The new Japanese pop queen hits the mark

Koda Kumi (Black Cherry album)

Released december 20, 2006

Genre : J-pop

Black Cherry is Koda Kumi's 5th studio album. Much like the two best collections before it, this album came in three editions; a CD only, a CD+DVD and a CD+2DVD version. The first DVD included all but one of Koda Kumi's post ~second session~ solo PVs (Futari de...) and the second DVD featured a drama called Cherry Girl, which starred Koda Kumi in her first acting role as a main character. This drama was produced by the team who created the drama Busu no Hitomi ni Koishiteru (the drama for which Koi no Tsubomi was the themesong for). On top of all this, the first press versions of these albums featured three bonus tracks: "Twinkle" (from the "Amazing Nuts!" single), "Go Way!!" (the theme song for the 2006 Crayon Shin-chan anime movie) and "Won't Be Long ~Red Cherry Version~" (a different version of "Won't Be Long").The first press versions also included an access code to a special Koda Kumi website, the chance to win original Koda Kumi "Black Cherry" goods (only if purchased alongside the Cherry Girl / Unmei single) and a bonus making feature on the PV DVD. 'Milk Tea' (Track 14) was Koda's first composition that was released on a CD.

This album claimed the number one spot for the week the first day of its release and on its first week of release, the album sold 502,426 units. The album remained on the top spot for another three consecutive weeks for a total of four weeks at the number one position.

Tracklist:

1.Introduction

2.Get Up & Move!!

3.Ningyo-hime

4.Yume no Uta

5.Tsuki to Taiyou

6.Puppy

7.Koi no Tsubomi

8.Won't Be Long ~Black Cherry Version~

9.Juicy

10.Candle Light

11.Cherry Girl

12.I'll be there

13.Unmei

14.With your smile

15.ミルクティー

16.-First pressing bonus tracks-

17.Twinkle ~English Version~

18.Go Way!!

19.Won't Be Long ~Red Cherry Version~

comments:i really enjoy this album, its probably one of my favorite jpop cds of all time, is by far by favorite koda kumi album, i think is amazing how far koda kumi has come since her debut in 2000.Her records were not very well recieved and her sales were low, foward a couple of years and she is releasing cd after cd and four music videos every two months. she is not stopping anytime soon and i think her talent defenetly shines bright in this album. aside from too many versions of the song "wont be long" this album is perfect in my opinion. this album is a perfect gate to japanese pop music.

written by: Will.I.AM