A Record Haul

I count it good fortune that my family are all sleepers-in whenever there is not school or work. This gives me a long, quiet morning on such days. I can wake up intentionally early around 4:30, or just naturally around 6:00. I lie in my futon while I check the Marco Polo video messaging app to see what Content™️ my buddies have produced. Then I get up and maybe make coffee. In recent months I have not made/obtained morning coffee unless it sounds very good. This feels like the right level of coffee use for me.

Having slept in running clothes, I now decide if I will run. With this system I intend to make running more sustainable. I keep myself released mentally from any obligation to run, letting the feeling of the morning dictate. Usually I run. At the moment I awaken, there is no self-imposed mental pressure from which to flee by going back to sleep. Then, in the leisurely getting up, a more clearheaded self can decide whether to run, knowing that the self will be glad they did. What pleasant mental games I put me through.

One day during the recently concluded Golden Week, I had just listened to records with Zack the night before. I needed more records. So I decided to take a drive out to the Hard Off in Atsugi. When I have a bit of time I try to hit the more faraway stores, saving closer ones for shorter free time windows. The store would open at 10:30 and allow me to shop for a half hour or so and then come home just as the family was getting up.

I made a philosophical decision about the obi (meaning ‘belt’ in Japanese) strips of paper that often wrapped Japan-issued records at the time of sale, and which often remain on the used records now. When obi are maintained in good condition, the record resale price is improved. But I don’t like them. They get caught and ripped in a record stack. They also conceal the original album front and back covers as intended by the artist. So I will remove obi and fold their lower edges 2cm or so, so I can place them inside the sleeve. The philosophical decision is that I am in this hobby to enjoy the albums, not to buy and sell as a collector.

Perhaps the nearby United States Atsugi Naval Air Station has imparted unusual levels of funk and soul to the local populace. The racks were chock full of excellent LPs.

Ray Parker Jr.—*The Other Woman*
I sure love the details of this room where he is standing. Things like the wall outlet, scuffed wall corner, and light switches.

The Suttons—*So Good*
This purchase is a gamble. I have not heard of this act. The 1984 vintage has expectations high. I am in love with post-disco (I do not care if this is or isn’t a real genre—all genres are someone’s subjective idea anyway) music lately.

The Brothers Johnson—*Blast!*
Easily the gem of this haul. I just gave it a first listen. Banger after banger. The first side is mostly produced by George Johnson and Louis Johnson. The second side is mostly produced by Quincy Jones. Here is the back cover so you can see the track listing.

Commodores—*Heroes*
(TIL it is “Commodores,” not “The Commodores”)

Earth Wind & Fire—*All ‘n All*
This has many amazing tracks, including probably a top-ten favorite song of mine, Fantasy.

Ray Charles—*Rock & Roll*
The album cover alone makes it well worth owning.

*Mr. Magic’s Rap Attack Volume 3*
I am focused on studio albums by artists, but this 1987 compilation demanded an exception. Look at the track listing.

How do you like the haul?

Arrival in Wales

John Kerry