| Best II | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Compilation album by | ||||
| Released | December 24, 1988 | |||
| Recorded | 1986−1988 | |||
| Genre | J-pop | |||
| Length | 41:18 | |||
| Language | Japanese | |||
| Label | Warner Pioneer | |||
| Akina Nakamori chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Best II | ||||
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Best II is the fourth compilation album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori. [1]
The compilation album contains all the singles released between 1986 and 1988: from the single Nonfiction Ecstasy until latest single released in 1988 I Missed The Shock during that time. The singles Nonfiction Ecstasy, Nanpasen , Blonde , Al-Mauj , Tattoo and I Missed The Shock were recorded in the album for first time. A three different album jackets were published in the CD, Vinyl and Cassette Tape.
Nonfiction Ecstasy is the Nakamori's first and only compact cassette single released on 10 November 1986. The single was released with the limited number of copies. The single debuted at number 1 on Oricon Single Weekly Chart. [2]
Blonde is the eighteenth single released on 3 June 1987. Later, the English version of the single with English lyrics The Look That Kills was recorded in the studio album Cross My Palm. [3] The single debuted at number 1 on Oricon Single Weekly Chart and became the 7th best sold single in 1985. In The Best Ten ranking, it debuted on number 1 and stayed at number 15 in the yearly chart. It has received cable music award in the 20th Japan Cable Awards. [4]
Nanpasen is the nineteenth single released on 30 September 1987. The original song was performed and written by Tokiko Kato in 1984. Tokiko herself sent Nakamori demo tape and asked her to perform this single. After watching celebration of Nakamori's 22nd birthday, Tokiko assumed to herself that the song is suitable for Nakamori to perform. [5] The single debuted at number 1 on Oricon Single Weekly Chart and became the 6th best sold single in 1987 and 81st best sold single in 1988. In The Best Ten ranking, it debuted on number 1 and stayed at number 7 in the 1987 yearly chart and at number 79 in the 1988 yearly chart.
It has received multiple music awards: Gold Award from Pop Category in 17th Ginza Music Festival, [2] Special Award in the 13th National Kayo Music Festival, Best Broadcast Music Award and Broadcast Music Special Federation Award in the 18th Japan Music Awards, Most Requested Singer Award in the 20th Japan Cable Awards, Excellent Star Award and Most Requested Award in the 20th National Cable Broadcasting Award, Best Singing Award in the 16th FNS Music Festival, Gold award and Special public Award in the 29th Japan Record Awards, [6] The Best Single of the Year Award in the 2nd Japan Gold Disc Award. [7]
Al-Mauj is the twentieth single released on 27 January 1988. It's Nakamori's third single with the motive of the oriental sound, which is since Gypsy Queen and Sand Beige. The title comes from the Arabic language and it means "wave". The song was originally recorded by the original composer of the song, Takashi Satō as "Déraciné" (デラシネ, Derashine) on his 1987 album Mizu no Naka no Taiyō (水の中の太陽, lit. Sun in the Water). The title of the song has been changed and as well as lyrics content-from the men point of the view to the women. The single debuted at number 1 on Oricon Single Weekly Chart and became the 14th best sold single in 1988. In The Best Ten ranking, it debuted on number 1 and stayed at number 18 in the yearly chart.
Tattoo is the twenty-first single released on 18 May 1988. The music producer is Anri Sekine from the Eurox, who previously worked on the Nakamori's first self-produce album Fushigi. Nakamori herself wanted to avoid a mini skirt and doesn't like them to wear, however she stated that it suits the atmosphere of this song. In the media it was used as a commercial song to the Orient Watch. The single debuted at number 1 on Oricon Single Weekly Chart and became the 13th best sold single in 1988. In The Best Ten ranking, it debuted on number 1 and stayed at number 9 in the yearly chart.
It has received three music awards: Pops Megalopolis Award and Pops Grand Prix Award in the 7th Megapolis Music Festival, Yomiuri TV Grand Prize in the 21st National Cable Broadcasting Award and Gold Award in the 30th 30th Japan Record Awards. [8]
I Missed The Shock is the twenty-second single released on 1 November 1988. The writer Qumico Fucci worked with Nakamori in the studio album Femme Fatale . Originally, I Missed the Shock was originally to be released B-side song of the early promoted single, Bilitis. The single debuted at number 3 on Oricon Single Weekly Chart and became the 57th best sold single in 1988 and the 53rd best sold single in 1989. In The Best Ten ranking, it debuted on number 3 and stayed at number 39 in the yearly chart.
