Toshio Matsuura | HEX Finally Releases Album!

Toshio Matsuura | from TOKYO MOON Airing November 17

HEX Finally Releases Album!

DJ Toshio Matsuura's "TOKYO MOON" is a music program for adults. It airs every Sunday night at 11:30 PM on InterFM 76.1MHz. We introduce "fresh" music carefully selected from around the world, along with topics that stimulate adult intellectual curiosity. Here, we look back at the content that has 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, is set to release its debut album, "HEX," on Wednesday, November 20th. How did this project come about and begin to take shape? We'll discuss that here.

Text by MATSUURA Toshio

Searching for Sounds Beyond the Present (Part 1)

It's been almost a year since the jazz label Blue Note approached me at the end of 2012, asking for my help in establishing a special, live-performance-oriented project from Japan to celebrate their 75th anniversary in 2014. To be honest, my first feeling is relief that we can finally release it in album form.

Since going independent from my former group, U.F.O. (United Future Organization), I hadn't released an original album for over 10 years. The project began to move forward when they readily accepted my proposal to "produce something that also has a solo aspect."

The first thing that needed to be done for this project, initially named "BN75," was to re-listen to Blue Note's vast archive and ask myself, "What is contemporary jazz?"

In parallel, I went with my production manager to listen to live performances by artists who were candidates for the project members, and also attended jazz concerts that I usually don't have time to visit.
Then, in early spring, I met with each musician individually, explained the project, and asked them to participate.

Toshio Matsuura | HEX Finally Releases Album! 02

HEX

I remember picking them up at the studio during rehearsals, playing them the sounds I envisioned through headphones connected to a laptop in a cafe, or having brief chats outside the venue after a show. The methods varied, but everyone seemed very interested. It was a moment when I was convinced, "This will definitely be something great." (To be continued)

Osaka Blues
HEX
Blue Note / Universal
Available on iTunes

HEX
2,835 yen (TYCJ-60019)
Release Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2013
*The entire 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/
HEX
http://www.universal-music.co.jp/hex/

REVIEW | TRACK LIST

Click on the ★ marked songs to listen and purchase. Please ensure you have the "iTunes" software installed beforehand.

Nora Sarmoria
"Espacio Virgen"

Satanicpornocultshop
"Maiden Voyage"

V.A. "Allo Love Vol.Three"

Linkwood "System"

Portico Quartet
"Portico Quartet"

Dawn of Midi "Dysnomia"

Zero 7 Vs Mos Def
"Umi Says (Unreleased Promo)"

Lord Echo "Curiosities"

Gary Bartz NTU Troop "Harlem Bush Music - <br />Taifa"

Gary Bartz NTU Troop
"Harlem Bush Music - Taifa"

Mop Mop "Isle Of Magic"

Almunia "Pulsar"

This Week's "TOKYO MOON on iTunes"

You can purchase selected tracks from those introduced so far here. Experience the joy of obtaining a song you're interested in right away. During the recording sessions this summer, I casually introduced the original versions of songs included in this album, and the inspirations behind their creation, on the program. Of course, listeners wouldn't have noticed, but this time I've decided to reveal the 'secret.'

Click on the songs to listen and purchase.
Please ensure you have the "iTunes" software installed beforehand.

Bobby Hutcherson | Hello To The Wind 2013.7.14
Herbie Hancock | Succotash 2013.8.18

Toshio Matsuura "TOKYO MOON"

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