Customer Reviews

Ayu-Mi-X 2

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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 Professor

The 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.

First of all, as Amazon did not have the track listing at the time of this review, it is as follows: 1) Trauma [YUKIHIRO FUKUTOMI REMIX] 2) Fly high [Groove That Speed Mix] 3) immature [CLUB BAHIA MIX] 4) too late [LaB LIFe Remix] 5) Boys & Girls [Inskadisco mix] 6) WHATEVER [FPM's WINTER BOSSA] 7) End roll [da urban maestro mix] 8) Who... [Blue Obsession Mix] 9) And then [Future Disc Mix] 10) monochrome [D-Z WHITE INSTINCT Mix] 11) appears [DJ-TURBO Remix] 12) P.S. II [Dub's Kingship Remix]

Overall, this album is much better than the Version US + EU. It seems like the domestic remixers spent much more time and effort into their work; the Western remixes are good and pleasant, but do not depart too much from the club/dance music. The Japanese remixers have evident music training, for they have the ability to completely change the feel and melody lines of the original into unique pieces. Some very electronically-based songs have organic instruments added to great effect. While all tracks are excellent, particularly notable are tracks 3, 6, and especially 10. Track 10 is remixed by D-Z, who has previously remixed many of Hamasaki Ayumi's works. The 6-minute track is most notable for its inventiveness and intensity. Ingenious is a sweeping piano line coasting through a heavy background, creating a complementary contrast. The listening experience is quite exhilerating. For me, this track validated the purchase. I invite everyone to listen to this disc. It is interesting to see the remix interpretation of the original, double-disc album LOVEppears.

Why did I get this CD? I read the reviews of previous purchasers and it got an over all, good review. I bought thinking it would be this wonderful and one of a kind remix album. This being an Ayumi Hamasaki album, how could I go wrong?

This CD is wrong all the way through. I wanted to like the CD but I ended up skipping over most of the songs. Track 11 "Appears D-J Turbo Mix" is probably the stand out track for me, it's the best on the album.

The CD case is cool though, all glittery and there's an insert that looks like it's part of a puzzle, but I think that's only for Japan release albums. If you like cheesy Jazz, and Bossa Nova with a techno beat, you'll like this album, otherwise it's a waste of money.

I'm a heavy ayumi and remix fan, however I must say that I was dissapointed by this (rather expensive) CD.

First off take note this is clearly a dance cd - no orchestral remixes here - no jazz remixes - nothing of the sort. If you don't like dance music (or you're not dancing), then you may want to pass this by.

I myself enjoy some dance music every now and then, however this music tends to suspend itself in uncomfortable limbo between being pure dance music and attempts to deliver some musical talent.

The criteria of an ayumi mix is "take a beat moving around 120bpm, add a main instrument with small melodic changes to somewhat match ayumi's old song, then throw ayumi's voice in. Change instrument to change genre." In fact songs 1, 12, and 2 almost have the exact same drumline. (1 and 12 are nearly identical). If someone told me every song was made by the same person, I would not be surprised.

Not every song is so un-eventful, noticeably track 10, and the sound quality is good, however for this price check out the songs somewhere before you buy so you won't end up reaching for your classic ayumi cds. :)

This was my first entry into Japanese pop music. I was surprize to learn how deep the lyrics were. They are amazing compared to the modern pop of today. I was drawn to this remix album because a) it was cheaper than the orginal album b) the clips of the remixs sounded interesting. This best thing about this remix album is the variety ,,, it has a wide range of styles. I really like the "And Then (Future Disc Mix)" it is upbeat and great to dance to. In one remix you could even hear a sample of the New Order song "Blue monday" (or at least sounds quite a lot like it), Overall this is a great album to get into japanese-pop/dance music.

Yeah, I do really like this!!

Like the another reviewer has said on here, this is alot better than western remixes. It has a new feel to any of their original beings, and has therefore spun them around, makes them danceable, chillable, and much more cruisable.

'Monochrome', 'Fly High' and 'End Roll' are all standouts, with their excellent beat, interesting melodic layers, and they also use 'real' instruments...it doesn't sound like it's been created straight from a computer hard drive like so much recent dance music. Catchy too, yet not commercial.

'immature' and 'whatever' soune like they're straight off a funky, hot, ibiza, summer, baha style island...just gives that feel. 'Who' is refreshingly layed back. Sounds like it's right off a cafe del mar album. It's a good break in the album, ready for the last tracks.

It's honestly definently worth buying. A bitta dance, a bitta j-pop, something new and interesting for ur ears. One i'd definently add to your collection even if you can't speak jap (Im having a shocker understanding everything...but man it's bloody good stuff on here!!).

First of all, as Amazon did not have the track listing at the time of this review, it is as follows: 1) Trauma [YUKIHIRO FUKUTOMI REMIX] 2) Fly high [Groove That Speed Mix] 3) immature [CLUB BAHIA MIX] 4) too late [LaB LIFe Remix] 5) Boys & Girls [Inskadisco mix] 6) WHATEVER [FPM's WINTER BOSSA] 7) End roll [da urban maestro mix] 8) Who... [Blue Obsession Mix] 9) And then [Future Disc Mix] 10) monochrome [D-Z WHITE INSTINCT Mix] 11) appears [DJ-TURBO Remix] 12) P.S. II [Dub's Kingship Remix]

Overall, this album is much better than the Version US + EU. It seems like the domestic remixers spent much more time and effort into their work; the Western remixes are good and pleasant, but do not depart too much from the club/dance music. The Japanese remixers have evident music training, for they have the ability to completely change the feel and melody lines of the original into unique pieces. Some very electronically-based songs have organic instruments added to great effect. While all tracks are excellent, particularly notable are tracks 3, 6, and especially 10. Track 10 is remixed by D-Z, who has previously remixed many of Hamasaki Ayumi's works. The 6-minute track is most notable for its inventiveness and intensity. Ingenious is a sweeping piano line coasting through a heavy background, creating a complementary contrast. The listening experience is quite exhilerating (make sure to have it at high volume). For me, this track validated the purchase. I invite everyone to listen to this disc. It is interesting to see the remix interpretation of the original, double-disc album LOVEppears.

I bought this thinking the vocals were sung in English, since the song titles are listed in English and it is called the US & EU version. Not true. Plus, all of these mixes are single or radio edits. Not a single track clocks in at much over four minutes, with the majority not even making it to the four minute mark. Since I do not speak or understand Japanese this sounds like high pitched whining over some club beats to me. Not bad, but not exactly what I expected. Although, the work featured from some of these high-profile DJs is quite acceptable, especially "And Then" mixed by the Rhythm Masters.