(Smooth Jazz /Jazz-Pop / New Age / Piano) Keiko Matsui – Maxi Discography (1987-2013) [MP3. 320kbps.CBR]

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Composer, Liner Notes, Piano, Primary Artist, Producer, Shakuhachi, Synthesizer
- Maxi Anderson - Choir/Chorus, Vocals
- Gregg Bissonette - Drums
- Matt Bissonette, John Leftwich, Jimmy Johnson - Bass
- Luis Conte, Michael Fisher - Percussion
- Bernie Dresel - Drums
- Nathan East - Bass, Vocals
- Walt Fowler - Flugelhorn
- David Garfield - Piano, Synthesizer
- Grant Geisman - Arranger, Guitar
- Marlena Jeter - Choir/Chorus, Vocals
- Suzie Katayama - Cello
- Molly Pasutti, Marva King - Vocals
Guest:
- Carl Anderson - Vocals, Vocals (Background)
- Brandon Fields - Saxophone
- Robben Ford - Guitar
- Vinnie Colaiuta - Drums
- Grant Geissman - Arranger, Composer, Guitar
Credit:
- Jeff Day - Composer, Performer
- Kim Dodgson - Composer
- Pat Coil, Goji Tsuno - Arranger
- Derek Nakamoto - Arranger, Synthesizer
- Steve Hall - Mastering
- Joel Stoner - Mixing
- Alan Hirshberg - Engineer, Mixing
Awards:
Billboard Charts :: 1987 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #20
Review: by Jonathan Widran from allmuic.com
This auspicious introduction to the many aspects of the composer's skills finds her surrounded by a slew of L.A.'s top players, some of whom had yet to begin their own solo careers at this point: Grant Geissman, Brandon Fields, Robben Ford, Nathan East, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Jimmy Johnson. Matsui balances a mystic Eastern edge with a lighthearted new agey pop appeal. "Ancient Wind" and the Geissman co-composition "Mediterranean Sand" are the best cuts, building from pastoral ideas into an explosive ensemble hook. Matsui also showed her penchant for soulful vocal pieces, using Abu Khalil and Marva King to varying effectiveness. The emotional vocal title cut was inspired by Challenger astronaut Ron McNair.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - piano, synthesizer
- Derek Nakamoto - synthesizer
- Robben Ford, Teddy Castalucci - guitar
- Paul Jackson, Jr. - electric guitar
- Abraham Laboriel, Matt Bissonette, Leland Sklar, Jimmy Johnson, Kenny Wild - bass
- Carlos Vega, Vinnie Colaiuta, Art Rodrigues - drums
- Eric Marienthal, Brandon Fields - saxophone
- Michael Fisher - percussion
- Mark Hatch, Clay Jenkins - trumpet
- Grant Geissman - electric and acoustic guitars
- Judd Miller - EWI
- Gary Stockdale - synths
- Howard Smith - lead vocal on track 5
- Gino D'auri - acoustic guitar
- Steve Holtman - trombone
- Kazu Matsui - shakuhachi
- Jerry Folsom - French horn
- Robert Crosby - saxophone
- Amy Shulman - harp
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 1989 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #21
Review: by Jonathan Widran from AllMusic.com
Matsui's major label debut combines everything from chamber like organ effects ("The Ruins of Sonora") to punchy sax driven pop ("Mountain Shakedown") to orchestral film score sweeps ("The Gate") in expanding her palette further beyond Eastern sounds. Poetic, image laden pieces dominate, but her chops as a keyboardist are tested on more exotic solos. It's another all star affair, with Eric Marienthal, Brandon Fields, Robben Ford, Abe Laboriel, Paul Jackson, Jr. and Grant Geissman pushing Matsui into the big leagues of pop jazz. There's even a slight Latin excursion. The vocals this time are handled by Howard Smith and Phyllis St. James.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Composer, Keyboards, Primary Artist
- Maxi Anderson - Vocals (Background)
- Bill Armstrong - Trumpet
- Phil Ayling - Horn (English), Oboe, Recorder
- Robben Ford, Grant Geissman, Pat Kelly, Paul Jackson Jr. - Guitar
- Steven Holtman - Trombone
- Clay Jenkins - Flugelhorn, Trumpet
- Suzie Katayama - Accordion, Cello
- Eric Marienthal - Flute, Saxophone
- Joe Meyer - French Horn
- Bill Meyers - Arranger, Synthesizer
- Derek Nakamoto - Arranger, Synthesizer, Synthesizer Strings
- Gary Meek, Joel Peskin - Saxophone
- Gary Stockdale Arranger, Synthesizer
- Nathan East, Jimmy Johnson, Leland Sklar, Freddie "Ready Freddie" Washington, Neil Stubenhaus - Bass
- L. Subramaniam - Violin
- Vinnie Colaiuta, Tom Walsh, Carlos Vega - Drums
- Lenny Castro, Michael Fisher - Percussion
- Phil Perry, Greg Walker - Vocals
Credit:
- Jeff Adamoff - Art Direction
- Rob Chiarelli, Alan Hirshberg, Rob Seifert - Engineer
- Dave McNair, Craig Burbidge - Mixing
- Jeff Day - Composer
- Michael Diehl - Design
- Stephen Marcussen - Mastering
- Randee Saint Nicholas - Photography
- Ricky Schultz - Executive Producer
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 1990 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #16
Review: by Jonathan Widran from AllMusic.com
