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- A Guide to Shopping at Tokyo Music Stores for Latin Records and CDs: A DJ's Paradise
Tokyo, one of the world’s most vibrant and musically diverse cities, boasts an impressive record store culture that appeals to music lovers of all kinds. From towering megastores to hidden vinyl sanctuaries, the city has something for every enthusiast. For DJs and collectors of Latin American music visiting from abroad, Tokyo offers a treasure trove of Latin material, from salsa and tango to cumbia and samba . Whether you’re seeking vintage or mainstream music, here is a basic guide for shopping in Tokyo for Latin records and CDs. Why Tokyo? Tokyo is known for its eclectic mix of music stores, each with its own unique charm. Japanese music aficionados have a deep appreciation for physical media, especially vinyl records, which has led to a resurgence of record stores and collectors' markets. This demand extends beyond Japanese music into global genres, including Latin music. DJs looking to diversify their sets or music lovers hoping to bring home a slice of Latin rhythm can — if they are persistent — find Tokyo to be a goldmine. Read on. But first, a caveat It should be noted that while Tokyo has a vast collection of stores stocked full of music catering to lovers of certain genres, Latin music in general is a niche market, with many stores dumping Latin titles into the broad category of “World Music”, resulting in only a small selection of Latin music per store — this appears to be a universal issue and Tokyo is no different. However, considering the sheer number of music stores in Tokyo, success in finding a few Latin gems (whether on CD or vinyl) can certainly be had — but time and energy may be required to criss-cross the metropolis combing through stores and to dig, dig, dig; however, that in itself is very rewarding with so much else on offer when visiting one of the most exciting cities in the world. And... THere is online shopping I have been buying records in Japan for quite some time, and what I have noticed is that many guides to music-hunting in Tokyo do not reveal an interesting point. Simply put, among the best ways to find music is via online shopping, whether from specific stores or market and auction sites. Unless your stay is very short, there are few reasons why you should not consider this route as well. I will explain in a follow-up post. 10 Great bets for buying Latin music in Tokyo 1. Disk Union (Shinjuku World Music Hall) Location: Shinjuku | Google Maps | Website As one of the largest and most famous record store chains in Japan, Disk Union is notable for its Shinjuku branch as a must-visit spot for anyone interested in world music, including Latin genres. The store has an entire floor dedicated to international sounds, and you can find a variety of Latin albums spanning salsa , bossa nova , tango , and beyond, in both CD and vinyl format, whether used or new. Be forewarned, however. A lot of what is for sale is astronomically priced. 2. El Sur Records Location: Shibuya | Google Maps | Website El Sur Records is one of the few shops in Tokyo that exclusively specializes in world music, with an emphasis on Latin, African, and Caribbean sounds. Their collection of Latin records and CDs is extensive, covering everything from Afro-Cuban rhythms to contemporary Latin pop. What is more, prices can be reasonable. 3. HMV Record Shop Location: Shibuya | Google Maps | Website A staple in the Japanese music scene, HMV Shibuya carries a wide range of vinyl records as well as a section for Latin music. You can find classic as well as contemporary Latin artists — either used or new. 4. RecoFan Location: Shibuya | Google Maps | Website RecoFan in Shibuya is a haven for vinyl collectors and offers an extensive range of Latin music. Their collection of both new and used records is impressive, and DJs or collectors will appreciate the better-than-average collection of Latin music that is separated from other ‘World’ genres. 5. Other Disk Union branches Locations: Ikebukuro , Shimokitazawa , Ochanomizu , Jinbocho , Kichijoji While the Shinjuku branch is the flagship for Disk Union 's stock Latin of Latin material, this does not preclude several other branches from carrying small sections for occasional finds in Latin music. (Click on each underlined area above for the Google map and access to the relevant website). 6. Rubbergard Record Location: Jimbocho | Google Maps | Website With a focus on mainly Latin music in soul, jazz, rock, and Central and South America, here is a store to find some exceptionally far out music. Anything Brazilian seems to have the lion’s share of what is on offer. 