Review by Ling
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namie amuro Final Tour 2018 -Finally- (2 Concerts + Nagoya Dome Live) [Limited Edition]Namie AmuroSo glad
This release is so premium. It includes two concerts and is shot very well. Namie's signature performance style is maintained and she sparkles in her own way. It truely is a great way to send off the original queen of hip - pop.
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Science Fiction [Limited Edition]Hikaru UtadaGreat collection!
I was super excited to receive this and see the beautiful deluxe packaging. I did attempt to enter into the lottery to purchase he premium concert ticket, but alas ... no luck. I will spend my hours listening to this release. The refreshed versions of the songs are a nice update, without taking away too much of the originals' essence. For those die hard followers of Hikaru - highly recommended!
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Neon Genesis Evangelion: Cruel Angel Theses / FLY ME TO THE MOONAnimation SoundtrackNostalgic release
With all the releases of late, this one includes the elusive Fly me to the moon by Clair. The packaging is simple, but the music speaks volumes. This is highly recommended for those die-hard Evangelion fans.
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audio-technica/ Record Cleaner / AT6012aSimple to use
The product does exactly what it says on the packaging. It's simple to use and I've yet to ascertain if it scratches the disc or not. So far so good.
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Async [Limited Release]Ryuichi SakamotoGreat repress!
Music is awesome! I was so happy that Commmons would repress this and ship it overseas. Whilst I was not impressed with the poppies of the '12' release, I had to give this a shot. I was happy that it was not as 'poppy' and maintained the ambient quality of the intended sound. The packaging is beautiful and whilst I haven't heard the original pressing (as it was cut and pressed by another person/plant) this is a good pressing to have in your collection.
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Utau [Limited Release]Taeko Onuki & Ryuichi SakamotoSublime audio
I was originally hesitant to order this as some of the recent vinyl pressings from Commmons has been noisy and scuffed. I was impressed by the sound quality. It is quiet and hardly any pops or cracks - sounds as it should! Although some of the discs were scuffed, there was no impact to the audio quality. For those who want to collect Sakamoto's older releases, this is a solid repress.
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Courage [Blu-spec CD2] [Japan Bonus Track]Celine DionWorth it for the Japan-only bonus track
The music is a welcome return to form for our queen! The packaging is deluxe and thicker than usual jewel cases. The audio is clean and includes Japan-only bonus track. Although the bonus track is now available on streaming services, there is just something about having the original physical version that is not heavily compressed. Celine's vocal soars!
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"The Boy and The Heron (How Do You Live?) (Anime)" Original SoundtrackAnimation Soundtrack (Music by Joe Hisaishi)Quiet and beautiful
I was impressed by the sound quality of this release. I was concerned about the quality right out of the packaging as I noticed scuffing and a piece of drilled out vinyl sitting on the playing surface on disc 2! I was concerned it scratched the disc creating pops, but thankfully it didn't! Hopefully no others have experienced this quality check fail. I'd recommend this release, the music from Joe Hisaishi is beautiful and transports you to a wonderful place.
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Shirley Wong [Limited Release]Faye WongNice throwback
This is such a nice throwback to her first Cinepoly release. Yes, some of the songs are out of date but there is a charm captured in this release where Faye was really trying to make a mark in the business, supported by her producer. The packaging is good and includes upscaled images, but they did the best they could with 30+ year old material.
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Everything [Limited Release]Faye WongGreat release and includes poster!
Although the music here is dated, the pressing is done well and the packaging is amazing! I didn't expect that they would also include the original poster! The images were not poorly upscaled and the resolutions for the poster was spot on. I'm speechless.
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You're the Only One [Limited Release]Faye WongGreat pressing and packaging
Bonus points for the Great pressing and packaging! The are clear nods to the original pressing and quality of the music. I think they did a wonderful job here and on the other two early Faye/Shirley releases.
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Coming Home [Limited Release]Faye WongGreat pressing
This release manages to polish an almost a 3 decade + release. The sound quality is beautiful and not too harsh. Packaging is lush and although they tried to clean up the up-scaled images, it is not too obvious in the printing.
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No Regrets [Limited Release]Faye WongNo regrets purchasing this
R & B influences continue in this release and Faye starts to show a rebellion side in her music and vocal style. Although this music is no longer in fashion, it mimics the production styles released in Japanese and US markets of the time. The title track remains a big favourite of mine.
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100,000 Whys [Limited Release]Faye WongPlayful and wonderful
This was one of my favourite release back in the 90s. The playfulness of the songs offered here are superior to the mundane Canto-pop of that time. Faye pushed so many boundaries whilst appeasing the Hong Kong crowd. Always an innovator Faye started to show her vocal creativity and a voice to be reckoned with.
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Mystery [Limited Release]Faye WongMystery solved
This release is super clear. I was concerned that the mastering would be sub-par given the CD version was ordinary. This release really showcases the vocal styling of Faye and whilst most of the songs are covers of her previous Cantonese songs, the originals make up for it.
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Wen Bie [Limited Release]Jacky CheungGreat pressing
This is a wonderful pressing of a favourite album. The sound quality is beautiful and clean. I will say I was disappointed that B1 is the Cantonese version! Despite it saying all over the packaging that it is the Mandarin version and the fact that the original release has it in Mandarin. I reached out to Universal Music Japan and they confirmed that the pressing includes the Cantonese version , not the Mandarin - this baffles me!
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Science Fiction [Limited Release]Hikaru UtadaUltimate Hikaru!
I have the CD release as well as this Vinyl release. The content is amazing and really captures the catalogue of Hikaru Utada. As for the vinyl, you will be impressed with the packaging. It mirrors the deluxe version with acetate case and premium card stock used to print the images and text. The vinyls are flat, and cleanish - I had no issues with cleaning them before playing them. I will say I was disappointed with obvious distortion (not IGD) beginning half-way through Disc 2 B4 and all of Disc 2 B5. Recommended for those who want to collect!
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First Love / Hatsukioi [Limited Release]Hikaru UtadaNice release, but sounds compressed
The remix of 'First Love' sounds very compressed, particularly the vocal track. Good for collectors, but really hoping it wasn't compressed as it sounds on the digital release.
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BAD Mode [CD+DVD+Blu-ray / Limited Edition]Hikaru UtadaThis album got me through 2022.
The sound in this album is amazing - classic Hikaru vocals with experimental minimalist instrumentation. Thew album is so cohesive and bold! I got this version because I wanted the live footage on physical format, rather than at the mercy if it will expire on streaming services. Worthwhile if you love the album and the companion visuals - btw the box is amazing!
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BAD Mode [Limited Release]Hikaru UtadaVery clean sound and excellent packaging
This is a super quiet pressing. The sound stage is amazing and perfect for an album that embraces space. I highly recommend if you can get it - the packaging is also gorgeous!