Mai

1	Horizon 5:52
2	Honen Bushi 4:29
3	Konjaku Monogatari 6:04
4	Aqua 4:52
5	Lullaby of Takeda 4:53
6	First Love 4:32
7	Mai 4:48
8	Rakuen 6:09
9	Song of Birth 3:35
10	China Rose 4:48

Barnes & Noble

This talented singer is well-known in her native Japan, having added her beautiful warble to countless commericals. Mai, Eri Sugai's first solo album, showcases not only the pure, transcendent quality of her voice, but also demonstrates her talents as a composer and studio wiz. Her musical inspiration comes from both Western music and Japanese folk songs, and the music never strays too far from a global sense of tonality. Fans of Enya and Adiemus will feel right at home as Sugai builds layer after copious layer of her ethereal vocalise. She notes that Japanese music seldom uses vocal harmonies -- singing is more often done in unison -- but "Aqua," "Mai," and other original pieces here offer intricate harmonies that rival those of the best Balkan choirs. Her voice sweetly carries the touching melody of "A Lullaby of Takeda," then sprinkles plumes of vocal fairy dust that swirl around the accompanying koto. "First Love" is her only truly solo track, yet seems to echo the bowed sound of the niko as she bends her notes. The title track offers a myriad of breathtaking vocal fireworks set in an undulating bed of dynamic percussion. The charming "Rakuen" floats dreamily upon a wash of water sounds and windchimes, with Sugai's voice calling like some redemptive siren in the distance. Hearing each piece is like discovering yet another pearl in the same oyster -- you'll want to listen to Mai again and again to catch every glimpse of Sugai's brilliance. Carol Wright

All Music Guide

In his article "Pacific Moon Rising" in the September 2000 issue of New Age Voice Magazine, Peter Manzi writes that Eri Sugai undoubtedly will be compared to Enya upon the release of her first U.S. album, Mai. It's a comparison that does not please the singer, who protests that she adopted her singing style long before Enya's first album. But it must not bother Pacific Moon Records, which included a copy of the article with promotional copies of Mai. So, it's worth bowing to the inevitable and noting that, on Mai, Eri Sugai records large numbers of vocal overdubs, creating an echoed, ethereal sound that will remind many listeners of Enya. That said, except for the opening track, "Horizon," she uses the approach in very different ways, eschewing Enya's Celtic style for Japanese, Middle Eastern, and African influences. For the most part, she is not singing actual lyrics, but rather invented vocal sounds. She has a strong sense of rhythm, but is equally ready to construct a cappella passages when it suits her. She also employs sound effects, such as the water sounds in "Rakuen," for added atmosphere. The result is a more varied musical palette than one hears on an Enya album, but it's fair to say that Enya fans should give this one a listen if they'd like to hear something just a little more unusual. William Ruhlmann