A Best 2

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}} {{Infobox album | name = A Best 2 | type = Greatest | artist = Ayumi Hamasaki | cover = ABest2BlackCDOnly.jpg | alt = | caption = ''Black'' cover art | released = 28 February 2007 | recorded = 2001–2006 | studio = | genre = J-pop | length = 77:27 (''Black'')<br>74:56 (''White'') | label = Avex Trax | producer = Max Matsuura | prev_title = Secret | prev_year = 2006 | next_title = Guilty | next_year = 2008 | misc = {{Extra album cover | header = ''A Best 2: White'' | type = greatest | cover = A BEST 2 WHITE CD only.jpg | border = yes | alt = | caption = ''White'' cover art }} }}

'''''A Best 2''''' is a two-part greatest hits album by Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki. Both albums, titled '''''Black''''' and '''''White''''', were released on 28 February 2007 on various formats by Avex Trax. Produced by Max Matsuura, they follow Hamasaki's compilation album ''A Best'', which was released in March 2001. ''A Best 2'' are concept albums, with ''Black'' focusing on darker and more serious tones and ''White'' on lighter and more upbeat themes. The albums contain 31 songs, including an unreleased track titled "Part of Me" on the ''Black'' edition, that were released between the periods of her albums ''I Am...'' (2002) and ''(Miss)understood'' (2006).

Music critics praised ''A Best 2'' for its themes and Hamasaki's music catalogue. The albums were commercially successful in Japan. ''White'' debuted at number one on the Oricon Albums Chart, while ''Black'' stalled at second place. Both records were among the best-selling albums of the year, and were certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 750,000 units. There were no singles from the album, but "Part of Me" was certified gold by RIAJ for exceeding 100,000 ringtone downloads. To promote the albums, Hamasaki went on three different concert tours across Asia and received additional live DVD releases.

==Background and content== In January 2007, Hamasaki announced on her website that she planned to release two greatest hits albums, titled ''A Best 2'' (individually referenced as ''Black'' and ''White''). Both ''Black'' and ''White'' are direct follow-ups to Hamasaki's compilation album ''A Best'', which debuted in March 2001 to immense commercial success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avexnet.or.jp/ayu/news/070101-r.html#pagetop|title=BEST ALBUM『A BEST 2 -BLACK-』『A BEST 2 -WHITE-』|publisher=Ayumi Hamasaki website (via Avex Trax)|date=17 January 2007|accessdate=30 January 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070126091445/http://www.avexnet.or.jp/ayu/news/070101-r.html#pagetop|archivedate=26 January 2007|language=Japanese}}</ref> It is also Hamasaki's third and fourth compilation album, released four years after her ballad-inspired collection ''A Ballads'' (2003).<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=A Ballads|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2003|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-17278}}</ref> On 17 January, Hamasaki published additional information about both albums, including the album's content, formats, and promotional activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avexnet.or.jp/ayu/news/070117-r.html|title=BEST ALBUM『A BEST 2 -BLACK-』『A BEST 2 -WHITE-』|publisher=Ayumi Hamasaki website (via Avex Trax)|date=17 January 2007|accessdate=30 January 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070123115905/http://www.avexnet.or.jp/ayu/news/070117-r.html|archivedate=23 January 2007|language=Japanese}}</ref>

''A Best 2'' are concept albums, with ''Black'' focusing on darker and more serious tones and ''White'' on lighter and more upbeat themes.<ref name="SpecialWebsite">{{cite web|url=http://abest2.com/index.html|title=ayumi hamasaki 『A BEST 2』SPECIAL SITE|publisher=Ayumi Hamasaki website (via Avex Trax)|accessdate=January 30, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703074054/http://abest2.com/index.html|archivedate=July 3, 2008|language=Japanese}}</ref> ''Black'' and ''White'' features 31 songs from Hamasaki's single releases between her albums ''I Am...'' (2002) and ''(Miss)understood'' (2005). They both include tracks that were not released as singles; ''Black'' includes "Walking Proud," "About You," and a new recording called "Part of Me," while ''White'' features "Humming 7/4" and "My Name's Woman."<ref name="Black">{{cite AV media notes|title=A Best 2: Black|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2007|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-23264}}</ref><ref name="White">{{cite AV media notes|title=A Best 2: White|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2007|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-23266}}</ref> Additionally, the song "Memorial Address" was added as a hidden track to ''Black''.<ref name="Black"/>

