James　

As one of the first groups to be dubbed the next Smiths, James became an institution on the British alternative music scene during the ’80s and ’90s with their pleasant folk-pop. Early in thei ..more

STAYC　

Mari Hamada　

Muddy Waters　

Muddy Waters was the single most important artist to emerge in post-war American blues. A peerless singer, a gifted songwriter, an able guitarist, and leader of one of the strongest bands in the ge ..more

Jeff Buckley　

Since he was the son of cult songwriter Tim Buckley, Jeff Buckley faced more expectations and pre-conceived notions than most singer/songwriters. Perhaps it wasn’t surprising that Jeff Buck ..more

TESTSET　

Taj Mahal　

One of the most prominent figures in late 20th century blues, singer/multi-instrumentalist Taj Mahal played an enormous role in revitalizing and preserving traditional acoustic blues. Not content t ..more

Jonny Greenwood　

Best known as Radiohead’s innovative jack of all trades -- a multi-instrumentalist equally comfortable playing guitar, xylophone, sampler, or keyboards -- Jonny Greenwood also pursued a solo car ..more

Motohiro Hata　

Paul Simon　

Paul Simon is one of the most successful and respected songwriters of the rock era. Rising to fame in the mid-’60s, Simon’s songs were mature and literate, but also melodically engaging, and spo ..more

Incognito　

An acid jazz project with surprisingly deep roots in the 1970s jazz/funk/fusion world, Incognito were originally formed by Jean-Paul Maunick (aka Bluey) and Paul Tubbs Williams. Both wer ..more

The Flaming Lips　

Even within the eclectic world of alternative rock, few bands were so brave, so frequently brilliant, and so deliciously weird as the Flaming Lips. From their beginnings as Oklahoma weirdos to thei ..more

Shakti　

As jazz-rock fusion pioneer John McLaughlin delved deeper into Eastern spirituality and mysticism, he developed a corresponding interest in the music of South India. Following the collapse of the s ..more

Blossom Dearie　

A distinctive, girlish voice, crisp, impeccable delivery, and an irrepressible sense of playful swing made Blossom Dearie one of the most enjoyable singers of the vocal era. Her warmth and sparkle ..more

Taifuclub　

Jesse Ed Davis　

Jesse Ed Davis was perhaps the most versatile session guitarist of the late ’60s and early ’70s. Whether it was blues, country, or rock, Davis’ tasteful guitar playing was featured on albums by ..more

Yasuha　

Celine Dion　

Rising from humble beginnings to become an international pop star selling more than 100 million albums worldwide, Celine Dion’s career spanned years of superstardom in the 1990s as well as more div ..more

DECO*27　

Yellowcard　

The punk-inspired quintet Yellowcard formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997 but didn’t solidify their lineup until a move to Southern California in early 2000. Comprised of vocalist/guitarist Ry ..more