Review by Jacques

A wonderful band, a superb box set. The two audio CDs are simply astonishing in the quality of the songs. The songs are even very addictive. The concert is simply superb. It's very rare for a very recent band to release such a box set: some have taken five years to release one CD and two maxi CDs. I see the product has a "Backorder: Usually ships in 2-4 weeks" status: it's time to reissue it. We have to think about the years to come... These young women deserve it, as do everyone who contributed to it. It's simply sublime.

This album delivers. It is absolutely sublime. 18 songs that make us dream, so far from the noise and fury too often seen today. The period covered runs from 1977 to 1990. This wonderful album is an opportunity to discover or rediscover young singers whose records have become very difficult to find. This album is a magnificent compilation, a beautiful musical journey to a wonderful past. The studio recordings are superb. A must-have. A huge thank you to Sony Music Japan and CDJapan.

The album with 12 diamonds. This album is quite simply one of the most magnificent albums released in a good quarter of a century or more. Twelve magnificent songs that invite you on a gentle musical journey, wonderfully performed, and that take you so far from the frenzy of the world. The work in the recording studio and in post-production is absolutely exemplary. Lily's voice is simply magical. A must-have.

This is Chay's first video work. It captures the Tokyo performance of her first Christmas tour, held in December 2015. A must-see for fans, featuring Chay in seven different looks, including Santa fashion and dresses! The first limited edition comes with a luxurious photo book. Video bonus: [SPECIAL MOVIE] Documentary footage of the Tokyo performance of the Merry Christmas Tour 2015 Tracks list: 1 Twinkle Days 2 Next to Love 3 Love is Special 4 Heart Couture 5 Weekend! 6 Gradient of Smiles 7 Wishes 8 I am 9 Singin' In The Rain 10 Celebrate You 11 You tell me 12 Winter! Winter! Magic 13 Christmas Medley 14 Forever 15 Half Moon 16 DREAM SNIPER 17 Summer Darling 18 I Love You So Much 19 I Tried Falling in Love with You 20 First Feelings (Encore) 21 Nineteen (Encore)

Volume 1 of "Ano Uta" is an absolutely wonderful musical discovery. Let's say it right away: Mone Kamishiraishi is one of the greatest Japanese pop music artists. The quality of the songs, the quality of their interpretation (and the technical quality of the studio work) are at the level of the greatest singers, whether they belong to the old world or the new world of the Japanese music scene. Mone Kamishiraishi is for me the equal of the most famous singers, like Miki Matsubara, Momoko Kikuchi, Yukiko Okada, Yuki Saito, Seiko Matsuda, Meiko Nakahara, Miho Nakayama. We find a comparable sound universe, but with musical arrangements that are of course more contemporary. All in all, you have a dream moment. It's a truly exceptional album, not just an excellent album.

Volume 2 of "Ano Uta" is an other absolutely wonderful musical discovery. Let's say it right away: Mone Kamishiraishi is one of the greatest Japanese pop music artists. The quality of the songs, the quality of their interpretation (and the technical quality of the studio work) are at the level of the greatest singers, whether they belong to the old world or the new world of the Japanese music scene. Mone Kamishiraishi is for me the equal of the most famous singers, like Miki Matsubara, Momoko Kikuchi, Yukiko Okada, Yuki Saito, Seiko Matsuda, Meiko Nakahara, Miho Nakayama. "Ano Uta-1" was an exceptionnal work, but "Ano Uta-2" is even more exceptional than the previous one.

Naomi Hosokawa is a wonderful artist with a magical voice! We can't always say that these days. The melodies take you into a musical universe of an absolutely overwhelming emotional quality. How good it can be in this world of fury! The sound recordings, the musical accompaniments, and the studio work are of very high quality: no prohibitive sound level, no compression other than the strict minimum, in short, excellent work. Listen to this record, and you are off on a wonderful musical journey. And Naomi Hosokawa's voice, one of the most beautiful voices ever heard! Thanks to Warner Music Japan for republishing these magical songs. Looking back at the past sometimes holds such beautiful surprises: here we arrive at a sublime level.

I don't know the "Sukeban Deka" series but this album is simply a wonderful discovery! I have rarely heard such a level of artistic quality. Everything is excellent: the songs, the voices of the young girls (but they are absolutely sublime!), the musicians, the work in the studio, we are faced with incredible perfection. Many people could be inspired by it... To get without delay!

