Album: ayu-mi-x

Introduction
"ayu-mi-x" is a remix album, released in 1999, by Japanese pop vocalist, Ayumi Hamasaki. It is her very first remix album in a series of eight other remix albums that would be subsequently released. The album includes remixes of tracks from her debut album, "A Song for × ×" in addition to some singles released prior to her second studio album "LOVEppears". Remixes in this album are produced by a range of popular international manufacturers, providing a distinct and modern take on Ayumi's initial tracks. "ayu-mi-x" reached number one on the Japanese Oricon Weekly Albums Chart and was licensed triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).

Album Background
Initially, the album was released in a restricted edition 5-CD set that concentrated on 5 different music genres, each CD representing one of those genres. These categories consisted of Acoustic Orchestra (CD1), House (CD2), Eurobeat (CD3), J-Pop (CD4), and Trance (CD5). This 5-CD set was later condensed into a single collection album, making it much easier for fans to access and enjoy Hamasaki's wide range of music.

The objective of the album was to present Ayumi Hamasaki's music to a varied audience and present her music to numerous global markets. Remixes were made by both western and Japanese manufacturers such as Ferry Corsten, John M. Pillin Jr., Takashi Ikezawa, FCF Factory, and Koji Morimoto.

Tracklist
The "ayu-mi-x" album consists of thirteen tracks, most of which are remixes of tracks from Hamasaki's debut album, "A Song for × ×". A few of the most notable tracks include:

1. "poker face" (Giant Swing Mix).
2. "YOU" (Aggressive Mix).
3. "Trust" (Digital Pressure Mix).
4. "For My Dear ..." (Giant Swing Mix).
5. "Depend on You" (dub's electro remix).
6. "SIGNAL" (Under Lounge club mix).
7. "POWDER SNOW" (Under Lounge club mix).
8. "Hana" (D-Z DEADLY ROSE APPROACH).
9. "TOO LATE" (Dub's Late Remix).
10. "WATANABE" (Psychedelic Relaxation).
11. "FRIEND" (Shell Squad mix).
12. "from your letter" (DJ TURMOIL REMIX).
13. "End roll" (HΛL's Mix).

Commercial Performance
"ayu-mi-x" was an industrial success, debuting at primary on the Japanese Oricon Weekly Albums Chart. It remained in the chart for a total of twenty-six weeks. By the end of the year, the album had sold over 1.1 million copies in Japan, making it the 14th best-selling album of 1999. Furthermore, the album was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for sales surpassing 1.2 million copies.

Legacy
The release of "ayu-mi-x" marked the start of Ayumi Hamasaki's long and successful profession in the music market. The album's success served as a testimony to her flexibility, showcasing her capability to adjust to different music genres and patterns. For many years, the "ayu-mi-x" series continued to grow, offering fans a fresh take on her music with each release.

In conclusion, "ayu-mi-x" is a cutting-edge remix album that introduced Ayumi Hamasaki to a new generation of music fans across the globe. With its varied selection of remixes and producers, the album showcased the singer's flexibility and versatility to different music designs. As the first in a series of remix albums, "ayu-mi-x" led the way for Ayumi Hamasaki's long and renowned career in the Japanese music market.