We have a lot of love for Japan’s music culture; a deep respect for music and musicians is found across the country, and listening bars populate most cities. A digger’s haven, Japan is known for its high quality vinyl pressings; masterpieces and collectibles can be found in most record stores.

Compilation albums are an art in themselves; much like a gallery curator, DJs and record collectors have the outlet to curate albums featuring multiple artists, enabling them to tell a story through their record. We’ve selected five of our favourite compilations that celebrate one of our favourite eras of Japanese music—the ‘80s—which all tell their own stories of Japan’s diverse music scenes.

Funk Tide – Tokyo Jazz-Funk From Electric Bird 1978-87

Tokyo-based DJ Notoya is an expert when it comes to Japanese funk. His versatile compilation Funk Tide features underground legends of Japan’s music scene who’ve released music on Japanese label Electric Bird, like Toshiyuki Honda, Ronnie Foster and Mikio Masuda. Perfect to play before a night out at your favourite listening bar. Our favourite track is the shimmering Summer Time by composer and saxophonist Yasuaki Shimizu.

Lovin’ Mighty Fire – Nippon Funk * Soul * Disco 1973-1983

Fourteen tracks of Japanese funk, soul and disco are lovingly curated on this record. Japanese soul often refers to enka, a type of soulful, balladic music that developed from small bars and karaoke boxes. Influences from the States would introduce more of a soulful spin to the homegrown sound, informing the likes of Minako Yoshida’s Tornado. Meanwhile, the likes of Junko Ohashi’s DANCIN’ and Kei Ishiguro’s BANANA were heating up Japan’s underground dance floors in the seventies and eighties.

Tokyo Riddim Vol. 2 1979​-​1986

Japan’s love affair with reggae can be traced back to a journey that was taken by Ryuichi Sakamoto of Yellow Magic Orchestra. The first time he left Japan, it was to visit Kingston, Jamaica. In 1978, YMO were about the drop their debut album. However, Sakamoto was in Jamaica to play alongside Japanese singer Teresa Noda at Dynamic Sound Studios alongside Neville Hinds and none other than Rita Marley. The experience inspired Sakamoto’s interest in dub, which he brought back with him to Japan to share with his peers. We love Risa Minami’s sultry Jamaican Blue.

Various-Japanese Groove WAMONO A to Z Vol. III Japanese Light Mellow Funk, Disco & Boogie 1978-1988

‘Wamono’ refers to traditional Japanese things; the character “wa” (和) means “peace” or “harmony” and “mono” (物) means “thing” or “object”. This compilation draws together many sounds of 80s’ Japanese dancefloors. It’s curated by DJ Yoshizawa Dynamite who’s been active since that very decade, making him the ideal candidate to compile a series of Japanese funk, disco and boogie. We love The Sidewinder by Count Buffalo and his Rock Band.

J Jazz: Deep Modern Jazz From Japan Volume 3

Japan’s love affair with jazz dates back to World War II, when American soldiers stationed in the country would play their records from back home in what later became known as listening bars or jazz kissa. Today, jazz kissa can be found all over the country, playing records chosen in-house by curators-cum-bar tenders. This compilation is full of delectable jazz selections compiled by UK label BBE, and like many Japanese jazz records, is best served with whiskey—jazz kissa style.