One of the spiritual minded, jazz meets mystical keyboardist's best early efforts, helping her bridge from pure Eastern tinged new age music into gently funky smooth jazz. With styles ranging from R&B (the Eric Marienthal punched "Light in the Rain") and fusion, to Medieval Folk music ("In the Mist," "Three Silhouettes"), and her trademark new age ("The Wind and the Wolf"), there are certainly no borders on this collection. Matsui's sense of melody keeps on growing, her improvisational soloing is spectacular (especially on "Kappa"), yet doesn't alienate her powerful core of backing musicians, including guitarist Robben Ford and violinist Subramanium. Husband Kazu Matsui's production is once again impeccable, as is his playful and wistful shakuhachi flute playing. Phil Ayling's recorder and oboe on the medieval tunes are also highlights. Keiko's beautiful writing however, is what holds the marvelous collection together.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Arranger, Composer, Keyboards, Producer
- Kazu Matsui - Percussion, Producer, Shakuhachi
- Michael Acosta - Saxophone, Soloist
- Eric Marienthal, Jon Crosse, Gerald Albright - Saxophone
- Bridgette Bryant, Maxine Anderson, Maxi Anderson - Vocals (Background)
- Fred Washington, Bruce Stone, Jimmy Johnson, Brad Cummings - Bass
- Gino d'Auri - Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic)
- Steve Shafer, Steve Shaffer, Ed Smith, Akira Jimbo, John "Hot Fat Reynolds" Ferraro, John Ferraro, Bernie Dresel - Drums
- Chris Trujillo, Michael Fisher - Percussion
- Clay Jenkins - Flugelhorn
- Ron Komie - Guitar, Guitar (Electric)
- Derek Nakamoto - Arranger, Synthesizer
- Thom Rotella - Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic)
- Gary Stockdale - Arranger, String Arrangements
- Greg Walker - Vocals
Credit:
- Masato Arai - Management
- Dennis Moody, Cliff Norrell, Alan Hirshberg, Dave Jahnsen, Rob Chiarelli, Craig Burbidge - Engineer
- Jeff Day - Composer
- Hiroyuki Ishii - Photography
- Yuji Ishii - Hair Stylist, Make-Up
- Teppei Kasai - Mastering
- Bill Airey Smith - Engineer, Mixing
- Robert Tauro - Management
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 1992 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #8
Review: by Jonathan Widran from AllMusic.com
If there's such a thing as poetic music, Matsui continues her discovery of it on this effort. For all its beauty ad more aggressive touches, this collection doesn't quite measure up to her previous collection No Borders, but there are moments of fusion in her work here which cook like never before, thanks to Eric Marienthal, Gerald Albright and guitarist Ron Komie. While husband/producer Kazu Matsui adds his mysterious shakuhachi wind to "Grey Cliffs," Matsui spends her time creating soundscapes which range from mainly acoustic to punchy electric pieces like "Hope." Clay Jenkins' flugelhorn is a plus. The two vocals here don't give Greg Walker enough excitement to play with; instead they seem too ambitious. Don't let the flowers on the cover fool you because this disc is anything but fluffy and pastoral in nature.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Arranger, Composer, Keyboards, Primary Artist, Producer
- Steve Tavaglione, Sam Riney, Gerald Albright - Saxophone
- Jorge Strunz, Anas Allaf - Guitar (Acoustic)
- Clay Jenkins, Bill Armstrong - Trumpet
- Lenny Castro - Percussion
- Rob Chiarelli - Drum Programming, Engineer, Mixing, Programming
- John Clark - Horn (English), Recorder, Saxophone
- Jonathan Clark - Recorder, Saxophone
- John Pena, Jimmy Johnson, Brad Cummings - Bass
- Ed Smith, Bernie Dresel - Drums
- Alexander Iles - Trombone
- Ron Komie - Guitar
- Arnold McCuller - Vocals
- Derek Nakamoto - Arranger, Synthesizer
- Richard M. Schmidt - Guitar (Steel)
- Yvonne Williams, Alfie Silas - Vocals (Background)
- Gary Stockdale - Arranger, String Arrangements, Synthesizer
Credit:
- Kazu Matsui - Producer, Shakuhachi
- Hidetake Awano - Art Direction
- Teppei Kasai - Mastering
- Dennis Moody, Robert Biles - Engineer
- Craig Burbidge - Mixing
- Jeff Day - Composer
- Katsuhiro Ichikawa - Photography
- Hitoshi Sakaguchi - Hair Stylist, Make-Up
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 1993 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #14
Review: by Jonathan Widran from AllMusic.com
If we're talking Keiko Matsui, we can expect another impressionistic album cover which belies the often explosive music on the disc. Matsui draws a little more from her heritage this time but textures it with soulful excursions ("Walking on the Bridge"). She once again gives radio a seductive earful while continuing her heightened exploration into more challenging orchestral sounds and several impressive, wildly percussive Latin journeys (e.g. "Sail South"). Making perfect use of Lenny Castro's spicy percussion and Clay Jenkins' punchy trumpet flavors, Matsui lets loose. The gospel vocal by Arnold McCuller is a strong one. Other newcomers to the fold are guitarist Jorge Strunz, Jon Clark (recorder) and Sam Riney on sax.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Composer, Keyboards, Piano
- Derek Nakamoto - Arranger, Drum Programming, Engineer, String Arrangements, Synthesizer
