A Drop of Water

A Drop of Water
Studio album by Keiko Matsui
Released	1987
Studio	Studio Sound Recorders, North Hollywood, California
Genre	Jazz, smooth jazz, new age
Length	39:15
Label	Passport
Producer	Kazu Matsui, Keiko Matsui
Keiko Matsui chronology
Keiko Project (1985) A Drop of Water (1987) Under Northern Lights (1989)

A Drop of Water is the debut album of jazz keyboardist Keiko Matsui, released in 1987 on Passport Records.^[1] This album peaked at No. 20 on the US Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.^[2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]

AllMusic's Jonathan Widran, in a 4/5-star review, commented "This auspicious introduction to the many aspects of the composer's skills finds her surrounded by a slew of L.A.'s top players, some of whom had yet to begin their own solo careers at this point: Grant Geissman, Brandon Fields, Robben Ford, Nathan East, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Jimmy Johnson. Matsui balances a mystic Eastern edge with a lighthearted new agey pop appeal."^[3]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Keiko Matsui except where noted.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Ancient Wind"	6:22
2.	"Light Above the Trees"	4:48
3.	"Harbor Wind" (Matsui/Jeff Day)	5:40
4.	"Mediterranean Sea" (Matsui/Grant Geissman)	4:20
5.	"A Drop of Water" (Matsui/Day)	5:24
6.	"From My Window"	5:10
7.	"Only Way Home"	3:07
8.	"Fairy" (Matsui/Kim Dodgson)	4:34
9.	"Paper Spirit" (Matsui/Day)	4:49

Personnel

• Keiko Matsui – piano, shakuhachi, synthesizer
• Kazu Matsui – shakuhachi
• David Garfield – piano, synthesizer
• Derek Nakamoto – synthesizer
• Walt Fowler – flugelhorn
• Brandon Fields – saxophone
• Robben Ford – guitar
• Grant Geissman – guitar
• Suzie Katayama – cello
• Matt Bissonette – bass guitar
• Nathan East – bass guitar, vocals
• Jimmy Johnson – bass guitar
• John Leftwich – bass guitar
• Gregg Bissonette – drums
• Vinnie Colaiuta – drums
• Bernie Dresel – drums
• Luis Conte – percussion
• Michael Fisher – percussion
• Carl Anderson – vocals, background vocals
• Maxi Anderson – vocals
• Marlena Jeter – vocals
• Marva King – vocals
• Molly Pasutti – vocals

References

1. Keiko Matsui - A Drop of Water (album). Passport Records.
2. "Top Contemporary Jazz Albums" (PDF). Billboard. October 24, 1987. p. 35. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
3. Widran, Jonathan. "Keiko Matsui – A Drop of Water: Review". AllMusic. Retrieved October 20, 2018.