 ZOOT16/TOKYO NO.1 SOUL SET
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[ZOOT SUNRISE SOUNDS](hereinafter called [ZOOT]jwas established by Toshimi Watanabe and Hiroshi Kamata (DJ / former shop staff of[MENTHOL RECORDS]) in October 2000 with taking advantage of vinyls from [MENTHOL RECORDS], the record shop located at Matsuyama Ehime, on the occation when the firm shop moved the bases to Kyoto. Telling us about their shop concept, Watanabe says, "To be honest we haven't thought about it...but me think it might be rudeness & toughness...". They've been taking over the spirits "rudeness & toughness" from [MENTHOL RECORDS], and deliciously updated it to a modern version with the stylish sense of Watanabe, which he's shown us many by producing some clothing shops at Harajuku, Tokyo(such as [CELLULOID]), eventually, the shop attracted enthusiastic support(although it was located in the local city), the popularity had them open the 2nd shop at Akita(in 2001), the 3rd shop at Tokyo(in 2002)at dizzying speed, besides, start a music label & a clothing brand. In succeeding years, with being associated with [SKYLARKIN](the label known for releases like Takeshi Kubota [CLASSICS] and Hiroshi Kawanabe [RISE] & [SURRRRROUND]), [ZOOT] has deepened the concept by following activities; Kamata has compiled an authentic Jamaican music ([HOTTEST HITS]series), on the other, Watanabe has released the JAZZ compilation series [INTER PLAY]. Also we have got to mention the new-born band, ZOOT16, the first band formed by Watanabe since TOKYO NO.1 SOUL SET. "Is ZOOT16 the band brings the concept of [ZOOT] into shape??" Watanabe parried easily saying, "if you think so...". However it is a sure thing that [ZOOT] is without doubt the biggest picture for him at this moment and you can easily find the grounds from the musical place where they're standing; in the futuristic blends of the past 40 years' ROCK, JAZZ, REGGAE. "We've never done anything we don't want to do, and [ZOOT] is a definitely our last shop. We'll run this shop with our last breath."
TEXT: RYO ISOBE(JET SET TOKYO)
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