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22 February 1998 - Madonna's Album "Ray of Light" was released in Japan.

Ray of Light was released in Japan on February 22, 1998, with an additional Japan-only bonus track "Has to Be". The album was later released in the United States on March 3, 1998


Ray of Light is the seventh studio album by Madonna, released on February 22, 1998 by Maverick Records. After giving birth to her first child, Lourdes, Madonna started working on the album with producers Babyface and Patrick Leonard. Following failed sessions with them, Madonna pursued a new musical direction with English producer William Orbit. The recording took place over four months and experienced problems with Orbit's hardware Pro Tools arrangement, which would break down, and recording would have to be delayed until they could be repaired.


A major departure from her previous work, Ray of Light is an electronica record which incorporates several genres, including techno, trip hop, drum and bass, ambient, rock, and classical music. Vocally, the album saw Madonna sing with greater breadth and a fuller tone. Mystical themes are also strongly present in both lyrics and music as a result of Madonna embracing Kabbalah, her study of Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as her daily practice of Hatha Yoga.
The album received universal acclaim with reviews commending the singer's new musical direction. Called her "most adventurous" record, Ray of Light has been noted for its mature, restrained nature; reviewers also praised Madonna's vocals. Ray of Light won four Grammy Awards from a total of six nominations. Commercially, the album peaked at number one in many countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom. On the US Billboard 200, the album debuted and peaked at number two, with the biggest first week sales by a female artist at the time. Ray of Light has sold more than 16 million copies worldwide.


Five singles were released from the album including the international hits "Frozen" and "Ray of Light". 
The album's promotion was later supported by the Drowned World Tour in 2001. Critics and scholars have noted the album's influence on popular music, especially how it widely introduced electronica music into mainstream pop culture. They have also noted the way in which Madonna was able to re-invent herself and remain contemporary amidst the teen pop music of the period. Ray of Light has been frequently ranked among the greatest albums of all time.


In the album charts, Ray Of Light debuted at #2 in the US and stayed there for two 
weeks, only the Titanic soundtrack kept it from the top spot. It did top the album 
charts in Australia, Canada, Germany and the UK. The album sold 15 million 
copies worldwide; 371.000 US copies in its first week. March 2000, it was certified 
4 times Platinum in the US. In the UK it was recertified 6 times Platinum in 
January 2003.

At the 1999 Grammies, Ray Of Light got six nominations and it received four 
Grammies: 'Best Pop Album', 'Best Short Form Music Video', 'Best Recording 
Package' for Art Director Kevin Reagen and 'Best Dance Recording'. Madonna 
was also the big winner at the 1998 MTV Music Video Awards, winning 'Video 
of the Year', 'Best Female Video', 'Best Direction', 'Best Editing', 'Best Choreography', 
'Best Special Effects', 'Best Dance Video' and 'Breakthrough Video', all for the videos 
of Ray Of Light and Frozen.
Singles

Frozen - March 1998 (US) / February 1998 (Eur.)
Ray Of Light - June 1998 (US) / April 1998 (Eur.)
Drowned World/Substitute For Love - August 1998 (Eur.)
The Power Of Good-Bye - September 1998 (US) / November 1998 (Eur.)
Nothing Really Matters - April 1999 (US) / March 1999 (Eur.)

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