Keiko Matsui - Doll (1994)

Tracklist

1 Bronze Casting 4:48
2 Moroccan Ashes 4:32
3 Doll 4:37
4 Water Lily 5:07
5 Voice Of The Heart 4:32
6 1942, From Russia 3:07
7 Postponed Summer 4:36
8 Eye Of The Moon 4:51
9 Funny Things 3:59
10 Sympathy 4:49
11 Water Lily (Reprise) 2:21
12 Doll (Reprise) 1:58
13 Morning Walk 4:19

This pop-jazz recording by Japanese pianist/keyboardist Keiko Matsui is actually better than many comparable contemporary jazz recordings. The melodies are catchy and charming but rather low-key, most of the pieces are quite atmospheric ("1942, From Russia" sounds like a piece from a Hollywood epic), and several unusual moods (for pop-jazz, that is) are explored. Matsui's piano playing is interesting and adds further substance to the music. The other musicians include various session players (Michael Landau, Lenny Castro, Eric Marienthal) and a few guests like Keiko's husband, shakuhachi player Kazu Matsui (who also produced), and singer Philip Bailey (who appears on one of the two vocal tracks).~ Christian Genzel