==Release== ''A Best 2'' was released on various formats on 28 February 2007 by Avex Trax.<ref name="Black"/><ref name="White"/> The standard release of both ''Black'' and ''White'' comes in a jewel case that includes separate content. Each album's double-DVD version comes in a double packaging that includes the CD, music videos and visuals from each album, as well as a live DVD from Hamasaki's Best Countdown show, which features different performances.<ref name="Black1">''Black'' versions listed below: *{{cite AV media notes|title=A Best 2: Black|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2007|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-23264}} *{{cite AV media notes|title=A Best 2: Black|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2007|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-23263}}</ref><ref name="White2">''White'' versions listed below: *{{cite AV media notes|title=A Best 2: White|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2007|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-23266}} *{{cite AV media notes|title=A Best 2: White|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2007|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCD-23265}}</ref> In Indonesia, ''A Best 2'' was distributed on cassette tape.<ref name="Indonesia">Cassette tapes listed below: *{{cite AV media notes|title=A Best 2: Black|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2007|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AV 1260307}} *{{cite AV media notes|title=A Best 2: White|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2007|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AV 1270307}}</ref> Avex Trax later released both ''A Best 2'' albums in CD and DVD formats across Asia, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China.{{efn|name=fn1|<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=A Best 2: Black|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2007|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVTCD-95946}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=A Best 2: Black|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2007|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVJCD10309/A}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=A Best 2: Black|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2007|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=SCD-906}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=A Best 2: White|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2007|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVTCD-95947}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=A Best 2: Black|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2007|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVJCD10310/A}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=A Best 2: Black|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2007|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVCDC 23266}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=A Best 2: Black|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2007|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=SCD-908}}</ref>}}

==Reception== {{Music ratings | rev1 = ''CDJournal'' | rev1Score = (positive)<ref name="CDJournal1">{{cite web|url=https://artist.cdjournal.com/d/a-best-2---black--/4106122430|title=Ayumi Hamasaki / A Best 2: Black|magazine=CDJournal|accessdate=30 January 2024|language=Japanese}}</ref> | rev2 = ''CDJournal'' | rev2Score = (positive)<ref name="CDJournal2">{{cite web|url=https://artist.cdjournal.com/d/a-best-2---white--/4106122432|title=Ayumi Hamasaki / A Best 2: White|magazine=CDJournal|accessdate=30 January 2024|language=Japanese|archive-date=30 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130001615/https://artist.cdjournal.com/d/a-best-2---white--/4106122432|url-status=live}}</ref> }} ''A Best 2'' received positive feedback from the Japanese music publication ''CDJournal'', which reviewed each album individually. The review praised ''Black'' for featuring "dramatic" ballads in the first half and primarily rock music in the second half. The publication also highlighted "Heaven" and "Part of Me" for concluding the album with "expressive" vocals from Hamasaki.<ref name="CDJournal1"/> The second review for ''White'' praised songs like "Evolution" and "Grateful Days" for being a "positive" aspect to the record, as well as how well the album complement ''Black''.<ref name="CDJournal2"/>

''A Best 2'' achieved commercial success in Japan. ''White'' debuted at the top of the Oricon Daily and Weekly Album Chart, selling 475,284 copies in its first week, while ''Black'' debuted and stalled at number two, selling 470,057 units.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/42572/full/|title=浜崎あゆみ、待望のベスト盤1・2位独占!|publisher=Oricon|date=28 February 2007|accessdate=30 January 2024|language=Japanese}}</ref><ref name="Oricon">{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/42666/full/|title=浜崎あゆみ、藤圭子以来、女性アーティスト36年半ぶりの大記録達成!|publisher=Oricon|date=6 March 2007|accessdate=30 January 2024|language=Japanese}}</ref> Hamasaki became the first female artist in 37 years to occupy both top positions, a record previously held by Japanese enka singer Keiko Fuji.<ref name="Oricon"/> By the end of 207, both albums were high-sellers: ''White'' finished fifth on the Oricon Year-end Chart with 717,501 units sold, while ''Black'' came in seventh with 698,591 copies.<ref name="Yearly">{{cite web|url=https://aramajapan.com/news/music/oricon-flashback-2007-year-end-chart/83867/2/#google_vignette|title=Oricon Flashback: 2007 Year End Chart|publisher=Arama! Japan|accessdate=30 January 2024}}</ref> The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) certified both albums triple platinum for exceeding 750,000 units.<ref name="RIAJ1"/><ref name="RIAJ2"/> In February 2009, Avex Trax announced in their financial report that ''A Best 2'' had sold two million combined shipments across the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avex.co.jp/e_site/press/2008/070518.pdf |title=Avex Financial Results of the first quarter of 2007 Page 2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731065458/http://www.avex.co.jp/e_site/press/2008/070518.pdf|archivedate=31 July 2009|language=Japanese}}</ref>

