The Japanese Shamisen jamming Yoshida Brothers released their newest album on March 21st, 2006. The album, thier 3rd is appropriatly named “III”. With this release, the Yoshida Brothers seem to grow into something even more than what their previous albums displayed. “III” offers more than even I expected.

Kenichi and Ryoichiro Yoshida are famous for playing the traditional Japanese banjo-like Shamisen. Their music is often a mix between that of traditional Shamisen technique and modern sounds such as rock and jazz. The Yoshida Brothers have seemed comfortably in the middle of the mixture until now. Thier most recent release “III” goes in a much more radical direction. Tracks on the CD don’t say so comfortably in the middle; They instead go to more extremes. There are two types of sounds on “III”. One is a very conservative, traditional vibe which is naturally implented in their renditions of traditional Shamisen songs. The second sound is more modern and quite powerful. The modern songs use vocals, bands, and strong rhythms. This split in both directions makes the album very entertaining.

I was able to pick up “III” a few days early and I’ve been listening to it almost non-stop since. My favorite tracks are mostly ones with a modern sound. Among those are “Erghen Diado (Song of Schopsko)”, Overland Blues, and “By This River”. I also enjoy traditional tracks such as “Cherry Blossoms in Winter” and “Tsugaru Jinku”. Within the two sounds, each song is quite unique and that allows “III” to be suprisingly eclectic while featuring such a distictive sounding instrument, the Shamisen as the attraction.

I’m still debating if this recent release is better than the previous “II”. That is a good thing though since “II” is an amazing CD. I’m already looking forward to and predicting the next release will be titled “IV”. Check out the Yoshida Brothers on DOMO Records & at thier Official Site!