Mai Kuraki – 24 Xmas time November 23, 2008

Track Listing

1. 24 Xmas time
2. All I want
3. 24 Xmas time (Remix)
4. 24 Xmas time -instrumental-
5. All I want -instrumental-

1. 24 Xmas time

Mai-K and christmas tunes go hand in hand, because her last winter A-side “Winter Bells” was definitly one of my favorite J-pop Christmas songs and to see that she did it again made me happy.  24 Xmas time is upbeat and carries a more apparant R&B sound.  The problem is that she actually returns to this R&B that she’s been trying to get away of somewhat.  There’s a rapper as well in the song, and he’s alright but not the best.

2. All I want

All I want is the winter ballad of the single.  The lack of anything except piano and acoustics does seem pretty bland, but Mai’s voice is so sweet and lovely to hear.  She doesn’t get too crazy with the vocals which she has done before.  I’ve said this to many artists, but I also feel Mai-K has pushed with too many ballads.  So they start to become less memorable by each release, so I’m fearing this’ll also be forgotten.

3. 24 Xmas time (Remix)

I’m not sure why you’d need to remix a christmas tune, but I guess this track has been done.  The remix has a heavier R&B atmosphere, but it’s still basically the same track as above.  I did find the beats to be a little overbearing and it kind of messed up the holiday feeling the song was supposed to bring.  I guess my hopes weren’t too high for this.

 

 

Mai’s holiday single is alright, but it doesn’t hold a candle to “Winter Bells” for sure.  I guess it’s kind of strange to see Mai-K going back to her roots for the single because the song has such an R&B sound to it.  The B-side is alright, but it’ll get old pretty quickly.  Remix wasn’t needed, but I guess it’s needed. 

Mai Kuraki – Tsumetai Umi/Start in my life November 8, 2008

Track Listing

1. Tsumetai Umi
2. Start in my life
3. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP ~Never Never Land mix one~
4. Tsumetai Umi ~Instrumental~
5. Start in my life ~Instrumental~

1. Tsumetai Umi

A slower R&B track covers the first part of the double A-side package and I actually like this.  Even though I still consider Hikki over Mai, she actually does pretty well this time.  The song doesn’t bore me and the shuffling beat is quite catchy even though its typical.  The only think that bothered me was how thin she got hitting the high notes in the chorus. 

2. Start in my life

Sadly, I can’t say the same for the other A-side.  It reminds me too much of “Reach for the sky”  I mean it’s practically at the same tempo if not faster.  I guess Mai-K sounds a lot better controlling her notes and adding emotion, but c’mon the song is a major borefest for me. 

 

 

This is the problem, Mai Kuraki is putting out really boring singles…I mean the style hasn’t budged a bit and it’s still R&B to the core.  Tsumetai Umi though was the good A-side but it’s not too high on my favorites.  Start in my life was just so damn boring though…

 

 

 

Mai Kuraki – Reach for the sky October 9, 2008

Track Listing

1. Reach for the sky
2. What I feel
3. Reach for the sky GOMI REMIX
4. Reach for the sky KEN ISHII REMIX
5. Reach for the sky DJ HIYOCO REMIX
6. Reach for the sky ~Instrumental~

1. Reach for the sky

I’m not sure why we’re going back into the lame bland state of R&B.  There was just no spark in this song or anything that really made the song stand out in anyway.  I’m noticing though that Mai is using a lot of vibrato within the song which is pretty shocking since she’s hasn’t relied heavily on it yet.  Still very bland as an A-side goes.

2. What I feel

I actually liked this track more, only because it’s a lot more faster and reminds me of “delicious way” a bit.  It’s quite soothing for being such an upbeat track whichI guess is a good change.  She still needs some English lessons because her accenting is quite harsh on a few stuff.  The guy’s moment though killed the moment altogether because it didn’t make much sense.  Still it’s pretty good

3. Reach for the sky GOMI REMIX

Only reason I’m reviewing this is because it’s on the album.  Already I think this beats out the original by miles.  Giving it a dance style and some guitar to make it sound like it has the feeling of flight in it really gave the song some life.  The 2nd verse sounds totally different sounding a bit more darker, but hops back into the fluffiness of the airy dance sounds.  Awesome remix.

 

 

Mai, I’m starting to dislike your R&B style altogether since you rarely change out of it and sometimes it comes out very bland.  With Reach for the sky, it was boring and not really interesting in terms of overall performance.  What I feel was definitly A-side material and probably would have been the better track.  The remix at least the one I only have was already so much better than the original and I’m happy it was on the album

Mai Kuraki – Simply Wonderful September 26, 2008

Track Listing

1. Simply Wonderful ~Club Edit~
2. Simply Wonderful ~Radio Edit~
3. think about
4. Baby I Like ~Turn Me On Mix
5. Simply Wonderful ~Club Edit~ (Instrumental)
6. Simply Wonderful ~Radio Edit~ (Instrumental)

1. Simply Wonderful ~Club Edit~

 Odd way to start off with a remix version of said  single.  They decided to change the original formula and made it club-friendly.  It does have a 90’s dance sound to it which is pretty cool.  There’s some interesting warping to the notes but at the end of it all, it didn’t really capture the essence of the Radio edit.

