Now, with The Road, Matsui combines all of her musical knowledge on a project boasting accessible jazz overtones and an acoustic sensibility. The brilliant Cameroonian bassist, percussionist and vocalist Richard Bona adds to the delight with “Falcon’s Wing,” his deft percussive touch meshing effortlessly with his wordless vocals. He returns with fretless bass on “Nguea Wonja,” a song with African roots. Legendary session drummer Vinnie Colaiuta works his brushes on the soft and jazzy “Embrace & Surrender,” which is arranged by Derek Nakamoto and features some oddly inviting country-style guitar solos from James Hara. “Touch and Peace” is classic new-age Matsui, a gorgeous piece with minimalist accompaniment from Bona and drummer Mauricio Zottarelli. She concludes with the title track, a smart, anthemic number invigorated by saxophonist Jackiem Joyner, a member of Matsui’s band and a rising smooth-jazz star in her own right.

• 1 Secret Pond
• 2 Falcon's Wing
• 3 Nguea Wonja
• 4 Bohemian Concerto
• 5 Embrace & Surrender
• 6 Awakening
• 7 Touching Peace
• 8 Affirmation
• 9 The Road...