Two solo albums from SAS members

[Tokyograph News]

This June marks the 30th anniversary of the debut of Southern All Stars, but its members have recently been busy with separate projects. Last year, Keisuke Kuwata resumed his solo activities while Yuko Hara teamed up with Fumido to create the special unit Harafumi. Now, drummer Hiroshi Matsuda and bassist Kazuyuki Sekiguchi have both announced new solo albums, set to go on sale the same day.

Matsuda is transforming himself into Boogie Matsuda, a master of disco. He is currently recording the six-song mini-album "GOOD CELEBRATION," collaborating with six artists collectively referred to as FUNKY FREAKS: Thelma Aoyama, MCU, Skoop On Somebody, Toi Hitomi, Full of Harmony, and VOICE. This is Matsuda's first new work in five and a half years.

Meanwhile, Sekiguchi is working on "Kuchibue to Ukulele 2," a sequel to his last album seven and half years ago. Actor Naoto Takenaka returns to provide his whistling, along with new addition Kimiko Wakiyama, a woman who an international whistling competition last year. The album contains 8 tracks, featuring unique arrangements of hit songs such as Shocking Blue's "Venus" and The Rolling Stones' "As Tears Go By."

Both Matsuda and Sekiguchi are releasing their albums on April 23.

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