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Larry Carlton-Tak Matsumoto Album Release

Posted on May 11, 2010

Multiple GRAMMY® Winning Larry Carlton and Asia’s Most-Renowned Guitarist
Tak Matsumoto Pair Eastern and Western Styles to Deliver Dynamic New Album

NASHVILLE, TN (May 9, 2010) – Guitar masters Larry Carlton and Tak Matsumoto have released their new album, Take Your Pick, exclusively to global radio via AirPlay Direct.

The pairing of Grammy-winning jazz guitarist, Carlton, and Asian rock guitar wizard, Matsumoto, creates an exciting blending of modern Eastern and Western guitar styles, and delivers a dynamic collection of music unlike any other.

Carlton has a long-established music career - both as a solo artist and ace first-call session musician. He has recorded with some of the top names in a multitude of genres, including Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr., Herb Alpert, Quincy Jones, Bobby Bland, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and dozens of others. Along the way, he has performed on over 100 albums which have been certified in the Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum categories and has received 18 GRAMMY® nominations.

Matsumoto is known as the most renowned guitarist in all of Asia. As the chief songwriter, guitarist and producer of the Japanese rock band, B'z, Matsumoto has presided over their 12 albums which have sold over 80 million units in Japan alone, making them the country’s bestselling band in history. He has also released two critically heralded instrumental albums, Hana and Dragon From The West. He is the only guitarist from Asia to be given a Gibson Signature Model Les Paul.

“It is a treat for music fans to have two of the greatest guitar players in the world recording together,” states Scott Welch, President of AirPlay Direct. “This rare musical collaboration expressed through the creative combination of Larry and Tak's talent is remarkable. Even though their individual guitar styles have a unique sound, their collective ‘East-meets-West’ approach on this album creates one memorable musical expression."

“The landscape painted is breathtaking,” says Robert Williams, President of 335 Records. “The greatness of these guitarists shines through in their ability to write, produce and play music that is opposite yet deliver a product that is synonymous. This is creative genius.”

Take Your Pick was produced by Carlton and Matsumoto, and features Billy Kilson on drums; Michael Rhodes on bass guitar; Jeff Babko on keyboards; Mark Douthit on saxaphone; Mike Haynes on trumpet, and Barry Green on trombone.

Radio broadcasters may download broadcast quality tracks from Take Your Pick here: http://airplaydirect.com/music/TakeYourPick/

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