Arrival (LRC Music)
Kay-Ta
Released July 15, 2016
15th Independent Music Awards Winner Jazz Instrumental Album
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lTnq4XPYD4TSutJgbO5qyWi6o6152TWJ0
Spotify:
About:
Osaka (Japan) born guitarist Kay-Ta has supported/performed with artists ranging from pop/R&B artists like Grammy Winner Lalah Hathaway, Jenifer Hudson, Jody Watley, Amerie & Chante Moore; contemporary jazz artists like Jackiem Joyner, Keiko Matsui, & Michael Lington; to Jazz Fusion artists like Japanese drum prodigy, Senri Kawaguchi. Along with US artists, he worked/toured with top Japanese artists like Chikuzen Satoh, Junko Yagami, Marlene. His classical crossover group “Quattrosound” was nominated for a 2013 Latin Grammy Award in the Best New Artist category. His solo debut album “ARRIVAL” won the 2016 15th annual Independent Music Award in The Best Jazz Instrumental Album category, and it’s single “Synch With Me” ranked No.22 on Billboard Top Jazz Songs Chart.
Track Listing:
1. Gotta Bounce!! (Kay Ta Matsuno) 04:34
2. Secret Crush (Kay Ta Matsuno) 04:16
3. Call It Even (Kay Ta Matsuno) 04:59
4. Admiralty Way (Kay Ta Matsuno) 04:02
5. Insomnia Café (Kay Ta Matsuno) 05:00
6. Synch With Me (Kay Ta Matsuno) 04:46
7. Just Because (Kay Ta Matsuno) 03:35
8. Sweet Child O’ Mine (Axl Rose / Slash / Izzy Stradlin) 05:12
9. Karate Chopin (Frédéric Chopin) 03:19
10. One for Him (Kay Ta Matsuno) 05:00
11. Jacaranda (Kay Ta Matsuno) 03:42
Personnel:
Kay-Ta Matsuno: guitar
Recorded B2 Studios, Studio City, CA; I Am Music Studio, Van Nuys, CA; LCR Studio, Los Angeles, CA
Produced by Kay-Ta Matsuno (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7-11), Greg Manning (track 3) and Nicholas Cole (track 6)
Review:
Guitarist Kay-Ta Matsuno was born in Osaka, Japan, and moved to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music. He has since started a career as a session guitarist in Los Angeles. His debut album is a pretty slick affair, mostly groove-funk oriented: stylistically nothing remarkable. But it’s still noteworthy, due to Matsuno’s monster chops. We’re talking Mike Stern-level technique, outstanding in any company. The rhythm section is anchored by Darryl Williams (Bass) and Steven J. Robinson (Drums); special guests include saxophonist Jackiem Joyner, trumpeter Ilya Serov, and pianist Jonathan Fritzen. There’s an unexpected cover of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses, but Matsuno saves the biggest surprise for last. He plays the beautiful “Jacaranda” fingerstyle on acoustic guitar, joined only by violinist Leah Zegar (who also plays with Matsuno in the group Quattrosound). It’s a lovely way to end the album, as well a demonstration of the kind of range this guitarist is capable of.
Mark Sullivan (All About Jazz)
