Customer Reviews

Ring

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Some artists continue to repeat themselves for a lifetime, many others simply burn out after two or three albums. What I hear in Keiko Matsui seems kind of rare in contemporary music. This new release is a case in point. Still somewhat based on the tribal rhythms of DEEP BLUE, it also has a much jazzier sound in many selections, such as Venus of the Sea, Prism and Messenger. But it is not exactly the same jazzy sound you would have heard in her great SAPPHIRE album either. What you will hear is one of the most unique talents in contemporary instrumental music, who is still evolving musically. As much Keiko as ever, but with as with nearly all of her albums, some new twists as well. Did I say new? Well yes, but based on some wonderful influences. The addition of flamenco guitarist Alberto De Almar created nearly the effect of an updated duet between Antonio Carlos Jobim and say, Henry Mancini on Messenger. There is a subtlety in this CD that is not unlike the Bosa Nova of the 1960's.

What ultimately matters however is that this is another terrific CD release from Keiko Matsui who users her heart, mind and hands to create another gem. Credit also to Derek Nakamoto, who again made the colorful arrangements and Kazu Matsui who produces what I would term the "un-cola" in the NAC field. Just way cool. Hip as well.

Anyone who initially read this review would know that "The Ring" was given 2 stars by yours truly. To set the record straight, I gave this CD more time in the player to see if my initial inclination was right on. I was wrong. "The Ring" has turned out to be one of the best CD's of Keiko's collection. For those of you (like me) who associated Keiko's music with saxophones and straight jazz rythms, this new Cd may well be recieved as a disappointment. GIVE IT TIME! Starting on track one, using 3 or 4 basic notes, she weaves those notes into a cacaphony of rythms and melodies that will sweep you into the following 9 tracks. My personal favorite tracks are #1, #2, certified radio hit,Venus of the Sea, which should be copied by Segio Mendes, great back beat, to #4, funky, awsome pauses, great piano riffs, and HORNS!, #5 earnest piano, heart rendering melody, #6 "Messenger" certified hit, better than "White Gate", should be a top 10 hit easily, #7 pure piano, great samba rythms, violin back up, I'd love to hear track 7 with the BSO or Navy Band Orchestra as a back up, and #10, which reminds me a lot of #5. You can have tracks 3 and 8. Not my cup of Ginseng. This CD really does take us on an auditory adventure. I must admit,I had given up on Ms. Matsui and her highly disappointing transition from smooth jazz to quiet piano, but this Cd shows that she is moving back in the right direction. I must admit I still miss the jazzy percussions and Paul Taylor-esque style of horns that made her such a success in this country, but change is difficult, and if dealt with appropriately, can be rewarding. In summary, buy it and give it a chance. You won't be disappointed.

Of three favorite Keiko CDs (Wildflower, Deep Blue and The Ring)
The Ring is the most consistently "romantic," while Wildflower uses electronica best; and Deep Blue stands between them. I would like to give all potential buyers of Keiko CDs some advice I wish someone had given to me: If you want to hear Keiko Matsui at her best; that is, without a lot of distracting vocals and too-smooth saxaphone solos that make you cringe; then, in general, be wary about buying any of her work on the "Shout" label, and buy only from her work on the "Narada" label. Now---let's not forget Whisper From The Mirror: Matsui's most magically magnificent music, with superlative use of bass...Whisper From The Mirror is
a MIGHTY FINE CD.

I am fairly new to Keiko Mutsui and her music, and have enjoyed all I have heard. As with all of her albums that I have heard so far, this is a collect of instrumental pieces with a theme that seems to revolve around Nature or cultures that are linked to nature. I guess this album falls in to the smooth jazz category, but the content runs from Modern to New Age to Fusion. Her use of percussion and flamenco guitar to compliment and counter point the piano made me stop and listen to some tracks a second time immediately. I found the enhancement useful with information and adds a kind of intimacy. I am now looking forward to seeing Keiko in a live performance.

I had been looking for something just to relax me. Found this today and fell in love with the first track. It is very relaxing to me. I knew I found what I needed. The whole CD is awesome.

As a Keiko Matsui admirer I welcomed her latest album. I was not disappointed. At times her albums seem to sound a bit the same, but there is always a difference - vive la diffe'rence!! She is an extraordinary talent, both at composition and at executing her compositions. Her piano playing is unsurpassed - near phenomenal. This is called a jazz album, but it fluctuates between jazz, new age and occasionally has a near classical ring.Listening to her piano playing is an awsome experience.

If you like jazz piano, or classical piano this
would be a CD to add to your collection. It has
great music, and all tracks are fun to listen to.
I'm not sure if I would classify it as a jazz album,
it sounds more like New Age. Anyway, this CD
stands out more then most New Age music I've heard.

Let me get the feedback ball rolling by posting a first review Keiko Matsui's latest work. As you have probably deducted from the rating I am supplying, I don't particularly like this album. Just like Deep Blue, it's what other fans politely call "introvert and brooding". Maybe it marks her "mature sound" or whatever the critics may call it, but there is certainly no ethereal lightness and out-worldly, melodic inspiration which her older albums ooze with. Instead, you're going to find darker, moody and more and more abstract passageworks, and explorations into emotions as ethereal as thoughts about the eventual mortality of all.

If you liked Whisper From The Mirror (my personal favorite of hers), you won't like The Ring. If you bought Deep Blue, chances are, you probably will end up buying The Ring as well. Perhaps there is nothing wrong with this record as such, and, speaking in critics' parlance again, it would "represent a solid body of work" from any other artist, but we're talking about KEIKO here. She could do much better.

I really like this album better than deep blue. My favourite is definitely "Messenger" although "White Owl" is really good as well. Composition like "Messenger" really what I call smooth jazz. Other songs in this album are beautiful but not as good as my favourite one.

Keiko is fantastic. This album just adds to her triumphs in the music business.I have most of her albums and every one is better then the last. I wish Keiko a long and successful life and career