Keiko Matsui's 'Live In Tokyo' Album Review

Jazz instrumentalist Keiko Matsui delivers a new eclectic mix of live sounds on her new release, Live In Tokyo.

Matsui, perhaps one of the hardest working woman in popular Jazz music, follows her stellar collection of over two dozen music releases over nearly three decades with this concert album. The new release delivers 13 contemporary instrumental Jazz tunes of easy universal appeal. Tunes are infused with popular accents beginning with up-tempo pieces, as "Black Lion" and “Dream Tracker,” to the Rock/Pop threads found in “Antarctica: A Call To Action“ and '70s R&B vibes of “Proof.”

While Matsui’s command of the piano is the star of the recording, the collection is a balanced release in also showcasing at times other contributed instrumental solo arrangements, as in pieces “Safari” and “Affirmation,“ where the latter features a riding world rhythm culminating with a cacophony of sounds. Evoking many moods, from the more contemplative moments of “Forever, Forever,” tension filled “Soul Quest,“ and Latin flavored “Caricias,” Matsui’s light, whimsical, and melodic tones are consistent forms of fluidity that moves throughout the release. Moments between pieces that were not edited out of the live recording, where Matsui communicates to audience about each piece, allows for an added intimate environment.

Live In Tokyo spotlights Matsui’s talents as not only of a pianist, but also as an engaging concert performer.