Toshio Matsuura | The Moment HEX's First Single Was Born (Part 2)
Toshio Matsuura | From TOKYO MOON, On Air October 27
The Birth of HEX's First Single (Part 2)
DJToshio MatsuuraThe adult-oriented music program "TOKYO MOON" by Toshio Matsuura is broadcast every Sunday from 11:30 PM on InterFM 76.1MHz. We introduce "fresh" music carefully selected from around the world and topics that stimulate intellectual curiosity. Here, we look back at the content just aired. This is a serialized feature 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.
HEX, a new project produced by Toshio Matsuura. Its first single, "Osaka Blues," will be available for pre-release download exclusively on iTunes on October 30th (Wednesday). Reflecting on the recording session with Yoshie Nakano of EGO-WRAPPIN',last timewe will talk about the "magical moment" that occurred on the second day of recording.
Text by MATSUURA Toshio
A special project from Japan!
The musicians participating in HEX are all extremely busy, and it was only possible for the four of them to gather on the same day for just three days during the approximately four-month production period. Amidst this situation,vocal recording was completed a day early due to an unexpected turn of eventsso the tension among the members and staff was naturally high. I also felt a sense of relief and heightened anticipation, arriving at the studio earlier than scheduled to plan the recording menu before everyone else arrived. While I was wandering around the lobby, lost in thought, a man emerging from the adjacent studio called out to me, "Long time no see!" I hadn't been paying much attention to my surroundings, so I looked up and saw... standing right in front of me was NARGO, the trumpeter from Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (at that time, we were secretly recording a project of theirs that had not yet been announced).
As some of you may know, he, along with the late Tatsuyuki Aoki (drums) from the same band, participated in the first album of U.F.O. (United Future Organization) 20 years ago. During a relaxed time before recording began, as we caught up on each other's recent lives, I mentioned our recording session, and he showed interest. Within a few dozen minutes, he was in our studio listening to the rough mix we had recorded the previous day. He seemed to really like the song, so although I knew it wasn't appropriate to directly ask him at that level, I felt it was a sign of fate and casually invited him to participate. He replied, "It depends on the main band's recording schedule," but also gave me hope by saying, "If our session finishes early," before returning to his own studio.
The HEX recording session, which began afterward, had to cover many items within a limited time. Furthermore, as time was running short, we were in a situation where we couldn't ask NARGO, who had returned as promised after finishing his recording earlier than scheduled. Although I had initially resigned myself to the idea that "this time, fate wasn't on our side," over the next few days, as I listened to the rough mix of the song repeatedly, I began to hear horns that weren't actually recorded, like an auditory hallucination.
So, I decided to ask him again, and we officially made an offer to both him and GAMO-san on saxophone from the label. Although Ska Para must have had an even more demanding schedule than ours, they somehow managed to adjust their dates, and we were able to work together again in the studio two weeks later.
The completed "Osaka Blues" features their distinctive playing, successfully bringing out a stronger blues feel. This song, born from such a confluence of "fated encounters," will finally be released ahead of the album. And the first live performance is fast approaching. Almost a year since the project's conception, the moment HEX takes the stage has finally arrived. Please come and join us at the venue. We look forward to seeing you there.
http://www.hex-music.com/
"Osaka Blues"
HEX
Blue Note / Universal
October 30, 2013 (Wednesday)
*Scheduled for pre-release on iTunes
"HEX"
2835 yen (TYCJ-60019)
Release Date: November 20, 2013 (Wednesday)
*Full album preview currently available
http://www.universal-music.co.jp/hex/
*Full album distribution planned on e-onkyo and mora simultaneously with CD release
e-onkyo http://www.e-onkyo.com/music/
mora http://mora.jp/
REVIEW | TRACK LIST
01.Beth Orton / Mystery (Sony)★
02. Otis Trio / Montag's dream (Far Out)
03. Hex / Dahsur waltz (Blue Note / Universal)
04.Robert Glasper Experiment / Let It Ride (Blue Note / Universal)★
05.DJ Rashad / Double Cup (Hyperdub / Beat)★
06. Salaam Remi / Makin' It Hard For Me (Sony)
07.Double Famous / kakio (kakubarhythm)★
08. Pocho Purizaga y su Conjunto / Toro Mata (Tiger's Milk)
09. Lucho Neves y su Orquesta / Mambo de Machaguay (Tiger's Milk)
10.Dave Brubeck / Unsquare Dance (Columbia)★
11. Moritz von Oswald/Nils Petter Molvaer / Development (EmArcy)
12. Jensen Sportag / Light Throught Lace (Cascine / Tugboat)
13. Salaam Remi / Risin' To The Top (Sony)
14. Omar / Treat You - Opolopo Remix (Freestyle)
 Beth Orton "Sugaring Season" |  Otis Trio "Otis Natu / Montag’s Dream" |  HEX "HEX" |  Robert Glasper Experiment "Black Radio 2" |
 DJ Rashad "Double Cup" |  Salaam Remi "ONE- In The Chamber" |  Double Famous "6variations" |  V.A. "Peru Maravilloso Vintage Latin, Tropical & Cumbia" |
 The Dave Brubeck Quartet "Time Futher Out" |  Moritz von Oswald & Nils Petter Molvaer "1/1" |  Jensen Sportag "Stealth of Days" |  Omar "Treat You" |
This Week's "TOKYO MOON on iTunes"
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 past works by three artists who will be performing at Gilles Peterson's ""WORLDWIDE SHOWCASE 2013 ~magic no.9~"on November 1st at Ebisu Liquid Room. Please listen to them as a warm-up before the event.
Please ensure you have "iTunes" software installed beforehand to enjoy.
Gilles Peterson's Havana Cultura Band / Rezando - Michel Cleis Remix 2010.3.28
The Stepkids / La La 2011.11.13
William Adamson / Under An East Coast Moon 2013.3.3
HEX to perform a special live show before the album release!
This weekend, HEX will perform live before the album's release. A music festival presented by Gilles Peterson, a leading radio presenter in the UK, featuring artists from Japan and abroad,"WORLDWIDE SHOWCASE 2013 ~magic no.9~"We look forward to seeing you at LIQUIDROOM in Ebisu on this autumn evening.
"WORLDWIDE SHOWCASE 2013 ~magic no.9~"
Date: Friday, November 1st
Time: Doors open 18:30, End approx. 23:00
Venue: LIQUIDROOM
3-16-6 Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-5464-0800
Performers: Gilles Peterson, THE STEPKIDS, JAZZTRONIK, Rob Gallagher, Toshio Matsuura presents HEX, Akira Ishii, SO IN THE HOUSE, 428graffi, Yoshie Nakano
Tickets: Advance 5500 yen, Same-day 6500 yen (includes one Campari Mojito or soft drink)
http://www.liquidroom.net/schedule/20131101/16141/
Toshio Matsuura "TOKYO MOON"
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Wednesdays 26:00-27:00 (Rebroadcast) ON AIR
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