Delicious Way

While in high school in Japan, Kuraki sent a demo tape to Giza Studio, who signed her to their label.{{cite news|author=McClure, Steve|url=http://nippop.com/artists/Mai_Kuraki/|title=Nippop – Mai Kuraki|work=Nippop|access-date=July 15, 2016}} Giza Studio then sent Kuraki to the United States, where she released her debut single "Baby I Like".{{cite AV media notes |title=Baby I Like|others=Mai Kuraki|first=Mai|last=Kuraki|year=1999|type=12" Vinyl; Liner notes|publisher=Giza Studio, Bip! Records|id= TRJ-001|location=United States}} The track impressed executives at East West Records, leading the label to distribute it.{{cite web|url=http://www.giza.co.jp/gizausa/index/usa/index.html|title=Giza USA Artists|work=Giza USA|access-date=November 8, 2011}} However, it failed to chart on any Billboard chart there.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=mai kuraki|chart=all}} |title=Discography – Mai K. – Baby I Like|magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 15, 2009}} Subsequently, Giza Studio enlisted Kanonji to produce her debut album. Kuraki served as the primary songwriter, with assistance from Michael Africk on "Baby Tonight (You & Me)" and "Never Gonna Give You Up", and Yoko Blaqstone on "Can't Get Enough (Gimme Your Love)".{{cite AV media notes |title=Delicious Way|others=Mai Kuraki|first=Mai|last=Kuraki|year=2000|type=CD Album; Liner notes|publisher=Giza Studio|id=GZCA-1039|location=Japan}} The label also hired American producers/songwriters Cybersound (Michael Africk, Perry Geyer, Miguel Pessoa) to arrange and mix most of the songs on Delicious Way, with Stone's assistance. Delicious Way was not engineered in North America, unlike most of Cybersound's other work.{{cite news|author=Cybersound Staff|url=http://www.cybersoundmusic.com/staff/|title=Staff|work=Cybersoundmusic.com|access-date=July 15, 2016}}

The album's music was composed by Aika Ohno, Stone, Tomoo Kasahara, Miguel Sá Pessoa, Perry Geyer (of Cybersound), Masataka Kitaura, and Michael Africk. According to a staff member from CD Journal, Delicious Way is an R&B album with influences of pop music.{{cite news|author=CD Journal Staff|url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/delicious-way/3200050761|title=Mai Kuraki – Delicious Way [CD]|work=CD Journal|date=June 28, 2000|access-date=July 15, 2016|language=ja}} Most of the album's lyrics include some English language phrases, while "Baby Tonight (You & Me)", "Never Gonna Give You Up", and "Can't Get Enough (Gimme Your Love)" are predominantly in English.

Delicious Way was released in Japan by Giza Studio and Giza Inc. on June 28, 2000. The album contains 11 tracks and was released in both physical and digital formats. The cover sleeve, photographed by Miho Mori, features a slightly sepia-tinted image of Mai Kuraki in front of a blurry background.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/jp/album/delicious-way/73796049|title=Delicious Way – Album – by Mai Kuraki|publisher=iTunes Store (Japan)|date=June 28, 2000|access-date=July 15, 2016}} Four singles were released to support the album. The first single was "Love, Day After Tomorrow", released on December 8, 1999.{{cite AV media notes |title=Love, Day After Tomorrow|others=Mai Kuraki|first=Mai|last=Kuraki|year=1999|type=CD Single; Liner notes|publisher=Giza Studio|id=GZCA-1014|location=Japan}} It was successful in Japan, reaching number two on the Oricon Singles Chart and number 63 on the Japan Hot 100 chart.{{cite web|title=Mai Kuraki- Love,Day After Tomorrow |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/230196/products/119863/1/|work=Oricon|access-date=August 2, 2024}}{{cite web | title=Billboard Japan Hot 100 | url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2009&month=09&day=21 | work=Billboard Japan |publisher=Hankyu Hanshin Holdings |language=ja | date=September 21, 2009 | access-date=September 3, 2014}} It was certified in two categories by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) and sold over 1.3 million physical units and 100,000 digital copies in the region.{{cite journal |title=Gold Album 他認定作品 2000年5月度 |trans-title=Gold Albums, and other certified works. May 2000 Edition |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/2000/200005.pdf | journal=The Record |type=Bulletin |language=ja |location=Chūō, Tokyo |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |date=May 2000 |volume=486 |page=8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122033040/http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/2000/200005.pdf|archive-date=January 22, 2014 |access-date=September 4, 2014}}{{cite web | script-title=ja:レコード協会調べ 3月度有料音楽配信認定| url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w140418.html | publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |language=ja | access-date=September 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715073037/http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w140418.html|archive-date=2014-07-15}}{{cite web|title=オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」|trans-title=Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree'|url=http://ranking.oricon.co.jp|work=Oricon|url-access=subscription |access-date=September 4, 2014}}

