Ke Qun/Ko Chun]
『 學不會 [Never learn] 』 ~ SNATCH
Album - Wu Ko Chun First Creative Album
Style - Rock, Ballad
Language - Mandarin
Release - 2004.12.01
Quality - 128Kbps
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile//
Wu Ke Qun is a little known Taiwanese singer/actor.
He is most recognisable as his role in the drama 「Mi Tao Nu Hai」( a live action version of Ueda Miwa's famous manga Peach Girl) as Dong Si (Toji).
He has currently released a totally of two albums at the age of twenty.
♪ Notes//
Wu Ke Qun is actually someone who I have a personal interest in after watching him in 'Peach Girl'.
I absolutely loved his debut album Tomorrow (something really hard to get hold of) which was released in 2001.
I was really suprised and excited to learn he had a new album out this year that they actally stocked on YesAsia. xD
Wu Ke Qun's second effort is a lot rockier than what he did with 'Tomorrow'. I chose a ballad anyway.
동방신기 [Dong Bang Shin Ki]
『 First Noel 』 ~ SNATCH
Album - Christmas Gift From Dong Bang Shin Ki
Style - Festive, Traditional
Language - Korean
Release - 2004.12.09
Quality - 192Kbps
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile//
DBSK (TVfXQ) - Hero-Jaejung, U-Know-Yoonho, Micky-Yoochun, Xiah-Junsoo, Max-Changmin, are an all-boy group who took Korea's music industry by storm with their debut in March 2004.
With the help of their harmonious accapellas and good looks, they have fast become a huge name in Asian pop and have recently made their cross-over to Japanese.
The boys are also learning Chinese with the encouragment of their management group SM Town, in the hope that DBSK will grow further in popularity outside Korea.
♪ Notes//
This song comes from DBSKs new Christmas album of course.
I chose this song becuase it's one of my favorite traditional Christmas numbers, and I think the boys do a really good job at it.
Interesting as always to listen to something you know in another language.
TiA
『 ねがい [negai] 』 ~ SNATCH
Album - Humming
Style - Ballad
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.11.17
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile//
TiA debuted in June 2004 with the single 「Every timel and the follow up, 「流星l (Ryusei) was used as the ending theme for the popular anime 'Naruto'.
Her album 'Humming' was released in December 2004.
♪ Notes//
People often disagree with me on this, but I am strongly reminded of some older MISIA when I listen to TiA. This song even makes me think of the song 「飛び方を忘れた小さな鳥l MISIA did on 'Kiss in the Sky'.
Anyway, I think TiA is great and full of potential. She is only eighteen right now and has already impressed.
the title translates to mean 'request'.
Love Psychedelico
『 fantastic world 』 ~ SNATCH
Single - fantastic world
Style - Rock
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.12.08
Quality - 128Kbps
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile//
Love Psychedelico were formed in 1997 at the Aoyama Gakuin University, consisting of vocalist Kumi and guitarist Sato Naoki.
The band stands out with Kumi's individual singing style, an impressive mix of Japanese and fluent English that veers between an American and British accent.
Love Psychedelico's music is heavily based on psychedelic '60s music.
♪ Notes//
This is the 9th single from Love Psychedelico.
I rarely listen to rock but I found this to be a really good song.
It's true that their music has a '60s feel about it, which is quite refreshing to hear.
Retro G-Style
『 Pieces 』 ~ SNATCH
Album - P.O.P
Style - Pop, Rap
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.01.07
Quality - 192Kbps
Rating - ★★★★★
Official Website
♪ Profile//
Rerto G-Stle consists of the three members Masaya, DJ Sega and Igor.
Masaya started learning to play the guitar in childhood and formed a band after leaving school.
Interestingy, Igor's original dream was to play soccer internationally, but was forced to give it up after being permenantly wounded.
Their first single 「アイノコトバ～words of love～」 did pretty well on the oricon and the group grew in popularity from there on.
♪ Notes//
Yes this is the exact song that w-inds. released only a few months later.
What's rather funny is, if you look at the review on YesAsia, nobdy has commented for Retro G-Style, yet w-inds. are being praised for this song even though it was originally Reto G-Style's. xD
Anyway, I really like the song 'Pieces' so to hear it sung by someone else besides w-inds. was really cool.
