[YesAsia] March~April 2008
SUPPORT YOUR FAVE ARTISTS!
MARCH~APRIL 2008
CHINESE
Nicholas Teo - From Now On (New + Best Selection) (2CD+DVD)
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Nicholas Teo's career is steadily moving upwards with seemingly no obstacles to stop him. Fans were pleased with his performance as an actor next to Cyndi Wang in the Taiwanese TV comedy Smiling Pasta. Also, he impressed his supporters with last year's album Prince, which included Smiling Pasta's hit theme song Tears of Polestar. From Now On sees the always smiling artist return to the music scene with twenty of his best-loved songs. Three new songs including the theme song "New Song Attempt" for Nicholas' latest concert tour in Taiwan have also been included on this double CD plus DVD release.
Sandy Lam - Sandy Concert Live 2007 Karaoke (3DVD) (Limited Edition)
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This limited edition comes with a bonus disc including a documentary of Live 07 in a deluxe iron box with a picture booklet.
With the invitation "come as you are, be who U are", Sandy Lam launched another spellbinding live tour that left her fans clapping and singing along. Now the songs from her 2007 show come alive again on Sandy Concert Live 2007. This triple DVD release features 26 tracks in their live and karaoke versions including "Chicago Tale" (DVD 1/2 - Track 14), "Don't Mind Any Longer" (DVD 1/2 - Track 2), and "Play Mate" (DVD 1/2 - Track 19). Other highlights from Sandy's tour include "World of Love" (DVD 1/2 - Track 24), "Morning" (DVD 1/2 - Track 16) featuring Angelita Li, and "Lonely Meteor Cluster" (DVD 1/2 - Track 18).
They Kiss Again (DVD) (Vol. 3) (To Be Continued) (Taiwan Version)
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The cast and crew of Taiwan idol drama It Started with a Kiss return for the highly anticipated sequel They Kiss Again. Based on the manga Itazura na Kiss, It Started With a Kiss was one of the most popular dramas of 2006. Starring top television idols Ariel Lin (Tokyo Juliet), Joe Cheng (Summer x Summer), and Jiro Wang (X-Family), the colorful romantic comedy followed the laughter-laden love story of bumbling high school girl Xiang Qin and aloof prodigy Zhi Shu, amidst chaotic family drama. Xiang Qin and Zhi Shu's crazy family is back for a second go, as well as an extended cast that includes pop stars Aaron Yan, Danson Tang, and Lollipop's Prince, plus drama regulars like Tiffany Hsu (Ariel Lin's love rival in the first series), Joelle Lu (The Outsiders), Aisa (Meteor Rain), and Cai Yi Zhen (Summer x Summer).
It Started with a Kiss ended with odd couple Zhi Shu (Joe Cheng) and Xiang Qin (Ariel Lin) getting married in characteristically comical fashion, and the sequel picks up the story right away with their honeymoon and married life. Xiang Qin is as ham-fisted as ever, creating many funny situations as she learns the ropes of being a wife and nurse. Aspiring doctor Zhi Shu also meets some obstacles at school when he encounters both academic and romantic rivals who are determined to dethrone him. The pressure of balancing marriage, work, and school often leads to mistakes and misunderstandings, and Zhi Shu and Xiang Qin soon learn that marrying young isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Denise Ho - Goomusic Collection 2004-2008 New + Best Selection (2CD + Karaoke DVD)
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Denise Ho's road to success has been long and storied. Active on the music scene since 2001, Ho's big breakthrough came at the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007 when she was finally honored as CR2 903's Best Female Singer, beating Joey Yung and Janice M Vidal. From that moment on Ho's success was catapulted to a new level and the mass media even went so far as to declare her a "new generation female diva" along with Miriam Yeung and Joey Yung.
Goomusic Collection 2004-2008 features perhaps the most complete compilation of Denise's best loved hits to date in old and new versions on two CDs. Among these are "Rolls Royce" (CD 1 - Track 15), "You are the 1980s" (CD 1 - Track 10), and her award-winning song "Bright Gathering" (CD 1 - Track 5). The collection also features four news songs, including Wyman Wong-penned duet with Sammi Cheng, "Sword and Snow" (CD 1 - Track 1), and "Kaleidoscope" (CD 1 - Track 4).
This edition comes with a DVD featuring Denise's latest music videos plus 14 karaoke-style videos.
