MAI SECRET: Female vocalist Mai Kuraki-- one of Japan's biggest selling artists-- is the latest j-pop artist to try her luck in the American market. Following the October 1999 release of her single "Baby I Like" under the simplified name Mai-K, Kurkai released Secret of My Heart Jan. 22 on Giza U.S.A., a Los Angeles-based subsidiary of her Japanese label, Giza Studio. Secret of My Heart is a competent, well-performed slice of pop/R&B. Other reviews of both "Secret of my heart" and "Shadows of Dreams" have been popping up in Japanese-language newspapers and news-groups across the U.S., perhaps the most famous of which is Bridge USA. The advertising campaign was kicked off with this add in the January 19th issue of Billboard Magazine. It took up one full-page in the popular music magazine and definitely caught the eyes of music fans in America. Here's a closer look at some of the fine print: MAI-K "Secret of my heart" Mai-K is one of the biggest pop sensations ever to come out of Japan. Her smash debut album "delicious way," has sold over 3.5 million copies to date. Now this shining star of Japanese pop is ready to conquer America with her first full-length, English-language album in the United States, "Secret of my heart." This will not be, however, her U.S. debut. In 1999, Mai-K was sent to Boston's Cybersound Studio to record her debut single, in large part due to her very "American" sounding, R&B style singing voice influenced by the artsted she listened to growing up: Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, etc. The single,"Baby I Like," was recorded by producer and engineer Perry Geyer who was so impressed with her natural talent and poise that he recommended the single be released in the U.S. First prints of the single were sold out almost immediately after release, and remixes of the track were done by DJ's Mark Kamins (Madonna), Justin Strauss (Swing Out Sister, Depeche Mode) and Joey Moscowitz (Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey). With this early success under her belt, Mai-K went on to record "Love, Day After Tomorrow" in Japan, which charted as high as no.2, and broke sales records for longest selling singles at 1.3 million copies. She followed that up with several top ten hits, including the title track for her U.S. album release, "Secret of my heart." These songs and many more of her biggest hits will be on the album. AIKA "Shadows of Dreams" Aika's "Shadows of Dreams" is the debut, all English, self-cover album by the song-writer for many of Mai-K's biggest hits. It is a choice selection of this successful melody-maker's best songs. For Mai-K fans, the album should present interesting introspection into the roots of their favorite Japanese star's songs, as well as the fun of listening and comparing the differences in arrangement and singing style . And for those unfamiliar with Japanese pop, this album presents a truly unique opportunity to hear, feel and experience a style of pop music new to American ears. Giza USA is already busy preparing for the next exciting releases from Giza Studio artists, so keep checking in for more information from Los Angeles, California to get all the latest news!