Sun Alley

Ogikubo RoosterApril 6, 2011Kenji Koyasuda – guitarHikaru Sugawa – organ, pianoHiroshi Eguchi – bassYoshiki Yamazaki – DrumsSun Alley is one of the best blues bands in Japan. They kicked off their early April set knowing the crowd needed some relief from the worries of the earthquake and they delivered by showing just how restorative the blues can be. The starter, “Spoonful” showed they obviously came to play, not just to get up on stage and eventually get around to it. Like real bluesmen, they get right into pulling out the energy, knowing there’s always more emotion to liberate. “Look Over Yonder” dug into a funky vibe with heart-stopping tight drumming from Yamazaki, who anchors more than his share of blues and roots rock bands.“Sundown” was intense, with tasty solos from Koyasuda and Sugawa. These two guys are out playing with bands almost every night, but they make every night fresher than the last. And funkier—“That’s What Love Will Make You Do” had every neck and backbone in the house moving. Koyasuda’s solos are always tasteful, thoughtful and jammed with feeling. Like the best blues guitarists, he never hurries and never worries.What is most special about Sun Alley is they do not play the songs; they use the songs to play! Their respect for the tradition is obvious, but they never get stuck there, trying to copy some past glory. They connect first, and then worry about paying dues later on. “Cadillac Assembly Line” pulled out the jazz chops, with nimble, quick-tempo glee. “Morning Rain” was slow and sultry, aching with the feeling of being trapped inside. “Next Time You See Me,” the encore, was brilliant.The blues energy Sun Alley captures, as if through a magnifying glass, always catches fire. On solos, Eguchi, having to play a new bass after his broke, jumped underneath like a weightlifter, pushing up the band with heavy thrusts, snatches and holds on bass. Koyasuda, lets the notes and rhythms flow naturally. Sugawa’s keyboards are tight and tasteful, always right where you need, and want, them to be. They all give solos like they have a thousand more to give. Sun Alley is dynamic, fun, real blues, and not a band to be missed.