OFF THE LOCK

Koshi Inaba ~en II~ Tour Setlist

Arthuro — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 15:40:08 +0000

Koshi Inaba's solo tour titled ~en II~ kicked off in Shizuoka today, and as usual, we have the setlist right here for you:

Note: The setlist will be the same if there are no updates on setlists from other venues.

Date: August 21, 2010
Venue: Ecopa Arena (Shizuoka)

01 Tamayura
02 My Mirai
03 The Morning Call
04 Okay
05 Eden
06 AKATSUKI
07 Nami
08 LOVE LETTER
09 Toumei Ningen
10 Akai Ito
11 Lone Pine
12 Kono Te wo Totte Hashiridashite
13 LOST
14 Wonderland
15 Tooku Made
16 CAGE FIGHT
17 Koyoi Kimi to
18 Zettai(teki)
19 Shoumen Shoutotsu

-ENCORE-

20 Hazumu Sekai
21 Itaike na Taiyou

Song while people were leaving: Hadou's secret track "Te wo Furou~" (Keep listening to "Itaike na Taiyou" until the very end)
Ending SE: Unannounced Song (Acoustic guitar ballad)

Message From Inaba About Hadou’s Release

Lum — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:51:47 +0000

Tomorrow, Inaba's solo album Hadou will finally be released, and as usual he left a message on B'z official site

After a long time, I'm releasing a solo album, "Hadou"....
Even if it's still Summer, please keep listening to it in Autumn and Winter.
That's because most of this work was made during Autumn and Winter.
I hope Hadou's sounds and words will reach you all...

ARIGATO☆Inaba Koshi

Hadou Samples Available

Arthuro — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:04:37 +0000

The samples for Koshi Inaba's latest solo album "Hadou" have been uploaded to B'z Official website. I recorded them all and put them into a video, however, as bitchy as YouTube is, it won't let me upload the video. So I uploaded it here instead. Check it out!

More information on Koshi Inaba's new album: Koshi Solo Album "Hadou" 08/18 Out!!

Larry And Tak Grooving At Tokyo Jazz Festival 2010

Arthuro — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:01:09 +0000

Having released TAKE YOUR PICK and toured throughout Japan, Larry Carlton and Tak Matsumoto are delighted to announce that they will be performing at the Tokyo Jazz Festival 2010. While it is the 3rd time for Larry Carlton(2006, 2008 and 2010) to perform at the Tokyo Jazz Festival, it's the first time ever that Tak Matsumoto gets the chance to perform on stage.

As a lot of fans weren't able to see Tak playing on stage due to the fact that Larry and Tak performed in small clubs and the amount of tickets was limited. Therefore, as we previously reported, additional live performances have been scheduled so that fans, who weren't able to enjoy the show, still get a chance to see Larry and Tak grooving the stage. In addition to that, fans get one more chance - at the Tokyo Jazz Festival 2010.

Larry Carlton says: "I'm delighted to be able to perform the songs that I've written and recorded with Tak one more time in Japan. In my past career I've had the chance to play at the Tokyo Jazz Festival numerous times. But this time, I'm going to be on stage with my friend Tak, performing our songs, and while watching the smiles in your faces, I hope you'll be able to enjoy the show as much as we do. It's going to be something very special, so please come see our show!"

Tak adds "I am happy that I can play again because sadly our "TAKE YOUR PICK" tour ended so abruptly. On top of that, getting the opportunity to play at the Tokyo Jazz Festival in my musical career is a great honor for me. I'm grateful from the bottom of my heart for this chance to experience and learn a lot of new things. Please enjoy our show!"

The Tokyo Jazz Festival was first held in 2002 and this year will be the 9th time it is held in Tokyo. The Tokyo Jazz Festival will be held from September 3rd, 2010 to September 5th, 2010 in the Tokyo Kokusai Forum Hall A. Larry Carlton and Tak Matsumoto will perform on September 4th, 2010.

Sources: Barks.jp, Tokyo Jazz Festival 2010

“Which B’z Single Do You Want to Hear During Summer” Survey

Lum — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:37:22 +0000

As you may know, Japanese love rankings and polls, and this time goo music site made a survey asking "Which B'z single do you want to hear during summer?".
This survey was held within a group of 1137 men and women who are between 10 and 60 years old. Here are the results!