2. Simply Wonderful ~Radio Edit~

This was what was put to the PV and I love the whole latin feeling of this track.  The acoustic guitar really stood out and really made the song what it is.  I mean it’s R&B still, but at least Mai is trying to combine which is a smart idea on her part.  The sound is definitly refreshing and as fro her vocals it’s still thin on the higher parts, but that doesn’t really take away from this track.  Awesome.

3. think about

To be honest, I’m not really into her B-sides much and this is another case of bland but stands out in a way track.  It’s definitly an R&B track but I do like her voice in this track.  It’s not really thin and she actually is putting effort in this song.  It’s pretty smooth and made a nice B-side after all.

 

 

Mai’s 1st single for the “Perfect Crime” is definitly a strange one overall.  I mean the two main tracks were well produced and I’m happy for that.  I find it strange to start a single off a remix though, which I don’t know how that decision was made.  Even worse is that “think about” is on the album while Simply Wonderful is shafted and isn’t seen until her “Best of” album comes out….how depressing.

Mai Kuraki – delicious way September 17, 2008

Track Listing

1. delicious way
2. Love, Day After Tomorrow
3. Secret of my heart
4. Stepping ∞ Out
5. Baby Tonight~You & Me~
6. Can’t get enough~gimme your love~
7. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP
8. Stay by my side
9. Everything’s All Right
10. happy days
11. Kimi to no Jikan

1. delicious way

Already we start with a pretty upbeat track.  As it is the title opening track it actually was really catchy.  With a pretty safe beat and Mai’s overall soothing vocals.  The only problem was them background vocals that sounded quite off to me.  I want to say it’s less R&B and leaning more to a pop side.  Why is there a rap section?  Oh well.  A great 1st track.

2. Love, Day After Tomorrow

Now, we enter the debut single from Mai and this is another one of those (I hate BKGD singers) moments.  Mai tries for a deeper tone and she kind of fails being flat and a little boring.  The chorus is entirely in English, but Mai does very little to make herself standout amongst the crowd of other singers.  I do like the R&B music though.

3. Secret of my heart

A little more slower than the previous two, Mai sounds a lot more better here.  The only problem was this song was so boring to me.  There was just nothing to stand out and it was a single for gosh sakes.  There was just no excitement here.  I do like all the synth usage though.

4. Stepping ∞ Out

Taking a more urban feel, this song was another failed track.  Just like “Secret of my heart” this was just so boring and fillerish.  This was just not needed and c’mon Mai, I know you can do so much better, I mean seriously this was just trash.

5. Baby Tonight~You & Me~

Finally, there’s actual hope to the album.  It’s another slower R&B track, but being very basic and pretty soothing.  There’s some interesting stuff like the snapping of fingers that makes the beat.  Mai sounds pretty good singing it in English too which is great.  Soothing for sure.

6. Can’t get enough~gimme your love~

Sadly, we go back to poopy BKGD singers and very dry arrangement of music.  The only interesting thing is that Mai’s voice is either under light vocoder or is being layered.  That is the only thing that kept me interested in the song.  *sigh* Oh yea, rapping section = poor

7. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP

My favorite single A-side pops up and is still is a better track off this album.  Interesting sounds and taking a part from an 80’s track this song oozes so good.  Mai sounds so mellow and very honest in her vocals.  Mostly a hybrid of English and Japanese I kind of thought her English was alright.  If she sung it now I bet she’d sound perfect.  The whole rapping section between her and Michael Africk was kind random, but kinda kool at the same time….Oh yea, he’s quite the hottie too.

8. Stay by my side

Another A-side comes by and I’m still on edge if I really enjoy it or not.  At one side I do like the smoothness of it all, but on the other side it seems kind of stressed for her and very uncomfortable.  I’m really starting to hate the shuffling and them damn BKGD singers.  I should get used to them though.

9. Everything’s All Right

Good thing this song is on here.  It’s upbeat and has a positive message mostly evident in the chorus.  I wish it was just her again since I’m getting angry.  Still it is her best B-side and I’m happy it’s the only one chosen for it.  Her English is so good here though.  I praise that in her.

10. happy days

I didn’t think much of it until I had to hear it fully and once again it’s very bland and so boring.  For being a song called happy days it’s pretty damn depressing for one.  Whoa, then after the chorus it gets to a pretty frantic part before going soft on us.  That was pretty cool, but I wish it had more pizzaz to it.  Kind of alright song all in all.

11. Kimi to no Jikan

And we finish off the album with another boring R&B ballad.  Except this time it sounds weird.  The piano has some pretty strange chords.  I guess for being the final track, it does its job, but other than that it’s another R&B track that you can pass up entirely.

