This month's specials...
expertly stir-frying

First things first: this month we celebrate Father's Day! Lest you forget, let Tak "Filial Piety" Matsumoto lead the way through example. Here's his 2003 Father's Day message! Happy Father's Day to all dads!


I will ganbaru, applause for all fathers!

Originally, this month was going to recommend some songs especially suitable for summer. But the weather here has actually been pretty cool and grey. So�this month is going to feature seven tracks that are actually more associated with a winter mini-album. However, I think that they are great for any time of the year, especially for winding down at the end of a hectic day. So here we go ~ introducing Friends II, a stroll through a soft blue twilight.

Friends II mini-album (11.25.1996)

This is delicious stir fry, Ko-chan! Why don't I treat you to dinner next time? Main course: Fill up on some background!

With the release of this 1996 mini-album, B'z made a complete turnaround from the sound previously familiar to fans. Loose, their 1995 hit (often considered to be B'z signature album), was an upbeat and addictive fusion of rock, blues, and pop, with creative arrangements. On the other hand, Friends II consists mostly of a soft jazz style that B'z were definitely not associated with. The Friends mini-album (1992) showed a glimpse of this side of B'z, but in Friends II, they took the idea and really ran with it.

In many ways, Friends II was a big surprise from Tak and Koshi. Who expected Tak to write a song like Baby Moon? Koshi's singing style also evolved at this time. He sounds different post-1996 ~ perhaps more mature. His voice is always unmistakable, and its versatility and passion are surely two of the reasons why it is loved by so many...

To put this mini-album in more context, the next full album B'z released was 1997's Survive. This contained their hardest rock songs at the time, such as Deep Kiss and Liar! Liar! (they went much harder in 2000's ELEVEN), but also brought us the soft Shower, which is reminiscent of Friends II. As fans know, Tak and Koshi are adept in a range of styles and love to experiment. Nani? Mat-chan wants to take me to dinner?

Friends II is gentle, but it is not passive. The energy that B'z infuse into every song is here as well, but it is understated, and there is a blend of moods lurking beneath a sort of sexy languidness. There are no extremes in Friends II. Instead the songs are mellow and relaxing, but some are tinged with sadness and some with delight. Koshi excels in bringing these out with his voice, and Tak's instrumental tracks are personal favorites.

How about some dessert wine?
1. Friends II.
The very first notes Tak plays set the mood for the rest of the mini-album. It's a very nice acoustic introduction, simple and warm.

Maybe you'd prefer an icy citrus sorbet, served by a lonely Chef Inaba?
2. Snow
This very lovely song stunned me when I first listened to it, since at the time I'd never heard Koshi sing anything like this before and I didn't know he could. His voice has a gentle warmth and softness, and he uses some falsetto, which he doesn't often do. I love every part of this song, from the piano intro to the chilly loneliness of the ending variation verse. It's a quiet song, but then again all of Friends II is pretty quiet.


I wonder what kind of gourmet foods Mat-chan is going to find for us? Rare fruits, tender meats, and delicious delicacies for sure! Maybe he remembered my favorites! Or dark chocolate mousse with bitter orange peel?
3. Shoushin (broken heart)
This song has a faster pace, but it's still relaxed. The arrangement and the flute solo (!) are great. I know I keep saying this, but Koshi conveys emotion very well. Here there's just a trace of anger and resentment. He also gets to do some trademark screams and yelps (albeit a little toned down). The end sounds like he improvised and the result is good! "So let everything go go go..."


Perhaps you'd like a drink out on the moonlit Havana Terrace?
4. Baby Moon
This completely charming song always makes me think of film noir -- smoky air, tinkling piano, and all. I always see an image of ice cubes clinking in a glass at my favorite line, "Otona bitteru ice lemon tea..." This is also extremely different from what B'z are usually known for, but it is so good. Koshi is as smooth as silk and the lyrics flow, while Tak's part is subdued but effective. One of my personal favorites.

Chef Matsumoto's Soulful Pannacotta with Custard is a favorite with our regulars.
5. Sasanqua ~ fuyu no hi
Tak begins with an acoustic intro that reminds me of the Friends II theme, but switches over to electric guitar and spins it out into a new song. It's possibly my favorite Tak B'z instrumental track.

Try this sweet fruit tart!
6. Aru hisoka na koi
This track is the happiest one. The melody dances lightly. His secret love makes him happy but it also causes some inner conflict.


Frozen gyoza! Koko's expression says it all


Miss Yuiko Tsubokura, an old friend of our chefs', contributed to this by singing in the background.
7. Kimi wo tsurete
Tak wrote another great melody. At 3:15, the song branches out in a different direction with a terrific Tak solo that becomes rather non-jazzy. However, after his solo fades out, the piano brings back the quietness.

So, give this lovely Friends II a try, ok? Until next time!

Screenshots from the Home pv; pics from Be With; Akatsuki pv screenshot courtesy of tamashii. ^^ I made up all the captions of course. ^^ I don't know if that's frozen dumplings they're eating! Also, I don't know how long I can keep up this menu theme, because I was running out of dessert ideas that match to the songs even remotely. XD
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