Search - Keiko Matsui :: Doll

Not her best, but very good like just about every other CD

Phil Kasiecki | 07/04/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a big fan of Keiko Matsui, I feel like you could put together any 10-12 songs of hers onto a CD and it will be a wonderful listen. This CD is another good one in that mold, a pleasant listen all the way through.



The title cut is terrific, including the solo near the end. "Postponed Summer" is another that stands out, although very little does all by itself - this CD is just a good listen all the way through with consistently good material.



If you're a fan of hers, or of good piano music, this CD is a worthy addition to your collection."

Vibrant, deeply cool piano jazz!

Brianna Neal | USA | 10/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a stunning album that has it all--fire and ice, power and grace, stunning performances and fascinating, richly layered arrangements. Pianist Keiko Matsui is portrayed as quiet and unassuming in the cover photos, but boy does she come alive as a composer, brimming over with verve, passion, mystery and depth as she and a host of other musicians soar, pulse and groove their way through a variety of engaging instrumentals, with two vocal pieces thrown in for good measure. Matsui's compositions are jazz at its best--mature, interesting and ever-evolving in a swirl of interchanging leads and motifs. Many of the pieces have a driving, minor-keyed intensity to them that is very compelling, and quite a number of instruments contribute to the sound of this music, including bass, saxophone, electric and acoustic guitars, trumpet, trombone, cello, keyboards, programming, drums and a string quartet. And for a touch of the orient, there's even a koto, a shakuhachi and an occasional flirtation with the pentatonic scale. Personally, I could do without the singing, as it seems to water down the power of the instrumentals. However, the sensible lyrics are a refreshing change from the lust-dominated norm in this idiom. This 1994 album was followed by numerous other releases, including "Deep Blue," "Wildflower," and "White Owl," all in a similarly deft and powerful style. If you like the music of Keiko Matsui, you may also enjoy that of Peter White in "Glow."

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