The second single, "Stay by My Side", was released on March 15, 2000.{{cite AV media notes |title=Stay by My Side|others=Mai Kuraki|first=Mai|last=Kuraki|year=2000|type=CD Single; Liner notes|publisher=Giza Studio|id=GZCA-1024|location=Japan}} The single sold nearly one million units in Japan and became her first single to reach number one on the Oricon Singles Chart.{{cite web|title=Mai Kuraki- Stay by my side |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/230196/products/119871/1/|work=Oricon|access-date=August 2, 2024}} It was certified double platinum by the RIAJ for shipments of 800,000 units.{{cite journal |title=GOLD ALBUM 他認定作品 2000年7月度 |trans-title=Gold Albums, and other certified works. July 2000 Edition |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/2000/200007.pdf | journal=The Record |type=Bulletin |language=Japanese |location=Chūō, Tokyo |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |publication-date=July 2000 |volume=488 |page=8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229020125/http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/2000/200007.pdf|archive-date=December 29, 2013|access-date=September 4, 2014}} "Secret of My Heart", the album's third single, was released on April 26, 2000.{{cite AV media notes |title=Secret of My Heart|others=Mai Kuraki|first=Mai|last=Kuraki|year=2000|type=CD Single; Liner notes|publisher=Giza Studio|id=GZCA-1030|location=Japan}} It peaked at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart {{cite web|title=Mai Kuraki- Secret of my heart |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/230196/products/119876/1/|work=Oricon|access-date=August 2, 2024}} and was certified Million by the RIAJ for physical shipments of one million units.{{cite journal |title=Gold Album 他認定作品 2000年8月度 |trans-title=Gold Albums, and other certified works. August 2000 Edition |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/2000/200008.pdf | journal=The Record |type=Bulletin |language=ja |location=Chūō, Tokyo |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |date=August 2000 |volume=489 |page=8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117092718/http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/2000/200008.pdf|archive-date=January 17, 2014 |access-date=September 4, 2014}} It has sold 968,980 physical units and 100,000 digital copies in the region. The album's final single was "Never Gonna Give You Up", released on June 7, 2000.{{cite AV media notes |title=Never Gonna Give You Up|others=Mai Kuraki|first=Mai|last=Kuraki|year=2000|type=CD Single; Liner notes|publisher=Giza Studio|id=GZCA-1034|location=Japan}} Despite selling 434,250 units in Japan, the lowest sales for a single from Delicious Way, it reached number two on the Oricon Singles Chart and received a Platinum certification from the RIAJ.{{cite web|title=Mai Kuraki- NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/230196/products/119880/1/|work=Oricon|access-date=August 2, 2024}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| image1 = Utada Hikaru 2004.jpg

| width1 = 128

| alt1 =

| caption1 =

| image2 = Hamasaki Ayumi.jpg

| width2 = 150

| alt2 =

| caption2 =

| footer = Delicious Way is the fifth highest selling album by a female artist, behind three entries by Hikaru Utada (left) and one entry by Ayumi Hamasaki (right).

}}

Upon its release, Delicious Way received favorable reviews from music critics. A staff member from CD Journal enjoyed the album, highlighting "Stepping Out", "Can't Get Enough (Gimme Your Love)", "Everything's All Right", "Happy Days", and "Kimi to no Jikan" as standout tracks. Retrospectively, Alexey Eremenko, who wrote Kuraki's biography for AllMusic, highlighted "Delicious Way", "Love, Day After Tomorrow", "Never Gonna Give You Up", and "Secret of My Heart" as some of her greatest work.{{cite news|author=Eremenko, Alexey|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mai-kuraki-mn0000371093/songs|title=Mai Kuraki – Songs|work=AllMusic|date=June 28, 2000|access-date=July 15, 2016}} At the 15th Japan Gold Disc Awards in 2001, Delicious Way won "Best Rock Album of the Year".{{cite magazine|author=Billboard Staff|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/80357/beatles-win-japans-gold-disc-award|title=Beatles Win Japan's Gold Disc Award|magazine=Billboard|date=March 15, 2001|access-date=July 15, 2016}} Her single "Secret of My Heart" also received a "Song of the Year" award among 13 recipients.{{cite news|author=Recording Industry Association of Japan|url=http://www.golddisc.jp/award/15/index.html|title=15th Japan Gold Disc Awards|work=Japan Gold Disc Awards|date=2001|access-date=July 15, 2016|language=ja}}

