OFF THE LOCK » Tak Matsumoto

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 his 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:

Tak in The Alfee’s Takamizawa new Solo Album

Lum — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:30:27 +0000

The Alfee's member Takamizawa Toshihiko will release his new solo album, Fantasia, on August 25th, and Tak is credited as guest musician.
Tracklist or other credits details aren't available yet, so stay tuned for further news

“TAKE YOUR PICK” USA/Europe Release Date & Support Members

Arthuro — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:41:05 +0000

Yes, you're reading this right. Larry Carlton's and Tak Matsumoto's "TAKE YOUR PICK" is going to be in stores in the United States and Europe on June 15th, 2010! A tour has yet to be announced for Europe, but we will keep our hopes up! There has been no word on pricing, by the way. However, the distributor for Europe is going to be in-akustik.

As for Japan's tour, the support members have been announced! Which means that from June 12th onwards, these fine people will be accompanying Tak and Larry during their tour:

Bass : Michael Rhodes
Drums : John Ferraro
Keybord : Billy Steinway

Larry Carlton & Tak Matsumoto “TAKE YOUR PICK” 6/2 OUT!!

Arthuro — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:13:11 +0000

This is what we've all been waiting for! Larry Carlton and Tak Matsumoto have announced today, that their collaboration album, "TAKE YOUR PICK", is going to be released in Japan on June 2nd, 2010. It's going retail at a price of 3,059 Yen (approx. $32 / 24€).

While this is a pretty hefty price tag for an album that doesn't contain additional content such as a DVD, I'm sure we'll all forget about the price once we get to listen to all 12 quality tracks, half of them arranged and written by Tak Matsumoto, half of them arranged and written by Larry Carlton. Seeing as how the album is evenly split among songs by Tak Matsumoto and Larry Carlton, "TAKE YOUR PICK" seems as fitting for such an album as a title will ever be. Die-hard fans would even say that this album is the compilation of the best music from the west, and the best music from the far east. Larry Carlton's style is pretty bluesy, too, and thus it was only a matter of time until these two great musicians met.

Taking a look at the cover of this album, it becomes clear that this is indeed a mixture of American music and Japanese music, illustrated by 2 guitar picks with their respective national flags on it. It has got a lot of meaning to it, if you closely analyze the cover. It is very simplistic and yet gets the message across. A lot of cover artists fail to do so nowadays.

The track listing, no doubt, reveals a very blues, jazz oriented album, that, I bet, does not fail to have the fan listen to the best of the best, when it comes to Larry Carlton's works as well as Tak Matsumoto's works.

Overseas fans, unfortunately, will probably have to wait a little longer to get their hands on this masterpiece as this press release by Larry Carlton & Tak Matsumoto does not illustrate whether the album will be internationally available, or not. Stay tuned for more news!

"TAKE YOUR PICK" Track listing:

01. JAZZY BULLETS
02. Nite Crawler 2010
03. THE WAY WE WERE
04. Islands of Japan
05. Neon Blue
06. Tokyo Night
07. hotalu
08. East West Stroll
09. Easy Mystery
10. ao
11. Take Your Pick
12. A girl from China

Tracks arranged and written by Larry Carlton: 02, 04, 05, 08, 09, 11
Tracks arranged and written by Tak Matsumoto: 01, 03, 06, 07, 10, 12

Price: 3,059 Yen

Tak and Koshi Solo Confirmed

Arthuro — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:08:36 +0000

As of today, it's completely official: Tak and Koshi have been working on solo projects.

Tak Matsumoto's Solo Project

As previously reported, Larry Carlton is working on a new album with Tak. According to B'z Official Website, the album is due for June 2010 along with a tour! And here's the thing, the album will probably be available internationally!

Koshi Inaba's Solo Project

Not so much is known about Koshi Inaba's solo project, not even a release date! However the song we reported about is called "Kono Te wo Totte Hashiri Dashite" (Take this hand and run), it will be the theme song for the renewed news show "NEWS 23X" on TBS. Tour has been planned, too.

Now, I know you all hate the small videos on the B'z website... well, I took the time and upsized them a bit... Look who's in the Koshi video! Shane and Stevie Salas! If anyone knows the other guy there, let me know in the comments!

Koshi Video:

Tak Video:

McSwain Guitar Tak Matsumoto Model

Arthuro — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 15:44:14 +0000

So, wow, I just spotted this on a Japanese blog. The guitar looks pretty amazing. It's named "TAK'S MACHINE #0005".
Well, if you look at the pictures, it's only obvious, that it's called "a machine".

Tak Matsumoto of B'z (one of the greatest Japanese rock bands in history) and Stephen met in March of 2009 in Los Angeles. Tak visited the shop and decided that he wanted to play McSwain guitars. He and McSwain designed a smaller version of the original McSwain body shape for the guitars Tak ordered. This is what is now affectionately referred to as the "McSwain Jr." Domo Arigato Tak-san!!!! See you in Tokyo!

Via: McSwain Guitars - Tak Matsumoto

Larry Carlton + Tak Matsumoto = New Album!

Arthuro — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 11:38:29 +0000

Apparently this has been around for some time, and it has not been officially announced yet, however, we do have a source to confirm it: WBA Entertainment Inc.

For those who don't know Larry Carlton, he's an American jazz fusion, pop, rock guitarist and a singer. Throughout his career he's earned 3 Grammy awards for his works.

And here's what they write in the announcement:

Larry Carlton & Tak Matsumoto

Recording a new album together in September 2009

Touring together in 2010 & 2011

Carlton's melodic yet aggressive approach to writing and playing on this CD blended with Tak's proven ability to write and perform Hit songs make for a unique Guitar experience. Drawing upon their knowledge and different music backgrounds Larry & Tak have forged Eastern and Western guitar styles to create a truly magical and unique album unlike any other. The best of East and West!
[...]

Source: http://www.wba-ent.com/LarryCarlton/ONESHEET_Larry_Carlton_and_Tak_Matsumoto.pdf

Now, in February 2010 Larry Carlton announced, that the projects with Robben Ford, with Keb Mo, with Tak Matsumoto and his album honoring Gamble & Huff’s Sounds of Philadelphia (T.S.O.P) are already completed or in their final stages of completion.

Press release here: http://www.wba-ent.com/Press/LC100218_Larry_Carlton_Fourplay_PressRelease.pdf

Last but not least, here's a performance by Larry Carlton: