A Solid Dance/Groove Compilation
Kane | Northwestern University | 05/01/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"At the time of writing, Amazon had no track listing, so I will provide it: 1) Boys & Girls [Main Radio Mix] 2) too late [Soul Solution Remix] 3) appears [Junior's Appears On The Air] 4) monochrome [Orb 7" Vocal Mix] 5) End roll [Mumu Dub Mix] 6) Fly high [SAMPLE MADNESS REMIX 2] 7) And then [Rhythm Masters Vocal 7-inch Mix] 8) WHATEVER [Ferry 'System F' Corsten Vocal Edit Mix] 9) Fly high [Vincent De Moor Remix Radio Edit] 10) Boys & Girls [Junior's Radio Version] 11) Trauma [Thunderpuss Remix] 12) kanariya [Main Radio Mix] 13) Who... [Who Dub It?] Note: Tracks 1 and 12 are remixed by Hex Hector, and Track 13 by Mad ProfessorThe overseas effort drafts many well-known remixers who have solid reputations in the Western world. Here, they contribute good work as usual. However, they do not take Hamasaki Ayumi's music to the highest potential, but reduce them to a rather generic feel. This might be because the Western remixers do not understand the content/mood of each song. Therefore, their personal styles eclipse the original songs. This album will definitely appeal to people who are fans of these remixers, but not necessarily to the fans of Hamasaki Ayumi. I personally am both, so I do genuinely like this disc. Particularly notable is track 8. The full version can be found on the "appears" maxi-single; this disc has the radio edit. Ferry Corsten does a very understanding remix; contrary to the other ones, he heightens the original. This piece creates a powerful emotional resonance absent from most other tracks, which emphasize dance/club elements. Overall, this disc is a good complement to the original--double-disc album "LOVEppears." It is a nice blending of J-pop melody lines and Western beat."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1