Keiko Matsui’s 2013 Soul Quest album was particularly important to the Tokyo-born pianist, not only because it celebrated the 25th anniversary of her debut U.S. release but also because she made it following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan—which she experienced first-hand. Live in Tokyo, presented here on both audio CD and DVD, captures Matsui’s first return to her hometown since the tragedy, the finale of her 2014 tour. It reprises most of Soul Quest more or less faithfully, Matsui accompanied by her road band of guitarist JP Mourao, saxophonist Tom Braxton, Rico Belled on bass and Dave Karasony drumming. She’s also joined by guitarist Chuck Loeb, who produced half of Soul Quest, and tenor saxophonist Kirk Whalum, who played on it.

Keiko Matsui is an icon of Contemporary Jazz. With over 1.2 million units sold in the U.S. along and sold out appearances at concert halls across the world, she is one of the most recognized artists in the genre. Her elegant piano melodies and gentle jazz grooves have enormous appeal and never disappoint the loyal fan base which she has cultivated with over a dozen albums and hundreds of stunning live shows.
Keiko follows up 2012 s critically acclaimed production The Road with the brilliant new album Soul Quest without a doubt her most heartfelt release yet. The impressive list of special guests includes saxophone greats Kirk Whalum, Andy Snitzer (of Rolling Stones fame) and Dave Mann, hit making guitarist Chuck Loeb (Fourplay), superstar bassists Marcus Miller (Miles Davis) and Will Lee (of David Letterman fame), drummer and mega-producer Narada Michael Walden (Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston) and more.

After our 3-year-long and sensuous journey and love affair with the remarkable Soul Quest release and tour, our resident princess ofKeiko Matsui Journey CD contemporary jazz and World music, pianist/keyboardist/composer/visionary Keiko Matsui is back with – what else?—another guaranteed smash hit project called Journey to the Heart. Oh yes. Get ready for yet another colorful and soul-satisfying journey offered up by one who has never learned the meaning of the words “quit” or “mediocre.”

Shades of Deep Purple is the debut studio album by the English rock band Deep Purple, released in July 1968 on Tetragrammaton in the United States and in September 1968 on Parlophone in the United Kingdom. The band, initially called Roundabout, was the idea of former Searchers drummer Chris Curtis, who recruited Jon Lord and Ritchie Blackmore before leaving the project. The Mk. I line-up of the band was completed by vocalist/frontman Rod Evans, along with bassist Nick Simper and drummer Ian Paice, in March 1968.