Review by shoukiketsu-kun!

I have never looked back since the moment that I put Nanairo on my iPod. Jazztronik continues to blow my mind to this day by the way he mixes various kinds of music. Gems are abundant on Grand Blue and there's something for every taste. I never had any doubts when it's announced that Jazztronik when this album was released, or any of his future releases for that matter.

I'm begging you FPM, marry me please! You don't have to say you love me. All I want is to be in the studio with you when you're mixing and remixing your tracks. Enough said. In more ways than one, "Les Plus" far outshine the content on "Contact". Definitely some rarities and some of his definitive hits from his previous albums on "Les Plus" that pleases the loyal fans of FPM. It more like a greatest hits album with some rare and remixed tracks. My favorite tracks are as follows: Take Me To The Disco(Absolute Favorite) Hello And Goodbye (Absolute Favorite) Honolulu,Calcutta [Sunahara Yoshinori Mix] Flying High (Absolute Favorite) Bossa 4 Jackie (Absolute Favorite) Take Me 2 Da Disco [Malibu Mix] You Must Learn All Night Long Pura Saudade (Nova Bossa Nova)

This a remix album of FPM's first three albums, "The Fantastic Plastic Machine", "Luxury", and "Beautiful". And while some songs are new (ie. City Lights) and some are very familiar (ie. Beautiful Days, Paragon, Love Is Psychedelic) to my ears Contact is a very note-worthy remix album. I am blown away how some of the remixes match or even best the original cuts, for example, Subete O Yurashite, I love how they added more percussion and the soft, breathy voice in Japanese has made this remix better than the original... proving wrong, once again, my doubts I had about this album. FPM is the greatest!!! Contact has something for every taste, House, Funk, Bossa Nova, and even hints of Disco and Jazz. If you have picked up FPM's first three albums, you shouldn't have no problem enjoying this album as well. My favorite tracks are as follows: City Lights (Absolute Favorite) Paragon 2 (Absolute Favorite) Love Is Psychedelic (Absolute Favorite) Subete O Yurashite (Absolute Favorite)

FPM does it again! Every new release, to me, is better than the previous. This album heavily relies on House and Shibuya Kei, but there are elements of Disco, P-Funk, Techno, Trip Hop, and Bossa Nova which makes "Beautiful" so damn infectious. You'll understand why I have the whole album on repeat on my iPod... this is FPM I'm talking about here. "Beautiful" is nothing less than greatness, that is, until I cop more of his albums LOL! My favorite tracks are as follows: Beautiful Days (Absolute Favorite) Paragon Love Is Psychedelic Subete Wo Yurashite Whistle Song (not to be confused with Dj Aligator) Todos Os Desejos Black Dada God Save The Mona Lisa Beautiful Days (reprise) [compliments Beautiful Days perfectly!!!] If you loved "The Fantastic Plastic Machine" and "Luxury" then copping "Beautiful" is a NO BRAINER!!!

There are so many thing I love about Luxury by FPM. I love the way he mix different genres of music and putting his special touch that makes this sound his very own. I am glad that I discovered FPM and add him to my collection with the likes of Jazztronik, Ken Ishii, Shinichi Osawa (aka Mondo Grosso), Denki Groove, YMO, and Towa Tei. You all are an inspiration for my appreciation of good music fron Japanese artists!!! My favorite cuts on this album are as follows: There Must Be An Angel Honolulu, Calcutta Electric Ladyland Bossa For Jackie (Absolute Favorite XD) You Must Learn All Night Long Lotto The Girl Next Green Door Mr. Fantasy's Love What are you waiting for... get this album NOW!!!

I am glad that I chose Denki Groove!!! Their sound is different from the likes of Shinichi Osawa, Jazztronik, and Ken Ishii, but to tell you the truth, I don't know which genre to put these guys under. I love the way the Groove Bros put these tracks together to make them memorable and hilarious in a strange kind of way. I will gladly add Denki Groove to my list of must haves in Japanese music and will keep looking forward to what the Groove Bros come up with next!

Kuu-chan does it again with her new album Trick, which is a damn good album, because she is sticking with her main flavors (cRunk&B and Pop) and constantly throwing different ingredients into the pot. I LOVE IT!!! And the videos with this edition make the album worth the wait... especially "That Ain't Cool" with Fergie Ferg (OMG!!! Someone bring me some onygen PLEASE!!!)

I may be late in figuring out why there was a single called "Eat You Up" on iTunes... and then, after further research, I found out that BoA is working on releasing an overseas album, "Look Who's Talking". After I saw the video of Eat You Up, the song became immediately became my new jam. I am eager to see if the United States and the UK are ready for such talent because homegirl knows that she's a diva to the fullest. But enough about that... I'm writing a review for BoA's current Japanese release, "The Face". It's pure pop and for some reason or another, the album awfully reminds me of Jackson 5, but if I like ten songs of this album... then to me, it's a guaranteed hit. The plus side are the videos which helped me like this album even more. HIGHLY RECOMMEDED!!!

After listening to Hitomi debut album, Papiyon, I made the decision to add Shimatani Hitomi to my list of my favorite JPOP artists. The album as a whole is new and refreshing, but HELLO! threw me for a loop, I had to rewind it a few times to make sure that my ears wasn't playing tricks on me. My favorite cuts on this joint are as follows but not in order: Shanty Remember of You HELLO! Amairo no Kami no Otome

I have been following Shinichi Osawa since his days as being the creative musical genius behind Mondo Grosso... and I have all their albums. And since Mondo Grosso dropped Next Wave... I didn't expect at all for Shinichi Osawa to move onto the lines of modern dance and techno, but I welcomed Next Wave with open arms. I was hooked and became excited when Shinichi was going to release a new album. This is one album that you have to listen to over and over until it grows on you. It feels like an experiment, combining different genres of music, but it is something that anyone could get into. This album is nonetheless a gem, but at the same time, it's something new and unfamilar.

