Larry Carlton and Tak Matsumoto "TAKE YOUR PICK"

Feb. 2011 Larry Carlton & Tak Matsumoto's album "Take Your Pick" win Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album

East meets West! This amazing collaboration between legendary guitarist Larry Carlton and Japanese rock icon, Tak Matsumoto has truly proven to be a record for the ages. To kick things off, the 2010 “Take Your Pick” tour sold out 18 shows in 20 minutes all throughout Japan, ending in a spectacular headlining performance at the world famous Tokyo Jazz Festival. This unique sound of jazz mixed with hints of rock and fusion caused the album to debut at #2 on the Japanese pop rock charts which marks the first time an instrumental record has done so in 35 years. As the record continues to climb the US jazz charts, Larry and Tak continue to showcase their superior musicianship all throughout the world.

Carlton's melodic yet aggressive approach to writing and playing on this CD blended with Tak's proven ability to write and perform Hit songs make for a unique Guitar experience. Drawing upon their knowledge and different music backgrounds Larry & Tak have forged Eastern and Western guitar styles to create a truly magical and unique album unlike any other. The best of East and West!

ALBUM AVAILABLE JUNE 2010 (download PDF)

Nineteen-time Grammy nominee, three-time Grammy winner and all-time guitar great, Larry Carlton established himself from his first recording, A Little Help From My Friends. His studio credits include musicians and groups like Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr., Herb Alpert, Quincy Jones, Bobby Bland, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and literally dozens of others. He went on to perform with the Crusaders and then with the multi platinum jazz super group Fourplay. With 30 albums to his credit and having performed on over 100 albums that have gone Gold or Platinum, Larry Carlton has set a standard for artistry that spans three decades.

In 2008 Larry Carlton received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Guitar Player magazine at the historical Ryman Auditorium and was presented the "Titan of Tone" award from Premier Guitar Magazine at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Larry also picked up 2 more Grammy nominations in 2009 bringing his career total to 18 nominations with 3 Grammy wins! Larry's "Greatest Hits Rerecorded - Volume One" released by 335 Records was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Album and "Fortune Teller" from Fourplay's Energy was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.


Championed in his homeland as the most renowned guitarist in all of Asia, Tak has a talent of creating songs with story telling melodies, filled and full of Asian taste and beautiful scenery. He is equally revered as chief songwriter, guitarist and producer of the Japanese rock band, B'z. Counting a legacy of 16 albums, B'z truly means big business, having sold a combined 80 million units in Japan alone, not surprisingly making them Japan's best-selling band in history. While touring with B'z in 2002, Tak released his much heralded instrumental albums, Hana and "Dragon From The West". Hana, most noticeably, garnered rave reviews, its powerfully flowing melodies evocative of scenic horizons of the Orient. The album's bonus track, "Trinity," finds Tak stretching the boundaries of "rock" guitar, blending different tastes in the melodies while retaining the same distinctive Japanese spirit. Instrumental Guitar (Electric (Heavy) / Rock/World). Establishing his a label called "House of Strings" Tak continues his dedication to capturing and delivering the beauty and sounds of real stringed instruments especially guitar. B'z made their first appearance in North America in 2002 and then returned a year later to complete a sold-out West coast tour in the US and Canada. B'z also became the first Asian artist to be inducted into Hollywood Rock Walk. In 1999 Tak was given his own Signature Model Les Paul by Gibson and was added to Gibson's signature artist club. He is the only guitarist from Asia to be added to the club.

For more information on Larry Carlton visit www.LarryCarlton.com, www.Mr335.tv, www.335Records.com
For more information on Tak Matsumoto visit: www.bz-vermillion.com





Produced by Larry Carlton & Tak Matsumoto; Musicians: Drums : Billy Kilson, Bass : Michael Rhodes, Keyboards : Jeff Babko, Sax: Mark Douthit, Trumpet: Mike Haynes, Trombone: Barry Green

Radio broadcasters may download broadcast quality tracks here!

TRACK LIST 1. Jazzy Bullets 2. Nite Crawler 2010 3. The Way We Were 4. Islands of Japan 5. Neon Blue 6. Tokyo Night 7. Hotalu 8. East West Stroll 9. Easy Mystery 10. ao 11. Take Your Pick 12. A Girl From China Catalog # 335-1006