Singer�hitomi has "announced" that she will be leaving major label�avex and�transferring�to an independent label. Rumor has it that the label she transferred to is MAXIMUM10, but it has yet to be confirmed.

hitomi was a model for the magazine "Fine" before debuting as a singer in 1994. She was produced by Komuro Tetsuya,�belonged the "Komuro Family" within avex, and has been a part of the company since then.

Suddenly though, she announced on her website that she is changing labels, and to an indies label no less, with no reason behind the change. She did, however, announce the release of a new album, "SPIRIT", which will be released through her new label and is scheduled to drop on April 27th.

It seems as though that through this label, hitomi will embark on a live tour, something she hasn't done in five years. The name of the tour is "hitomi LIVE TOUR 2011 ~SPIRIT~", but no dates have been given as of yet.

Her last single with avex was "Umaretekurete Arigatou/Smile World", which was relesed on February 16th, and that in itself was her first single in 21 months.

Source: Official Website