COLOR - BLACK ~A night for you~

It was only six months between the releases of COLOR's BLUE ~Tears from the Sky~ and BLACK ~A night for you~, but the latter album offers a plethora of new tracks. The songs all retain the typical R&B vocals COLOR is known for.

The album starts with two intros, both one minute in length, before the single Midnight call begins. Latin influences drive this mid-tempo, casual ballad as well as the soft electronic ornamentation and the typical sensitive singing. A song for an ex-girlfriend, it courts for attention in vain and winds up a bit disappointing - the mix of funk, balladic melodies and the partly high-pitched voices are incompatible. BUDDY comes along afterward and is much better. The song is sung by the four men and J Soul Brothers. Due to the interplay of vocals, lyrics and music, the track is very easygoing and casual, although it ends somewhat abruptly. The next track, Call My Name, is more in the typical COLOR style. It is an enchanting love song with soft synthesizers and can melt the heart of any woman.

night interlude is a one minute interlude that builds up tension with sounds of a thunderstorm before it turns into Just a Little Bit. Another emotional, slow love song, it echoes with an acoustic guitar and the words of farewell from a young woman. Based on her lines, the whole yearning and sad ambiance is just an act. The subsequent track, What about us Pt.2, is exception and sounds very dramatic at its start. However, it quickly develops into a charged, fiery pop anthem and surprises with fast vocals and hot lyrics. The following collaboration between COLOR and TO-C is playful and bright, and it tries to get you to believe that you are outside on a warm summer day without any troubles. It is musically accompanied by classical instruments like flute, piano and percussion. The sudden ending of the song is a bit inconsistent though.

More well-rounded is the schmaltzy ballad ain't so easy, which is underscored by classical instruments as well, but it possesses a strong ground beat. The penultimate track of the album is the Orient-inspired share wit' me. It has a slow pace and soft, lovely lyrics. The regular press features an impressive bonus track. Clearly superior pop-rock chords capture your interest and create a hypnotic effect. The result is that you are hooked to the rousing beat and vocals, as well as to the strong guitar chords. 24karats -typC- is a total hot tip and wonderfully combines the mysterious polyphonic vocals of COLOR with the energetic raps of DOBERMAN INC.

You don't have to be from Japan or even understand Japanese to understand the numerous love songs or to become enchanted by them. Though the well mixed English and Japanese lyrics make it easier for the English speaking listeners, a bit more variation wouldn't have harmed the album in any way. There are a few real party hits though, and the album can be recommended to all R&B and soul fans - and of course also to the romantic people among us.