Tomiko Van - Yumeji

After a year of many solo releases including a full-length album and two other singles, Tomiko Van released her 3rd single of the year in November 2006 entitled Yumeji which translates to “Dreaming”.

Just as the title track suggests, Yumeji gives the effect of one who is dreaming. Tomiko Van is able to show how beautiful her voice is as its surrounded by symphonic melodies. This track is slow and gentle, giving a calm feeling and Tomiko Van’s voice just helps heighten the feeling provided by the music. Both are a wonderful compliment for the other.

The next track Labyrinth is the opposite of the titled track; this song is upbeat, jazzy, and very catchy. This time around, the listener is able to see how adaptable Tomiko Van’s voice can be. There is a slight range difference between this and the previous track, but this shows that the vocalist can meet any range as long as she can get the meaning of her music across.

The final two tracks are instrumental versions of the first two. The music to both tracks are wonderful and the difference between the two provide a diverse range for any listener who either is already a fan of Tomiko Van or someone who might give her music a try. For those who are not familiar with Japanese pop, this vocalist’s talent will pleasantly surprise the listener. For those who are already fans, they will not be disappointed with this release.