Taking a stroll through
Keiko Matsui's musical hypnotherapy session
Dream Walk is like entering a funhouse where all previous definitions of contemporary jazz are strikingly distorted, and invention walks on the wild side of East meets West. Crisp melodies have always been at the heart of the keyboardist's best work, only here they come at you as part of the mood, rather than the central theme. Only a handful of the keyboardist's tunes follow conventional linear melodic patterns throughout, and even these are so beautifully enhanced by sweeping orchestral and percussive invention that atmosphere and throbbing, raw twists ultimately win out over predictability. Equal credit for the newly aggressive approach goes to husband/producer
Kazu Matsui, whose sonic wizardry surrounds
Keiko's silky jazz and new age passageways with curious echoing flavors, enticing soundscapes where almost anything goes, and loose-fitting urban cool. Other out-there touches include Molly Pasutti's sweeping wordless vocals, bass samples by
Marcus Miller and
John Patitucci chosen over live bass, and
Kazu's own shakuhachi. More typical excitement is provided by
Paul Taylor's always warm soprano and alto musings. [The album was reissued with bonus tracks.] ~ Jonathan Widran