Backstreet Boys Japan Initial Release, First Press CD

The initial release of debut album in Japan 1st press promotional sample variant, featuring a hype sticker that mentions a show called "AWAKE ON THE WILDSIDE," which aired on MTV Japan on December 28th and 29th, 1996. This pressing was released by AVEX Trax. Notably, the Obi strip contains a small mistake, claiming the group "swept the charts in Europe and Austria", but Austria is a part of Europe.

Album Comment:

In September, Poland already had the appearance of autumn. People, as if determined not to be outdone by the streets filled with flowers trying their best to bloom before winter, had begun preparing for the cold season. I visited Poland to see a Backstreet Boys concert. Since they had already made it big in Europe, Poland was chosen as the only place to conduct an interview with them. But there was another important reason for the trip.

By September, their debut album had already become a huge hit in Poland, achieving platinum status. Poland, having been one of the first communist countries to shift toward liberalism and spark the end of the Cold War, is more sensitive to new culture and art than one might imagine.

The concerts I saw in Warsaw and Gdansk were filled with an intensity of audience excitement that could only be described as extraordinary. The Backstreet Boys responded with a full-powered performance. Their professional singing and dancing were flawless, leaving no room for other boy groups to compete. Their popularity was no surprise.

The rise of boy bands, which began with New Kids on the Block from the U.S. in the late '80s, later developed into a Europe-led movement with the emergence of the U.K.'s Take That. Various popular groups from around the world followed in their footsteps. Amid this, the Backstreet Boys were well on their way to occupying the throne that had been left vacant after Take That disbanded.

As of September 1996, their singles "We've Got It Goin' On," "I'll Never Break Your Heart," and "Get Down" had become hits across Europe, and their album had earned platinum status in Germany, Poland, Austria, and Switzerland. Although they initially struggled to chart singles in the U.K. compared to the rest of Europe, the re-release of their debut single in August entered the charts at number six, breaking into the top 10 and successfully establishing their presence in Britain. Now, they were truly a European supergroup.

The Backstreet Boys were formed in Orlando, Florida. The members are: Kevin Richardson born October 3, 1971, in Lexington, Kentucky; nickname: Kev. His cousin Brian Thomas Littrell, born February 20, 1975, also in Lexington; nickname: B-Rok. Alexander James McLean, born August 22, 1978, in West Palm Beach, Florida; nickname: Bone. Howard Dwaine Dorough, born August 22, 1973, in Orlando, Florida; nickname: Howie D.Nicholas Gene Carter, born January 28, 1980, in Jamestown, New York; later moved to Orlando; nickname: Chaos.

Kevin and Brian, having grown up singing in their Baptist church, were serious musicians from a young age. Meanwhile, A.J., Howie, and Nick became friends through constantly running into each other at showbiz auditions. The three started performing on the streets and later invited Kevin, who was in Orlando for work, to join them. To further strengthen their vocal harmonies, Kevin called his cousin Brian from Kentucky, thus completing the group's current formation.

The group's name comes from the "Backstreet Market" located on International Drive in Orlando — a place similar to a flea market where young people would gather to play music and dance.

In 1994, Jeff Fenster from Jive Records was so impressed by their live performance that he signed them to the label. By the end of 1995, they released their debut single "We've Got It Goin' On" in the U.S., which became a smash hit on the Billboard Dance Chart. However, they received even stronger reactions from European countries like Germany. By 1996, three singles had become consecutive hits, and they centered their promotions and tours in Europe, establishing an unshakable position there. Their next goal was a triumphant return to America and a breakthrough into Asia, including Japan — and that dream didn’t seem far off.

I’ll also share my impressions from interviewing them. Kevin had the air of a calm and reliable older brother. Brian, cheerful and expressive, seemed like he could even try stand-up comedy like Robin Williams. A.J. was the cool type, favoring elaborate fashion. Howie, with his Latin background, had a very natural vibe. And the youngest, Nick, was a mischievous boy through and through.

Despite their different personalities, once on stage, they delivered tightly synchronized singing and dancing. Their professional talents were undoubtedly honed from growing up in Florida, home to entertainment giants like Disney World.

