Yosuke Onuma ( 小沼ようすけ ) “Nu Jazz” (Sony Records) 2001

Onuma’s sleek guitar playing flies over the catchy grooves laid down by long time bandmates Yuta Kaneko on Hammond B-3 organ and Hidenobu Otsuki on drums. They have spent time and careful attention learning the guitar-organ-drums combo format that was a staple of the 60s hardbop and soul-jazz scene. The ever-soulful Ken Ota adds alto sax on five tunes and Tokyo singer Keiko Lee offers vocal on one cut. The trio brings out the best of pop tunes ranging from Sting to Radiohead, but the infectious lead lines of Onuma’s clever originals have the funkiest feel. This is a good-time CD that likes its integrity fun and bouncy.