Max Matsuura leaves Avex
 

Somewhat Ayu-related, but Max Matsuura from Avex will be resigning. It's not entirely clear, but from what I could gather from an auto-translation from Yomiuri, he's leaving because of some management issues.

Not entirely sure. I tried translating the article from Sanspo, and it seems that he left because of a difference of a management view. He's supposed to soon establish Avex DI DI (present Avex) in April, and he'll open an import wholesale business for CDs. Not sure if this is correct, but I think he was supposed to be inaugurated as the company vice president on October 1.

What does it mean for Ayu? :yconfused

I assume that someone else would take his place shortly, but whether that affects her career (along with others like Namie, DAI, etc) drastically or not is unknown. I just hope they'll manage with his absense :(

That is aiming for... ELT, ai otsuka, ayu, Namie, DAI etc all lost their producer... o_O

.......... wow... so someone else is gonna produce Ayu?? or will Ayu go with him??? this is so weird... max leaving avex.. seems impossible!

I'm pretty sure that he's gonna stay with Avex, but just doing another thing.

if he officially leaves all things avex, the company has lost the 2 men who built it, TK and max *tho TK has been dead for a while*

from what I've read on that article, it is possible that ELT, ayu etc will all move out of avex trax to follow him...

TK died???? or do you just mean his career? *Rei is having a heart attack*..

omg, that's x_x

TK's career lol, sorry for the confusion

Hopefully this would give ayu a chance to produce herself. Several other artists do it, I don't know why she couldn't.

i thought you needed to know how to play instruments and know things about music creation in order to produce music, I don't think hamasaki knows.....

oh.... phew... Thanx for clearing it up LoL!

Stiil i'm imaptient to know what excatly is happening with Max!! mou.. just have to wait for more news i suppose...

Maybe this is a dumb question... But what exactly is a producer?? Here in America the term "music producer" seems to be used as Composer/Mixer and stuff... What exactly does Max do, and what is so important about him?

Yikes. That's not good at all. :/

I remeber a while ago i read a quote from max matsuura himself saying that Ayu was pratically producing herself and that she was at the level which she could be called a producer,, or something to that effect, can't remember which article though sorry. Also ayu composed M and evolution etc. and I read somwhere that she plays piano. And she's on her 7th album already so she must have leart something along the way!

it COULD be a good thing also..O_o..

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO not Avex!!! This might be the end for Avex, but not problem, Ayu is so huge, any company will hire her!

no such thing as a dumb question!

RECORD PRODUCER :
When music is "produced" by someone, that can mean anything from they paid for the studio time, to they made the musical decisions, directed the studio staff and outside musicians, and took care of the budget. In conjunction with the recording artist, a producer is responsible for the music on the final ("master") tape, from which CDs, cassettes, and vinyl records are made. A producer's job is equal parts musical (he or she is the one who usually says, "You're playing too fast" or "You sang that part flat -- start over again") and psychological (possessing the ability to say such things in a way that will actually get the person to do them better).
In rap, R&B, and hip hop, the producer's role is often more like that of a musician. Since much of the music in these genres is generated by technology, the producer will often create the "tracks" (the music). The tracks are then mixed so that the sounds on all of the songs are at the right levels. Often times, producers will even take part in deciding which songs will appear on an album and the order in which they will appear.


He's so important because he's the best Avex has, and has produced excellent work consistantly for many years. He and Ayu pretty much equal Avexm without them Avex would pretty much be broke.

hope this helps.

Rei..

