The Tak Matsumoto Group

TMG-1

By Jack Hsu
 

In 2003, artists ranging from singer Eric Martin (Mr. Big), legendary bassist Jack Blades (Damn Yankees), percussionist Brian Tichy (Slash’s Snakepit), Chris Frazier (Steve Vai) and Cindy Bachman (Lenny Kravitz), collaborated with Tak Matsumoto, forming TMG (Tak Matsumoto Group). Despite Matsumoto’s newcomer status – to American audiences at least – all these well-known artists working with him testify to his quality.

       Tak Matsumoto produces Japan’s biggest rock group B’z, as well as the playing guitar and writing the songs. Under his guidance, B’z has sold over 80 million records in their country alone. He creates an “east meets west” musical fusion, playing the blues, jazz, funk, metal and hard rock with a little Asian spice. TMG I, a great album of classic hard rock, updates the feel by combining Tak’s music with the great lyrics of Eric and Jack.

 “Oh Japan ～ Our Time Is Now” starts out with Japanese piano scales accompanied by synthesized drums and Linkin Park style vocals from Matsumoto. In the verse and the chorus, the guitar has a very heavy 80’s metal style. It ends with Matsumoto guitar solo mix of blues and oriental scales. The lyrics talks about Japan going global, a track obviously for Japanese audiences.

 “Everything Passes Away”, contain the most memorable lick. The intro, a plucked melody played on a Japanese Instrument called a “Koto” with a reverb effect, just adds that much more flavor and intensity to the track. The lyrics about how things go by really fast, matches the fast tempo of the song perfectly.

 “The Greatest Show On Earth” has the most Asian flavor on the album. The intro, fast Japanese melody played by an oriental instrument gives the track originality. Tak’s Asian scale guitar solo sounds very different compared to any western hard rock solos based on the blues. The lyrics call that TMG the greatest show on earth, and it could be true, considering all the star power in this band.

TMG I, which consists of all these famous collaborative members, is really just Matsumoto’s solo album because the sound is just so unique and different. A fusion of hard rock and oriental music it offering a sound that most have never heard. For hard rock fans that want to hear something different, this album is an unique experience.