{"product_id":"tbv-0083","title":"Aya Shimazu \/ AYA's Soul Searchin' 〜Aretha Franklin〜 (LP)","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cspan style=\"color:#ffffff;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#cb2026;\"\u003eSinging monster Aya Shimazu's Aretha Franklin cover album\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cspan style=\"background-color:#cb2026;\"\u003eTo celebrate the first anniversary of its release, the long-awaited vinyl record has been released!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Shimazu Aya is known as the \"singing monster\" due to her overwhelming singing ability.\u003cbr\u003e Aya Shimazu's cover album of songs by the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, \"AYA's Soul Searchin' -Aretha Franklin-\", which she released last year in 2024, has been announced to be released as an analog record on Wednesday, July 16th.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShimazu Aya made her major debut as an enka singer at the age of 15, being called a \"prodigy girl\" and \"the child of enka.\" In recent years, her unparalleled vocal ability has earned her the nickname \"singing monster.\" She has expanded her horizons across generations and genres, from enka to the latest pop and Western music. On March 17, 2024, Shimazu Aya made her world debut under the name \"Aya Shimazu\" with Aretha Franklin's classic \"Think.\" When she subsequently performed \"Think\" on a music program, her powerful and stunning performance elicited numerous comments of surprise and praise from viewers across generations on social media, with comments such as \"Amazing! So cool!\", \"Too awesome!\" and \"Aya Shimazu is seriously so cool,\" and it even became a trending topic!\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAfter seeing the film \"Respect,\" which depicts the life of Aretha Franklin, Shimazu's wish to \"sing Aretha's songs one day\" was revealed to him by Kiyoshi Matsuo, who became the general producer. The album was completed with the full participation of the band members, and with Ryo Nakata of Osaka Monorail, a leader in the Japanese soul\/funk scene and renowned overseas, serving as sound producer.\u003cbr\u003e Aya Shimazu's transcendent vocals and Osaka Monorail's soulful performance create a sound that beautifully blends the uplifting spirit of the 1960s soul scene, when Aretha Franklin was active, with the contemporary feel of Reiwa Japan.\u003cbr\u003e The album contains eight carefully selected songs, including the classic \"Think,\" \"Respect,\" the song that got this project started, and the classic \"A Natural Woman,\" written and composed by Carole King. \u003cbr\u003eThe album ends with the only original song, \"Always Together.\"\u003cbr\u003e \"Always the Two of Us\" is about Shimazu's beloved toy poodle, who he had lived with as if she were his own child, but who suddenly passes away from illness.\u003cbr\u003e The song is inspired by Shimazu's feelings of deep pain, exhaustion, and being crushed by a sense of loss, and is about \"carrying a sadness that cannot be easily healed, but still living on.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Aya Shimazu's soft and warm singing voice has resulted in a song that speaks directly to the listener's heart.\u003cbr\u003e The album title, \"Soul Searchin',\" also has the connotation of \"searching for oneself\" and \"a journey of the heart.\" The original Japanese song \"Itsudemo Futari,\" which stands out on this album, is truly Aya Shimazu's \"Soul Searchin',\" and is a fitting song to conclude the album. \u003cbr\u003eThe cover photo for this album was taken by Matthew Jordan Smith, who has been Aretha Franklin's official photographer for many years and has also published her photo books. Aya Shimazu's natural smile gives a powerful impression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Also, to celebrate the first anniversary of the release, on Thursday, July 31st, a joint live performance with the funk band \"Osaka Monorail,\" led by sound producer Ryo Nakata, will be held at LINE CUBE Shibuya (Shibuya Public Hall)!!\u003cbr\u003e Experience the soulful sound of Osaka Monorail and Aya Shimazu's one-of-a-kind singing voice on this vinyl record and at a live concert!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e ■Live Information Aya Shimazu with Osaka Monorail\u003cbr\u003e July 31st (Thursday) LINE CUBE SHIBUYA (Shibuya Public Hall) Start time 18:00\u003cbr\u003e For inquiries and applications: RO-ON Ticket TEL 047-365-9960 \u003cbr\u003eHomepage: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/x.gd\/9XlXh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehttps:\/\/x.gd\/9XlXh\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e Songs included\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e ■Track list:\u003cbr\u003e\n Side A\u003cbr\u003e\n 1. Think\u003cbr\u003e\n 2. Respect\u003cbr\u003e\n 3. I Say A Little Prayer\u003cbr\u003e\n 4. A Natural Woman\u003cbr\u003e\n 5. Amazing Grace\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e Side B\u003cbr\u003e\n 1. Chain Of Fools\u003cbr\u003e\n 2. Until You Come Back To Me\u003cbr\u003e\n 3. Spanish Harlem\u003cbr\u003e\n 4. Always Together\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e Product information\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e Artist: Aya Shimazu\u003cbr\u003e\n Title: AYA's Soul Searchin' ~Aretha Franklin~\u003cbr\u003e\n Label: Warner Music Japan \/ TUFF BEATS\u003cbr\u003e\n Format: LP\u003cbr\u003e\n Cat No.: TBV-0083\u003cbr\u003e\n Barcode: 4580187181403\u003cbr\u003e\n Price: 5,000 yen + tax\u003cbr\u003e\n Release date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n","brand":"TUFF BEATS ONLINE STORE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44768554647596,"sku":"TBV-0083","price":5000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0669\/4800\/5932\/files\/TBV-0083.jpg?v=1758010797","url":"https:\/\/tuff-beats.com\/en\/products\/tbv-0083","provider":"TUFF BEATS ONLINE STORE","version":"1.0","type":"link"}