Hong Kong Various Artists - I'm Hurt (2CD)
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I'm Hurt offers the ultimate compilation of romantic ballads, featuring thirty-four popular tracks sung by well-known music artists like Hacken Lee, Danny Chan, Andy Hui, Hins Cheung, William So, Ekin Cheng, Leon Lai, Eason Chan, and Jacky Cheung. Among the highlights of the album are "Love You Whole-Heartedly" (CD 2 - Track 9) by the late Danny Chan, William So's "Men Shouldn't Let Women Cry" (CD 1 - Track 5), and Leon Lai's "Timely Embrace" (CD 2 - Track 10). Other songs to look out for include Eric Suen's "Love Story (Part 1)" (CD 2 - Track 11), Eason Chan's "Under Mount Fuji" (CD 2 - Track 1), and Jacky Cheung's "I'm Hurt" (CD 1 - Track 1) from which the compilation takes its title.
JAPANESE
Tohoshinki - Beautiful you / Sennen Koiuta (SINGLE+DVD / Jacket A)(Japan Version)
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Micky, Xiah, Hero, Max, and U-Know follow up their T.R.I.C.K. singles with two more catchy songs for their all new double A-sided release. Beautiful You was originally performed by the boys as a live song, while Sennen Koiuta can be heard as the theme song for the NHK broadcast of Korean drama Four Gods (a.k.a. The Legend) starring Bae Yong Joon.
This edition comes with a DVD featuring a music video of Beautiful You and behind-the-scenes footage. A sleeve cover-sized collector's card (one out of six available images selected at random) is also included.
YUI - I Loved Yesterday (Normal Edition)(Japan Version)
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Yui's new full-length album has arrived. The follow-up to last spring's no. 1 album Can't Buy My Love, I Loved Yesterday features such tracks as My Generation, the theme song of the TV Asahi drama Seishokun, and Love & Truth, which can also be heard in the movie Closed Note. Her latest hit theme song Namidairo, featured on the TV Asahi drama Yon Shimai Senteidan, is also on the album's track list.
melody. - Lei Aloha (Japan Version)
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melody has much to celebrate in 2008 as it marks her fifth anniversary on the Japanese music scene. Around a year after her third album READY TO GO! peaked at Oricon's No. 6 position, the 26-year-old Hawaiian-born singer returns with her follow-up release. Lei aloha features fourteen tracks including the album version of melody's most recent top 10 single Haruka (Track 3).
Comes in a special triple sleeve-cover box.
Kimura Kaela - +1 (Normal Edition)(Japan Version)
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Kimura Kaela adds another entry to her album profile. +1 is the follow-up to Kimura's fourth album Scratch which soared to the No. 1 spot of the Oricon charts. Kaela's new 13-track album includes her most recent singles Samantha, Jasper, and Yellow which turned into Oricon top ten hits. Among this time's guest artists are Aida Shigekazu (of Foe and Honesty fame), veteran musician Okuda Tamio, and Watanabe Shinobu from rock trio Asparagus.
Hamasaki Ayumi - ayu-mi-x 6 -GOLD- (Japan Version)
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Japan's queen of pop is back and so are some of her best-loved hits in all-new remixes that cover the period from her 2003 mini album Memorial Address all the way to her latest album GUILTY. This latest entry in the ayu-mi-x series arrives as follow-up to ayumi hamasaki RMX WORKS from ayu-mi-x 5 non stop mega mix that was released over four years ago. Fans can look forward to the latest trendsetting sounds from and beyond the spheres of the electro/house music scene. Providing addictive material underlined by the likes of dj Kentaro, Armand Van Helden, and Shinichi Osawa, ayu-mi-x 6 -GOLD- features 12 remixes including Greatful days, STEP you, and talkin' 2 myself.
Hamasaki Ayumi - ayu-mi-x 6 -SILVER- (Japan Version)
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Japan's queen of pop is back and so are some of her best-loved hits in all-new remixes that cover the period from her 2003 mini album Memorial Address all the way to her latest album GUILTY. This latest entry in the ayu-mi-x series arrives as a follow-up to ayumi hamasaki RMX WORKS from ayu-mi-x 5 non stop mega mix that was released over four years ago. Fans can look forward to the latest trendsetting sounds from and beyond the spheres of the electro/house music scene. Providing addictive material underlined by the likes of YOJI, Carl Craig, and BLACK STROBE, ayu-mi-x 6 -SILVER- features 12 remixes including CAROLS, alterna, and JEWEL.
