Artist: Chibo Matto
Title: Chibo Matto
Catalog #: JPR-4
Genre: Alternative, Low-Fi, Rap
Comments:
This female duo apparently first met and formed on stage at a New York
live house in march of 1994. They've been especially well received in
the alternative set, thanks largely to co-performances with the likes
of Soul Coughin' and members of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, reputation
grew and were quickly signed to warner. Two tracks on this EP predate
their signing and were originally released on El Diablo as a 7" single,
plus three tracks from private recordings. The sound is mixed, with
the first two tracks being particularly hip-hop influenced. "Know Your
Chicken" is distinctly low-fi alternative and the last two tracks are
thick with ambience and mellow experimentative noise. Vocals are cute,
with silly lyrics, sung in slightly "uncomfortable" english, but their
is nothing particularly displeasing within the style. "Black Hole Sun"
in particular, is a reassuring proof of their control of melody and ambient
entrancing vocalisms. A band sure to make waves in the US college radio
market.
Grade: A-
<zero_mag@cyborg.or.jp>
Artist: Various Artists
Title: Free Colors Hip Hop Underground - Hey! Young World
Catalog #: TACF-1003
Genre: Hip Hop, Rap, Dancehall
Comments:
One disappointing trend of the recent Rap boom occuring in Japan is that
all the record labels out their are jumping on the bandwagon to produce
their own compilations, but none of them are willing to put money into
necessities such as royalties and samples clearance. Thus we have a
situation where there are many new Hip-Hop compilations being released
lately, but the production values on most of them have suffered
considerably. As strong as some of the participants on this album
should be representing, it is limitations such as this which have created
conditions where the product will go in no other direction but mediocrity.
This album includes powerhouses such as Twigy (with DJ Shu of CL Massive)
who represent fairly well, Naked Artz (with an "unobtrusive" track), GK
Maryan feat. Kaminari (with a surprisingly mediocre track), female duo
Section S posing, LB members Three One Lengs and dancehaller Chappie.
Grade: C+
<zero_mag@cyborg.or.jp>
Artist: Kaseki Saidaa
Title: Kaseki Saidaa
Catalog #: NATURAL-204(8704-P)
Genre: Rap, Alternative, Acid Jazz
Comments:
A fantastic, pleasant experience somewhere between the sound of XTC and
recent Tokyo No.1 Soul Set product, Kaseki Saida- has created an incredible
album. While this is more like to thrill fans of mondo and alternative
than your hard-core Rap fan, its plain to anyone who gives a listen that
this guy is a major creative force with a splendid sense for creating a
sound which is pure jolly bliss with frolicking lyricism and simple
unalderated groove. This one is loooovely.
Grade: A+
<zero_mag@cyborg.or.jp>
Artist: Saho
Title: Flaming Girl
Catalog #: ESCB-3017
Genre: Alternative, Abstract
Comments:
Splendid coproduct of female vocalist Saho and the instrumental genius
of Buffalo Daughter come together for this fantastic EP. Influences from
Ambient, to Blues, Hip Hop, Rock and all over the modern musical spectrum
coexist seemlessly in the mix, with the Saho's confident vocal's playing
lead. As good as her vocals are however, the real stars of this EP are
Buffalo Daughter, who, as usual, are producing a truly fascinating aural
gumbo so thick in flavor that does no less than set the mind spinning.
Grade: A+
<zero_mag@cyborg.or.jp>
XXXX
Artist: Scha Dara Parr
Title: Cycle Hits - Remix Best Collection
Catalog #: KSC2 134
Genre: Rap, Hip Hop, Noise
Comments:
This solid collection of remixes of Ki/oon Sony-era Scha Dara Parr tracks
is actually a minor source of concern for some in Japanese Hip-Hop. Let's
just say that the line-up of remixers is absolutely top-notch, with a wide
range of representation in various genres. The controversy surrounds five NY
remix producer's: DJ Premier, Buck-wild, GJ Milo, No I.D. and Pete Rock who
are reported to have been paid gargantuan amounts of money with no
negotiation, no argument. This becomes a grave issue in the young Japanese
Hip-Hop movement as young artists desire more and more such international
cooperation, but won't be able to avoid the image that Japanese have so much
money that they don't know what to do with, within a local industry which has
decided that local rap is worth producing, but isn't worth "investing in."
How is the album? Terrific, really... except that all the material predates
their Toshiba EMI album work, one can't complain with all these fantastic
remix talents involved: Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius), Buffalo Daughter, DJ
Premier, Kaneko Asuka, DJ Milo, DJ Bari"K"-n, Buck Wild, Illicit Tsuboi,
NO I.D., Pete Rock, Bouryoku Onsen Geisha, and Takagi Kan with KUDO.
Grade: A
<zero_mag@cyborg.or.jp>
Artist: Dassen Three
Title: XXX Japan
Catalog #: ESCB 1704
Genre: Rap, Hip Hop
Comments:
With four tracks co-produced by Beastie Boys engineer Mario Caldato Jr.,
guest appearances by Adam Horowitz and Mark Nishita, this album may sound
like some to be a Beastie Boys rip-off. To me it goes way beyond that,
with sharp social criticism, a strong sense of the inane and alot less
of the B-Boy posings. Another album strong on the whole, with little to
offer in the way of "single material."
Grade: A+
<zero_mag@cyborg.or.jp>
Artist: King Giddra
Title: Sora Kara no Chikara
Catalog #: PCD-1768
Genre: Hip Hop, Rap
Comments:
A strong first release from local underground favorites, King Giddra. While
the group shone its best when they were performing regularly with 3 MCs up
til last year, Zeebra and K-Dub Shine manage to carry their recent stuff
through with variety and skills on a platter. Music tracks produced by
Zeebra are also very tight, unfortunately though, there is a slight lack of
depth in the mix, and no particularly "incredible," distinctive hooks.
Underground favorites are reborn on this album, with "Mimawasou" "Ousouji"
and the title track coming down particularly strong.
Grade: A-
<zero_mag@cyborg.or.jp>
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