Channel-Ai Community Blog - JPop reviews, articles

alan on ViVi

Artist: alan Release Date: 2007.11.21 Product Code: AVCD-31328/9 Genre: Ballad Label: avex trax Format: Physical Single

In an industry as dynamic and competitive as the J-Pop industry, every record label must continuously struggle in the endeavor of remaining up-to-date and managing to accommodate every niche and interest group. In some instances this might mean a record label has to be daring and experimental, by picking up new artists which might or might not be a sound investment. Few record labels take this risk, especially with foreign artists. However avex trax seems to be one of those few who are willing to take that risk as long as the artist carries some potential. In the past few months, avex has been introducing several new faces in the J-Pop industry. The Tibetan/Chinese singer alan happens to be one of the newest addition to avex trax.

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NEWS in 2005

Artist: NEWS Product code: JCEN-67/69 Release date: 2005.04.27 Highest Ranking: #1 Label: Johnny’s Entertainment Limited Edition: booklet, DVD

In 2003, Johnny’s Entertainment announced the formation of a new idol group “NewS” to cheer for the 2003 world women’s volleyball tournament. “NewS” stood for “North East West South,” indicating that members of the group hailed from all regions of Japan. The group consisted of nine members who performed around the country supporting the games, and they released an unofficial but wildly successful single “NEWS Nippon” that was only sold at 7-Eleven stores.

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Photobook Image

Artist: Ayumi Hamasaki Product Code: AVCD-23503/4 Release Date: 2008.01.01 Highest Ranking: #1 First Press: Photobook Genre: Pop/Rock Label: avex trax Format: CD or CD+DVD

A new year has finally arrived and J-Pop diva, Ayumi Hamasaki has walked in 2008 along with her ninth studio album. Following a similar trend to previous albums like “I Am…” and “(miss)understood“, “GUILTY” was released on the first day of 2008. However the album was available on sale in stores on Christmas day. The album was released in two packages, which comprised of a CD-only and a CD+DVD version. A special 32 page photobook was included with the first press edition. It is needless to say that “GUILTY” was highly anticipated amongst both Hamasaki and J-Pop fans alike.

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Ai-chin will be mad if you don't buy this album

LOVE JAM Artist: Ai Otsuka Product Code: AVCD-17538 Release date: 2004.11.17 Debut Ranking: #1 Label: avex trax First Press: 80 page drawing booklet

Ai-chin’s 2nd album, “LOVE JAM”, was released on 2004.11.17, that is less than 8 months since the release of her debut album, “LOVE PUNCH“. Despite the short time frame between these two albums, no quality of music was compromised, in fact “LOVE JAM” is arguably a tuned up version of “LOVE PUNCH”, showing improvements in both the arrangement of music and the depth of her ballads.

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Lame logo for Channel-Ai 2nd Anniversary

First of all, this draft post has been sitting for quite some time and it’s about time for me to simply press the publish button… So, August 25^th is the birthday for Channel-Ai Community Blog but I did not have the time to complete this anniversary post back then. In this post, I will try to sum up what we have achieved in the past two years and what we plan to achieve before hitting our 3^rd anniversary. ;)

The idea of Channel-Ai Community Blog was born around mid August 2006. Back then I was thinking if I could make better use of the WordPress I initially installed for my personal blog. Since I am not that active a blogger, I reckon this blogging platform will be put into better use if I somehow allow Channel-Ai forum members to participate as writers for this blog. I discussed my proposal with Jason, my high school friend, and he liked this idea so much that he was willing to be one of the first writer for this blog, showing what could be done to promote the latest release of your favourite J-Pop groups and singers via this blog.

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