It looks like Ukadan is going away from the scene. The band has announced that they decided to go into "hibernation". Their last concert will be at the Kudan Hall in Tokyo on December 19. Ukadan was formed in the early 70's and debuted with a self-titled album in 1975 (a classic!). Since then, they have always been the most popular (and one of the most unique) blues band in Japan up till now. They will be missed, but the good news is that they never said they are breaking up, so maybe someday they will return. I hope so. The four member of the band, Atsuki Kimura (vocals, guitar), Kantaro Uchida (guitar, vocals), Kenji Hanaoka (bass, vocals), and Kazuo Shimada (drums) have been there since the beginning, and they never have been a change of the members throughout their history. Isn't that something? Kantaro and Kimura already have albums of their own released, so I guess we will be seeing them often as solo artists from now on.

A recent disappointment was that Popa Chubby had to cancel his Japan tour due to his health problems in connection with kidney infections. He was supposed to be the headliner for the The Jook Festival, but as he canceled at the very last minute, the promoter couldn't find anybody to replace him. So the Festival went on without the headliner, and as a result, it was filled with downhome Mississippi blues atmosphere with the Fat Possum Juke Joint Caravan becoming the main act of the show. It wasn't very common site to see in this country, and it was precious for that reason. In the final day of the event, all the members of the caravan, R.L. & Cedric Burnside, Elmo Williams, Hezekiah Early & Robert Cage jammed together for two numbers. It was a great show, but I also hope they would give a second chance for Popa to play in Japan. By the way, they are making this Festival into a series and the next one is going to be held in March. Artists to appear is being selected now. I think I will be able to tell you more in the next issue.

Tower Records in Shinjuku, Tokyo has moved to a new building and opened in October. It's one of the biggest Tower store in Japan, and has very rich inventory on blues music. (Better than any Tower locations I've been to in the States.) It's located in the 7th to 10th floor of Flags Building right in front of Shinjuku Station. By the way, R.L. Burnside did an in-store concert there when he was in Tokyo for the Jook Fest.

R.L. Burnside at Tower, Shinjuku

New releases from Japanese blues artists include the first solo album "Hareta Yoru" (Nihonbare JCUR-034) by guitarist Mooney. He has been active around clubs in Tokyo playing as a duo named Shy and Mooney. On this album, Mooney plays good acoustic based blues with influences from jug bands, and traditional jazz from prewar era. The CD is packaged in a special gatefold paper sleeve with pop-up artwork inside. Both the music and the cover art are lots of fun. The Travellers, a four-piece band from Fukuoka Prefecture formed in 1995 has a self-titled mini album out. (Lo Fi Records LFH 1201) They play jump blues with soft jazzy mood. No original tunes here, but the songs really swing and they're nice. The band says they're planning to play Tokyo for the first time early next year, so maybe I'll go see them then.

There are some notable blues reissues form P-Vine Records. One of them is Smokey Wilson's "Sings The Blues" (PCD-5401) album which was his second album from the Bihari Brothers' Big Town label. This album has been out of print for a long time and this is the first time for it to be on CD. This P-Vine release also includes a bonus track "You Shadowed My Dreams" which is a beautiful ballad in a minor key originally released only as a single. Smokey has two albums on Big Town and the other one "Blowin' Smoke" is already on CD from P-Vine (PCD-3022). They say there are enough unreleased tracks left on Big Town masters to make another full-length album, and this is scheduled for a release around next spring. P-Vine also has released Larry Davis' "Sweet Little Angel" (PCD-5402) which includes Davis' rare recordings on Virgo label in the late 60's. Great stuff.

Now that the Jook Festival is over, the next excitement here is going to be the Park Tower Blues Festival. (December 11-13) Just about the time this issue hits the stores, the fans in Japan will be having helluva good time with the Fest. Also in December, Bob Brozman will be playing in Japan. The promoter says he will be focusing on playing the blues in Delta style this time. Well, that's it for this year. Merry bluesy Christmas to all of you from Tokyo!