Customer Reviews

Kakusei

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

DJ Krush's Kakusei, a 1999 release on Sony's imports label, unleashed what Krush has referred to as the "second stage" of his career. I, for one, am glad it's here. As much as I loved Krush's earlier work, his energy was starting to seem kitsch, and the collaborations on Milight and Meiso seemed to draw some of the attention away from his beat wizardy.

So what's so great about it? Plenty. The beats are just schizophrenic enough to hold your attention, but not crazy enough to make it unlistenable. Just when the mood starts to slip into typically gloomy trip-hop, he injects some of his infamous tongue-in-cheek samples.

He also includes some excellent tracks which showcase his innovative scratching, something he hasn't done on the last couple of albums.

Hip-hop, just like every other genre, has been riding a downwards spiral towards mainstream mundanity since it's underground roots. But every once in a while, an album like this comes along that convinces me that the true spirit of innovation and fun is still around.

I don't think this album alone will change the scene, but I do think it signals a re-emphasis on the thing that really made hip-hop great: the Beat.

Krush sets a standard for trip hop that I have yet to see matched. This Cd is very dark, moody stuff, not as listener friendly as his second effort "Krush", yet still more profound and aestheticaly rich than any other DJ I have ever heard. This is for anyone who appreciates music as an art and the turntables as a legitimate instument to convey art. Krush weaves a landscape that is eerie, dark, and impossible to resist. As a guide he gives us both want we want and what we aren't sure we're ready to hear. He dares us to accept his world while holding our hand at the same time.

this album, which features seventeen tracks (the last of which features esthero) is absolutely amazing. This is the best dj krush has offered as of yet. The bass is clear and succulent and for those of you perusing for the perfect foreplay-et-cetera compliment...search no further. This album is intense and extremely sensual in a tricky- massive attack-portishead groove. Esthero also tears it up. Definitely worth purchasing.

I have posted another review when I first bought this CD. It's a week later, and I must say I love the whole thing. Listening to Krush mix is like a Jackson Pollack painting. Apparenlty random, but subliminally intentional, and very beautiful and creative.

Firstly I would like to say I am not obsessed by the fact that Krush is from Tokyo but this CD really does for me create the Tokyo vibe (I have been living there for the last 6 months). For example "Delta Forest" perfectly sums up a feeling of the Asakusa region of Tokyo.
Anyway not to get bogged down this album will definitely not suit all tastes. The beats are reasonably abstract and some of the tracks are very dark. This is not as trip hoppy as some of his earlier stuff. This album is also much more experimental than some of his other works (not to say that makes his other albums bad- far from it). There are some tracks however which let the listner breathe and relax such as the superb 2 minute long "Interlude" (another track that really captures an essence of Japan, allbeit a difficult to find one) and the only vocal track on the album "Final Home" showcasing the soothing tones of Canadian (i think) singer Esther. Also on the break down listen out for an extremely impressive scratching session from Krush. I was speechless when I first heard that scratch. Phenomonal.
This album like I said is not for everyone but if you like a little more originality to your music and you can appreciate the workings of abstract beats then this is far and away the best album I have heard to that description.

I picked up Kakusei solely because Esthero sang vocals on the final track. But, I found the whole album (17 tracks) to be great. Its a good almagamation of acid jazz and trip hop that doesn't get boring after repeated play. There are a lot of interesting sounds laid into the tracks that promote a unique listening experience. I was really impressed with DJ Krush, and I feel that anyone into the trip-hop-acid-jazz scene will enjoy it too.

This album is a potpourri of tasty flavas that keeps coming track after track. This deep seeded conceptualized effort by Krush establishes him as one of the great DJ/Producers on the scene, grabbing darker urban textures to convey his ambient, yet groove-oriented approach to making music that in the end result, sounds ultimately like no one else. From the heavenly beats and quirky melodies of "85 Loop" to the smooth, dreamy lushness of "Crimson", Krush stylizes no one in favor of his own unique voice, escaping to a realm of sound development and songwriting that is strong, complex, and intelligent. Ablaze with a true sense of purpose and direction, Kakusei assumes it's role, and leaves trip hop enthusiasts coming back for a hearty dose of seconds. Highly recommended.

great minimalistic trip hop with a ingenius sense of textures and mood.

Kakusei is a classic example of great abstract hip-hop and acid jazz. DJ Krush really knows how to lay down some tight beats. The last track with Esthero is killer! If you like smooth, jazzy hip-hop beats or like trip-hop pick this album up right now!

This is a great listen. DJ Krush is a standout among DJs-- he combines smart and surprising beats over a cool, relaxed background. The track with Esthero is one that you can crank the bass, turn down the lights, and enjoy over an over again. It'll be a standard.