A Best
 BEST |
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The cardboard sleeve cover used to hold the standard jewel case.
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| Greatest hits album by Ayumi Hamasaki | ||||||||||
| Released | March 28, 2001 March 28, 2016 (15th anniversary edition) |
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| Recorded | 1998–2000 | |||||||||
| Genre | Pop | |||||||||
| Length | 01:76:00 | |||||||||
| Label | Avex Trax | |||||||||
| Producer | Max Matsuura | |||||||||
| Ayumi Hamasaki chronology | ||||||||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Amazon Japan | (positive) |
| Yahoo! GeoCities |   |
| Tower Records | (positive) |
| Yeah!! J-Pop! | (positive) |
A Best (stylized as BEST) is the first greatest hits album by Japanese singer-songwriter Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on March 28, 2001 by Avex Trax and Avex Music Creative Inc.. Hamasaki had originally planned to release a greatest hits album after her 2002 studio album I Am..., but the idea was denied by Avex head staff. Instead, Avex released the album in 2001, which caused conflict between the label and Hamasaki. The compilation was released in two formats different formats including a physical and a digital release. Seven different artworks were released in several editions of the album. The album includes one new track, three re-recorded tracks, and the rest previously released singles.
A Best was appreciated by contemporary critics who noted the quality and memorability of the tracks. Many also labelled the album as one of the best representations of Japanese pop music. Released purposely against fellow Japanese musician Hikaru Utada's studio album Distance for direct competition, the compilation entered at number two on Japan's Oricon Albums Chart. It reached number one the following week, and sold over five million units in Japan. The album's lead single "M" was released on December 3, 2000 and reached the top spot on the Oricon Singles Chart.
In support of Hamasaki's third studio album Duty and A Best, Hamasaki held two concerts at Japan's Tokyo Dome. The tour was a commercial success, and one live recording was released. Since its release, the album brought Hamasaki a number of accolades and award nominations with a series of successful recognition throughout Eastern and Western publications. In 2016, Hamasaki re-released the album on that same date as a 15th anniversary celebration; this included new material and formats. Hamasaki will promote the re-release with a Japanese concert tour, entitled Made in Japan. As of 2012, A Best has sold over seven million units worldwide.
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