- Molly Pasutti, Philip Bailey - Vocals
- Rachel Robinson, Sid Page, Larry Corbin, Robert Becker - Strings
- Luis Conte, Lenny Castro - Percussion
- Rob Chiarelli - Drum Programming, Programming
- Eric Marienthal, Warren Hill - Saxophone
- Clay Jenkins - Trumpet
- Akira Jimbo - Drums
- Suzie Katayama - Cello, Conductor, String Arrangements
- June Kuramoto - Koto
- Michael Landau - Guitar (Electric)
- Thom Rotella - Guitar (Acoustic)
- Fernando Saunders - Bass, Scat
- Bob Wackerman – Bass
Credit:
- Kazu Matsui - Producer, Shakuhachi
- Jeff Day - Composer
- Les Brockman - Engineer
- Julie Dennis - Photography
- Daniel Yoon, Harold English - Assistant Engineer
- Michael Becker - Engineer, Percussion Programming, Programming
- Denise Landau - Hair Stylist, Make-Up
- Joel Stoner - Engineer, Mixing
- Robert Vosgien - Mastering
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 1994 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #11
Review: by Christian Genzel from AllMusic.com
This pop-jazz recording by Japanese pianist/keyboardist Keiko Matsui is actually better than many comparable contemporary jazz recordings. The melodies are catchy and charming but rather low-key, most of the pieces are quite atmospheric ("1942, From Russia" sounds like a piece from a Hollywood epic), and several unusual moods (for pop-jazz, that is) are explored. Matsui's piano playing is interesting and adds further substance to the music. The other musicians include various session players (Michael Landau, Lenny Castro, Eric Marienthal) and a few guests like Keiko's husband, shakuhachi player Kazu Matsui (who also produced), and singer Philip Bailey (who appears on one of the two vocal tracks).

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Arranger, Composer, Keyboards, Piano
- Valerie Carter, Karla Bonoff - Vocals
- Michael Fisher, Lenny Castro - Percussion
- John Patitucci, Marcus Miller, Abraham Laboriel Sr. - Bass Samples, Sampling
- Derek Nakamoto - Arranger, Bass, Drum Programming, Engineer, Keyboards, Rhythm Loops, Sequencing, Synthesizer
- Paul Taylor - Sax (Soprano)
Credit:
- Kazu Matsui - Producer, Shakuhachi
- Steve Hall - Mastering
- Jeff Day - Composer
- Julie Dennis - Photography
- Rob Mullins - Arranger, Drum Programming, Engineer, Programming, Synthesizer
- Marco Dydo - Percussion Programming
- Akira Jimbo - Drum Programming
- Joel Stoner - Engineer, Mixing
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 1995 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #9

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Composer, Keyboards, Piano
- Rob Chiarelli - Drum Programming
- Bernie Dresel - Drums, Percussion
- John Patitucci, Abraham Laboriel Sr. - Sampling
- Derek Nakamoto - Arranger, Bass, Drum Programming, Engineer, Keyboards, Rhythm Loops, Sequencing, Synthesizer
- Molly Pasutti - Vocals
- Paul Taylor - Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano)
Credit:
- Kazu Matsui - Producer, Shakuhachi
- Steve Hall - Mastering
- Brian Young - Assistant Engineer
- Julie Dennis - Photography
- Ken Deranteriasian - Engineer
- Kaz Matsune - Artwork, Design
- Joel Stoner - Engineer, Mixing
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 1996 Heatseekers #28
Billboard Awards :: 1996 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #3
Review: by Jonathan Widran from AllMusic.com
Taking a stroll through Keiko Matsui's musical hypnotherapy session Dream Walk is like entering a funhouse where all previous definitions of contemporary jazz are strikingly distorted, and invention walks on the wild side of East meets West. Crisp melodies have always been at the heart of the keyboardist's best work, only here they come at you as part of the mood, rather than the central theme. Only a handful of the keyboardist's tunes follow conventional linear melodic patterns throughout, and even these are so beautifully enhanced by sweeping orchestral and percussive invention that atmosphere and throbbing, raw twists ultimately win out over predictability. Equal credit for the newly aggressive approach goes to husband/producer Kazu Matsui, whose sonic wizardry surrounds Keiko's silky jazz and new age passageways with curious echoing flavors, enticing soundscapes where almost anything goes, and loose-fitting urban cool. Other out-there touches include Molly Pasutti's sweeping wordless vocals, bass samples by Marcus Miller and John Patitucci chosen over live bass, and Kazu's own shakuhachi. More typical excitement is provided by Paul Taylor's always warm soprano and alto musings.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Composer, Keyboards, Piano, Primary Artist
- Derek Nakamoto - Arranger, Bass, Drum Programming, Engineer, Guest Artist, Keyboards, Producer, Rhythm Loops, Sequencing, Synthesizer
- Molly Pasutti - Vocals
- Bernie Dresel - Drums, Percussion
- John Patitucci, Marcus Miller, Abraham Laboriel Sr. - Bass Samples
