J-Top

{{Short description|2006 greatest hits album by Jolin Tsai}} {{Infobox album | name = J-Top | type = greatest | artist = Jolin Tsai | cover = Jolin Tsai J Top.jpg | caption = Standard edition cover | released = {{Start date|2006|05|05}} | genre = Pop | length = {{Duration|02:59:57}} | label = Sony BMG | producer = {{Plainlist| * Bing Wang * Jamie Hsueh * Peter Lee * Jay Chou * Jack Chou * Adia * Huang Yi * G-Power }} | prev_title = J1 Live Concert | prev_year = 2005 | next_title = Dancing Diva | next_year = 2006 | misc = {{Singles | name = J-Top | type = greatest | single1 = My Choice | single1date = {{Start date|2006|04|26}} }} }}

'''''J-Top''''' is a greatest hits album by Taiwanese singer Jolin Tsai, released by Sony BMG on May 5, 2006.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=蔡依林J-Top冠军精选温习辉煌成长纪录(附图)_影音娱乐_新浪网 |url=https://ent.sina.com.cn/y/2006-04-21/15401058416.html |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=ent.sina.com.cn}}</ref> The album features 20 tracks from her time with Sony, along with four music videos, a documentary, a remix medley, and two previously unreleased songs.<ref name=":0" /> It sold over 100,000 copies in Taiwan and ranked as the fifth best-selling album of the year in 2006.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=蔡依林台湾销售夺冠两张专辑入年度10大专辑 |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hqylss/2006-12/13/content_757969.htm |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=www.chinadaily.com.cn}}</ref>

== Background == On April 11, 2006, media reports revealed that Sony BMG planned to release a greatest hits compilation for Tsai in early May of that year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-04 |title=蔡依林告別周董有傷痛 - 自由娛樂 |url=https://ent.ltn.com.tw/news/paper/66411 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204053925/https://ent.ltn.com.tw/news/paper/66411 |archive-date=4 December 2023 |access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> On April 20, 2006, it was further reported that the album would be officially released on May 5.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-04 |title=穿戴50萬珠寶狂舞拍照黑髮Jolin 真鑽舞孃 - 自由娛樂 |url=https://ent.ltn.com.tw/news/paper/67811 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204053924/https://ent.ltn.com.tw/news/paper/67811 |archive-date=4 December 2023 |access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> Pre-orders for the album began on April 21, 2006.<ref name=":0" />

On April 11, 2006, media reports revealed that Sony BMG would release a greatest hits compilation for Tsai in early May of that year. On April 20, the label officially announced the release of ''J-Top'' on May 5, 2006. Preorders for the album began on April 21. The album, which was released on May 5, included 20 tracks from Tsai's albums under Sony, four music videos, a documentary, a remix medley, and two previously unreleased songs: "My Choice" and "Clothing Astrology".<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=TVBS |title=蔡依林出精選重現雙J尬舞畫面│TVBS新聞網 |url=https://news.tvbs.com.tw/life/367171 |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=TVBS |language=zh-tw}}</ref>

== Writing == The songs "My Choice" and "Clothing Astrology" were originally recorded by Tsai during her time with Sony but were excluded from previous albums to maintain a balanced musical style. "My Choice" is a delicate ballad that opens with piano and features sweeping strings in the chorus to heighten its emotional depth, portraying the helplessness and reluctance following the end of a relationship.

"Clothing Astrology" is a mid-tempo dance track with a strong, distinct rhythm infused with hip-hop influences, showcasing Tsai's sultry side. For this compilation, Sony BMG also produced a remix medley, blending six songs—"Signature Gesture", "Magic", "Say Love You", "Overlooking Purposely", "Prague Square", and "Rewind"—into an electronic dance version.<ref>{{Cite web |title=蔡依林『j-top冠軍精選』專輯 |url=http://www.iwant-radio.com/showinformation.php?sisn=12799 |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=銀河網路電台}}</ref>

