Flash Back -B'z Early Special Titles-
| Flash Back -B'z Early Special Titles- | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Released | April 24, 1997 |
| Genre | Rock |
| Length | 115:34 |
| Label | BMG Japan |
Flash Back -B'z Early Special Titles- is an unofficial compilation album released on April 26, 1997 by BMG Japan after B'z had left their label. One year after its release, B'z released their own official compilations under the titles of B'z The Best "Pleasure" and B'z The Best "Treasure". The pair of official albums would go on to become the second and fifth highest selling albums in Japanese history, respectively, with over ten million copies sold between them alone.
This two-disc compilation pools tracks from the band's self-titled debut album, their second album OFF THE LOCK, their third album BREAK THROUGH, and their first mini-album, BAD COMMUNICATION.
Neither Tak nor Koshi supported the release. Because BMG were legally prohibited from using either of the band members' images on the packaging or even in promoting the release, Flash Back -B'z Early Special Titles- contains no images or insignias common to the band and instead features generic art in its place. With its unofficial status and controversial nature, the album only debuted at the second spot on the Weekly Oricon Album charts, but would go on to become the twenty-second highest selling album of the year on the B'z brand alone. The release benefited from the fact that demand for B'z items of all kinds was high, and the albums that it contained were ones that had become rarities on their own right. In time, the compilation sold enough to be certified as a "Million" seller by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
While unofficial, the compilation has become a rarity and collector's item amongst fans since its original turbulent release due to the increasing unavailability of the older works. Although official digital releases of the band's full catalogue have decreased such demand, used copies of the collection still routinely appear on auction sites both in Japan and abroad.
Flash Back -B'z Early Special Titles- is not considered part of the official B'z discography, and is not counted with concern to their records and sales due to it being released without the band's consent.