Friends ~ Crossing Space and Time

MACROSS 15TH ANNIVERSARY
FRIENDS ~ CROSSING SPACE AND TIME
©1994 Big West / Macross Project Committee
©1997 east west japan

—by Keith Rhee

Lynn Minmay disc:

1. Friends ~ Crossing Space and Time 4:52

2. Tenshi no Enogu ~ Macross 15th Anniversary Version 5:09

3. Friends ~ Crossing Space and Time 4:29

(Original Karaoke)

4. Friends ~ Crossing Space and Time 3:54

(Karaoke for duet with Lynn)

Mylene Jenius disc:

1. Friends ~ Crossing Space and Time 4:52

2. MY SISTER 5:09

3. Friends ~ Crossing Space and Time 4:29

(Original Karaoke)

4. Friends ~ Crossing Space and Time 3:54

(Karaoke for duet with Mylene)

Iijima Mari's stint in MACROSS was a long time ago, after which Mari chose to pursue her own singing career and avoid the MACROSS phenomena. But in the mind of many a fan, she is still best remembered as the voice of Lynn Minmay.
At last year's Macross 15th Anniversary Concert "One-Night Stand," Iijima Mari herself took the stage. Stating that "for tonight, it is OK to call me Lynn Minmay," Mari then delivered a heart-rousing performance of the song "Tenshi no Enogu" (Angel's Paints). Those among us who were unable to experience this memorable event firsthand can now purchase the Macross 15th Anniversary CD Single, titled "Friends ~ Crossing Space and Time."
There are actually two versions of this single, one with Lynn Minmay and the other with Mylene Jenius on the cover. Both of them start with the title track "Friends ~ Crossing Space and Time," but the Lynn Minmay version has the 15th Anniversary Edition of the song "Tenshi no Enogu," and it is this disc that MACROSS fans should be looking out for.
"Friends" is a ballad performed in duet by Iijima Mari and Sakurai Tomo (the voices of Minmay and Mylene, respectively). It is a somewhat low-key, but decent and soothing performance by the veteran and the rookie idol singers. While Tomo still does not have the same singing range as the veteran Mari, she delivers a decent performance; Tomo holds her own, rather than let Mari carry the song through single-handedly.
The second track on the Minmay disc, "Tenshi no Enogu," is the real raison d'étre for this CD single. Iijima Mari is no longer the nineteen year old who performed Lynn Minmay's voice fifteen years ago—she has matured as a singer over the years, and those who have not been following Mari's singing career (up to her most recent album, EUROPE) will note that her voice sounds firmer and more mature. This increased maturity extends to the slightly moodier nature of the song itself, noticeable when compared to the more youthful, energetic feel of the original.
The second track on the Mylene disc, "My Sister," is a faster-paced, decent performance by Sakurai Tomo. While Tomo seems to use a somewhat squeaky tone for her performances as Mylene in MACROSS 7, she sings in a deeper voice in this track (and thus stays well within her vocal range). It is not bad, but it does not quite feel like a MACROSS song (neither from the original nor from MACROSS 7), so try before you buy.
The third and fourth tracks are the customary karaoke tracks, in this case for the title track "Friends." The twist here is that the fourth track on the Minmay disk is a karaoke track "for duet with Mylene" and the Mylene disk has the "for duet with Minmay" version. It is something of a marketing gimmick, to be sure, but not enough of one to justify the purchase of both singles unless the buyer is a fan of Tomo Sakurai as well and likes the second track on the Mylene disc.
Needless to say, the "gotta have it" vote goes to the Minmay edition of the "Friends" CD single. The fairly cheap price of the CD single, and the 15th Anniversary Edition of "Tenshi no Enogu," should make this an easy buy.