Howard Williams

Howard Williams, aka Japan Blues, is an ardent collector, a Japanese music master, and the creative mind behind numerous underground labels. With over a decade of music collecting under his belt, Howard has graced renowned venues like the Barbican and Tate Modern with his DJ sets. His NTS show has garnered a devoted following thanks to its meticulously curated blend of Japanese psychedelia, folk, experimental tunes, jazz fusion, and everything in between. During his tenure at Honest Jon’s Records, Howard released his compilation of Japanese 70's gangster soundtracks on his Ethbo imprint. He also made his mark by curating an album of Japanese jazz sensation Maki Asakawa and co-compiling the Moondog retrospective ‘The Viking of Sixth Avenue,’ both achieving top-seller status for the label. His influence extended to Ace Records, where he compiled vintage Japanese music, including Nippon Guitars (a fusion of surf and funk rock), Nippon Rock’n’roll, and Lovin Mighty Fire—an electrifying selection of Japanese soul, funk, and disco. As the founder of his eponymous label, Howard introduced a diverse range of releases, from his debut album ‘Sells His Record Collection’ to the mesmerizing sounds of steel drum maverick Iku Sakan. He even ventured into the world of Japanese folk with an EP by Tokyo minyo band Kufuki, under the banner of his in-house label Les Editions Japonais. Howard’s creative spirit also shines in his contributions to the Yiddish East End Jazz compilation, a project shared through his co-owned JWM Records. In 2023, he unveiled the collaborative release ‘Japan Blues meets the Dengie Hundred’ on Demdike Stare’s label, followed by the evocative ‘Companion Peace’ cassette, featuring another 60 minutes of sonic brilliance from the same session.