Auto-translation from Sponichi:

By the managing director, major record companies "Avex" (the head office and Minato-ku, Tokyo, the Yoda 巽会長-president), it cut that the music producer and Matsuura true 在 people (39) who has produced a large number of the Ayumi Hamasaki (25) stars had tendered their resignation on July 30 the part on the 31st. Managing director Ryuhei Chiba (40) who was the production "AKUSHIVU" president to whom it unites and Hamazaki and others belongs is likely to resign, and a big ripple is likely to be called for the music industry from now on. So to speak, Mr. Matsuura is one of the leading players of Avex foundation. The reason of the retirement is worrisome. It is concluded that it became the cause of resignation presentation that the dismissal motion to managing director Chiba who has trusted it was approved by the board of directors to whom it was carried out on the 30th according to two or more persons concerned. It seems that moreover, Mr. Matsuura is told that the opinion was opposed to Chairman Yoda by how from before to future music industry to tackle, management policy, etc., and this also became the cause of leaving. Since Mr. Matsuura worked at a part-time job during university enrollment in school in the store of a record on hire in Yokohama, music life starts him. The love for dance music develops, an import record wholesaler and Avex DI DI will be established in April, 88, and Chairman Yoda and an enterprise will be developed. Sharp has been used as a producer after that. Rode on the disco boom, trf was made for a hit album to come out from manufacture and the encounter with Tetsuya Komuro, and Namie Amuro, ELT, Ayumi Hamasaki, and the large record company that holds many artists who fire BoA million sellers were made to grow rapidly further. It also became the model of the TOEI movie "a dream maker" manufactured by ISSA starring of DA PUMP in 99. On the other hand, Mr. Chiba changed to production management from the planner of a disco "maharaja", and he has served as the "AKUSHIVU" representative which holds globe besides Hamazaki, and hitomi popular artist a large number since 97. From now on, what deployment do two persons show? Moreover, a sudden resignation play attracts [ what influence it has on an artist or the music industry, and ] attention.

That's sad news :( I wonder how Ayu feels about this.

Wow Thanks Rei.. I understand now.

So this news isn't too great... :no

x_x...Not good at all.

WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT?!!!!! Mr. Matsuura is like the biggest producer in Avex! :shock

Sad that such a gud producer is leaving. What going to happen now ??? :eyebrow

I, too, had read that ayu was practically producing, and it seemed that matsuura just tacked his name onto her records (probably due to contract). Ayu holds him in very high regard, so I'm unsure of how would she would take this. How would it be possible for all of his artists to move with him, when 1) they are probably still under some type of major contract with avex trax itself and 2) he's opening up an import wholesale. An import record wholesale doesn't seem it would have artists under it. I personally hope this doesn't majorly affect ayu and the other artists he produced. If all of these major artists would stop being with avex or singing all together, it will collapse.

thats some deep doodoo x_x

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/TheAma...MTV+Awards.jpg

*semi-OT*ew, that's max? x_x no wonder he hardly ever makes live appearances that i've seen. TK is much better looking, but that has nothing to do with music.

my god.... matsuura..... (pick up his cellphone n call ayu to suggest her move with matsuura) heuaehuae :D

Always wonder who that guy was with ayu in that pic:think
soo that max, i c now :rolleyes

No. According to those articles he is leaving avex entirely, not just changing his role there.

Then what about that "Avex DI DI" bit? An auto-translation glitch? Or perhaps it meant what he was currently (or now, formerly) doing?

This will probably affect Ayumi personally, though I don't know if it'll affect her career-wise. As others have said, she holds Max in very high regard, in part because he's the one who jump-started her career. There's also no doubt that he's incredibly talented in his field, so this will probably signal a change in Avex's future.

That was the initial form of avex established by him back in 1988. ;)

I really wouldn't doubt if Ayu left or made some big changes because he found her and practically forced her to sing. He's been behind her the whole time, and I think he's the only one she's worked with. This is so unexpected. =0

Wow... I would've never thought he would leave.

Auto-translations suck. Don't use them.

Ayyyeee? I hope this doesn't take a bad turn in my Ayu, ELTELT and DAIDAI's career o___O

haha reminds me of that phrase from the simpsons "wont somebody please think of the children!!!"
dunno why.. just does.

that's sad though.. Ayu, DAI and ELT are my faves...

i wanna know what the people at avex have to say about this.. their "lead man" just resigning like that..

You're kidding.......

