D12
Dec. 3

“We made a pact years ago,” says Eminem, of his clique of running buddies from his native Motor City. “Which ever one of us gets signed comes back for the rest.” It is no secret to hip hop fans that Slim Shady has been busy repping and assisting his boys, D12 to assure them the chance to shine. They reside on his label, Shady Records, and have accompanied him on many high profile awards stages and appearances.

The undoubtedly talented and hungry crew unsurprisingly finds as much of their appeal in controversial subject matter as in their beats and rhyme skills. Visceral, provocative and entertaining, their recently released sophomore album World, (with production assistance by Dr. Dre and Kanye West as well as D12 member Proof) straddles, according to one reviewer, “the line between the humorous and offensive, silly and sadistic.” The quirky hit lead single My Band (cleverly satirizing the exasperation of being overshadowed by Eminem) shows that D12 know how to produce catchy material while holding true to their own style. Slowly but surely winning over naysayers the past two years, the sextet seems to be more than merely ‘Eminem’s side project.’ Head to Zepp Osaka this month to find out for yourself.

Zepp Osaka
19:00. ¥6500 Tel: 0570-02-9999

Elvis Costello
Dec. 10

On the heels of his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the release of his Southern-steeped new album The Delivery Man, renowned musical icon Elvis Costello makes a stop in Kansai this month.

Once chiefly regarded as the thinking man’s pop punkster (anchoring his status in the late 70s with the tight backing of muscular trio The Attractions — Pete Thomas, Bruce Thomas, and Steve Nieve) the ever curious and prolific Costello has been steadily broadening and deepening his influence as a songwriter, composer and artist over his 25-plus year career. For example, this year’s release of his Shakespeare score Il Sogno (The Dream), featuring acclaimed conductor Michael Tilson and the London Symphony Orchestra, marked Mr. Costello’s debut as an orchestral composer. The CD also debuted at Number 1 on the U.S. Traditional Classic Charts. Last year’s North, the artiste’s foray into jazz piano balladry, itself staked out a long term residency on the top of the U.S. jazz charts.

The Delivery Man, recorded in Mississippi, finds Costello coalescing the more conventional strengths of This Year’s Model, King of America and Almost Blue, and expressing a more down-home soulful side. The album features the tasteful support of guest singers Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams and the guiding hand of producer Dennis Herring (Counting Crows, Cracker, Buddy Guy). The songwriter’s current crop includes raucous up tempo numbers as well as introspective, wistful ballads and is sure to remind fans of what they love about the idiosyncratic artist. Nevertheless, Costello is best known for his earlier material, such as that from his stellar 1977 debut My Aim is True (including timeless favorites Alison, Red Shoes and Less Than Zero), and other tunes like Lipstick Vogue, Man Out of Time and I Want You . Kansai fans should expect generous helpings of the tried and true repertoire favorites along with the southern fried current menu at the walking pop museum’s Osaka show this month.

Osaka Kokusai Kaigijo Main Hall. 19:00. ¥7000
Tel: 06-6535-5569

The Blues Explosion
Dec. 10

Deemed “New York rock primitivism” by the New York Times, The (formerly John Spencer) Blues Explosion, howls, rages, drawls, grooves and rocks in unexpected ways, delighting most while confounding some. Led by former Pussy Galore front man John Spencer, their sound not only straddles the fence between genres (indie/70s rock, blues, punk, noise rock), but also between songs and not-songs, in favor of the addictive guitar riff and the glorious rock n’ roll pageantry of the stage show.

Although not everyone is convinced there’s more substance than style to the band, their indie credentials have grown along with the success of each album.

Since 1994’s Orange, (which included the hits Bellbottoms and Flavor), each successive release has added significantly to their fan base while including hipper associations. Since the mid to late 90s, the list of notable JSBX-heads included the likes of the Beasties, Beck, Moby and a slew of others among the indie in-crowd. The new release, Damage (the first as simply Blues Explosion), reignites the intensity and soulfulness of the band’s heyday, and contains a sampling of a variety of edgy styles along with guest stars that rock them. Public Enemy’s Chuck D, Tricky singer Martina Topley-Bird, James Chance, DJ Shadow and Dan The Automator all contribute.

The high ceilings and spacious-ness of Namba Hatch make it an ideal setting for taking in the full effect of a band whose strength lies in the raw bump-and-grind and sonic unpredictability of their live show. Check them out this month.

Namba Hatch. 19:00. ¥6500
Tel: 0570-02-9999

Beenie Man
Dec. 13

"You can't be a normal person and do music," observes notorious dancehall toaster and DJ Beenie Man, “You have to be crazy and try things. If it work, it work. If it don't, it don't. I try crazy things and it always work."

In the past few years, whatever Beenie Man has touched has seemed to work, indeed, as he now lays sole claim to the throne of dancehall king.

Experiencing his true ascent to stardom in the early 90s, Beenie was an undeniable force on the Jamaican music charts by the end of the decade -whether solo or with other artists. So Nice with Silvercat, 100 Dollar Bag, Hot Bwoy with Buccaneer, Forget You, Ruff Like We with Redrose, and L.O.Y. are just a sampling of the hit singles the DJ released between 1999 and 2000. His 2000 Art and Life CD went on to win a Grammy for Best Reggae Album.

The following year, Beenie produced the debut album by actor Steven Seagal, which featured guest appearances by Janet Jackson, the Neptunes, Lady Saw, and Lil' Kim. This year, with his latest Back to Basics CD, the entertainer is riding yet another wave of success, after surviving a near fatal car accident in January (and losing his longtime road manager in a February shooting). Dude, the infectious tongue-in-cheek lead single from the release has remained a mainstay on the playlists of club and radio DJs of all dance genres, camping at Number One in Beenie’s native Jamaica.

