The Rarities＜完全生産限定盤＞

世界的歌姫=マライア・キャリーの軌跡を辿る"裏ベスト"アルバム『レアリティーズ』 ローリン・ヒルとの大型コラボとなる新曲「セイヴ・ザ・デイ」他、1996年3月東京ドームにて開催された『デイドリーム・ツアー』の初日であり、自身初の来日公演となった3月7日のライヴ音源を収録

「ヴィジョン・オブ・ラヴ」「エモーションズ」「ヒーロー」「ファンタジー」などを始め、これまでに19曲の全米No.1ヒットを世に送り出し、2億枚を超える全世界トータル・セールス、グラミー賞をはじめ数々の世界的アワード受賞歴を誇る世界的歌姫=マライア・キャリーの、これまで発売されていなかったレア音源や未発表音源、ローリン・ヒルとの大型コラボとなる新曲「セイヴ・ザ・デイ」などを収録した、彼女の軌跡を辿る"裏ベスト"アルバム『レアリティーズ』。
アナログ盤4枚組のうち、LP3とLP4には1996年3月東京ドームにて開催された『デイドリーム・ツアー』の初日であり、自身初の来日公演となった3月7日のライヴ音源が収録となる。このジャパン・ツアーは3日間にわたる全公演チケットが発売と同時に即完売、初めて日本でライヴ・パフォーマンスを行う彼女を一目見ようと延べ15万人を動員した洋楽史に残る伝説のツアーで、日本のファンはもちろん全世界のファンが発売を待ち望んでいた貴重なもの。

Mariah Careys self-titled first album turned 30 in 2020. Rather than shine new light on her multi-platinum breakthrough, Carey chose to take a broader look at her history. From that July through September, she published The Meaning of Mariah Carey, unearthed The Live Debut: 1990, issued digital editions of numerous maxi-singles (including remixes and alternate versions that hit streaming platforms for the first time), announced an extensive vinyl reissue campaign, and also kept her base engaged with archival video uploads. The excavation continued in October with The Rarities, Careys first major compilation since 2015s #1 to Infinity. Its first half consists of B-sides and previously unreleased material spanning three decades. Chronologically sequenced, it presents an alternate, semi-secret MC timeline. It starts with an upbeat Mariah Carey outtake, ends with a 2020 acoustic version of Butterfly track Close My Eyes, and more importantly contains some prime B-sides. Theres the fine ballad Do You Think of Me, a Dreamlover B-side that sounds more like an Emotions-era recording -- maybe too close to Cant Let Go to have made the cut -- and the aching Daydream-era ballad Slipping Away, one of Careys best, unequivocally R&B collaborations with Dave Jam Hall. There are some fascinating new discoveries. Above all is the intended original version of Loverboy, featuring an interpolation of Yellow Magic Orchestras take on Martin Dennys Firecracker that is more creative than the one heard on Jennifer Lopezs Im Real (the release of which prompted Carey to rework it with Cameos Candy). Just beneath that is a straight version of the tear-jerking Out Here on My Own, written by Lesley and Michael Gore for Fame. Careys connections to the lyrics and the original vocalist, Irene Cara, are palpable. Much of the remaining material is indeed second rate by the singers standard, but theres value even in the least developed inclusions, like the fun blow-off Cool on You. The live second half was recorded at the Tokyo Dome five months after the arrival of Daydream. Carey and her band are in top form throughout a balanced set list sequenced like an impeccable mixtape. Placing a cover of the S.O.S. Bands Just Be Good to Me between Make It Happen and Dreamlover, originals based on other R&B classics, is a stroke of brilliance. And yes, Careys whistle register is in full effect. ~ Andy Kellman