- Paul Taylor - Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano)
Credit:
- Kazu Matsui - Producer, Shakuhachi
- Julie Dennis - Photography
- Ken Deranteriasian - Engineer
- Steve Hall - Mastering
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 1998 Heatseekers #25
Billboard Awards :: 1998 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #2
Review: by Jonathan Widran from AllMusic.com
Keiko Matsui is the Stevie Nicks of contemporary jazz. In her photos, she always appears pale, out of a mist, like a fairy goddess or angel. Her creative and long popular blend of classical piano, aggressive jazz/funk, orchestral grandeur, and sonic elements from her native Japan allows her to create both poignant ballads and more aggressive fusion statements. Over the course of her last few albums, Matsui's Lindsey Buckingham -- always at her side, pushing her performance harder and higher -- has been seductive saxman Paul Taylor. On this ethereal mind trip, Full Moon and the Shrine (Countdown/Unity), she doesn't let Taylor stray too far. He's there matching her note for note, dancing skyward like Fred and Ginger under the swirling synth orchestral flavors and snappy hip-hop loops of Derek Nakamoto. On the dramatic "Bonfire of the Piano," Matsui textures Taylor's rich soul with her high register melody, which plays over a brooding low-register harmony line. Matsui always seems a bit torn between perfect R&B/pop melodies and film score auditions, but the one constant is her reliance on a wide range of machine generated and live percussion.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Composer, Piano, Producer
- Bob James - Piano
- Kazu Matsui - Shakuhachi, Producer, Photography, Jacket Design
- Derek Nakamoto - Synthesizer, Arranger, Programming, Engineer, Mixing, Synthesizer Programming
Credit:
- Kazu Matsui - Jacket Design, Photography, Producer, Shakuhachi
- Craig Burbidge - Mixing
- Ken Freeman - Engineer
- Steve Hall - Mastering
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 2001 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #17
Billboard Awards :: 2000 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #8
Review: by William Ruhlmann from AllMusic.com
Keiko Matsui is usually classified as a jazz musician, which tends to mean that she doesn't get very good reviews, since she is reviewed by jazz critics, while her music actually is best described as a hybrid consisting of equal parts pop, jazz, and new age. Matsui can be an impressive keyboard soloist at times, but her recordings consist of textured tracks that find her featured playing set within a soundscape characterized by synthesized drums and strings. Whisper From the Mirror, her 11th album, is typical of her work, consisting of a series of four- and five-minute instrumental pieces full of shimmering, sustained sounds that pillow Matsui's delicate single-note runs and stately chord patterns. Derek Nakamoto's arrangements are occasionally stirring, but never frantic, and usually they emphasize flow over rhythm, just as the keyboardist shows more interest in sustaining moods than demonstrating her chops, even when she concludes the album with a four-handed piano duet with Bob James. It may be time to think about re-classifying Keiko Matsui from "jazz" to "new age," or even just putting her in a classification by herself. In the meantime, Whisper From the Mirror is another in a series of enjoyable recordings.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Composer, Keyboards, Piano, Primary Artist
- Derek Nakamoto - Arranger, Engineer, Guest Artist, Mixing, Programming, Synthesizer
Credit:
- Craig Burbidge - Engineer, Mixing
- Steve Hall - Mastering
- Kazu Matsui - Producer, Shakuhachi
- Wesley Van Linda - Executive Producer
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 2001 Heatseekers #50
Billboard Awards :: 2001 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #1
Review: by William Ruhlmann from AllMusic.com
Keiko Matsui's last album, 2000s Whisper From the Mirror, was picked up and reissued by the Narada label in 2001, and Narada is also releasing her 12th album, Deep Blue. It's an appropriate match-up for the Japanese pianist, since Narada is known primarily as a new age label, and, though her records are being released on its Narada Jazz imprint, "new age" is actually the best category to place her in. From the start of her career, Matsui has been shelved under "jazz," but that has always been more a marketing ploy than anything else, and never more so than on Deep Blue. Her compositions are melodic tunes, many of which sound like songs without lyrics, while others seem like soundtrack excerpts from a film not yet made. Matsui does solo within the tunes on occasion, but her improvisations -- if that is even what they are -- tend to explore further melodic developments rather than really take off. And the supporting instruments are just that -- percussion, string, and keyboard elements that support the composition. The music is said to be inspired by North Africa and the Mediterranean, another clue to its real intent. Jazz musicians rarely bother to make such extra-musical programming remarks, while classical, soundtrack, and new age composers do it all the time. As usual with Matsui's recordings, much of Deep Blue is attractive and engaging, and the bright pianism is consistently pleasing in its expression of flowing melodies. That it doesn't really belong in the category to which Matsui has somehow been assigned does nothing to diminish its appeal.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Composer, Piano, Producer, Shakuhachi
