A collaboration between the legendary Monsieur Kamayatsu and neo-vintage blues pioneers Blues the Butcher has resulted in a groovy, earthy R&R/blues album that far exceeds expectations!!!!
Blues the Butcher (Takashi Nagai Hotoke, Hisashi Numazawa, Taku Nakajo, and KOTEZ) is generating buzz for their classic yet innovative blues sound.
Mushu Kamayatsu, enthralled by them, exclaimed, "I'm so happy this band is in Japan!"
The two, who have been actively collaborating live in recent years, have teamed up to create this long-awaited album.
This album cannot end as just another covers album.
Riding by the superb rhythm section of Numazawa and Nakajo, Monsieur's guitar rages through every track, blending psychedelic and rock styles, while Hotoke's guitar and Kotetsu's harp intertwine intricately.
The contrast between Hotoke's explosive blues singing and Monsieur's one-of-a-kind, nonchalant vocals is exquisite. They are undoubtedly the only bands capable of producing this kind of sound in Japan in 2009.
■This year marks the 70th anniversary of his birth, and the greatness of Monsieur's music was reaffirmed with "1939 .MONSIEUR," in which he collaborated with numerous artists. Now, with this album, he challenges himself to new heights with b.t.b.
■Includes the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction" at a much slower tempo, the Beatles' familiar version of "Be-Bop-A-Lura," the John Lee Hooker-esque "Boom Boom," a "Rock Me Baby" with a twist that's a bit different from B.B. King's, Slim Harpo's "Te-Ni-Nee-Ni-Nu" featuring an exquisite interplay with KOTEZ, the irresistible Rufus Thomas version of "Walking The Dog," and the high-energy Spencer Davis Group's "High Time Baby."
■This is a miraculous album, born from the mutual respect between b.t.b. and Monsieur.
★The jacket photo/album artwork is by world-renowned photographer Ichigo Sugawara.
