About Me

ABOUT ME!

My name is Hector Martinez and I have been a "diehard" fan of Bruce Lee since the first time I saw his martial arts magic on the "Green Hornet" television show back in 1966. Although I've been a fan since 1966, I really became serious about collecting 15 years ago. Back in the 70's I had tons of Bruce Lee memorabilia but I gave away or sold most of it. His popularity began to heat up again in the late 80's & 90's and so I started collecting with a passion and it's been 15 years since I've gotten serious about my collection. I'd like to meet other collectors from all over the world so please feel free to write me at URBANKUNGFU61@YAHOO.COM I'm always interested in trading with other fans of the "King of Kung-Fu".

I've always loved the "toy store" feel.

Not only am I a fan of Bruce Lee, but I also enjoy the SHAWBROTHERS and GOLDEN HARVEST films of the early 70's.

I'm a huge fan of Sonny Chiba, Jim Kelly, Ron Van Clief, Angela Mao Ying, Wang Yu, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Jean Claude Van Damme and of course the legendary superstars from Japan like Shintaro "Zatoichi" Katsu, Tomisaburo "Lone Wolf" Wakayama and Toshiro Mifune.

Long live ASIAN CINEMA!!!!

I enjoy Body Building, Martial Arts and Acting.

I'M A HUGE BRUCE LEE VINYL SOUNDTRACKS FAN!

Japanese vinyl releases are premium quality pressings much sought after by
audiophiles and collectors alike. In the 1960s Toshiba pioneered top quality
red vinyl pressings using their trademark ‘Ever-Clean’ process this utilised
a special ingredient intended to prevent the build-up of static electricity on
the vinyl. Japanese pressings are synonymous with quality - the vinyl shines
like no other vinyl - everything about their releases feels special. When US
audiophile label Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab first released their series of high
quality pressings the records were manufactured in Japan. The sonic quality of
Japanese pressings is considered to be among the best in the world and in
addition they are beautifully presented their covers usually printed on better
quality heavy stock paper and often including a bonus lyric insert with dual
language Japanese & English text.

Nearly all Japanese LPs were issued with an ‘obi’ - literally translated this
means ‘sash’ and is derived from the obi (sash) worn around the traditional
kimono dress. This delicate paper strip usually wrapped around the left side of
the album cover often contains marketing information and album content details
all printed in Japanese kanji and ~kana script. Obi designs can be as varied as
the LPs they adorn and some series of obi designs can be as collectable as the
artist's albums they decorate. ‘Hankake’ (3/4 length obis) are nearly impossible
to find and the ‘Rock Age’ series of obis are especially rare and valuable. Obis
make a unique attractive addition to the overall package and are becoming
increasingly rare especially on LPs from the 1960s and 70s. Their delicate and
disposable nature meant that very early obis were routinely discarded so that now
they can often be worth several times more than the record they accompany.

In addition to Japanese pressings of regular albums there are numerous
Japanese-only releases. Labels and artists often issued exclusive records timed
to coincide with their Far East tour or they re-released back catalogue albums
with a re-designed obi displaying revised graphics and other consumer information.

Regardless of your musical taste Japanese records make a stunning addition to
any collection. Audibly and visually they present the collector with a feast of
delights. Genuine mint condition records complete with inserts and obi are
becoming rarer every day. Whatever the digital age throws at you there is still
a valid opinion that says vinyl sounds best; with Japanese records you get top
quality pressings a tactile picture sleeve that looks stunning and you can sing
along from the lyric insert. This is the real alternative to a download!