Kuraki Mai to release new album, “OVER THE RAINBOW”

Kuraki Mai is gearing up to take 2012 by storm through the release of her 10th album, ‘OVER THE RAINBOW‘!

Scheduled to hit shelves on January 11th, the album will come in two versions: a limited edition (which will include a DVD), and a  regular edition.

Check out tracklist details as well as jacket covers for the album below!

—–

[CD]
1. Strong Heart
2. another day＊another world
3. Sayonara wa Mada Iwanaide ~album ver.~
4. Stay the same
5. Your Best Friend
6. Mou Ichido
7. Brave your heart
8. Sun will shine on u
9. Love one another
10. step by step
11. 1000-mankai no Kiss
12. Lalala＊La

[DVD]
1. 1000-mankai no Kiss -Music Clip-
2. Mou Ichido -Music Clip-
3. Your Best Friend -Music Clip-
4. Brave your heart -Music Clip-
5. Stay the same -Music Clip-

—–

[CD only]
*same as above

Source: Kuraki Mai official site

Kuraki Mai holds a charity live for the Tohoku earthquake

On October 22nd, Kuraki Mai held a charity live, titled “Tohoku Earthquake Recovery Support Charity Live Mai Kuraki Premium Live One for all, All for one“, at Nippon Budokan.

The theme of the concert was “bonds between people” and “the power of music”. A part of the concert was broadcast live through YouTube, GyaO!, Nico Nico Douga, Ustream, and au Exclusive Live.

Kuraki has been involved with all kinds of charity work since the Tohoku Earthquake struck in March. She kicked off the live as she expressed, “Today’s live will be delivered to disaster-stricken areas, regions all over the country, and even worldwide. Let’s all put our hearts together, and enjoy this moment.”

As a special project, Kuraki collaborated with a flute orchestra from Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. Together, they performed her charity song,  ”Anata ga Iru Kara“, and 7 ballads. Kuraki then continued to sing “Brave your heart“, “Your Best Friend“, and “Strong Heart“, for a total of 28 songs.

In the middle of the concert, scenes of Kuraki volunteering in Ishinomakishi and Onagawacho in Miyagi, and a special message from DJ Akasaka Yasuhiko, professional figure skater Arakawa Shizuka, and Korean actress Yoon Son-ha appeared on the screen. In response, Kuraki stated, “Without forgetting to smile, I hope that our kindness will last forever.”

During the encore, Kuraki called out to her fans, “Turn on your cell phones, and shine the light! Let’s light hope within our hearts for tomorrow!“, and sang “Chance for you“. Before wrapping up her concert, she delivered a strong message to her fans saying, “Without forgetting these feelings, let’s put our strengths together to continuously work towards recovery. Let’s start with things that we can do.”

A part of the proceeds from this live will be donated to disaster-stricken areas.

Source + Photo: Cinema Today

Check out the full audio for Kuraki Mai’s “Your Best Friend”!

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Back in September, Kuraki Mai revealed a short PV preview for her 37th single, “Your Best Friend“. Now, she’s unveiled the full audio glory of her upcoming single, which will be released on October 19th!

This new single features a mid-tempo song that highlights her beautiful vocals amidst a charming melody. “Your Best Friend” is also the current ending theme song for anime “Detective Conan” as well.

Check it out below!

　 by yukimusicbox

Kuraki Mai reveals teaser for new single, “Your Best Friend”!

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Kuraki Mai has just revealed a short teaser for her upcoming single, “Your Best Friend“!

The brief PV preview shows Kuraki Mai shining like an angel against the dimly lit set, singing her beautiful  mid-tempo song. The single will be released on October 19th.

Check out the video preview below!

NERDHEAD announces 2nd collaboration with Kuraki Mai + new album

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After releasing a single earlier this June titled “Doushite Suki Nan Darou feat. Mai.K“, NERDHEAD and Kuraki Mai have announced a second collaboration!

Their new single is called “Kotoba ni Dekinai Hodo Suki na no ni feat. Mai.K“, and will be released through Recochoku on October 5th. The title track is said to be a song about pure love, using a delicate touch to express the frustrating state where one can’t vocalize their feelings despite being in love.

“I feel very happy that we were able to create another song together,” commented Kuraki Mai when asked about their latest collaboration. “I’m especially pleased with the part where Giorgio-san’s rap intersects with the ‘Kimi no kimochi wa~’ part in the song. As for me, it was a very challenging song, but since I feel like we’ve created a really amazing song, I’d be happy if you could all please listen to it and like it too.”

NERDHEAD will also be releasing their second album on October 26th, titled “BEHIND THE TRUTH“. The album will include both Mai.K collaborations songs, as well as NERDHEAD’s collaborations with RED RICE from Shounnanokaze, Ms.OOJA, and CHIHIRO.

Stay tuned for more on “Kotoba ni Dekinai Hodo Suki na no ni feat. Mai.K” and “BEHIND THE TRUTH”!

Source + Photo: Barks

Kuraki Mai announces new single, “Your Best Friend”!

Pop singer Kuraki Mai has just revealed through her official website that she’ll be releasing her 37th single this fall!

Kuraki’s latest single is titled “Your Best Friend”, and will be released on October 19th. The single is the first of two which will be released in the next two months, and is said to be a medium-tempo ballad that conveys the feelings one can’t express in words. For those who can’t wait to hear her new track, “Your Best Friend” will begin airing as the ending theme song to the Nippon TV show “Meitantei Conan” on September 3rd.

Check out the track list and cover thumbnails for each version below!

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Limited Edition (CD+DVD)

Regular Edition (CD-Only)

FC & Musing Version (CD-Only)

< CD Track List >
01. Your Best Friend
02. step by step
03. Your Best Friend -Instrumental-

< DVD Track List >
‘Your Best Friend’ Music Clip + original visual sticker and exclusive QR code

-

Source: Kuraki Mai’s Official Website

Kuraki Mai and Hirai Ken are banned in China?

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China’s Agency for Cultural Affairs has recently put a ban on various songs. Users in China will not be able to search for these songs or download them from music sites, as the country will be removing them. In total, this ban will prohibit people from trial listening to the songs, hearing them on broadcasts, and downloading them.
Most of the bans affect Taiwanese and Hong Kong artists, but Japanese artists such as Hirai Ken and Kuraki Mai also were on the ban list. Four songs from Hirai Ken including “Itoshiki Hibi Yo” and “Sing Forever” are banned, as is Kuraki Mai’s “Mou Ichido”.
Several western artists are banned as well. Lady Gaga has six songs banned including “The Edge Of Glory”, “Judas”, and “Bloody Mary”. Katy Perry’s “E.T.” and “Last Friday Night” are banned. Britney Spears’s “Burning Up” is also on the blacklist. The most shocking among western artists is Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way”, which was released over 10 years ago.
They explain that the reason for the bans include: racial discrimination and/or hatred, paganism, superstition, or content containing sex.

Kuraki Mai sings the Japanese national anthem at Nadeshiko Japan’s charity match

We previously reported that Kuraki Mai would be singing the Japanese national anthem at a charity match between Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Soccer Team) and a team compiled of players from the Nadeshiko League. As a ‘nadeshiko’ of the music industry, Kuraki Mai beautifully sang the national anthem in front of a huge crowd at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

Afterwards, Kuraki commented, “I sang with the hope that the players and the supporters can all work together in delivering some happiness to the victims of the recent disasters.”

This marks Kuraki’s second time singing the national anthem at a charity soccer match; the first was at a men’s charity game. She received this offer once again because of her spectacular performance which had drawn much praise and interest.

Source: Sponichi

Credits : tokyohive