Pop group BEGIN celebrated the 20th anniversary of their debut this year, and they have now announced the simultaneous release of two special albums to celebrate that milestone. Titled “BEGIN 20th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL TRIBUTE ALBUM” and “BEGIN 20th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL COVER ALBUM,” the albums are scheduled to go on sale on March 2, 2011.
The members of BEGIN are originally from Okinawa, so the “SPECIAL TRIBUTE ALBUM” will have an all-Okinawa theme. The artists known to be participating are MONGOL800, Cocco, Kariyushi 58, MAX, ISSA (DA PUMP), Chiharu Tamashiro (Kiroro), D-51, Yanawaraba, Isamu Shimoji, 2side1BRAIN, Ponytail Ribbons, and BOURBONZ. The album’s jacket will feature actress Manami Higa, who also hails from Okinawa.
The “SPECIAL COVER ALBUM,” on the other hand, will not be limited to Okinawan artists. The album includes Yoshimi Tendo, Hiromi Iwasaki with Chikuzen Sato, Sayuri Ishikawa, Ayakaji, Sansanar, Kaori Nakata, Rimi Natsukawa, Aya Ueto, Takeshi Tsuruno, Keiko Toda, SISTER KAYA, and Tokiko Kato. Another Okinawan actress, Tomi Taira, will appear on the jacket.
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(Via Tokyograph.)
Both albums look like must haves but of course, we’re most excited about the tribute album, you know, since Manami Higa will be on the cover. Hopefully there will be a track listing up for each album soon so stay tuned here or keep a lookout on BEGIN’s official website or their record label’s website. And, most importantly, remember to mark your calendar for the album’s release date: March 2, 2011. Oh, one thing that looks promising is the price of the albums: ¥2,400 (instead of the norm of about ¥3,000).