You will go in another musical world! There are only 2 songs in this CD with their musical versions. One might think that this is not a lot. But we do not judge a CD by the quantity of songs. In this case, we are in front of an artist of a level of vocal quality rarely reached nowadays. There is an almost magical, hypnotic aspect. As for the songs themselves, we reach a level of perfection that is truly of an emotionally overwhelming perfection. From the musical instruments chosen, there is an almost symphonic aspect... And all the more technical work done in the recording studio is also of a quality that we do not find enough nowadays. It is a very high quality work! This CD is like a powerful and magical mix of melodies that remind us of the most beautiful songs of the greatest singers of previous generations, but with very modern melodies. The restitution on CD is simply sublime: we almost have the feeling of listening to a Super Audio CD (DSD format, so high resolution!)... Finally we can say that after listening to this CD, it is difficult to come back down to Earth quickly: we are psychologically and emotionally as if in a state of weightlessness... I am waiting with great impatience for a next CD, and even more a first concert. If they are at this level of quality, it will be dazzling. A very beautiful revelation for your servant. Madame MoeMi is simply exceptional!!! As well as all the people who participated in the creation of this CD.

Do you want to go in another musical world ? There are only 2 songs in this CD with their musical versions. One might think that this is not a lot. But we do not judge a CD by the quantity of songs. In this case, we are in front of an artist of a level of vocal quality rarely reached nowadays. There is an almost magical, hypnotic aspect. As for the songs themselves, we reach a level of perfection that is truly of an emotionally overwhelming perfection. From the musical instruments chosen, there is an almost symphonic aspect... And all the more technical work done in the recording studio is also of a quality that we do not find enough nowadays. It is a very high quality work! This CD is like a powerful and magical mix of melodies that remind us of the most beautiful songs of the greatest singers of previous generations, but with very modern melodies. The restitution on CD is simply sublime: we almost have the feeling of listening to a Super Audio CD (DSD format, so high resolution!)... Finally we can say that after listening to this CD, it is difficult to come back down to Earth quickly: we are psychologically and emotionally as if in a state of weightlessness... I am waiting with great impatience for a next CD, and even more a first concert. If they are at this level of quality, it will be dazzling. A very beautiful revelation for your servant. Madame MoeMi is simply exceptional!!! As well as all the people who participated in the creation of this CD.

A chest full of musical gems. Yoshiko Tanaka has an absolutely magical voice! This box is a small treasure chest that contains 10 magnificent musical gems. The melodies, the musicians, are simply sublime. And Yoshiko Tanaka's voice... It's hard to do better! The work of the sound engineers is simply magnificent! To get without hesitation! A true reference in Japanese music. We are in another galaxy with this CD, compared to many other contemporary productions...

AKB48 National Tour 2012: Nonaka Misato, on the move. ~Let's meet in all 47 prefectures~ TeamK Okinawa performance How emotional you are to see this show...2012! Well yes, it is indeed the golden age of AKB48! Yes, those years were indeed their best years! To get without hesitation! 10,000 people experience the group's first "Okinawa x Solo Outdoor Stage"!! Blue sky, white clouds, deep blue sea: The stage turns into a tropical night after a chorus of singing to see off the blazing sunset... A live DVD is now on sale, featuring the scorching live performance and the backstage in a relaxed mode!! -Let's meet in 47 prefectures-" began on April 6, 2012: This year, aiming to go from "idols you can meet" to "idols you go to meet," the group will hold concerts in all 47 prefectures. The only outdoor concert on this tour, which attracted about 10,000 people, was the Team K performance on July 22nd, held on the special stage at "Chura SUN Beach" in Toyosaki, Okinawa. The "Team K Okinawa Concert" is now available on DVD, packed with the thrills of an outdoor stage, including an Okinawan and summery setlist, a stage filled with splashes of water, members dressed in yukata robes, and spectacular fireworks. Concert + Bonus Video MAKING (Total 148 min) SET LIST 01:Overture 02:Sunflower 03:What I Can Do 04:Brain Paradise 05:The Final Bell Rings 06:Candy 07:On a Stormy Night 08:MARIA 09:My First Jelly Beans 10:Chocolate Passed by Mouth 11:Ponytail and Scrunchie 12:Excuse Maybe 13:Everyday, Headband 14:Oogoe Diamond 15:Are You Looking at the Sunset? 16:Midsummer Sounds Good! 17:Flying Get 18:RIVER 19:Become a Rolling Stone 20:Sakura Petals EN01:Heavy Rotation EN02:Chance no Junban EN03:Batchikoi K! EN04:Dare ga Tame ni ~What can I do for someone?~ WEN01:Boku no Fireworks Bonus Video MAKING Includes rehearsal scenes, off-shots, behind-the-scenes footage, and more!!

