Yoshida Brothers

The shamisen has always been a rock-star instrument, and nobody rocks the three-string Japanese lute like the Yoshida Brothers. Best of showcases the percussive, aggressive style they helped pioneer, as well as their interest in placing the traditional instrument in very nontraditional settings: it works in tango ("Passion"), doesn't do so well in piano-driven global elevator ("A Hill with No Name") and traces a whole new history (and future!) of country blues in "Overland Blues." The most dynamic tracks are the experimental classical "Blooming" and "Kodo," which you may recognize from Wii commercials.