It has received three music awards: Cable Music Award in the 21st Japan Cable Awards, [9] double awards Best Singing Award and Best Kayo Music Award in the 17th FNS Music Festival and Excellent Star award in the 21st National Cable Broadcasting Award.
It went to No.2 on the Japanese album chart on the week of release and remained at No.1 for two weeks. The album charted for 32 weeks. [10] [11] The album remained at number 4 on the Oricon Album Yearly Charts in 1989. [12]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Nonfiction Ecstasy" | Kazuko Sakata | Sakata | Kazuo Shiina | 3:32 |
| 2. | "Tattoo" | Yuri Moriko | Anri Sekine | Eurox | 3:57 |
| 3. | "Desire (Jōnetsu)" | Yoko Aki | Kisaburō Suzuki | Shiina | 4:24 |
| 4. | "Tango Noir" | Kayoko Fuyumori | Takashi Tsushimi | Satoshi Nakamura | 4:09 |
| 5. | "Blonde" |
|
| Nakamura | 3:53 |
| 6. | "I Missed the Shock" | Qumico Fucci | Fucci | Eurox | 4:10 |
| 7. | "Al-Mauj" | Akira Ootsu | Takashi Satou | Satoshi Takebe | 4:08 |
| 8. | "Fin" | Ikki Matsumoto | Ken Satou | Jun Satou | 4:11 |
| 9. | "Gypsy Queen" | Matsumoto | Wataru Kuniyasu | Shingo Kobayashi | 4:29 |
| 10. | "Nanpasen" | Tokiko Kato | Kato | Kei Wakakusa | 4:25 |
| Total length: | 41:17 | ||||
2023 remaster reissue
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11. | "Amish" (Āmisshu (清教徒（アーミッシュ）)) | Yasushi Akimoto | Toshinobu Kubota | Satoshi Takebe | 3:44 |
| 12. | "Koiji" ((恋路, "Romance")) | Natsuko Kisugi | Tetsuji Hayashi | Mitsuo Hagita | 5:09 |
| 13. | "Bara Ichiya" ((薔薇一夜, "One Night of Roses")) | Akira Ōtsu | Kisaburō Suzuki | Kazuo Ōtani | 4:43 |
| 14. | "Le Poison" (Lu Puazon (小悪魔（ル・プアゾン）)) | Keiko Asō | Masatoshi Nishimura | Jun Miyake | 3:50 |
| 15. | "Bilitis" | Eiko Kyo | Akihiro Yoshimi | Satoshi Takebe | 4:20 |
| Year | Format(s) | Serial number | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | LP, CT, CD | 28L1-49, 28L4-49, 32L2-49 | Warner Pioneer | [13] |
| 1989 | Gold CD | 36L2-5105 | Warner Pioneer | [14] |
| 1991 | CD | WPCL-427 | Warner Pioneer | [15] |
| 2006 | CD, digital download | WPCL-10291 | Warner Pioneer | [16] |
| 2012 | Super Audio CD, CD hybrid | WPCL-11149 | Warner Pioneer | [17] |
| 2018 | LP, CD | WPJL-10098, WPCL-12905 | Warner Pioneer | [18] |
| 2020 | LP | BRIDGE-309/10 | Bridge Inc. | [19] |
| 2023 | 2CD, 2CD+CT+2LP, 2LP | WPCL-1352/6, WPZL-32104/8, WPJL-10203/4 | Warner Pioneer | [20] |
Notes:
Akina Nakamori is a Japanese singer and actress. She is one of the most popular and best-selling artists in Japan. Akina achieved national recognition after winning the 1981 season of the talent show Star Tanjō!. Her debut single "Slow Motion" was released to moderate success, peaking at number thirty on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart. Nakamori's popularity increased with the release of her follow-up single, "Shōjo A", which peaked at number five on the Oricon charts and sold over 390,000 copies. Her second album Variation became her first number-one on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart, staying in that position for three weeks.
