Herbyj Posted April 6, 2023 Posted April 6, 2023 Hi I have just returned from Tokyo and went to this listening bar in Ebisu, an inner suburb of Tokyo. https://martha-records.com/martha.html https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/sep/30/tokyo-japan-bar-martha-shibuya-ebisu-whisky Japan, and Tokyo, has many listening bars but this bar's equipment really impressed me, unlike a lot of listening bars that use DJ style turnatbles this bar had a serious front end, Garard 301 and EMT broadcast turntables, Ortofon arms and SPU cartridges. The speakers were large Tannoy GRF and there was a selection of McIntosh, Audio Research and other power amps to listen to. I was unable to indentify the preamp being used but it sounded great and judging by the other equipment being used it would be world class.. This is a bar that takes itself seriously, no photographs, little talking, no requests etc it's all about the music and the quality of the reproduction. The quality and style of the music being played depends on the DJ spinning the discs, the guys on the night I was there played a lot of unfamiliar to me music, but they have a vast array of quality vinyl to chose from and the sound was amazing. Cheers Herby 6 2
Hydrology Posted April 6, 2023 Posted April 6, 2023 It is a great bar in the sense that the audio system is fantastic (although if they play something you hate its not going to turn you around). Having said that, I agree with the article you linked to, its very polarizing and for me its very much a case of went once, wont go back. Far more interesting places with a better vibe than this one. But great for sharing! 1
keyse1 Posted April 6, 2023 Posted April 6, 2023 7 minutes ago, Hydrology said: It is a great bar in the sense that the audio system is fantastic (although if they play something you hate its not going to turn you around). Having said that, I agree with the article you linked to, its very polarizing and for me its very much a case of went once, wont go back. Far more interesting places with a better vibe than this one. But great for sharing! What about the bar in Perth? Astral Weeks I think it’s called
Herbyj Posted April 6, 2023 Author Posted April 6, 2023 I haven't been to Astral Weeks. The hi fi system certainly looks great but I'd say Bar Martha's gear would be superior but as Hydrology says it's also about other things than the sound, vibe, atmosphere, the music that's played etc etc.
Hydrology Posted April 6, 2023 Posted April 6, 2023 This is DUG in Shinjuku which is not necessarily the best of the best but certainly has a great vibe (and bagels!) 9 1
Steff Posted August 6, 2023 Posted August 6, 2023 (edited) Currently listening to this BBC program: Deep Listening in Japan - on the topic of listening bars. Focus is on the experience, social element--mouthwatering gear isn't really discussed, regrettably! Edited August 6, 2023 by Steff 6
Demondes Posted August 11, 2023 Posted August 11, 2023 @Steffthat BBC episode was great, very well done. Love the bit about the guy running the bar in the 1980s and the school kids would come in and he would sell and cook them instant ramen. I have been to quite a few vinyl playing bars/clubs 2000-2015 (from Tokyo to smaller cities like Nagasaki) but haven’t had a chance to go back since. Found this article on the web today https://thevinylfactory.com/features/tokyo-jazz-joints-visual-chronicle/ Surprisingly quite a few are still going (from looking up on Google maps) even though the article is from 2018. For example ******* Brew, Old Blind Cat, and Paper Moon are still going. 1
Demondes Posted August 17, 2023 Posted August 17, 2023 Hi @Hydrologyis there much of an essay or description of each bar etc or is it mostly a photography book? Looks great, were you a kickstarter or did you order from publisher, amazon or other source
BLAH BLAH Posted August 17, 2023 Posted August 17, 2023 https://www.kehrerverlag.com/en/philip-arneill-tokyo-jazz-joints-978-3-96900-120-2 1
Hydrology Posted August 17, 2023 Posted August 17, 2023 26 minutes ago, Demondes said: Hi @Hydrologyis there much of an essay or description of each bar etc or is it mostly a photography book? Looks great, were you a kickstarter or did you order from publisher, amazon or other source Just received and flicked through it - mostly a photo book. Was on the Kickstarter program.
