Tak Matsumoto News

This is what we’ve all been waiting for! Larry Carlton and Tak Matsumoto have announced today, that their collaboration album, “TAKE YOUR PICK”, is going to be released in Japan on June 2nd, 2010. It’s going retail at a price of 3,059 Yen (approx. $32 / 24€).

While this is a pretty hefty price tag for an album that doesn’t contain additional content such as a DVD, I’m sure we’ll all forget about the price once we get to listen to all 12 quality tracks, half of them arranged and written by Tak Matsumoto, half of them arranged and written by Larry Carlton. Seeing as how the album is evenly split among songs by Tak Matsumoto and Larry Carlton, “TAKE YOUR PICK” seems as fitting for such an album as a title will ever be. Die-hard fans would even say that this album is the compilation of the best music from the west, and the best music from the far east. Larry Carlton’s style is pretty bluesy, too, and thus it was only a matter of time until these two great musicians met.

Taking a look at the cover of this album, it becomes clear that this is indeed a mixture of American music and Japanese music, illustrated by 2 guitar picks with their respective national flags on it. It has got a lot of meaning to it, if you closely analyze the cover. It is very simplistic and yet gets the message across. A lot of cover artists fail to do so nowadays.

The track listing, no doubt, reveals a very blues, jazz oriented album, that, I bet, does not fail to have the fan listen to the best of the best, when it comes to Larry Carlton’s works as well as Tak Matsumoto’s works.

Overseas fans, unfortunately, will probably have to wait a little longer to get their hands on this masterpiece as this press release by Larry Carlton & Tak Matsumoto does not illustrate whether the album will be internationally available, or not. Stay tuned for more news!

“TAKE YOUR PICK” Track listing:

01. JAZZY BULLETS
02. Nite Crawler 2010
03. THE WAY WE WERE
04. Islands of Japan
05. Neon Blue
06. Tokyo Night
07. hotalu
08. East West Stroll
09. Easy Mystery
10. ao
11. Take Your Pick
12. A girl from China

Tracks arranged and written by Larry Carlton: 02, 04, 05, 08, 09, 11
Tracks arranged and written by Tak Matsumoto: 01, 03, 06, 07, 10, 12

Price: 3,059 Yen

News

As of today, it’s completely official: Tak and Koshi have been working on solo projects.

Tak Matsumoto’s Solo Project

As previously reported, Larry Carlton is working on a new album with Tak. According to B’z Official Website, the album is due for June 2010 along with a tour! And here’s the thing, the album will probably be available internationally!

Koshi Inaba’s Solo Project

Not so much is known about Koshi Inaba’s solo project, not even a release date! However the song we reported about is called “Kono Te wo Totte Hashiri Dashite” (Take this hand and run), it will be the theme song for the renewed news show “NEWS 23X” on TBS. Tour has been planned, too.

Now, I know you all hate the small videos on the B’z website… well, I took the time and upsized them a bit… Look who’s in the Koshi video! Shane and Stevie Salas! If anyone knows the other guy there, let me know in the comments!

Koshi Video:

Tak Video:

Tak Matsumoto News

So, wow, I just spotted this on a Japanese blog. The guitar looks pretty amazing. It’s named “TAK’S MACHINE #0005”.
Well, if you look at the pictures, it’s only obvious, that it’s called “a machine”.

Tak Matsumoto of B’z (one of the greatest Japanese rock bands in history) and Stephen met in March of 2009 in Los Angeles. Tak visited the shop and decided that he wanted to play McSwain guitars. He and McSwain designed a smaller version of the original McSwain body shape for the guitars Tak ordered. This is what is now affectionately referred to as the “McSwain Jr.” Domo Arigato Tak-san!!!! See you in Tokyo!

Via: McSwain Guitars – Tak Matsumoto

Tak Matsumoto News

Apparently this has been around for some time, and it has not been officially announced yet, however, we do have a source to confirm it: WBA Entertainment Inc.

For those who don’t know Larry Carlton, he’s an American jazz fusion, pop, rock guitarist and a singer. Throughout his career he’s earned 3 Grammy awards for his works.

And here’s what they write in the announcement:

Larry Carlton & Tak Matsumoto

Recording a new album together in September 2009

Touring together in 2010 & 2011

Carlton’s melodic  yet  aggressive  approach  to writing  and  playing  on  this  CD blended with Tak’s proven ability  to write and perform Hit  songs make  for a unique Guitar experience.  Drawing upon their knowledge and different music backgrounds  Larry  &  Tak  have  forged  Eastern  and Western  guitar  styles  to create a truly magical and unique album unlike any other. The best of East and West!
[…]

Source: http://www.wba-ent.com/LarryCarlton/ONESHEET_Larry_Carlton_and_Tak_Matsumoto.pdf

Now, in February 2010 Larry Carlton announced, that the projects with Robben Ford, with Keb Mo, with Tak Matsumoto and his album honoring Gamble & Huff’s Sounds of Philadelphia (T.S.O.P) are already completed or in their final stages of completion.

Press release here: http://www.wba-ent.com/Press/LC100218_Larry_Carlton_Fourplay_PressRelease.pdf

Last but not least, here’s a performance by Larry Carlton:

Site News

Hey folks,

as you probably have noticed, the overall look of the design has changed.
This design, however, is not completely done yet. It’s an early alpha version of the final site.

But I would like to get your thoughts/ideas on the new design! So, if you have any ideas or suggestions on what to change, etc. feel free to comment and share your opinion with us!

Things that have yet to be done:

• Adjust styling so it gets properly displayed in Internet Explorer (lol)
• Style the Sidebar
• New footer (current one is not very nice)
• Custom comments display
• Banner: Feel free to create your own custom one! I’d love to add it if it’s good! Dimensions are 998×123 pixel
• Language bar in the top right of the banner (Yes, there’s going to be localized versions of OFF THE LOCK)

Things that I will be working on in the future:

• Tak and Koshi Profile / B’z Profile
• B’z Database

And also, if you encounter any errors, please let me know!

Koshi Inaba News

This has been caught on TV today, advertising a remade “News 23 Cross” news show. Listen to the song in the background. It’s Koshi Inaba, isn’t it?

I guess all that’s left to see is an official announcement?