昨年の『Smile...』から1年弱での新作。その間にはクラシカル系の企画盤で高い評価を得ていたわけで、意欲的なリリース熱がまずは喜ばしい限りです。自身や五輪真弓らのカヴァーに加えて、凛としたオープニングの“風を感じて”などオリジナル新曲も5つあり、特に矢野博康による“Summer Breeze”が洒落た大人の夏ムードで麗しい。カヴァーでは〈セカモー〉からの“好きで×5”が現在の実力を示す出色の仕上がりでしょう!
[English Translation]
Natsumi Abe "Dreams"
Less than a year after the release of the album "Smile..." last year, Natsumi Abe has released a new album again. In between the two albums, she had also released a classical project album which received high acclaim, and it is a great pleasure to see her enthusiasm for delivering new releases. In addition to reprising her own songs as well as covers of other artists including Mayumi Itsuwa (Japanese vocalist, composer, lyricist, and keyboardist), this album also includes five new original songs such as the dignified opener "Kazewo Kanjite (meaning Feel the breeze)." In particular, the beauteous "Summer Breeze" written by Hiroyasu Yano (Japanese composer/producer and drummer) delivers a classy and mature summer mood. Among the cover tracks, "Suki de x 5 (meaning I Love You × 5)" from "Second Morning", the album by Morning Musume (Japanese idol group she used to belong to), is a delightful listen that demonstrates her current vocal prowess!