cafe67 Posted September 8, 2023 Posted September 8, 2023 On 17/8/2023 at 10:31 AM, Demondes said: Hi @Hydrologyis there much of an essay or description of each bar etc or is it mostly a photography book? Looks great, were you a kickstarter or did you order from publisher, amazon or other source Ordered and Got mine today from publisher , very nice
Demondes Posted September 8, 2023 Posted September 8, 2023 I also found that there is an associated Podcast called Toyko Jazz Joints (by the same 2 guys Phillip and James) that can be quite funny. Details of sitting under precariously balanced speaker/shelves in tiny bars, food and of course the music and owners. has been going for 3-4 years with a new drop every 2 weeks. There is also a youtube channel Rice Field Records, an American living in Japan (Okayama) who goes out and investigates various record fairs and shops. https://www.youtube.com/@ricefieldrecords 2 1
Herbyj Posted December 15, 2023 Author Posted December 15, 2023 In todays Guardian (Australia) newspaper: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/dec/14/across-australia-vinyl-listening-bars 1
Demondes Posted December 15, 2023 Posted December 15, 2023 1 hour ago, Herbyj said: In todays Guardian (Australia) newspaper: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/dec/14/across-australia-vinyl-listening-bars Interesting article, whilst I wouldn't classify most of these as "listening bars", but rather bars with DJ's playing their favorite records in a low key relaxed environment. This doesn't mean fun cant be had at these bars, just they are not for critical listening
Fitzroyalty Posted December 22, 2023 Posted December 22, 2023 @Herbyj I went to Bar Martha in March - we just missed each other. A shrine to everything vacuum tube and turntable based, it was quite the experience. I went with a Tokyo local and we sat at the bar and listened to tasteful adult contemporary stuff. A pint of guinness and scotch in, we were told to shoosh! Apparently locals have been physically thrown out by the management while screaming profanities. It was a real education for me in Japanese etiquette, retro fetishism, and a different hifi culture! Other hifi bars I went to in Japan were more relaxed and almost exclusively jazz focused. It could never work here but the inspiration can, and something like Waxflower in Melbourne has successfully taken the 'club/dance music in a bar' route. 1
Ken Oath Posted January 31, 2024 Posted January 31, 2024 Heading back to Japan in a few weeks with some friends with varying degrees of interest in audio ranging from very to whatever makes some noise. All enjoy a good craft brew and bar banter though so great to know Bar Martha needs to be struck off the must visit list for fear of the inevitable eviction. 1
BLAH BLAH Posted April 1, 2024 Posted April 1, 2024 https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2023/oct/05/one-kissa-is-all-it-takes-tokyos-finest-jazz-haunts-in-pictures 2
BLAH BLAH Posted April 1, 2024 Posted April 1, 2024 You know what...I'd love a 24 hour Cam set up in one of these famous Kissa's...even for a small fee...just to observe it's daily life and rituals...see the Vinyl picked...hear the music chosen and played...
Demondes Posted April 1, 2024 Posted April 1, 2024 (edited) Well, James Catchpole from the Tokyo Jazz Joints Podcast is likely taking over running Eigakan Jazz Kissa, currently he is running a kickstarter, some of the rewards include, get your name on the wall, or a seat named after yourself, or a lock in night where you play the music. Maybe someone could ask him to setup a webcam? Although Japanese usually love their anonymity and privacy too much. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/eigakanproject/eigakan-jazz-kissa-project Edited April 1, 2024 by Demondes
Hydrology Posted April 1, 2024 Posted April 1, 2024 (edited) Few shots inside bird/56 in Osaka from a couple of nights ago. Couldn't see much of the gear (wasn't really on display) and it's so dark that no pictures of the JBL speakers would've done them justice. Edited April 1, 2024 by Hydrology 7 6
Hydrology Posted April 16, 2024 Posted April 16, 2024 On 01/04/2024 at 10:33 AM, Demondes said: Well, James Catchpole from the Tokyo Jazz Joints Podcast is likely taking over running Eigakan Jazz Kissa, currently he is running a kickstarter, some of the rewards include, get your name on the wall, or a seat named after yourself, or a lock in night where you play the music. Maybe someone could ask him to setup a webcam? Although Japanese usually love their anonymity and privacy too much. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/eigakanproject/eigakan-jazz-kissa-project I wanted to go to Eigakan on my last night (Sunday) but Google said it wasn't open. I emailed James Catchpole on the off chance he "may" enlighten me and confirm and he replied within 2 minutes! Unfortunately it wasn't to be (current owner didnt open on the Sunday) but based on James' enthusiastic and incredible speedy reply I have high hopes for this Kickstarter. 1
Demondes Posted April 16, 2024 Posted April 16, 2024 3 hours ago, Hydrology said: I wanted to go to Eigakan on my last night (Sunday) but Google said it wasn't open. I emailed James Catchpole on the off chance he "may" enlighten me and confirm and he replied within 2 minutes! Unfortunately it wasn't to be (current owner didnt open on the Sunday) but based on James' enthusiastic and incredible speedy reply I have high hopes for this Kickstarter. Yes the Kickstarter was successful, raising the required $5Mill Yen (about $50k AUD). 1 1
Demondes Posted May 28, 2024 Posted May 28, 2024 For those interested in Japanese Jazz and the artwork, BBE has just released a giant book. I received today from the UK and it really is a massive book with a lot of essays and information, for those who want more than the graphic cover image eye candy. It's an expensive book (it was cheaper on early pre order last year), its very well made. Included in the back is one CD of the BBE releases under their J JAZZ 5 1
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