Play - Fun & Engaging Educational Toys for Kids | Perfect for Indoor & Outdoor Activities, Birthday Gifts & Family Game Nights

The Queen of Hip-Pop is back with her long awaited full-length album "PLAY".Amuro Namie released her last album "Queen of Hip-Pop" back in July of 2005, so fans have been waiting for an album release for quite some time and I can't emphasize how this album is definitely worth the wait!If there is one J-POP singer who has embraced a Western style of R&B, pop style (and has worked with quite a few distinct producers) and knows how to balance it out with smooth vocals, great music and on the music video and live performance side, showing that this 30-year old momma is sexier, wiser and showing why Japanese music fans should not even discount her.Since she broke out ala solo (originally a member of the Super Monkeys) back in 1996 with "Sweet 19 Blues" and quickly becoming the top selling pop diva at that time, this present Amuro embodies a style that can be looked at as a mix of Janet Jackson and Christine Aguilera. That is incorporating soul R&B music, awesome choreography and maintaining a sexy/stylish look. And not many female music performers can be pointed out as among the few who have gotten considerably better performance-wise with age.In my opinion, Amuro Namie is one of the rare artists who just has that special talent and possibly can transcend to one of the few who can possibly be 40-years-old and still attract young and old fans alike. She's that talented! She keeps reinventing herself and not afraid to try something new and fresh each time.As for the new album... Wow!"PLAY" features a total of twelve tracks which include the CD singles "VIOLET SAUCE" (came with "WHITE LIGHT"), "CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK", "BABY DON'T CRY" and her latest CD single "FUNKY TOWN". These songs are awesome but interesting is how the non-CD single songs on this album are so awesome!The first track features "HIDE & SEEK". A catchy R&B song that starts out like a college band at a football game but transitions to a smooth R&B beat that is just too addicting.The second track "FULL MOON" is like old school meets new school as FERGIE has been able to incorporate to her music, Amuro does the same with this track. My gawd...if this song was played at a club, this would be like the "freak dance" song. Again, great balance of old school beats and new school beats.And the other tracks such as "IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU", "STEP WITH IT", "HELLO" and "TOP SECRET" all have that balance of smooth vocals, R&B beat and that Western R&B feel. "PLAY" is probably the first Amuro Namie album where I can say that I enjoyed all songs.What about a Slow jam? Of course, what is an Amuro Namie album without one. In this case, "SHOULD I LOVE HIM?" is the slow jam of "PLAY". A well-done smooth jam that actually stays consistent to the music on this album with that Western R&B feel.All in all, I can't further state how excited about this album. It's a great balance of music and vocals and everything is executed quite well. I found no faults and listened to the album completely over and over about a dozen times today. I enjoyed "PLAY" a lot!THE DVD:The DVD features five music videos and I think the first video featured "HIDE & SEEK" is enough to show how far this artist has come. Her focus on choreography, style and sexiness is evident on her music videos and her past promotional videos pale beyond comparison to the videos you get on this DVD.If anything, the DVD has enhanced my enjoyability of the songs on the album.As for the special feature, "NAMIE AMURO x The World of GOLDEN EGGS" features Amuro Namie's first voice acting gig in a animated short. Amuro plays a member of the GUSHIKEN BAND. The animation is nothing spectacular but still nevertheless fun to hear Amuro Namie doing some voice work.CD INSERT CONTENTS:Contents feature a lyric booklet, Amuro fan club info., mu-mo info.NEGATIVES?:Really, there is nothing I can fault with this album. The only one that I can possibly think of is for those who enjoy the pop-oriented "BABY DON'T CRY", they may find that not all songs on "PLAY" are like that type of style. In fact, the majority of the songs on this album are very soul R&B oriented and if you can't stand that type of music, then this album is probably not for you.THE FINAL WORD:Of all the Amuro Namie albums that I own, you would think that I would still hold a candle to the music that I loved from her as a Super Monkey up to "Concentration 20'. There was a long lull where I felt myself starting to move away from her music but around 2003, I started to really start to take a look at her and her music again. And I realize that it was a slow build to something that Amuro felt comfortable with and that is to not rush things with countless monthly releases such as her other avex pop diva counterparts.Two years seems like a long wait for an album from Amuro Namie but as I mentioned before... "PLAY" is definitely worth the wait and this album has brought me back to appreciating her as an artist and her music."PLAY" is my favorite album from Amuro Namie period. I think that Amuro Namie fans will love this album and you will bump, you will shake and dance to the music. It's that good!Highly Recommended!