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Grooveman Spot a.k.a DJ Kou-G Hailing from Sendai in the north-eastern Tohoku region of Japan, Grooveman Spot a.k.a DJ Kou-G caught the musical bug as a teenager, first as a hip-hop dancer and then a DJ, influenced by the likes of legendary New York mixtape DJ Funkmaster Flex and Japan's own godfather of hip-hop and b-boy breaks DJ Muro - the "King of Digging". Inspired by Muro's homegrown hip-hop group Microphone Pager, Grooveman Spot formed the duo ENBULL in 1996 with MC U-Zipplain. Mentored by legendary Japanese DJ and beatmaker DJ Watarai and influenced by American hip-hop heavyweights Pete Rock and DJ Premier (Gangstarr), Grooveman Spot's production talents established the group and producer a strong following in their homeland. Four albums and three mini albums later, ENBULL are entrenched in the Japanese hip-hop scene, and having launched their own label Enbrain Records in 2007 are an independent force to be reckoned with. Their new album Bohemian was released in Japan on Enbrain Records in July 2009. Having swapped beats and ideas for many years with fellow Sendai hip-hop head DJ Mitsu The Beats (producer for GAGLE), the two ended up as label mates for their eclectic, acclaimed solo albums, which were produced for Jazzy Sport and released on affiliated label PlanetGroove. On his debut album Eternal Development (2007) Grooveman Spot's solid beats were matched to international collaborations with Medaphoar a.k.a MED (Stones Throw), Capitol A, Count Bass D, Miss Jack Davey (J*Davey), Grap Luva, MC Invincible and O.C., and Japanese vocalists U-Zipplain, Hunger (GAGLE), Raythought, Mahya and Yoshika. The album and two CDs worth of remixes gained Grooveman Spot a reputation internationally as an up-and-coming Japanese producer to check for. Grooveman Spot produced half-a-dozen of Eternal Development's tracks with Jazzy Sport founder Masaya Fantasista, teaming up as the production unit Tettory BLK. Together they produced an album for Japanese female r&b vocalist Mahya, before teaming up with London-based French producer Simbad as TettoryBad to record the album Unite in 2008 with guests vocalists including Ty, Paul Randolph and Fatima. Grooveman Spot has recently returned to solo productions, releasing the Detroit beatdown house-inspired "Neuralgia/D.D.E" 7" and the double A-side single "Two Things/Down To You" on Jazzy Sport in late 2008 (the latter featuring vocalists John Robinson a.k.a Lil Sci and Musinah). He is now hard at work in the studio completing solo album #2, with a guest list including Grap Luva, Eric Rico, Kissey Asplund and more. [top] --- Jazzy Sport Originally conceived as a record store in Morioka City, Jazzy Sport has become a Japanese hub for hip underground beats since opening its flagship store in the central city Tokyo shopping district of Shibuya in 2003. Sought out by visitors from around the globe, the world-renowned boutique record store doubles as a headquarters for Jazzy Sport's ever-growing roster of DJs, MCs, producers and designers. In addition to breaking homegrown artists like Grooveman Spot, Breakthrough, Cro-magnon and TettoryBad, Jazzy Sport have released a steady stream of collectible records by cult international artists including Count Bass D, Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Steve Spacek and IG Culture's New Sector Movements. [top] ---
Kenji Sakajiri Kenji Sakajiri from Osaka, Japan cut his teeth working for Yoshihiro Okino from Kyoto Jazz Massive's influential Especial Records shop and label, before striking out to establish his own label Wonderful Noise in 2006. With a roster including Recloose vocalist Justin "Just One" Chapman, the legendary Sa-Ra Creative Partners and Japanese newcomer Noah, he has also signed New Zealand acts including Electric Wire Hustle, Julien Dyne and Jellphonic through personal connections with The Jewel School. Formerly the warm-up DJ for the likes of Jazzanova and Bugz In The Attic at Osaka's acclaimed Freedom Time clubnight, Kenji comes to New Zealand keen to rock the party and expand his roster of New Zealand artists. [top] --- Cian [top] --- The
Jewel School For over 15 years The Jewel School radio show has been a weekly fixture for discerning fans of classic grooves and cutting edge beats from around the globe. The Jewel School's soul brothers Zen, Andy, Martin, Ben and Greg bring experience and eclecticism to their weekly broadcasts and regular forays into Wellington's finest nightspots. Known for showcasing original, underground music, their annual New Zealand Music Special has become a springboard for emerging local producers and has been syndicated abroad. The Jewel School have hooked up several local artists for release in Japan, including Joe Dukie & DJ Fitchie (Especial Records), Electric Wire Hustle (Wonderful Noise), Julien Dyne (Wonderful Noise) and Dan Aikido (Black Belt), and are currently A&Ring a compilation of New Zealand music for Wonderful Noise. [top] --- Friday
Night Flava Kickstarting Welly's weekend party scene every Friday night, Friday Night Flava brings the hype to Radio Active 89FM with a surefire selection of blunted beats and heavyweight dancefloor smashers. Helmed by Kava, Marek and Fras Def, the Flava crew throw down like no others, pimping the freshest offbeat heat. When not thugging up Active's airwaves, their members are responsible for the Fried Chicken Soundsystem, Drop Kick Cousins and countless other public nuisances. [top] ---
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