While killing some time to pick up my son from cram school, I spotted Hiro, pictured here, wearing a cool bandana-pattern jacked and carrying a Disk Union bag, that 12” size that is all too easily recognizable for holding recently scored records. With little time before needing to dash off on Dad-duty, I chatted up Hiro san who upon my explanation of Tokyo Record Style, shared with me a big friendly smile and the record he just scored – Todd Rundgren, T. Rex, and The Three Degrees. Like most who people I ask, Hiro was eager to have a chat about vinyl, concurring on how listening to records brings, as opposed to streaming, brings us vinyl junkies a great deal of musical appreciation.
Hiro shared with me that his first record was Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall, which he got when he was around 18 years old. What a coincidence! My first record was Michael Jackson’s Thriller that I got maybe around 8 years old I guess, which I still have! We had a nice laugh about that and also talked about how, until only recently. Hiro’s record collection had been collecting dust in storage, and how with the recent resurgence and interest in vinyl, he was inspired to buy a new turntable, and only started back listening to and buying records again from about a year ago! COOL!
Hiro san also mentioned that he’s an elementary and middle school teacher and teaches various subjects. When I told him that my daughter recently passed her big middle school entrance examination after an immense amount of work, Hiro offered a big congrats and some sympathy for all the stress she had endured. Thanks, Hiro san!
I invited Hiro to the next “Tokyo Record Style Day” (which should get put on the calendar soon), so if you plan to join us, you might meet him! …More Tokyo Record Style on the way!
Todd Rundgren – A Wizard, A True Star
Label: Bearsville – BR 2133
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Die-Cut Sleeve, Gatefold
Country: US
Released: Jun 1973
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Pop Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Prog Rock, Ballad, Rock & Roll, Soft Rock, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Art Rock, Experimental
https://www.discogs.com/release/380444-Todd-Rundgren-A-Wizard-A-True-Star
The Three Degrees – International
Label: Philadelphia International Records – ECPO-10-PH
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Japan
Released: 1975
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Soul, Disco
https://www.discogs.com/release/4123654-The-Three-Degrees-International
T. Rex – The Unobtainable T. Rex
Label: EMI – NUT 28, EMI – OC 054-64 028
Series: EMI NUT
Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: 1980
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Glam
https://www.discogs.com/release/2428247-T-Rex-The-Unobtainable-T-Rex
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