Concentration 20

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Concentration 20
Standard cover. The digital formats were replaced on older pressings since 1996.
Studio album by
Namie Amuro
ReleasedJuly 24, 1997
Recorded1996–1997
Studio
Genre
Length56:17
Language
  • English
  • Japanese
LabelAvex Trax
ProducerTetsuya Komuro
Namie Amuro chronology
Original Tracks Vol.1
(1996) 		Concentration 20
(1997) 		181920
(1998)
Singles from Concentration 20
  1. "A Walk in the Park"
    Released: November 27, 1996
  2. "Can You Celebrate?"
    Released: February 19, 1997
  3. "How to Be a Girl"
    Released: May 21, 1997
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

Concentration 20 is the third studio album by Japanese singer Namie Amuro. It was released on July 24, 1997, by Avex Trax. The album's genre is a fusion of styles including pop, dance, rock, reggae and ska. Unlike Amuro's previous effort, Sweet 19 Blues, which primarily had lyrics written by Tetsuya Komuro, Concentration 20's lyrics were mostly written by Marc Panther. Komuro did, however, compose and arrange most of the album's songs and wrote the lyrics to three of them. It was Namie's second solo album since splitting up with Super Monkey's.

"A Walk in the Park" was released as the album's lead single on November 27, 1996. The single was very successful, becoming Amuro's fourth number one single on the Oricon Singles Chart and fourth million-seller. The second single, "Can You Celebrate?", was released on February 19, 1997. It became an unprecedented smash hit, selling 2,296,200 copies and remains the best-selling physical single by a female soloist in Japanese music history. "Can You Celebrate?" was certified double million by the RIAJ, her first and last single to receive such a certification. The rock-infused third single, "How to Be a Girl", reached number one and sold over 770,000 copies, becoming Amuro's sixth number one single.

The album received positive reviews upon release and won the Asia Association Music Prize Awards. The album was massively successful, premiering at the top of the Oricon Albums Chart with first-week sales of 824,980 copies. It resided on the charts for 28 weeks, and was the seventh best-selling album of the year, selling nearly two million copies and is the 80th best selling album of all time in Japan. Combined with the sales of its singles, Concentration 20 has sold around 4.5 million copies.

Background and recording[edit]

The Record Plant (Hollywood, California) was one of the studios where the album was recorded.

In summer 1996, Amuro released her sophomore album Sweet 19 Blues, which was her first release since severing ties with Super Monkey's.[2] The album was a mammoth commercial success, reaching number one on the Oricon Albums Chart,[3] receiving a triple million certification from the RIAJ,[4] spawning three number one hits[5][6][7] and was even the best-selling Japanese album of all time for a brief moment.[8] By the end of the year, Sweet 19 Blues was named the second best-selling album in Japan of 1996, trailing behind globe's eponymous debut album.[9]

After this monumental success, recording for its follow-up began immediately. Much of the recording of Concentration 20 was done in the United States, primarily in California and New York.[10] Two weeks were devoted to recording in Santa Monica, Los Angeles.[10] The title of the album was reportedly chosen because: "the studio at that time was on 20th Street in Santa Monica, and that is where we concentrated." Along with: "the 20th century is almost over, so let's concentrate on the time we have left," along with, "can we keep listening to this album throughout the 20th century?" The album was named so that it could be played with various meanings, such as "people who were 19 years old when Sweet 19 Blues was released are now entering their 20s," and so on, to broaden the imagination. Coincidentally, the title and Amuro's age at the time of release matched even though she was not aware of it.[11][12] Other well-known artists such as Marc Panther, Koji Kubo, and m.c.A.T (Akio Togashi) also participated in the production of the album.[10] "Storm" features m.c.A.T, as on the previous album.[10]

Composition[edit]

The album concept was "Fancy & Cool," with the "glamorous and flashy" part emphasized in "CAN YOU CELEBRATE?" and the "cool" part in "Close your eyes, Close to you," "Concentration 20 (make you alright)" and "Whisper."[12] The album embodies an array of styles including pop, rock and reggae. Unlike her previous album, which was heavy on the pseudo-R&B side, Concentration 20 was practically void of it. Therefore, the album took on a more electronic style similar to that of her producer's group, globe.