Utada Hikaru - Heart Station (Japan Version)
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Utada Hikaru, the female pop artist responsible for the highest-selling album in J-pop history, is back. In 2007 she was one of Oricon's top candidates again with the double A-sided single Beautiful World and Kiss & Cry which became a No. 2 hit in August. Her earlier image song Flavor of Life for the drama Hana Yori Dango 2 was even more popular, climbing all the way to Oricon's No. 1 spot. Now it's finally time for the new full-length release, from the singer who has sent all her albums to the top of Japan's album charts. Following the release of her first single of 2008, ASIENCE CM song Stay Gold, Hikaru's fifth major album promises to turn into one of the big surprises of the year.
Movie " Kurosagi " Original Soundtrack (Japan Version)
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Yamashita Tomohisa makes his big screen debut in March 2008 with Kurosagi The Movie. The NEWS heartthrob reprises the title role from his hit 2006 TBS television drama based on Natsuhara Takeshi's popular manga. Yamashita stars as an elusive con artist with a tragic past who specializes in swindling other con artists. The feature film Kurosagi again co-stars Horikita Maki from Nobuta wo Produce and Always - Sunset on Third Street, and sees Yamashita donning various amusing guises. The Kurosagi soundtrack comes with 20 instrumental tracks featured in the film.
Younha - Songs - Teen's Collection (ALBUM+DVD)(Japan Version)
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After sweeping the newcomer awards in her native Korea in 2007, pop darling Younha returned to Japan in 2008 where she started her music career. She released the J-pop single Hakanaku Tsuyoku in January, and is now pursuing her J-pop and K-pop careers simultaneously with double releases in March. In Korea, the talented starlet is releasing her first single Audition, and in Japan she's offering her first compilation Songs - Teen's Collection. With her 20th birthday fast approaching in April, Songs - Teen's Collection is a special retrospective of Younha's teen years in J-pop. The album comes with all of her previous J-pop singles, including hits like Yubikiri and Houki Boshi, as well as a brand new track.
This album comes with a music video DVD.
KOREAN
Shinhwa Vol. 9 (Normal Edition)
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While numerous idol bands have checked in and out of the K-pop scene over the past decade, only one has emerged as the true survivor: Shinhwa. The longest running Korean idol group as of 2008, Shinhwa has managed to sustain a high level of popularity throughout their ten years together. Having not only enjoyed many chart-topping singles, but also cultivated distinctive image and personalities for each of its members, Shinhwa has solidified their status as pop culture icons. 2008 marks the celebration of their 10th anniversary as well as a turning point for the group as Kim Dong Wan, Eric Mun, and Lee Min Woo gear up to enlist in the military, followed by Jun Jin and Andy in the next two years.
To commemorate their achievement, Shinhwa presents their ninth album which features a bevy of some of the best talents in the industry such as esteemed composer Kwon Tae Eun and his team of "ThePlayDoG", Lee Sang In who previously wrote Shinhwa's Your Man and Lee Min Woo's Beeya, and Vink of Monotonic. Composed by Kim Jae Suk of Wanted and penned by Choi Gaap Won, Dashi han beonman ("Just One More Time") is a lush string-infused R&B ballad with a moving chorus featuring all of Shinhwa's six members.
Paran Vol. 3 - U.R.M.S
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Paran spent the past few years soul searching for their true colors, and they've finally hit the bull's eye after a long experimental journey that included two of their previous releases. From sweet melodies to powerful rock sounds, Paran (which translates to "blue" in Korean) attempted different styles of music in hopes of finding their own shade of blue. Now, the boys return with a third album entitled U.R.M.S, demonstrating newfound maturity and a renewed sense of confidence in their music. The album's highlights include U.R.M.S (Track 2) and Bal ja gook ("Footstep" - Track 11), both written by the album's executive producer Won Sang Woo; Don't Cry (Track 4), a rock number demonstrating the group's gifted vocals; and Hey Girl (Track 12) written by member P.O.
Yurisangja Vol. 10 - All That Yurisangja
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2007 was a dramatic year for Yurisangja. One of the members, Park Seung Hwan, severely injured his leg in a car accident, forcing the singer to be hospitalized for more than 12 weeks. The incident not only halted the production of the group's tenth album, but also prohibited Park from seeing his newborn son until two weeks after the baby's birth. Putting the grey days behind them, Yurisangja focuses on the new year of 2008 which marks their 10th anniversary, making them one of the longest running duos in K-pop.
