Search - Nujabes :: Modal Soul

Nujabes, "Modal Soul"

Version J | Augusta, GA USA | 05/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nujabes is the Beast from the East. I know Beast probably wouldn't be the best word to describe this producer, but it's the only thing I can think of using besides "AZN SENSATION", and how whack is that?



Many people I know associate music made in Japan with the defecation widely known as J-Pop. I can't really make an accurate decision on how nice J-Pop is or not. I rarely listen to anything I can't understand in my favorite musical genre, Hip Hop, so there's no reason for me to check anything out in a genre I don't like in a language I CAN understand. Anyway, I first discovered the work of Nujabes on the cartoon "Samurai Champloo", like many Americans have. As a Hip Hop instrumental aficionado, I've listened to hundreds of producers and their products. From Pete Rock to Just Blaze to RjD2 to Prefuse 73 and so on... I'm a sucker for a sick sample. So it's safe to say that when I heard "Battlecry" (Samurai Champloo's introductory theme), I had to find out more about this Nujabes cat who made this beat.



One of my friends (who happens to be Japanese and an avid Hip Hop fan) let me listen to her copy of Nujabes' first LP he released in 2003, "Metaphorical Music". That showed me that "Battlecry" wasn't just an instrumental fluke like most of the producers working in Hip Hop today have had. If anything, "Battlecry" is one of the more lackluster songs in Nujabes' catalog. I burned myself a copy and bumped it for a good while in my car and at home. Then I heard that he had another LP out, "Modal Soul". I searched high and low for a copy, but alas, great producers who originated in America are hard enough to find, so finding one who operates out of Japan would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Eventually, I came across the LP in Canada on vacation, and it was like Christmas in July! June to be precise, but who cares? "Modal Soul" was everything I expected and more.



As a producer, Nujabes has grown a lot in my opinion from 2003 to 2005 when he released the said product. Nujabes has always had a cool jazz influence over his beats, and thankfully that hasn't changed. The beats he crafted for this LP are all A Grade. The few emcees he chose to rap over some select gems aren't the best, but they flow over his tracks like they've worked with him since 89. From American underground artists like Cise Starr and Substantial to Japanese talent like Shing02 and Uyama Hiroto, each featured artist brings something special to the track to make it shine. It'd be hard for me to pick a few standout tracks because of the amazing job Nujabes does to weave all of the songs together. Without a doubt, I believe this is the best work Nujabes has done.



I know that not many people will get the chance to experience some these very impressive beats, and that's a shame. If Nujabes were to release some of his stuff in America and work with some of the artists who have a stable fanbase, there's no doubt in my mind that he'd be one of the premier producers this side of the western hemisphere. But maybe he's not doing it for the fame? Maybe he's just doing it to make good music. I don't know. Either way, I hope he doesn't make me wait too long for the next LP. Get this album however you can.



Jerrod R."

Hip-hop on a different level

KG | West Coast, USA | 09/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first got exposed to Nujabes through his work on Samurai Champloo. I bought all four of the soundtrack CD's for the show, and for about four months they were in constant rotation in my car and at home. Nujabes' work really stood on those four CDs, enough for me to try and find some of his outside work. I came across his first album, Metaphorical Music, and thoroughly enjoyed it, so naturally I bought this CD, Modal Soul, the follow-up.



Nujabes has a very unique style. His melodies are jazz-based, using the piano, saxophone, flute, guitar, bass, and various electronic sounds (He does a lot of soloing on his piano, so if you enjoy that, you're in luck!). He puts combinations of these elements on top of smooth, modern hip-hop beats. The result is an organic, lush sound that carries a lot of depth and emotion. Nujabes expands on this depth by teaming with MC's Cyne, Substantial, Shing02, Apani B, Pase Rock and singer Terry Callier, all of whom are performers who strive to create music that is meaningful, beyond the "hoes and dough" approach prevalent in hip-hop today. Thus the cool, jazzy and meaningful vibe of the music that Nujabes produces is not ruined, but rather enhanced by his guests. If you're sick of listening to raunchy, shallow hip-hop about big butts, drugs, and gang violence, this album is a breath of fresh-air for you. Nujabes restored my faith in hip-hop being an artform, not an expression of lust or a way for a rapper to hurl insults at others.



The best aspect of Nujabes' music is the range of emotion that is harvested within each song. Nujabes is a master of arousing a feeling through his music. There are tracks on here which make you feel sad, which make you reflect on good times past, which lift you up and make you want to groove to the beat. These songs are absolutely perfect for car rides, trips through the big city, travelling of any kind, or late nights in the dark under a clear moon. Songs that subtly make you ponder your existence are perfect when you're surrounded by humanity or natural beauty. I've actually learned to appreciate more wholly all of the good things I've gone through and received, because of the thoughts this album provokes (yeah, it's that engrossing).



The album does a good job balancing pure instrumental music with the vocal-based songs. 6 are vocal songs, 8 are instrumental. Thus those who are used to the instrumental music found on Samurai Champloo tracks will be satisfied, and those looking for some words on their tracks are also catered to.



If you have any reservations about the pricing of this album, forget them. You're on this webpage because you've heard Nujabes before or he's been recommended to you by someone. If you've liked his material from Samurai Champloo or elsewhere and are looking for more, buy the record. You won't find any music out there that is comparable. Moreover, no retail store is ever going to have his stuff (Nujabes is little known in the U.S.), unless you go to some place where they sell rare vinyl records.

Highly Recommended"

Brilliant

Jorge Alvarado | 12/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was able to obtain a copy of this CD through a friend so I was not unfortunate (or fortunate) enough to dish out $45 to get this.



However something this good deserves my appologies and recognition. Simply put, its great from beginning to end. Samples, jazzy beats, ambient, solid hip hop, poety, etc. It's all there.



It rivals all the classics of the cross genre arena. Entroducing, Deadringer, Vocal Studies and Uprock Narratives, Milight, Mad Blunted Jazz are all great in their own respect. Modal Soul holds its own against those great albums. It's more subtle but infinately brilliant. People who hear this always ask of the artist. It's like having a great cologne and women asking what's the fragrance. It's that good.



Word of advice, Worlds End Rhapsody is genius. It's almost too good. It's whats great about music today. Pure emotion yet minimal."