Overview

Shortly before the release of Kud Wafter, Key held their second set of live concerts in Tokyo in May 2010. As with their earlier concert, attendees could purchase a special pamphlet and a mini-album featuring remixes of the company's vocal themes.

Body

The biggest revelation on this album is the remix of "Alicemagic". Key shift away from the trashy rock feel of the original in favour of electronics — some subdued, others dramatic. In addition to giving the track a more current sound, they provide a new perspective on Rita's vocals. The final result is much more enjoyable than the original on a number of levels.

Not all the shifts featured here are so natural. The vocals and accompaniment sound somewhat incompatible in "One's Future" and "Raison". The former suits the hyperactive pop flavour of the original, while the latter sounds overly intellectual for such a simple and innocent original. Both remixes are creative and well-produced, but a little off-target.

Another highlight on the release is "A Song to Pass the Time from Clannad's animation. The accompaniment is much lighter than the original, but works beautifully in conjunction with Lia's semi-operatic voice. The release closes playfully with a charming remix of "The Big Dango Family" featuring Chata's kawaii vocals and playful xylophone lines.

Summary

While a little hit-and-miss, there are some great remixes on this mini-album and there's plenty for Key collectors to treasure here. But for those more casual fans, it's better to stick to core items in Key's discography than spend considerable money getting this brief disc.