ROAD OF MAJOR, 175R, Crystal Kay, Otsuka Ai, J , Porno Graffitti, ZZ, Sowelu
Hello!! I've done a bit of re-arranging and organising with the layout/presentation of the contents. There was such a big space next to the CD cover I thought, 'hey, why not make use of it?' so I did, hope it looks clearer this way ^^
Back to the music!~
Two requests were granted along with some new November releases.
AudioScrobbler -Want a song that I've been listening to? Request it!~
Songs not there can also be requested.
Any requests are to be left in your comments, I'll try my best.
Enjoy!!~
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ROAD OF MAJOR [ロードオブメジャー]
Kokoroe [心絵] ~ SNATCH
Single - Kokoroe [心絵]
Style - Rock
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.11.17
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★★★
Official Website
♪ Profile
Road of Major are Kenichi Kitagawa [vocal], Nobumasa Kondo [guitar], Kenichi Matsumoto [bass] and Akikane Uehara [drums]. Aged between 21-24.
All four guys were former members of bands, the formation of ROAD OF MAJOR came to place in the Spring of 2002 as a result of a all Japan new talent search.
Their debut was 'Taisetsu na Mono' [大切なもの] released in 2002, August 28th, a great start for the band, the single shot straight up to 2nd position on it's first appearance in ORICON, this was followed by hitting the number one spot in September.
♪ Notes
After about a year and 3 months Road of Major are finally back with their new release! 'Kokoroe' is their major debut single, after 3 successful hit singles and an album Road of Major are now signed with major record label 'JUNK MUSUEM'.
'Kokoroe' is the theme song for 'NHK Education'.
The sound of Road of Major is still as it was before, alive and rocking, if you liked their past hits such as 'Taisetsu na mono' you're most likely to enjoy 'Kokoroe' too.
175R feat. MCU
ORANGE ~ SNATCH
Single - ORANGE
Style - Rock
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.11.17
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile
175R are CHAN [drums], SHOGO [vocal], ISAKICK [bass] and KAZUYA [guitar].
The band formed in October 1998.
In February 1999 175R began their first band activity, starting off by performing lives in their home town 北九州 'Kitakyushu'. In October of the same year they released their first demo tape '1769~INAROCK~' consisting of 4 tracks and selling at 500円.
Their first single 'From North Nine States' came in June 13th 2001, the single debuted at 43rd position but rose quickly to number 1 within 3 weeks!
175R's achievements have since climbed up at a steady pace.
The band have also performed and collaborated with other indie bands including SHAKKA LABBITS, together they released the single 'STAND BY YOU!!' on July 24th 2002, the single debuted at number 5.
♪ Notes
'ORANGE' is their 6th single, the title track comes from their 2nd album 'MELODY' featuring MCU of 'KICK THE CAN CREW' -responsible for the subtle raps in the song.
'ORANGE' is the CM song for the Nestle confectionary 'Kit-Kat'.
The song seems a little mellow when compared to their previous hit single 'Glory Days', though personally, I prefer ORANGE.
Crystal Kay
Bye My Darling! ~ SNATCH
Single - Bye My Darling!
Style - Pop
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.11.17
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile
Crystal Kay has a mother of South Korean origin and Father of African American. Kuri was bought up in Yokohama, Japan. She graduated from a Japanese American School this year in June.
Debut single 'Eternal Memories' released in July 1999 when she was only 13 years old. Kuri has since released several hit singles with a steady rising popularity. Her 3rd album 'Almost Seventeen' proved to be a breaking success, it ranked at no. 2 on the charts and sold over 400,000 copies.
In January 2003 Crystal Kay collaborated with m-flo releasing the popular hit single 'I LIKE IT'.
In 2003, December 17th, international album 'NATURAL' released, becoming her first all English album.
♪ Notes
Now aged 18 and after 5th anniversary album 'CK5' Crystal Kay is finally back with the long-awaited single 'Bye my darling!' containing three brand new songs.
'Bye my darling' is a new upbeat song written by 'AKIRA', AKIRA has also collaborated with BoA in the past for a few of her remix tracks.
Otsuka Ai [大塚愛]
Sensu [扇子] ~ SNATCH
Album - LOVE JAM
Style - Ballad
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.11.17
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile
Otsuka Ai has been learning the piano since the age of 4, hence naturally it led to the development of a talented young musician, made possible with her continued efforts, commitment and love of music.
Her first single with Avex, 'Momo no hana bira' [桃ノ花ビラ] released in 2003, 10th September, her first major hit was 'Sakuranbo' released in December of the same year. Otsuka Ai's popularity has continued to rise ever since.
