Best Hit! Nittele 55 avex Edition

The Nittele Best Hits omnibus albums deal with different record labels on their search for the best theme and image songs. In February 2009, it was time for Avex's contribution, and two charming ladies - Natsume Miku and Miyazaki Nobuko - moderate the compilation.

The selection starts with a short intro by pop group go!go! Girls, of which Miku is one of the three members. She then introduces herself in the first Music Navi and talks a bit over Hamasaki Ayumi’s independent. The song presents itself as a rock styled, hypnotizing and exuberantly catchy tune, and it collects points with its catchy refrain as well. Nobuko announces hitomi’s LOVE 2000 next, and this song plays with unexpectedly hard guitar chords but can still be described as lighthearted. The chosen contributions of Amuro Namie, Every Little Thing and DA PUMP are strong emotional pop ballads, which bring with them an orchestral ambiance, or - in case of DA PUMP - lots of schmaltz. Koda Kumi’s m-a-z-e is a mid-tempo, mysterious R&B number that is followed by the soft dance track Baby don’t cry by hiro. The track tries to charm with its harp chords and a traditional melody, but falls a bit short.

Contrary to all expectations, you would be hard pressed to describe Otsuka Ai’s Momo no hanabira: it unfurls like a lullaby that is broken during the refrain because of the rising pace. Furthermore, the sound of a shamisen shines through now and then. Hinoi Asuka’s track is the next mid-tempo dance track and has a good groove; it is followed by the loud, shrill and powerful Bokura dake no uta. AAA summons the summer with their song SUNSHINE, and in the next song, ”Rajikaruu” Theme, the selections start getting kitschy. The track reminds strongly of the Japanese image songs for “Sailor Moon." Konishi Yasuharu’s remix of Kageki “William Tell” jokyoku is an outstanding revival of an old classic song. Due to the high value of recognition, even classical music lovers will enjoy the electronic version. The go!go! Girls and their contemplative, old-fashioned Christmas song close the 29 track compilation.

The selection is surprisingly well-balanced and offers something interesting to everyone. The short interludes of Music Navis aren’t disturbing - on the contrary, they provide important information about the song within a few seconds. On this sampler, Hamasaki Ayumi’s independent, Amuro Namie’s I HAVE NEVER SEEN, sure by Every Little Thing and Konishi Yasuharu’s Kageki “William Tell” jokyoku were just a few of the best highlights.