Ilya and Tempo of the Down,
If Krush's "Zen" is anything like his "Ki-Oku" with Toshinori Kondo then
I'll be taking a trip to a record store soon. Also to put the word out on
the streets if anyone else out there really jones's for Ambient Trippy Acid
Jazz, P'taah is suppose to be having a new CD out soon around mid February
called "Decompressed". Happy Trails!!!!
Semper Motociclismo,
Pace'
Peace to ya all, brothers and sisters!
This afternoon i finally picked up my copy of DJ Krush's new album "Zen"
which has been released a few days ago, and as far as i remember, nobody has
mentioned it on the list yet. I don't know if it's already out in Europe and
States, so here is a small review on this wonderful piece of work.
The album is called "Zen", and it's name has actually nothing to do with
zen-buddism. "Zen" can be translated from Japanese as "slowly", "little by
little" or "step by step". As for me, i think that Krush has always been
very good at choosing names for his albums, just remember "Meiso" or
"Kakusei" (one couldn't think of more exact words to define music on those
albums). It's all the same with "Zen", the music on it is getting into you
gradually, little by little. I have already listened to the album for 3 or 4
times, and every time i'm getting more and more into it. I think it won't be
an exaggeration if i say that this the best album by Krush so far. It's
really hard to compare it with his first EP, "Meiso", "Milight" or
"Kakusei", it's still the good old Krush, but may be his is getting more and
more mature with every album he releases.
Almost on every track of the new album a guest artist is featured.
Collaborations with Black Thought, N'dea Davenport, Kukoo Da Baga Bonez,
Kazufumi Kodama, Boss The MC of the Blue Herb, Sunja Lee (i love her
appearence on "Ga" by Dj Krush's Ryu dj-unit very much as well) and some
others are to be found on "Zen".
Soft and jazzy tracks (Song 1, Danger of Love, Sonic Traveller, Day's End,
With Grace) are followed by Krush-styled hard hip hop numbers (Zen Approach,
Vision of Art, What's Da Solution). Rather outstanding is a track made in
collaboration with Boss The MC from the Japanese hip hop band The Blue Herb,
the track is called "Candle Chant (A Tribute)", and it's may be the saddest
rap i've ever heard in my life. With a classical guitar in the background
and Boss The MC reading very sad japanese lyrics in a surprisingly soft
voice, this track almost made me cry.
Another highlight on the album is a track "Danger of Love" featuring
beautiful vocals by a female singer Zap Mama (btw, may be someone knows who
she is?).
Very Ninja-Tunish electro-hop called "Duck Chase" is also very very good.
Well, i'm so much impressed by "Zen", that i could speak more and more, but
will finish here cause i won't to get another listening session of this
masterpiece.
sorry for my bad English.
Looking forward to hearing your thought and reviews.
peace!
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