Published on
May 3, 2018
Category
Features
![](https://thevinylfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/VFMix134-TakehiroHonda-B1.jpg)
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.