== Music Videos == On April 26, 2006, Sony BMG released the music video for the song "My Choice", directed by Chin Cho. The video featured Ring Chiu, a member of the group MYRS who bears a striking resemblance to Tsai, in the lead role.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-04 |title=蔡依林不排斥閃電結婚 - 自由娛樂 |url=https://ent.ltn.com.tw/news/paper/69240 |access-date=2024-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204053921/https://ent.ltn.com.tw/news/paper/69240 |archive-date=4 December 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=真假蔡依林"同唱一首歌"（附图）_影音娱乐_新浪网 |url=https://ent.sina.com.cn/x/2006-05-26/09551097714.html |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=ent.sina.com.cn}}</ref> The audience response was mixed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TVBS |title=〈獨家〉被批「冒牌蔡依林」 RING遭恐嚇！│TVBS新聞網 |url=https://news.tvbs.com.tw/life/365861 |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=TVBS |language=zh-tw}}</ref> On May 27, 2006, Sony BMG released the music video for "Clothing Astrology", directed by Bill Chia. The video showcased six doll-like costumes recreating Tsai's fashion styles from the era of ''Magic'' (2003) through ''J-Game'' (2005). Sony BMG described the work as a "graduation gift" to Tsai, expressing their best wishes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-12 |title=Jolin豐唇娃娃力拚本尊 - 自由娛樂 |url=https://ent.ltn.com.tw/news/paper/74483 |access-date=2024-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712071623/https://ent.ltn.com.tw/news/paper/74483 |archive-date=12 July 2022 }}</ref>

== Commercial performance == In its first week of release, the album debuted at number one on the weekly sales charts of both G-Music and Five Music in Taiwan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-05-13 |title=G-Music 風雲榜 (華語榜) |url=http://www.g-music.com.tw/GMusicBillboard1.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060513065849/http://www.g-music.com.tw/GMusicBillboard1.aspx |archive-date=2006-05-13 |access-date=2022-11-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-05-20 |title=Five Music - 五大唱片(5大唱片) -五大金榜 |url=http://www.5music.com.tw/CDTop.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060520182843/http://www.5music.com.tw/CDTop.asp |archive-date=2006-05-20 |access-date=2022-11-06}}</ref> By December 12, 2006, media reports confirmed that the album had sold over 100,000 copies in Taiwan and ranked as the fifth best-selling album of 2006 in the region.<ref name=":1" /> Additionally, it placed number 14 on Five Music's annual sales chart for that year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-01-17 |title=Five Music - 五大唱片(5大唱片) -五大金榜 |url=https://www.5music.com.tw/CDTop-YEAR.asp?top=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070117021519/https://www.5music.com.tw/CDTop-YEAR.asp?top=1 |archive-date=2007-01-17 |access-date=2022-11-06}}</ref>

== Critical reception == Shu Wa of ''Tencent Entertainment'' noted that this greatest hits compilation was released just one week before Tsai's first album with EMI, ''Dancing Diva'' (2006), putting her in a position of competing with her own work in the market. The album features 20 hit singles from her Sony era, alongside two new songs and video content from the J1 World Tour. It was Tsai's first greatest hits album to offer a pre-order option and remains her best-selling compilation from the Sony period.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-01-20 |title=蔡依林十年音乐路②：Sony时期"梦幻公主"_娱乐_腾讯网 |url=http://ent.qq.com/a/20090323/000333_6.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120210833/http://ent.qq.com/a/20090323/000333_6.htm |archive-date=2016-01-20 |access-date=2022-11-06}}</ref>

Stephen Lee of ''Sina Music'' commented that the album effectively consolidates Tsai's representative works during her Sony BMG years, including popular tracks like "Say Love You", "Magic", "Sky", "Overlooking Purposely", "Pirates", and "J-Game", all of which enjoyed popularity across the Greater China region. He regarded the compilation as an important retrospective of her musical style at that time. Regarding the new tracks, he felt "My Choice" was a lyrical ballad but lacked distinctiveness, while "Clothing Astrology" was overall unremarkable. In contrast, the older songs held greater appeal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-05-17 |title=新浪網 - 音樂 - J-Top冠軍精選 |url=http://music.sina.com.hk/cgi-bin/mu/album/main.cgi?subaction=comment&id=9325&d=1&tp=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517195451/http://music.sina.com.hk/cgi-bin/mu/album/main.cgi?subaction=comment&id=9325&d=1&tp=2 |archive-date=2008-05-17 |access-date=2022-11-06}}</ref>