- Derek Nakamoto - Arranger, Bass, Engineer, Percussion, Programming, Synthesizer
- Alberto de Almar - Flamenco Guitar
Credit:
- Kunihiko Aoto - Engineer, Mixing
- Cristihan Gutterre, Rich Denhart - Executive Producer
- Kazu Matsui - Producer
- Takahiro Natori - Piano Tuner
- Akihiko Takenaka - Mastering
- Kunihiro Takuma - Photography
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 2003 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #5
Billboard Awards :: 2002 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #5
Billboard Awards :: 2002 Heatseekers #35
Review: by Jonathan Widran from AllMusic.com
For those who like a little mysticism and classical influence in their smooth jazz, Japanese-born composer and keyboardist Keiko Matsui has long been the ticket. She was Billboard's number one Independent Contemporary Jazz Artist in 1997 and is the top New Adult Contemporary female instrumentalist of her time. In the early days (she's up to 14 albums now), Matsui did it with a mix of thunderous film score-like sweeps, elegant and jazzy piano command, and a guest sax solo here and there to score some radio hits. On The Ring, she continues her recent trend of all those same elements and gorgeous melodies without concern for pop airplay considerations. Her producer/husband Kazu Matsui provides some trip-hoppy rhythmic foundations behind the gently hypnotic opening track ("Steps of Maya," inspired by Mayan culture and also a tribute to the Matsuis' daughter Maya), but the tune is mostly meditational until it breaks for a lush, experimental solo in the middle. The piano motif of "Venus of the Sea" works well as a catchy hook, and the tune falls somewhere between the esoteric and pure pop, with tighter, gentle funk rhythms, nature sounds, and a jazzy ambience. Alberto de Almar's graceful flamenco guitar helps introduce and provide harmony for the pure atmospheres of "Moon Circle," while "Prism" gets back in the groove for one of the disc's most exotic trips -- including a rising synth brass section and multiple synth sounds and dramatic use of the keyboard's lower scales. The title track gets away from the clever blends of melody, rhythm, and special effects for a more straightforward, film score-like presentation. "White Owl" takes the same idea to its dramatic orchestral limit. Matsui's goal here was to create music for healing amidst a chaotic world, but she does more than soothe the soul as she continues to follow her muse to unexpected places.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Arranger, Composer, Piano, Primary Artist
- Derek Nakamoto - Arranger, Guest Artist, Programming
Credit:
- Cristihan Gutterre - Executive Producer
- Yoshihiro Hagiwara - Photography
- Kazu Matsui - Producer
- George Nauful - Project Coordinator
- Mark Ruffin - Liner Notes
- Hiroumi Sako - Engineer
- Akihiko Takenaka - Mastering
- Dale Voelker - Graphic Design
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 2003 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #15
Review: by Jonathan Widran from AllMusic.com
Since she emerged in the late '80s, many of the acclaimed Japanese composer/keyboardist's most popular contemporary jazz hits featured either a very prominent sax melody or a great deal of exotic percussion and Eastern-flavored instrumentation. Since signing with Narada Jazz in 2000, Matsui's work has drawn more from her classical piano background, featuring intricate percussion but none of the pop-soul sax textures that defined her early work. This beautiful recording, licensed by Shout! Factory from a previous Japanese release, should fascinate longtime fans who wondered what her most compelling work would sound like as new age solo piano works. A few tracks, most notably "Whisper From the Mirror" and "Between the Moons," feature some electronic percussion accompaniment, but in general, the tracks are all about her lovely melodies, dramatic chordings, wistful melodies, and the intimacy of the ivories. As on all Matsui projects, there's a perfect balance of elegant romance ("Beyond the Light," "Forever, Forever") and jazzy drama. It's a whole new way to experience an artist whose melodies sound timeless regardless of their presentation. The Piano is one of six hard-to-find Matsui recordings being repackaged and re-released (with the original Japanese bonus tracks) on Shout!Factory.

