Ron Sexsmith
Sep. 29

Between headlining dates in France and the U.K., Canadian songsmith Ron Sexsmith makes a brief stop in Japan this month, in support of one of his best recent recordings, the newly released and very well received Retriever (Nettwerk Records). Despite having made several fantastic records over the past decade, Ron Sexsmith has largely maintained a cult following, both in his native country and abroad. Considered by dedicated fans to be the best pop melodist since Paul McCartney, many of his biggest cheerleaders are household names, such as Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, and Coldplay. Yet despite his famous fans and accessible sound, Sexsmith still remains one of Canada's best kept secrets.

While 2002's Cobblestone Runway was accused by some of reaching for a younger demographic by dabbling in digital wizardry, edgy production and drumloops, Retriever (recorded in the thick of the UK's heat wave of 2003), says Sexsmith, "has more of an up-tempo, electric feel to it, and on a few of the tracks I think I've finally figured out how to write a chorus!!" A highlight of the new album is Imaginary Friends, a song warning the listener that —imaginary friends will always let you down." The single, Whatever It Takes, which has received considerable radio play in Canada, could easily have been a hit for the likes of Al Green. Fans of Rufus Wainwright and Ryan Adams are well recommended to head down to Shinsaibashi's Quattro and check out this underappreciated, gifted and, at the very least, tantalizingly named artist.

Club Quattro @ 19:00/¥6,000
Tel: 06-6535-5569 • Rock

Earth, Wind & Fire
Sep. 9

Famed purveyors of the fundamental elements of funk, soul and spirituality, Earth, Wind & Fire are in tha house, or rather in tha (Osaka Jo) hall, this month. With their recent induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, EWF require very little in the way of introduction, yet suffice it to say that their uncanny ability to combine infectious and soaring hooks, glorious vocal harmonies, provocative arrangements, disgustingly funky grooves, and not least of all, the fiercest horn section walking among us, has hard-wired the greater part of their repertoire into our consciousness, to say nothing of our jukeboxes and wedding party song lists. Despite the startling revelation that he is battling Parkinson's disease, Maurice White has managed to keep his musical juggernaut consistently viable, even now in their third decade as a live and recording act. While it's difficult enough trying to convince old funk purists of the charms of post-1980 recordings (just ask Prince fans), it's especially daunting when you're talking about a catalog which includes such inimitable hits as That's The Way Of The World, September, and Boogie Wonderland. So why try? But the point is, EWF are still writing great songs,
in case you were wondering. This past February their single Hold Me (from 2003's The Promise) was nominated for a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance (for solo, duo, or group).

The Promise is buoyed, unsurprisingly, by Phillip Bailey's silky smooth falsetto (on tracks like Betcha) along with White's own trademark rich tenor; but it also hosts appearances by contemporary jazzy soulsters Angie Stone (Wonderland) and Gerald Albright (Why). EWF's upcoming release Shining Stars, is somewhat of a greatest hits compilation, although it also includes some new material. As rapper Lil' Kim told MTV News at the recent Grammy Awards “Shining Star, Sing A Song, and, of course, one of my favorites, Let's Groove." I mean, I may be young, but I groove to Earth Wind & Fire." And so should you.

OsakaJo Hall @ 19:00 / ¥9,800
Tel: 0570-02-9999 • Funk, Soul, Pop

Live Listings September

9/2-4
Cassandra Wilson @ Osaka Blue Note. 18:45/21:30. ¥9500 Tel: 06-6342-7722. Jazz Vocals

9/4
"Aloha Heaven: Na Leo, Konishiki, Makana" @ Namba Hatch. 18:00. ¥6500. Tel: 0570-02-9999. World/Hawaiian

9/5
Exodus @ Club Quattro. 19:00 ¥5500. Tel: 06-6281-8181. Metal

9/9
Earth, Wind and Fire @ OsakaJo Hall. 19:00. ¥9800. Tel: 0570-02-9999. Funk, Soul, Pop

9/9-11
Maxi Priest @ Osaka Blue
Note. 18:45/21:30. ¥9000.
Tel: 06-6342-7722. Reggae/Pop

