MAX - Magic

Review by Ana Salvá

Album Review: MAX’s Magic – A Journey Through J-Pop and Electronic Vibes Released in 2000 under the Avex Trax label, MAX’s Magic is a vibrant blend of J-Pop, electronic, and pop sensibilities that captures the spirit of its time. With Japan and Hong Kong as its primary markets, this album doesn’t just stick to one genre—it dances between styles with confidence. It’s an eclectic mix, but somehow it works. The production credits alone tell you this was a labor of love. From Jun "Ultra" Shimamori’s A&R expertise to Ko "31" Yoshioka’s direction, every detail feels intentional. The art direction by Katsuhito Tadokoro gives the album cover a sleek, futuristic vibe, which matches the music inside perfectly. And let’s not forget the mastering touch of Yuka Koizumi—crisp, clean, and polished without losing warmth. Now, onto the tracks. There are some real gems here, but two songs stand out for me: “Whispers” and “Magic.” These aren’t just catchy tunes—they’re memorable because they do something clever with their structure and emotion. “Whispers,” for instance, has this hauntingly delicate intro that pulls you in immediately. The vocals feel intimate, almost like a secret being shared directly with you. When the beat drops, it transforms into this euphoric anthem that’s hard to shake off. What makes it stick? Maybe it’s the layered harmonies or how the instrumental version strips everything back to highlight the melody. Either way, it’s got replay value written all over it. Then there’s the title track, “Magic.” This song is pure energy wrapped up in a shiny electronic package. The rhythm hits hard, thanks to Morihito Joyama and Takashi Okano’s electronic wizardry. But what really sells it is the chorus—it’s uplifting yet slightly melancholic, creating this bittersweet tension that keeps you hooked. Listening to it feels like stepping into another world, one where neon lights flash and emotions run high. One quirky thing about this album? The inclusion of original karaoke versions alongside instrumentals. Sure, it might seem a bit extra, but honestly, it adds charm. It shows MAX wasn’t afraid to cater to fans who wanted more than just the standard listening experience. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy belting out lyrics at the top of their lungs? Reflecting on Magic, it’s clear why this album left a mark. It’s not perfect—some transitions feel abrupt, and a few tracks blend together after multiple listens—but it’s undeniably bold. In a sea of J-Pop releases from the early 2000s, Magic stands out for its willingness to experiment while staying rooted in familiar territory. So, would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself humming “Whispers” days later or getting lost in the pulsating beats of “Magic.” Oh, and here’s a thought—what if MAX decided to drop a surprise remix EP today? Now THAT would be magical.

Artist: MAX
Album: Magic

J-pop

2000

Rating: 4.5

Review
About Album
Download
Tracks
Video
Images
Catalog Numbers
Labels
Listen online
Formats
Companies
Credits
Notes
Barcodes
About Artist
Interesting fact
Comments
Related albums

Download

Filename: max-magic.zip

MP3 size: 48 mb
FLAC size: 606 mb

Download

Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Unforgettable (Instrumental)	5:01
Whispers	4:05
Whispers (Instrumental)	4:02
MAGIC(ORIGINAL KARAOKE)	3:45
UNFORGETTABLE (ORIGINAL KARAOKE)	4:59
MAGIC	3:46
Unforgettable	5:01
whispers (ORIGINAL KARAOKE)	4:2
whispers	4:2
Magic (Instrumental)	3:46
UNFORGETTABLE	4:59
Magic	3:46

Video

MAX - Magic

Images

Catalog Numbers

AVCD-30098
AVTCDS-267

Labels

Avex Trax

Listen online

online anhören
escuchar en línea
kuunnella verkossa
écouter en ligne
online luisteren
ascolta in linea
lyssna på nätet
lytte på nettet
ouvir online

Formats

CD
Maxi-Single

Companies

Role	Company
Phonographic Copyright (p)	Avex Inc.
Copyright (c)	Avex Inc.
Manufactured By	Avex Inc.
Distributed By	Avex Distribution

Credits

Role	Credit
A&R	Jun "Ultra" Shimamori
Art Direction	Katsuhito Tadokoro
Design	Katsuhito Tadokoro
Co-producer	Jun-Ichi "Randy" Tsuchiya, Max Matsuura
Directed By	Ko "31" Yoshioka, Toshio Fujiwara
Electronics	Morihito Joyama, Takashi Okano
Executive-Producer	Johnny Taira
Mastered By	Yuka Koizumi
Mixed By	Shinichi Usui
Photography By	Sunao Ohmori
Producer	MAX
Recorded By	Shinichi Usui, Takeshi Takizawa, Toshio Misu

Notes

Hong Kong version

Barcodes

Barcode: 4 988064 300983
Rights Society: JASRAC
Barcode: 4 892747 002678

About MAX

Short for "Music Active eXperience". The original members of MAX made their musical debut as members of the along with lead vocalist . They branched out on their own in 1995, becoming stars in their own right with selling several million albums and a string of consecutive top 20 singles from 1996 to 2000. Their lead singer, Mina, left the group in 2002 due to pregnancy and was replaced by Aki Maeda who assumed the stage name Aki. Aki left the group in August 2008 to pursue a solo career. Original member Mina returned to the group on October 28, 2008 ushering in the group's comeback after a two-year hiatus. In 2011 Reina announced her pregnancy and while she is on maternity leave the group was working as a trio. Original member Reina returned to the group in mid 2019 ushering the group's comeback after a three-year hiatus. Members Nana (1995present) Lina (1995present) Mina (19952002); (2008present) Reina (19952011) (2019-present) Past memberstAki (20022008)

Members

Nana
Aki Maeda
Reina
Lina
Minako Inoue

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? The album *Magic* by MAX, released in 2000, is a unique blend of J-Pop, Electronic, and Pop. It’s special because it includes both vocal and instrumental versions of its tracks, like "Whispers" and "Unforgettable." You even get original karaoke versions! Produced under Avex Trax, the album was a collaborative effort with some big names in the industry, including art direction by Katsuhito Tadokoro and mastering by Yuka Koizumi. Fun fact: the album was released not just in Japan but also in Hong Kong, showing its cross-cultural appeal.