What a krush
E. A Solinas | MD USA | 08/04/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A good DJ can turn a mediocre song into something worthwhile. A great DJ can turn a great song into something mind-blowing.
That seems to be what Japanese mixmaster DJ Krush is shooting for in "Reload: the Remix Collection," a collection of remixed songs, originally from everyone from jazz gods to Japanese trip-hop groups. And for the most part, Krush does a phenomenal job with these mixes.
It starts off with Japanese soul singer Aco's "Aishyuto Ballad," a sensual little song given a coating of delicate beats by Krush, and then the acid-jazzy grooving of Galliano's "Rise And Fall (Dj Krush Remix)," and the spacey, fragile music-box melody of the Boom Boom Satellites' "On The Painted Desert (Dj Krush Remix)."
From there on, Krush takes a slightly different approach -- there's blippy turntabling song with some soulful crooning, spacey acid jazz, and Japanese R&B given a trippy turn. He dabbles with Sugizo, Kodo, Monday Michiru, Bliss Note, Dragon Ash, M-Flo and others.
The only problems are the hard hip-hop songs, which are a bit too strong and forceful sonically, meaning that Krush really can't get a tangible hold on them. They don't sound different enough.
But on the other hand, the remixes of the jazz greats -- in this case, Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock -- are absolutely stunning. Hancock's "The Essence (Dj Krush Remix)" is a soulful, trippy piece of work, with rich vocals and a great piano solo. On the other hand, Davis's "Black Satin-On The Corner (Dj Krush Remix)" is too heavy on the spacey electro, but is still very jazzy and enjoyable.
Whatever you can say about DJ Krush, one thing cannot be denied -- the man has amazing taste in music, especially in the trip-hop, soul, acid jazz and hip-hop areas. You can tell by the care put into these songs just how much he likes whichever song he is remixing.
Krush has a knack for the spacey elegant beats, but he also manages to be earthier when he remixes Sugizo, and adds in some vinyl scratching to round out his sound in songs like Q Yamadaman "R.g Rikigaku Remix." He's at his best in the soul and/or electronic songs, where his talents just augment the already beautiful melodies.
If nothing else, you can latch onto these band names and enjoy the great music. But to hear another dimension to the music, "Reload" is a good listen."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1