I am often surprised by the level of quality of young Japanese female singers, but here we are reaching a very high level. Next step: a first concert! Even if there are only 12 songs o the DVD/BLURAY in a modestly sized venue, it will already be excellent. Many groups that started in these conditions have had, and still have, an excellent career! So, go for it girls, go for it!!!

This DVD box is one the best item by HKT48 !!! My RATING is 100 on 5 (yeah !!!). Here is the content: 5-disc DVD set / 24-page booklet + 3 random photos HKT48's 3rd anniversary special performance held at the HKT48 Theater in November 2014 is now available on DVD! HKT48 3rd Anniversary 3 Days and HKT48 Theater 3rd Anniversary Special Performance, held at the HKT48 Theater over 4 days from November 19th to 22nd, 2014, are now available on DVD! It's been 3 years since the HKT48 Theater opened in November 2011. The journey of HKT48 as it is today began at this theater! The performances that HKT48 has danced and sung at this venue were "re-performed" with a new lineup of members over the course of 3 days. And the commemorative special performance featuring all 47 members is complete! It also includes the self-introduction MC, which is rarely shown at regular concerts. In addition, a bonus disc includes behind-the-scenes footage of these 4 days! Product specifications: 5-disc DVD set Disc 1: Wednesday, November 19, 2014, "Te wo Tsunaginagara" performance, re-run Disc 2: Thursday, November 20, 2014, "Nounai Paradise" performance, re-run Disc 3: Friday, November 21, 2014, "The Party is Starting" performance, re-run Disc 4: Saturday, November 22, 2014, HKT48 Theater 3rd Anniversary Special Performance Disc 5: Making of "HKT48 3rd Anniversary 3 Days + HKT48 Theater 3rd Anniversary Special Performance" Bonus - Booklet (24 pages) - Photo 3 discs (randomly included) A DVD containing footage of "HKT48 3rd Anniversary 3 Days" and "HKT48 Theater 3rd Anniversary Special Performance" held at the HKT48 Theater over four days from November 19th to 22nd, 2014. In addition to the main feature, it also contains behind-the-scenes footage from the four days. Country of production: Japan Disc type: Single-sided, dual layer Color: Color Video size: Squeeze Video bonus: Bonus disc [DVD] (Making of "HKT48 3rd Anniversary 3 Days + HKT48 Theater 3rd Anniversary Special Performance") Other bonuses: Booklet/photo set (randomly included) Audio specifications: Stereo (linear PCM) Recording information (5 discs, 74 songs)

How sad to learn of the end of one of the most legendary groups of modern Japanese music! 16 years of career, and quite a few changes in the group in recent years. Fortunately, all the CDs, DVDs and BLURAYs are still available for people who are just discovering this group. And their prices have remained very reasonable. Yes, the wheel of time always ends up turning, nothing is fixed, especially in the world of entertainment... This group is one of those that have given me the most pleasure, so much is it different from the others by its dynamics, its energy, and its humor. I wish these charming ladies a beautiful and joyful life, they fully deserve it! Here is the complete list of titles available on this last CD: 1: Business is booming! The original radio shop! (Lyrics, composition, and arrangement: Tamaya 2060 (Wienners)) 2: Beer is for when you're 20 (Lyrics, composition, and arrangement: Kiyo Ryuto) 3: Life, love, diminishing, pew! (Lyrics: Haruko Momoi, composition: Karasuya Sabo, arrangement: Ryuto Yasujima) 4: Because, we are (Lyrics: Dempagumi.inc, composition: kusu, arrangement: Tsuri Shunsuke) 5: BPM285EX (Lyrics, composition, and arrangement: Neko Hacker)

