Continuing our spotlight series called Favourite Finds, we ask some of our favourite DJs, collectors and selectors to tell us the story behind how they came across one of their most cherished records.

For the next instalment, we’ve asked Do It JAZZ! founder, head of the Kyoto branch of Tsubaki.FM and brilliant DJ / digger, Masaki Tamura to give us an insight into a prized record from his collection.

Having heard Masaki play as part of our Japan tour with Higo Beat Speakers and Luke Una last year we knew we needed to get him in for this feature. Maskai is a key figure in Kyoto’s scene, helming one of Kyoto’s most renowned jazz events, Do It JAZZ! now in its 19th year, programming for WWFM when they were broadcasting from Japan and leading the Kyoto Jazzy Creative Council, a collective that merges jazz with Kyoto’s cultural essence.

"This record was one of the key reasons I started collecting Japanese jazz fusion.
In recent years, Japanese records have gained international attention, but when I first began buying them, this wasn’t the case—most people were searching for overseas music. Back then, websites like Discogs didn’t exist, so I relied on DJ charts and compilation albums to expand my knowledge.

However, many of the records I wanted weren’t available in Japan, or they were already expensive and hard to obtain. Then one day, I saw a record I recognized on a DJ chart from an artist I admired. That record was Masayoshi Takanaka’s "Brasilian Skies", and it happened to be available at a record shop in Kyoto, where I lived.

That moment changed everything for me. I realized that incredible music was within reach, right in my local record stores, without the need for imports or high costs. I immediately went to a nearby shop, dug through a box of 100-yen records on the floor, and found it. I still remember how excited I was to buy it.

From then on, I actively sought out Japanese jazz fusion, and eventually, I became responsible for Worldwide FM Kyoto’s programming. It made me realise how interesting it can be to highlight Japanese music, which is why I now incorporate it into my TSUBAKI fm shows and even last year’s Mr BONGO Japan tour. Had I not come across this record, my path might have been entirely different. I’m truly grateful to everyone who shares a love for music."

Big thanks to Masaki for telling us the story behind his find. Be sure to give both Masaki's and Tsubaki FM's instagram a follow to keep up-to-date with their goings on.