==Promotion== Although no singles were released from the album, the track "Part of Me" received a music video, which was included on the album's DVD formats.<ref name="Black1"/> The song was featured in Panasonic commercials promoting the Lumix FX30 digital camera, which was distributed in Japan.<ref name="CDJournal1"/> The song was also certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for exceeding 100,000 ringtone downloads.<ref>{{cite web |title=レコード協会調べ 2月度有料音楽配信チャート（「着うた（R）」） |trans-title=Record Association report: February paid digital music chart (ringtones) |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w070320_1.html |language=ja |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |date=20 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821111606/http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w070320_1.html |archive-date=21 August 2014 |access-date=21 August 2014}}</ref>

Hamasaki went on three different concert tours to promote ''A Best 2''. Her first tour was the annual Best Countdown show, which took her through Japan. The live release was divided between the DVD version of ''Black'' and'' White''.<ref name="Black1"/><ref name="White2"/> The second was her Secret Tour, which also promoted her studio album ''Secret'' (2006). The tour, which began on 10 March 2007, and ended in mid-June of that year, took her throughout Japan, including her first appearances in Taiwan and China. Asia Tour 2007: Tour of Secret, a live DVD, was released on 12 March 2008.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Asia Tour 2007: Tour of Secret|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2008|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVBD-91536~7}}</ref> Her final tour was her second Best Countdown show, which was recorded live and released on 18 June 2008.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Countdown Live 2007–2008 Anniversary|author=Ayumi Hamasaki|year=2008|type=liner notes|publisher=Avex Trax|id=AVBD-91558}}</ref>

==Track listing== {{tracklist | headline = ''A Best: Black'' tracklist | extra_column = Original album | title1 = Dearest | extra1 = ''I am...'' | title2 = Carols | extra2 = ''My Story'' | title3 = No Way to Say | extra3 = Memorial Address | title4 = {{nihongo|Hanabi|Fireworks}} | extra4 = ''Rainbow'' | title5 = Walking Proud | extra5 = ''My Story'' | title6 = Free & Easy | extra6 = ''Rainbow'' | title7 = Endless Sorrow | extra7 = ''I am...'' | title8 = Because of You | extra8 = Memorial Address | title9 = About You | extra9 = ''My Story'' | title10 = Game | extra10 = ''My Story'' | title11 = Is This Love? | extra11 = (Miss)understood | title12 = {{nihongo|Hanabi: Episode II |Fireworks: Episode II}} | extra12 = Memorial Address | title13 = Never Ever | extra13 = ''I am...'' | title14 = Heaven | extra14 = (Miss)understood | title15 = Part of Me | extra15 = previously unreleased | title16 = Memorial Address: Take 2 version | note16 = Hidden Track | extra16 = Memorial Address }} {{tracklist | headline = ''A Best: White'' tracklist | extra_column = Original album | title1 = Evolution | extra1 = ''I am...'' | title2 = Greatful Days* | extra2 = Memorial Address | title3 = Independent | extra3 = ''Rainbow'' | title4 = Humming 7/4 | extra4 = ''My Story'' | title5 = Unite! | extra5 = ''I am...'' | title6 = Real Me | extra6 = ''Rainbow'' | title7 = My Name's Women | extra7 = ''My Story'' | title8 = Ourselves | extra8 = Memorial Address | title9 = Inspire | extra9 = ''My Story'' | title10 = Step You** | extra10 = ''(Miss)understood'' | title11 = July 1st | extra11 = ''Rainbow'' | title12 = Fairyland | extra12 = ''(Miss)understood'' | title13 = Voyage | extra13 = ''Rainbow'' | title14 = Moments | extra14 = ''My Story'' | title15 = A Song Is Born | extra15 = ''I am...'' }} {{tracklist | headline = ''A Best: Black'' DVD content | extra_column = Notes | title1 = Dearest | title2 = Carols | title3 = No Way to Say | title4 = Walking Proud | title5 = Free & Easy | title6 = Endless Sorrow | title7 = Because of You | title8 = About You | title9 = Game | title10 = Is This Love? | title11 = {{nihongo|Hanabi: Episode II |Fireworks: Episode II}} | title12 = Never Ever | note12 = Promotional video | title13 = Heaven | title14 = Part of Me | title15 = ''H'' | extra16 = Promotional video }} {{tracklist | headline = ''A Best: White'' DVD content | extra_column = Notes | title1 = Evolution | title2 = Greatful Days | title3 = Humming 7/4 | title4 = Unite! | extra4 = Promotional video | title5 = Real Me | title6 = My Name's Women | title7 = Ourselves | title8 = Inspire | title9 = Step You | title10 = Fairyland | title11 = Voyage | title12 = Moments | title13 = ''H'' | extra13 = Promotional video }} {{tracklist | headline = ''A Best: Black'': Best of CountDown Live 2006–2007 | extra_column = Notes | title1 = Best of CountDown Live 2006–2007 (Behind the Scenes) }} {{tracklist | headline = ''A Best: White'': Best of CountDown Live 2006–2007 | extra_column = Notes | title1 = Not Yet | title2 = Ourselves | title3 = Fly High | title4 = Beautiful Fighters | title5 = Never End | title6 = A Song for xx | title7 = No Way to Say | title8 = Free & Easy | title9 = Evolution | title10 = Flower Garden | title11 = Until That Day... | title12 = Audience | title13 = Boys & Girls | title14 = Trauma | title15 = Independent | title16 = Humming 7/4 | title17 = Blue Bird }}

