Hello! Project 49 Member Shuffle Unit
It has been announced by various online retailers that Hello! Project will release a cover album with a theme based around, wait for it, “Happy Weddings.” The album will be a selection of covers with this theme from the 60s to the 90s and will include some “big hits” apparently. Tsunku seems to be digging covers lately. Online retailers are sighting the group name simply as “Hello! Project,” this could change, it would be nice if they used “Hello! Project All Stars” again but I doubt it. I’m hoping this is in reference to Fujimoto Miki and not completely irrelevant as Hello! Project songs so often are. According to Neowing the album will have shuffled members as well as solos. Considering there are 49 members taking part I would imagine we’re getting;
Morning Musume
Berryz Koubou
C-ute
Hello! Pro Egg
Mano Erina
Doesn’t seem to be any room for Ice Creamusume or SI*NA. I think this is a bit of an odd choice for an album considering the average age of most of the “new” Hello! Project but nevertheless it should prove interesting if nothing else. First press will come with one of six photocards.
チャンプル～ハッピーマリッジソング集～ (仮)
新生Hello! Projectメンバー49名がカバーアルバムを発売!!
1960年代から1990年代まで日本を代表するヒット曲をカバー!
カバー曲のテーマは、結婚式や披露宴で歌われるハッピーなマリッジソング。
もちろん、ソロありシャッフルユニットあり!
初回：フォトカード (5～6種のうちいずれか1種ランダム)封入予定
From Neowing.
New Singles for AKB48 & C-ute (2009-06-24)
AKB48 are to release their 13th single on 2009-06-24 titled 涙サプライズ！, Namida Surprise. There is apparently some disatisfaction amongst AKB48 fans as to the members chosen to participate in this single, as I’m not too familiar with any members in particular I’ll have to wait and see what I think after a preview!
C-ute are also due to release a single on the same day titled 暑中お見舞い申し上げます, Shochuu Omimai Moshiagemasu. This is a cover of the song of the same name by 70s J-Pop group, Candies. Incidently SweetS also covered this song. I’m a little dubious as to how this will turn out as covers are often a little disapointing from Hello! Project – I wasn’t a particular fan of COVER YOU. It’s rumored Kanna will return in June so she may participate in this single.
If you remember, Kago Ai is also releasing her debut single on the same day as these two, we have a Kago VS C-ute VS AKB48 situation! While I’d like Kago to do the best I feel it may turn out this way; AKB48, C-ute, Kago. I can’t honestly see Kago charting too high though I’d like to be pleasntly surprised. I don’t imagine she’ll have great promotion as her label is a little unknown.
Kago Ai Debut Single “NO HESITATION” (2009-06-24)
It has been revealed the Kago Ai will finally release her debut single, NO HESITATION on 2009-06-24. There haven’t been any previews yet though Kago has certainly been making posts on her blog about signing and recording. The label for the release, according to Amazon Japan, is インターセプト; Intercept. Not a label I’ve heard of.
Very excited about this release!
Sample
New Single from HANGRY & ANGRY
Fashion based duo HANGRY & ANGRY have released their 1st digital single title titled SadisticDance. The title is keeping with the, ahem, themes of their earlier songs and is definately worth a listen. If you liked their debut mini-album you’ll most likely like this.
New Hello! Pro Egg Unit + 6th Generation Hello! Pro Egg
Hello! Project producer Tsunku announced on his blog today that a new Hello! Pro Egg unit will debut this Autumn. The unit is as of yet unamed as is the unit’s purpose, Egg units have in the past been created for some purpose after all – anime, campaigns.
The group is made up of;
- Ogawa Saki
- Fukuda Kanon
- Wada Ayaka
- Maeda Yuuka
So basically Shugo-Chara Egg! with Ogawa Saki replacing Saho Akari, right? Tsunku describes their debut as their major debut - this may refer to either the group becoming full members of Hello! Project and graduating from Hello! Pro Egg or simply releasing a CD through a major record label, not an indies label like the earlier THE Possible singles. Tsunku also mentions on his blog that this line-up may change in the run up to the debut of the unit, he may change members, add members or even remove members in order to create the best group possible.
Also announced is the joining of two new Hello! Pro Egg members; 佐藤綾乃 (Sato Ayano; Ayanon) 瀬崎あずさ (Sezaki Azusa; Azuzu). Ayano was actually introduced in a recent magazine article though at the time it wasn’t too clear on who she actually was! These two mark the 6th generation of Hello! Pro Egg. Hello! Pro Egg is proving to be quite a good opportunity for these young girls and women to debut in the entertainment industry, even if it is only on radio, stage or internet. I think these girls are probably a little better known than some of their male counterparts in Johnny’s Juniors who go unamed on occasion!
Guradians 4 Artist Images
The official Hello! Project website has uploaded a profile and artist images for the new Hello! Project group, Guardians 4 and you can see them here below. I’ve also updated my own Idol Profiles page with better quality pictures for all of the artists.
Hajimete no Keiken Radio Preview
Mano Erina’s second major single Hajimete no Keiken was previewd on BayFM radio today and I must say it’s a step up from Otome no Inori. The song still incorporates the piano and I’m wondering how long this will last but it’s certainly a more up-beat and fun track when compared to her other singles. It’s not quite as dancy as Lucky Aura and I still don’t think she can compare to the likes of Matsuura Aya or Goto Maki.
Nevertheless a fun track and worth a listen.
