Kaori Kobayashi's 4th Album produced, arranged and on keyboards by Shigemi Toru, who has worked with artists such as MISIA and Tatsuro Yamashita, the album adds funk and R&B flavors to the smooth jazz and programming sounds of her previous albums. On bass is Shimizu Oki from Naniwa Express, on drums is Michigan-born Jay Stixx, and on guitar is master Nishiyama 'HANK' Fumio, also known as "Hankoya." This album establishes a full-fledged groove sound. Apart from a wild arrangement of the Doobie Brothers classic "Long Train Runnin'," the album is made up entirely of original songs, and there are plenty of things to listen to, including the high quality of the songs, the urban arrangements, her distinctive, sharp and flashy tone, and sophisticated improvisation solos.
JVC Entertainment,
VICJ-61565, 2008
J Box Entertainment Inc., JBJC-8003, 2008
Recorded at Victor Yamanakako
Studio and Victor Studio, Tokyo, Japan
Musicians:
Kobayashi Kaori - Alto Sax,
Tenor Sax, Flute, Arranger
Shigemi Toru - Acoustic &
Electric Piano, Organ [Hammond B-3], Synthesizer, Programming
Nishiyama 'HANK' Fuminori -
Acoustic & Electric Guitar (#1,4-6,8,10)
Shimizu Oki - Electric Bass
(#1,4-6,8,10)
Murata Takayuki - Electric
Bass (#2)
Jay Stix - Drums
(#1,4-6,8,10)
Tracks:
01. Shiny {Kaori Kobayasi,
Takayuki Murata} (4:05)
02. Minor Reason {Kaori
Kobayashi, Takayuki Murata} (4:22)
03. Children’s Dream {Kaori
Kobayashi, Takayuki Murata, Yukinori”KB”Inoue} (5:34)
04. Sunny {Kaori Kobayashi}
(4:36)
05. Chillin’ In Manhattan
{Kaori Kobayashi, Takayuki Murata} (6:25)
06. West Police {Kaori
Kobayashi, Takayuki Murata} (5:09)
07. Interlude {Kaori
Kobayashi} (0:58)
08. Long Train Runnin’ {Tom
Johnston} (5:13)
09. Forever {Kaori Kobayashi,
Toshiya Shibata} (6:28)
10. Black Sapphire {Kaori
Kobayashi} (4:54)
11. Starry Heavens {Kaori
Kobayashi} (5:47)
Total Time: 53:37
Credits:
Producer, Recording, Arranger
- Shigemi Toru
Executive-Producer - Seigo
Horiuchi
Recording & Mixing
Engineer - Ken Matsuoka
Engineer [Recording Assistant]
- Fumi Shinohara
Mastering Engineer - Hiroshi
Kawasaki
A&R, Director - Kazuhiro Sasaki
Photography - Naoto Ohkawa
Design - Kenji Kikuchi
