(the) Road to the Deep East

Just like Japanese society calls the years from 1990 to 2000, the era in which socialists took the reign and economic growth stopped after the collapse of bubble economy, 'lost decade', in a sense, my life as an idol otaku (2000-2007) was a kind of 'lost decade'.

I have to confess, in this decade, my sense, or antenna to search hopeful musicians or songs as a music fan who used to listen all kind of songs from all genre in the world earnestly got a bit rusty. I was still listening works from some young and talented musicians such as Orange Range or Rip Slyme, but apparently it wasn't enough. I have to admit that I overlooked a lot of musicians who appeared while I indulged myself into hot pants between the hot legs from teens. (*)

Anyway, now now I'm back to non-otaku person's life, so it's a good chance to look back and re-value the music of this era. I'd like to name this project 'Search of the lost decade' project, and like to introduce the artists appeared in this era whom I overlooked but rediscovered by myself recently.

Today, to begin with, I'd like to introduce '10 YEARS BEST WE R&B 1998-2008', from DOUBLE

10 YEARS BEST-We R&B-(DVD付) (2008/02/06) DOUBLE、DOUBLE feat.VERBAL 他 details

(track list: here)


Speaking of double, I don't say I didn't know her at all. As she bravely calls herself 'Queen of R&B' by herself (or at least her agency calls to promote this album), double is not as popular as Amuro Namie,' Queen of Hip-Hop', but her name is known as a kind of genuine R&B singer as well as Misia.

To give the conclusion first, it is truly awesome album. Through this album, we can enjoy all the masterpieces from this duo selected by vote from fans. Originally, DOUBLE was a duo of sisters 'double' like soulhead, but elder sister SACHIKO unfortunately passed out in 1999, and left Takako continued this group as 'DOUBLE.' We can also enjoy the evolution and growth of DOUBLE from double to DOUBLE era.

All the songs are best, but if I select 5 from 31, I'd like to recommend 'handle', 'shake', 'For me', 'Driving All right', and 'Emotion'. Especially, I realized the greatness of 'handle' which I recognized this group's name first in my life 8 years ago.

Now DOUBLE opened its 10th anniversary memorial website, and a lot of musicians are commenting and admiring the greatness and importance of double in Japanese R&B world. Koda Kumi says that 'Shake' was the first analog record she bought and double was the first and last artist whom she wanted autograph. Bennie K also emphasize the importance of double in Japanese R&B history. AI also admires everything of double, and especially, her outlook , and says 'yaritai desu!!' (I wanna do again!!) in a suggestive tone. It is not too much to say that if without DOUBLE, these Japanese representative artist couldn't be gave birth in this industry. Not only female musicians, some hip-hop artists like SOUL'd out or m-flo, Soffet , Douji-Tare also posting a positive message regarding this anniversary.

By the way, DOUBLE is also famous as one of the sexiest Japanese female musicians. Interestedly, as if to be a pinup girl, she also released a photo collection book named 'Gekkan Double'. As I've just noticed at this release, I haven't read it yet, but I couldn't help ordering it at Amazon as soon as seeing this cover!!!

月刊DOUBLE (SHINCHO MOOK 97) (2007/12) TAKAKI_KUMADA details

Now Takako of double is 32. Not young, and Koda Kumi may say her amniotic fluid is getting rotten. However, as far as seeing the quality of this wonderful album and phot book, as a　Queen Dark of R&B, or a counterpart of Amuro, Queen Light , visually and musically, she will always be a leading authority of of R&B in Japan in the future.

In the next entry of this series, I'd like to introduce another artist who celebrated its 10 anniversary recently.


(*)
But just in case, I'd like to add, it doesn't mean I write these series to complain and regret myself. As far as I experienced, in this decade, idol music has a certain kind of quality, possibility which overwhelms boring traditional pop songs. In addition, now I could see off Perfume's departure as an ideal heir of SPEED or Morning Musume, so I was satisfied, even if it was not the group I love the best.


(Series #1)
(Series #2)
(Series #3)
(Series #4)