7. Hi-Fi Record Store Location: Shibuya | Google Maps | Website A retro-style shop with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, Hi-Fi Record Store stocks a wide variety of vinyl, including a collection of Latin records. Their focus on world music makes it a great place to discover hidden gems. 8. JET SET Records Location: Shimokitazawa | Google Maps | Website JET SET Records is well-known for its extensive selection of new and used vinyl. DJs and collectors will love the variety of Latin genres on offer, from samba to salsa and more obscure regional styles. Shimokitazawa’s bohemian atmosphere adds to the experience. 9. Big Love Records Location: Harajuku | Google Maps | Website Big Love Records is a small, hip record shop that carries an eclectic mix of vinyl, including Latin and world music. Though their collection may not be vast, it’s worth visiting for its unique finds and curated vibe, especially with craft beer and coffee available for purchase. 10. Face Record Location: Shibuya | Google Maps | Website Face Record in Shibuya has a strong focus on jazz and world music, making it an excellent destination for those looking for Latin jazz records. Their vinyl collection includes rare finds from Cuba, Brazil, and the Caribbean. BONUS: Record Bar Analog Location: Shibuya | Google Maps | Website While Record Bar Analog is primarily a vinyl bar, they also sell records on site. DJs can peruse their small Latin music collection while enjoying a unique dining and listening experience. The vibe is unbeatable. Conclusion Tokyo is an unexpected yet rich destination for Latin music collectors and DJs alike — although you will need to invest time and energy to visit the right stores and to dig, dig, dig (but that should go without saying). With its vast array of stores, many of which cater to world music enthusiasts, you can find everything from rare Latin jazz records to contemporary salsa CDs. Whether you're on the hunt for vinyl to elevate your DJ arsenal or looking to grow your personal Latin music collection, Tokyo's music stores offer a dynamic selection that will leave any Latin music lover satisfied. Happy digging! < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >
- Encanto Tropical 41 - Tribute session to Tite Curet Alonso
AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST Episode 41 was a tribute session to Catalino 'Tite' Curet Alonso, one of the most prolific and important song writers in salsa. Replay at the bottom of this page (1:58:58, 24 tracks). 'Tite' Curet -- as he was commonly known -- reportedly composed more than 2000 songs, many of which are considered salsa anthems although perhaps his recognition is overshadowed by the musicians who made such great interpretations of his work, such as several stars of the Fania label as well as fellow musicians from Puerto Rico. However, there is no doubt about his great talent, interesting nature, and inspiring character. This episode serves as a very basic introduction. While preparing for this episode, I was amazed to learn so much about 'Tite' Curet as well as the details of several of his songs. There is definitely enough material for a Part 2! Stay tuned! Read the pre-broadcast post for more context. Some of the music on Encanto Tropical 41 One rule that I stuck to in the song selection was not to include more than one song by any given artist. For this reason, I also included a few cover songs, that is to say, there are compositions by 'Tite' Curet' played by artists other than the ones who did the primary recording. For this reason, I included a cover of 'Anacaona' because I wanted to feature the singer Cheo Feliciano in another work: 'Salí Porque Salí'. There are other examples. Catalino 'Tite' Curet Alonso Source: Discogs.com The objective was to strike a balance between several salsa anthems and lesser-known works by 'Tite' Curet. All around, I believe it is an interesting collection of songs from a range of great artists and their interpretations of this great songwriter. Included are two tracks sung by the composer himself, with instrumentation directed by his friend Jorge Millet who shines on the piano and vibraphone -- check the show to hear all these tunes! Full attribution is provided on the show. Notable sources are listed in the pre-broadcast post and acknowledgements are needed for the relevant topic of salsa consciente , both in a book by Andrés Espinoza Agurto as well as in a podcast by Michigan State University: Andrés Espinoza Agurto (Michigan State University Press, 2021): Salsa Consciente: Politics, Poetics, and Latinidad in the Meta-Barrio MSU Press Podcast: Salsa Consciente: Politics, Poetics, and Latinidad in the Meta-Barrio Replay below. Enjoy! REPLAY EPISODE 41 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >
- Encanto Tropical 31: Best Salsa of 2023 (Pt 2)
AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST Replay Episode 31 using the link at the bottom of this page: Twenty-six songs (2:05:14). In this session I pick up where I left off in the last show, playing more salsa gems released in 2023. It turns out that with so much good material and several lesser-known artists worthy of recognition, a selection of just twenty-five tracks to represent the year is simply not enough. So I revisit my source playlist on Spotify and play outtakes, missed tracks, and even a few newly discovered ones, such as material released late in the year. That means another 25 "best" salsa songs of 2023! See the pre-show post for more context. The choice of tracks is selected from DJ Rem's Spotify playlist Contemporary Salsa (2023 Releases) -- which I also contributed to -- totaling over 600 songs. Once again, it was not easy selecting 25 tracks from such a colossal number, but I managed to include a range of artists, both well-known and lesser-known ones. These tracks resonate with me and I believe deserve some recognition; however, I emphasize that my selection is merely personal and not intended as authoritative. Some of the artists included in Episode 31 Full attribution is given on the show. The track list is below in order of play (not ranking). OTHER YEARS Check out other "Best Salsa" lists by Encanto Tropical: Best Salsa of 2024 (coming soon) Best Salsa of 2022 Best Salsa of 2000 REPLAY EPISODE 31 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >
- Encanto Tropical 18: Best Salsa of 2022
AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST Available for replay is Episode 18 -- see below for the link (2hrs 5mins, 25 tracks). This is a special edition of Encanto Tropical on World Salsa Radio , with a departure from the usual format of 4 spotlights including a guest showcase. Episode 18 marks the end of 2022 with a selection of 25 "best" salsa songs of the year. Joining me as a co-selector of these tracks is DJ Rem. See the pre-show post for information about the show, including an introduction of DJ Rem. The music of Encanto Tropical 18 - Best Salsa of 2022 Note: there is no song ranking. The 25 tracks are presented in a random order. "Best SALSA of 2022" Encanto Tropical Selected by Dj Angel (Japan) & DJ Rem (France) Track LIST (in order of appearance in the show) Best Salsa of 2022 as featured on Encanto Tropical Encanto Tropical 18 - The Best of 2022 OTHER YEARS Check out other "Best Salsa" lists by Encanto Tropical: Best Salsa of 2024 (coming soon) Best Salsa of 2023 Best Salsa of 2000 Replay Episode 18 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >
- Salsa 2023 Faves (Pt 2) on Encanto Tropical
PRE-SHOW POST | AFTER-SHOW POST I will start Episode 31 where I ended in Episode 30 , playing more of my preferred salsa songs released in 2023 -- that means twenty-five more tracks (fifty in total)! It turns out that with so much good material and so many lesser-known artists worthy of recognition, a selection of the "best 25" salsa songs of 2023 was just not enough. Let's go with more salsa faves of 2023 in Episode 31, then. My "9 Fave" salsa songs of 2023 - click the image for more information about Episode 30. Criteria As mentioned in the post about the original show (Part 1) , my choices are not intended to be authoritative. Rather, they are based on personal appreciation using several criteria -- primarily on how a song matches my style of deejaying for dancers. This is admittedly, subjective. Also important are what I consider to be notable arrangements, instrumentation, vocals, and lyrics. I also lean a little more towards artists who are not especially well-known but I feel deserve more recognition. Feedback Simply, I am keen to share my own favourite tracks. However, I certainly respect differences of opinion, so I welcome feedback on my selection and would love to hear recommendations about songs I did not choose. Source The pool of songs for choosing tracks is a Spotify playlist curated by my colleague DJ Rem (France) and myself for salsa songs released in 2023. It contains just more than 600 songs, so naturally it was very difficult to select only twenty-five songs for Part 1 and once again another twenty-five for this upcoming Part 2. While programming for both shows, I began with a shortlist of roughly 45 songs and then trimmed it little by little to reach my final twenty-five songs, which was not easy. Nonetheless, this upcoming episode (Part 2) is an attempt to fix some glaring omissions in the last show (Part 1), which aired on Dec 28. So I revisited the 2023 Spotify playlist and will play outtakes, passed-over tracks, and newly discovered material, such as songs released late in the year. Why 25? For those wondering why twenty-five and not more or less, the reason is because twenty-five is roughly the number of songs that I can squeeze into a two-hour show. Rankings Below is the ranking of songs from Part 1; however, the tracks appeared in a random order on the show. A replay link follows. REPLAY EPISODE 30 (Part 1) Click below to listen in your browser or on SoundCloud. < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >
