INSOMNIAC SONG

ROCK

Tak Matsumoto

 

Real Name: Matsumoto Takahiro (松本 孝弘)

Date of Birth: March 27, 1961
Birthplace: Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Genre: Rock, Blues

Country: Japan

Years Active: 1988 -

Status: Active

Notable traits: Strong guitar driven grooves

Related bands: B'z

Recommended Songs: The Wings; Sukiyaki; Moon River; My Favorite Things

 

 

Tak Matsumoto is more than just the guitarist and lead composer of B’z. He’s also a Grammy Award winning producer, arranger, singer and songwriter. His career began as a session and supporting musician for artists like Mari Hamada, Tetsuya Komuro and TM Network. His first solo recording, Thousand Wave, was released in May 1988. It wasn’t long afterward that he began to look for a singer. Upon meeting Inaba Koshi, the pair formed B’z and debuted in September of 1988.

 

Being in a band didn’t hinder Tak’s musical growth. His style isn’t firmly set in any one genre with influences ranging from rock to blues and jazz.His first single, '88 ~ Love Story, was released in September 1991. The following year brought two more releases from Tak’s solo project, a single titled #1090 Thousand Dreams and an album titled Wanna Go Home. 1996 brought two albums, Rock'n Roll Standard Club and Thousand Wave Plus.

 

Band activities took up his time until 1999 brought the release of The Changing, a single in March. It was followed in April by his third album, Knockin' "T" Around. Another break was followed with a fourth and fifth album in February 2002, Dragon From The West and Hana. In 2003, Tak released two singles, Ihoujin and Imitation Gold as well as an album, The Hit Parade.

 

2004 was marked by an interesting project that featured some of Tak’s famous friends. Tak Matsumoto Group (TMG) was a supergroup consisting of Tak, Eric Martin, Jack Blades and Brian Tichy. The group released a single and an album as well as touring. The year wasn’t entirely filled with group activities. Tak also released his ninth album, House Of Strings. In 2005, his eleventh album, Theatre of Strings, was released in October.

 

There was another pause from Tak between 2006 and 2010. His solo comeback was marked with collaboration with Larry Carlton. Take Your Pick was released on June 2nd, 2010 to critical acclaim. The album won the award for Best Pop Instrumental Album at the 53rd Grammy Awards. Tak’s next release was a digital single, Live Life, in January 2012. He followed this release with his thirteenth album, Strings of My Soul in June.

 

The next release from the guitar legend will be New Horizon, set for an April 30th, 2014 release. He’s the most talented guitarist in Japan and possibly the rest of the world. The thing that really sets him apart is the way that he blends genres and takes an approach that most wouldn’t think of. For skillful, melodic instrumentals, give his solo career a try. If instrumentals aren’t your style, take a moment to listen to B’z. You won’t be disappointed either way.