Day 1: an energy that takes you far! It is always with great emotion when we have the opportunity to see a Cho Tokimeki Sendenbu concert published, because they are still rare. Although recently, this seems to change... This first day of the tour in YOKOHAMA is simply a major turning point in the career of this group. There will have been a before and after these 2 days. It all starts with a small animation during which the 6 young women are introduced. It is very pretty, funny, and absolutely delicious. A big congratulations to the artists who worked on it. And once this is finished, you are quickly projected onto the stage and the concert begins. An incredible energy propels you 47 minutes (!!!) later to a small intervention at the microphone of the young singers. Everything is perfect: singing, choreography, light animations, laser beams (grandiose), etc... We see as always with Cho Tokimeki Sendenbu that there was a high level of preparation: there is an incredible harmony, an obvious synchronicity, between these 6 people. The result is astonishing. On DVD 2, there is a microphone intervention of almost 35 minutes in one sequence, so much the members of the team have things to tell us (but unfortunately no subtitles!!!). The most moving moment of this sequence is when AKI SUDA begins to speak: three times, she has a complete speech block, so strong is the emotion. But quickly she recovers, and continues her intervention, with tears in her eyes. As if one can be incredibly energetic, but also be extremely sensitive. The show is mainly organized like this: DVD1: recent songs. With a small "game" sequence in the middle. DVD2: the less recent songs, with a 35-minute intervention in the middle, full of emotions, laughter, and tears of joy. Technically, it's excellent, we forget that it's not a BLURAY, whether for the sound or the image. Be careful not to turn the sound up too loud: it's already strong enough as it is. I had the impression that the old songs had seen their musical part a little reworked compared to the original versions, and especially replayed in full: it's very well done, it's very pleasant. In summary: a superb show, and in addition the price is particularly reasonable.

Day 2: even more emotions! See my review of day 1 for more details. How is it possible to do even better than the first day? Because here, we reach an even higher level than for the first day. I dare say that here it is at the level of very big groups like Morning Musume, AKB48, and Momoiro Clover Z. Too bad if some will find the comparisons audacious. I don't care, and I know Momoiro Clover Z VERY well: I have ALL their concerts, same for AKB 48 (well almost all), and I am discovering Morning Musume (well I already knew, but I don't have all their concerts yet). Of course, the musical styles are different, but it doesn't matter: the artistic quality of Cho Tokimeki Sendenbu has made a huge qualitative leap. When you follow a group, you end up realizing it. On DVD 2, there is a microphone intervention of almost 35 minutes in one sequence, as for the first day, so much the members of the team have things to tell us (but unfortunately no subtitles either, it's a bad habit that will have to be corrected: even in France, this group is appreciated!!!). The most moving moment of this sequence is when AKI SUDA is simply too overwhelmed by emotion to speak, unlike the previous day: she almost has to sit on the ground so strong is the emotion!!! But she manages to overcome this moment, and finally everything ends with her incredible smile! Technically, it's excellent, we forget that it's not a BLURAY, whether for the sound or the image. Be careful not to turn the sound up too loud, though. I just have one regret: that there are no musicians on stage, like for the show "Tokimeku Koi to Seishun Koi Edition "TYPE-A". Because it radically changes the atmosphere. And I hope that the tour in South Korea will be published quickly, as well as the concert planned for Christmas at the SAITAMA SUPER ARENA! I am impatiently waiting. In summary: a superb show, and in addition the price is particularly reasonable. Why deprive yourself? To see with family without any worries.

A particularly enjoyable show to watch and listen to, as always with Sakuraza46. As I have all their concerts, and those from the previous era under the name of Keyakizaka46, which I highly recommend! Here are my remarks: 1) It is an artistically perfect product: songs, melodies, vocal interpretation (the young women really know how to sing). A lot of groups, even well-established on the public scene, could take singing lessons when we make comparisons. It is TERRORISM of artistic quality. 2) The packaging is very pretty, very pleasant, with two booklets: one with the lyrics of the songs, the other with the photos of the young women who participated in the making of the album. Even the image on the Bluray is in perfect continuity with the landscape represented on the case once opened and suddenly if we do not pay attention, we say to ourselves "But where is the Bluray ???". Fortunately there is the "Bluray" logo (laughs). A great success. 3) The Bluray is excellent, image and sound. A 1h25 show (there is a video clip at the beginning): it is a duration that suits me very well. It was filmed at the end of the COVID lockdown in 2021, outdoors and with rain, which does not prevent sending gigantic jets of water in addition: the audience having brought all the necessary rain gear (laughs). There is even a small fireworks display at the end. And no one fell even a little despite a very wet ground (laughs). These are the hazards of outdoor concerts. A big congratulations to the organizers who managed these problems with excellent professionalism. Be careful with the sound level, like unfortunately too many concerts in the last 10 years... 4) The Audio CD is a technical horror, worthy of the worst HEAVY METAL bands. It is completely useless, and dangerous for the hearing system! I had to put the level of my amplifier, which is already very low almost all the time, to a level never reached before for me, and I am lucky to have an electro-mechanical potentiometer of formidable precision. This makes listening in the end not very pleasant, including on a title like "BUDDIES", a shame!

