TAK MATSUMOTO GROUP is back with their second album after 2 decades of their first opus, and it’s the right opportunity to revisit that very recommended debut CD: “TMG I“.
Tak Matsumoto is one of the most famous Rock guitar virtuosos in Japan. He was leader of a popular band called B’z that sold nearly 60 million albums in Japan. He became so popular Gibson guitars made him their first Asian signature guitar player.
During several years Matsumoto planned to create a band in a U.S. hard rock style, melodic, with a classic ’80s sound & feel but also adding a special ‘Asian touch’. For that matter, he was looking an American singer – enter Mr. Big’s Eric Martin, a vocalist / musician hugely popular in Japan.
Then Jack Blades (Night Ranger, Damn Yankees) joined on bass / vocals, but also songwriting, providing that American sheen to the songs. With stupendous Brian Tichy (Ozzy Osbourne, Foreigner) handling the drums, “TMG I” was recorded in California, released by Frontiers Music in 2004 and of course in Asia. A successful 3-month tour followed.
From the opening track, you can tell this recording will be of the utmost quality. All the musicians on the disc are well trained and highly experienced. I cannot stress how amazing Martin sounds on this album, providing a spectacular range and timbre.
Jack Blades’ backing / harmony vocals and bass-guitar lines are well known, while the drum duties split between Tichy and Cindy Blackman (Lenny Kravitz) drop a granite foundation. The production is super-slick and is full of all the bells and whistles that an album in this genre needs.
“Oh Japan ~Our Time Is Now~” is the opener starting with some record scratches during the intro. There is also some Japanese rapping before the real vocals come in. Martin sounds great and Matsumoto absolutely shreds on guitar. This track was used as the theme song to TV Asahi’s sport programs.
Next track “Everything Passes Away” has some more amazing guitar work and a great melody that is quite infectious. The influence of traditional Japanese music is evident on many tracks and this is no exception. Clear influence is in the keyboard intro which is reminiscent of a shamisen.
Several other heavily influenced parts are present on the album including the intro to “The Greatest Show on Earth” which almost enters J-Pop territory in its infectious happiness. It’s really cool to hear classic ’80s melodic hard with a twist.
“Red, White and Bullet Blues” slows things down and throws in some rectified blues standards for good measure. Lyrically, Martin is protesting America’s gun culture. It is to be noted that Martin & Blades wrote all the lyrics for the album and Matsumoto focused solely on the music. It pays off with some spectacular tracks and guitar wizardry.
“Wonderland” comes as a straight up rocking track, more modern, still quite catchy and up beat. “Never Good-bye” is an excellent closer. A sort of triumphant ending march with an extra kick. Martin shine again on this track when he bangs out some high notes and nails the chorus well. Matsumoto once again proves his technical prowess on the guitar. What an amazing player! It’s surprising he hasn’t formed a prog band and broken out internationally.
“TMG I” is a really good slice of ’80s influenced American hard rock with an extra Japanese spice that propels the music further, refreshing and always interesting and entertaining. Vocals are excellent, and the guitar work kills.
Highly Recommended
01 – Oh Japan ~Our Time Is Now~
02 – Everything Passes Away
03 – Kings For A Day
04 – I Know You By Heart
05 – I Wish You Were Here
06 – The Greatest Show On Earth
07 – Signs Of Life
08 – Red, White & Bullet Blues
09 – Trapped
10 – My Alibi
11 – Wonderland
12 – Train, Train
13 – Two Of A Kind
14 – Never Good-Bye
Eric Martin (Mr. Big) – lead vocals
Jack Blades (Night Ranger, Damn Yankees) – Bass, backing vocals
Brian Tichy (Ozzy Osbourne, Foreigner) – drums
Cindy Blackma (Lenny Kravitz) – additional drums
Tak Matsumoto (B’z) – Guitars