Opening the album is the industrial rock influenced track "Concentration 20 (make you alright)."[13] "B w/z you" is a mid-tempo number with a rock beat and a powerful hammering sound.[13] "Close your eyes, Close to you" is a Euro-style digital rock tune with an intro that is prolonged and dynamic, leading the listener to believe it is an instrumental.[13] "Me love peace !!" is a reggae-style number with a ska beat that evokes the tropical mood of Okinawa.[13] She would not attempt a similar style again until 2005's "Want Me, Want Me," which featured prominent dancehall and reggaeton influences. "No Communication" is a dance pop number.[13] "a walk in the park" is a brisk digital rock number with a chorus that envelops the listener in warm sunlight.[13] Komuro participates by singing in the chorus.[13] "To-day" is a mellow song with contemporary AOR influences.[13]

"Storm" is full-fledged rap number written by m.c.A.T. and composed by Akio Togashi.[10][13] "Whisper" is song that has a composition that changes from the whispering sound of the title to intense digital rock.[13] "CAN YOU CELEBRATE?" is ballad with a gospel-like chorus, a string orchestra and a piano sound.[13] "I know…" is an instrumental with an electric sound.[13] "How to be a Girl" is an upbeat dance rock number.[13]

Promotion[edit]

Singles and other songs[edit]

The singles from this album were very successful, two were million sellers and all three reached the top spot of the Oricon Singles Chart.

"A Walk in the Park" was released as the album's lead single on November 27, 1996, four months after the massive success of Sweet 19 Blues.[14] It became her fourth number one and million selling single.[15][16] The single spent 7 weeks into the top 5 and 8 weeks in Top 10 totally.[17][18][19][20][21][22] "A Walk in the Park" was the 13th best-selling single of the year 1997.[23] It was certified million in March 1997.[16] "A Walk in the Park" ranks as her 5th best-selling single in the country.[24]

February 19, 1997, saw the release of the album's second single, "Can You Celebrate?."[25] Amuro began the year 1997 with her defining single and biggest success to date.[24] It opened at the top spot with over 800,000 copies sold in its first week,[26] the highest first week sales for any of Amuro's singles and the 8th highest opening sales of all time for a CD single in Japan.[27] It spent two consecutive weeks at #1,[26][28] 7 weeks in the top 5 and 8 weeks in Top 10 totally.[29][30][31][32][33][34] It was charted for 40 weeks.[35] "Can You Celebrate?" was the biggest selling single of 1997[23] and is the 14th best-selling single in Japanese music history[36] with sales of over 2.29 million copies.[37] It also received a double million certification from the RIAJ in March 1997, making it her only single to accomplish this.[38] A maxi-single reissue of "Can You Celebrate?" was released on Christmas Day 1997 to commemorate Amuro's wedding with Masaharu "Sam" Maruyama and was also successful with about 500,000 units sold, while also being certified platinum in March 1998.[39] In December 1997, the song helped her to win the Best Single Award at the 39th Japan Record Awards.[40]

"How to Be a Girl" is the third and last single from the album and was released on May 21, 1997.[41] "How to Be a Girl" is Amuro's first attempt at rock music. The single still managed to be a commercial success, spending two consecutive weeks at No. 1 and selling over 770,000 copies, included over 300,000 copies purchased in its opening week.[42] How to Be a Girl was also the 23rd best selling single of 1997.[23] In August 1997, the single was certified million.[43] "How to Be a Girl" is Amuro's 7th best-selling single overall.[24]

Tie-ups and theme songs[edit]

"A Walk in the Park" and "Can You Celebrate?" were both theme songs for Maxell UD commercials and "Whisper" was used as the background music for the Maxell MD74 commercial.[44] "Can You Celebrate?" was also the theme song of the Japanese dorama Virgin Road. "How to Be a Girl" was used as background music in four commercials for Sea Breeze products. The first CM was promoting a sun lotion, the second a shampoo, the third a deodorant and the last a moisturizer.[45] "No Communication" was used as background music in a commercial for the DyDo Mistio drinks.[46]

Live appearances and tours[edit]

Two days after the release of the album, she started her first dome tour "mistio presents namie amuro SUMMER STAGE 1997 Concentration 20" supporting the album, which drew 300,000 people at four major domes: Osaka Dome, Tokyo Dome, Fukuoka Dome, and Nagoya Dome.[47] The live video "Namie Amuro Concentration 20 Live in Tokyo Dome" was released on December 3, 1997.[48]

Commercial performance[edit]

Concentration 20 debuted at No. 1 on the Oricon Albums Chart, with 824,980 copies sold in its first week of availability.[49] It again nabbed the top spot on the charts in its 2nd week of availability, with sales of 362,440 copies.[50] On its third week, Concentration 20 dropped to No. 4, shifting 229,550 copies.[51] The album was ranked as the 7th best-selling album of the year.[52] The following month, in August 1997, Amuro became the first teenage popster to surpass the 20 million single and album sales mark on Oricon.[53] During that same month, the album was certified double million by the RIAJ for sales of over 2 million copies nationwide.[54] In all, Concentration 20 sold about 1.9 million copies during its chart run.[55] Concentration 20 is Amuro's third best-selling LP behind Finally and Sweet 19 Blues according to Oricon Style,[56] as well as the fifty-sixth best-selling album in Japan for the 1990s decade.[57]