Despite recent devastating losses, the hyperkinetic performer insists on keeping on keeping on. "I always take the negative and make it a positive because it makes me stronger," he says. Two nights at the re-vamped Blue Note (now in the basement of Herbis Plaza in Umeda, Osaka) should give you more than enough opportunity to get a righteous dose of the strength of true dancehall.

Osaka Blue Note. 18:45/21:30. ¥6400/¥7400/¥8400
Tel: 06-6342-7722

Live section compiled by HWJ

Live Listings December

12/1
The Donots @ Club Quattro 19:00. ¥5500. Tel: 06-6281-8181. Punk Rock
12/1
Chihiro Yamanaka @ Kyoto Concert Hall. 19:00. ¥6000. Tel: 075-211-0261. Jazz
12/1 & 12/2
David Sanborn @ Osaka Blue Note 18:45/21:30. ¥9500/¥10500/ ¥12000. Tel: 06-6342-7722. Jazz Sax
12/2
22-20s @ Club Quattro. 19:00. ¥5500. Tel: 06-6535-5569. Rock
12/3 & 4
Incognito w/ Maysa Leak @ Osaka Blue Note. 18:45/21:30. ¥7000/ ¥8000/¥9000. Tel: 06-6342-7722. UK Jazz Funk
12/5
Beethoven's 9th w cast of 10,000 @ Osaka-Jo Hall. 15:00. ¥5000.
Tel: 06-6233-8771. Classical
12/6 & 7
Kool & The Gang @ Osaka Blue Note 18:45/21:30. ¥8000/¥8500/ ¥10000. Tel: 06-6342-7722. Funk
12/7
Mando Diao @ Zepp Osaka. 19:00. ¥5800. Tel: 0570-02-9999. Punk Rock
12/7
Naturally 7 @ Club Quattro. 18:00. ¥6500. Tel: 06-6281-8181. A capella/ Soul
12/8
Michael Landau @ Big Cat. 19:30 ¥7000. Tel: 06-6258-5008. Jazz
12/8 & 9
The Three Degrees & The Supremes @ Osaka Blue Note. 18:45/21:30 ¥7500/¥8500/¥9500. Tel: 06-6342-7722. Classic Pop/Soul
12/8 & 9
Brian Setzer Orchestra @ Namba Hatch. 19:00. ¥6800. Tel: 06-6341-4506. Jazz
12/10
Wiener Johann Strauss Orchester New Year Concert @ Kyoto Concert Hall. 14:00. ¥4000-¥6000.
Tel: 075-711-3090. Classical
12/10 & 11
Four of a Kind @ Osaka Blue Note 18:00/20:00. ¥5400/¥7400.
Tel: 06-6342-7722. Jazz
12/12
NHK Symphony Orchestra @ NHK Osaka Hall. 16:00. ¥8000/¥10000. Tel: 06-6947-5000. Classical
12/14
Rise Against @ Club Quattro. 19:00. ¥5000. Tel: 06-6281-8181. Rock
12/15
Keane @ Namba Hatch. 19:00. ¥5800. Tel: 06-6535-5569. Alt. Rock
12/16
Frank McComb @ Osaka Blue Note 18:45/21:30. ¥5000/¥6000/ ¥7000. Tel: 06-6342-7722. Soul
12/17
Shonen Knife @ Fandango. 19:00 ¥3000. Tel: 06-6535-5569. Rock/Punk
12/17 & 18
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra @ Chicken George. 19:30. ¥5250
Tel: 0570-02-9999. Ska
12/17 & 18
Helen Merrill @ Osaka Blue Note 18:30/21:30 (18:00/21:00) ¥7000 /¥9000. Tel: 06-6342-7722. Jazz
12/19 & 12/20
The High-Lows @ Namba Hatch 18:00. ¥4600. Tel: 0570-02-9999. Rock
12/20
The Sixteen and The Symph. Of Harmony and Inventon @ Izumi Hall. 18:30. ¥7000/¥9000. Tel: 06-6944-1188. Classical
12/21
Denise Lasalle @ Taku Taku. 19:00. ¥6500. Tel: 0570-02-9999 Blues/Soul
12/21 & 22
A Gospel Celebration @ Osaka Blue Note. 18:30/21:30. ¥6000/¥11200 Tel: 06-6342-7722. Gospel
12/22
Grapevine @ Club Quattro. 19:30. ¥4500. Tel: 06-3357-4400. Rock
12/23-25
The Stylistics @ Osaka Blue Note. 18:45/21:30. ¥5000/¥6000/ ¥7000. Tel: 06-6342-7722. Classic Soul
12/26
The Miceteeth @ Club Quattro. 19:00. ¥3000. Tel: 06-6281-8181. Rock
12/28 & 29
Sweetbox @ Osaka Blue Note 18:00 /20:00. ¥6400/¥8400. 06-6342-7722. Pop/Classical/R&B
1/6
Joss Stone @ Namba Hatch. 19:00. ¥6800. Tel: 06-6535-5569. R&B/Pop.
1/9
Europe @ Osaka Kokusai Kaigijo
Main Hall. 18:00. Z ¥7500 0570-02-9999. Hard Rock
1/13
Wednesday 13 @ Club Quattro. 19:00. ¥5500. Tel: 06-6535-5569. Rock
1/17
Lisa Loeb @ Club Quattro. 19:00. ¥6300. Tel: 06-6535-5569. Pop/Alt. Rock