For those who might not know, among other things, I founded a now long-running volunteer project with my friend, biz partner, and long-time collaborator, Yuko Yoshikawa. The effort is called Photohoku, and over the years, it has broadened in scope but at its essence, it uses photography as a means to do goodwill projects. Many of the techniques that I have learned and used in Photohoku efforts are proving very useful for Tokyo Record Style. Last summer we hosted a single-day photowalk and gallery hop through Shinjuku’s photo gallery cluster and it brought together over 100 photographers for Peace including Marcus Antennsio, pictured here.
It’s impossible for me to get to or from work without passing Ella Records, and it’s impossible to pass Ella without popping in, even if just for 2 or 3 min to check the new arrivals. On one of my last visits, a cool tall unrecognizable Marcus was digging the bins across from me (and boy, was I finding some gems) and, though he gave me a friendly nod, I didn’t put 2 and 2 together until he thankfully chatted me up, reminding me that we had met at the photo walk, and I’m so glad he did. We talked and talked and talked and I told him… (breaking some news if you’re reading this far)… that we were planning our 2nd photowalk/gallery-hop and film giveaway tentatively for September 9th! (WOOHOO!) Details taking shape now.
We had such a nice conversation and I was so jazzed that I splurged on 3 slightly-more-expensive records, spending way more than I normally ever do to take those gems home. Marcus too had scored some DAMN FINE records, and he looked so dapper in black leather-soled boots, tweed trousers, black T, vintage Timex Marlin, Oval “Black Star Diopside” ring, and those shades, and yeah, sorry Tokyo Camera Style, eat your heart out, a Minolta CLE with a hot Leica Elmarit 28mm 2.8ASPH (with beige canvas Domke to boot), that I simply couldn’t let him get away without a photo!
Great hang Marcus! Will ping you next time I’m around Ella!
Lonnie Liston Smith – The Best Of Lonnie Liston Smith
Label: RCA – AFL1-2897, RCA Victor – AFL1-2897
Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Jazz
Style: Jazz-Funk
https://www.discogs.com/release/648654-Lonnie-Liston-Smith-The-Best-Of-Lonnie-Liston-Smith
Kuumba-Toudie [Albert] Heath – Kawaida
Albert Heath – Kawaida album cover
Label: O’Be Records – OB-301
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Gatefold
Country: US
Released: 1970
Genre: Jazz
Style: Modal
https://www.discogs.com/release/1257682-Kuumba-Toudie-Heath-Kawaida
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