Hailing from Japan, Yoichi began his career over 30 years ago running sound systems and DJing in the Philippines. He then moved on to New York where he established Funky Slice Studios in Brooklyn, a seminal studio for the emerging hip-hop genre. There he also got his first taste of Caribbean music and culture. He began visiting Trinidad and Jamaica in the 80s, fascinated by their unique approach to live and recorded sound. Obsessed by technical quality, Yoichi has developed an extensive knowledge of steelpan recording and has been instrumental in exposing the Japanese market to steelband, calypso, chutney and soca.