The album was highly successful in Japan. It debuted at number one on the Oricon Albums Chart with 2,218,640 units sold, achieving the highest first-week sales for a debut album in Japanese music history and the sixth highest overall.{{cite web|url=http://www.musictvprogram.com/corner-ranking-album-syodo.html|title=Best Selling Albums for First Week Sales in Japan of all Time|work=Music TV Program Japan|access-date=July 15, 2016|language=ja}} It stayed at the top for two consecutive weeks and remained in the top 10 for nine consecutive weeks.{{cite news|url=http://jbbs.livedoor.jp/bbs/read.cgi/music/3914/1044683463/190|title=GIZA＠売上データ補完スレ - 売上スレ避難所＠JBBS掲示板|access-date=September 23, 2010|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720021154/http://jbbs.livedoor.jp/bbs/read.cgi/music/3914/1044683463/190|archive-date=July 20, 2011|url-status=dead}} By the end of 2000, Delicious Way had sold 3.45 million units in Japan, becoming the highest-selling album of the year.{{cite web|url=http://www.musictvprogram.com/corner-ranking-2000.html|title=Albums, Singles, and DVD Ranking Charts for 2000 in Japan|work=Music TV Program Japan|access-date=July 15, 2016|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216205607/http://www.musictvprogram.com/corner-ranking-2000.html|archive-date=2018-02-16}} As of July 2016, Delicious Way had sold over 3.5 million units in Japan, making it the ninth best-selling album in Japan of all time. It is also the third best-selling debut album, behind Globe's self-titled album and Hikaru Utada's First Love), and the fourth highest-selling studio album by a female artist.{{cite web|url=http://www.musictvprogram.com/corner-ranking-album.html|title=Best Selling Albums in Japan of all Time|work=Music TV Program Japan|access-date=July 14, 2016|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106025902/http://www.musictvprogram.com/corner-ranking-album.html|archive-date=2018-01-06}}{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Delicious Way is the fourth highest selling studio album by a female artist in Japan, but is the fifth highest overall (having been beaten by Ayumi Hamasaki's album A Best)}} Eremenko stated that the album's sales were a milestone in Japan, but commented "Kuraki never topped these results (both singles and album), but neither did she fizzle out after the debut."{{cite news|author=Eremenko, Alexey|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mai-kuraki-mn0000371093/biography|title=Mai Kuraki – Biography|work=AllMusic|date=June 28, 2000|access-date=July 15, 2016}}

In 2015, Kuraki paid tribute to the album by re-creating its artwork for her greatest hits compilation Mai Kuraki Best 151A: Love & Hope. Arama Japan staff commented that she "recreat[ed] the iconic fresh faced and plain clothed cover with her calm facial expression." According to the staff, the album is a classic and helped the singer define "her spot in the Japanese music industry."{{cite news|author=Arama Japan Staff|url=http://aramajapan.com/news/mai-kuraki-recreates-debut-album-cover-14-years-later-for-new-best-album/7845/|title=Mai Kuraki recreates debut album cover 14 years later for new best album|publisher=Arama Japan|date=2015|access-date=July 15, 2016}}

{{track listing

| headline = CD and digital download.