Thanks to my friend who introduced me to this version. =D
市井由衣 [Ichikawa Yui]
『 fu fu fu boyfriend 』 ~SNATCH
Album- i-pop mini
Style - Pop
Language - Japanese
Release - 2005.01.01
Quality - 192Kbps
Rating - ★★★★★
Official Website
♪ Profile//
Ichikawa Yui is an actress/model turned singer.
At nearly nineteen, she has featured in many big name productions, such as the movie 'JU-ON', recently made into an American film, 'The Grudge'.
She suprised her fans in November 2003 with her break into Jpop.
Her debut single 'Ame' was a cover of Moritaka Chisato's, and critics praised her ability in the recording studio as well as on camera.
♪ Notes//
This is such a happy upbeat song that I would recommend to anyone.
Yui has a really cute style a little like Hinoi Asuka or somebody.
I love the beat and the lyrics are adorable.
山本領平 [Yamamoto Ryohei]
『 Why Not Darling? 』 ~ SNATCH
Album - Take Over
Style - Pop, R&B
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.09.23
Quality - 192Kbps
Rating - ★★★★★
Official Website
♪ Profile//
Yamamoto Ryohei is a young singer who has collaberated with big name artists such as m-flo and Heartsdales.
His debut album, 'Take Over' was released in September after a string of small hits, starting with his debut single 'Almost there'.
♪ Notes//
This was actually the B track to the single 'Almost There' and is probably my favorite song of Ryohei's.
Its got a really interesting beat to it.
Anyway, hope you enjoy. =D
阿爆＆Brandy [Ah Bao & Brandy]
『 告白 [Public statement] 』 ~ SNATCH
Album - First Album
Style - R&B
Language - Mandarin
Release - 2000.12.15
Quality - 192Kbps
Rating - ★★★★★
Official Website
♪ Profile//
Ah Bao & Brandy are an R&B/rap duo. They fisrt made their debut in May 2003 and suprised everyone by winning an award for best singing group ahead of favorites S.H.E, Energy, Bad and Tension at the 15th Golden Melody Awards in Taiwan.
♪ Notes//
I've been so badly wanting to post an Ah Bao & Brandy song since I heard them about four months ago.
If you like Heartsdales then you will like these girls. I bought there album not too long back and am really glad I did.
This song was the first of their's I heard that caught my attention.
SUITE CHIC
『 baby be mine 』 ~ SNATCH
『 What's on your mind ft. XBS 』 ~ SNATCH
Album - WHEN POP HITS THE FAN
Style - R&B/Hip Hop
Language - Japanese
Release - 2003.05.02
Quality - 192Kbps
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile//
SUITE CHIC was a project formed in 2003 by a number of J-R&B singers who came together to do numerous collabs for a one time album. At the forefront of this project was super singing sensation Amuro Namie.
♪ Notes//
Somebody requested SUITE CHIC a while ago, so I finally got around to uploading it. ^_^
Choosing one of the songs from the album proved to be difficult as I think 'When Pop Hits the Fan' is a really good cd.
I finally settled with 'baby be mine' which is simply a pretty upbeat song.
Then, as I really couldn't choose, I also posted 'What's on your mind' which has more of a hip-hop vibe and is a lot harder sounding.
Hopefully these two songs should give you an idea of what the whole album is like.
The end of the year sees a lack of new releases until January.
This weeks selections are therefore either personal choices or requests along with a few new singles.
EDIT for next week.
Mainly because of personal conflicts at this busy Holiday time, this update will be left up until New Years eve instead of Christmas eve.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Enjoy the music!☆~
≫ Right click on files and choose 'save target as' to download.
≫ Do Not Hotlink.
≫ Rotated Weekly (Saturday/Sunday)
≫ Please leave a comment regardless of how many songs you take. I do read every one of them.
≫ Support the musicians - Yes Asia | CD Japan | Amazon Japan | HMV Japan
YOSHIKA
『 Straight Ahead 』 ~ SNATCH
『 My love is all about U 』 ~ SNATCH
Album - STRAIGHT AHEAD
Style - R&B
Language - English (*Japanese language artist)
Release - 2003.11.23
Quality - 128Kbps
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile//
Yoshika is a new R&B artist who is most well known for her colaboration with the rapper m-flo on the song 'let go', earlier this year.
