blues.the-butcher-590213 with June Yamagishi『Live at Takutaku』CD

Nagai "Hotoke" Takashi × Numazawa Takashi × Nakajo Taku × KOTEZ = Japan's leading blues combo, blues.the-butcher-590213, welcome Nagai's longtime friend, Junshi Yamagishi, as a guest for a live album recorded at Kyoto's historic live house, Takutaku!

■blues.the-butcher-590213, a representative Japanese blues band consisting of Nagai "Hotoke" Takashi (g/vo) × Numazawa Takashi (ds) × Nakajo Taku (b) × KOTEZ (hca/vo). This is their 11th live album, featuring Junshi Yamagishi (g), Nagai's longtime friend since the West Road Blues Band era, who was a pioneer of Japanese blues.

■In spring 2024, Yamagishi came from New Orleans to record the duo album "…still in love with the Blues" with Nagai. This recording was made on April 2nd, when they performed as blues.the-butcher-590213 with Junshi Yamagishi at Takutaku's 50th-anniversary live concert. For both Nagai and Yamagishi, who are very familiar with the venue, it became a recording with the best atmosphere.

■Many long-time fans will be thrilled to hear the album open with Lowell Fulson's "Tramp," which was also the opening number on West Road's first album, "Blues Power." However, this is not merely a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The deep blues singing of Nagai "Hotoke" Takashi, the powerful harmonica and vocals of KOTEZ, the incredibly strong rhythm section of Numazawa Takashi and Nakajo Taku, and the passionate, soulful guitar interplay of Junshi Yamagishi are nothing short of thrilling. The current blues groove is alive and kicking.

■Junshi Yamagishi, who was nominated for a Grammy Award for Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles' album. In recent years, Yamagishi has been deeply influenced by Albert King, and his sharp, flavorful, and ever-changing guitar playing can be thoroughly enjoyed.

■As usual, the mix was handled by Naoyuki Uchida. We hope you experience the exquisite "sound" that captures the warm atmosphere of the venue.