Toshio Matsuura | Latest Information on "HEX," a Special Project from Japan

Toshio Matsuura | TOKYO MOON Broadcast October 6

Latest Information on the Special Project "HEX" from Japan

DJToshio MatsuuraTOKYO MOON, a music program for adults, is broadcast every Sunday at 23:30 on InterFM 76.1MHz. We introduce "fresh" music from around the world and topics that stimulate intellectual curiosity. Here, we look back at the content that has just aired. This is a series where you can enjoy TOKYO MOON with your eyes and ears, delving deeper into artists, introducing related songs, and even allowing you to purchase them. This week, we bring you the latest information on HEX, a new project produced by Toshio Matsuura, faster than anywhere else.

Text by MATSUURA Toshio

The Moment the First Single Was Born

Toshio Matsuura | Latest Information on the Special Project "HEX" from Japan 02

HEX, the special project from Japan that we announced here the other day. This week on TOKYO MOON, we had the world premiere broadcast of "Osaka Blues" featuring Yoshie Nakano of EGO-WRAPPIN' on vocals, and this song will be released as an early digital single on October 30th (Wednesday). It's a cover of the title track from Horace Silver's 1962 album "The Tokyo Blues," which the jazz pianist released that year after his first visit to Japan, where he was warmly welcomed. The original song was released in 1962.

I was originally a fan of this song, and I especially loved Dee Dee Bridgewater's 1995 version, which she sang on a tribute album to Horace. I played it all the time when I DJed, so from the planning stage of HEX, I decided to cover it in Japanese. Moreover, I felt that Yoshie Nakano, who was my number one artist candidate to work with for a long time, was essential for this.

I made the offer before the song's prototype was even visible, and waited for several months. I still clearly remember the moment I received her reply over the phone on a midsummer afternoon and jumped for joy on the spot. EGO-WRAPPIN' is currently based in Tokyo, but they originally hail from Osaka. When asking for original Japanese lyrics, I thought it would be better to have a sense of reality, so I requested that she incorporate her feelings for Osaka.

A few weeks later, while the instruments were being recorded in a Tokyo studio, Ms. Nakano appeared with a notebook in hand to record the vocals. She sat on the sofa, murmuring the lyrics in sync with the music with a serious expression. And then, shortly after, during the vocal recording session, she said, "Please record this as the final vocal take."

Before I could even react, we started recording, and she delivered an incredible vocal performance with overwhelming speed, far exceeding my expectations. It was the moment I was convinced it would turn out to be the blues I had imagined.(To be continued)

http://www.hex-music.com/

"Osaka Blues"
HEX
Blue Note / Universal
October 30, 2013 (Wednesday)
*Scheduled for early release on iTunes

"HEX"
¥2,835 (TYCJ-60019)
Release Date: November 20, 2013 (Wednesday)
*All songs from the album will be available for download on e-onkyo and mora simultaneously with the CD release.
e-onkyo http://www.e-onkyo.com/music/
mora http://mora.jp/

REVIEW | TRACK LIST

Click on the songs marked with a ★ to listen and purchase. Please install the "iTunes" software beforehand to enjoy.

Frank Minion
"The Soft Land of Make Believe"

Billy Gault "When Destiny Calls"

Jeb Loy Nichols
"Strange Faith and Practice"

The Internet "Feel Good"

Hiroshi Fukumura
"Hunt Up Wind"

Naná Vasconcelos "Chegada"

Toshiyuki Honda "Opa Com Deus"

Flora Purim
"Nós Dois (Flora Purim Sings
Milton Nascimento)"

Woody Shaw "Rosewood"

Norman Connors
"Remember Who You Are"

"TOKYO MOON on iTunes" This Week

You can purchase selected songs from those introduced so far here. Experience the joy of getting the songs you're interested in right away. This time, we've picked out masterpieces by new and old female vocalists from the Blue Note Records catalog, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year. Please enjoy songs that will resonate with your heart, perfect for autumn.

Click on the songs to listen and purchase.
Please install the "iTunes" software beforehand to enjoy.

Cassandra Wilson | Only A Dream In Rio 2010.10.3
Marlena Shaw | Save The Children 2012.1.22
Robert Glasper Experiment | Afro Blue 2012.2.5

The Titans of Tokyo's Night Scene Gather Again Across Genres for a Night of Excitement

Last June, the all-genre indoor music festival "moderno," organized by Tatsuo Sunaga, showcased the power of Tokyo's nightlife to the nation. It will be held again at Shibuya VISION. Across four floors, DJs of house, techno, hip-hop, and jazz will perform, accompanied by dazzling dancers. There will also be a talk session between the "sakaba" poet Rui Yoshida and Sunaga. It's a lineup that could only be realized in Tokyo. Under the banner of "Energizing Japan from Tokyo," this is a night that transcends generations and genres – everyone gather in Shibuya.

Toshio Matsuura "TOKYO MOON"

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