Don't you see it's ZARD ?!

Continuing with this self-assigned mission of introducing you all to some classics in the Jpop world, today I have the pleasure of presenting to you another compilation of a well-known artist in the fandom: ZARD.

Who are "ZARD" ? That is the million dollar question and believe me that whoever comes up with an accurate answer really deserves that prize money... ZARD, as far as everybody knows, is a Jpop group that debuted in the musical scene in 1991 with their single "Goodbye My Loneliness". In fact, back then they were a people that at least could be identified ! Original lineup included Izumi Sakai in vocals, Fumito Machida in guitar, Hiroyasu Hoshi in bass, Kimitaka Ikezawa in keyboards and Kohsuke Michikura in drums. And today ? Well, all that is certain is that after their 5th single, they stopped promoting their music in TV (both performing on music shows or giving interviews), no reference whatsoever about the members is found in the CD booklets (only Izumi is credited writing lyrics or music) and all promotional material is centered in vocalist Miss Sakai, who actually became the visible face of the "group". Weird, right ? Nobody knows which is the current formation of the ZARD. This reclusiveness came to some sort of an end when they performed for a limited number of members of their fan club in a cruise in 1999, but nobody is really sure whether the people playing next to Izumi were the actual members of the band or not. Same goes for their first ever national tour... held in 2004 ! Yes, that is 13 years after their official debut...

ZARD contributed songs to some very high-profile anime series that helped spread their work around the world and garner international fans of their music such as yours truly. The exception might be the OP they recorded for "Cooking Master Boy", a minor TV hit in 1997. But they are responsible for "Don't you see!", the 2nd ED of Dragon Ball GT and also came up with EDs for Slam Dunk ("My friend") and... of course... Detective Conan ("Unmei no Roulette Mawashite"). The latter is on my list of Anime Music Brilliantine for 1998, so it is a recommended listen for sure ^_^. The use of their songs in other media projects such as TV advertising and J-dramas would merit a chapter of its own... Unfortunately, "Don't you see!" is not included in the CD you'll find below so you will have to get it by yourselves somehow because it's a catchy classic in its own right. See what I mean by watching that ED clip courtesy of rudypigmei @ YouTube:

ZARD is one prolific group. Even if their popularity is not the same now as it was in the mid-90's they have one of the most loyal fanbases around eagerly awaiting for their next release. Up to now, they have put out 13 original albums, two compilations and a live CD and their latest single, "Heart ni Hi wo Tsukete" is their 42th !! Izumi is an accomplished songwriter and lyricist, having also composed songs for fellow B-Gram Records bands Field of View, WANDS and DEEN, also very famous acts during the 90's. Track 4 of the CD below is a collaboration with groups REV & WANDS for which she wrote the lyrics, and features Japanese baseball player Shigeo Nagashima in guest vocals. Spot him trying to hold a note by the end of the song ^_^.

To commemorate the 15th anniversary of its brilliant music career, Zard is releasing this month a triple treat for fans: "Zard Golden Best", a double album of greatest hits personally selected by Miss Sakai packed together with a DVD. I'm posting today a previous BEST OF release that spans the first eight years of Zard in the music business: ZARD BEST "The Single Collection: Kiseki", put out in 1999 to debut -where else?- at # 1... I've added two bonus to the original tracklisting of this album, the powerful ballad "Good Day" and a personal favorite, the song "Photograph".

I hope you don't mind the size of the file; it's the first time I post a full album at 256 kbps and it may be the last, 'cause at least by posting music in lower bitrate maybe I am indirectly forcing you to actually go out and support these great artists ^_- For further information on Zard, there is no better place on the net right now than ZARD the BEST, an impressive site in English made by a fan. Go take a look and admire this guy's amazing work... Here's today's album... enjoy !

UPDATE: As many of you may know, Izumi Sakai died on May 27th 2007 in a bizarre accident while in hospital, recovering from cancer. May she rest in peace forever. She leaves behind her music legacy and countless fans that keep smiling whenever her voice speaks to us through song.