Ryo had a special x-factor behind that smile. Unassuming at first glance, but the custom jeans with their add-on hem, illusionary cuff, and denim drawstring belt (say WHA?), the non-descript off-brand yellow and green Brazilian Havaianas, the tucked-in Beach-Mickey Ring Tee (which you have to admit bears a striking resemblance to the person wearing it), the “I Love Country Music Too” neck lanyard from which hung various accouterments, the cheap watch, the classic Clubmaster specs, and the Disk Union bag seeming to tie it all together made him quite a sight! At a last glance, you might start to realize that it’s really the buzzcut and the giant wirey salt-n-pepper mutton chops that gave this guy his charisma. Between the oozing street style, the disarming smile, the chilled-out posture, you’d be hard pressed pinpoint which contributed more to Ryo’s overall zing, but as I as got to talking to him, it became obvious is was no doubt a tie between his personality, and a little wild in his eyes.
I spotted Ryo in front of Shimokitazawa Station while doing another edition of man-on-the-street style of chatting up record buyers in an ongoing series I’ve been just calling Vox Pop. Ryo was super generous to chat me up and share the record he had just bought from Disk Union, most of which were 12” singles, procured I’d later find out for his DJ sets at ClubBar Family. Ryoo shared with me that he moved to Tokyo, Shimokita specifically from Iwate in 2002, just 2 years before me and we talked about how the neighborhood had changed over the years. When I asked him about his favorite record store, he answered “JazzySport”. When I asked for his best restaurant tip, he offered “mspin”. I tried to get him to share his favorite Hole in the Wall, he wouldn’t tell us! Or it would cease being a Hole in the Wall! It was obvious he had scored his records at Shimokitazawa Disk Union and offered, as I mentioned that he occasionally spins set at Club Bar Family in Shibuya.
In the end, I wanted to take his photo for the Tokyo Record Style series, but my camera battery had died and my phone was in use for the livestream, so Roy offered to let me use HIS camera, with which I made these photos, then he sent them to me later. Nice display of “Shimokitazawan Teamwork!” Thanks again, Ryo! Looking forward to meeting you again. Stay Gold!
More Tokyo Record Style on the way
Biz Markie – Spring Again
Label: Cold Chillin’ – 0-21453, Warner Bros. Records – 0-21453
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Hip Hop
https://www.discogs.com/release/348014-Biz-Markie-Spring-Again
Sérgio Mendes – Mas Que Nada
Label: Concord Records – SERGIO12
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Promo
Country: UK
Released: 2006
Genre: Hip Hop, Jazz
Style: Bossa Nova
https://www.discogs.com/release/1712456-S%C3%A9rgio-Mendes-Mas-Que-Nada
Snoop “Doggy” Dogg* – Party People / No One Knows
Label: West Coast Connection – WCC 1270
Format:Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Unofficial Release
Country: US
Released: 2001
Genre: Hip Hop
https://www.discogs.com/release/3978509-Snoop-Doggy-Dogg-Party-People-No-One-Knows
N*E*R*D – She Wants To Move
Label:Virgin – BOOTCUTS001, Virgin – BOOTSCUT001, Star Trak Entertainment – 0708761854510
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: Europe
Released: 2004
Genre: Hip Hop
Style: Ragga HipHop, Hip Hop
https://www.discogs.com/release/1082515-NERD-She-Wants-To-Move
Pase Rock – Grey Matter
Label: Hyde Out Productions – HOR-038
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: Japan
Released: 2004
Genre: Electronic, Hip Hop
Style: Future Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/release/732682-Pase-Rock-Grey-Matter
Connoisseurs – UV / R&B
Label: Dis-Joint Records – DJ12004
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 2004
Genre: Hip Hop
https://www.discogs.com/release/1706965-Connoisseurs-UV-RB