If we're talking Keiko Matsui, we can expect another impressionistic album cover which belies the often-explosive music on the disc. Matsui draws a little more from her heritage this time but textures it with soulful excursions ("Walking on the Bridge"). She once again gives radio a seductive earful while continuing her heightened exploration into more challenging orchestral sounds and several impressive, wildly percussive Latin journeys (e.g., "Sail South"). Making perfect use of Lenny Castro's spicy percussion and Clay Jenkins' punchy trumpet flavors, Matsui lets loose. The gospel vocal by Arnold McCuller is a strong one. Other newcomers to the fold are guitarist Jorge Strunz, Jon Clark (recorder) and Sam Riney on sax. ~ by Jonathan Widran, AMG.
White Cat Records, 77701-2,
1992
Recorded at:
Milagro Sound Recorders,
Glendale, California
Pacifique Studio, North
Hollywood California
The Club House Studio,
Burbank, California
Aire L.A. Studios, Glendale,
California
Musicians:
Keiko Matsui - Keyboards
Arranger (#3,4,5,7)
Clay Jenkins - Trumpet (#8),
Solo (#2)
Bill Armstrong - Trumpet (#2)
Alex Iles - Trombone (#2)
Gerald Albright - Saxophone
(#1,3,5)
Sam Riney - Saxophone (#2,8)
Steve Tavaglione - Saxophone
(#6,7)
Jon Clark - Recorder (#6),
English Horn, Saxophone (#9)
Kazu Matsui - Shakuhachi (#9)
Derek Nakamoto - Synthesizer
(#1,9), Arranger (#1,9)
Gary Stockdale - Synthesizer
(#2,6,8) Arranger (#2,4; [Strings],6,8)
Ron Komie - Guitar (#2-5,8)
Jorge Strunz - Acoustic
Guitar (#6)
Anas Allaf - Acoustic Guitar
(#7)
Richard M. Schmidt - Steel
Guitar (#8)
Brad Cumming - Bass (#1,3)
John Pena - Bass (#2,4,6-9)
Jimmy Johnson - Bass (#5)
Ed Smith - Drums (#1,3)
Bernie Dresel - Drums
(#2,4-8)
Robert Chiarelli - Drum
Programming (#3)
Lenny Castro - Percussion
(#1-5,7,8)
Arnold McCuller - Lead Vocals
(#5)
Yvonne Williams - Background
Vocals (#5)
Alfie Silas - Background
Vocals (#5)
Jeff Day - Lyrics (#5)
Tracks:
1. Rainy Season (4:48)
2. Sail South (5:11)
3. Walking On The Bridge
(4:18)
4. Crescendo (5:30)
5. She Prays To The Wind
(4:41)
6. Cherry Blossom (5:02)
7. Frontier (4:19)
8. Foot Steps (4:08)
9. Dawn Opener (5:29)
All Compositions by Keiko Matsui
Total Time: 43:30
Credits:
Producer - Kazu Matsui
Recording - Robert Biles,
Robert Chiarelli, Dennis Moody
Mixing - Robert Chiarelli
(#1-4,6,7,9), Craig Burbidge (#5,8)
Mastering - Teppei Kasai
Photography - Katsuhiro
Ichikawa
Art Director - Hidetake Awano
[Momogumi]
Cover Art - J.
Torrents Llado
