The Very Best Of Japan

Great compilation, arrived on time, mint condition, good choice of tracks n running order

A superb introduction to the 1980s group Japan. The CD contains over 70 minutes of excellent music.There are two versions of "Ghosts", being the Album and Single version. The latter could have been omitted in favour of "Sons of Pioneers", which would have made this an even better CD.Nevertheless, a thoroughly recommended collection of Japan's excellent music.

Before we listen to the music, let's start with the packaging. No pictures of the band, and strange excerpts in the sleeve notes about children playing and hot chocolate????? What is all this about? There is some history of the band interspersed between the waffle, but I struggled to understand the point of the waffle in the first place. I agree with previous reviewers that there is little point to the 2 versions of 'Ghosts', and that a better compilation would be one that (finally) spans the band's whole career rather than their time on this record label or that one. Also, the accompanying DVD states the concert film is from 1983 - Japan broke up in 1982!!Not sure why a previous reviewer thought DS' solo stuff should be included - this is a Japan Greatest Hits package. It could have been so much more, though - there could have been, for example, a bonus disc of rare material / 12" mixes from the time / stuff like that. But no, this is pretty standard fare, and it even misses off Swing', 'My New Career' and 'Sons of Pioneers', but includes the instrumental 'Canton'. Whoever put this together was obviously in a hurry to get home on a Friday night - and they either weren't a Japan fan or were totally uncaring of those who are.I would recommend buying this for the DVD, as there's more tracks on this than on 'Oil On Canvas'. However, the DVD here could have included some or all of the band's music videos - another missed opportunity! But music-wise you'd be better off buying the albums on CD, particularly 'Quiet Life' onwards.Yes, Japan have had several compilations but I doubt the band themselves have been involved with these - it seems more like a cynical move by the different record companies to cash in on a band who didn't make them that much money first time around.Japan could have been one of the big success stories of the 80's but from what I've read, they didn't seem to want it enough, and certainly didn't want to be as poppy as Spandau and Duran. But for a band that put so much thought and pride and sheer originality into their work, who are still inspiring other bands and musicians 30 years later, they deserve so much better than this ...So why 5 stars? Because I love Japan, love their music, love David Sylvian and Mick Karn and Richard Barbieri and Steve Jansen, and it's great to have another DVD of the band. And buying this means there's one less person out there listening to Jedward.

great sound quality, a good introduction to the group if you are not familiar with them.

I'm a huge 80s fan and Japan where 1 of my fave band's .

This is the only Japan compilation which includes all the band's charting singles. At the time there seemed to be a prevailing view that "Japan are crap", which deterred me from buying any of the albums although I loved a few of the singles, notably the club anthem "Quiet Life", the haunting "Cantonese Boy" (only available on this compilation) and their probably greatest song "Ghosts", which was also their biggest hit.Fortunately this compilation steers clear of their worst material, and you may find yourself recognising (and enjoying) more of these songs than you expected, as I did! With the benefit of hindsight, Japan really weren't as radical or avante garde as they liked to think they were, and some of these songs sound perilously close to Duran Duran and other mainstream electronic pop/disco artists of the era. The moody Bryan Ferry flavoured vocals of David Sylvian, which some considered whining and fey, are actually a definite strength.Early non-charting singles are not included here, such as "Adolescent Sex", which may put some off if you know and like that material, or would like to hear it, but overall this CD is a great listen and for casual fans like me, gives us what we want.

Great band ..so unique.... great item

fast delivery and well packed this is a very good album and good sound quality well worth 5 stars .