It’s been 10 years since Japanese R&B star Crystal Kay hit the scene. In that time, she’s come with 9 albums and a compilation. “Kuri”, as her fans know her, will be officially kicking of her 10th anniversary celebrations with a double A-side single featuring fellow artists CHEMISTRY and BoA. The double A-side single features her 24th single, “After Love -First Boyfriend-” feat.KANAME (of the R&B duo CHEMISTRY) and “Girlfriend” feat.BoA. The single will be released on August 12.

Check this performance of “After Love”:

She will follow this up with her first official “Best of” album on September 2, 2009. This double album is really Crystal Kay 101, with 30 songs from all of her albums!

Tracklist:

Disc 1
1. “Boyfriend: Part II (from 4 Real)” 4:59
2. “Eternal Memories (from C.L.L Crystal Lover Light)” 5:08
3. “(Komichi no Hana; Flower of the Lane) (from C.L.L Crystal Lover Light)” 4:01
4. “(Darling P.P.P.) (from C.L.L Crystal Lover Light)” 4:02
5. “Girl’s Night (from 637: Always and Forever)” 4:22
6. “Ex-Boyfriend feat. Verbal (M-Flo) (from 637: Always and Forever)” 5:10
7. “Lost Child (with Shinichi Osawa and Hiroshi Fujiwara)” 6:38
8. “(Tsuki no Nai Yoru, Michi no Nai Bashou; A Night without the Moon, A Place without the Way) (from 637: Always and Forever)” 4:23
9. “A Song for You (from Almost Seventeen)” 4:39
10. “Think of U (from Almost Seventeen)” 4:53
11. “Hard to Say (from Almost Seventeen)” 4:47
12. “Girl U Love (from Almost Seventeen)” 4:23
13. “(Kataomoi; Unrequited Love) (from 4 Real)” 4:23
14. “I Like It (Crystal Kay loves M-Flo) (from 4 Real)” 5:44
15. “Candy (from 4 Real)” 4:20
16. “Can’t Be Stopped (from 4 Real)” 4:29

Disc 2
1. “(Koi ni Ochitara; If I Fall in Love) (from Call me Miss…)” 4:29
2. “Motherland (from CK5)” 4:31
3. “Tears (from Crystal Style)” 4:59
4. “Kiss (from Crystal Style)” 5:30
5. “Two as One (Crystal Kay x Chemistry) (from Call me Miss…)” 3:44
6. “I Know (from Call me Miss…)” 4:22
7. “Kirakuni (from Call me Miss…)” 4:16
8. “(Namida ga Afuretemo; Overflowing Tears) (from Call me Miss…)” 5:14
9. “(Kitto Eien ni; Surely Forever) (from All Yours)” 5:02
10. “(Konna ni Chikaku de…; This Close…) (from All Yours)” 4:03
11. “(Anata no Soba de; Next to You) (from All Yours)” 4:32
12. “Dream World (from All Yours)” 3:45
13. “(Namida no Saki ni; Beyond the Tears) (from Color Change!)” 3:48
14. “One (from Color Change!)” 4:03
15. “(Kaerimichi; The Road Home) (from Color Change!)” 4:18

She’s got one of the most recognizable voices in the Japan, with songs that have appeared on soundtracks to popular films that range from Pokemon to “He’s Just Not That Into You”. She also has songs in numerous commercials, including “After Love” which is currently being used in Tully’s Coffee ads.

Here’s what the ad before it looked like:

It’s time for Crystal’s star power to go global!

Mobile Soul isn’t exactly known as a show for pop. But we do recognize the King, Michael Jackson. You know, our second client ever was MJJ Records at Sony. We saw all the love pouring out all over the world, and so we had to get out and join the festivities. Michael’s music was inspiration for us all, but all night, we’ve been hearing the same songs! Here are some great interpretations and remixes of some of his famous tunes. This is our celebration of the gloved one’s life – Mobile Soul Style!

Enjoy.

 

 Mobile Soul Michael Jackson Special [56:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Speak Low – Thriller
Michael Jackson – Can’t Let Her Get Away
Jackson 5 – ABC [Salaam Remi's Crunk-A-Delic Party Mix]
Jackson 5 – Get It Together [4 Hero remix]
Michael Jackson – Rock With You [Opolopo remix]
Maysa – I Can’t Help It
Greg Phillinganes – Behind The Mask*
Jackson 5 – I Want You Back [SPK Mix]
Michael Jackson – Billie Jean [Opolopo Remix]
Jackson 5 – Dancin’ Machine [Miami Mix]
Senor Coconut – Beat It
Jackson 5 – Never Can Say Goodbye [Osawa 3000 Remix]
Michael Jackson – Ease On Down The Road

*interesting story about this record. It’s a Ryuichi Sakamoto song, originally done for Yellow Magic Orchestra. Michael wrte these lyrics, and remowned keyboardist Greg Phillinganes sang it for his debut album. Yeah, weird, but another example of how connected everything is.

Amerie kept coming out with great first singles for Sony but never really took off. We’ve been all for her since the 1st album. She’s on 21st Century Style Vol. 1. Now she’s on Def Jam, which leaves room at Sony to try this in America again with Crystal Kay. But LA Reid at Def Jam is personally overseeing the production on Amerie’s new project, signifying that they are looking to finally blow this artist up. This time for sure.

We’ve heard this before.

But last time we heard it, we didn’t hear a single like this. No idea what the rest of “In Love & War” sounds like, but one thing’s for certain, “Why R U”, produced by the Buchannans, is the best use of this beat since Ultra in the original. From the choice of producers and beats on this record, it looks like this album is aiming to be “What’s the 411 2.0″ We’ll see. For now, there’s worse things than looking at Amerie and listening to this track.

Japanese R&B/pop artist Crystal Kay celebrates her 10th Anniversary with a new release coming from Sony Music Japan, with whom she has recorded 8 albums. The new track, “Girlfriend”, features close friend BoA Kwon, who just released her first American album this year. BoA and Kuri worked together with Verbal of m-flo on “Universe” from BoA’s album “Eein”. “Girlfriend” is part of the Japanese release of “He’s Just Not That Into You”, starring Jennifer Aniston. Nothing else available from “Girlfriend” but a clip (we’ve got it below) so far.

Check the clip of “Girlfriend, feat. BoA”