So who the hell is TMG, Tak Matsumoto Group? If you are Japanese and read this I apologize for the ignorant question. Tak Matsumoto has built a huge following in Japan as songwriter, guitarist and producer of the Japanese rock band, B'Z, who have sold over 80 million units in Japan alone, making them Japan's biggest selling band in history.
TMG is a supergroup fronted by Tak and Night Ranger/Damn Yankees bassist Jack Blades and ex-Mr. Big vocalist
Eric Martin. Brian Tichy and Lenny Kravitz drummer Cindy Blackman both play drums on the album.
The result of this collaboration is simply one of the best Hard Rock releases of 2004. The album definitely spotlights Tak Matsumoto's abilities on the six-string. I am blown away by his playing which covers lots of styles. Bringing
Eric Martin's fantastic vocals to the table certainly up-lifts the album.
Eric Martin's vocals are like fine wine that keeps getting better over the years. His expressive vocal is made for guitar driven Hard Rock. TMG is triumphant return for
Eric Martin back to Heavy Rock after his mellow acoustic album and latest modern distorted pop solo album.
In March the album was first released in Japan followed by a successful Japan Tour - finally the time has come for Europeans to listen to this unique album. The album opens with
Oh Japan - Our Time Is Now, which cleverly is first single since it's the strongest track. Everything comes together in the perfect blend of
Eric Martin's powerful vocals solid backed by Tak Matsumoto's massive wall of sound.
Oh Japan - Our Time Is Now is definitely among the best songs of 2004 as well.
The album begins on a strong streak with the pumping
Everything Passes Away with sampled sound effects and great melodic lead from Tak, followed by the hard rocking
Kings For A Day.
I Wish You Were Here has an 80's attitude to it - I can easily imagine blasting this song out on a hot summer day in L.A. 1988.
The aforementioned songs are the highlights along with the groovy in your face rocker
Trapped.
Trapped is a lesson in well-played rock by skilled musicians. Martin's full vocals, Tak's inventive playing and gang vocals from Jack Blades on the chorus make this a highlight. Album closer
Never Good-bye closes the album on a very positive note, since it has captures a special emotion again helped by use of sound effects. The chorus is brilliant.
Tak doesn't forget his origin and uses Japanese inspired sound effects on
Oh, Japan - Our Time is Now,
I Know You By Heart and
The Greatest Show on earth. The touch of Japanese is perfectly mixed with modern Western Hard Rock.
All in all a great album with high quality songs and only tracks which nearby are to be labelled as a bit anonymous are
Signs Of Life and the bluesy
Red, White and Bullet Blues. The production is superb and Tak's guitar sound is sublime, which is manifested on
I Know You By Heart. The underlying axe from Tak creates a perfect atmosphere to the song.
So if you like your Hard Rock in your face with powerful vocals and a hard edged guitar TMG is the answer to your prayers.
Written by
Michael Saturday, December 4, 2004
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