Best is the second greatest hits album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori, released on April 1, 1986, by Warner Pioneer.
Best III is the fifth compilation album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori. It was released on 10 November 1992 through Warner Music Japan label.
Cruise is the fourteenth studio album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori. It was released on 25 July 1989 under the Warner Pioneer label. The album includes lead single Liar. It was released after Nakamori's suicide attempt.
Femme Fatale is the thirteenth studio album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori. It was released on 3 August 1988 under the Warner Pioneer label. The album consist mainly of western arrangers that evokes to the listeners the danceable melody line in western style, which was not so well common and popular in Japan during late 80s.
CD'87 is the third greatest hits album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori. It was released on 1 May 1987 under Warner Pioneer. This greatest hits includes smash-hit single Desire, the second best sold single in 1986 which has rewarded multiple awards.
D404ME is the eighth studio album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori. It was released on 10 August 1985 under the Warner Pioneer label. The album includes renewed version of the smash hit "Meu amor é...".
Bitter and Sweet is the seventh studio album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori. It was released on 3 April 1985 under the Warner Pioneer label. The album includes a renewed version of the No. 1 single "Kazari ja Nai no yo Namida wa".
Possibility is the sixth studio album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori. It was released on 10 October 1984 under the Warner Pioneer label. The album includes the hit singles "Jukkai (1984)" and "Southern Wind", as well as the continuation of single Kita Wing - Dramatic Airport.
Anniversary is the fifth studio album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori. It was released on 1 May 1984 under the Warner Pioneer label. It was released on her second debut anniversary. The album includes the hit singles "Kita Wing" and first song written by Akina herself, Yume wo Misasete.
New Akina Etranger is the fourth studio album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori. It was released on August 10, 1983 under the Warner Pioneer label. It was Nakamori's first album to receive an award for The Album of the Year in the 25th Japan Record Awards.
Fantasy (Gensoukyoku) is the third studio album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori. It was released on 23 March 1983 under the Warner Pioneer label. The album includes the hit single "Second Love".
Variation (Hensoukyoku) (Japanese: バリエーション〈変奏曲〉, Hepburn: Bariēshon (hensōkyoku)) is the second studio album by Japanese entertainer Akina Nakamori. It was released on October 27, 1982, by Warner Pioneer under the Reprise Records label. The album includes the controversial hit single "Shōjo A". It became Nakamori's first number-one album on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart and her best-selling album.
Best Akina Memoires is the first greatest hits album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori. It was released on 21 December 1983 through Warner Pioneer. It was released on the same day as the first music home video New Akina Etranger in Europe. The album consists of all singles released during years 1982-1983 and small number of a popular album tracks.
Destination is the twenty second studio album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori and third studio album to be released during the 2000s. It was released on 21 June 2006 under the Universal Music Japan label.
Utahime 3: Shūmaku (Finale) is a covers album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori. It was released on 3 December 2003 under the Universal Music Japan sub-label KittyMe. It is Nakamori's third and final covers album from the Utahime cover album series. The cover choice consist of the songs released between 1960s and 1990s.
Enka is the enka covers album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori. It was released on 27 June 2007 under Universal Music Japan. It is Nakamori's fourth covers album.
"Slow Motion" is the debut single by Japanese entertainer Akina Nakamori. Written by Etsuko Kisugi and Takao Kisugi, the single was released on May 1, 1982 by Warner Pioneer through the Reprise label. It was also the first single from her debut studio album Prologue (Jomaku).
"Shōjo A" is the second single by Japanese entertainer Akina Nakamori. Written by Masao Urino and Hiroaki Serizawa, the single was released on July 28, 1982 by Warner Pioneer through the Reprise label. It was also the first single from her second studio album Variation (Hensoukyoku).
"Meu amor é..." is the 11th single by Japanese entertainer Akina Nakamori. Written by Chinfa Kan and Naoya Matsuoka, the single was released on March 8, 1985, by Warner Pioneer through the Reprise label. It was also the lead single from her eighth studio album D404ME.