The major concept of their debut album is the skillful coupling of energetic dance tracks and heartfelt ballads — a dual approach that stands out. A key feature of the album is the involvement of many powerful producers and songwriters. Among them, Timmy Allen and Mr. Lee, in-house producers at Jive Records under the Zomba Group, played a major role. Timmy Allen, notably, had once been a member of the New York-based session musician group Change, highly popular in '80s club scenes. Although Timmy and Mr. Lee could have handled the album entirely, to add more musical variety, top hitmakers from around the world were also recruited. Dennis Pop and Max Martin, based in Sweden and known for their work on Ace of Base’s album "The Bridge," participated, as did Tony Cottura and Brent Arlis, members and songwriters for the popular German group Fun Factory.

As for the dance music side, their American/European debut track "We've Got It Goin' On" and their third single "Get Down (You're The One For Me)," featuring Fun Factory’s rapper Smooth T, clearly represent the style the Backstreet Boys were aiming for — an energetic sound influenced by New Jack Swing and hip-hop grooves like those of R&B group Jodeci, featuring rugged beats and wild vocals & harmonies.

"I Wanna Be With You," with its stickier, funkier feel at a slightly slower tempo, also reflects their ambition to incorporate the authentic R&B style of groups like Jodeci and Color Me Badd.

Among the dance tunes, "Boys Will Be Boys," with its cool, sample-driven beats, stands out with a mysterious groove expressing the boys' identity. Also noteworthy is "Nobody But You," produced by Dennis Pop, which introduces a distinctive "zundoko" (heavy beat) sound for a unique flavor.

On the ballad side, the group’s direction had already been set with songs like "Anywhere For You" and the second single, "I'll Never Break Your Heart," which became a hit. Interestingly, it was this type of song that resonated most with audiences in Poland. In particular, "Anywhere For You," produced by Veit Renn, drew the most explosive reaction of the night, with the crowd erupting into a massive sing-along — a moment I’ll never forget. It's actually one of my personal favorites as well.
Incidentally, "I’ll Never Break Your Heart" was written by Eugene Wilde, a mid-tier soul singer who established his career in the 1980s. The song was originally a demo he recorded himself. He probably intended to sing it himself, but it seems the boys (somehow?) discovered it and ended up making it their own.

The series of ballads involving Timmy Allen, who also served as a musical advisor to the five, also deserve special mention. While none of these songs are flashy, they showcase the boys’ musicality with solid, authentic soul music. The sentimental atmosphere of "Every Time I Close My Eyes" in particular is superb.

In addition to these ballads, there are also some charming mid-tempo vocal tunes. "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," recorded in Sweden, is excellent, but the reggae-flavored party song "Let's Have A Party" also creates an interesting effect. Nick’s slightly whiny singing style here actually has a reason: the song was crafted with conscious homage to the Jacksons — Michael Jackson’s group from the 1970s. In fact, it even respectfully samples the Jacksons’ 1976 track "Enjoy Yourself."

Although this album was made with the European market in mind, plans were already underway for an album targeted at the American market, featuring an incredible lineup of producers and songwriters such as Babyface, Diane Warren, and P.M. Dawn. "Say What's In My Heart," a ballad specially written by Babyface (known for working with Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Madonna) and Diane Warren (who has penned hits for Celine Dion and Heart), is sure to mark an important new step for the group.

September 29, 1996 Yuji Muraoka／YUJIN

Track Commentary:

"WE'VE GOT IT GOIN' ON"
Unfortunately, MN8, a vocal and chorus group known for "I've Got A Little Something For You," didn’t achieve much success in Japan. This danceable track shares similarities with their backing track. It was released as a debut single in the UK, where it reached as high as No. 3, and entered the top 5 in several European countries as well. The producer, Denniz Pop, is famous for producing Ace of Base’s massive 1993 hits "All That She Wants" and "The Sign." More recently, working with Max Martin, he has produced Ace of Base’s second album The Bridge and the debut album of 3T, a new group launched by Michael Jackson's own label, MJJ.

"ANYWHERE FOR YOU"
Backstreet Boys’ greatest strengths lie not just in their idol-like looks, but also in their outstanding vocal talent, harmonization, and individual skill. Although details about producer Veit Renn are unclear at this point, his ability to bring out the group’s flawless harmony is highly commendable.

