Customer Reviews

Deep Blue

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One of the main reasons why I became a Keiko Matsui fan was her ability to create a "new and inovative" sound. With the release of her latest, "Deep Blue", she does NOT disappoint!

Personally, for all of her works that I own, this CD seems to embody her most spirtually and artistically moving tracks ever! Although Keiko's been making "hits" since the mid-80's that I know about, it's just now that she's hitting her commercial strides and that's exciting. Blending her Eastern mysticism together with soulful and heartfelt melodies, she'll continue to climb the charts and repeat as female artist of the year as she did in 2000!

I haven't yet decided which is my favorite track on this CD, but I've listened to "Across The Sun" about 100 times already, with the title track, "Deep Blue", running a close second.

Personally, if you're looking for rest and relaxation from you music sources, stop here and take a listen. If you're looking for the continued growth of this Japanese composer/keyboardist, Keiko Matsui....you'll find it in this CD! Make this one a part of your collection!

I was relieved when Keiko Matsui finally began to move away from her chosen light jazz sound on Whisper From the Mirror. I am a big fan of electronic/space music (and that category of "New Age" music) so I really enjoyed Whisper. But ultimately it is Matsui's incredible, sensitive, subtly adventurous piano playing that is her distinctive quality --in WHATEVER genre you want to "pigeon-hole" her-- and is what drew me to her music. I know the light jazz sound that has characterized most of her albums has commercial appeal, and her catchy melodies are still far more distinctive than most anything by, say, David Sanborn and the like, but given the SPIRITUAL quality of her piano playing (quite evident by the way on her husband Kazu Matsui's album, Tribal Mozart) I continue to long for a solo album by Keiko Matsui, such as the legendary ones by Keith Jarrett. Until then, Deep Blue gives us an indication of what that might be like--and of the serious jazz Ms. Matsui is capable of.

Keiko Matsui's music does not truly fit under the label of jazz -- it would be more appropriately labled new age. While there are hints of jazz influence in her work, and if you really stretched it you could call it a mix of fusion and smooth jazz, it still has much more in common with new age. This, however, does not diminish the fact that her music is still entertaining and worth your while.

While each track can stand on it's own and be very listenable, when put together one after another they seem somewhat repetitive. Thus, this CD is best used as background music. Several of the melodies are very memorable and you can hum them for days after listening, while others just fade from memory immediately after. Notable tracks for me are "Deep Blue", "Across The Sun", and "Mystic Dance."

Don't misunderstand however, I do like this CD -- it's great mood music, and the above tracks stand out more than most new age I've heard. The recording quality is wonderful, the album art is fitting, and there aren't any exceptionally bad tracks. It's just been mislabled as jazz, and some tracks sound a little too much like the others on the disc, which is something of a shame. If there were some more variety this CD could have really shone -- as it stands, it's an above-average new age CD that is still worth a listen.

This was my first CD of Keiko Matsui, happen that a music store I went in was playing it. I am not much of a Jazz fan, and so I was surprised that this was listed in the Jazz section. My wife loves to play the piano and listens to many piano artists, we both were amazed with the CD. I think we were both amazed that we had never heard of this artist, we have since bought more CDs of Keiko. I use New Age music to drown out noise at where I work so I am more familiar with it, but this goes beyond. Most of the sounds are not synthetic, Keiko likes to use a lot of piano and natural sounding instruments from what I can tell. Also a hint of Asian rythm, simple but melodic. A lot of her songs have an almost spiritual tone to them but it is not overly done. I think it would be hard to place this artist in a single genre, she covers many of them wonderfully. I look forward to new releases from her!!!

Deep Blue is another outstanding CD which features Keiko at her best. Keiko's piano playing with Kazu's shakuhachi flute and Derek's synthesizer truly enhances the subtle beauty of each musical note. There have been many reviews in which criticizes Keiko for not sticking to jazz. The new direction she takes with her music to me is very unique and bold. Keiko's uniqueness in her music and message is what makes her such a truly gifted and talented artist. Deep Blue is another addition to her collection of treasures. The beauty and message of Deep Blue is really impressive.

I have heard the name Keiko Matsui for about 3 or 4 years, but never have I owned any of her CD's... Until now. I now have "Deep Blue". And what a pleasant surprise!!!

I have never heard such passion, such feeling, and such emotion in any other CD I have owned. It has moved me beyond all comprehension. I can honestly say I have felt her gift of expression in her music. She is a very talented Musician and was very pleased to see that she has played with another one of my favorites... Bob James!!!

All the tracks are well rounded, some more than others seem to linger and seduce the senses. Yes, even some tracks haunt me after listening to them... Haunting, not in a bad way but in the sense that they are there churning and still touching my soul, tingling my heart and burning a lasting memory of a true gifted individual. I seem to lose my own thoughts and feel exactly what Keiko is trying to convey in her compositions. Moving and emotional are terms that come to mind while listening, and yet there is more to listening to her melodies, I can not begin to express myself at this time... something very spiritual and soothing, soothing to the mind as well as the soul. Her emotion she expresses is something that calms and entices at the same time. Every listen continues to get better and entices all the senses.

It is a tasteful blend of Eastern and Western Jazz, New Age, and Classical. Blending melodies with compassion and emotion. Worth a listen... but not just with your ears... but your very heart and soul.

Waiting for more...

The content of Ms. Matsui's latest effort does not live up to the title, "Deep Blue". As a devotee of one of Japan's greatest musical exports, I found many of the tracks disapointingly TOO SIMILIAR (SAME HOOKS) found in her earlier CD's, sans woodwinds. On the positive side, there were 2 fresh, lively tracks-(tracks 3 and 8) that make the purchase of this CD justifiable. In this writers' humble opinion, Keiko should get kudos and heavy airplay for the two certified winners, and a slap on the wrist for copying some of her earlier hooks that have been incorporated into many of the other songs offered on this CD. If you are looking for "Dreamwalk" style, hit after hit, smooth jazz, you will get beautiful piano playing in its place. The great thing about Keiko Matsui is that even her "3 star" CD's are superior to pretty much anything else out there in the same ilk. Buy it and enjoy it. There's nothing wrong with a little dejavu once and awhile.

I have almost all of Keiko Matsui's cds but this one tops all of them. The quality of her composing and her playing are excellent. While many artists produce albums where each song sounds like the other, Keiko has the unique talent of making each song a masterpiece unto itself. I highly recommend this one by her.

I like this album. It is more to her core style represented best by her 'Dream Walk' album. I would definitely NOT label Mitsui's music as jazz or new age or anything, it is not. IMHO Mitsui has her own style all by herself. One very unique quality of hers is that I can listen to hers album repeatedly without getting bored or fatigue.

I do think a subwoofer or speakers with excellent low ends are required to bring out the full scale the her music.

I own 7 of Keiko's albums, including the classic Dream Walk and Sapphire albums (which I've practically worn out), but this is the one I keep coming back to time and again. It's my new all time favorite -- every single track is so enjoyable!