Music Gift

Music Gift
EP by Kokia
Released December 9, 2008
Recorded 2008
Genre J-pop, folk
Length 16:30
Label Anco&co
Producer Kokia
Kokia chronology

Love Tears
(2008)		 Music Gift
(2008)		 Kokia Infinity Akiko: Balance
Akiko Infinity Kokia: Balance
(2009)

Music Gift is a free release EP released by Kokia, handed out on the streets of New York in on the 9th of December, 2008,[1] limited to 10,000 copies.[1] It was created as a memorial for the 7th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.[2] The original title of the project was the "Remember the Kiss Music Gift" when it was mentioned in Kokia's blog in September 2008.[3] "Candle in the Heart" later featured on a bonus CD on Kokia's 2009 greatest hits album, Coquillage: The Best Collection II.[4] The then First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush, wrote Kokia a letter thanking her for her efforts.[2]

Recording

"Amazing Grace" and "Remember the Kiss (Dedicated to "New" NY)" were released on Kokia's album Christmas Gift in October and November 2008. "Kokoro no Rōsoku" (心のロウソク), the original Japanese version of "Candle in the Heart," also featured.[5] "Amazing Grace" and "Candle in the Heart" were recorded sometime between May and September 2008.[6][7]

Kokia travelled to New York for a week in early September 2008 to record "Remember the Kiss (Dedicated to "New" NY)," an English language translation of the song.[3] The song was recorded with a church organ and church choir at the Institutional Church of God Church in Brooklyn.[8][9]

Distribution

On the 9th of December, Kokia flew into New York,[10] and on the 9th handed out all 10,000 CDs in a single day at Times Square, dressed in a santa costume.[11]

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s)Arranger(s) Length
1. "Remember the Kiss (Dedicated to "New" NY)"  KokiaToney Rhodes 6:22
2. "Candle in the Heart"  KokiaKokia 5:22
3. "Amazing Grace"  John NewtonKokia 4:46

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "December 1st". 'Otonami' Music Translator Kokia's Blog (in Japanese). 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "KOKIA、ブッシュ大統領夫妻から感謝の手紙". Barks (in Japanese). 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 ニューヨーク6日目　♪. 'Otonami' Music Translator Kokia's Blog (in Japanese). 2008-09-11. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
  4. ↑ "KOKIA、『ガンダム００』とのコラボ・シングル＆ベスト・セレクションＣＤの第２弾がリリース！". CDJournal (in Japanese). 2009-10-07. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
  5. ↑ "KOKIA｜Christmas gift｜@Victor Entertainment" (in Japanese). Victor Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
  6. ↑ 秘密のレコーディング　♪. 'Otonami' Music Translator Kokia's Blog (in Japanese). 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
  7. ↑ 産卵の時期　♪. 'Otonami' Music Translator Kokia's Blog (in Japanese). 2008-09-01. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
  8. ↑ それぞれに. 'Otonami' Music Translator Kokia's Blog (in Japanese). 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
  9. ↑ ニューヨーク3日目　♪. 'Otonami' Music Translator Kokia's Blog (in Japanese). 2008-09-08. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
  10. ↑ ニューヨークでサンタ♪「クリスマスギフト」. 'Otonami' Music Translator Kokia's Blog (in Japanese). 2008-12-08. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
  11. ↑ ニューヨークでサンタ♪. 'Otonami' Music Translator Kokia's Blog (in Japanese). 2008-12-09. Retrieved 2010-06-12.