Puffy

Japanese Pop Duo

Japanese duo Puffy is Ami Onuki from Tokyo and Yumi Yoshimura from Osaka. They started in 1995 and, unlike most J-Pop acts, have more than an ounce of identity. It is probably this that has kept them in the limelight for over a decade. Their debut album Asia No Junshin was a million-seller and sparked Puffy mania nationwide, with the ensuing commercial TV exposure including their own TV show, and even a brand of shoes. For reasons relating to rapper Sean “Puffy” Combs, the duo are known as Puffy AmiYumi in the US, and have been described as ”a contemporary female version of the Monkees. with popularity equaling many Stateside commercial contemporaries…”

As a mark of how popular they are across the water Puffy were appointed goodwill ambassadors to the US by the Japanese Government a couple of years ago. They have been guided well by their producers (one of whom is ex-Jellyfish drummer Andy Sturmer), taking in many Western influences that appeal to both sides of the Pacific. The duo are entertaining if not enthralling, and a good live night out is guaranteed.

July 14, 7pm @Namba Hatch, Osaka, ¥5,000-¥5,500. 06-6341-3525, J-Pop

The Blues Brothers Band

The original rhythm and blues show band

If there is one act that needs no introduction it is certainly the Blues Brothers. Unfortunately, since John Belushi departed after an accidental heroin overdose in 1982, the brothers are no more, but marching on in style is the backing band –and they aren't just any old backing band. These are musicians of the highest caliber who can hold their own without having to use a moniker to promote their wares.

The Blues Brothers started out as a musical slot on Saturday Night Live in 1978, featuring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as Jake and Elwood Blues. It was a routine that was unable to fail because, to quote Jake from the original Blues Brothers movie, "ya see, me and the lord have an understanding.” The music is today as it was then: a mix of blues and soul with elements of jazz and rock.

After Belushi's death the band went in to a cycle of hiatus and reunion. The first reunion took place in 1988, when the band went on a world tour, and since then they have recorded a handful of albums. Even John Belushi's brother James did a stint live. Not quite the original Ackroyd-Belushi act, but a guaranteed fantastic night.

July 18 @Billboard Live, Osaka, 6:30pm/9:30pm, ¥9,000-¥10,500. 06-6342-7722, Blues & Soul

Wilko Johnson

Ex-Dr Feelgood Blues Guitarist

I first saw Wilko Johnson play live about seventeen years ago at a weekend blues festival in the UK. Johnson was the headline act on the Sunday evening to see out the festival. The festival billed him as a man who played guitar “as if his life depended on it.” That’s a pretty tall order to live up to, but when the time came Johnson burst on to stage, racing from one side to the other waggling his legs around in the fashion of a terrified crab. He kept this up for the full set. In all honesty I remember very little about Wilko Johnson’s guitar playing, but was stunned by his energy. I was later informed by the festival organizer that he was frantically pacing most of the day backstage, as Johnson didn’t turn up until literally seconds before he was due to perform!

In this warm-up gig at a small venue in Kyoto you are in for a treat, as Johnson recently has cut down the number of live dates he does.

July 22 @Taku Taku, Kyoto, 7pm, ¥5,000. 075-351-1321, Blues Rock

The European Jazz Trio

Jazz trio with a slant

The European Jazz Trio debuted in 1995 with Memories of Liverpool, an album of Beatles songs presented in jazz arrangements. The band is comprised of Marc von Roon on piano, Frans van der Hoeven on bass, and Roy Dackus on drums. Their specialty is finding unusual material and applying it to a jazz setting. Though it sounds like a recipe for disaster, especially considering some of the songs they've chosen over the years include Abba's “Dancing Queen” and The Police’s “Message in a Bottle” Their skillful arrangements emphasize how these songs hold their own no matter what the backdrop. The European Jazz Trio’s genre-crossing approach highlights their talent and enthusiasm, and be sure to check out the their latest album, which features the flute playing of ex-Focus (of “Hocus Pocus fame”) member Thijs Van Leer.

July 8-9 @Billboard Live, Osaka, 6.30pm/9.30pm ¥6,400-¥7,900. 06-6342-7722, Jazz

Live Listings

Kururi

7/1-2 @ Zepp, Osaka
7pm ¥4,800 06-6341-3525
J-Band

Yamazaki Masayoshi

Seiko Matsuda

Carmen Maki

Takuro Yoshida

Blues Night At Big Cat

Exile

European Jazz Trio

Enuff z Nuff

SA

Bo Gumbos

Simon & Garfunkel

Puffy

Radwimps

The Blues Brothers Band

Koichi Iwakai & Eyudo Uzaki

Brian Blade

Wilko Johnson

Impelliteri

Fuji Rock Festival

Rina Matsuri

Kazuki Kato

Shakatak

Compiled by Phillip Jackson