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Lovely Blues

Masterpiece Japanese Blues Albums: Must-Listen Recommendations

Japanese blues with enduring popularity.

It may not be widely known to the general public, but among Japanese music genres, it’s actually one of the highest in overall quality—and there are powerhouse singers with global recognition.

This time, we’ve picked out some classic albums from the world of Japanese blues.

Japanese blues that hardcore music fans especially love…

If you haven’t been interested in Japanese blues until now, you might be surprised by how high the level is!

Of course, we’ve also included some lesser-known masterpieces, so it’s a must-see for hardcore blues aficionados as well!

Playlist

Masterpiece Japanese Blues Albums: Must-Listen Recommendations
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1Blues After HoursUesuto Rōdo Burūsu Bando
Blues After HoursUesuto Rōdo Burūsu Bandoplay_arrow
Debut album of the West Road Blues Band
2to be surrounded on all sides; isolated with no allies (literally: ‘songs of Chu on all four sides’)Yūkadan
to be surrounded on all sides; isolated with no allies (literally: 'songs of Chu on all four sides')Yūkadanplay_arrow
The Yūkadan’s 1978 album is experimental and important in Japanese music history.
3Let’s enjoy it until the end.Azuma Mitsuyoshi & The Swinging Boppers
Let's enjoy it until the end.Azuma Mitsuyoshi & The Swinging Boppersplay_arrow
A key figure who helped root the soul of jump blues in Japan
4Since coming to SapporoSukaidoggu Burūsu Bando
Since coming to SapporoSukaidoggu Burūsu Bandoplay_arrow
Skydog’s second Japanese blues album
5Bobby Sox BluesSeno Ryūichirō
Bobby Sox BluesSeno Ryūichirōplay_arrow
Ryuichiro Seno’s debut: a blues harp masterpiece
6Honmoku BluesZa Gōruden Kappusu
Honmoku BluesZa Gōruden Kappusu
The Golden Cups' blues rock album
7Blue Spirit BluesAsakawa Maki
Blue Spirit BluesAsakawa Makiplay_arrow
Maki Asakawa’s signature work, Blue Spirit Blues
8Yokohama Honky-Tonk BluesEdi Han
Yokohama Honky-Tonk BluesEdi Hanplay_arrow
Eddie Pan’s definitive blues album
9Night Lifebureikudauan
Night Lifebureikudauanplay_arrow
The classic live album of Breakdown
10Twilight Make-Love CompanyKubota Makoto to Yūyake Gakudan
Twilight Make-Love CompanyKubota Makoto to Yūyake Gakudanplay_arrow
Makoto Kubota breathed new life into the blues.
11St. Louis BluesYashiro Aki
St. Louis BluesYashiro Akiplay_arrow
The queen of enka takes on the blues
12Cotton BoogieHanashin
Cotton BoogieHanashinplay_arrow
Hanashin is a band that represents Osaka blues.
13Kamona UshakodaUshakoda
Kamona UshakodaUshakodaplay_arrow
Ushakoda is a six-member band from Chiba known for its unique fusion music.
14Call The Brown Sugar WomanŌki Tōru
Call The Brown Sugar WomanŌki Tōruplay_arrow
Toru Oki’s album “Soulful” is a masterpiece of the Japanese blues scene.
15Sound the whistle.W.C. Karasu
Sound the whistle.W.C. Karasuplay_arrow
W.C. Karas, an unconventional singer who debuted at 48