Tak Matsumoto News

Tak Matsumoto has announced the release date for his highly anticipated new solo album today. The title is going to be New Horizon, and just as the title implies, it’s an album containing a variety of new sounds brought forth by the countless possibilities of instrumental music. The song “New Horizon”, featured in transportation company Sagawa’s commercials, is going to be the lead title for the new album with the same name. Furthermore, the album will feature a variety of new songs and cover songs alike: A new song titled Feel like a woman tonite featuring American soul singer Wendy Moten, a re-recorded version of the 2003 anime special “Black Jack Special” theme song BLACK JACK and the song Rain performed during B’z 25th anniversary tour B’z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2013 -ENDLESS SUMMER-. The album also includes the famous jazz number Take 5 which has previously been covered by Tak on his first solo album Thousand Wave. In addition to these new songs, covers of Masahiro Kuwana’s Tsuki no Akari and GARO’s Gakuseigai no Kissaten will be included in the new album for a total 12 tracks filled with smooth jazz elements.

As with Tak’s previous solo album “Strings Of My Soul” in 2012, the album is again tentatively scheduled for an international release following the domestic Japanese launch. Paul Brown is again producing the album and will oversee its western release.

Moreover, a special campaign will be launched to coincide with the Japan release of the album. More information on the campaign will be revealed at a later date.

「New Horizon」

1. New Horizon (featured in Sagawa’s TV commercials)
2. Take 5
3. Feel like a woman tonite (Vocals by Wendy Moten)
4. Rodeo Blues
5. Island of peace
6. That’s Cool
7. Shattered Glass
8 Tsuki no Akari
9. Reason to be…
10. BLACK JACK
11. Gakuseigai no Kissaten
12. Rain

Release: 2014/04/30 (International release pending announcement)
Price: 2,800 Yen

Feature

Click here to view the full romanized, kanji, and English lyrics

Koshi Inaba News

More solo news! Koshi Inaba’s new song 「oh my love」 will be featured in the new line of Olympus commercials. The commercial starring Japanese soccer player Keisuke Honda will advertise Olympus’ new mirrorless camera OM-D E-M10. The commercial is set to be on air Japan-wide from March 7th. More details on “oh my love” as well as the forthcoming new album will be revealed at a later date.

Update: The commercial is now live on YouTube! Check it out below.

Koshi Inaba News

Now that B’z have wrapped up their massive 25th anniversary year and recently released its epic home video to tap things off, the team are taking a break for a few months to concentrate on solo efforts before they reconvene for B’z activities.

Today, Koshi has launched a brand new solo website and with it comes some exciting news. Unexpectedly, Koshi is not only launching his own website today but is also releasing a BRAND NEW DIGITAL SINGLE, available right now on a variety of Japanese music outlets! The song is entitled “Nensho” (We will post information on purchasing it for yourself shortly, should you wish to obtain it for your collection.)

Along with the new single comes news of Koshi’s plans for 2014. While more releases are expected, it has also been officially announced that Koshi Inaba LIVE 2014 ~en-ball~ will take place over ten dates beginning June 5 and ending June 20. Interestingly, every show will take place at just one venue, the Shinagawa Stellar Ball in Tokyo. Further live dates may be forthcoming; we’ll keep you posted as to any further announcements.

Additionally, those that wish to sample Koshi’s past solo work are now in luck, as all of his music videos are now available in full on the official B’z YouTube channel. Check out the full playlist right here!

The official website promises monthly updates as Koshi prepares his solo material for the year. Listen to the new song below and check out the official website where you can also hear the song at: http://www.en-zine.jp/

News

Looks like this year it is time for some solo projects! Koshi Inaba will finally get his own official website, which will go live on February 26th at midnight. (Japan Time) The site will be gradually updated to feature new information on Koshi Inaba’s works. The first update will give us a glimpse of Koshi’s new album which is currently in production. One of his new songs from the upcoming new album will be made available online.

Tak Matsumoto News

One of Tak Matsumoto’s songs from the upcoming solo album is being used for transportation company Sagawa’s latest line of TV commercials. Further details have yet to surface regarding the album’s release date and title. You can check out the two commercials below.

Looks like this is going to be a Jazz album! 🙂