Various Artists – Minyo Groove 1963-1979 – Japan Meets Latin Rock Rare Groove Funky Vibes (Selected by DJ Yoshizawa Dynamite) LP

Active as a professional DJ in Japan since the late eighties, DJ Yoshizawa Dynamite is also a renowned remixer, compiler and producer. An avid record collector and an expert of Wamono music, Yoshizawa has published in 2015 the now-classic Wamono A to Z records guide book, which instantly sold-out. The book unveiled a myriad of beautiful and rare records from a highly prolific, but still then unknown, Japanese groove scene. He has also selected a large part of the music in our highly acclaimed Wamono compilations.

For this brand new chapter in the series, Yoshizawa explores King Records’ legendary catalog and unearths exceptional, rare and unknown musical gems. King Records has been releasing music since 1931 and is one of the most prestigious labels in Japan. Traditional Japanese music, known as “Minyo”, are ancient songs once sung by fishermen, coal miners and sumo wrestlers. They are reimagined here with vibrant afro latin, rock, rare groove and funky arrangements in this killer selection of music released on King between 1963 and 1979. Also worth mentioning is the track Ohara Bushi by The Peanuts, which was released only on tape in 1970 and is now available for the first time ever on vinyl format.

Put the needle on the record, turn up the volume and dig right now into the Wamono sound – the cream of the Japanese funk, soul, rare groove and disco music developed throughout the years since the end of the fifties in Japan!

• For all fans of the Wamono series!
• All tracks selected by DJ Yoshizawa Dynamite. Includes the first ever vinyl release of The Peanuts’ “Ohara Bushi” track, originally released only on tape in 1970.
• Fully licensed King Records masters.
• Mastering and lacquer cut by Jukka Sarap at Timmion Cutting Lab, Helsinki, Finland.
• 180g heavy vinyl pressing, reverse board jacket.
• Artwork by Nicolas Kerembellec (Nker).

Track List:

• Chiemi Eri – Aizu Bandaisan
• Pinky & Killers – Soran Bushi
• Tokyo Children’s Choir – Kokiriko
• Michiya Mihashi & Tokyo Cuban Boys – Sado Okesa
• Dark Ducks – Konpira Funefune
• Ebonee Webb – Cowboy’s Elegy
• Akira Ishikawa & Count Buffalo – Tanchame
• Satoru Oda & His Group – Yagi Bushi
• Pinky & Killers – Otemoyan
• Miki Nakasone – Kunjan Sabakui
• Leon Pops – Mamurogawa Ondo
• The Peanuts – Ohara Bushi
• Tokyo Academy Mixed Choir – Kiyari Kuzushi
• King Orchestra – Dojou Sukui (Yasugi Bushi)