The improvising guitarist from Japan began developing his own highly minimalist approach to the instrument in the 90s, using absolutely minimal effects to process the sound of the guitar. As well as a longstanding duo with US composer/guitarist Elliot Sharp, Usui has collaborated with artists including Jim O’Rourke, Phil Minton, Otomo Yoshihide and Peter Brötzmann and is an occasional member of the Satoko Fujii Orchestra. Writing on the subject of The Volcanic Guitar Of Yasuhiro Usui, All About Jazz talked about his influence on the Orchestra and how he “managed to charge it with tons of eccentric and manic energy”.