9/10
Britney Spears @ Osaka Dome 19:00. ¥7500/¥8500.
Tel: 06-6362-7301. Pop

9/10
In Flames @ Namba Hatch 19:00. ¥6000. Tel: 06-6233-8888 Metal

9/11
The Trio Minstrels @ The Phoenix Hall. 17:00. ¥4500.
Tel: 06-6762-2204. Classical

9/13
The Calling @ Club Quattro 18:00. ¥5980. Tel: 06-6535-5569 Rock/Pop

9/13
Eastern Youth @ Taku Taku 19:00. ¥3500. Tel: 06-6535-5569

9/13&14
The Roots @ Osaka Blue Note 18:45/21:30. ¥9000.
Tel: 06-6342-7722. Hip Hop

9/15&16
Brothers Four @ Osaka Blue Note. 18:45/21:30. ¥9000.
Tel: 06-6342-7722. Folk

9/16
The Skatalites @ Club Quattro. 19:00. ¥6000. Tel: 06-6535-5569. Ska

9/17
The Mods @ Big Cat. 19:00 ¥4900. Tel: 0570-02-9999. Rock

9/18
Polaris @ Club Metro. 18:30 ¥4900. Tel: 06-6357-7722. Rock

9/18
Joshua Rifkin & Bach Concertino Osaka @ Izumi Hall. 16:00. ¥5000. Tel: 06-6944-1188. Classical

9/18
The Datsuns @ Club Quattro. 18:00. ¥5800. Tel: 06-6535-5569 Rock

9/19
Hawaiian Festival @ Kadoma Lumier Hall. 15:00. ¥5000.
Tel: 06-6908-5300. Hawaiian

9/21&22
Eric Johnson @ Osaka Blue
Note. 18:45/21:30. ¥7400.
Tel: 06-6342-7722. Jazz

9/22
Kemuri @ Big Cat. 19:00 ¥3250. Tel: 06-6362-7722. Ska

9/23
Kirinji @ Namba Hatch. 19:00. ¥5000. 06-4397-0572. Rock

9/23
Scorpions @ Zepp Osaka. 18:00 ¥7500. Tel: 0570-02-9999. Rock

9/25
Freddy Kempf @ The Symphony Hall. 14:00. ¥4500. Tel: 06-6135-0503. Classical

9/27
Fatboy Slim @ Underlounge 19:00. ¥6000. Tel: 06-6535-5569 Dance/Electronic

9/27
New York Dolls @ Namba Hatch 19:00. ¥7000. Tel: 0570-02-9999 Rock

9/28
Zazen Boys @ Taku Taku 18:30. ¥3000. Tel: 075-351-1321

9/28
New Found Glory @ Namba Hatch. 19:00. ¥6000.
Tel: 0570-02-9999. Rock/Pop

9/29
Ron Sexsmith @ Club Quattro 19:00. ¥6000. Tel: 06-6535-5569 Rock

9/29
Faithless @ Big Cat. 20:00 ¥6000. Tel: 06-6258-5008. Dance

10/1
Maroon 5 @ Big Cat. 19:00. ¥6800. Tel: 06-6341-4506. Rock

10/1
Raymond Lefevre Grand Orchestra @ Hirakata Shimin Kaikan Dai Hall. 18:30. ¥5000/ ¥6000. Tel: 072-843-1122. Classical

10/2&3
Joao Gilberto @ Festival Hall. 17:00 (10/3: 16.00) ¥10,000/ ¥12,000. Tel: 0570-02-9999 Brazilian/Jazz

10/4&9
Count Basie Orchestra @ Osaka Blue Note. 18:45/21:30 (10/9: 18:00/20:45). ¥9500.Tel: 06-6342-7722. Jazz

10/6
The King's Singers (Brahms/ Schumann) @ Izumi Hall 19:00. ¥5000/¥6000.
Tel: 06-6944-1188. Classical

10/6&7
Alma Flamenca @ Osaka Blue Note. 18:45/21:30. ¥7500 Tel: 06-6342-7722. Flamenco

10/7
Mogwai @ Big Cat. 19:00 ¥6000. Tel: 06-6341-4506. Rock

10/8
Funeral For A Friend @ Club Quattro. 19:00. ¥5000.
Tel: 06-6535-5569. Rock