VF Mix 134: Takehiro Honda by LK

Tickling the ivories from jazz to funk and beyond.

Japanese pianist Takehiro Honda first came to fame as part of Sadao Watanabe’s quarter in 1973, before forming jazz-funk quintet Native Son, amongst six other groups. During his 35-year career, Honda transformed into a musician in the same vein as Pharoah Sanders, one who was effortlessly able to fuse his infectiously playful spirit with a fearlessness for transcending genres and styles.

Leeds producer has been on our radar for a few years now thanks to Moxie’s NTS show (for the unfamiliar, check out his track ‘It’s Been A Long Time’ post haste). As he releases new EP Dreams via Moxie’s On Loop label, we tapped him for a VF Mix. Find out why he chose Honda, and check out the track list below.

“I’m not sure when or where I first heard about Honda, all I know is that upon hearing the first thing I thought was “wow”. How he plays is beautiful, deep, and groovy. In this mix I hoped to bring through some of his most thought provoking pieces gradually building into some of his more danceable jazz pieces.”

I also included some of his collaborative work to show how his style shines through and completes a piece in a way not many others can. Enjoy!”

Tracklist

1. T. Honda – Dark & Mellow
2. T. Honda & Gerd Dudek – Dji-Dji-Eitch-Eitch
3. T. Honda – Natural Tranquillity
4. T. Honda – Longing
5. Hiroshi Murakami & Dancing Sphinx – Maya (Co-Written & E. Piano by T. Honda)
6. Sadao Watanabe – Mbali Africa (E. Piano by T. Honda)
7. Hiroshi Murakami & Dancing Sphinx – Baby, It’s Trivial (E. Piano by T. Honda)
8. T. Honda – I’ll Be Honest With You
9. T. Honda – Check Out Your Mind
10. T. Honda – Old Forks
11. T. Honda – Salaam Salaam
12. T. Honda – Ra-mu

LK’s Dreams is out now via On Loop.