DJ Krush & Toshinori Kondo ‎– Ki-Oku

"Ki-Oku" is the result of a collaborative effort between two figures well-known in their respective, if disparate, fields. DJ Krush is probably more familiar to 'Oggers, with his numerous productions & mixes that typically blend a Japanese aesthetic with hip-hop, culminating in a uniquely Asian-flavored trip-hop sound. Toshinori Kondo is an avant garde trumpeter (also from Japan) who has worked with the likes of Herbie Hancock.

On this outing, Krush deftly uses his production skills to lay down a solid foundation of intriguing break beats, and smooth basslines. Here Krush is a bit more reserved than in his other productions. This restraint allows Kondo to artfully execute some gorgeous trumpetry that weaves in and out of the beats in a rather delicate manner. At no time does Krush overwhelm or drown Kondo, in fact, the beats & bass serve to elevate the already lofty trumpetry. On the whole, the album is very relaxing & dreamy.

My personal highlights are 'Ha-Doh' & 'Mu-Chu'. The former combines a rumbling bassline that sounds like a recording of an upright bass being run a few rpm too slow on a turntable, well-placed scratches, minimal, laidback percussion with alternating short, stochastic and long, fluorishing trumpet melodies. The latter is perhaps the most oneiric track on the album, with truly soaring trumpet work, and slow, enveloping basslines.

From start to finish, this is a thoroughly enjoyable album that is easily appreciated by fans of downtempo hip hop, trip hop, jazz, or good music in general. I find I listen to it most around sunset.