''Flashback to Ai'' (stylized FLASHBACK TO A.I., alternatively titled as Flashback Remixes) is the first compilation album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter
Ai. It was released on September 8, 2004, by
BMG BMG may refer to:
Organizations
* Music publishing companies:
** Bertelsmann Music Group, a 1987–2008 division of Bertelsmann that was purchased by Sony on October 1, 2008
*** Sony BMG, a 2004–2008 joint venture of Bertelsmann and Sony that wa ...
.
The compilation features remixes and unreleased tracks recorded in 2000 and 2001 from Ai's debut studio album, ''
My Name Is Ai ''My Name Is Ai'' (stylized my name is AI) is the debut studio album by Japanese–American singer-songwriter Ai, released on November 2, 2001, by RCA Records and BMG Fun House.
Three singles were released from ''My Name Is Ai'', "Cry, Just Cry" ...
''. Similar to her debut album, the album was only released physically and not on digital stores.
Background and release
After the commercial failure of her debut album, Ai left BMG and signed to
Universal Music Japan
, often referred to as just Universal Music Japan or UMJ, is a Japanese subsidiary of the Universal Music Group founded in 1990. It is the largest subsidiary for a foreign company in the country regarding music distribution. The company is resp ...
sublabel
Def Jam Japan in 2002.
Her second and third studio albums under Def Jam were successful commercially, with ''
Original Ai
''Original Ai'' (stylized in caps) is the second studio album by Japanese–American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on July 23, 2003 by Def Jam Japan and Universal Music Group. The album features guest appearances and collaborations from ...
'' peaking at number 15 on the Japan Oricon Albums chart and ''
2004 Ai
''2004 Ai'' (stylized as 2004 A.I.) is the third studio album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai, released on June 16, 2004, by Def Jam Japan and Universal Sigma. ''2004 Ai'' was Ai's first top 10 album, as well as her first album to be ...
'' at number 3. ''2004 Ai'' later received a Gold certification from the
Recording Industry Association of Japan
The is an industry trade group composed of Japanese corporations involved in the music industry. It was founded in 1942 as the Japan Phonogram Record Cultural Association, and adopted its current name in 1969.
The RIAJ's activities include pr ...
(RIAJ).
A few months after the release of ''2004 Ai'', BMG released the album without any prior announcement. The album was marketed as "The best selection of the BMG era" by the label.
Critical reception
CDJournal gave the compilation a positive review, noting it contained "the best and treasured sounds of the Japanese hip hop and R&B queen" that previously were not released.
Track listing
CD
# Shining Star (V.I.P Lovers Rock Mix) – 5:28
# 24/7 (DJ Nozom Remix) – 5:09
# Cry, Just Cry (Soul'd Out Mix) – 4:49
# Once Again – 4:46
# I Wish – 6:24
# U Can Do (Hi Pops Version) – 4:23
# Protect You – 4:39
# Never Love This Way – 4:56
# Shut Out (featuring Diggy-Mosould Out) – 5:09
# Depend On Me – 5:35
# 24/7 – 4:26
# Shining Star (Original Master Version) – 4:20
# Cry, Just Cry (English Version) – 5:07
Vinyl
# Shining Star (V.I.P Lovers Rock Mix) – 5:28
# Shining Star (V.I.P Lovers Rock Mix Instrumental) – 5:28
# 24/7 (DJ Nozom Remix) – 5:09
# 24/7 (DJ Nozom Remix Instrumental) – 5:09
# Cry, Just Cry (Soul'd Out Mix) – 4:49
Charts
''Flashback to Ai'' peaked at number 55 on the Oricon Albums Chart.
Release history
References
External links
*
*
{{Authority control
2004 compilation albums
Ai (singer) compilation albums