- Best Salsa Songs of 2022 on Encanto Tropical
PRE-SHOW POST | AFTER-SHOW POST What are the best salsa songs of 2022? Wow, is it that time of year already…? Yeah! So tune in on Dec 22 for some answers… DJ Rem and I spent the last twelve months curating a Spotify playlist with 2022 releases — to be honest, DJ Rem did most of the work! And last week we chose our favorites to share on my show, Encanto Tropical… It was tough making our choices, and of course our list isn’t authoritative, but we agreed on 25 smoking salsa tracks released in 2022. We hope listeners think like our selection, too! Check out our Spotify playlist (with more than 400 tracks) to get an idea what we had to choose from... Contemporary Salsa (2022 Releases) - DJs Rem & Angel Encanto Tropical 18 www.WorldSalsaRadio.com DJ Angel Figueroa & Guest DJ Rem Dec 22 Thu 22:00 Japan Time 05:00 PT / 08:00 ET / 13:00 GMT / 14:00 CET It was really interesting coming up with the final list of songs! A lot of credit goes to DJ Rem for his work in curating the Spotify playlist, from which we chose the best songs (all but one are from the Spotify playlist). DJ Rem (France) DJ Rem and I met through CoBeatParty on Facebook, and it’s been great fun chatting together about salsa ever since; this collaboration demonstrates our mutual respect and similar tastes, so big cheers and thanks to DJ Rem, who is based in France and whom I consider one of the best salsa DJs out there! Tune into World Salsa Radio for Episode 18 of Encanto Tropical for the best of 2022 on December 22nd! < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >
- Encanto Tropical 37 - Open Salsa Session (3)
Episode 37 of Encanto Tropical is a salsa session with no theme. It has 26 tracks (2:01:45). Replay below. Some of the music on Encanto Tropical 37 REPLAY EPISODE 37 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >
- Musica Cubana (3) on Encanto Tropical
PRE-SHOW POST | AFTER-SHOW POST Back in May I deejayed at a popular Cuban party in the Roppongi area of Tokyo. It had been a while since I played exclusively Cuban music, and it was a fun time. My co-DJ was fantastic and kept the bar high, so it was such a wonderful night of Cuban vibes. Feeling inspired by memories of that night, I dip into my archives to build Episode 38 for Encanto Tropical -- Musica Cubana (3) to broadcast on July 11… Image by freepik < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >
- Encanto Tropical 42 - Introduction to Italian salsa music
AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST Italian salsa was the topic for Episode 42. Featured are several great salsa songs by Italian (or Italy-based) artists and DJs, and joining me for an interview was DJ Francisco Rojos of the Latin web magazine www.salsa.it . Replay at the bottom of this page (2:10:09, 23 tracks). This show ended up being among my most highly anticipated, as it took several weeks to prepare and, in fact, the idea for doing this show germinated over a year ago. This is because it had dawned on me that the musical output in Italy, compared with other countries with a niche salsa scene, seemed to be extraordinary. There was so much action --and talent -- among the high number of Italian musicians and DJs who were making music. Read the pre-broadcast post for more background information on this brief introduction to Italian salsa music. In my research to discover these music makers, I showed a list of names I had compiled to Fabrizio Zoro , the Milan-based DJ, songwriter, music producer, and director of La Maxima 79 . He approved the list but also named another half-dozen people I had never heard of! Later, he introduced me to DJ Francisco Rojos, saying that if I was going to do a show on Italian salsa, he was the man to talk to. As one of the pioneering DJs of the Italian salsa scene, Francisco Rojos has also composed more than 70 songs. Chatting with him and learning about his salsa career then inspired me to go to the next level and invite him as a guest to interview and share his reflections with listeners. Guest Francisco Rojos DJ of www.salsa.it The pre-recorded interview was great fun but entirely in Spanish because like most Italians switching to Spanish is easier than to English. Divided into four sections, the interview is preceded by a 35-minute introductory mix of some of my favourite recently-released salsa tunes from Italy. Then Francisco Rojos shares his thoughts on a few points: a brief background of music production in the Italian salsa scene an example of four salsa songs which originated in popular Italian music an overview of his career three songs he recommends as exemplary of Italian salsa The show flashed by because it was so informative and fun with Francisco Rojos although it is somewhat long at 2 hours and 10 minutes. There was great insight from my