Rest in peace... My dearest friend, legendary Grammy-winning mastering engineer, Tom Coyne

I can't even put it into words… I am deeply saddened… My dearest friend, legendary Grammy-winning mastering engineer, Tom Coyne has passed away today April 13th, 2017… He was the only mastering engineer that I've worked with for all my albums & over 30 songs of recording sessions since 2001, over 16 years, including my worldwide No.1 hit "Say That You Love Me".

言葉にならないほどの悲しみに包まれています、、、。
2001年以降の、私のすべての曲、アルバム、世界中のチャートで１位になった全米デビューソング"Say That You Love Me"を含め、16年以上に渡り、私の30曲以上のレコーディングでマスタリングを手がけてくれた、大切な友達であり、グラミー賞受賞マスタリングエンジニアのトム•コインが今日2017年4月13日に亡くなりました、、、。

My dearest friend, legendary Grammy-winning mastering engineer, Tom Coyne

He's mastered almost all the top artists in USA including Adele, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Pink, Mary J, Maroon 5, etc. He was the best of the best. At the same time, he was always so sweet, sincere, warm, and down to earth.

アデル、テイラー•スイフト、ビヨンセ、マルーン５などなど、全米ヒット曲のほとんどを手がけている、最高峰のエンジニアのトム。それでいて、いつも気さくで限りなくあたたくやさしく、セッションの後はいつもあったかいメールをくれたトム。
"Thank you AK. Seeing you and hearing your beautiful work, made my week !!! BIG XXXOOO Tom"

Tom Coyne @ Sterling Sound. This is his lounge room. So many master pieces of his work.

My most happiest recording sessions were with him…
His studio, Sterling Sound is located in Chelsea, New York City, and every time I went there for my session, he said to me "Come in!" with his big warm smile.
Just seeing him made me so happy, on top of that, right after I walked in his studio, he always made me confident, and I felt "everything will be alright" as soon as he started to play my songs.

I am so fortunate and honored that I've met him and had worked with him with so many my songs…

Sterling Soundというチェルシーにある彼のスタジオに通う時は、いつも最高の時間が約束されていました。レコーディングの最終プロセス、マスタリング。一番楽しみな時間でした。
いつもあったかい笑顔で、"Come in!"って迎えてくれたトム。
トムに会うだけで心は幸せに満ちあふれ、最高の音響システムが揃った彼のスタジオに一歩入り、トムが私の曲をプレイ始めるだけで、すべてがうまくいくという気持ちにさせてもらえたのです。

そんな彼と、たくさんの曲を一緒に創ることができた私はどれほど幸運だったことか、、、。
本当に光栄です。

I said to Tom "I'm so worried, my songs needs serious help", then Tom goes "AK, your vocals and songs are already wonderful, just sit back and relax, they are going to be great!".

”たくさんだめなところがあるから心配してる”と言うと、”大丈夫、こんなに歌も曲もいいんだから、最高の音になるから、リラックスしてて”って。

After finishing recording sessions with legendary Grammy-winning mastering engineer, Tom Coyne. You can see his work on the wall, Adele 21, Beyonce...

As soon as he started mastering, instantly, the sounds changes, they start shining, and songs get sparkle. I can't tell you how often I've witnessed those amazing precious moments.
It was magic…
He treated all my songs with his heart. Sensitive breath, dramatic beats, emotional songs, no matter what kind of songs they are, he all understood with his heart.

トムがマスタリングを始めるとすぐに、一瞬にして音がどんどん変わっていき、光を放ち始め、曲が輝きをまとうという瞬間を何度体験したことでしょうか。
まるで魔法を見ているような感動的な時間でした。
繊細な息づかいにも、大胆なビートにも、エモーショナルなものも、すべてを心で理解して最高の音に仕上げてくれたトム。

Tom always let me sit down at his chair at the end of the session for the final listening. "AK, this is the best spot, sit here!". Then I listened to final completed my new songs… I can't describe how happy I was... All those precious memories are crossing my heart…

マスタリングの最後はいつも、”ここに座って聴いて”って言われ、トムのイスに座って視聴した完成したばかりの自分の曲、、、。
たくさんのあたたかい想い出が胸に込み上げて、、、。

The last time I saw Tom Coyne, he told me "AK, don't ever change"....he was the sweetest...

I got an interview by Cafeglobe, and I introduced Tom Coyne and his studio as my favorite engineer and studio…. we did the interview and photo shooting at his studio in December 2016...
Cafeglobe Interview：
https://www.cafeglobe.com/2016/12/059244career.html

つい先月Cafeglobeのインタビューでも、私の一番お気に入りのエンジニア、そしてスタジオとして、トムとスタジオを紹介し、撮影をさせてもらったばかりだったのに、、、。
Cafeglobeインタビュー：
https://www.cafeglobe.com/2016/12/059244career.html

Tom said to me "It will be a brand new studio soon, so come & check it out when it's done!"
"See you very soon!"  It was just a couple month ago...

”スタジオを新しくするから、楽しみにしていて！”そう言ったトム。
”またすぐに会おうね”。そう言ったのはたった２ヶ月前、、、。

Tom Coyne always let me sit down on his chair at the end of the sessions for the final listening... this picture was taken in his studo just couple month ago before legendary mastering engineer, my dear friend, Tom Coyne passed away...

My deepest sympathies go out to his family...

彼のご家族にも心からの祈りを送ります、、、。

Dearest Tom, Thank you for putting so much of your love & beautiful magic onto my songs, and showing me the most amazing art of music. I will treasure all those unforgettable moments with you and all my songs we created together.... You & your music will be on my heart forever...
Rest In Peace… love, AK

親愛なるトム、
私の曲にたくさんの愛と美しい魔法をかけてくれてありがとう。
あなたと出会えたこと、たくさんの感動的な瞬間、一緒にレコーディングして生まれた曲は永遠の宝物です。
いつまでも私の心にあなたとあなたの音楽は共にいるよ。
本当に心からありがとう、トム•コイン！
やすらかに、、、。
love, AK

I met Tom Coyne in 2001. He mastered my worldwide No.1 hit "Say That You Love Me" and we got interviewed by TV in Japan.