About

- The Analog Vault // Essential Listening -

1996 was a landmark time for trip-hop and downtempo, and alongside DJ Shadow's Endtroducing came this silky smooth delight from Japanese turntablist maestro DJ Krush and late jazz trumpeter Toshinori Kondo. Smoky beats and laconic chord licks form the perfect backdrop to Kondo's muted trumpet, and the mood just unfurls from the get-go in a brilliant reimagining of what lounge jazz could be in the fusion-fuelled 1990s.

Originally released on August 8, 1996, this album gained international acclaim for its blend of smooth-groove jazz and captivating compositions. Critically acclaimed, Ki-Oku (記憶, Kioku) received praise for its depth, with AllMusic acknowledging its hidden layers beneath a seemingly pleasant surface. FACT recognized it in 2015, ranking it at number 25 on their list of the best trip-hop albums of all time. It's a chance for fans to relish the essence of Kondo's avant-garde jazz and DJ Krush's hip-hop artistry in a unique way, honoring the legacy of this influential collaboration. It's a benchmark which has been often imitated and rarely bettered. — (via Label)

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Label: Diggers Factory
Format: 2x Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue
Country: France
Released: Apr 8, 2024 / Original Release: August 8, 1996
Genre: Electronic, Jazz
Style: Downtempo, Future Jazz, Trip Hop
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File under: Downtempo