guest on a range of topics, and there were many interesting songs I was happy to share. I am amazed at the large pool of Italian salsa songs I had to choose from and, in fact, it is unfortunate that several artists/bands could not be included due to the time constraint; however, this means that perhaps a Part 2 is doable. I hope so - there is so much great Italian salsa! IMPORTANT NOTE I wish to underline that I do not claim to be an expert on Italian salsa. I am just trying to learn more and share my musical discoveries based on the hunch as an experienced DJ (in Japan) that Italian salsa is unique. Furthermore, my focus has been on music production, not on the dancing scene. However, I am open to feedback regarding any omissions, errors, or suggestions, so please contact me; I would love more material for a Part 2. For Italian visitors, I hope this post rendered correctly in translation and this brief introduction and overview are satisfactory. Some of the music on Encanto Tropical 42 ARTISTS Here is a list of artists for the 23 songs played on the Episode 42. Alexio DJ, Marco Puma, Felix Croma Latina DJ Fabrizio & Francisco Rojos DJ Isaia “El Profeta” DJ Lindo feat Valerio El Director DJ Maurizio Doná Don Ruiz Orquesta El Timba Fabio Gianni & Donny Reyes Fabio Gianni & LunaMea Quartet Francisco Rojos & Latin Soul Orchestra Ivan Venot & DJ pepe El Rumbero Ivan Venot & DJ Pippo Il Maltese La Canchanchara La Maxima 79 & DJ Fabrizio Zoro [x 2] Latin Sound Machine Mario Crespo Martinez Massimo Scalici Poderosa Orquesta & Francisco Rojos Nino Segarra [versión de una canción italiana] Pietro Mingarelli y Su Generation 73 Urbana 22 feat Tony Velardi Valter Paiola Orchestra Full attribution is provided on the show. Note that unlike most of my episodes, commentary was entirely in Spanish -- my apologies for English listeners, but if there are any questions about the song selection or content, please contact me. Replay below. Enjoy! Ciao! REPLAY EPISODE 42 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >
- Encanto Tropical 34 - Mambongo Salsa Replay (April 2024)
Replay Encanto Tropical 34 using the link at the bottom of this page: 27 songs ( 1:59:24 ). Episode 34 of Encanto Tropical is a live recording of a gig at Mambongo Social in Tokyo on April 6 2024, but with all the bachata and kizomba removed -- a salsa replay! I could not provide track commentary due to voice issues (from hay fever), so it’s effectively a two salsa hour mix, with an eclectic range of vintage bangers and contemporary material. Some of the artists in Episode 34 REPLAY EPISODE 34 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >
- Encanto Tropical 33 - Cuban Music Session (1)
AFTER-SHOW POST | PRE-SHOW POST Replay Encanto Tropical 33 using the link at the bottom of this page: 24 songs ( 2:06:11 ). Next week on Monday February 12th I have the pleasure being the supporting DJ at the album-release concert and 10th anniversary of the Japanese salsa band Son D' K.Libre. They are based in Osaka, where I was living when they formed ten years ago. The director is the multi-talented guitarist, composer, and singer Yacel Sagarra. In a previous post, I included details of the Son D' K.Libre 2024 Tour . Episode 33 of Encanto Tropical is a Cuban music session featuring songs from both Son D' K.Libre and the duo of Yacel and his partner -- together they perform independently as Yacel and Aya . Some of the artists included in Episode 33 ARTISTS Full attribution is given on the show. Featured artists are listed below. Bamboleo Berna Jam Charangon Del Norte, Wilver Pedrozo Cubanicho Cuban`S TRes Los Djs Timberos & Los Pollos Timberos & Leidy Garcia Gonzalez El Equipo Del Norte El Rubio Loco & Dj Fabrizio Zoro Fabio Gianni & Ivan Venot Formell y Los Van Van El Hijo de Teresa y la Llegada Leo Wilber (feat. DJ Andrea Tresdò) Mixael Cabrera Mercadonegro Orishas Passion Timba Renesito Avich Son D' K.Libre Yacel and Aya Yacel Sagarra Yasser Ramos Y El Tumbao Mayombe Yuma Takeuchi ( 竹内悠馬 ) REPLAY EPISODE 33 < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >
- Cuban Session feat. Son D' K.Libre on Encanto Tropical
PRE-SHOW POST | AFTER-SHOW POST Coming up is Episode 33 on February 8th where I play from my playlist for next week's album release concert by Son D' K.Libre in Tokyo . For context, this means a Cuban-style session -- with lots of new material -- featuring tracks from Son D' K.Libre's album Lo Que Se Cuenta and from the duo Yacel & Aya Sagarra, since Yacel is the bandleader (guitar, vocals) and his partner Aya also sings for the band. The Son D' K.Libre concert tour includes dates in Hamamatsu, Nagoya, and Osaka, where they are based. It's a thrill for me to support their Tokyo concert as I have known them since their inception ten years ago when I was living in Osaka. So check out this Cuban session on Encanto Tropical! < NEXT POST PREVIOUS POST >