Since the turn of the century, Japan’s most popular female vocalist, the 23-year-old Mika Nakashima, has enjoyed huge success and a long run at the top of the charts. As the title states, this release compiles the best of the diva’s work, from 2001 until the present. That said, Nakashima’s pop superstardom owes much to her publicity agent, whose promotional efforts have made her a household name. In 2001, Nakashima made her debut with the song, “Stars”, the theme song for the Fuji TV drama Kizudarake no Love Song, in which she also starred. Other works have appeared in a number of the very popular anime series; “Find the Way”, for example, became a massive hit (and a karaoke favorite) after being featured in the Mobile Suit Gundam Seed series in 2004. Later, the song was covered by Korean singer Park Hyo-shin and featured in a Korean soap opera. Indeed, Nakashima’s music travels well; she currently enjoys acclaim in the Chinese mainland, Taiwan Province and, as mentioned, South Korea. In addition to covers of John Newton’s “Amazing Grace” and L’ Arc en Ciel’s “Glamorous Sky”, this CD includes the Valentine’s Day song “Aishiteru” and the sexy, up tempo jazz number “Love Addict”, written by Nakashima herself. If J-Pop is your thing, this is the one to get.
Sony-BMG

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
June 2006 issue