1. Taiyou no Komachi Angel
2. ultra soul
3. Hadashi no Megami
4. Ai no Mama ni Wagamama ni Boku wa Kimi Dake wo Kizutsukenai
5. LADY NAVIGATION

“B’z SHOP-GYM” Campaign to Promote New DVD and Blu-Ray

Lum — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:55:05 +0000

B'z latest release "B'z LIVE-GYM 2010 "Ain't No Magic" at TOKYO DOME" on DVD and Blu-Ray has already topped the Oricon chart, and a massive advertising campaign has been launched.

This morning, two coloured pages featured B'z ads in the Asahi Shinbun (one of Japan's most renown newspapers), promoting this new release. Also, busses with ads on it could be seen on the streets.

Until August 1st, Tower Records music shops are hosting a corner called "B'z SHOP-GYM". Both DVD and Blu-Ray are offered with a 15% discount, and you can get a special commemorating seal (in 2 different colours, red and blue) and mini-uchiwas with tour's logo on it.
In some shops you can also see a scale model of the "flying stage" used during dome tour dates.

photo credit: Q-DICE

Message From B’z Concerning “Ain’t no Magic” DVD/BD Release

Arthuro — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:19:47 +0000

It's about time. Tomorrow, B'z LIVE-GYM 2010 "Ain't no Magic" will be officially released in stores in Japan. People who pre-ordered can even grab it already and enjoy it one day before official release. As usual, B'z releases messages directed at their fans one day before release.

Here's the message:

Finally the great Live-Gym is out on DVD! The good thing about this DVD is that no matter how many times you watch it, you'll enjoy it!
So feel free to...eagerly enjoy it.
- Koshi Inaba

Please have a look at these wonderful moments in which there are no magical tricks involved!
- Tak Matsumoto
　　　　　　　　　　　　

“TAKE YOUR PICK” Tour Setlist & Band Members

Arthuro — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:34:09 +0000

As I haven't posted the Setlist for the "TAKE YOUR PICK" tour yet, here it is.

01. Nite Crawler 2010
02. Islands Of Japan
03. THE WAY WE WERE
04. Tokyo Night
05. East West Stroll
06. Easy Mystery
07. hotalu
08. ao
09. Take Your Pick
10. Neon Blue
11. A girl from China
12. JAZZY BULLETS
-ENCORE-
13. Room 335
14. #1090[千夢一夜](#1090 [sen mu ichiya])

The Band

Guitar ： Larry Carlton
Guitar ： Tak Matsumoto
Bass ： Michael Rhodes
Drums ： John Ferraro
Key ： Billy Steinway

New Tak Matsumoto Signature Model “TAK MATSUMOTO DC KORINA”

Arthuro — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:24:32 +0000

Tak Matsumoto is at it again, releasing a new Gibson Signature Model, the "Tak Matsumoto DC Korina". Fans are very delighted to see the new lineup of the Double-Cutaway model, one of Tak's favorite guitars. The body is made out of korina wood, giving it that yellow'ish color.

The guitar will come in two flavors:
TAK MATSUMOTO DC KORINA ANTIQUE NATURAL (Price: 534,000 Yen / Approx. $5340)
TAK MATSUMOTO DC KORINA GOLDTOP DARK BACK (Price: 499,000 Yen / Approx. $4990)

These two models will go on sale on July 30th, 2010.

Here are the specs of this guitar:

TAK MATSUMOTO DC KORINA

Body & hardware
Korina back with Korina top, ABR-1 bridge & Stopbar tailpiece
Neck & Headstock
1 piece Korina neck, 22 fret rosewood fingerboard, Abalone inlays, TAK MATSUMOTO DC neck profile, Vintage
tulip tuners
Electronics
Burstbucker TAK MATSUMOTO Special Zebra (Exposed coil), 2 volumes, 1 tone, 3-way selector switch
Finish option
Antique Natural (V.O.S. finish and Aged gold hardware)
Gold top dark back (Gloss finish, Nickel hardware)

Larry Carlton & Tak Matsumoto To Do Additional Live Performances

Arthuro — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:31:38 +0000

Additional live performances have just been announced for Larry Carlton's & Tak Matsumoto's "TAKE YOUR PICK" tour in Japan.

September 1st - Zepp SAPPORO
September 2nd - Zepp SENDAI
September 6th - BLUE NOTE TOKYO
September 7th - BLUE NOTE TOKYO

And here's a little video of Larry and Tak performing together in Blue Note Tokyo: