COMPUFUNK RECORDS, located in Kitahama, Osaka, is a record store specializing in electronic dance music, but also functions as a bar and club space, making it an essential spot for the Osaka music scene.
The reason for writing this article is that COMPUFUNK RECORDS is more than just a record store; it is a place not only to “buy” music, but also to “experience” it, a special place where you can encounter a piece of music with a variety of stories. It is a place where you can not only “buy” music, but also “experience” it. It is a special place where you can encounter a piece of music with a variety of stories.
Before the relocation, the store in the basement of Amerikamura had an appealing underground feel, but the current location in Kitahama has a new appeal with its open riverside view and stylish space in perfect harmony.
In this issue, we introduce its unique charm through an interview with NAO, the owner, DJ, track maker, and producer.
What was NAO’s original experience that drew him into the swamp of dance music?
What was your first encounter with dance music?
NAO：It all started when I visited London in the early 90s. I was working part-time at a live music club “Chicken George” in Kobe at the time, and the manager recommended that I go to England to see the rising acid house movement called “Second Summer of Love,” so I actually went to London. Although it was a little past its peak, the house, techno, jungle, and rave scenes were booming, and it was very exciting. From then on, I visited London once or twice a year until I opened my own store and became deeply involved in the London dance music scene.
I think it was a great experience to be able to directly experience the sounds of the DJs there at high volume!
What was the dance music scene like in London at that time?
NAO: There were three parties in London that particularly influenced me.
The first was “Rage,” an event organized by FABIO & GROOVERIDER around 1990-1993. This is a legendary party that is said to be the birthplace of the jungle, and one of my most influential parties. In fact, in 1993, my partner at the time, DJ Dog, and I independently produced a Jungle white disc called “COVE01,” which is said to be the first Jungle production in Japan.
The second was “Knowledge,” an event organized by Colin Favor and Colin Dale, two techno DJs who represented the underground techno scene in the UK at the time.
The third was “LOST,” an event organized by Steve Bicknell. This event invited Detroit techno artists as guests, and it was at this event that I first experienced Jeff Mills’ performance.
So your experience in London led you to DJing?
NAO：Yes, at first I mainly bought records in London and played them at home with friends. From there, I started having secret parties after Chicken George closed and DJing at a party called “Texas,” which was organized by the manager of Chicken George. This party was underground and quite exciting at the time, and I was definitely influenced by my experiences in London, especially jungle, UK techno, and Detroit techno.
How COMPUFUNK RECORDS is more than just a place to buy records, it’s an experience
What inspired you to start COMPUFUNK RECORDS?
NAO：I wanted to bring in the culture of dance music from London, which had not even entered Japan at the time. In London, there were legendary record stores such as “Unity,” “Blackmarket,” and “Fatcat. I was very impressed by the way the store staff played music like DJs and customers were excitedly saying “give me this song” or “give me this” in the loud music, and I wanted to create a place like that myself. I started by having my friend DJ “Hero U.D.A.” who lived in the area send me records, and in 1996, I opened Compufunk Records in Amerikamura, Osaka.
Was there a bar or floor from the beginning?
NAO: No, in the beginning we only sold records.
I could not forget the original experience I had in London, and I wanted to do something like a club where I could experience the quality of dance music firsthand. That was around 2008, and the basic style of the current Compufunk Records was created.
We then had to move to Kitahama in 2017 because the building was aging and needed to be evicted.
At the time, I was surprised to hear that you were moving to Kitahama, an office district.
NAO: It was very difficult to find a place that could accommodate sound in the city, especially in the Ame-mura area. I was looking in a wider area and found this place through the introduction of the owner of the building at the time. The riverside location with a great view and, most importantly, an environment where sound could be produced were deciding factors.
Are there any differences in the customers due to the change of area?
NAO: I have the impression that the frontage has expanded. Compared to the previous store in the basement, the current store is on the second floor, has windows, and is an open space where you can enjoy the view along the river, so it attracts a more diverse clientele.
Recently, due to the influence of the “record bar” culture that has been spreading, there are more people who like music other than techno and house, people who want to enjoy records and not just go to a club or buy records, and people who want to listen to music while having a drink at the bar.
I am very happy to see that some of these customers have started buying records, visiting club events, and finding new ways to enjoy music.
Are you particular about the acoustic environment?
NAO: We don’t use particularly expensive speakers or amplifiers, but we lay down a 200v power supply, reduce feedback, and create sound with room acoustics in mind. We also use wood floors, although concrete reverberates and makes it easier to dance.
We try to create a space where people can stay on the floor for a long time, especially at loud club events.
You also offer record production services, right?
NAO: We have a studio called AUTORA FACTORY PLATE where we can make dubplates, which is different from the way records are made for sale to the general public. We can make records from a single piece of music data.
A creator named Catchpulse took a course in Germany, purchased a cutting machine, and started the business as an engineer in a space attached to the store during the Ame-mura era. The material used is vinyl chloride, which has the same durability as pressed records.
Dance music scene in Osaka
Having witnessed the dance music scene in Osaka for many years, are there any events that stand out in your mind?
NAO：There are too many to mention them all, but the “Flower of Life” party that started at “Macao,” a club in the basement of the Misono Building that regrettably closed at the end of last year, was also great. It was one of the representative club culture in Osaka.
It was a legendary event that mixed the Tokyo scene and the hardcore scene. There was also a club called Tsuru-no-Ma in the Ajien building.
NAO：The Tsuru-no-Ma was also an important place in the scene. The “Sound Channel” label was active here, and in 2006, I participated in the “UNITED UNDERGROUND Tsurunoma 2ND ANNIVERSARY E.P.” EP that was released to commemorate its 2nd anniversary. I also participated in the EP under the name of Lovegod.
From the late 90’s to around 2000, a club called “I to I” invited UR (Underground Resistance), Carl Craig, Robert Hood, Colin Dale, etc. to their parties, and I participated as a DJ.
I to I” was originally a famous club in the reggae scene, and I heard that their sound system ‘KILLASAN Sound System’ is currently used for the ‘Wax Treatment’ event at the record store ‘Hard Wax’ in Berlin. I heard that the sound system “KILLASAN Sound System” is currently used in the event “Wax Treatment” at the record shop “Hard Wax” in Berlin.
I also organized an outdoor free party called “OpenKnuf!” at the No. 2 jetty in Kobe, which was held once a year in summer in the 2000s. This is one of my good memories.
I have a lot of good memories of this.
What is COMPUFUNK RECORDS’ unique way of buying records?
Please tell us about your record lineup.
NAO: Basically, we focus on electronic music such as house, techno, electro, breakbeats, and ambient, but we change the ratio slightly according to trends. I also buy directly from my friends who run labels overseas and from DJs/producers who come to play at Compufunk. We also sell rare dead stock from Japanese labels and dub plates of our own original tracks.
I think there are ways to buy records that are only possible in this space!
NAO: I think the unique way to buy records at Compufunk is to be able to buy your favorite songs on the spot while drinking at the bar. If we get requests, we will also introduce recommended records. Many of our customers purchase records as a result of coming to our club events.
Manager NAO’s recommended records
What records do you recommend?
1. LOS HERMANOS/On Another Level (reissue)/Los Hermanos
LOS HERMANOS, led by Gerald Mitchell, a core member of UR, plays soulful and spiritual Detroit techno.
2. dj gizzard_lns_dj sotofett/spatters japan tour/wania
LNS + DJ Sotofett’s 2024 Japan tour special limited 12”. The name “compufunk” is on the cover. 3!
3. e.r.p./faded caprice/apnea
Deep electro album by E.R.P., also known as CONVEXTION.
4. REKAB/Random Fragments EP/Yore
A new 12” from UK producer ReKaB, released on Andy Vaz’s Yore Records label, which I also released in 2022 under the name DJ Compufunk.
5. DJ COMPUFUNK / A.I.Soul VER2.1/ Compufunk Dub
I sell my unreleased tracks and past works as Dubplate. This is a limited edition available only at actual stores.
Artists you are currently paying attention to in Japan
Are there any artists that you are currently paying attention to?
NAO：Yes, first of all, “Hizuo” from Kansai, Japan, he just turned 20 years old, started his own label and has been releasing his music digitally. He has also released music on Stones Taro’s NC4K label in Kyoto.
Next is “Neo,” another 20-year-old artist, who performed at Compufunk in his junior year of high school, using only hardware and no computer. He has now released two albums.
They are about the age of my son from my point of view, but they are making pretty cool sounds and are the new generation of Electronic Dance Music whose future I am looking forward to.
Lastly, please give us a message from NAO.
For those who want to buy records, as well as for those who are interested in records and music lovers, please feel free to visit us as we also have a cafe and bar!
We are also planning to move forward with our label “Compufunk Records”. In addition to my own music and that of the younger generation in Japan, I plan to release hidden tracks by Japanese artists released in the 90s and early 2000s. We look forward to working with you.
COMPUFUNK RECORDS
http://www.compufunk.com/
Store details
https://recoya.net/en/stores/compufunk-records/
