One night in Tokyo we got talking about the producer Nobukazu Takemura with the Jazzy Sport crew.
For me, this was the guy (along with people like UFO and DJ Krush) who really piqued my early interest in Japanese music.
After a few 12"s on international labels like Mo'Wax, he released his 1994 solo album 'Child's View', which combined a mad mixture of jazz, hip hop, brazilian and soul in a way that I think was way ahead of its time. Its the type of album that people bond over because its cherished by the relative few that are familiar with it. A true cult classic.
Takemura also ran a label in the 90s called Bellisima and produced a variety of projects like Spiritual Vibes and Kool Jazz Productions. Later in the decade he got more experimental in his productions creating albums for labels like Chicago's Thrill Jockey. Recently I've heard he's into comptuer animation and living in Germany. It kind of feels like he's always one step ahead, into the next thing.
I was so inspired that I used to write him letters when I was a teenager and eventually he began sending me records. I'll never forget it.
Here are a couple of my favorite moments from his Child's View record. If you like them, seek out the album where you can. I can't believe its already been 15 years.
Nobukazu Takemura "The Future With Hope (Sample & Hold mix)"