Track listing[edit]

Concentration 20 track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArranger(s)Length
1."Concentration 20 (Make You Alright)"Marc PantherTetsuya KomuroTetsuya Komuro
Mix Engineer: Eddie Delena		4:07
2."B w/z You"MarcTetsuya KomuroTetsuya Komuro
Mix Engineer: Eddie Delena		5:03
3."Close Your Eyes, Close to You"Marc PantherTetsuya KomuroTetsuya Komuro
Mix Engineer: Eddie Delena		5:50
4."Me Love Peace!!"Marc PantherTetsuya KomuroTetsuya Komuro
Mix Engineer: Eddie Delena		4:29
5."No Communication"Marc PantherTetsuya KomuroTetsuya Komuro
Mix Engineer: Eddie Delena		4:14
6."A Walk in the Park"Tetsuya KomuroTetsuya KomuroTetsuya Komuro
Mix Engineer: Eddie Delena		5:50
7."To-day"Marc PantherCozy KuboCozy Kubo
Mix Engineer: Eddie Delena		4:41
8."Storm"m.c.A.TAkio TogashiAkio Togashi
Mix Engineer: Eddie Delena		3:07
9."Whisper"Marc PantherTetsuya KomuroTetsuya Komuro
Mix Engineer: Eddie Delena		5:08
10."Can You Celebrate?"Tetsuya KomuroTetsuya KomuroTetsuya Komuro
Strings: Randy Waldman
Mix Engineer: Eddie Delena		6:15
11."I Know..."―Tetsuya KomuroTetsuya Komuro3:09
12."How to Be a Girl"Tetsuya Komuro,
Marc Panther		Tetsuya KomuroTetsuya Komuro
Mix Engineer: Eddie Delena		4:24

Personnel[edit]

Musicians[edit]

Production[edit]

  • Producers – Tetsuya Komuro
  • Mixing – Eddie Delena
  • Vocal direction – Tetsuya Komuro, Kenji Sano
  • Photography – Itaru Hirama
  • Art direction – Tycoon Graphics

Charts[edit]