In her own light, she released her debut album in November 2003, and the debut single 'Straight Ahead' some month previous.
Although she is a native Japanese speaker, twenty-year-old Yoshika's entire debut album was recorded in English, partially due to that fact that she lived in Canada for some time, becoming influenced by Western language and music.
♪ Notes//
Yoshika has always been somebody who I was curious over after her m-flo collaberation, so when I saw the opotunity to sample her album I was quite suprised at how very American sounding it was.
Although it's nothing different from what somebody like Ashanti could do, Yoshika's English language album has a really nice vibe.
I've chosen what I felt are the best songs to showcase.
吳克群 [Wu Ke Qun/Ko Chun]
『 學不會 [Never learn] 』 ~ SNATCH
Album - Wu Ko Chun First Creative Album
Style - Rock, Ballad
Language - Mandarin
Release - 2004.12.01
Quality - 128Kbps
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile//
Wu Ke Qun is a little known Taiwanese singer/actor.
He is most recognisable as his role in the drama 「Mi Tao Nu Hai」( a live action version of Ueda Miwa's famous manga Peach Girl) as Dong Si (Toji).
He has currently released a totally of two albums at the age of twenty.
♪ Notes//
Wu Ke Qun is actually someone who I have a personal interest in after watching him in 'Peach Girl'.
I absolutely loved his debut album Tomorrow (something really hard to get hold of) which was released in 2001.
I was really suprised and excited to learn he had a new album out this year that they actally stocked on YesAsia. xD
Wu Ke Qun's second effort is a lot rockier than what he did with 'Tomorrow'. I chose a ballad anyway.
동방신기 [Dong Bang Shin Ki]
『 First Noel 』 ~ SNATCH
Album - Christmas Gift From Dong Bang Shin Ki
Style - Festive, Traditional
Language - Korean
Release - 2004.12.09
Quality - 192Kbps
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile//
DBSK (TVfXQ) - Hero-Jaejung, U-Know-Yoonho, Micky-Yoochun, Xiah-Junsoo, Max-Changmin, are an all-boy group who took Korea's music industry by storm with their debut in March 2004.
With the help of their harmonious accapellas and good looks, they have fast become a huge name in Asian pop and have recently made their cross-over to Japanese.
The boys are also learning Chinese with the encouragment of their management group SM Town, in the hope that DBSK will grow further in popularity outside Korea.
♪ Notes//
This song comes from DBSKs new Christmas album of course.
I chose this song becuase it's one of my favorite traditional Christmas numbers, and I think the boys do a really good job at it.
Interesting as always to listen to something you know in another language.
TiA
『 ねがい [negai] 』 ~ SNATCH
Album - Humming
Style - Ballad
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.11.17
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile//
TiA debuted in June 2004 with the single 「Every timel and the follow up, 「流星l (Ryusei) was used as the ending theme for the popular anime 'Naruto'.
Her album 'Humming' was released in December 2004.
♪ Notes//
People often disagree with me on this, but I am strongly reminded of some older MISIA when I listen to TiA. This song even makes me think of the song 「飛び方を忘れた小さな鳥l MISIA did on 'Kiss in the Sky'.
Anyway, I think TiA is great and full of potential. She is only eighteen right now and has already impressed.
the title translates to mean 'request'.
Love Psychedelico
『 fantastic world 』 ~ SNATCH
Single - fantastic world
Style - Rock
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.12.08
Quality - 128Kbps
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile//
Love Psychedelico were formed in 1997 at the Aoyama Gakuin University, consisting of vocalist Kumi and guitarist Sato Naoki.
The band stands out with Kumi's individual singing style, an impressive mix of Japanese and fluent English that veers between an American and British accent.
Love Psychedelico's music is heavily based on psychedelic '60s music.
♪ Notes//
This is the 9th single from Love Psychedelico.
I rarely listen to rock but I found this to be a really good song.
It's true that their music has a '60s feel about it, which is quite refreshing to hear.
