SKU: 3524222912

Kazuki Tomokawa - Finally, His First Album

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Kazuki Tomokawa - Finally, His First AlbumAt the tender age of twenty five, while he was working part time at an Italian restaurant in Tokyo's Kamata district, Kazuki Tomokawa released his debut record, fittingly titled Finally, His First Album. While he had already penned hundreds of songs, including his first single "Try Saying You're Alive!," written on a long train ride past fields and rice paddies, it was this recording that introduced Japan to one of it's most unique musicians of the

At the tender age of twenty-five, while he was working part-time at an Italian restaurant in Tokyo's Kamata district, Kazuki Tomokawa released his debut record, fittingly titled Finally, His First Album. While he had already penned hundreds of songs, including his first single "Try Saying You're Alive!," written on a long train ride past fields and rice paddies, it was this recording that introduced Japan to one of it's most unique musicians of the postwar era. Each track, as record label exec Kiichi Takahara writes in the LP's liner notes (here translated for the first time), is not a song but a "flesh-and-blood human being," birthed by the singer-songwriter and the raw, guttural cries that would become a hallmark of his incomparable sound. 1970s Japan was a time and place marked by a profound desire for authenticity amidst the onset of television and media saturation. Tomokawa arrived on the scene as a musician with"the personality of a hydrogen bomb," to borrow a phrase from his frequent collaborator Toshi Ishizuka. In an unwieldy interview included here, members of the notorious leftist band Zun? Keisatsu (Brain Police) put it bluntly: here was a man surrounded by the "disingenuous," the "wishy-washy," and the "superficial," who was delivering "real life, unvarnished." These songs are lullabies for the lost, staring not into the void but-as the fourth track declares-from inside it. Finally, His First Album is the first of three Tomokawa records to be reissued by Blank Forms Editions in conjunction with the US release of Tomokawa's memoir, Try Saying You're Alive!, the first-ever English translation of his writing. This debut captures the self-assured trademarks that Tomokawa would hone over the course of decades. Multiple tracks are performed in his native Akita dialect, a distinct and highly regional vernacular of northern Japan seldom heard outside the prefecture-and even more rarely heard in music. Tomokawa's lyrics locate profound interiority in the rituals of everyday life, and are sung against sparse folk arrangements of tender, lilting chords-a prelude to the rock and electronic stylings to come in later years. A self-proclaimed "living corpse," Tomokawa wallows, whispers, shouts, and cries, yet still, through his existential doubt, asks to be heard.

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SKU: 3524222912

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Scott W
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent tool, convenient and adjustable
Size: 2.0
This is a great design and a quality product. The angle adjustment for the needles is super helpful, allowing the exact distance needed for any size portafilter. Needles are removable if a less dense pattern is desired, and they are easily replaceable as well (spare needles are also provided)! The magnetic stand works well, and the magnets have the perfect amount of force to hold it in place but allow easy removal. I was a tiny bit disappointed that the base did not come with any type of rubber or silicone non-skid, and do recommend adding some to the bottom so it doesn't slide around on your countertop. I highly recommend this item!
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Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2025
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D.B. Spalding
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 4
Great tool, but be careful when you replace a needle.
Size: 2.0, Size: 2.0
Great idea, you can arrange the needles in either direction, depending upon the direction that you move the tool (clockwise, or anti-clockwise). But be VERY CAREFUL in dismantling, as it may come apart on you, spilling needles. Getting the needles lined up takes time and patience. Replacing one by itself should be easier. 3BOMBER would do well to include an exploded view of this tool in the instructions so owners know what to expect. That said, this works great, and the magnetic attachment to the stand is very convenient — easier than a stand with a hole in it. Also, the flat top lets you set it upside down in a jiffy. Definitely recommended.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2024
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pvinthebay
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Makes all the difference in your extraction.
Size: 2.0, Size: 2.0
This little guy improved the extraction quality without being overly complex. After grinding there were always high spots in the porta filter when I put the grinds in. There are several different ways to distribute the grinds and I found this to be simple and effective without breaking the bank. The weight is nice and comes with extra pins just incase you bend yours. I've had mine for over a year and haven't needed it so it's nice that it's available. Simple practical tools like this are great in the setup and show you don't need to break the budget to have a solid coffee setup. I enjoy the 3BOMBER line of tools. For the money they offer the best value
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Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2025
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J D
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Meh
Size: 2.0
I don't use it because I found it unnecessary. I'm not a pretentious coffee aficionado fanatic tho. It's great quality and highly engineered tho 🦾
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Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2026
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Tickerguy
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Nicely built, does the job, the stand is an excellent add
Size: 2.0
Its a WDT tool; that and a magnetic funnel for the basket are sort of "the deal" for getting an even distribution in your portafilter to resolve channeling issues. Its the proper size for E61 and similar-sized espresso machines and thus is compatible with basically all but the small "economy" units; for those you probably want something with less "splay" on the needles. The material and design make it "knock it on the side of the counter" easy to keep clean and the magnetic stand means its right there and won't get damaged. For relatively small money it doesn't get better than this in doing the job. Recommended.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2026

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