Ongaku Cafe (The 2000s): Tomita Lab – Parallel feat. Hata Motohiro (2009)

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1. パラレル
2. 眠りの森 (Authentic Session)
3. Piano Quintet
4. パラレル (Instrumental)

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Reviewed back in 2009

Tomita Keichi has been producing music since 1988. Composing and arranging music for television and then working with music artists such as MISIA, Crystal Kay, Ai, BONNIE PINK, Mika Nakashima and Bird.

In 2003, Tomita adopted the name of “Tomita Lab” as a way to make music and work with a variety of artists who would sing his songs under his new monicker.

In 2009, Tomita Lab was signed with Rhythm Zone and in September released his second single from the new label titled “Parallel” featuring a collaboration with songwriter Hata Motohiro and music written by Matsumoto Takashi (known for writing hit songs for the KinKi Kids).

The CD single insert comes with lyrics and production credits for the two tracks.

The title track “Parallel” features a piano and strings driven ballad featuring beautiful music and vocals by Hata Motohiro. While The coupling track “眠りの森 (Authentic Session)” features a jazzy, slow tempo track featuring Motohiro on vocals.

The third track “Piano Quintet” features a wonderful piano and strings arrangement by Tomita and sounds that it was used for a feature film by the overall feel of the track. Definitely a “different” type of track to find on this CD single but with Tomita Lab/Tomita Keichii’s diversity as a musician and producer, I enjoyed the musical arrangement of the song.

The final track is the instrumental version of “Parallel”.

There is a CD+DVD version of this single which features the music video of “Parallel” and a video for “Landscapes” featuring Tomita and Hata @ MTV Cool Christmas 2007.

Overall, “Parallel” is a good CD for those who are fans of Keiichi Tomita’s music. You get two vocal tracks and one impressive instrumental.

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