01. Dream Seeker [05:48]
02. Black Lion [04:02]
03. Top Secret [05:47]
04. A Night With Cha Cha [05:30]
05. Moving Mountain [02:56]
06. Antarctica--A Call To Action [05:51]
07. Soul Quest [04:12]
08. Proof [05:01]
09. Two Hearts [05:49]
10. Stingo [04:33]

Musicians:
Keiko Matsui - vocals
Eric Baines - bass
Grecco Buratto - guitar 
Giulio Carmassi - trumpet
Brian Dunne - drums
Will Lee - bass
Chuck Loeb - guitars, keyboards
David Mann - flute, horn arrangements, saxophone
Derek Nakamoto - drums, keyboards, loop programming
Fernando Saunders - bass
Andy Snitzer - sax (soprano)
Cameron Stone - cello
Narada Michael Walden - drums, programming, vocals
Kirk Whalum - sax (tenor)

Soul Quest marks pianist Keiko Matsui's 25th recording anniversary. Since the very beginning, her crystalline piano and accessible yet harmonically rich compositions have been mainstays, not only on the smooth and contemporary jazz scenes, but also on the charts. She enlisted an all-star studio group to assist her on these ten tunes, nine of which she wrote or co-wrote. Most tracks were produced either by Fourplay guitarist Chuck Loeb (who contributes one tune, co-wrote several others, and plays on the set) or Narada Michael Walden (who also plays drums selectively and co-wrote the album's closer). Other contributors include Will Lee, Marcus Miller, Fernando Saunders, Kirk Whalum, David Mann, Andy Snitzer, and Brian Dunne, to name a few. The charting single "Black Lion," with its breezy acoustic guitar line from from Grecco Buratto and some tasty loops and percussion programming from Derek Nakamoto, is a clear standout, as is "A Night with Cha Cha," with Loeb, Lee, and Dunne. Matsui's piano uses the familiar Latin form as a jumping-off point for improvisation. Her composition weaves an intricate melody line for her piano and Whalum's tenor saxophone with a couple of dramatic changes in the bridge. "Antarctica: A Call to Action" walks a hazy line between contemporary jazz, classical crossover, and even rock, with stellar solos from Whalum on both tenor and soprano, a punchy gatekeeper bassline by Miller, elegant and sometimes thunderous drumming by Walden, and atmospheric guitar from Matthew Charles Heulitt. Matsui uses her piano and other keyboards to direct its many parts like a mini-suite The title track is a tango-inspired jazz ballad with Matsui interacting dreamily with Cameron Stone's cello over the first half, but Eric Baines' bassline and Nakamoto's funky synth and programming offer a tempo and color shift that Matsui builds upon, exchanging fours with all her players. Set-closer "Stingo," written by the pianist and Walden, is her tribute to Sting. Matsui's precise ostinati and arpeggios are pushed by Walden's aggressive kit work and programming, with colorful textures added by Jimi Reitzel's keyboards. There is a cinematic quality to the breezy and labyrinthine elegance of her improvising against a pronounced rhythmic attack. Soul Quest's greatest achievement lies in its diversity, and in the way Matsui applies her imagination as a composer, improviser, and arranger. It ranks with her finest work. ---Thom Jurek, Rovi

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01. Steps of Maya (5:45)
02. Venus of the Sea (4:27)          play
03. Moon Circle (4:51)
04. Prism (4:57)
05. The Next Plateau (5:20)
06. Messenger (5:14)
07. Deity in the Silence (4:08)
08. The Ring (5:55)                  play
09. White Owl (4:46)
10. Precious Time (3:48)

Alberto de Almar - Flamenco Guitar
Keiko Matsui - Composer, Piano, Shakuhachi
Derek Nakamoto - Arranger, Bass, Engineer, Percussion, Programming, Synthesizer
Takahiro Natori - Piano Tuner

For those who like a little mysticism and classical influence in their smooth jazz, Japanese-born composer and keyboardist Keiko Matsui has long been the ticket. She was Billboard's number one Independent Contemporary Jazz Artist in 1997 and is the top New Adult Contemporary female instrumentalist of her time. In the early days (she's up to 14 albums now), Matsui did it with a mix of thunderous film score-like sweeps, elegant and jazzy piano command, and a guest sax solo here and there to score some radio hits. On The Ring, she continues her recent trend of all those same elements and gorgeous melodies without concern for pop airplay considerations. Her producer/husband Kazu Matsui provides some trip-hoppy rhythmic foundations behind the gently hypnotic opening track ("Steps of Maya," inspired by Mayan culture and also a tribute to the Matsuis' daughter Maya), but the tune is mostly meditational until it breaks for a lush, experimental solo in the middle. The piano motif of "Venus of the Sea" works well as a catchy hook, and the tune falls somewhere between the esoteric and pure pop, with tighter, gentle funk rhythms, nature sounds, and a jazzy ambience. Alberto de Almar's graceful flamenco guitar helps introduce and provide harmony for the pure atmospheres of "Moon Circle," while "Prism" gets back in the groove for one of the disc's most exotic trips -- including a rising synth brass section and multiple synth sounds and dramatic use of the keyboard's lower scales. The title track gets away from the clever blends of melody, rhythm, and special effects for a more straightforward, film score-like presentation. "White Owl" takes the same idea to its dramatic orchestral limit. Matsui's goal here was to create music for healing amidst a chaotic world, but she does more than soothe the soul as she continues to follow her muse to unexpected places. ---Jonathan Widran, Rovi