♪ Notes
Otsuka Ai's first album 'LOVE PUNCH' released earlier this year on March 31st with high sell records, second album 'LOVE JAM' is already on sell, currently holding number one ranking on ORICON. -Congratulations!~
The album contains the chart topping singles 'Happy Days', 'Daisuke Dayo' and 'Kingyo Hanabi'.
'Sensu', a ballad with a small hint of rock sound, is one of the stronger tracks from the album, showing off another side of Ai.
[Requested]
J [제이]
Sad But True [슬프지만 진실] ~ SNATCH
Album - Vol.5 The Crush of Love
Style - R&B
Language - Korean
Release - 2004.09.23
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★★☆
♪ Notes
'Sad But True' is the title track to J's 5th album 'The Crush of Love', released two years after her 4th album 'Dim The Lights'. 'Sad but True' is a Hip-Hop, R&B song, a slight twist from J's usual style.
J had been taking singing and acting studies in the US to further enhance her talents and skills.
[Requested]
Porno Graffitti
SISTER [シスター] ~ SNATCH
Single - SISTER
Style - Mid-tempo/Folk
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.09.08
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile
Porno Graffitti are Akihito Okano [vocal] and Haruichi Shindo [guitar].
It started off as a band of 3 members who met during high school. After graduation the three formed a band together and in 1995 began performing live on the streets of Osaka.
In September 1999 debut single 'Apollo' [アポロ] finally released sustaining long and high ranking on ORICON.
In December of the same year Porno Graffitti held a sell-out live in Shibuya.
In July 2004 they released two top-selling best albums, 'PORNO GRAFFITTI BEST RED'S' and 'PORNO GRAFFITTI BEST BLUE'S'.
♪ Notes
Their latest new single 'Tasogare Romance' released earlier this month and is the theme song for NTV's J-drama 'ichiban taisetsu na hito ha dare desu ka?' [一番大切な人は誰ですか?].
'SISTER' was their previous single released before 'Tasogare Romance', uploaded because it was requested last week.
ZZ
NOBODY KNOWS ~ SNATCH
Single - NOBODY KNOWS
Style - Rock
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.04.14
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
♪ Profile
ZZ are Kyama, Kohsuke, Sotaro, Erichi and Matsuura, four guys and one female.
Their debut came in year 2000, August 28th with mini album 'Creative Future Crime'.
In 2003 they signed with Avex and releasing 'RHYTHMIST' on April 16th, which also became CDTV's opening theme tune for the month.
ZZ's Sotaro had composed with DA PUMP for their 20th single 'GET ON THE DANCE FLOOR' released on April 1st this year.
ZZ's now have a discography of 15 releases in total, their latest release came on November 17th, a double A-sided single, 'Just Only One/Samurai Crew'. 'Just Only One' is a collaboration piece with successful female DJ, 'DJ KAORI'.
♪ Notes
NOBODY KNOWS is their 13th release, a mini album released this year on April 14th.
I don't think many have heard of ZZ before [?], so if you like FLOW and ORANGE RANGE's music [other than just 'Hana'] then you may want to check this tune out.
Sowelu
Last Forever ~ SNATCH
Just Wanna Splash ~ SNATCH
Single - Last Forever
Style - Ballad/R&B/Pop
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.11.17
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★★★
Official Website
♪ Profile
Sowelu signed with Sony Music in 2001 November 1st.
Before official debut, her song 'across my heart' was featured in the compilation album 'Smooth' along side other popular artists including m-flo, Chemistry, Crystal Kay, Ken Hirai etc.
In 2002 Sowelu was chosen to participate in the Japan, Korea World Cup theme song, 'Let's Get Together Now' with Brown Eyes, Lena Park and Chemistry.
Soon on April 17th of the same year, debut single 'beautiful dreamer' released!
Her 4th single 'Fortune' released on 2003, May 28th and became the opening theme of the month for music chart show CDTV.
First album 'Geofu' released on June 25th, debuted at 5th position on ORICON and sold around 300,000 copies.
♪ Notes
'Last Forever' is the theme song for NTV's J-drama ナースマンがゆく [Nurse Man], 3rd track 'The Rose' is an all English ballad track and TV CM song for NesCafe.
2nd song 'Just Wanna Splash' has a Spanish touch to the beat and melody.
I really can't decide which song to put up, Sowelu does well in both the ballad and the more upbeat track, they're both so different so here's a bonus, two songs from one single for you to sample. Many thanks to the original J_melody for offering the extra web space ^^ <333