I live about 20 min from my office by motorcycle and no matter which route I take back, there must be at least 20 records shops (if not more) that I drive right past. Being a photographer for these nearly 20 years here, I’ve always been attuned to the notion that Tokyo is a kind of photography mecca. There are so many (read: TOO many) photography galleries, camera shops, amazing scenic spots, photo-loving people and culture that it’s hard to keep up with it all. It’s everywhere, all the time.
I’ve always known about Tokyo’s record store scene, and hi-fi scene, and insane record cafes and bars, but it’s only now sort of occurring to me that it’s also a kind of record-collector and appreciators’ mecca, much like it is for photography. Cameras are so closely connected to Japan, so that’s hardly a stretch, but because music is just more ubiquitous in any culture than say, photography, so maybe you wouldn’t naturally connect music with any particular one place, cuz it’s so universal, but I’m the fact that there are (probably well-over) 20 records stores on my 20 min ride home …there’s something happening here …what it is ain’t exactly clear …there’s a record shop over there …telling my wallet to beware. I think it’s time we stop, children, what’s that store? Everybody look for more records!
Anyway, this coooould get a little insane. For now, I gotta send a big apology to beautiful @suewilliamson and @totalhardass who scored some records at FACE while on a visit from L.A. I was scrambling, excited, and scatterbrained to get the shot, that I failed to get the goddamn shot, at least a good one, not noticing the unflattering light and shadows. And the full body pose, which is meant to capture people’s style, doesn’t need the actual records in it, but rather just the shop bag, maybe. So I think I need 3 shots if possible: 1. Bust-up with the record (to show the personality), 2. Close-up of the record (for musical appreciation) and, 3. Full length to show people’s style. So sorry again to Sue and her pals (@totalhardass – great handle – and @_mwb) for not nailin’ this photo! But thank you for posing on the street and helping me to realize how to iron out these kinks. If you get out there again, let me know, and I’ll get a good revenge photo. I promise I’m capable! …Ok, more Tokyo Record Style on the way!
Masahiko Togashi – Spiritual Nature
Label: East Wind – EW 8013
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Japan
Released: 1975
Genre: Jazz
Style: Free Improvisation, Free Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/release/3566087-Masahiko-Togashi-Spiritual-Nature
The Ornette Coleman Trio – At The “Golden Circle” Stockholm – Volume One
Label: Blue Note – BST-84224
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, export
Country: US
Released: 1966
Genre: Jazz
Style: Free Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/release/14423722-The-Ornette-Coleman-Trio-At-The-Golden-Circle-Stockholm-Volume-One
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