My Name Is Ai


My Name Is Ai is the debut studio album by Japanese–American singer-songwriter Ai, released on November 2, 2001, by RCA Records and BMG Fun House.
Three singles were released from My Name Is Ai, "Cry, Just Cry", "U Can Do" and "Shining Star". While the first two failed to chart, "Shining Star" charted and peaked at number 98 on the Oricon Singles Chart.
Although not commercially successful, My Name Is Ai peaked at number 86 on the Oricon albums chart.

Background

Ai developed an interest to become a singer in her early adolescence. After graduating from junior high school in Japan, Ai returned to her hometown, Los Angeles, California, to attend high school. Initially attending Glendale [High School (Glendale, California)|Glendale High School], Ai later switched to Los Angeles Count High School for the Arts, majoring in ballet. In 1998, she appeared as a dancer in Janet Jackson's song "Go Deep".
In 1999, Ai joined an Asian girl group called SX4. While on holiday in Kagoshima, she performed Monica's "For You I Will", which led to her being scouted by BMG. Deciding to take the offer, Ai left SX4 and moved to Tokyo after graduating high school in 2000, signing to BMG Japan's RCA Records label.

Track listing

Personnel

Credits adapted from album's liner notes.

Musicians

  • Ai Carina Uemura – lead vocals, songwriting
  • Takuya Harada – songwriting
  • Shinnosukue – arrangement, songwriting, production
  • Junkoo – arrangement, songwriting, production, piano
  • Genki Hibino – songwriting
  • Yukiko Mitsui – songwriting
  • Ars Wizard C-VE – arrangement, songwriting, production
  • Diggy-Mo – songwriting, vocals
  • Takao Sugiyama – piano
  • Masahiko Rokukawa – bass
  • Ichiro Hada – guitar
  • Kazu Minamisawa – guitar
  • Kouyo Murakami – trombone
  • Kazuo Kamata – sax
  • Mikio Saito – trumpet
  • To-Go – guitar
  • Aogu – DJ
  • Dave Fromm – background vocals
  • Jun – background vocals
  • Tsuyoshi – background vocals
  • Peco – background vocals
  • Masaaki Iwami – songwriting

    Technical

  • Masaaki Iwami –mixing
  • T. Takizawaa – mixing
  • T. Kobayashi – mixing
  • Don Katsumoto – sound production
  • Ars Wizard CV-E – direction
  • Junkoo – assistant direction
  • Shinnosuke – assistant direction
  • Yukihiro Yahagi – mastering

    Visuals and imagery

  • Anthony Nishikawa – art direction
  • Yoshihiro Sugawara – design
  • Kazuya Morishima – photographer
  • Ai Carina Uemura – photographer
  • Rie Inada – hair, makeup
  • Shuhei Yomo – styling
  • Mika Itagaki – styling

    Charts

Aftermath

Following BMG selling its 50% share of Sony BMG in 2008 to the Sony Corporation of America, RCA's Japan division was rebranded as Ariola Japan. Subsequently, the ownership of the masters of My Name Is Ai was transferred to Sony Music Japan. Though physical copies are still manufactured by Sony Japan under their Ariola Japan label, the album was never formerly released to digital stores.

Release history