Some things in life are constant: the power of good music, the satisfaction of spicy food, the cathartic effect of a plainly told story. The annual Japan Blues Carnival will bring all that wrapped up in the blues for two great, long outdoor shows, plus three gigs at smaller indoor venues.

Chicago is where the acoustic country blues of the Delta was transformed into a potent, inspiring electric style that is expressive, immediate and very human. Otis Rush, Hubert Sumlin and Magic Slim all helped hone this style alongside the better-known Buddy Guy, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and other postwar urban bluesmen.

Rush (left) is a major contributor to Chicago blues guitar. His distinctive, vibrato style complements his shiver-inducing vocals. Live, he comes out swinging, slashing lick after lick across a solid foundation of hard-driving rhythms, making sure nothing's lost in the communication. His live CDs, recorded on little-known labels, capture the intensity he brings to the blues.

Slim (top right) has a more group-oriented feeling with a fuller sound, rougher in some ways, but more relaxed. Slim plays hundreds of club and festival dates a year with a confident, comfortable appeal that gives up nothing in the ferocity of its drive. Last year's "Snakebite" on Blind Pig Records is a pure, uncut gem.

Sumlin (middle right) has more of the Delta dust on him, slowing the pace of tunes to dig into a calmer, deeper expressivity. His singing is more melodic, as is his guitar work.

The young blood of the shows is Eric Sardinas (bottom right). While influenced by the Chicago sound, this singer-guitarist delivers slide guitar with a Texas feel. His vocals have the raucous, gutsy irony of Johnny Winter, who contributes a cut to his latest release, "Treat Me Right." If only they'd bring some Southside barbecue as well.