Cast:
- Tomohito Aoki - Bass
- Masamichi Nanji, Shinobu Ishizaki - Sax (Soprano)
- Akira Jimbo - Drums, Guest Artist, Percussion
Credit:
- Masato Arai - Executive Producer
- Kazushige Hirasawa - Cover Design
- Hajime Hyakkoku - Arranger, Programming
- Kazu Matsui - Producer, Shakuhachi
- Derek Nakamoto, Kazunori Miyake - Arranger, Programming
- Takahiro Natori - Piano Tuner
- Tatsuhito Naruse - Engineer, Mixing
- Shuichi Tsunoda - Photography
- Heigo Yokouchi - Arranger, Programming
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 2004 Top Contemporary Jazz #5
Review: by Jonathan Widran from AllMusic.com
The spiritual and charitable-minded Japanese keyboardist, who blends ethereal new age textures with a rich soul-jazz sensibility better than anyone, is in top form on her 14th studio release. Like its recent predecessors on Narada Jazz, the CD features songs that are all about the landscape between subtlety and drama, elegant piano melodies and improvisations, dramatic flute and sax harmonies, and rich ambiences dense with percussion. Tying in perfectly with her current humanitarian work with United Nations World Food Program (WFP) efforts in Africa (most of her recent albums have tied into some charitable or health cause), the collection features subtle worldbeat threads throughout. "Flashback" features a gentle, classical-flavored piano melody over a gently throbbing bassline, before Matsui does some dramatic improvisations over dense, exotic percussion textures. "Facing Up" is quintessential graceful Matsui up until the feisty, machine-generated wall of polyrhythmic drums (which she simply dances over). "Sense of a Journey" is a little more smooth jazz-centered in spots, but later goes on a film score-like orchestral tangent. The intro to "Reflections" is low-key but decidedly African jungle in vibe, while the sweeping "Temple of Life" features hints of sitar, vocal choirs, and chanting beyond the orchestral flair. The closing title track is probably the most restrained piece production-wise, but also one of the most memorable melodically; its royalty proceeds will benefit the WFP, her latest charity. Matsui is always so consistent that it's hard to decide if one album ever tops another, but like most albums in her catalog, Wildflower is irresistible in its execution of incredible dynamics throughout.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Composer, Primary Artist
Credit:
- Kazu Matsui - Composer, Producer
- Cristihan Gutterre - Executive Producer
- Kazushige Hirasawa - Cover Design
- Hajime Hyakkoku, Cheep Hiroishi - Arranger, Programming
- Derek Nakamoto - Arranger, Programming
- Takahiro Natori - Piano Tuner
- Andrew Slade - Assistant
- Takashi Tei - Engineer, Mixing
- Shuichi Tsunoda - Photography
- Heigo Yokouchi - Arranger, Programming
Awards:
- Billboard Awards :: 2005 Top Contemporary Jazz #11
Review: by Jonathan Widran from AllMusic.com
Although her press materials since 2000 have trumpeted her two wins as "Best Female Artist" at the National Smooth Jazz Awards, the brilliant Japanese-born keyboardist and composer is secure enough in her genius, spirituality, and vast popularity (1.2 million units sold to date) that she never limits herself to one genre. Her recent Narada albums have been a happily unpredictable mixed bag, with 2002's The Ring exploring her new age and classical influences and 2004's Wildflower going in a worldbeat direction, no doubt in connection with her charitable efforts on behalf of the U.N.'s World Food Program in Africa. Matsui fanatics will no doubt be jumping all over maps of her homeland looking for a place called "Akendora," but it's a place of her own creation, where she runs to spend contemplative moments and find peace. Wherever it is, fans of her jazzier side are going to love this collection. It includes trademark moments of lush piano amidst big, booming percussive and orchestral drama ("Akendora's Clock"), but focuses more on spirited, even swinging jazz, both free-form (as on the busy, trumpet-laced, scratch-heavy, urban-flavored jam "Overture for the City") and ultra-smooth (the laid-back, catchy, and hooky midtempo ballad "Gentle Sands"; the fun and playful "Canvas"). Unlike most releases categorized as smooth jazz, this is infused throughout with Matsui's unexpected creative textures. "Blue Butterfly" starts out like a typical new age number before evolving into a spacy, ambient jazz exercise complete with wild piano runs and distant horn calls. Husband and producer Kazu Matsui's unique, bass-bubbling production textures on "Crystal Shadow" turn its mainstream melody into a hypnotic, thought-provoking piece. And her early genre classic "Mountain Shakedown" is given a post-millennial spruce-up, complete with trip-hop production textures, a sped-up bassline, and some extra piano improvisation. One could literally go on for days trying to verbally capture the hundreds of surprises that fill a 44-minute Matsui project. She's hard to categorize but always an innovative delight to listen to.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - piano
- Derek Nakamoto - synthesizer and programming
- Akira Jimbo, Rob Watson - drums
- Tlaie Makhene - percussion
- Grecco Buratto - acoustic guitar,cavaquinho
- Lucas Senyatso - bass
- Lawrence Matshiza - electric guitar
- Adam Howard - trumpet
- Bez Roberts - trombone
- Vivian Thulane - alto sax
Quest:
- Richard Bona - bass,acoustic guitar,electric guitar,percussions, vocals (tracks #01, #11)
- Kunle - electric guitar (tracks #06)
- Gerald Albright - tenor & soprano saxophone (tracks #03, #08)
- Paul Taylor - soprano saxophone (tracks #07, #09);
- Hugh Masakela - trumpet (tracks #05, #10)
- Waldemar Bastos - vocals, Portuguese lyrics (tracks #11)
- Gary Stockdale - string arrangements (tracks #12)
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 2007 Top Contemporary Jazz #4
Billboard Awards :: 2007 Top Heatseekers #31
Review: by Jeff Winbush from allaboutjazz.com
There isn't a great divide between the life of a musician and the ordinary 9-to-5 Joe. Musicians have to perform on their job or they get passed over. They have dandruff, bills to pay and crabgrass they can't get out of their front lawn.
