The Hit Parade II is a covers album by Tak Matsumoto in conjunction with several guest artists. It was released on August 28, 2024, through Vermillion Records, more than 20 years after The Hit Parade.

The Hit Parade II
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 28, 2024 (2024-08-28)
Recorded2024
GenreKayōkyoku
LabelVermillion
ProducerTak Matsumoto
Tak Matsumoto chronology
Bluesman
(2020)
The Hit Parade II
(2024)
Singles from The Hit Parade
  1. "Blue Light Yokohama"
    Released: June 15, 2024
  2. "Kizudarake no Roll"
    Released: July 13, 2024
  3. "Roppongi Shinjuu"
    Released: July 25, 2024

Background

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In May 2024, the album announcement was made during his live tour Here Comes the Bluesman, with the official statement written few days later.[1]

The album features cover songs from the late Showa Period from artists such as Off Course, Hideki Saijo and Ann Lewis.[2][3]

The album has been performed by young artists from Giza Studio such as Aoi Garnet, Z, Daishi Uehara from Wands, Leon Niihama and well-known by public artist such as Teru from Glay and LiSA. Koshi Inaba and Mai Kuraki were the only ones, who reprised their previous roles in the album.[2]

The album was released in three formats: the regular edition, first-press edition and special limited edition. The special edition includes a Blu-ray Disc with partial live footage of the concert "Here Comes the Bluesman" with the guest vocals of Kuraki and Niihama.[3]

Promotion

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Singles

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The first promotional cover single was "Blue Light Yokohama", originally performed by Ayumi Ishida and covered by Mai Kuraki. The single was released on June 15, 2024. One week before, Matsumoto performed together with Kuraki on the music television program Music Fair.[4]

The second promotional single was "Kizudarake no Roller", originally performed by Hideki Saijo and covered by Leon Niihama. The single was released on July 13. The third promotional cover single was "Roppongi Shinju", originally performed by Ann Lewis, covered by LiSA. The single was released on July 25. All of the singles received a digital-only release.[3]

Track listing

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The Hit Parade II track listing
No.TitleOriginal performerLength
1."Hikigane (銃爪)" (by Koshi Inaba)Masanori Sera3:31
2."Rakuyo (落陽)" (by Teru (Glay))Takuro Yoshida3:34
3."Blue Light Yokohama (ブルーライト・ヨコハマ)" (by Mai Kuraki)Ayumi Ishida3:01
4."Mokuren no Namida (木蘭の涙)" (GRe4N BOYZ)Stardust Revue5:00
5."Roppongi Shinjū (六本木心中)" (by LiSA)Ann Lewis5:01
6."Toki no Sugiyuku Mama ni (時の過ぎゆくままに)" (by Daishi Uehara (Wands))Kenji Sawada3:24
7."Kizudarake no Roller (傷だらけのローラ)" (by Leon Niihama)Hideki Saijo3:19
8."Yes-No" (by Aoi Garnet)Off Course5:07
9."Shiroi Fuyu (白い冬)" (by Z)Fukinotō3:29
10."Oretachi no Kunshō Theme (俺たちの勲章テーマ)" (by Tak Matsumoto)Tranzam3:52

Charts

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Chart performance for The Hit Parade II
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[5] 7
Japanese Digital Albums (Oricon)[6] 7
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[7] 6

Release history

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Release history and formats for The Hit Parade II
Region Date Version Format Label Catalog No. Ref.
Japan August 28, 2024 Standard edition CD Vermillion BMCS-8016 [8]
First-press edition (limited) CD+BD VBMCS-8015 [9]
Limited edition CD+BD+poster BMCS-8014 [10]
Various Digital download [11]

References

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  1. ^ "松本孝弘、邦楽カバーアルバム第2弾『THE HIT PARADE Ⅱ』リリース決定". Billboard Japan.
  2. ^ a b "松本孝弘、約20年ぶり邦楽カバーアルバム第二弾を8月発売決定+収録詳細発表". Barks. 12 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "B'z松本孝弘カバーアルバムの発売日決定、限定盤に倉木麻衣&新浜レオンの映像収録". Natalie.
  4. ^ "『SHIONOGI MUSIC FAIR』小林幸子がなにわ男子とコラボ!松本孝弘は32年ぶりの出演で倉木麻衣と共演". Mezamashi Media. 30 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2024-09-09" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  6. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Digital Albums: September 9, 2024" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  7. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of September 4, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  8. ^ "THE HIT PARADE II<通常盤>".
  9. ^ "THE HIT PARADE II [CD+Blu-ray Disc]<初回限定盤>".
  10. ^ "THE HIT PARADE II [CD+Blu-ray Disc+ポスター]<数量限定生産盤>".
  11. ^ "THE HIT PARADE II (Tak Matsumoto)".