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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