If you read it in past tense rather than future, which is what it looks like it should be, it seems to be recalling his history before this point. Avex DI DI specifically being created in April, 1988 (?). So I agree with your second hypothesis.

If he was to become vice president, I don't know if he'd suddenly (or if Avex would let him) create an off-shoot company and leave that position. Avex would probably have a hard time with that.

And if the auto-translation is correct, it states that his retirement is worrisome. So it is retirement, not a new project. Though that does not mean he can't create his own company. Does anyone know how old he is? He may be in a postition to simply retire if he has enough money. Though his love of music probably won't allow that.

Alright... I guess I just didn't read it right :)

For anyone doubting, the news of him leaving is real. I just wasn't clear about whether he was still gonna be with Avex til now.

It's alright, you got us the news so thanks :) These auto-translations are just crazy sometimes.

This may affect Ayu's music in itself .. lyrics and such. Since she writes based upon personal experiences of hers and others close to her. Maybe darker lyrics.

I believe he's 38, but I'm not sure of his actual birthdate.

x_x this is the guy who controls who Ayu works with, I say good riddance, especially in the case of BOUNCEBACK and those trampy backup singers.

omg i love bounceback:( who else does he compose for?
yea those singers are weirrddddd

Amen! :laugh

OMG its the End of the World

:o :o :o

v_v
whaaaaaaaaaaaa................t?
this is insane........hope this won't made any bad thing towars ayu,elt,dai,boa career

wow this is the STRANGEST news because I was looking at the picture of the Inspire CD booklet today and it was all produced by max matsuura. And I was like, "he's been Ayu's producer for so long... I have a feeling he might be leaving soon" and I don't know WHY I felt that way!! So I'm not exactly surprised at the news...

but I am worried about what will happen with Ayu's career o.o maybe she'll want to leave too :(

...... hope everything will doing good in the future.......



ayumaria.

Oh man...

Avex is screwed. Royally.

Max is the one who MADE Ayu. With Max, Ayu wouldn't even be here!!! I really, really wonder what is going to happen......

Good news. Because I think the biggest reason why Ayumi had been working so hard for avex has now disappeared. I hope she will move to another record company soon. The news also tell us that Mr. Chiba Ryuuhei, president of axev, left avex, too.

The president of Avex left too? Wow... I wonder how the company's gonna be able to handle 2 of their main people leaving :think

very bad news, you told us!!:(
Nevertheless I hope, that his leaving is no problem for ayu and other singers.

I really hope she leaves Avex *evil snicker*

And I don't think that Max has control over the back up singers. I highly doubt that Ayu would let someone pick her own back-up singers, then dress them, even more so since she has nearly all control over her look and the look of things related to her.

She doesn't even write her own songs anymore. There's no way she'd do that.

Maybe this will be the kick in the ass she needs to start composing again. Here's for hoping...

Not all artists who compose self-produce, anyway. Oni, until she was kicked by melody star, was produced by Haketa Takefumi and Nishiumi Takeshi. Hikki only started producing after "DISTANCE", and Ringo produced "karuki zaamen kuri no hana".
Maybe she's just saving them all for her next album, although I doubt that'd be likely.

Hmm... this is indeed a big problem indeed. If anything, I can foresee avex collapsing if all of Max's children were to up and leave with him. This is sad.

Max already says she is pretty much producing herself (others have pointed that out in here), so there wouldn't be much change except she'd be taking the credit for it.

This could end up being a big deal, we'll have to wait and see what happens.

What would be so bad about Avex collapsing anyway? If everyone good at Avex that was produced by Max up and left it's not like no one else would sign them or that they'd just stop making music.

Much of Avex's pratices as of late have been paticularly bothersome anyway. How many times can you put the same songs on a CD and try to sell it to us? We know for a fact that Ayu did NOT want to release a best album, yet was forced into it by the company. Not to mention they took away all the money that was being paid to remixes to provide 10 track singles for Ayu. Which makes sense for their company, but screws the fans over, who had grown accostumed to it.

