The Very Best of Japan

Infobox Album |
Name = The Very Best of Japan
Type = Compilation album
Artist = Japan


Released = March 28 2006
Recorded = 1979-1983
Genre = Post-Punk, New Wave
Length = 72:39
Label = EMI Music
Producer =
Reviews = Allmusic [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:gzfuxqqdldhe]
Last album ="Exorcising Ghosts" (1984)
This album =The Very Best of Japan (2006)
Next album = The Very Best of Japan is a compilation album by the British band Japan, released worldwide in 2006 by EMI Music.

Although not the first Japan compilation to collect recordings from the band's career on both Hansa Records and Virgin Records, it is certainly the most comprehensive and includes all nine of their UK top 40 hit singles as well as two other singles that made the top 50, released between the years 1981 and 1983; "The Art of Parties" (#48, 1981), "Quiet Life"(#19, 1981), "Visions Of China" (#32, 1981), "European Son (Remix)" (#31, 1981), "Ghosts" (#5, 1982), "Cantonese Boy" (#24, 1982), "I Second That Emotion (Remix)" (#9, 1982), "Life In Tokyo (Remix)" (#28, 1982), "Nightporter (Remix)" (#29, 1982), "All Tomorrow's Parties (Remix)" (#38, 1983) and "Canton" (Live) (#42, 1983).

"The Very Best of Japan" includes both the single and album versions of their biggest commercial hit "Ghosts", the 12" mix of "The Art of Parties" as well as the Steve Nye remix of "Taking Islands in Africa", originally released as the B-side of the "Visions of China" 7" single in 1981.

The album was accompanied by a DVD release, which includes seven promo videos as well as the 1983 "Oil on Canvas" concert.

Track listings

Audio CD "All tracks written by David Sylvian unless otherwise noted"
#"Ghosts" (Single Version) - 3:59
#* Original version on 1981 album "Tin Drum"
#"I Second That Emotion" (1982 Single Mix) (Cleveland, Robinson) - 3:47
#* First U.K. album release compilation "Assemblage", 1981
#"Quiet Life" (7" Version) - 3:54
#* Original version on 1979 album "Quiet Life"
#"Gentlemen Take Polaroids" - 7:08
#* From 1980 album "Gentlemen Take Polaroids"
#"The Art of Parties" (12" Single Version) - 6:45
#* Original version on 1981 album "Tin Drum"
#"Visions of China" (Jansen, Sylvian) - 3:40
#* From 1981 album "Tin Drum"
#"Taking Islands in Africa" (Steve Nye Remix) (Sakamoto, Sylvian) - 4:57
#* Original version on 1980 album "Gentlemen Take Polaroids"
#"European Son" (1982 Single Mix) - 3:39
#* First U.K. album release compilation "Assemblage", 1981
#"Cantonese Boy" - 3:49
#* From 1981 album "Tin Drum"
#"Life in Tokyo" (Pt. 1, Special Remix, 1982) (Moroder, Sylvian) - 4:03
#* First U.K. album release compilation "Assemblage", 1981
#"Nightporter" - 7:00
#* Note: original album version from "Gentlemen Take Polaroids", 1980
#"Methods of Dance" - 6:56
#* From 1980 album "Gentlemen Take Polaroids"
#"All Tomorrow's Parties" (1983 7" Version) (Reed) - 3:35
#* Original version on 1979 album "Quiet Life"
#"Canton" (Live) (Jansen, Sylvian) - 5:30
#* From 1983 album "Oil on Canvas", original studio version on 1981 album "Tin Drum"
#"Ghosts" (Album Version) - 4:38
#* From 1981 album "Tin Drum"

DVD Promo videos:
#"Life In Tokyo"
#"Quiet Life"
#"I Second That Emotion"
#"Gentlemen Take Polaroids"
#"Swing"
#"Visions Of China"
#"Nightporter"

"Oil on Canvas" - live at the Hammersmith Odeon 1982:
#

Overture ("Burning Bridges")
#"Sons Of Pioneers"
#"Gentlemen Take Polaroids"
#"Swing"
#"Cantonese Boy"
#"Visions Of China"
#"Canton"
#"Ghosts"
#"Methods Of Dance"
#"Still Life In Mobile Homes"
#"The Art Of Parties"
#"Voices Raised In Welcome, Hands Held In Prayer"