== Track listing == {{Track listing | headline = ''J-Top''{{nobold| – CD 1}} | extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = My Choice | note1 = 我要的選擇 | lyrics1 = {{Flatlist| * Francis Lee * Al Kuan }} | music1 = Tan Boon Wah | extra1 = Jamie Hsueh | length1 = 4:31

| title2 = Magic | note2 = 看我72變 | lyrics2 = Issac Chen | music2 = {{Flatlist| * Edward Chan * Charles Lee }} | extra2 = Bing Wang | length2 = 3:46

| title5 = 36 Tricks of Love | note5 = 愛情三十六計 | lyrics5 = Kiki Hu | music5 = {{Flatlist| * Savan Kotecha * Andrew Frampton * Wayne Wilkins }} | extra5 = Bing Wang | length5 = 3:34

| total_length = 45:50 }}

{{Track listing | headline = ''J-Top''{{nobold| – CD 2}} | extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Clothing Astrology | note1 = 衣服占心術 | lyrics1 = Francis Lee | music1 = {{Flatlist| * Jonas Nordelius * Andreas Levander * Marcus Dernulf }} | extra1 = Bing Wang | length1 = 3:41

| title2 = J-Game | note2 = 野蠻遊戲 | lyrics2 = Issac Chen | music2 = {{Flatlist| * Jonas Nordelius * Andreas Levander * Awa Manneh }} | extra2 = Bing Wang | length2 = 3:51

| title4 = Sky | note4 = 天空 | lyrics4 = {{Flatlist| * Wesley Chia * Kiki Hu }} | music4 = Wesley Chia | extra4 = Adia | length4 = 4:38

| title5 = Signature Gesture | note5 = 招牌動作 | lyrics5 = Issac Chen | music5 = {{Flatlist| * Edward Chan * Charles Lee }} | extra5 = Jamie Hsueh | length5 = 3:12

| title8 = Overlooking Purposely | note8 = 睜一隻眼閉一隻眼 | lyrics8 = {{Flatlist| * Sunny Lee * Francis Lee }} | music8 = {{Flatlist| * Mads Hauge * Vincent DeGiorgio }} | extra8 = Jamie Hsueh | length8 = 2:59

| title12 = J-Top Hits | note12 = Signature Gesture / Magic / Say Love You / Overlooking Purposely / Prague Square / Rewind | lyrics12 = {{Flatlist| * Issac Chen * Simon Liang * Sunny Lee * Francis Lee * Vincent Fang }} | music12 = {{Flatlist| * Edward Chan * Charles Lee * Jay Chou * Mads Hauge * Vincent DeGiorgio }} | length12 = 6:03

| total_length = 49:22 }}

{{Track listing | headline = ''J-Top''{{nobold| – DVD}}

| title1 = My Choice | note1 = music video | length1 = 4:40

| title2 = Signature Gesture | note2 = music video | length2 = 3:13

| title3 = Single Harm | note3 = music video | length3 = 3:44

| title4 = Paradise | note4 = music video | length4 = 3:16

| title5 = 2002–2005 J-Top Documentary | length5 = 69:52

| total_length = 84:45 }}

== Release history == {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" !Region !Date !Format(s) !Edition !Distributor |- ! scope="row" |Various | rowspan="5" |May 5, 2006 |Streaming | rowspan="9" |Standard | rowspan="5" |Sony BMG |- ! scope="row" |Hong Kong | rowspan="4" |2CD+DVD |- ! scope="row" |Malaysia |- ! scope="row" |Singapore |- ! scope="row" |Taiwan |- ! scope="row" rowspan="5" |China | rowspan="4" |July 3, 2006 |2CD | rowspan="5" |GSM |- |2 cassette |- |DVD |- |2VCD |- |October 30, 2006 |2CD+DVD |Limited |}

== References == {{Reflist}}

Category:2006 greatest hits albums Category:Jolin Tsai compilation albums Category:Sony Music Taiwan compilation albums

J-Top

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