Mai

Eri Sugai | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 23, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Pacific Moon [Alleg]
• ASIN: B000054A5A
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #194,363 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Voice is the Instrument, January 6, 2002

By 

Boudica (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mai (Audio CD)

The human voice is capable of so much more than speech. When used by a well trained vocalist, it can become a compliment to well written music. Or it can become as a musical instrument itself, a focal point for the music written.

Examples of this are familiar to those who know Enya, who's voice accompanies some beautiful Celtic music, or Maire Brennan, another Celtic Vocalist and Lisa Gerrard, of Dead Can Dance.

We also have surpassed the need for the words to be understood. While Enya and Maire Brennan sing in the language of the Celts or Gallic, Lisa Gerrard's vocals are reminiscent of Aramaic.

Pacific Moon Records presents us with the vocals of Eri Sugai on the CD "Mai". We are immediately taken to the gardens of Japan, and her voice is the focal point, the harmony and the musical instrument by which we are transported. The music is a combination of Japanese folk and is blended with western harmonies derived from church music. Eri Sugai was strongly affected by church music early in her career, and it gives an almost spiritual tone to her vocalizations. This can best be realized in her track "Konjaku Monogatari". Though definitely Japanese in flavor, it has the serenity of a spiritual moment in a stained glass lit church.

Eri Sugai has strong vocals which are best experienced in her tracks "Honen Bushi", "Mai" and "A Song of Birth", she shows how well the voice can be incorporated as a musical instrument and is able to stand on its own when well developed and experienced. I am reminded on some tracks of the style of music most associated with Japanese Animation, pop, but never main stream. We have no need to understand the lyrics, the feeling is in the music, not in the words.

Her harmonies are excellent. The music is well chosen to show off her vocal abilities. Recording quality is well done, and Pacific Moon Recordings shows again the fine quality of material they have previously offered continues with this release. Again, the CD contains their signature incense sticks, which I think just adds to the quality of all their releases.

Eri Sugai deserves a place as a premier vocalist, in the same caliber as Enya or Maire Brennan. She stands on her own with her particular style and "Mai" is a wonderful introduction to her and her particular style of music.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nihon - West................................, June 9, 2001

By 

S. Watanabe "Fulgum" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mai (Audio CD)

I have listened to and been a big fan of a lot of Japanese music. It has ranged from ancient Bagaku music to classical (old) Japanese songs (vocal). I freely admit, however, that the modern (new) Japanese music and the glitter has been decidedly bad, in my opinion. Eri Sugai's "Mai," though, is way different and almost provocative. There are several elements about this CD that are strongly Western in style but much of the basic music, instruments, etc is Japanese. I was hooked after the first song!

In most Japanese music there is one melody that is sung throughout a piece. Even if there are a lot of people singing they all sing the same melody. On "Mai," however, there is strong harmony and even counter melodies on some songs that can only be found in Western music. The harmonies themselves are far ranging consisting of as much as four part harmonies sung on several octaves ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!! Very non-Eastern element. Several tracks have strong Chinese flavors to them which actaully enhances the Japanese music and the Western influences. It gives the CD a very favorable variety. Another thing that is amazing about this CD is the fact that nearly all the vocals were done by Eri Sugai ALONE! I was floored by this. You have to listen to the CD to understand why I say that but it is truly amazing. Her voice is clear and beautiful but you wonder continually if all these voices are really hers.

Lastly, the proof is in the music. I suggest everyone listen to two tracks: #1 and #2. If you like these two, you'll just love this CD. I was convinced after the first song, and now after to listening to the whole CD, I am VERY happy that I did purchase it. I think you will be too!

:-)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional, Arousing, & Very Moving CD!!!, August 5, 2004

By 

Just Duckie (S FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mai (Audio CD)

In my ongoing search to find music that has substance, originality, and is not mainstream; I started listening to native/world music. I stumbled upon a taiko drumming CD on the Pacific Moon label, and decided to see what else they had in their catalog. I bought the second volume of taiko drumming, and randomly picked this CD after reading the brief album description. I am so glad I did.

This album is just amazing!!! I love the fact that is completely different from what is currently playing in today's music scene. Eri's vocals are just stunning and I absolutely love the harmony between vocals and drum rhythms in 'Honen Bushi.' Some songs like 'Mai,' 'A Song of Birth,' and 'China Rose' reminds me of a few of my favorite amime films. Where as 'Horizon' and 'Rakuen' flashes beautiful scenic landscapes from around the world in my mind. However, I believe that 'First Love' can bring anyone to tears due to the shear angelic radiance of Eri's voice.

If you appreciate Sarah Brightman's virtous vocals, love Lisa Gerrard's mesmerizing style, or just enjoy the sound of the human voice...then your music collection is not complete until you have this CD in your possession. It will definitely be a CD on your Top 5 all time favorite albums.