Sun Alley at Rooster
June 6, 2023 Ogikubo Rooster
Kenji Koyasuda 小安田憲司 – guitar, vocals
Katsuhiko Nakamichi 中道勝彦 – keyboards
Hiroshi Eguchi 江口弘史 – bass
Yukitaka Kokuba 国場幸孝 – drums
Blues is alive and well in Tokyo. Sun Alley plays classic blues with leaping guitar riffs, melodic keyboards, fluid, punchy bass lines, and drums that hits hard in the right places. This magnificent blues quartet is led by bassist Eguchi and fronted by guitarist Koyasuda. They are joined by the talented multi-keyboardist Nakamichi and in-the-pocket drummer Kokuba.
The group led off with a strong version of “The River’s Invitation,” the Percy Mayfield classic of searching and sorrow. Koyasuda got out in front, hitting the right intro licks to get the house rocking but never overplaying. His guitar style is lean, but very present, making sure the guitar fits snugly into the overall sound, driving it at times, but ready to give Nakamichi room to move, too.
The band’s version of Robert Cray’s “Don’t You Even Care” was especially well done. Eguchi slaps down the bass line, and it all falls into place. Simple blues like this is the hardest to play, but Sun Alley has the feeling that gives it tensile strength.
Their great take of Bo Diddley’s “Mona” let the bass really wrap around and gave Kokuba a tricky rhythm to show off his great drumming. He’s a drummer who makes the feeling stronger, whether it’s slow and sad or a party beat. Nakamachi added tasteful keyboards with a great palette of tones and techniques.
In the second set, Jimmy Hughes’ “Steal Away” sounded both like the early 60s hit it was and like it was just out recently. The band must have been listening to the Johnnie Taylor version, with its deep, funky bass line, but giving it all their experience to shine it up.
The two classics, “Ain’t That Lovin’ You” and Bobby Blue Bland’s “Members Only” were given with a sultry swing. The upbeat “When It All Comes Down (I’ll Still Be Around)” from B.B. King was delivered as it should be—to make you want to sing along.
The crowd demanded an encore and got “Freedom for the Stallion,” calming, heartfelt ballad that reaches for your heartstrings. It was the perfect closer.
All four members of Sun Alley are strong players, but they fit together like the right pieces of a blues band puzzle. Koyasuda is tasteful and energetic. Nakamichi adds rich colors. Kokuba is the kind of drummer who never has a night off he’s so in demand. Eguchi locks it all in place. The members play around Tokyo and Yokohama in various combinations with other blues musicians, but with this quartet, they’ve found the muscular core of the blues.
