Source: Bravewords.com

After reissuing three recent studio albums by legendary hard rock/heavy metal guitarist MARTY FRIEDMAN over the summer, Prosthetic Records will now introduce North American audiences to the former MEGADETH and CACOPHONY guitarist’s two Tokyo Jukebox albums. Released in Japan in 2009 and 2011, respectively, Tokyo Jukebox Vols. 1 & 2 – the 9th and 11th chapters in Friedman’s influential solo discography – will make their North American debuts on November 20th as a limited-edition, specially-priced 2CD release featuring artwork exclusive to this pressing and new liner notes by Friedman himself. The double-album is now available for pre-order.

Soon after leaving Megadeth following a 10-year run in which the iconic band sold some 10 million albums worldwide, Friedman – perhaps the most revered lead guitarist in thrash metal history – moved to Japan, where over the past decade he became a household name. Between his solo releases and collaborations with Japanese stars, he has played on and written numerous Top 10 hits (including two #1’s); he has also made hundreds of appearances on mainstream Japanese television and performed at legendary venues such as Budokan and the Tokyo Dome.

Tokyo Jukebox Vols. 1 & 2 feature energetic instrumental covers of Japanese pop (J-pop) songs that can be enjoyed by anyone with a sweet tooth for melody, and capture Friedman’s passion for the music of his adopted home country – although, as he warns in the liner notes for this release, “I took the liberty of destroying and reconstructing them my own way.”

In the below video (which has been posted at Prosthetic’s newly-launched Friedman mini-site, where additional Tokyo Jukebox-related videos will be unveiled in the coming weeks), Friedman further describes the collection, calling it some of the heaviest and best work of his career:

Featuring Jeremy Colson (STEVE VAI, BILLY IDOL) on drums, the self-produced and self-arranged Tokyo Jukebox features reconstructed covers of J-pop and J-Rock hits selected by readers of Japan’s top entertainment magazine. Tokyo Jukebox 2, meanwhile, was recorded in Los Angeles at The Village (AEROSMITH, KISS), and features guest performances by Jason Bittner (SHADOWS FALL) and Keshav Dhar (SKYHARBOR). The albums feature tracks originally performed by acclaimed Japanese acts such as MR. CHILDREN, SMAP, PERFUME and MAXIMUM THE HORMONE.

Friedman recently announced a string of European tour dates with YOSSI SASSI and STEPHAN FORTE as support. Tickets for the six upcoming shows are on sale now at this location.

The complete tour schedule is as follows:

October
9 – Colmar, France – Le Grillen
10 – Zoetermeer, Holland – Boerderij
12 – London, UK – Underworld
13 – Dublin, Ireland – The Village
15 – Paris, France – Divan du Monde
16 – Nantes, France – Le Ferrailleur
17 – Bilbao, Spain – Kafe Antzokia
19 – Lisbon, Portugal – Side B
20 – Madrid, Spain – Ramdall
21 – Barcelona, Spain – Salamandra
22 – Toulouse, France – Connexion Live
23 – Montpellier, France – Secret Place
24 – Toulon, France – Le Vox
25 – Prato, Italy – Keller Platz
26 – Milan, Italy – Carlito’s Way

Friedman issued the following message regarding the tour:

“Yossi and I became friends on my 2011 solo tour, we came up with the idea of putting together a concert tour with decidedly unique and exotic guitarists, each from a different part of the world with their own ethnic sound and approach to their music. I didn`t know just how cool Middle Eastern flavors could mix with amazing rock guitar playing until I heard Yossi Sassi, I was quite impressed. Stephan Forte will give you an idea what an absolute guitar wizard from France sounds like. The tour will happen in October and everyone is in for a once in a lifetime collection of artists from separate corners of the world, and a truly inspiring treat.”