Japanese record-shop owner, Masaya Hayashi (left), looks on at some Jamaican vintage albums with renowned music collector Dexter Campbell.

Teino Evans, Staff Reporter

For many years, persons around the world have travelled to Jamaica to gain first-hand knowledge and experience of the rich, musical culture they have come to know and love so much.

In recent times, the Japanese especially, have flooded the local dancehall, gaining knowledge and experience that they use upon their return home.

One Japanese man in particular, Masaya Hayashi, says he has been travelling to Jamaica for the past 18 years "in search of good music".

Hayashi, who has been in the music business for 19 years, owns a record shop and production company in Osaka, Japan, called Drum and Bass Records, where "we buy and sell CDs, Jamaican music, mainly vintage, roots, rock, ska and rocksteady".

Good, original tune

When his friend called Carpenter came to Jamaica and brought back some vintage music he recalls: "Me shocked, so I save some money and come to Jamaica to buy some good, original tune."

Hayashi, who had been a bass player in a reggae band, said he was tired of playing because the artistes always wanted the same rhythm, "like a Sleng Teng".

So, in searching for something with a difference, he said: "I came to Jamaica and started listening to some vintage records."

"These are hard to get in Japan," he said, as only records from Studio One, Prince Busta and some from Greensleeves were readily available.

Hayashi, says: "when me bring back these music and play to the people, they become excited and say first time they hear it. and I want to sell good music to di Japanese people."

Hayashi has also established close ties with renowned Jamaican vinyl collector, Dexter Campbell, from whom Hayashi says he has received "plenty help".

"Dexter is my Jamaican father," said Hayashi, who visits Jamaica at least four times a year for music.

Different tunes

Hayashi has invited the likes of Alton Ellis, Prince Buster, Echo Vibration and Strange Jah Cole to perform at shows in Japan, but says: "me request different tunes for them to do, because in Jamaica they only perform hit tunes. So, like in Jamaica, they don't know tunes like Dance Cleopatra and Prince of Peace by Prince Busta."

Hayashi, in his own right, has been like an ambassador for reggae music around the world, especially when it comes to ska and rocksteady. He now has a radio programme called 'Pirate Choice' on the Internet.

"It's on our website (www.rock-a-shacka.com). This is not an official station and why I created this station is because in Japan they don't really have a radio station that plays vintage, rocksteady and ska music. They play mainly dancehall music like a Beenie Man and Mavado, and from time to time, they play a little bit of oldies like John Holt and Alton Ellis," he said.

Hayashi says he set up an office in Hamburg, Germany, just two months ago and started distributing Jamaican rocksteady and ska music to all parts of the world.

"Also, me and my friend Tommy have been playing this kind of music in places like Spain, Germany, England and the Netherlands," said Hayashi, who also operates a sound system.

Hayashi says he is hoping to put on another stage show in Japan this year. "I have arranged for Alton Ellis, Strange Jah and others to come to Japan this summer. I also want to invite Dexter Campbell and Echo Vibrations after they've completed their tour in Germany this summer."