Retro G-Style
『 Pieces 』 ~ SNATCH
Album - P.O.P
Style - Pop, Rap
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.01.07
Quality - 192Kbps
Rating - ★★★★★
Official Website
♪ Profile//
Rerto G-Stle consists of the three members Masaya, DJ Sega and Igor.
Masaya started learning to play the guitar in childhood and formed a band after leaving school.
Interestingy, Igor's original dream was to play soccer internationally, but was forced to give it up after being permenantly wounded.
Their first single 「アイノコトバ～words of love～」 did pretty well on the oricon and the group grew in popularity from there on.
♪ Notes//
Yes this is the exact song that w-inds. released only a few months later.
What's rather funny is, if you look at the review on YesAsia, nobdy has commented for Retro G-Style, yet w-inds. are being praised for this song even though it was originally Reto G-Style's. xD
Anyway, I really like the song 'Pieces' so to hear it sung by someone else besides w-inds. was really cool.
Thanks to my friend who introduced me to this version. =D
市井由衣 [Ichikawa Yui]
『 fu fu fu boyfriend 』 ~SNATCH
Album- i-pop mini
Style - Pop
Language - Japanese
Release - 2005.01.01
Quality - 192Kbps
Rating - ★★★★★
Official Website
♪ Profile//
Ichikawa Yui is an actress/model turned singer.
At nearly nineteen, she has featured in many big name productions, such as the movie 'JU-ON', recently made into an American film, 'The Grudge'.
She suprised her fans in November 2003 with her break into Jpop.
Her debut single 'Ame' was a cover of Moritaka Chisato's, and critics praised her ability in the recording studio as well as on camera.
♪ Notes//
This is such a happy upbeat song that I would recommend to anyone.
Yui has a really cute style a little like Hinoi Asuka or somebody.
I love the beat and the lyrics are adorable.
山本領平 [Yamamoto Ryohei]
『 Why Not Darling? 』 ~ SNATCH
Album - Take Over
Style - Pop, R&B
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.09.23
Quality - 192Kbps
Rating - ★★★★★
Official Website
♪ Profile//
Yamamoto Ryohei is a young singer who has collaberated with big name artists such as m-flo and Heartsdales.
His debut album, 'Take Over' was released in September after a string of small hits, starting with his debut single 'Almost there'.
♪ Notes//
This was actually the B track to the single 'Almost There' and is probably my favorite song of Ryohei's.
Its got a really interesting beat to it.
Anyway, hope you enjoy. =D
阿爆＆Brandy [Ah Bao & Brandy]
『 告白 [Public statement] 』 ~ SNATCH
Album - First Album
Style - R&B
Language - Mandarin
Release - 2000.12.15
Quality - 192Kbps
Rating - ★★★★★
Official Website
♪ Profile//
Ah Bao & Brandy are an R&B/rap duo. They fisrt made their debut in May 2003 and suprised everyone by winning an award for best singing group ahead of favorites S.H.E, Energy, Bad and Tension at the 15th Golden Melody Awards in Taiwan.
♪ Notes//
I've been so badly wanting to post an Ah Bao & Brandy song since I heard them about four months ago.
If you like Heartsdales then you will like these girls. I bought there album not too long back and am really glad I did.
This song was the first of their's I heard that caught my attention.
SUITE CHIC
『 baby be mine 』 ~ SNATCH
『 What's on your mind ft. XBS 』 ~ SNATCH
Album - WHEN POP HITS THE FAN
Style - R&B/Hip Hop
Language - Japanese
Release - 2003.05.02
Quality - 192Kbps
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile//
SUITE CHIC was a project formed in 2003 by a number of J-R&B singers who came together to do numerous collabs for a one time album. At the forefront of this project was super singing sensation Amuro Namie.
♪ Notes//
Somebody requested SUITE CHIC a while ago, so I finally got around to uploading it. ^_^
Choosing one of the songs from the album proved to be difficult as I think 'When Pop Hits the Fan' is a really good cd.
I finally settled with 'baby be mine' which is simply a pretty upbeat song.
Then, as I really couldn't choose, I also posted 'What's on your mind' which has more of a hip-hop vibe and is a lot harder sounding.
Hopefully these two songs should give you an idea of what the whole album is like.