The difference is when a musician undergoes a personal drama therea€™s the outlet of retreating to the nearest studio or soundstage to express his/her joys and sorrows. When pianist Keiko Matsui faced the parting of ways with husband Kazu Matsui, whoa€™d produced all her previous albums, she decided to self-produce—a bold move from an artist with a signature sound carefully crafted over 20 years.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Composer, Piano, Primary Artist, Soloist
- Bob James - Adaptation, Arranger, Composer, Piano (Grand), Primary Artist, Producer, Soloist
- David Barr - Piano Tuner
Credit:
- Jay Dudt - Engineer
- Ken Freeman - Engineer, Mixing, Producer
- Paul Grosso - Creative Digital Reinforcement
- Jerry Hughes - Director
- Jack Leitenberg - Management
- Bill Majetic - Production Manager
- Sean Marlowe - Art Direction, Design
- Ray Noble - Composer
- Marion Orr - Management, Producer
- Renee Govanucci - Associate Producer
- Jun Sato - Photography
- Steve Vavagiakis - Mastering
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 2011 Jazz Albums #17
Review: by William Ruhlmann from AllMusic.com
Bob James and Keiko Matsui's Altair & Vega is a solo piano album performed by a duo, and for the most part, that means what it sounds like, two jazz pianists seated together at one keyboard playing four-handed parts. On the James-composed title track (which refers to two stars that pass each other only once a year), previously recorded and released on the 2001 James album Dancing on the Water, Matsui takes the upper part of the piano and James the lower part in a piece that sounds more new age than jazz. Matsui's "Frozen Lake" (which finds them separating to their own keyboards, James' is a digital one) leans even more in that direction, suggesting the sound of David Lanz or George Winston (or the two together). James' "Divertimento," for which they are back on the same piano bench, is a lively piece based on Haydn, while Matsui's "Midnight Stone" and "Invisible Wing" again bring in new age elements, the latter also showing a classical influence. The album's real tour de force is the 13-minute, jointly written "Forever Variations" (a take-off from Matsui's "Forever Forever"), which is full of fast, dense passages that take four hands to play. At the end, Bach's familiar "Chorale from Cantata BWV 147" is given an unusually melancholic treatment in James' arrangement, serving as a coda. The wonder is that the two busy pianists don't get in each other's way in this music, but the album is the culmination of years of playing together, in the studio and on concert tours, so a lot of preparation went into these performances, resulting in an accomplished recording of some intricate keyboard playing.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Composer, Piano, Producer
- Richard Bona - Arranger, Bass, Composer, Guitar, Percussion, Producer, Vocals
- Jim Wilson, Yoshitake Suzuki, Keith Albright - Piano Tuner
- Reggie Hamilton, Eric Baines - Bass
- Vinnie Colaiuta - Drums
- Alberto de Almar - Flamenco Guitar
- Mauricio Zottarelliб Chad Wright, M.B. Gordy - Drums, Percussion
- James Hara - Guitar
- Peter Kent, Sharon Jackson - Violin
- Kirk Whalum, Jackiem Joyner - Saxophone
- Frank Marocco - Accordion
- Kay Ta Matsuno - Dulcimer, Guitar
- Derek Nakamoto - Arranger, Hammond B3, Producer, Synthesizer
- Satnam Ragotra - Percussion
- Cameron Stowe - Cello
Credit:
- Loeien Babajian - Package Design
- Todd Bartelson - Booking
- Rob Chiarelli, Craig Burbidge - Engineer, Mixing
- Gabriel Wallach, Samur Khouja, Reuben Cohen - Assistant
- Gavin Lurssen - Mastering
- Bobby Quillard - Photography
- Anthony Ruotolo - Engineer
- Gary Stockdale - Arranger
- Heigo Yokouchi - Arranger, Programming, Synthesizer
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 2012 Jazz Albums #6
Billboard Awards :: 2011 Jazz Albums #6
Billboard Awards :: 2011 Top Heatseekers #45
Review: by Thom Jurek from AllMusic.com
It's been four long years since pianist and composer Keiko Matsui released the spare, elegant Moyo. That is an atypical break for an artist who has recorded 22 studio albums since her debut in the late 1980s. Appearing on Shanachie for the first time, The Road was largely self-produced. Matsui appears in varying contexts here, from trios to quartets and quintets to an octet on a musically diverse set that sums up virtually every place she's been while continuing to point the way forward. Some of these players have collaborated with her for decades while still others make their initial appearances. The opening "Secret Pond" utilizes Matsui's love of new age music in a context that also employs Japanese folk melodies and classical themes; it is arranged by Heigo Yokouchi and features bassist Reggie Hamilton and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. Cameroonian bassist, composer, and vocalist Richard Bona appears on the successive tracks "Falcon's Wing," and "Nguea Wonja." The former is a breezy minor-key affair with Matsui playing a classical theme counter to Bona's lithe, nocturnal bassline and shimmering wordless vocal.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Yamaha pianos, vocals