I realize they are a company out to make a profit, but seriously, how many times can they market the same crap? They know Ayu worshippers are going to go out an buy it even though it's the SAME THING (H Special Edition, anyone? 4 different covers?). I don't feel that's a good business practice, myself, seems really rather greedy and makes me think less of them as a company.

the end of AVEX ^_^

ayu should move with SONY

Whoa, this is some huge news. Best of luck to Max in his future endeavors.

Just because she doesn't compose the music doesn't mean she can't produce. Tomoko Kawase produces all of her solo artist works (Tommy heavenly6 + february6), another female artist under avex, and a group (Tommy angels) and all she does is write the lyrics in the musical aspect. Just because someone doesn't compose doesn't mean they can't produce.

Breakup at Avex with Max Matsuura resignation

Mr. Matsuura is leaving as one of the founder and producer for the company.
Possible effect on Ayu and other artiste, possible following for those raised by him.

translation by kawai for
AHSforum.com

It was revealed that one of the founder of Avex Trax record company (located at Tokyo Bay area), officer Max Matsuura (39), whom was also the active producer with the company, has resigned on the 31st of July.

Mr.Matsuura has been highly regarded in the listed group for bringing up the company for the past 10 years, and is also the producer for Amuro Namie (26), Hamasaki Ayumi (25) and group ELT of the same company. A chao is unavoidable with many artist's producing duties under his hand.


His move has created a shock in the company, which has many artistes like TRF, globe, Namie and Hamasaki under the compnay.


According source that is related to this, there was a discussion on the future direction of the company during the executive's meeting, which was held on the 30th. Mr Matsurra was in difference with Chairman of the board Mr. Tatsumi Yoda's opinion. The scene was tense with the notion to dismiss the chairman being raised.

With a view that the relationship is impossible to restore, a decision to resign was made. Also resigning is Chiba Ryuhei (40) who was in charge of the production subsidary "Akushivu".


The other paragraphs was a brief history of avex's founding and on Max Matsurra, and commented about the singificant this might made towards the music industry with the possibility that those raised by him might be poached away from Avex also.

More info on Mr. Tatsumi

http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6788

Nonono, you misread me. I was lamenting the resignation of Matsuura and the possible effects of it on Ayu and the others, not the collapsing of Avex. In fact, I think I'd pretty much want to see how Avex struggles if Ayu leaves. I'm not fond of them as a recording company given their business tactics like you mentioned, especially when making money via Ayu is concerned.

Haha! Oh, ok, good. Sorry about that!

There is a press release about the resignations at the avex site:
http://www.avex.co.jp/j_site/press/index.html
It merely announces that Matsuura and Chiba Ryuuhei have resigned.


How would things be different if Ayu was at any other label?

max is responsible for A BALLADS and A Best, 'nuff said. He hasn't been so greedy with other artists, but he's been milking hamasaki for all she's got for some time now.

i wonder who's gonna produce ayu's stuff now.

From what I could gather from this link from Yomiuri, I think Max will try and start his own label soon.

That should be interesting, i wonder if Ayu will leave avex for his new label? she seems extremely loyal to him. Maybe we'll get some decent singles from her if she does, -by decent i mean with at least a few remixes not just the song and and instrmental-, Then again maybe Max is the one who's been cutting off the extra tracks.

A little bit of reading into the Yomiuri article seems to state that him and Mr. Chiba will both be joining up for the new label company, although I'm not sure what Ayu (and the other people on Avex's list) will be doing once those two set up their new business.

MOVE! MOVE! MOVE! Avex is the root of all evil.

This is going to be interesting, one of Avex top men going to create his own lable. ~Will ayu follow or stay :think If must of top singer leave and follow him it going have a very hard impact on the avex :eyebrown

o.o hope nothing too drastic will change with matsuura-san's absence...

