The new CD puts a contemporary spin on classic blues-rock.

"It's a ticket to the show." That's how Canadian band leader Robin Suchy describes the newly released CD he produced with his 10-man blues band, the Howling Loochie Brothers.

The Brothers are veterans on the Tokyo music scene, and their energetic, infectious style has created a dedicated following. But as Suchy reflected in a recent interview, no matter what artists do on the live scene, without a CD they are simply "not taken seriously" in the music business today.

"[This CD has] allowed me to enter the professional arena," he said. "If you want to come to the party, you've got to wear a tuxedo."