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1. Secret Pond (5:01)
2. Falcon's Wing (4:47)
3. Nguea Wonja (4:06)                       play
4. Bohemian Concerto (5:20)
5. Embrace & Surrender (4:46)
6. Awakening [feat. Kirk Whalum] (5:29)
7. Touching Peace (4:46)
8. Affirmation [feat. Kirk Whalum] (6:00)
9. The Road? [feat. Jackiem Joyner] (4:28)  play

Keiko Matsui: acoustic piano; 
Vinnie Colauta: drums (1, 5, 6, 8); 
Reggie Hamilton: bass (1, 5, 6, 8); 
Heigo Yokouchi: arrangement, programming, synthesizers (1) 
Maurcio Zottarelli: drums (2, 3, 7); 
Richard Bona: arrangement, bass, guitar, vocals, percussion (2, 3, 7); 
MB Gordy: drums, percussion (4), 
Eric Baines: bass (4, 9); 
Frank Marocco: accordion (4); 
Alberto De Almar: flamenco guitar (4); 
Peter Kent: violin (4); 
Sharon Jackson: violin (4); 
Cameron Stowe: cello (4); 
Gary Stockdale: arrangement; 
James Hara: guitar (5, 6, 8); 
Derek Nakamoto: arrangement, Hammond B3, synthesizers (5, 6, 8, 9); 
Kirk Whalum: saxophone (6, 8); 
Satnam Ragotra: percussion (6, 8, 9); 
Chad Wright: drums (9); 
Kay-Ta Matsuno: guitar, dulcimer; 
Jackiem Joyner: saxophone (9).

“Keiko Matsui is beyond category,” states Danny Weiss, VP of Jazz A&R for Shanachie Entertainment. “She is a great jazz player, of course, but her music has such strong classical, world and new age influences that the result is truly unique. But it is in her compositions that Keiko’s genius outshines all others – her amazing melodies are simply breathtaking!”

The Road… is Keiko Matsui’s first new recording in four years and a follow-up to her acclaimed 2007 South African inspired Moyo, which features Hugh Masakela among others. “It is unusual for me to have such a long space between my albums so when I started recording this CD it was like a miracle,” says Keiko. “It is also the first time that I invited my band members from the road who have been going through my survival tour!” The Road… is a riveting collection of timeless, passionate, cathartic, emotional and exotic melodies, lush harmonies and global rhythms. “I have been constantly on the go touring and supporting my family,” shares the strikingly beautiful and introspective single mother of two. “When I started this project I spent a lot of time reflecting on the soul and where it comes from. I am on a new journey and have come this far and I still find that this life is wonderful…even the challenges create a beautiful tapestry and the road continues…” Keiko’s soul searching includes the ethereal shape-shifting title track, which exemplifies her ability and brings to mind some of the brilliance heard in great cinematic scores.

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01. Whisper from the Mirror
02. Invisible Wing
03. Tears of the Ocean
04. Between the Moons
05. Beyond the Light
06. Torches on the Earth
07. Dimensions
08. Sacanna, No Problem
09. Midnight Stone
10. See You There
11. Ever After (Four Hand Piano With Bob James)

Piano – Keiko Matsui, Bob James (tracks: 11)
Programmed By – Derek Nakamoto
Shakuhachi – Kazu Matsui
Synthesizer – Derek Nakamoto

Keiko Matsui is usually classified as a jazz musician, which tends to mean that she doesn't get very good reviews, since she is reviewed by jazz critics, while her music actually is best described as a hybrid consisting of equal parts pop, jazz, and new age. Matsui can be an impressive keyboard soloist at times, but her recordings consist of textured tracks that find her featured playing set within a soundscape characterized by synthesized drums and strings. Whisper From the Mirror, her 11th album, is typical of her work, consisting of a series of four- and five-minute instrumental pieces full of shimmering, sustained sounds that pillow Matsui's delicate single-note runs and stately chord patterns. Derek Nakamoto's arrangements are occasionally stirring, but never frantic, and usually they emphasize flow over rhythm, just as the keyboardist shows more interest in sustaining moods than demonstrating her chops, even when she concludes the album with a four-handed piano duet with Bob James. It may be time to think about re-classifying Keiko Matsui from "jazz" to "new age," or even just putting her in a classification by herself. In the meantime, Whisper From the Mirror is another in a series of enjoyable recordings. --- William Ruhlmann, Rovi

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