In 2004, Tak formed the “Tak Matsumoto Group” with Eric Martin on vocal, Jack Blades on bass, and Brian Tichy on drums, forging ahead with his own brand of musical genius. Tak played guitar, produced the album and wrote songs while Eric and Jack wrote lyrics. On March, the single “OH JAPAN ～OUR TIME IS NOW～”, was released. The album TMG I that made Tak go back and forth to US for the recording, was released on June 23. Tak has had this project idea for a long time, the album mixes rock and oriental sound. The album topped the chart on the first week. Tak energetically kept working. On July 18, 19 and 20, Tak had a collaboration concert with Tokyo Symphony Orchestra at Suntory Hall. At this special concert named Tokyo Special Collaboration 2004 Matsumoto Takahiro -HANA-, Tak played B’z hit LOVE PHANTOM and solo number HANA with his only guitar and the Orchestra.
Soon after, TMG started its tour rehearsal. From July 30, the “Dodge The Bullet” tour started at ZEPP Fukuoka. Chris Frazier who played songs on the B’z album Big Machine joined as drummer for this tour. TMG had 16 shows in 8 locations including the last show at Nihon Budokan.
In November, Tak established his own label “House of Strings” which emphasizes guitarists and string musicians. He recorded again at a studio the songs played with orchestra in July, and released it as the first House of Strings CD with the same title on the album. It is an instrumental album including christmas numbers such as “Itsukano Merry Christmas” and “HOLY NIGHT”.
Tak has said over the years that he has many favourite artists, from whom he has drawn much inspiration, such as: Aerosmith, Deep Purple, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. He has also cited a love of classical music, which was the catalyst for the incorporation of strings into many B’z compositions. He has also worked with Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra for many years, and their work often appears on many of the earlier B’z albums. |