- Chuck Loeb - guitars, keyboards, programming
- Brian Dune - drums
- Will Lee - bass
- Andy Snitzer - soprano sax
- Gecco Buratto - acoustic guitar
- Derek Nakamoto - keyboards, drum and loop programming
- Giulio Carmassi - trumpet
- Kirk Whalum - tenor and soprano saxes
- Narada Michael Walden - drums, vocals, programming
- Marcus Miller, Eric Baines, Fernando Saunders - bass
- Mathew Charles Huelitt - guitar
- Jimi Reitzel - organ, keyboards
- Cameron Stone - cello
- David Mann - sax, flute, horn arrangement
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 2014 Jazz Albums #6
Billboard Awards :: 2013 Jazz Albums #6
Billboard Awards :: 2013 Top Heatseekers #14
Review: by Thom Jurek from AllMusic.com
Soul Quest marks pianist Keiko Matsui's 25th recording anniversary. Since the very beginning, her crystalline piano and accessible yet harmonically rich compositions have been mainstays, not only on the smooth and contemporary jazz scenes, but also on the charts. She enlisted an all-star studio group to assist her on these ten tunes, nine of which she wrote or co-wrote. Most tracks were produced either by Fourplay guitarist Chuck Loeb (who contributes one tune, co-wrote several others, and plays on the set) or Narada Michael Walden (who also plays drums selectively and co-wrote the album's closer). Other contributors include Will Lee, Marcus Miller, Fernando Saunders, Kirk Whalum, David Mann, Andy Snitzer, and Brian Dunne, to name a few.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Composer, Keyboards, Piano, Primary Artist
- Chris Colangelo - Bass
- Jinshi Ozaki - Guitar
- Greg Riley - Saxophone
- Ricardo "Tiki" Pasillas - Percussion
Credit:
- Steve Hall - Mastering
- Misako Kitazawa - Jacket Design
- Kazu Matsui - Jacket Design, Producer, Shakuhachi
- Joel Stoner - Engineer, Mixing
- Robert Tauro - Direction, Executive Producer
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 1999 Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #17

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Composer, Keyboards, Piano, Primary Artist
- Mel Brown - Bass
- Alberto de Almar - Guitar
- Johnathon Dresel - Drums
Credit:
- Kazu Matsui - Photography, Producer, Shakuhachi
- Kunihiko Aoto - Mixing
- Cristihan Gutterre, Masato Arai - Executive Producer
- Kazushige Hirasawa - Cover Design
- Tohru "Kiku" Kikuchi - Sound Operator
- Kunihiro Takuma - Cover Photo
Awards:
Billboard Awards :: 2004 Top Contemporary Jazz #14
Review: by Jonathan Widran from AllMusic.com
There's no more spiritual experience in contemporary jazz than a live show by composer/keyboardist Matsui, who blends lush keyboard melodies, explosive improvisations, and a true Eastern spirit drawn from her Japanese heritage. White Owl, a special-edition CD/DVD, captures Matsui's vibrant 2002 live performance at Bunkamura Orchard Hall, Tokyo, where she played many of her best-loved tunes with her regular band (including the prominent Michael Ghegan on sax, Mel Brown on bass, and husband Kazu Matsui on the shakuhachi flute). The audio portion includes new tunes like the title track as well as groove-intensive, sax-driven standbys "Moonlight Sailor" and "Across the Sun." There are also three solo piano pieces that offer a rare intimate look at Matsui's classically inspired piano passions. The DVD includes 15 songs and clips from Matsui's travels in the U.S.A., Morocco, South Africa, and Istanbul.

Cast:
- Keiko Matsui - Piano, Primary Artist
- Tetsuo Sakurai - Bass
Credit:
- Kazu Matsui - Producer
- Masato Arai - Executive Producer
- Tarou Fujiwara - Rhythm Programming
- Kazushige Hirasawa - Cover Design
- Hiroyuki Morinaga - Promoter
- Tatsuhito Naruse - Mixing, Piano Engineer
- Takahiro Natori - Piano Tuner
- Shigeru Sorada - Assistant
- Yousuke Sugimoto - Arranger, Rhythm Programming
- Heigo Yokouchi - Arranger, Keyboards, Piano Engineer, Programming, Rhythm Programming

Cast:
- Kazu Matsui - shakuhachi flute
- Keiko Matsui - piano
- Hajime Hyakkoku - guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion & programming
Review:
Originally played by Buddhist priests of Japan, the sound of the bamboo shakuhachi flute resonates with history and depth. Master Kazu Matsui brings this ancient flute to the 21st century on exquisite, orchestral melodies.
“Music is a very interesting thing," Matsui remarks. "It is a gift that we must cherish and through it, I believe, we better understand ourselves. The music on THE STONE MONKEY is my way of representing our past, our culture, and our efforts to be better human beings.” Joined by Keiko Matsui (piano) and Hajime Hyakkoku (guitar, bass, percussion, programming), Matsui juxtaposes the sounds of East and West, the ancient shakuhachi with electronic instrumentation, modern rhythms and classical inspiration. The result is an intriguing sonic palette that transcends genres, culture, and time.