The James Logan Courier

By Billy O'Keefe
McClatchy-Tribune (MCT)

For all the things we wish Sega would do differently with its iconic brands, it has been glorious in ensuring the "Yakuza" series — arguably its best active franchise — makes the journey from Japan to the hands of a modest but devoted American following.

And if you're not part of that following yet? Don't worry: You're still warmly invited.

"Yakuza 4" continues the events as we left them in "Yakuza 3," and the respect it pays to storyline continuity is another jewel in the crown of one of gaming's best storytellers. For the uninitiated, Sega includes a nice "Reminisce" feature that recaps the previous games' key milestones.

From wikipedia:
Gertrude Pridgett, orMa Rainey (April 26, 1886 - December 22, 1939) was one of the earliest known American professional blues singers and one of the first generation of such singers to record. She was billed as The Mother of the Blues. She did much to develop and popularize the form and was an important influence on younger blues women, such as Bessie Smith, and their careers.

Learn more about Ma Rainey, and hear her sing, free from redhotjazz.com.