Golden Grabs in Tokyo

A few weeks ago, I received an email from a reader named Stuart Levine asking if he could write an article for Jazz Collector about his latest experience at Disk Union “Jazz Tokyo.” Stuart has written some interesting posts in the past and, with me more focused these days on my radio show/podcasts rather than doing regular posting, I figured it would be nice to get another voice in. I was definitely intrigued by the opportunity.  A couple of weeks later, Stuart sent me a photo of Blue Notes galore. A few portions of the photo appear here. Last week, Stuart sent me the article and asked me to title it “Golden Grabs in Tokyo,” which, as you can see, I’ve done. Regarding the title, Stuart wrote this: “This pertains to the fact that it happened during Japan’s “Golden Week” holiday.  I assume you still have the image of all those Blue Note album covers for a Wow factor.” He also sent me a picture of his friend who, he said,  “made off with two Mobleys, 1550 and 1568. You’ll see the 1568 right next to one of your favorites.” So, without further ado, here is the article that Stuart sent me:

By Stuart Levine

I recently attended a big jazz vinyl record sale held by “Jazz Tokyo,” the flagship store of Japan’s Disk Union retail chain. They do this twice a year during Golden Week, a holiday in Japan, and again at the end of the year. The store had accumulated hundreds of used Blue Notes, putting many on the wall but most in the racks. Gems were at hand and serious crate digging commenced upon the store opening at 11:00 am. My friend, Charles Pearlman, who is the eBay seller known as “Strictly Headies,” flew out from Portland, Oregon. Together, we dug and came away with some impressive titles, two of which were Mobley 1568 and 1550. As for the condition, I’d say 1568 VG+/VG+ and 1550 NM-/NM-

I do believe luck played a part in our successful day there at Jazz Tokyo. You see, I had carried with me a paper fortune earlier acquired from a visit to a Shinto shrine in the neighborhood where I live in Japan. As Charlie and I waited among many others outside the store for it to open, we received random numbers, giving us our positions in line. I got #8 and he #15. Well, since he had traveled such a long distance, I just had to give him my lower number, right? Suffice to say, his favorable position and digging prowess got him the two Mobleys.

But I would be remiss not to mention a box of records Charlie bought on another day from a private collector. There was a pristine stereo Waltz for Debby, Saxophone Colossus with a turquoise-tinted cover (first?) and Jackie McLean’s the New Tradition on Ad Lib. You know the one – with that gorgeous cover.  And clean! Charlie says, “It plays quiet as a mouse pissin’ on cotton.” Damn if they don’t have the records in Japan.