Affection (Kumi Koda album)

Affection
Studio album by Kumi Koda
Released	March 27, 2002
Recorded	2000-2002
Length	59:33
Label	Rhythm Zone RZCD-45050 (Japan, CD)
Producer	Max Matsuura
Kumi Koda chronology
Affection (2002) Grow into One (2003) Singles from affection "Take Back" Released: December 6, 2000 "Trust Your Love" Released: May 9, 2001 "Color of Soul" Released: October 3, 2001 "So into You" Released: March 13, 2002

Affection (stylized as affection) is the debut studio album by Japanese R&B-turned-pop singer Kumi Koda. It was released on March 27, 2002. It has been her only album to not chart in the Top 10, debuting at #12 on Oricon and staying on the charts for six weeks.^[1] During its run, it had only sold 91,360 copies, making it her lowest-selling album. The limited editions of the album contained remixes for Take Back and Trust Your Love that had only been released on her North American release of the singles.^[2]

This album carries her most famous ballad, walk, which, starting from her first tour, Secret ~First Class Limited Live~ (2005), she has performed at every concert. It also contains her first collaboration attempt, Till Morning Comes, which features Japanese rapper VERBAL, who is part of the hip-hop duo m-flo.

Information

Affection is singer-songwriter Kumi Koda's debut studio album. It charted at #12 on the Oricon weekly charts, but was her lowest selling album with only 91,360 copies sold. The album was predominately R&B with the only pop song being Best Friend Of Mine, which was done a cappella. This has also been Kumi's only full a capella song to date.

The album was also released as a limited edition, which contained two remixes performed in English: Take Back [Jonathan Peters' Radio Mix] and Trust Your Love [Hex Hector Main Radio Mix]. This edition was sold with a slipcase cover, as well.^[3] Though the album contained a-sides, there was no accompanying DVD. Instead, the music videos for Take Back, Trust Your Love, Color Of Soul and the limited single So Into You were later placed on her DVD 7 Spirits, which would be released a year later on March 19, 2003 alongside her grow into one album.^[4][5]

The only collaborative effort on the CD was Till Morning Comes feat. Verbal, who is part of the hip-hop duo m-flo; though the meaning of peace, which had been performed with female singer BoA, was released prior in December 2001. the meaning of peace was also classified as a duet, instead of a collaboration.

This album also contained her most famous ballad, walk, which, starting from Secret ~First Class Limited Live~, she had performed at every concert. It also contained her first collaborative effort, Till Morning Comes, which featureed Japanese rapper VERBAL, who is part of the duo m-flo.

Promotional Advertisements

At the time of the album's released, Koda Kumi had not made a debut on TV and traveled to local nightclubs to sing and promote.^[6]

Packaging

The album was released in two editions:

• CD: contains fourteen musical tracks.
• CD [Limited Edition]: contains sixteen musical tracks and a slipcover.

The limited edition songs were English remixes of Take Back and Trust Your Love, which had only been released to the United States and not released in Japan.

Background Narration

"I had to go across the country and sing in clubs for promotion purposes. . .it was tough on me." - Koda Kumi

In KODA REKI, Koda Kumi talks about how she felt guilty for not meeting what she felt was her staff's expectations as far as single sales. She explains how she had to go to nightclubs to promote her singles and album and the difficulty to adjusting to the night life, but how she was happy for the experience.^[7]

Music Videos

affection did not receive a CD+DVD release or a corresponding DVD upon its release; however, promotional videos were released during each singles' release.

The promotional videos for the a-sides released during the album's era were not released on a DVD until 7 Spirits, which also carried the music videos for the then-released album grow into one.

The affection era videos released on the DVD were:

• Take Back: the initial debut video of the artist "Koda Kumi."
• Trust Your Love: set in the winter tundra.
• Color Of Soul: the video showed the many different angles of people around the world.
• So Into You: set in Japan, hinting towards taboos in Japanese culture.

Reception

Upon its release, the album received positive reviews from North American and Japanese fans.

In North America, many people compared Kumi to Namie Amuro, who, at the time, was famous for her single Can You Celebrate? in 1997 and her album Genius 2000, which was released in the beginning of the millennium. Michael was most favorable to the track Till Morning Comes feat. Verbal, but still told listeners that the CD was protected, due to, at the time, Avex copyright-protecting their CDs. Glafco also gave a positive review, again comparing Namie to Kumi, but saying how they believe Kumi to have a "stronger voice." Many others gave the album a positive review, though choosing not to give their names.^[8]

In Japan, freakb said that, while Kumi was "not very attractive, Avex [was] a stepping stone to success." They go on to praise the a capella track Best Friend Of Mine, which they said "showed Koda Kumi's vocal power." Many others praised Kumi's vocal abilities, even giving positive comments to the more "erotic song" Till Morning Comes feat. Verbal. Engawa de Dokusho called it Kumi's "best," and that they thought the album to be of "musical perfection given Kumi's voice."^[9]

Track listing

Charts and sales

Alternate Versions

come back

1. come back: Found on the album (2002)
2. come back [PLUG in LANGUAGE Remix]: Found on Koda Kumi Driving Hit's 3 (2011)

walk

1. walk: Found on the album (2002)
2. walk [soichi Ono Remix]: Found on Koda Kumi Driving Hit's 4 (2012)

References