Review by Mikomi

Ayu's back with a new single featuring two brandnew tracks for this summer. While 'glitter' is a perfect summer tune with a cheerful melody, 'fated' is a lovely ballad with really touching lyrics. The third track 'Secret' should be known to fans from her last studio album of the same name. This version also comes with a DVD which features the short glitter/fated movie 'Distance Love' which makes this version more than worth buying. Highly recommened!

All has been said for the CD+DVD version already so I'll keep myself short here. Basically, this version is ideal for anyone who wants Ayu's latest release but isn't necessarily interested in her short movie 'Distance Love'. While 'glitter' is a perfect summer tune with a cheerful melody, 'fated' is a lovely ballad with really touching lyrics. The third track 'Secret' should be known to fans from her last studio album of the same name.

Having been a fan of Lia ever since her days with I've Sound, I didn't hestitate to buy this box set as it features all of her most memorable tracks as well as some new ones. Technically, the album is split up in three albums which make a total of five discs and 64 songs. Album 1 'Diamond Days' features upbeat songs, Album 2 'Crystal Voice' contains of ballads and Album 3 'SPECTRUM RAYS' is for your remix and dance/techno needs. Highly recommened!

As much as I like John-Hoon's korean songs, especially from his time as a member of UN, his japanese releases are just as wonderful. His voice is just perfect for ballads and mellow j-pop songs like the two featured on this single. 'Sad Song', however, absolutely deserves to be the title track with its awesome melody and lyrics (very touching).

John-Hoon's second japanese single once again features a lovely mixture between ballad style and mellow j-pop sound. The title track 'Boku wa Kimi wo Aishiteru' has a dreamy touch with its lovely melody and lyrics. The second track 'THE BEST OF MY LIFE' is more upbeat with a cheerful touch.

When the release of melody.'s third album was announced, it came somewhat surprising for me (guess the time between 'Sincerely' and 'Be as one' lead me to not expect a new album until next year). But as surprising as it was, the entire album is just as amazing. Besides including the previous singles 'Lovin' U', 'Love Story' and 'Finding My Road', the album comes with ten brandnew tracks, ranking from ballads over mellow pop to pure dance sound. This verison also includes a DVD with the videos for the singles as well as live recordings of 'Gift of love' and 'Believe me'. Highly recommened!

I can only repeat what I said for the limited edition already: the entire album is amazing. And for those who don't think of an extra DVD as necessary, the regular edition will do. Besides including the previous singles 'Lovin' U', 'Love Story' and 'Finding My Road', the album comes with ten brandnew tracks, ranking from ballads over mellow pop to pure dance sound. Highly recommened!

What had first been announced a mini album which shouldn't contain many new tracks turned out into a full album which is totally stunning. As far as I'm concerned, I have the feeling that Ayu's releases are always topping her previous ones. And especially 'Secret' made me so addicted that I had the album on repeat for weeks. Not only because of the previous single releases 'Startin' and 'BLUE BIRD' but also for the new tracks like '1 Love' and 'kiss o' kill'. Any Ayu fan will most likely love this release.

I had been looking forward to Ayu's summer release for 2006 and I wasn't disappointed at all. 'BLUE BIRD' is a great pop song with a nice summer feeeling and 'Beautiful Fighters' has an interesting touch to it (which made me think of cheerleading at times). Another song I've been expecting was the remix of 'Ladies Night' which I really grew to like after hearing it in a Panasonic commercial. The DVD also contains the videos for the first two tracks. Overall, one of the best releases of summer 2006.

Having been in love with last summer's release 'Fever to Future', I just had to buy Golf & Mike's first japanese single as a duo. And it's certainly worth its money. Both songs are very catchy and their japanese is quite good as well. Anyone who enjoyed 'Fever to Future' will certainly like this single as well.

The soundtrack for 'Back Dancers!' contains a nice mix of j-pop songs from various artists (like Koda Kumi and m-flo) and covers both, new and classic songs. All tracks are, like the movie title already suggests, danceable and simply enjoyable to listen to. This soundtrack is certainly a good addition to any collection.

I've been looking forward to Kumi's summer release and I wasn't disappointed the slightest. 'Freaky' is a wonderful freaky summer track, 'Sora' is a mid-paced pop song, 'Run For Your Life' has exactly the edgy touch which I had been expecting from a song with this title and 'girls' is faster song with a cheerful melody. The CD also contains a remix for each of the songs. The DVD contains the videos for 'Freaky' and 'Run For Your Life' (of which I like the second one the best) as well as their makin ofs. Simply, a great release for this summer.

Well, I have to repeat what I already wrote for the CD+DVD release. This single is a great summer release. 'Freaky' is a wonderful freaky summer track, 'Sora' is a mid-paced pop song, 'Run For Your Life' has exactly the edgy touch which I had been expecting from a song with this title and 'girls' is faster song with a cheerful melody. The CD also contains a remix for each of the songs. When you're not after the music videos, the regular edition will certainly satisfy your needs.

Finally, after keeping us waiting for over half a year after the final concert, the DVD of Kochan's second solo tour is on sale. And its worth its money, every bit. The entire DVD captures to magic of the concert perfectly with wonderful cuts which are not only focusing on Kochan but his support (MA, Mackey and the dancers). In addition to that, this edition comes with a bonus disc featuring a multi-angle feature for four songs, a photo gallery and a tour documentary by Kochan himself. I can only recommend this one, not only to fans but to anyone who's looking for an awesome concert DVD.

What can I say about the regular edition that I haven't already said about the limited edition? Aside from the awesome concert, this version offers bonus features different from the limited edition. It comes with the extended encore (TR encore instead of W encore) as well as a bonus DVD which features the PV for 'Kagen no Tsuki', the PV's making of and a dance lesson from the concert's MC which is not included in the concert DVD itself. Once again, highly recommened.

The title 'Be as one TOUR 2006 Live & Document' already indicates it, this DVD doesn't consist of the concert alone. Instead it consists of selected live footage (like performances of 'Be as one' and 'realize') with quite interesting documentary bits in between which give an insight on how much work such a tour actually is (even if you're not performing in huge areas like the Tokyo Dome). No melody. fan should miss this one.

Personally, I like M10M's second album the best out of all releases so far. Each track has its own unique style, Juka's voice fits perfectly to every song... that's what makes the album so perfect to me.

For those who liked 'Dignity of crest' this DVD is an essential item. All songs of the CD live with at Meguro Rokumeikan along with extra footage and, not to forget, fanservice for us to enjoy. The only thing which cannot be looked over is the camera (as already mentioned). Most of the time I had the feeling of watching some fan camera dued to unfocused scenes and other strange effects. Blame it on limited skills or lack of money. Whatever it might be, it didn't destroy the charm of the concert itself and that's the most important thing.

Out of all releases by M10M, 'Dix Infernal' is one of my faves. The entire album is full of this unique style which makes it a wonderful experience. The lyrics are catchy and Juka's voice adds just the right feeling to the songs.

After the release of 'Aravesque', I was more than curious for Juka's first mini-album. And it fulfilled all of my expectations. Those who liked 'Aravesque' will most likely love 'Luxurious' as well. Along with four brandnew songs, it creates an interesting mixture of slower and faster songs which all blend together perfectly with Juka's voice. Personally, I like 'Jewel' the best, mainly for its arrangement and melody. The only thing I can complain about is that 'Luxurious' is not a full album. But who knows maybe we're graced with one in the near future.