Sweet 19 Blues
1996 studio album by Namie Amuro / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Sweet 19 Blues is the second studio album by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. Avex Trax released it on July 22, 1996, and it has since been distributed in a variety of formats across Asia. It is Amuro's first release with the label since leaving Toshiba-EMI, as well as her first body of work free of material while performing with Japanese band Super Monkey's. Tetsuya Komuro produced Sweet 19 Blues, and features a diverse group of collaborators such as Cosy Kubo, Akio Togashi, Takahiro Maeda, M.c.A.T, and Randy Waldman.
Sweet 19 Blues | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | July 22, 1996 | |||
Recorded | 1995–1996 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | Dance-pop, acid house | |||
Length | 66:46 | |||
Language |
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Label | Avex Trax | |||
Producer | Tetsuya Komuro | |||
Namie Amuro chronology | ||||
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Singles from Sweet 19 Blues | ||||
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Sweet 19 Blues showcases popular music genres from the 1990s, including pop, dance, R&B, jazz, blues, and eurobeat. The record was also influenced by prominent African-American music and musicians of the time, such as Janet Jackson, SWV, and Total. Some of the album's singles were re-worked with new arrangements, and new songs and interludes were also included. Lyrically, the album delves into various topics concerning women aged 19 to 20, and is seen as a transition from Amuro's Japanese idol image.
Music critics gave Sweet 19 Blues positive reviews, praising the album's themes, overall sound, and production quality while criticising Amuro's vocal limitations. In addition, Amuro and the album received numerous nominations and awards. Commercially, the album was a huge success, reaching number one on the Oricon Albums Chart and earning a triple million certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for selling over three million copies. Sweet 19 Blues was briefly the top-selling album by a solo artist, and one of the most successful releases in Japanese music history.
Sweet 19 Blues spawned five singles, all of which were commercially successful in Japan, with some ranking among the best-selling singles of 1996. In addition, several tracks from the album were used as commercial themes for various campaigns across Japan. Amuro promoted the album through live appearances, which appeared on the VHS release, Namie Amuro World. She also embarked on her First Anniversary tour, which a live release was distributed in December. In retrospect, publications have regarded Sweet 19 Blues as an important moment in Japanese music history, owing to Amuro's distinct fashion trends, the album's influences on Western acts, and Amuro's departure from Japanese idol culture.