Shibuya Scramble (“The busiest Intersection in the world”) has been a “monotonously fun” local to people-watch and to make street photos over the years. Yes, it’s too obvious, too mobbed, too gawky, too nauseating at times if you let it be, but c’mon admit it, it’s still got its charm after all this time. I can always vicariously experience it all new again through other people’s eyes who are seeing it for the first time, and it changes frequently enough (read: every two and a half minutes) to keep your interest. If nothing else, its purest transience can’t help but capture imaginations …and delight.
When I locked focus on Reco-Fan bag-toting, Oliva and Adit, photogenically coming through the crowd across the intersection, I knew I had to ask them for a photo, but my humble “Pardon me, Miss. Excuse me, Mister. Are those records?” were inoffensively ignored (to visitors, Shibuya Scramble doesn’t feel nearly as safe as it actually is) as they started to walk past me, naturally not wishing to be hustled, which I can appreciate my pitch appearing to be. I gave them a demure “Just want to chat you up about your records” which perked their ears but not enough to solicit anything but a “Sorry, we’re in a hurry.” I gave them one last “I’m a collector too!” invitation and a harmless “I-don’t-bite” last glance when I saw their barreling train come to a sudden stop. They deliberated for a split second, and turned back around. I’d won them over and the act of sharing music prevailed! YES!
The truth is Olivia and Adit WERE in a hurry, and had little time to chat, but could spare enough for a photo, and I told them that I’d have to have my questions for them answered by the music which I’d go home and listen to later, which I did, Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Esperanto, as transient as Shibuya Scramble itself, and Robert Glasper Experiment’s Grammy award-winning “Black Radio” which contains the tracks “It’s Gonna be Alright” (which it was), and the most peculiar cover of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (which Shibuya definitely does).
It wasn’t a particularly deep connection but the smiles offered up and the music exchanged in the mad backdrop of Shibuya made it a memorable one. Thanks Olivia and Adit, for that last-minute mind-change and for sharing, for a brief (but now musically extended) moment, yourselves with me. Happy Trails!
More Tokyo Record Style on the way!
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Esperanto
Label: Great Tracks (2) – MHJL 138
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo
Country: Japan
Released: Jul 22, 2020
Genre: Electronic
Style: Leftfield, Experimental, Ambient
https://www.discogs.com/release/1979287-Ryuichi-Sakamoto-%E5%9D%82%E6%9C%AC%E9%BE%8D%E4%B8%80-Esperanto-%E3%82%A8%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9A%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%83%88-
Robert Glasper Experiment – Black Radio
Label: Blue Note – 00602445968930, UMe – 00602445968930
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Vinyl, 12″, EP, Reissue
All Media, Deluxe Edition
Country: Europe
Released: Nov 11, 2022
Genre: Hip Hop, Jazz, Funk / Soul
Style: Soul, Neo Soul
https://www.discogs.com/release/25140763-Robert-Glasper-Experiment-Black-Radio
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