| all_lyrics = Mai Kuraki except track 5, 7 (co-written with Michael Africk) and track 6 (co-written with Yoko Blaqstone)

| total_length = 45:51

| extra_column = Arranger(s)

| title1 = Delicious Way

| music1 = Aika Ohno

| length1 = 3:50

| extra1 = Cybersound (Michael Africk, Perry Geyer, Miguel Sa Pessoa)

| title2 = Love, Day After Tomorrow

| music2 = Ohno

| length2 = 4:02

| extra2 = Cybersound (Michael Africk, Perry Geyer, Miguel Sa Pessoa)

| title3 = Secret of My Heart

| music3 = Ohno

| length3 = 4:24

| extra3 = Cybersound (Michael Africk, Perry Geyer, Miguel Sa Pessoa)

| title4 = Stepping ∞ Out

| music4 = Yoko Blaqstone

| length4 = 4:38

| extra4 = Yoko Blaqstone

| title5 = Baby Tonight (You & Me)

| music5 = Stone, Tomoo Kasahara

| length5 = 3:59

| extra5 = Stone

| title6 = Can't Get Enough (Gimme Your Love)

| music6 = Stone

| length6 = 3:42

| extra6 = Cybersound (Michael Africk, Perry Geyer, Miguel Sa Pessoa)

| title7 = Never Gonna Give You Up

| music7 = Michael Africk, Miguel Sá Pessoa, Perry Geyer

| length7 = 3:59

| extra7 = Cybersound (Michael Africk, Perry Geyer, Miguel Sa Pessoa)

| title8 = Stay by My Side

| music8 = Ohno

| length8 = 4:26

| extra8 = Cybersound (Michael Africk, Perry Geyer, Miguel Sa Pessoa)

| title9 = Everything's All Right

| music9 = Masataka Kitaura

| length9 = 4:07

| extra9 = Cybersound (Michael Africk, Perry Geyer, Miguel Sa Pessoa)

| title10 = Happy Days

| music10 = Ohno

| length10 = 4:18

| extra10 = Cybersound (Michael Africk, Perry Geyer, Miguel Sa Pessoa)

| title11 = Kimi to no Jikan

| note11 = {{nihongo2|君との時間}} "My Time With You"

| music11 = Kasahara

| length11 = 4:15

| extra11 = Cybersound (Michael Africk, Perry Geyer, Miguel Sa Pessoa)

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Chinese edition

| extra_column =

| total_length =

| title12 = Love, Day After Tomorrow

| note12 = China Beat Mix

| music12 = Ohno

| length12 = 4:21

| extra12 =

}}

Credits adapted from the CD liner notes of Delicious Way.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Mai Kuraki – vocals, backing vocals, songwriting
• Aika Ohno – composer, backing vocals
• Cybersound – tracking, arranging, mixing
• Yoko Blaqstone – composer, backing vocals, tracking, arranging
• Michael Africk – backing vocals, tracking, arranging, composer, songwriting
• Miguel Sá Pessoa – composer, tracking, mixing
• Perry Geyer – composer, tracking, recording
• Masatake Kitaura – composing
• Tomoo Kasahara – composing
• Gan Kojima – art direction
• Tokiko Nishimuro – direction

{{col-2}}

• Yasuko Yamamoto – co-direction
• Akio Nakajima – mixing, recording
• Takayuki Ichikawa – mixing, recording
• DJ Dopejack – musician
• Greg Hawkes – musician
• Larry Thomas – musician
• Miho Mori – photography
• Kanonji – producer, executive producer
• Katsuyuki Yoshimatsu – recording
• Sawako Ryuko – mixing
• Shigeru Kajita – mixing

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan (RIAJ)|award=Million|number=3|certref={{cite journal |title=Gold Album 他認定作品 2000年9月度 |trans-title=Gold Albums, and other certified works. September 2000 Edition |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/2000/200009.pdf | journal=The Record |type=Bulletin |language=ja |location=Chūō, Tokyo |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |volume=490 |page=8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122032609/http://www.riaj.or.jp/issue/record/2000/200009.pdf |archive-date=January 22, 2014 |access-date=January 22, 2014}}|salesamount=3,530,420|salesref=}}

{{End}}

• Mai Kuraki discography
• List of Oricon number-one albums of 1999
• Lists of fastest-selling albums
• List of best-selling albums in Japan

{{notelist-ua}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• [http://mai-kuraki.com/discography/01al.html Delicious Way] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316200549/http://mai-kuraki.com/discography/01al.html |date=2017-03-16 }} at Mai Kuraki's official website. {{in lang|ja}}

{{Mai Kuraki}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2000 debut albums

Category:Mai Kuraki albums

Category:Giza Studio albums

Category:2000s Japanese-language albums

Category:Albums produced by Daiko Nagato