Sales and certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[60] 2× Million 1,929,860[55]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Allmusic review
  2. ^ Japanese formats for Sweet 19 Blues listed below:
    • Amuro, Namie (1996). Sweet 19 Blues (liner notes). Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-11463.
    • Amuro, Namie (1996). Sweet 19 Blues (liner notes (Promo)). Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-11463.
    • Amuro, Namie (1996). Sweet 19 Blues (liner notes (Limited Edition #1)). Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-11463.
    • Amuro, Namie (1996). Sweet 19 Blues (liner notes (Limited Edition #2)). Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-11463.
    • Amuro, Namie (1996). Sweet 19 Blues (liner notes (Limited Edition #3)). Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-11463.
    • Amuro, Namie (1996). Sweet 19 Blues (liner notes (Limited Edition #4)). Japan: Avex Trax. AVCD-11463.
  3. ^ "Sweet 19 Blues - Namie Amuro" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  4. ^ "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1996年8月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. August 1996 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). 443. Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan: 5. October 10, 1997. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 10, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  5. ^ "Chase the Chance - Namie Amuro" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  6. ^ "Don't Wanna Cry - Namie Amuro" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  7. ^ "You're My Sunshine - Namie Amuro" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  8. ^ "歴代アルバムランキング TOP267" (in Japanese). Music TV Program. Archived from the original on October 10, 2007. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  9. ^ "1996年 アルバム年間TOP100" (in Japanese). Oricon (via Geocities). 1996. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e Amuro, Namie (1997). Concentration 20 (Liner notes). Namie Amuro. Japan: Avex Trax, Avex Taiwan. AVCD-11581.
  11. ^ 「ぴあ」1997年7月28日号7Pより。
  12. ^ a b ソニー・マガジンズ刊『WHAT's IN?』1998年1月号袋とじ「SELF LINER NOTES '97」p.10より。
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m CD Journal Staff (July 24, 1997). "Namie Amuro – Concentration 20 [CD]". CD Journal (in Japanese). Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  14. ^ Amuro, Namie (1996). A Walk in the Park (CD single; Liner notes). Namie Amuro. Japan: Avex Trax. AVDD-20161.
  15. ^ "a walk in the park - Namie Amuro" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1997年1月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. January 1997 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). 449. RIAJ: 9. March 10, 1997. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  17. ^ Oricon Style Staff (December 9, 1996). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week December 9, 1996". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  18. ^ Oricon Style Staff (December 16, 1996). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week December 16, 1996". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  19. ^ Oricon Style Staff (December 23, 1996). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week December 23, 1996". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  20. ^ Oricon Style Staff (December 30, 1996). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week December 30, 1996". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  21. ^ Oricon Style Staff (January 13, 1997). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week January 13, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  22. ^ Oricon Style Staff (January 20, 1997). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week January 20, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c "オリコン 1997年TOP100". Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  24. ^ a b c "Namie Amuro's Top 20 Single Sales" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 7, 2024. [Additional ranking information provided by corporate service Oricon Biz]
  25. ^ Amuro, Namie (1996). a walk in the park (liner notes). Japan: Avex Trax. AVDD-20161.
  26. ^ a b Oricon Style Staff (March 3, 1997). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week March 3, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  27. ^ "歴代シングル初動ランキング". Archived from the original on October 16, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  28. ^ Oricon Style Staff (March 10, 1997). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week March 10, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  29. ^ Oricon Style Staff (March 17, 1997). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week March 17, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  30. ^ Oricon Style Staff (March 24, 1997). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week March 24, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  31. ^ Oricon Style Staff (March 31, 1997). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week March 31, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  32. ^ Oricon Style Staff (April 7, 1997). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week April 7, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  33. ^ Oricon Style Staff (April 14, 1997). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week April 14, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  34. ^ Oricon Style Staff (April 21, 1997). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week April 21, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  35. ^ "CAN YOU CELEBRATE? - Namie Amuro" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  36. ^ "歴代シングルランキング TOP246". Archived from the original on September 25, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  37. ^ "大人が選ぶ女性バラードBEST30" (in Japanese). TV Asahi. December 8, 2007. Retrieved August 10, 2008.
  38. ^ "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1997年3月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. March 1997 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). 451. Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan: 9. April 10, 1997. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 23, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  39. ^ "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1998年1月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. January 1998 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). 460. Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan: 9. March 10, 1998. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 29, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  40. ^ "20年前の本日、第39回日本レコード大賞を受賞した安室奈美恵「CAN YOU CELEBRATE?」". news.1242.com (in Japanese). December 31, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  41. ^ Amuro, Namie (1997). How to Be a Girl (CD single; Liner notes). Namie Amuro. Japan: Avex Trax. AVDD-20185.
  42. ^ Oricon Style Staff (June 2, 1997). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week June 2, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  43. ^ "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1997年6月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. June 1997 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). 454. Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan: 9. August 10, 1997. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 3, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  44. ^ Screencaps of Namie's maxell CMs Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  45. ^ Screencaps of Namie's SEA BREEZE CMs Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  46. ^ Screencpas of Namie's DyDo CMs Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  47. ^ "1997 SUMMER STAGE". Archived from the original on December 6, 2000. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  48. ^ "安室奈美恵/Namie Amuro Concentration 20 Live in Tokyo Dome＜初回限定特別価格版＞" (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan. March 24, 2005. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  49. ^ Oricon Style Staff (August 4, 1997). "Oricon Albums Chart – Chart Week August 4, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  50. ^ Oricon Style Staff (August 11, 1997). "Oricon Albums Chart – Chart Week August 11, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  51. ^ Oricon Style Staff (August 18, 1997). "Oricon Albums Chart – Chart Week August 18, 1997". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  52. ^ a b "1997年　アルバム年間TOP100". Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  53. ^ "安室奈美恵ディスコグラフィー". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 5, 1998. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  54. ^ "GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 1997年8月度" [Gold Albums, and other certified works. August 1997 Edition] (PDF). The Record (Bulletin) (in Japanese). 456. Chūō, Tokyo: Recording Industry Association of Japan: 9. October 10, 1997. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  55. ^ a b "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree']. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  56. ^ 安室奈美恵のアルバム売上TOP20作品 [Namie Amuro's Top 20 Albums Sales]. Oricon News (in Japanese). Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  57. ^ "1990年代アルバム売上ランキング" (in Japanese). Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  58. ^ "Concentration 20 安室奈美恵". Oricon. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  59. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20120103001458/http://www.musictvprogram.com/corner-ranking-album.html
  60. ^ "Japanese album certifications – 安室奈美恵 – Concentration 20" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved January 31, 2021. Select 1997年8月 on the drop-down menu
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