Celebrating their remarkable achievement, Yurisangja releases their 10th album All That Yurisangja. This two-disc collection contains seven brand new tracks, plus many of their past hits ranging from memorable ballads such as "To My Bride", "Can I Love You", Soon ae bo, "Finding Someone", and "Memory", to bouncy cuts such as "Beautiful World" and 30 dae ye chan. Dedicated to all newlyweds who are embarking on a lifetime journey with their partners, the album's principal track Honeymoon (CD 1 - Track 1) is a lighthearted number with an upbeat hooky melody that has "hit" written all over it.
Various Artists - Yeon Ga 2008
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In early 2001, the first installation of the popular compilation series Yeon Ga with actress Lee Mi Yeon on its cover, scored a phenomenal success, selling more than two million copies nationwide. Since then, the Yeon Ga series has set the example for every other major compilation album. The latest installation, Yeon Ga 2008, contains over 70 hits that climbed the charts up to 2008. Two of Korea's biggest heartthrobs, Song Seung Heon and Park Yong Ha, plus Lee Yeon Hee from the 2007 film M and many other up-and-coming stars, participated in the production of the album's cover and music video.
This 4-disc edition features Wonder Girls' 2007 smash Tell Me, See Ya's Scent of A Women, and many of SG Wannabe's hits such as Timeless, Saldaga, and Nae Saram - Partner For Life. Adding to this alluring collection of past hits are all-time favorites like Brown Eyes' Already A Year... and Kim Jong Kook's Han Namja ("One Man"), along with some memorable tunes like Buzz's "Coward" and Lee Hyo Lee's ChanSori ("Nagging"). Some soundtrack songs from popular dramas like Bad Love, Lobbyist, Phoenix, The 1st Shop Of Coffee Prince, and Something Happened In Bali are also included. Other featured artists include F.T Island, Monday Kiz, KCM, Lee Soo Young, In Soon I, Davichi, M To M, Lee Seung Chul, Eru, Sung Si Kyung, Ivy, Baek Ji Young, V.O.S, Lee Ki Chan, and Wheesung.
Jo PD VS Postino - Soulmate Remix Project + Soulmate Forever
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Jo PD shows no sign of slowing down as the renowned producer rolls out yet another joint project album entitled Soulmate Remix Project + Soulmate Forever. This album follows his 2007 release, PDIS, Jo PD's first ever album in which he collaborated with reputable producer Yoon Il Sang. In this new release, Jo PD jams with Postino, an up-and-coming producer-songwriter who has already created hits for big names like Shin Seung Hun, Lee Soo Young, and Yoon Jong Shin. Making a dramatic shift in his musical style, Jo PD dabbles in electronic music and lets his creative genius loose for Soulmate Remix Project + Soulmate Forever. Also known for his outspoken lyrics that address various social issues, Jo PD takes a much softer approach in this new album.
The album's principal song Shi gan ee yak ee dwen da go (?Time Will Heal?) is a cover of a sweet love song originally recorded by Postino. As an added bonus, this special edition comes with a full lineup of songs from Soulmate Forever OST, the second soundtrack from the drama Soulmate. Included are reinterpreted versions of favorite hits from the Soulmate soundtrack, namely Jeppet's Don't Turn Away and Charmi Project's Simba.
Epik High Vol. 5 - Pieces, Part One
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Undoubtedly, Epik High reigned as the kings of hip-hop in 2007. Their fourth album Remapping The Human Soul snatched two of the year's most prestigious awards: Best Hip-hop Group at the Korean Music Awards and Best Album of the Year at the Mnet KM Music Festival. Coming back from such a remarkable year wasn't an easy task for the trio. However, to echo member Tablo's recent remark, their fifth release Pieces was inspired by a dream - perhaps, a divine calling. Sounding very philosophical and introspective, their latest album talks about the shattering of one's heart. This time the hip-hop trio fuses in a variety of musical genres like electronic, lounge, rock, and classic with their signature hip-hop tunes, wheeling out some of their most unique sounds ever. The hidden meaning behind the title of the principal song One originates from the word "redemption". Rolling out dreamy sequences in combination with upbeat melodies, the song appeals with a double offering of hope and sadness.