Toshio Matsuura | Seeking Sounds Beyond the Present (Part 2)
Toshio Matsuura | Searching for Sounds Beyond the Present (Part 2)
Searching for Sounds Beyond the Present (Part 2)
DJ Toshio Matsuura's "TOKYO MOON" is a music program for adults. It airs every Sunday at 23:30 on InterFM 76.1MHz. We introduce "fresh" music selected from around the world and topics that stimulate adult 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, by delving deeper into artists, introducing related songs, and even allowing you to purchase them. Toshio Matsuura's new project, HEX, which he is producing.The Dawn of the ProjectFollowing last week's discussion about the project's early days, this week I'll introduce the four talented members who participated in HEX.
Text by MATSUURA ToshioPhotographs by Mari Amita
The "Chameleon" Drummer, Midorin
Midorin is the drummer for SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS (hereinafter referred to as "Soil") and participates in numerous other projects. He loves music that transcends eras and genres, from jazz to dance music. We often met at events, and I always listened to his performances up close, thinking vaguely that I'd like to collaborate with him someday.
That thought solidified at the "WORLDWIDE SHOWCASE 2011" event two years ago at Ebisu LIQUIDROOM, presented by Gilles Peterson. He performed as Soil at this event celebrating the 85th birthday of the great jazz giant, John Coltrane. They delivered a special set, playing covers of Coltrane's music.
That performance had a tension and groove that was, in a good way, completely different from Soil's usual style. Seeing this new facet of him, his ability to transform himself to fit the situation like a chameleon, I realized he could be utilized in a project entirely separate from Soil.
In fact, during recording, he actively took on new challenges, such as introducing drum pads. I believe the results of his liberal approach to groove are evident in his intensely compelling performance on the album's opening track, "Jazzstep," where live drums and drum pads merge.
Kan Sano, the Skilled Co-Producer Who Juggle Three Roles
Kan Sano, who deeply involved himself in HEX as a keyboardist, programmer, and co-producer. I had been looking for an opportunity to work with him ever since I was struck by the extraordinary sound production in his remix of a Toshiko Akiyoshi piece, which I happened to hear on a Japanese jazz remix project CD just before the earthquake.
In his case, when I was helping with my work last summer, I visited his home and happened to see a book about Bill Evans on his bookshelf. That's when I became convinced that he was the right person (in a way, without any concrete evidence, but I value that "feeling").
He played a crucial role by "translating" my abstract ideas to other musicians while simultaneously handling programming and playing keyboards. His contribution in fulfilling these three different roles concurrently was immense. His impressive arrangement and chorus on "Uncensored Love Transmission" are very popular with women.
Hiroshi Ito, the Jazz Pianist Who Plays Madness and Latin
Hiroshi Ito is a "workaholic" jazz pianist who performs almost daily at live houses while also composing film scores. My first encounter with him was when I heard Shima & Shikou Duo, featuring trumpeter Yusuke Shima. I was captivated by the "madness" I felt and his Latin-influenced playing, including montunos, and have been infatuated with him ever since.
The opportunity arose in December 2012, when I was visiting Fukuoka as a DJ. Ito-san, who was also performing in Fukuoka, came to the venue specifically to see me. When I listened to his album "Visionnaire" that he handed me, I was drawn to the cinematic, beautiful, and somewhat sentimental melody of the track "Enrai." I knew then that I had to have him play on the project. The offer from Blue Note came shortly after.
Despite his extremely busy schedule, he was only able to play with the band for three days during the approximately four-month recording period. Within that limited time, he delivered excellent performances and creative contributions. He might seem unapproachable at first, but he's actually a friendly and likable guy.
Katsuhito Koizumi, the Skilled Double-Threat on Wood and Electric Bass
Bassist Katsuhito Koizumi. Actually, I had a lot of trouble selecting the bassist until Koizumi-san was decided. The conditions seemed simple: a musician who could play both wood and electric bass and produce a unique sound, but honestly, I couldn't find anyone who produced the sound I was looking for.
Both Midorin and Ito-san strongly recommended Koizumi-san. After meeting him and discussing various things, we decided to have him participate.
He places great importance on live sessions, so he was quite bewildered by our approach of "searching for a path in deep fog." However, as we gradually came to understand each other's methods, I began to explain my approach more concretely, allowing us to achieve excellent performances in a short time. While Koizumi-san is strongly associated with an electric sound, his melancholic wood bass playing left a particularly cool and lasting impression.
With these four musicians assembled, the 8 pieces that make up the album you are hearing now were created, with engineer zAk, who collaborated with me for the first time in 20 years, adding his wonderful magic. Our journey has just begun. If you like HEX, please become the sixth member and help us nurture it. Let's search for "sounds beyond the present" together.
HEX
¥2,835 (TYCJ-60019)
On Sale Now
01. Jazzstep
02. Sweet For The Visionary
03. Uncensored Love Transmission
04. Hello To The Wind feat. Gray Reverend
05. Osaka Blues feat. Yoshie Nakano (EGO-WRAPPIN')
06. Dahshur Waltz
07. Tropicalia 14
08. Tokyo Blues feat. Ed Motta
HEX
http://www.universal-music.co.jp/hex/
REVIEW | TRACK LIST
01. Kan Sano / sing bird (origami PRODUCTIONS)
02. Zara McFarlane / Love (Brownswood / Beat)
03.Chihei Hatakeyama / White Light (Home Normal)★
04.Grégory Privat / Tales of Cyparis (Inpartmaint)★
05. HEX / Uncensored Love Transmission (Blue Note / Universal)
06. Flying Lotus / MmmHmm (Brainfeeder / Beat)
07.John Wizards / Jamieo (Planet Mu / Ultravybe)★
08.Durutti Column / Experiment In Fifth (Les Disques Du Crépuscule)★
09. Kuniyuki / Roots Remembered (Jazzy Sport)
10. Imperial Tiger Orchestra / Sudani Tune (Mental Groove / ritmo calentito)
11. Witch / Kuomboka (Now Again!)
12. Patrice Rushen / Haven´t You Heard -Joey Negro Extended Disco MIx (Z)
13. Shuya Okino / Still In Love - Kyodai remix (CDR)
 Zara McFarlane "If You Knew Her" |  Chihei Hatakeyama "A Long Journey" |  Grégory Privat "Tales of Cyparis" |  HEX "HEX" |
 Flying Lotus "Cosmogramma" |  John Wizards "John Wizards" |  V. A. "The Fruit of The Original Sin" |  V. A. "Pound For Pound Vol.3" |
 Imperial Tiger Orchestra "Wax" |  Witch "Kuomboka" |  V. A. "Remixed With Love by Joey Negro" |
"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 individual works by the HEX members.
Please install "iTunes" software beforehand to enjoy.
Soil & "Pimp" Sessions / Armageddon 2011.7.17
Kan Sano / Eternal Sunshine 2011.11.27
Hiroshi Ito / Enrai 2012.12.16
Toshio Matsuura "TOKYO MOON"
Every Sunday 23:30-24:30 ON AIR
Wednesdays 26:00-27:00 (Rebroadcast) ON AIR
Messages for "TOKYO MOON" to this address
moon@interfm.jp
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www.interfm.co.jp
