Unfortunately, it's not everyday that I get a CD from an artist that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can't force myself to get through. Not at all the case with Piano. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.
The nice thing about a CD like this is with this level of talent even if Smooth Jazz isn't your favorite genre you still can't help but appreciate the greatness of the artist.
Refreshingly, this was one of those CDs I was able to just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.
Smooth Jazz music fans will recognize some of the well known guests that have been assembled to play along with Matsui on several of the tracks. Artists like Derek Nakamoto just to name a couple.
If you're a Keiko Matsui fan this is a CD your collection flat cannot be without. In fact, this is one of those CDs that you don't even have to be a fan of Matsui, or even Smooth Jazz to know is good. It's just good music. Period.
Listen and I think you'll agree that the song choices are excellent, the production is outstanding and Keiko Matsui is clearly in top form.
While this entire CD is outstanding some of my favorites are track 1 - Presence Of The Moon, track 3 - Whisper From The Mirror, and track 5 - Light Above The Trees
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 10 - See You There. This is a great track!
Piano Release Notes:
Keiko Matsui originally released Piano on May 6, 2003 on the Sony Wonder label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Presence Of The Moon 2. Water Lily 3. Whisper From The Mirror 4. Between The Moons 5. Light Above The Trees 6. Doll 7. Beyond The Light 8. Trees 9. Forever, Forever 10. See You There 11. Dawn 12. Distance 13. Be With Me
Personnel: Keiko Matsui (piano); Derek Nakamoto (programming). Recorded at Power House Studio, Tokyo, Japan.
Clyde Lee Dennis does music reviews for Los Angeles Smooth Jazz Radio and also contributes to the stations news website Los Angeles eNewsBriefs where you'll find the latest Los Angeles Zoo news and information