She might not be able to join his new label if he gets one. I don't know how it is in Japan, but there are so many laws about businesses in the US...normal businesses even, not just music. There are certain regulations that must be followed. It happened with the company my mom worked for. The head resigned and started a new business, but a lot of people weren't allowed to follow him because of technicalities, and he could've been sued a lot.

I suppose that would be true (most record contracts have some sort of length of time before they expire or can be re-negotiated), so unless Ayu would be willing to pay some fine (or maybe even get in trouble with the law), I suppose she'll still remain with Avex for the forseeable future.

I have a feeling if he's making his own record company he's banking on his "babies" moving with him. If they will or not, who knows?

She'll probably be contractually obligated to stay there for some time.

Here's another link from Sponichi, if anyone's interested.

I feel this is going to have a big effect on ayu. Think about TO BE.
Remember the lyrics saying something like "you picked up this peice of junk and called it treasure?"

x_x that has nothing to do with max, unless they had a romantic relationship, which I doubt they did x_x

This is based on what Masa said on his website.

remember that Ayu's songs aren't always autobiographical, she also uses her friends experiences. this might be another case of over-analyzing x_x.

Maybe it was said in the others pages but i didnt notice... Who will replace Max Matsuura?

From masa's site:
http://homepage2.nifty.com/morimasa/love1.html
Presumably Ayu has publicly said that "TO BE" was about Matsuura.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/hochi/geino...0040801_20.htm

Matsura partnering with “Rakuten”
Shock in industry as producer whom raised Ayu quit from Avex.

translation by kawai for AHSforum.com

It was understand on the 1st of August that Mr. Max Matsuura, whom made an sudden resignation with Avex (Tokyo Bay area, Mr. Tatsumi Yoda as Chairman and CEO) as producer and executive, have intention to start a new label in the near term.
The other executive, Mr. Chiba Ryuhei (40) is also going to team up with Mr. Matsuura for the new entertainment business. With the two of them highly regarded in the music industry for their way of handling the business, the industry is set to be in a storm. On the same day Avex had officially announced the resignation. (yomiuri and AHSforum.com)

Mr. Matsuura, whom have founded Avex and raised to be one of the largest record company in Japan is set to start all over again with a new music business.

According to closed sources, Mr. Matsuura has already in advanced preparation on the establishment of the new company. Since his resignation, record companies whom appreciate his excellent track record as a producer have been headhunting him. But he has opted to start from zero as he believe in "building from a place which does not have anything", which leads to the success of Avex.

At the same time, there is news that Mr. Chiba has also tagged up with Hiroshi Kitani (39), director of the internet commerce business "Rakuten" and external director of Avex, for a new company. This further confirms the significant changes their moves will bring with the fact that both of them have been the central pillar with Avex Group.

Mr. Matsuura has, since the formation of "Avex Di Di" in 1988, raised the company to a huge record company with trf, Namie Amuro, globe and others under his wing. And for the past few years, he has been at odds with Mr. Chiba over opinions on management policy and others. In the meeting of officers on the 30th, in response to the fact that the dismissal motion to Mr. Chiba approved, their resignation was tendered. In addition, both resignations were announced by fax from the company on that day. (yomiuri and AHSforum.com)

interesting news indeed! the japanese music industry must be in a turmoil now. other labels must be rubbing their hands in glee and eyeing which "stars" to poach.

omg ! then what will happen to ayu ???

Hmm... I wonder what will happen
I wonder what Ayu will be doing :( / :) and everyone associated with AVEX, it has grown so big already...

hmm.. lets hope that this will improve the Avex Trax..

I can't imagine how ayu feels about this. :(

hmmmmmm... wow.. abit sudden

hope it won't affect the artists @ avex negativly

This wasnt being asked to me, but just a thought. other record companies would probably give her more freedom in what she does since they know anything she comes out with will be a hit, so they'll pay her millions of dollars to sign onto them and then let her do whatever she wants, right? lol. (ex. mariah carey x_x)

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MAX MATSUURA'S RECORD COMPANY IS GOING TO BE AWESOMMEEEEE