Tracks Recommended

• NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP
• delicious way
• Everything’s All Right
• Baby Tonight~You & Me~

There was bits and pieces I really enjoyed about Mai-K’s debut.  Sadly the rest was so overused and just so bland.  Seriously, she needs to not be so dependent on the BKGD vocalists, it’s really bad.  R&B once again is the majority of the album, luckily it doesn’t stand high to Utada IMO.  If you really like R&B you might find yourself liking this, but for me…just a handful of songs will do for me.

Mai Kuraki – NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP August 18, 2008

Track Listing

1. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP (featuring Michael Africk)
2. Trying To Find My Way
3. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP -It’s On Tonight Remix-
4. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP ~Instumental~

1. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP (featuring Michael Africk)

Taking a memorable line from a Rick Astley song of the same name.  Mai Kuraki creates this R&B ballad.  Starts with a beautiful string entrance and Michael starts with ~Baby for you~ and Mai with ~Never gonna give you up~  Mai actually sounds pretty good in English actually which surprised me.  The song has a very interesting sound overall, but what made this song quirky was the rapping section towards the end of the song.  It was kind of random but these two together quite made a nice pair.  BTW he sang “Come On! Come On!”  with Mai in one of her tours if I remember right.

2. Trying To Find My Way

I thought of so many good things to say.  It was different sounding also.  Still in the R&B genre but she’s created a very different sound with descending strings and piano being in the background.  Kind of reminds me of something Ai Otsuka would do actually.  Her English though takes a bad road and sounds bad when she’s trying to say ~Trying~

 

 

Mai’s 4th and final single of the “delicious way” era was actually a pretty good one.  The title track wasn’t so much a remake, but a good collaboration even though that rapping part was f-u-n-n-y.  The B-side was a nice calm song that fits well with Mai’s sound. 

Mai Kuraki – Secret of my heart August 8, 2008

 

Track Listing

1. Secret of my heart
2. This is your life
3. Secret of my heart ~runnin’ around at the “Village” Mix~
4. Secret of my heart ~Instrumental~

1. Secret of my heart

Not that I’m fond of Mai Kuraki’s R&B stuff, but this song kind of ranges in Utada’s ethereal music.  So, I’m kind of liking the song, since it’s so nice to listen to.  I think this is by far my favorite A-side in this era.  Mai also sounds beautiful here.  i think she should do more songs like this.

2. This is your life

Here’s where things get so bland.  This song was crying boring.  It’s just like “Secret of my heart” and her past songs all morphed into one.  It’s usually a problem in her later singles also, the b-side being so boring.  I mean try a different sound Mai, I know you can!  Fine, you sound good, that’s a compliment right?

 

 

So Mai’s 3rd single is a split for me.  Secret of my heart was a beautiful track that sounds great to listen to anytime of the day.  This is your life was just boring and so bland for R&B…..So it’s your own choosing for this one. 

Mai Kuraki – Stay by my side July 27, 2008

 

Track Listing

1. Stay by my side
2. Just Like You Smile Baby
3. Love, Day After Tomorrow -Day Tripper Drum n’ Bass Mix-
4. Stay by my side ~Instrumental~

1. Stay by my side

A soft pop song, Mai sounds kind of nice with the shuffling R&B beats.  It’s got a nice sound with Mai’s soft-spoken vocals.  Strange thing is that I think the shuffling would’ve been better left off, making it a more ballad-like track.  she does get more apparant later in the song and she sounds nice.

2. Just Like You Smile Baby

Even more R&B than the last track, we get to listen to Mai’s deeper voice which oddly sounds like Utada.  I do like the configuration of the synths in the track.  Mai does mess up saying the title, she mashed them up so you can really decipher ~Smile Baby~. 

 

 

Mai’s 2nd single was alright, not her best but it was pretty good from her.  Stay by my side only goes on to be on “Delicious Way”  The b-side well, I’m not going to miss it at all.

Mai Kuraki – Love, Day After Tomorrow July 18, 2008

 

Track Listing

1. Love, Day After Tomorrow
2. Everything’s All Right
3. Everything’s All Right (Remix)
4. Love, Day After Tomorrow (Instrumental)

1. Love, Day After Tomorrow

Ah, the urban feel from Mai Kuraki.  Her voice is very smooth most of the time and this song pretty much enforces that rule.  I was kind of confused at how she said the title of the song however in the chorus but w/e.  It’s got such a cool, calm beat to it.  A very good debut track.

2. Everything’s All Right

The B-side sounds almost too similar to the previous track, but this time there’s more BKGD vocals.  Then again they take over the chorus while Mai covers the verses.  I found this track to be more better than “Love, Day After Tomorrow”.  There’s strings spread out and about in the track, which is always a good thing.  Awesome Track.

 

 

Mai’s debut was definitly a good introduction to her career.  Love, Day After Tomorrow was a great track, but c’mon Everything’s All Right was the better track.  Both are great with this Japanese R&B singer!