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. The tuneless bassline and production gloom surrounding "Vision of Art" are the perfect bedrock for hardcore paranoiacs Company Flow, while the frenetic, quasi-jungle programming on "Sonic Traveler" only highlights the incredible flair of guest Tunde Ayanyemi (on kudi and bata drums). And while any other hip-hop producer would burn out on at least a few collaborations, Krush just keeps turning out excellent song beds: for DJ Disk on "Duck Chase," for Zap Mama on "Danger of Love," and for Kazufumi Kodama on "Day's End." All these great appearances make any disappointment caused by the lack of solo jaunts after "Song 1" practically nil. — (via AllMusic)

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Vinyl tracklist:
A1 Song 1
A2 Zen Approach
A3 Danger Of Love
     Featuring – Zap Mama
B1 Sonic Traveler
     Featuring – Tunde Ayanyemi
B2 Duck Chase
     Featuring – Phonosycographdisk
B3 Vision Of Art
     Featuring – Company Flow
C1 Day's End
     Featuring – Kazufumi Kodama
C2 With Grace
C3 Candle Chant (A Tribute)
     Featuring – Boss The MC
D1 Endless Railway
     Featuring – Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson
D2 Whut'z Da Solution
D3 ゴクラクチョウ論 (Paradise Bird Theory)
     Featuring – Sunja Lee

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

File under: TAV Essential Listening
File under: Electronic // Downtempo
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