This pop-jazz recording by Japanese pianist/keyboardist
Keiko Matsui is actually better than many comparable contemporary jazz recordings. The melodies are catchy and charming but rather low-key, most of the pieces are quite atmospheric ("1942, From Russia" sounds like a piece from a Hollywood epic), and several unusual moods (for pop-jazz, that is) are explored.
Matsui's piano playing is interesting and adds further substance to the music. The other musicians include various session players (
Michael Landau,
Lenny Castro,
Eric Marienthal) and a few guests like
Keiko's husband, shakuhachi player
Kazu Matsui (who also produced), and singer
Philip Bailey (who appears on one of the two vocal tracks). [The Japanese edition includes three bonus tracks: solo acoustic piano renditions of "Water Lily," "Doll," and "Morning Walk," which, while not particularly essential, offer a different, moodier approach to the music.] ~ Christian Genzel