News

As you’ve probably noticed, ever since Koshi and Tak had wrapped up their respective solo projects, it has been very quiet on the B’z front despite the announcement of a new song, “Sekai wa Anata no Iro ni Naru”, which ties into the Conan franchise. The latest issue of the fanclub magazine, Be With! Vol. 110, was supposed to shed some light on their future plans and their current work, but no new information could be extracted from the interview.

Both say they are working on new music. Tak Matsumoto is very likely preparing new B’z songs, while Koshi is working on a solo project with Stevie Salas. In the interview, Koshi mentions he wasn’t in the mood for work for quite a while, and didn’t start working until after Golden Week in the beginning of May. He does not mention why, but the passing of his father on April 15th may be the cause of that. Said solo project may not come to fruition until Fall, with an announcement to be expected for September at the earliest. Another solo tour for early 2017 may also be thinkable for Koshi, depending on how well the record does, according to Salas.

Koshi’s recently announced song 「YELLOW」 was, in fact, rushed to meet the deadline for the commercial, and Koshi has since reworked the lyrics to the song, as evidenced in the new version of the commercial. (old one for comparison)

As for Tak, he talked about his solo tour and the recent reveal of his 1959 Gibson Signature model. Gibson approached him last year, and asked him what he’d think if they made such a model for him. Tak gladly accepted. A Gibson employee visited Tak and took pictures of Tak’s 1959 model from every angle and in great detail, so they’ll be able to reconstruct it later. On the B’z front, Tak assures that he’s working on something, but it may take some time before they can announce something. Koshi may even be working on his solo project and the new B’z project at the same time, as Koshi is in contact with Tak.

All in all, us B’z fans are expected to be patient for just a little longer! We’ll keep you updated, of course!

Koshi Inaba News

Koshi’s latest solo tour「Koshi Inaba Live 2016 ~enIII~」was released on DVD and Blu-ray on August 3, 2016. To commemorate the release, Koshi has as usual released a message for the fans. Check it out below!

Koshi Inaba News

Koshi’s upcoming home video release of his recent solo live tour 「Koshi Inaba Live 2016 ~enIII~」 is just around the corner and an official digest video has been uploaded to the official YouTube channel. The digest video also features the TV commercial that recently started airing. Furthermore, one can see that they have put a lot of work into the camera work and editing for this release compared to the livestream that was conducted on Hulu Japan.

Tak Matsumoto News

Gibson has announced that they are releasing a Tak Matsumoto custom 1959 Les Paul model based on the 1959 Les Paul #9-1156 owned by Tak himself. Gibson created a digital model of Tak’s guitar by using a 3D scanner, to then build it as one of their flagship models. Tak has used said guitar during his latest solo tour 「Tak Matsumoto Live 2016 -The Voyage-」 and is currently using it as his main guitar.

On BARKS, Matsumoto was quoted as saying “I bought the #9-1156 in 1993. A Japanese instrument dealer introduced me to it and I chose one model ordered from the U.S. Among the candidates there was also a cherry sunburst one, but I chose my current one based on its wood and color.” He continues: “I used it on the B’z album 「The 7th Blues」and my solo album 「Hana」, among others. I choose it during recording when I am working on a mellow part or need that vintage sound. I also used it to do the main part of 「Mystic Journey」, found on my lastest solo album 「enigma」. Furthermore, I played it live on stage in 1996 during my 「Rock’n Roll Standard Club」 tour.”

“I received a prototype during rehearsal for my tour, and the grade of perfection was so high, that made me realize one more time how great Gibson is. I use it during live performances as well as recording. It is currently my go-to guitar.”, says Matsumoto.

A Japan-exclusive limited run of 30 guitars will be hand-signed by Tak Matsumoto and cost you around $14,000. The regular guitar will cost you around $11,000. The guitar will be on sale from July 1st, 2016.

For pictures and more detailed information, check out Gibson Custom’s product page here.

Koshi Inaba News

Two months after Koshi’s latest tour 「Koshi Inaba LIVE 2016 ～enIII～」 had wrapped up with a tour finale at the famous Nippon Budokan — which was even livestreamed on Hulu Japan — the home video release of said show has been announced: August 3rd, 2016. This release is announced amidst rumors that Koshi is currently working on another solo project with Stevie Salas, which may not come to fruition for another couple of months.

In addition to the tour finale at the Nippon Budokan, the package includes footage of 6 additional songs that were not performed on the tour finale due to set list rotation.

These 6 songs are:

1. Akai Ito (Only played on Jan 16 and 17)
2. Touch (Only played on Jan 22)
3. LOVE LETTER (Only played on Jan 22)
4. Fushichou (Only played on Jan 30, Feb 6, 20 and 23)
5. Stay Free (Only played on Jan 16 and 22)
6. CHAIN (Only played on six dates, not including the finale)

The first-press edition further includes a 100-page photo booklet featuring live shots during the tour, backstage shots as well as previously unreleased private photos. The photo booklet and the home video will be packaged nicely in a cardboard slipcase exclusive to the first-press edition. Only available while stocks last!

DVD & Blu-ray「Koshi Inaba LIVE 2016 ～enIII～」

Release: 2016.08.03
Price: 7560 Yen (DVD) / 7560 Yen (Blu-ray)

Set List
01. Saturday
02. oh my love
03. Okay
04. photograph
05. Kuchibiru
06. GO
07. Suiheisen
08. I AM YOUR BABY
09. Nensho
10. Koyoi Kimi to
11. Hazumu Sekai
12. Sẽno de Revolution
13. BLEED
14. Suiro
15. Symphony #9
16. Receive You [Reborn]
17. SAIHATE HOTEL
18. Shoumen Shoutotsu
19. Here I am!!
20. Hane
21. Fuusen
22. Tooku Made
23. Ai Naki Michi

Bonus Content

• Akai Ito
• Touch
• LOVE LETTER
• Fushichou
• Stay Free
• CHAIN

First-press edition

• 100-page photo booklet
• Cardboard slipcase

Feature

Tak Matsumoto’s latest solo endeavour takes a different turn compared to his last solo album 「New Horizon」 which was inspired by his previous work with Larry Carlton. His new album 「enigma」 is the product of Tak’s self-reflection regarding his career and his musicianship. Even now, it remains a mystery to him if he has become the musician he is supposed to be. An enigma. On this tour, titled 「The Voyage」, Tak Matsumoto takes the audience on a journey through his career, supported by lighting effects and videos.

This is the first time for me to go to one of Tak’s solo shows, and I was very excited to see what kind of performance Tak has got in store for a big venue such as Nippon Budokan! I am used to instrumental guitar performances by the likes of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. However, not in such a huge venue.

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