The exceptionally talented Jazz artist Keiko Matsui has released her CD entitled Wildflower. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Keiko Matsui fans, and Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Wildflower Keiko Matsui's artistic excellence is on full display as Matsui has once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be her best work to date.

It's a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I'm more than happy to announce that's exactly what I must say about this one. There simply isn't a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all.

Keiko Matsui is one of those musicians that has the ability to just win you over with her talent. The kind of artist it's really a treat to be able to listen to.

Jazz music fans will recognize some of the well known guests that have been assembled to play along with Matsui on several of the tracks. Artists like Kazu Matsui and Akira Jimbo just to name a couple.

Overall Wildflower is an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up and is most definitely a worthy addition to any Jazz collection. Truly an outstanding Jazz CD. One of those that is completely void of any wasted time, as each track is simply superb.

I'm of the opinion that Wildflower is certainly Keiko Matsui's best work in a few years. A totally enjoyable CD and an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up because it's a collection that even the casual Jazz fan can appreciate and enjoy.

While this entire album is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 2 - Facing Up, track 4 - Brand New Wind, and track 8 - Temple Of Life.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 10 - Stone Circle. Good stuff!

Wildflower Release Notes:

Keiko Matsui originally released Wildflower on Feb 24, 2004 on the Narada label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Flashback 2. Facing Up 3. Sense Of A Journey 4. Brand New Wind 5. Eldest Of All 6. Reflections 7. White Castle 8. Temple Of Life 9. Seeker 10. Stone Circle 11. Wildflower

Personnel: Keiko Matsui (piano); Shinobu Ishizaki, Masamichi Nanji (soprano saxophone); Kazu Matsui (shakuhachi); Tomohito Aoki (bass); Akira Jimbo (drums, percussion). Recorded at Sound Dali, Yamaha Ikebukuro, H.Y., Planet Joy Studios, Tokyo, Japan in 2003.