About

- The Analog Vault // Essential Listening -

Hideaki Ishi, better known as DJ Krush, is one of Japan’s earliest hip-hop pioneers. Beloved around the world, the turntablist and producer is revered for his atmospheric soundscapes and lush breakbeats, crafted from samples of esoteric jazz and soul records. Those hypnotic downtempo signatures are certainly present on his luminous 2001 album, but unlike his other works, which were mostly instrumental, Zen found the prolific beatmaker incorporating a bevy of inspired vocal guests.

Featuring the likes of Black Thought, Company Flow, Zap Mama, N'Dea Davenport and Boss the MC (among others) - DJ Krush found the ideal rappers and singers to complement his trip hop voyage. Zen is also highlighted by stimulating collaborations with drummer Questlove, trumpeter Kazufumi Kodama and percussionist Tunde Ayanyemi, who contribute dynamic live instrumentation to the producer’s idiosyncratic beats. — The Analog Vault
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"For Zen, Japanese producer/mixer DJ Krush works his way into a vision of sublime, downbeat hip-hop that's a snug fit with the title. The opening "Song 1" is an irresistible slice of trance-state trip-hop, with the cascading notes of a vibraphone and flute perfectly complementing the atmospheric grooves. Krush also continues the collaborational bent of previous LPs, with hip-hop heads Black Thought and ?uestlove from the Roots (appearing on separate tracks), Company Flow, and DJ Disk alongside left-field choices Zap Mama, N'Dea Davenport, and trumpeter Kazufumi Kodama. On these tracks, the beats and effects are more pointed than on the opener and, as in the past, DJ Krush proves he's a stellar jack-of-all-trades trackmaster." — (via AllMusic)

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Label: Columbia, Music On Vinyl
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, 180g
Country: Europe
Reissued: 2010 / Original Release: 2001
Genre: Electronic, Hip Hop
Style: Abstract, Downtempo

File under: Downtempo
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