As usual, EQUAL LOVE offers us here a very high quality show. Everything is perfect, meticulously interpreted. As in the previous concert, there is a group of musicians who accompany the young women on some songs, and this gives a very rock and roll atmosphere at times (be careful though, the sound level is rather loud!). Technically, for the DVD, whether in the field of image or sound, we are dealing with a very high quality work, this is also the case for all the concerts of this group. I can judge it like this because I have them all. I wanted to thank and congratulate each of the young women in the group: Otani Emiri Oba Hana Otoshima Risa Saito Kiara Sasaki Maika Takamatsu Hitomi Takiwaki Shoko Noguchi Iori Morohashi Sana Yamamoto Anna And I don't forget Sashihara Rino, whom I discovered with pleasure in old concerts of AKB48 and HKT48 (their golden age): the path traveled since the beginning is rather impressive. Here is a person who has many talents! EQUAL LOVE's shows are all the more enjoyable because there is never any music or singing that is more or less aggressive, everything is very harmonious, and I repeat, particularly well done. The costumes are always very pretty, even extremely pretty, and very elegant, and they are worn by very elegant young women. The stage sets become more sophisticated as the years go by, but never anything useless, gigantic, excessive, here again everything is very elegant. In summary, if you want shows of very high artistic quality, I recommend EQUAL LOVE without any reservation.

The first day of the AKB48 Young Members national tour held in the spring of 2015 and the AKB48 spring solo concert are now available on DVD and Blu-ray! The annual Spring Con will be held at Saitama Super Arena in 2015! The memorable first day of the young members nationwide tour by the young members who will carry the future of AKB48, and the double package of AKB48's spring solo concert! Introducing a 4-disc set that includes behind-the-scenes making and bonus footage! DISC1[AKB48 Young Members National Tour ~The future is being created now~] For AKB48, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in December 2015, this was the beginning of a concert tour in which the young members who will lead the future are expected to make great strides. This was their first concert without their seniors who have always been behind them, and they captivated fans with their youthful and energetic performance. After the encore, a surprise announcement of the new unit "Dendenmu Chu!" was made during the MC, and seven members were selected: Nanna Owada, Mion Mukaichi, Aki Murayama, Miku Tanaka, Nako Yabuki, Saya Kawamoto, and Megu Taniguchi. The first day of the tour concluded with tears of joy and smiles. DISC2-DISC3[AKB48 Spring Solo Concert ~Jixo is still in training!~] DJ Hina Kojima appeared at the opening with EDM (electronic dance music)! Saitama Super Arena turned into a huge club, and the voltage reached its peak from the beginning with EDM arranged versions of songs such as "Flying Get." In the middle of the show, each team performed their songs, and Team 8 made their first surprise announcement. Ten people, including Ikumi Nakano and Nagisa Sakaguchi, were selected as Team 8's new unit. In the encore, they performed their 40th single ``Bokutachi wa Senai Nai'' for the first time, and it looked like the show was going to end safely, but suddenly the general manager of AKB48 appeared on stage and announced ``AKB48 Spring Personnel Changes.'' There was a huge roar from the venue at the announcement of concurrent positions between each group, new team composition, Rie Kitahara's transfer as NGT48 captain, and Rina Kawaei's graduation. DISC4 Making of : AKB48 Young Members National Tour ~The future is being created now~ AKB48 Spring Solo Concert ~Jikiso is still training!~ The bonus footage is behind-the-scenes coverage of Young Members' concerts.