==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ===Weekly chart=== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !scope="col"|Chart (2007: ''Black'') !scope="col"|Peak<br />position |- !scope="row"|Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/696310/1/|title=A Best 2: Black – Ayumi Hamasaki|publisher=Oricon|accessdate=30 January 2024|language=Japanese}}</ref> | 2 |- !scope="row"|Taiwanese Albums (G-Music){{efn|name=fn2|Week references for G-Music: ''Black'' and ''White'' during week 10 and week 11, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.g-music.com.tw/GMusicBillboard0.aspx |language=zh |title=G-Music Combo Chart |publisher=G-Music |access-date=23 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605131727/http://www.g-music.com.tw/GMusicBillboard0.aspx |archive-date=5 June 2014 }}</ref>}} | 3 |- |} {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !scope="col"|Chart (2007: ''White'') !scope="col"|Peak<br />position |- !scope="row"|Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/696311/1/|title=A Best 2: White – Ayumi Hamasaki|publisher=Oricon|accessdate=30 January 2024|language=Japanese}}</ref> | 1 |- !scope="row"|Taiwanese Albums (G-Music){{efn|name=fn2}} | 3 |- |}

===Yearly chart=== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !scope="col"|Chart (2007: ''Black'') !scope="col"|Position |- !scope="row"|Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref name="Yearly"/> | 7 |- |} {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !scope="col"|Chart (2007: ''White'') !scope="col"|Position |- !scope="row"|Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref name="Yearly"/> | 5 |- |} {{col-end}}

==Certification and sales== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry |region=Japan|artist=Ayumi Hamasaki|title=A Best 2 (Black)|type=album|award=Platinum|number=3|refname="RIAJ1"|relyear=2007|certyear=2007|certmonth=3|salesamount=702,895|salesref=<ref name="Sales">{{cite web|title=オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」|url=http://ranking.oricon.co.jp/|publisher=Oricon|url-access=subscription|accessdate=29 January 2024|language=Japanese|archive-date=21 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100421062058/http://ranking.oricon.co.jp/|url-status=live}}</ref>|access-date=30 January 2024}} {{Certification Table Entry |region=Japan|artist=Ayumi Hamasaki|title=A Best 2 (White)|type=album|award=Platinum|number=3|refname="RIAJ2"|relyear=2007|certyear=2007|certmonth=3|salesamount=721,839|salesref=<ref name="Sales"/>|access-date=30 January 2024}} {{table end}}

==Release history== {{unsourced|section|date=January 2024}} {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- ! scope="row"|Japan | 28 February 2007 | rowspan="4"| {{hlist|CD|DVD}} |Avex Trax | |- ! scope="row"|Hong Kong | rowspan="2"| 9 March 2007 | rowspan="5"| Avex Trax | |- ! scope="row"|Taiwan | |- ! scope="row"|China | rowspan="3"| 2007 | |- ! scope="row"|Indonesia |Cassette tape | |- ! scope="row"|Various | rowspan="3"| {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | |- |}

==References== ===Notes=== {{notelist}}

===Citations=== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Best 2: Black, A}} Category:2007 greatest hits albums Category:Ayumi Hamasaki compilation albums Category:Avex Group compilation albums Category:2000s Japanese-language albums

A Best 2

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