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Tak Matsumoto, Chad Smith, Juan Alderete, and Koshi Inaba after the 2009 recording of MAGIC.

A recent and previously unreported blog post by noted bassist Juan Alderete confirms his involvement with a brand new B’z studio album. Longtime fans may recall Alderete’s earlier stint in the studio with the band, during which he provided bass on a healthy number of ACTION tracks in 2007 and later three tracks for 2009’s MAGIC. Most recently, he contributed to “Vermillion Palace” and “Step to Heaven” on Tak Matsumoto’s solo album enigma.

Additionally, he mentions that Jason Sutter is also involved and will be providing drums on select tracks. Fans of Tak’s recent live output and studio album may recognize the name. The former Foreigner and Marilyn Manson drummer most recently contributed to Tak Matsumoto’s enigma and on all dates of the subsequent live undertaking, Tak Matsumoto Tour 2016 -The Voyage-.

Alderete also notes that he auditioned in 2001 for what would become B’z LIVE-GYM 2002 “GREEN ~GO★FIGHT★WIN~”. Famed Mr. Big member Billy Sheehan eventually assumed the role for that tour, though Alderete had made quite the impression which lead to him being called in to provide bass on memorable album tracks “Junjou ACTION“, “Ore to Omae no Atarashii Kisetsu“, and “Isshinfuran” as well as both “Ichibu to Zenbu” and “DIVE” later. His role in the 2009 sessions alongside Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith was filmed and released as part of the documentary Magical Backstage Tour 2009.

No release date is currently known for the much-anticipated twentieth B’z album, though the normal gestation period for the band’s sessions would suggest a release date of late 2016 or, more likely, early-mid 2017. It can also reasonably be expected that the pairing of Shane Gaalaas and Barry Sparks will appear on other tracks for drums and bass respectively and that “Sekai wa Anata no Iro ni Naru” will be included.

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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!

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A new entry registered on JASRAC—the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers—may provide our first glimpse at the next release from B’z. First registered in March, the entry is for an individual song entitled “Kosuto” (コスト, or “Cost”). The entry lists Being Publishing as the registrant, which aligns with other recent publications by the parent company behind the band (including an entry for “Overture” from B’z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2013 -ENDLESS SUMMER-). Koshi Inaba is listed as lyricist and Tak Matsumoto as composer as with all other applicable B’z registrations.

Whether “Kosuto” is a new single, a B-side, or an album song is yet to be confirmed. It is possible this is the as-yet untitled ending theme to B’z LIVE-GYM 2015 -EPIC NIGHT-, though it bears noting that the lyrics do not offer any significant hint that this is the case.

This initial registration suggests that “Kosuto” won’t be used as a tie-in to a TV series or film due to the registration belonging to Being and not a preceding media entity. The recently-revealed “Sekai wa Anata no Iro ni Naru” was first registered by Yomiuri TV Enterprises given that it was a theme to Detective Conan; all other television and drama themes such as “Ichibu to Zenbu” and “Uchouten” follow this precedent. Barring a revision pre-release, this song will more likely be a different type of tie-in and would instead be released in tandem with a commercial or event should it be a single. If not a single, no tie-in is entirely plausible.

Meanwhile, “Sekai wa Anata no Iro ni Naru” will begin airing as the theme to the Detective Conan anime series this weekend. It has long been believed the song would not be a single, but could serve as a B-side to the next release, which may very well be “Kosuto”. We will bring your more information when it becomes available.

Source: Entry in the JASRAC database

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[KGVID]https://www.offthelock.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/bzconan20thtv.mp4[/KGVID]

Early morning newspapers as well as NTV news show “Oha!4” (see video above) have revealed that B’z will provide the theme song to the 20th Detective Conan movie 「The Darkest Nightmare」, which is scheduled to hit theatres on April 16th, 2016. The medium tempo rock ballad is titled 「Sekai wa Anata no Iro ni Naru」(The world will become your color) and B’z is quoted as saying “This movie focuses a lot on the darker parts of Conan’s story and thus we made the theme song with a different feeling.”. Series creator Gosho Aoyama further commented: “The movie is pitch-black and it depends on you what color your feelings are after you’ve seen the movie”.

Furthermore, Tak Matsumoto will play the guitar part of the Detective Conan main theme in the movie. This marks the first time an artist gets to play the guitar part of the main theme.

A CD release for「Sekai wa Anata no Iro ni Naru」has yet to be announced. A full trailer featuring the movie’s theme song has also been revealed today. You can check it out below.

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One day prior to official release 「B’z LIVE-GYM 2015 -EPIC NIGHT-」 has debuted on #1 in the general Blu-ray and on #2 in the general DVD daily ranking at Oricon. Furthermore, the band has as usual released a message for their fans to celebrate their latest release.

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There’s less than a week left until the release of B’z latest live tour「B’z LIVE-GYM 2015 -EPIC NIGHT-」 on DVD and Blu-ray. A digest video detailing all performances included in the release has today been made available on the band’s official YouTube channel. We have mirrored it here for your viewing pleasure!