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Vocalist: Saeko Chiba |
[Click on photo to enlarge]
Basics
The collaboration between the seiyuu / singer Saeko Chiba (千葉 紗子) and Yuki Kajiura started in 1999, when Saeko sung the song 恋の奇跡 (Koi no Kiseki) composed by Yuki for the Playstation game ‘Meguri Aishite’ music. The song was used for the game along with Kajiura’s game-related score, and a single was released on February 27, 1999 containing the song and its karaoke version.
After a hiatus of 4 years (during which Saeko release 2 singles where Yuki Kajiura was not involved: Carry On Everyday and トゥインクル☆スター [Twinkle Star]), the second single of the collaboration was released: ダイヤの原石 (Daiya no Genseki). The single contained the title song, the b-side そばにいて (Soba ni Ite) and their respective karaoke versions. It’s notable that in the title song of this single, Chiaki Ishikawa of See-Saw was also involved in co-writing the lyrics with Yuki Kajiura. In November 10, 2002, the 3rd single titled さよなら (Sayonara) was released. This single contained the title song, the b-side 星空の虹 (Hoshizora no niji), and their karaoke versions.
On January 22, 2003, the 4th single of the collaboration was released, the title song of which, ひかり (Hikari) was used as the 2nd ending for the anime Heat Guy J. The single also contained the b-side ‘Hello Goodbye’ and the karaoke version of the two songs.
The 1st album of the collaboration was released on March 26, 2003. It was titled ‘Melody‘, containing 13 tracks. All of them except ‘Hikari’ and ‘Koi no Kiseki’ (which was included as “Bonus Track”) were new songs. The limited edition also contained a DVD with the PV of Melody and some “making of” videos.
The 5th single was released On May 21, 2003, containing アイスクリイム (Ice Cream), the b-side 始まりの景色 (Hajimari no Keshiki) and the respective karaoke versions, with the title song being the Ending Theme for the anime Narue no Sekai. Seven months later, on November 27, 2003 the single Winter Story was released, containg Winter story, the b-side “story”, the respective off vocal versions, and the bonus track “another story”. Thi single was not composed for any anime or game in particular.
The last single to date of the collaboration was released on January 24, 2004, with the title さよならソリティア (Sayonara Solitia) used as the Ending Theme of the anime Chrono Chrusade. The single included the title song, its b-side “Here we stand in the morning dew”, and the respective off vocal versions. Its notable that “Here we stand in the morning dew” was later covered by Yuriko Kaida on FictionJunction’s album, Everlasting Songs.
The collaboration’s 2nd (and last) album was released on June 23, 2004. It was titled Everything, with 14 tracks in total, some of them from previous singles released between the 2 albums, as well as new songs. There was also a rearranged version of Daiya no Genseki (Daiya no genseki #brilliant covered). The album tracks are still composed by Yuki Kajiura with some tracks arranged by her e-guitarist Susumu Nishikawa (2 and 10), and some of the song lyrics being written by Kanata Asamizu (2, 7 to 11 and 13).
After that album release, the collaboaration ended. Chiba Saeko got married in 2007 and concentrated in voice acting, and Yuki Kajiura discovered Yuuka Nanri (probably thanks to Yuuka’s and Chiba Saeko’s duo “Tiaraway”), and thus FictionJunction Yuuka project was born which later expanded to FictionJunction.
(Thanks to tinba for translating the text written by Angelica, hosted on his site, Kajiura Eternal Heaven (KEH), which helped alot in making the above narration.)
Live Performances
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Saeko Chiba LIVE 2004 “everything” July 19, 2004 Chiba Saeko Ebisu the Garden Hall, Tokyo, Japan 19 Songs |
Discography
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Saeko Chiba – everything LACA-5290 | June 23, 2004 Album 14 tracks |
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Saeko Chiba – Sayonara Solitia LACM-4118 | January 24, 2004 Single (Chrono Crusade ED) 4 tracks |
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Saeko Chiba – Winter Story LACM-4111 | November 27, 2003 Single 5 tracks |
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Saeko Chiba – Ice Cream LACM-4096 | May 21, 2003 Single (Narue no Sekai ED) 4 tracks |
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Saeko Chiba – melody LACA-5160 | March 26, 2003 Album 13 tracks |
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Saeko Chiba – Hikari LACM-4085 | January 22,2003 Single (Heat Guy J ED) 4 tracks |
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Saeko Chiba – Sayonara LRPS-1004 | November 10, 2002 Single 4 tracks |
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Saeko Chiba – Daiya no Genseki LRPS-1003 | August 24, 2002 Single 4 tracks |
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Saeko Chiba – Koi no Kiseki SRDL-4585 | February 27, 1999 Single 2 tracks |
Appearances
Koi no Kiseki – Theme song of the PlayStation game Meguri Aishite
Hikari – 2nd Ending Theme song of Heat Guy J
Ice Cream – Ending Theme song of Narue no Sekai
Sayonara Solitaire – Ending Theme song of Chrno Crusade