(Not really on topic, but...)

Sawao uses a portable ION suitcase turntable.

[i]I'm disappointed.[/i]

[quote="Mafu"](Not really on topic, but...)

Sawao uses a portable ION suitcase turntable.

[i]I'm disappointed.[/i] [/quote]

Source/context?

[quote="GoldenRhino"][quote="Mafu"](Not really on topic, but...)

Sawao uses a portable ION suitcase turntable.

[i]I'm disappointed.[/i] [/quote]

Source/context?[/quote]
He posted a picture of it on his blog (it’s only accessible to fanclub members).
Personally, I’m not a fan of those types of turntables.

[quote="Mafu"]Personally, I’m not a fan of those types of turntables.[/quote]
I think distaste for those turntables can be explained by much more than just personal taste.

He really strikes me as a guy that wouldn't bother with records, that's why I was and still am surprised (but nonetheless very happy) to see these albums getting released on vinyl. Point being, his choice of turntable isn't as surprising.

Of course my opinion could be way off.

Here's a question that i'm sure someone has already asked, how far into their catalogue do you think these releases are going to go? Kool Spice and Living Field were both King Records but they chose not to start there, so I don't think it's simply going to be their entire King catalogue. If it's just their "bestsellers" do they have any big albums after Happy Bivouac? Do you guys see them doing Smile / TYMT next?

I really wish they'd go back further...I'm much more wont to throw on Living Field on vinyl than I am Happy Bivouac to be honest...not saying anything about the quality of the albums, but me personally really only listen to vinyl for jazz/soul/R+B/Motown, etc. not so much rock.

[quote="Spike"]Do you guys see them doing Smile / TYMT next?[/quote]
I'm really unsure about whether or not they'll go past [i]Bivouac[/i]. One factor is how important/significant/popular the band and their label think [i]Smile[/i] and [i]Twilight[/i] are; enough to warrant another tour and vinyl reissue? It also might be that the band just doesn't want to do another 3rd Movement tour after Vol. 2. Or maybe they and their label just don't have the budget to do another vinyl reissue / 3rd Movement tour. I got no predictions, but I could see [i]Smile[/i] and [i]Twilight[/i] happening. The rest of the King catalogue up to [i]My Foot[/i] is possible as well. The Avex catalogue, much less likely. Maybe there'll be a full discography run of Pillows vinyl in 20 years or something.

I'm also disappointed that they didn't try to get [i]Kool Spice[/i] and [i]Living Field[/i] on vinyl. I'm not sure what the band thinks of those earlier records; maybe they just don't think those ones are really connected to the band that they are now? That said, perhaps they just wanted to put their best foot forward by starting with [i]Busters[/i] and [i]Lostman[/i], and they'll go back and do the 2nd Movement stuff last. I also think [i]White Incarnation[/i] on vinyl would be perfect.

[quote="Mafu"]Maybe it's a new hobby for him.[/quote]
Somehow, the thought of Sawao getting into records is super cute to me.

[quote="Mafu"]Unfortunately, these "portable" turntables are easily available and therefore purchased by a lot of vinyl beginners. If you just want to head to a major department store to get a turntable, these are the ones that will be on the shelves.[/quote]
Saw 'em in a buncha Tower Records shops, too. tbh my first turntable was a Victrola, and I thank God everyday that I only bought super popular, constantly in print records when I had that one; never any super expensive rare records.

[quote="Mafu"]ION has collaborated with a few Japanese artists to release these suitcase turntables with artist logos and junk. For example, there was a Spitz version for their 30th anniversary. (Price: 21,384 yen after tax. Yikes.) I hope they don't do a pillows one when the 30th anniversary rolls around.[/quote]
...the same garbage turntable, just with a Spitz logo on it...

re: White Incarnation (and Moon Gold) were both on the Pony Canyon label, they might not be able to re-release those even if they wanted to.

Also I agree about those suitcase turntables being junk for the reasons mentioned. The 'all-in-one' Crosley's etc. are junk too.

[quote="Spike"]re: White Incarnation (and Moon Gold) were both on the Pony Canyon label, they might not be able to re-release those even if they wanted to.[/quote]
i dont actually know how labels work but i feel like if king or the band propose to reissue those records without buying back the masters, thus allowing pony canyon to reap some of the benefits from this music that they probably make almost nothing from because [i]they dont keep the fucking things in print[/i], pony canyon might agree. or king / the band could just buy the masters. but that all requires firstly that the band has any interest in doing something with those records.

i guess im just slightly more hopeful than others regarding reissues across labels cuz meldac and warner did it for the blue hearts last year. doesnt mean thats gonna happen with other japanese bands.

It's definitely not impossible.

If they follow this up with Smile/TYMT, then the sky is the limit IMO. If not, then I think we have our answer.

You know what would be cool? If they did some 12" singles. I'd buy Last Dinosaur just for the album art. ROSS would be cool too, or Swanky Street.

For what it's worth, this is the dynamic range of the two records:

Please Mr. Lostman / DR10
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/145533

LITTLE BUSTERS /DR10
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/145535

Improved from the ratings of 7 (Lostman) and 6 (Busters) from the CD versions.

Well color me purple, slap me silly, and give me a handy behind the front desk.

Vinyl mastering ftw!