"GET DOWN (YOU'RE THE ONE FOR ME)"
Released as the third single in the UK where it reached No. 14 on the charts, this track is memorable as the group’s debut single in Japan. It’s a punchy, unforgettable dance number, featuring guest rapper Smooth T. from Fun Factory, known for their pop hit "I Wanna B With U." Unfortunately, detailed information about producers Bulent Aris and Toni Cottura is unavailable.

"I'LL NEVER BREAK YOUR HEART"
A jewel of a ballad released as the second single across Europe, it became a major hit, landing in the top 5 in many countries. This track fully showcases their vocal abilities. Producer Timmy Allen, once a member of the 80s group Change, is a multi-talented musician skilled in songwriting, bass, keyboards, and lead vocals. In recent years, he has found success producing for artists like Glenn Jones, Hi-Five, Lillo Thomas, and Christopher Williams.

"QUIT PLAYING GAMES (WITH MY HEART)"
A mid-tempo track with a light, pleasant beat that brings a refreshing vibe reminiscent of early Hi-Five. Max Martin, who also worked on Ace of Base’s recent releases, produced this song. Although information on Kristian Lundin is unavailable, recording in Sweden suggests he is likely Max Martin’s music partner.

"BOYS WILL BE BOYS"
This track was featured in the movie Kazaam starring NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal. It samples Sly & The Family Stone’s "Sing A Simple Song" (R&B No. 28 in 1969). Remixer Mr. Lee, a Chicago-based multi-player known for work with Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince and Nuttin’ Nyce, achieved an R&B hit in 1993 with "Hey Love (Can I Have a Word)" featuring R. Kelly.

"JUST TO BE CLOSE TO YOU"
This ballad features the talents of Timmy Allen again, along with Mookie, who also contributed to Donell Jones’ debut album My Heart under LaFace Records. Their stable five-part harmonies give the group an aura beyond typical "idol" status, hinting at a mature, genuine R&B vocal group.

"I WANNA BE WITH YOU"
Produced once again by Denniz Pop and Max Martin, this track carries their trademark familiarity and catchy sound — much like their work with Ace of Base. This is a song we would certainly hope to see released as a single in Japan.

"EVERY TIME I CLOSE MY EYES"
Another collaboration between Timmy Allen and Kay Fingers, known for producing tracks for Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Smooth, and Chantay Savage. Kay Fingers recently contributed to Elisha La’Verne’s debut album. The smooth, upbeat groove highlights the group's full vocal potential, and personally, I would name it the best take on the album. Songwriter E.F. White, famed for working with early Hi-Five and Whitney Houston, brings his renowned warm, emotional songwriting to this track.

"DARLIN’"
Despite an average age of just 19, the group’s deep, mature vocals on this ballad show they are capable of delivering adult-oriented numbers. Their overwhelming chorus work, despite their youth, hints at great things to come.

"LET'S HAVE A PARTY"
This lively, unique uptempo track rearranges the lyrics of The Jacksons’ 1976 release "Enjoy Yourself" while keeping the original backing track. It’s sure to energize any live show as a party song. Similarly, rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot recently scored a hit with "Jump On It," using the baseline from George Clinton’s "Atomic Dog" but replacing the lyrics.

"ROLL WITH IT"
Featuring a jazzy, groovy backbeat, this track also sees remix work from Mr. Lee. Renowned as both a producer and remixer, Mr. Lee was behind the powerful, beat-driven remix of Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s 1993 hit "Boom! Shake The Room."

"NOBODY BUT YOU"
This track delivers a memorable, unique beat, produced again by Denniz Pop and Max Martin. It also carries a hint of funk, offering a fresh new side of the Backstreet Boys.

"LAY DOWN BESIDE ME"
A romantic ballad that carries a mood similar to Babyface’s signature sound. The lush harmonies, perfect for unwinding at the end of the day, showcase the group’s evolution into adult contemporary territory. Incidentally, their U.S. debut single is rumored to be produced by Babyface (unconfirmed at the moment), further underlining their exceptional potential.

"GIVE ME YOUR HEART"
A ballad where the five members’ harmonies evoke the spirit of 70s R&B groups. Producer Larry "Rock" Campbell, who has worked with Hi-Five, Nuttin’ Nyce, Smooth, Deborah Cox, Shaquille O'Neal, and Jody Watley, is known for crafting gentle, soulful sounds especially in ballads and mid-tempo numbers.

by Shoji Suzuki