Japanese DJ and producer Tadashi Yabe passes away at 59

He was a pioneer in Japan’s club scene and co-founder of United Future Organization.

Photo Credit: Questlove – Facebook

Japanese DJ and producer Tadashi Yabe, a pioneering figure in Japan’s club scene, has passed away at the age of 59.

The news was confirmed by Toshio Matsuura, a fellow founding member of the acid jazz group United Future Organization, in a post on X last Thursday, July 25th. The announcement did not disclose the cause of death.

Yabe’s journey in the music world began in his early 20s at the club Daisan Souko. In 1990, he co-founded United Future Organization with Matsuura and Raphael Sebbag. The trio’s self-titled debut album was released three years later on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings label, blending hip-hop sampling techniques with acid jazz and soul.

Despite his extensive career, Yabe continued to DJ regularly until his passing, performing at notable Tokyo venues such as Mitsuki, Bonobo, and DJ Bar Bridge in recent months.