Walls of Akendora

Walls of Akendora
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 5, 2005
RecordedSeptember, 2004 – October, 2004
Studio
  • Backroom Recording Studio, Glendale, CA
  • Onkio Haus, Tokyo, Japan
  • Planet Joy Studio, Tokyo, Japan
  • Yamaha Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan
GenreJazz, smooth jazz
Length43:56
LabelNarada
ProducerKazu Matsui
Keiko Matsui chronology
Wildflower
(2004)
Walls of Akendora
(2005)
Moyo (Heart & Soul)
(2007)

Walls of Akendora is the eighteenth studio album by jazz keyboardist Keiko Matsui, released in 2005 on Narada Records.[1] The album peaked at No. 13 on the US Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.[2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]

Jonathan Widran of AllMusic, in a 4/5 star review exclaimed, "Matsui fanatics will no doubt be jumping all over maps of her homeland looking for a place called "Akendora," but it's a place of her own creation, where she runs to spend contemplative moments and find peace. Wherever it is, fans of her jazzier side are going to love this collection...Unlike most releases categorized as smooth jazz, this is infused throughout with Matsui's unexpected creative textures."[3]

Tracklisting

CD

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Overture for the City"Keiko Matsui04:14
2."Crystal Shadow"Keiko Matsui04:06
3."Mountain Shakedown"Keiko Matsui04:09
4."Canvas"Keiko Matsui04:34
5."Akendora's Clock"Kazu Matsui/Keiko Matsui04:58
6."Walking Through It"Keiko Matsui04:37
7."Blue Butterfly"Keiko Matsui04:35
8."Gentle Sands"Keiko Matsui04:36
9."Walls of Akendora"Kazu Matsui/Keiko Matsui03:58
10."Bay of Destiny"Kazu Matsui/Keiko Matsui04:09

DVD

No.TitleLength
1."1942, from Russia" 
2."Ruins of Sonora" 
3."Bronze Casting" 
4."Water Lily" 
5."Light in the Rain" 
6."Safari" 
7."The Wind and the Wolf" 
8."Deep Blue" 
9."Wildflower" 
10."Road Movie" 

Credits

  • Cheep Hiroishi – Arranger, Programming
  • Cristihan Gutterre – Executive Producer
  • Derek Nakamoto – Arranger, Programming
  • Hajime Hyakkoku – Arranger, Programming
  • Heigo Yokouchi – Arranger, Programming
  • Kazu Matsui – Composer, Producer
  • Keiko Matsui – Main Artist
  • Takashi Tei – Engineer, Mixing

References

  1. ^ Keiko Matsui – Walls of Akendora (album). Narada Records. 1998.
  2. ^ "Top Contemporary Jazz Albums" (PDF). Billboard. April 30, 2005. p. 65. Retrieved September 7, 2025 – via worldradiohistory.com.
  3. ^ a b Widran, Jonathan. "Keiko Matsui – Walls of Akendora". AllMusic. Retrieved September 7, 2025.