DJ Krush - Zen

I have forgotten to include ZEN in any and all prior lists due to my own callous negligence and yes, stupidity. This cd is a classic. DJ Krush has seven albums, all of them are very good. The appropriately named ZEN features some unknown talents (atleast to me), and some of the most compelling MCs in the hip hop game dropping ill rhymes all the while complimenting what is the cd's strongest asset, DJ Krush's cuts. He is the turntable tactician, a master in his own right just ripping it up on the 1s and 2s.

The cd begins with a doozy, a track that can make you get lost in its complexity, a song that can put you to sleep or help you forget about your stressful day. Titled Song 1, it is a masterful cut on a cd that has many standouts. Then, just when you have let your muscles relax, just when you think you know where this cd is going, DJ Krush comes with guillotine for the next mix. Featuring Blackthought, the next track is named Zen Approach. Blackthought drops a nasty rhyme on this one and DJ Krush outdoes himself on the turntables. This song should be heard, it is useless for me to describe it. The next song, The Danger of Love featuring Zap Mama features some beautiful vocals by Zap and a great beat by Krush.

The album goes on in that vein, changing tempo on the listener but never leaving him unsatisfied. Songs such as Sonic Traveller, Duck Chase and Vision of Art are all great tracks. Vision of Art especially is a great track for any lover of the darker side of hip hop, featuring one of the lesser known groups in the genre, Company Flow validates Krush's choice to put them on the cd. The next track, titled Days End is so sick- another cut to just lose yourself on. Krush is above all a mixmaster, a dj at his best. Tracks like this one and Sonic Traveller showcase his talent as it stands on its own. The lack of an emcee is not felt, not once in the song will you say that if so and so emcee was on this track it would have been a great cut.

But just as I say that, the next track feat N'Dea Davenpor, titled With Grace is a track that just blows the mind. Her voice is angelic, his cuts are masterful- the combination leads to a track that will make you fall in love with the first person you see. This song is beautiful- another one that just has to be heard. This track above all shows the diverse nature of this cd, making it all the more better. The fact is that DJ Krush could have made an album with just hip hop artists, but he didn't. He shows you his skills at beatmaking all the while keeping you entertained with a versatile mix. The mark of a great artist is this ability that so many DJs today sorely lack.

Just when you think the cd can't get any better, DJ Krush harkens back to his roots, Japan. Featuring a Japanese artist, the track has an MC rapping (or what sounds like talking to me) in Japanese. Even in a language that I do not understand, DJ Krush holds my attention for a four minute track while the emcee just keeps talking and talking..so much infact that when he breathes, the listener hears it. The next two tracks are my least favorite on the cd, that is not to say that they are bad songs, I would just leave them out of my top ten list from the cd. But, it is a testament to Krush's ability as an artist that one of those tracks is my brother's favourite song on the cd. The last song, Paradise Bird Theory feat. Sunj is a commentary on today's world, a dark song that ends the cd on a sombre note. Normally, I don't like such endings but on this cd it is appropriate and well placed. Its a song that wakes you up if you have lost yourself in the cd.

The whole cd is a must listen. I can't say enough about it as you can probably see from my detailed 'synopsis'. Its beautiful, you will lose yourself in it- I promise you atleast that much. But, it is a cd that needs to be listened to more than once, maybe even more than twice. The reason for this is simple, for the listener to catch the words and meaning of the rhymes he has to pay attention to it. You can't pay attention to the words until you get over the beats that Krush cuts on the cd. So, listen to the album first, let Krush mesmerize you and then, on a second listen give your attention to the artists that compliment him so well.

Rating: I just used 834 words to describe a 12 track cd, and you want a rating?