OMG... I am totally going bananas over DOLCE, I cannot put it down. I completely understand what Ami-Go wanted to go back to her electronic roots and this album is one continuous melting pot of creativity and head-boppin' goodness. YOU ROCK AMI-GO!!! I love the way this album makes me, and my JPOP luvin' fanatic friends of mine, get up and shake our dum-dums. You's a suckah if you don't cop this album, for noobs or Ami-Go fans alike!

I was introduced to the voice of JUNE through the countless of watching Bleach, and I would immediately recognize and assumed that this beautiful voice belonged to a woman... and that's is why I feel like I have been tricked by CDJapan because when I ordered this single, I don't remember seeing a picture, but I threw it in my cart anyway and crossed my finger that I bought the right one. I was in a dilemma when my order was delivered, due to the fact, when I stumbled onto the cover of the single... I was like "dude, that's a guy". So I popped the cd in, and lo and behold, it was the same song. But it's all good though because I finally found and R&B act that I can be proud to say that that hypnotizing voice belongs to a man. And another note, June gets plaudits from me just because of the cover of Musicsoulchild's "Love" single. June turned a classic into a song of his own... note for note. I am now eagerly awaiting for my next order from CDJapan to find it's way home so I can listen to the other two singles June released along with his debut album. You guys will definitely see reviews from me for June in the future.

I give this ablum four stars, despite of the negative reviews, but this album is different than Ami-go's AROUND THE WORLD album... but this albums has some great moments like Aozora to Water, Alright!, Hare Moyou, To Be Free, Ok Funky God, Fantastic, Crystal, Sore Mo Kitto Shiawase. How are artists suppose to grow and mature if they stay within the box and not explore other genres? And for those who say that her voice isn't powerful, well if she joined Avex from a tragic hiatus, then the big wigs at Avex saw something unique within Suzuki Ami that set her apart from the rest. So what if Ami-go doesn't sound like Hamasaki Ayumi, BoA, Kuu-chan, Shimatani Hitomi, SILVA, JUNE, or even Jyongri... she still delivers on CONETTA and Ami-go's voice is tranquility to my ears! I am glad that I bought this ablum and now I will proudly add this album to Ami-go's Avex collection.

I have to agree with the rest of the commentors here, Moon is a hot single. "That Ain't Cool" is easily one of my favorites due to the fact that Fergie is huge here in Brazil, and when I found out that Koda Kumi collaborated with Fergie, I went bananas! The video "That Ain't Cool" is a marvel to see. And now I want to see what PUSIM is about. I thought Moon Crying was very emotional and touching. This package as a whole is inspiring, awesome, and sexy... I am glad that I finally have it! I am positive that Kuu-chan will deliver another stellar up coming album... and that's something that I cannot wait for. A must have for Kuu-chan or Fergie fans!

Koda Kumi keeps pushing the envelope, touching subjects that other JPOP stars are somewhat timid, even to approach. I always loved Koda Kumi because of her edge, her sexiness, and after watching the video "TABOO" Kuu-chan has reminded me why she is one of my favorites since she has turned me on to JPOP back when I was playing the Japanese version of FFX-2. I am glad that I purchased this single because the sound is definitely one that I didn't expect and it totally caught me off guard. A must have for fans of Kuu-chan!!!

I have decided that Morning Musume is my favorite Japanese girl group. I really didn't want to see Fukuda Asuka part, but I understand that there will be a time where we all have to make a life changing decision. Morning Musume goodness is what this group is known for... wholesome Japanese pop. A wonderful addition to add to your collection or if you're a noob to the JPOP scene.

I accidently stumbled onto Jyongri through a remixing website, and one of her songs grabbed me, but I didn't get the chance to catch the name of the song. I heard it again on Last FM, and fell in love with it again, Possession. I ordered it and haven't looked back since. Close To Fantasy is a very good debut that consist mostly of R&B ballads and dance numbers that will somehow linger inside your head and break all concentration. Along with meaningful lyrics and catchy tunes, it is Jyongri's voice that give this album life, and the rest obviously comes natural. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Although I am new to the JRock scene, I have heard nothing but good things about Versailles. But what convinced me and made me pay attention to the band is a good friend of mine let me listen to his copy of Lyrical Sympathy; and I was simply blown away. I have ordered two copies of Lyrical Sympathy and pre-ordered Noble. I must be patient. I am eager to hear what Versailles has in store for their fans.

Ku-chan has greatly redeemed herself with the release of KINGDOM. This ablum has it all the right elements, Dance, Rock, Ballad, R&B, and a little Pop which, in my opinion (and I'm sure everyone would agree) is THE foundation that makes this album so... treasured. In other words, I LOVE THIS ALBUM!!! Favorite tracks as of 2008/03/30: Amai Wana [****] Himitsu [****] Ai No Uta [*****] Anytime [****] Under [******] But [********] Koi No Mahou [*****] Aishou [****] Anata Ga Shite Kureta Koto [****] Wonderland [**********] Freaky [**********] More [**************] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

I really don't know what to say about this album, to me, it was kind of a disappointment; or maybe I need to spend more than two months trying to find out does Black Cherry strikes me, and it doesn't. My Favorite Tracks: Ningyo Hime Yume No Uta Koi No Tsubomi JUICY Cherry Girl Black Cherry doesn't have that umph! that all the albums before Black Cherry, or maybe I'm just crazy according to all the other reviews. I hope that Kingdom is far better than this. But I would still recommend if you're a Kuu-chan fan.