NEW AGE - JAZZ

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Artist: Keiko Matsui Title: "Full Moon and Shrine" Label: Unity Reviewed By: Donn Jehs Rating:

Released in conjunction with her PBS specia,l many of you may have had the opportunity to hear some of the music on this album played in a unique forum, the shrine that inspired the title cut to the album. After the tremendous success of "Dreamwalker," it is hard to imagine Keiko topping it. This CD has certainly taken off on the charts although it is considerably different than its predecessor. More ethereal and classically oriented, "Full Moon and Shrine" captures the essence of spirituality in its music. From the opening cut "Night Hawk's Dream," with it's very oriental style, to "Meadow," with it's very European 'DeBussy' style, the album is a study in contrast - much like the artist herself. Keiko slips from jazz to classical with ease, and both forms are equally compelling. Dancing into your heart with "Steps Into The Night," the drums tattoo an infectious beat on your ears, while "Bonfire in the Piano" starts out like a small flame before erupting into a conflagration of smoldering passion. Percussion takes on a larger responsibility for carrying the magic on this album. Like spices enhance the flavor of a meal, so too does the varied percussion bring out the savoriness of these cuts. A little Latin touch seems to infuse "Southern Crossing," and "Legend of the Trees" is stately yet warm. "Full Moon and Shrine" is the most haunting piece, more mysterious in tone, with languid notes slipping off the piano one by one. Subtle vocal arrangements open "Spirit at the Corner," like voices in the back of your mind in that half-wakened state between dream and reality. They seem to make sense but you can't quite make them out. "Toward the Sunrise" tickles the ivories just as the sun's rays tease the predawn sky, getting a little brighter and more insistent as morning approaches. A little deeper in tone and more pensive is "Forever, Forever," with what sounds like crickets chirping in the background. Keeping crickets with their musical chirping is a common practice in Asian households. Keiko Matsui has once again proved that smooth jazz need not be "snooze" jazz with her inventiveness, magic fingers and most of all "spirit."

Keiko was kind enough to take a moment in the midst of her busy tour schedule to answer a few questions for AMZ, and her fans, in the interview below: AMZ: It was a pleasure seeing your special the other night. How did you feel playing your music surrounded by a shrine steeped in history? Keiko: That was a special night.  I could feel spiritual energy.  We chose the day of shooting at the highest ocean tide and the night of the full moon (this shrine is 1300 years old, and considered most beautiful in high tide when the moon is full).  I felt my music and the moon as I played the piano.  Kyogen dancer created the moment and I believe from the shrine or higher power...they were watching us. AMZ:  With your past album "Dreamwalk" having such a phenomenal success how do you see your new album doing compared to it. Keiko: The new album, "Full Moon And The Shrine," made it's debut at #2 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Charts and remains at #2 for 5 weeks in a row. I am very happy about this.  Also, I received many e-mails from people who recently saw my TV special or bought the new album.  Really nice response! So, maybe, through this new album, we could meet more & more friends! AMZ: Does having two musicians in the family help you write your music? Or do you prefer to work out your new music alone? Keiko: When I compose, I want to be alone.  I set a time, usually midnight after everybody is asleep.  I concentrate in front of the keyboard without playing, I wait to hear something. Sometimes melody comes to me, then I write it down.   So, before I discuss with Kazu about selecting tunes for the album (Kazu produces my albums), I come up with more than 100 motifs (ideas, melodies).  We then select the best 10 songs from that.  Often, sometimes during sailing in the night, melodies come to me.  Sometimes in my dreams, sometimes during the airplane trips from Tokyo to L.A. AMZ: Your new album seems much more influenced by Eastern music. Where did the inspiration for pieces like "Night Hawk's Dream" and "Full Moon And The Shrine" come from? Keiko: It was not so intentional, but the album project started with the tune "Full Moon And The Shrine," which was composed for the opening theme for my TV special.  We decided to feature Japanese Kyogen dancer for this tune from the beginning.  You might find qualities of native spirits of Japan.  The image for the song is the full moon, ocean, high tide, spirits of the shrine, time and history.  It's almost like air, and might not be so obvious musically. The idea for "Night Hawk's Dream" came from a great Japanese writer, Kenji Miyazawa.  He wrote literature called "Night Hawk's Star" which I like very much.  So I named the song like this. AMZ: You take such joy in your children. Have any of your songs been particularly inspired by them? What do they think of Mom & Dad the musicians? Keiko: From this album, I can say "Forever, Forever." Our younger daughter, Mako, is now 2 years old.  Sometimes she says to me,"Mom, forever, forever, I love you so much."  It's so cute!  I wanted to put something on this new album for her to remember.  She is growing up so quickly.  She remembers all the melodies and sings with my playing.  My older daughter, Maya, is ten years old.  She toured with us when she was a little girl.  Both girls are enjoying our music and concerts.  When Mako watches the video of my show she says, "This is music Mom!  Next to me is home Mom." AMZ: When you appeared here in Tampa last year in concert, during one of your numbers you strapped on the keyboard and played. Have you ever had any desire to play some harder, faster music - maybe a little rock and roll? Keiko: I'm enjoying what I'm doing.  Sometimes,  for the encore, I play Blues using the shoulder keyboard. AMZ: Does being the #1 female jazz musician put pressure on you as a role model? Keiko: No.  However....sounds really great!  When I play for the concert or am recording, I pray and concentrate to the music, create from my heart. AMZ: You were able to utilize your classical training to great effect on Kazu's latest project, "Tribal Mozart."  Would you consider doing a classical album or working with a symphony orchestra to produce an album? Keiko: Thank you!  I enjoyed "Tribal Mozart"  project a lot.   I'm interested in a symphony orchestra but not right now.  I had two concerts playing with United States Air Force Orchestra in Washington, DC.  I played five songs of my composition with the orchestra.  This was great.  So, maybe in future, on special projects, etc. AMZ:  Is there a particular song that you are most proud of, or which carries more meaning than the others? Keiko: Every album and songs are like my own child.  Every newborn is very special,  so it is hard to say. AMZ: Are you going to continue making the "breast cancer awareness" message part of your new tour? Keiko: We are not doing much this time.  However, I'd like to consider creating more Breast Cancer awareness among women.  I met so many ladies doing the last tour who were involved with this disease.  So, I'll keep praying through my music. Thank you for your time..... and for your music Keiko!

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