Search - DJ Krush :: Zen

A dream from Japan

T. Michele | verona Italie | 08/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nippon trip-hop but not only. A real synphonia of music : sweet (Song 1, Sonic Traveler, With Grace) psychedelic (Endless Railway, Paradise Bird Theory) and the rest between the rap, funk, jazz. There is also a bonus track (the total songs are 13 and not 12) probably the less nice.
D.J. Krush made a big risk with a miscellaneus of sounds (infact people could be disoriented by the changes from a track to another) but the final result is perfect.
It's not a Cd to play single track, one you put on you have to finish it, it's like a classic synphonia!
Only with all songs togheter you can undrstand the total CD.
You can love it, dosen't mind with kind of music you are coming from...for sure you will love it..it's so sweet, so dark, so trip, so smart,..........so ZEN"

OUTSTANDING

Achilleas | Athens, Greece | 11/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When his previous LP came out, his first under the label of Sony, I was worried about Krush's potential loss of his musical integrity. On the contrary, he made an album so minimal, even his long lasting funs were surprised. I didnt particularly got hooked to this LP but I respected Krush for doing what he really wanted despite the pressure by his new financiers. That was then. NOW?I think that ZEN is the outcome of him breaking the mold in the previous one. Krush is more mature now and he has made an exceptional album that will satisfy everyone. Hardcore hip hop funs, trip hop nodders, average mom and pap, in-love girls, trendy company CEOs, old time hippies, etc. It is the epitomy of a commercial album but without any of the negative conotations this definition might bring to mind. It incorporates soul, ambient, techno and industrial elements, mixed with the usual Japanese ultra minimalism, all together but also on their own. In Zen you can find maybe the most sentimental instrumental track in many years, a marriage between scattered guitar strings and saxophone, while the 3rd track is soulful trip hop at its best. Listen to the track no 7 and realise that Japanese raping can be as smooth as velvet, on a heavenly piano melody. Relax and enjoy, albums like this one dont come out too often."

Smooth Grooves - a Highly Enjoyable Listen!

Rich Latta | Albuquerque, NM - Land of Entitlement | 01/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The 5-star rating might be a little generous, but it's meant to reflect how worthy of purchase I think this CD is overall. I favor the more subdued, relaxing tunes. Some justifiably consider this release to be a bit inconsistent, but I also appreciate its diversity. Whatever you want to label this music - downtempo, acid jazz, hip hop - I don't think it fits easily into any particular category.



DJ Krush is especially effective at creating minimal soundscapes with subtle sophistication. Overall, this CD is laid-back and quite groove-worthy.



A few highlights (some impressions):



"Song 1" - very relaxing, kick-back hip-hop groove, very minimal with jazzy textures including a sweet trumpet.



"Zen Approach" - easy hip-hop funk beat with Black Thought from The Roots in full effect and shimmering background synths. Off the hook, baby!



"Danger of Love" - I'm a big Zap Mama fan and Marie Daulne (who IS Zap Mama) sings exquisitely on this smooth, catchy track. She also contributes some amazingly acrobatic vocals in the background, one of her most notable gifts.



"Sonic Traveler" - Starts off with background noises from a train station combined with subtle African rhythms and instruments before it launches off with a hyperkinetic drum machine. Actually employs bouncing ping pong balls as musical instruments - a fascinating instrumental!



"Vision of Art" - an ominous tone pervades over this spare track featuring an intense, ballsy rap performance.



"Day's End" - another very relaxing instrumental, similar to "Song 1" with a more "end-of-a-quiet-day" feel to it. Features more trumpet, a seductive acoustic guitar and that African instrument that I think is called a kora (?).



"Candle Chant (a Tribute)" - an amazing song, absolutely mesmerizing. Features a bizarre (to my ears) rap in an Asian language (that I assume is Japanese) and a hypnotic, crystalline acoustic guitar.



"Paradise Bird Theory" - has a very mysterious, dark and sensuous trip-hop sound.



Highly recommended, especially for chilling out.



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