MINYEH HSIEH
A bit like they stole the semi-conductor industry from under everyone's noses, Taiwan has built up quite a happening jazz scene. Saxophonist Minyeh Hsieh is very much part of this and had really got that "classic-sounding without sounding like he's trying to be classic-sounding" jazz sound down. Just one of the greats doing his thing. You can check him out at two venues this month. On May 10th at Chitei Otsuka where he will be accompanied by Risa Takeda (keys) and Yuma Takeshite (bass). All for ¥2,500 (with free drink!) (Ticket info), then on May 17th at Shibuya's Koen-Dori Classics where he'll play with Hiroshi Yamazaki (drums), Mikiko Nagatake (keys), and Takashi Sugawa (bass) for ¥3,000 (Ticket info).
UNWOUND
There's never a shortage of hardcore here. This is because there's a solid audience for it -- due to all the shit Japanese people give each other in their daily lives and because it's relatively cheap to bring hardcore bands to Tokyo, as they can sleep on somebody's floor. This month sees a visit by the recently reformed Unwound, who do the sweet n' melodic form of hardcore pioneered by Bob Mould, which sometimes gets called "post-hardcore" or even "noise rock" by the hair-splitting brigade. Support is Japanese band Uri Gagarn who play a kind of rocked-up, shoegazing, alt-rock thing. Spotify O-Nest, Shibuya, 12th + 14th May, Price: ￥5,800 (Ticket info)
RAW POWER
More hardcore - I know you're excited! This time from Italian legends Raw Power who have maintained intense energy levels since the 1980s, thanks to strategically breaking in new talent when necessary, although this can't explain how founding member Mauro Codeluppi (vocals) keeps spitting it out hard and fast. The fact that they're Italian definitely adds something to the musicality. Bush Bash, Koiwa, May 24th. Price: ¥2,000 (Ticket Info) and Yokohama El Puente, May 25th, which is essentially a Spanish restaurant -- see, what did I say about sleeping on somebody's floor? Price: probably the price of a warmed-up plate of paella (Ticket Info).
BELA FLECK
Although often derided for its white trash associations -- see the movie "Deliverance" -- the banjo, with its bright, sharp, and twangy sound, is one of the most effective instruments in the musical arsenal. Someone who has utilised its laid-back percussive sound with strong properties of projection is virtuoso "banjo beast" Bela Fleck, whose music embraces bluegrass, jazz, classical, and rock influences. Accompanied by harpist Edmar Castaneda and the Antonio Sanchez Trio, expect a more Latin twist this time. Blue Note 28th, 29th, and 30th. Price: ¥11,000-14,300 (Ticket info).
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