DJ KRUSH / ZEN
WK55707

 DJ KRUSH NEW ALBUM/ ZEN
Following up on his masterpiece studio album Kakusei, and mix album CODE4109, DJ Krush is back with his much-anticipated 6th studio album entitled ZEN. Spending over 6 months for recording in Tokyo, NY, LA and Philadelphia, Krush wanted to express the changing atmosphere and tides towards the new millennium in various forms of sound. Featured guests include: Zap Mama whose over-dubbed soul-healing voice stunned Krush in studio, MC Black Thought and drummer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson from The Roots, Nigerian percussion genius Tunde Ayanyemi , and Company Flow which recently announced that they are breaking up. The track on this album is one of Company Flow's last recordings. Kazufumi Kodama who met Krush for the first time 6 years ago in studio since their collaboration on a track called "On The Dub-blue" from Krush's first album. BOSS THE MC Emerging rapper/rylicist of a popular Japanese hip hop group THA BLUE HERB among others. TRACKLISTING
  1. "Song 1"
    Music: DJ KRUSH

  2. "Zen Approach" featuring Black Thought
    SOUND REALPLAYER WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER
    Lyrics: Black Thought Music: DJ KRUSH
    Black Thought appears by the courtesy of MCA Records, Inc.

  3. "Danger Of Love" featuring Zap Mama
    VIDEO REALPLAYER WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER
    Lyrics: J.Rogiers & M.Daulne Music: M.Daulne & DJ KRUSH
    All vocals by Zap Mama
    Zap Mama appears by the courtesy of Virgin Music Belgium & Luaka Bop Inc.

  4. "Sonic Traveler" featuring Tunde Ayanyemi
    Music: DJ KRUSH
    Kudi & emili ako bata drums by Tunde Ayanyemi

  5. "Duck Chase" featuring phonosycographDISK
    SOUND REALPLAYER WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER
    Music: phonosycographDISK & DJ KRUSH
    Skraips by phonosycographDISK
    Special appearances by Ala Zap Zap & Zebra Neck
    Ala Zap Zap & Zebra Neck appears by the courtesy of Shigger Fragger Inc.

  6. "Vison Of Art" featuring Company Flow
    Lyrics: El-P Music: DJ KRUSH
    Scratches by Mr.Len & DJ KRUSH
    Headache voice by Mr.Len going international

  7. "Day's End" featuring Kazufumi Kodama
    SOUND REALPLAYER WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER
    Music: Kazufumi Kodama & DJ KRUSH
    Trumpet & kalimba by Kazufumi Kodama
    Wind chimes by TADA
    Kazufumi Kodama appears by the courtesy of Soytzer Music Inc/Speedstar International

  8. "With Grace" featuring N'Dea Davenport
    Lyrics: N'Dea Davenport Music: N'Dea Davenport & DJ KRUSH
    All vocals by N'Dea Davenport

  9. "Candle Chant (A Tribute)" featuring BOSS THE MC
    SOUND REALPLAYER WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER
    Lyrics: BOSS THE MC Music: DJ KRUSH
    BOSS THE MC appears by courtesy of The Blue Herb Recordings.

  10. "Endless Railway" featuring Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson
    Music: Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson & DJ KRUSH
    Drums by Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson
    Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson appears by the courtesy of MCA Records, Inc.

  11. "Whut'z Da Solution" featuring Kukoo Da Baga Bonez
    Lyrics: Dwayne Bryant Music: DJ KRUSH
    Scratches by Mista Sinista

  12. "Gokurakuchou Ron (Paradise Bird Theory)" featuring Sunja Lee
    Lyrics: E'z Music: DJ KRUSH
    Vocals by Sunja Lee

Zap Mama
A solo project by Marie Daulne, central figure of all-female a cappella quintet Zap Mama. Their sound that blends Polyphony, a traditional music of tribe of pygmy's(Central Africa) with European street style has been acclaimed internationally.

Marie was born to her Belgian father and Zairian mother. Her destined encounter with the Pygmy culture came when her father was killed in the political riots in Belgium's former colony Congo and her mother managed to escape to the safety of the pygmies with little Marie. Later she met original members of Zap Mama at a music school in Belgium where she was teaching polyphony and they released their first album "Zap Mama" in 1991 on a local label. The album caught the ear of David Byrne who released the album in the US on his label and it became a huge success. It reached #1 on Billboard's 1993 best selling world music CD list and in the following year they received a Grammy nomination with their 2nd album "SABSYLMA". After that, Marie became a solo artist and brought her music to a higher level with her album entitled "7" by incorporating the elements of jazz, hip hop and reggae into her sound. Now she is based in the US, working on her new album.
Black Thought
The main MC of The Roots which represents Philadelphia soul. The Roots won Grammy's Best Rap Single for a single featuring Eryka Badu who is also from Philly. Krush first met Black Thought when he shared a stage at the London Jazz Festival in 1994 which was Krush's first overseas performance. Since then they have stayed in close contact: Black Thought was a guest performer on Krush's 3rd Album "Meiso", Krush jumped in on The Roots's performance in Japan, and this year Black Thought requested Krush to produce his first solo album (first for a Japanese to produce US rapper!). Black Thought recorded this track for "ZEN" while he was on tour in the US with Bahamadia.
Ahmir "?uestlove" Tompson
Drummer of The Roots who is known for his drum machine-like accurate stroke and rhythm, particular to hip hop generation. Also as a solo artist and a tour member of D'Angelo, his production credits are long. Check out how Ahmir's live drum blends with Krush's turntable drum.
Tunde Ayanyemi
Nigeria-based percussion genius who's been on stage since the age of 2. His stunning live collaboration with Krush's DJ unit "Ryu" left the audience breathless. His performance on "Rhythm Asobi"(single/on Ryu album) caught the attention of music fans from all over the world. In 2000, Tunde collaborated with such artists as Mista Sinsta, phonosycographDISK, DJ HIDE, DJ SAK, JUN SAWADA besides Krush. He has also guest-performed on Krush's new project >JAG<
phonosycograph DISK
Original member of world's no.1 West Side scratch group Invisible Skratch Piklz(ISP) who have recently broken up. Since he went solo in late 90s, he's been actively performing with such artists as CHARGED and BUCKETHEAD. Not only as a solo artist, he's also known as a heretical turntablist who is active in various projects by different names and characters, making 120% use of his rock and hip hop background.. After the recording of"ZEN", he will work with Krush on new project "JAG" as a formal member.
Company Flow
Consisting of rappers EL-P and Mr. Len, Company Flow first caught public attention by releasing tracks from Rawkus. The quality of their sound and instrumental tracks distinctive to them have earned them much respect not only from their fellow rappers but DJs throughout the country. Their long-desired live session with Krush finally came true when Krush made guest appearance at their gig in Japan in February 2000, which lead to this collaboration on <ZEN>.
Kukoo Da Baga Bonez
The brightest hope within new rappers who just had his debut 12" out this summer from NY's indie-lable DECKSTATIC. He joined Mista Sinista's solo album currently in production. He is also one of the most sought-after new rappers amongst such acclaimed producers as DJ Premier. Mista Sinista who did the remix of Krush's "Final Home" on which Kukoo performed as an additional rapper, brought him to "ZEN".
Kazufumi Kodama
Former trumpeter of a now legendary dub band Music Beat. He became solo with his 1990 debut album "Quiet Reggae". After the release of his 2nd and 3rd albums, Kodama first collaborated with Krush in 1994 on his debut album "KRUSH". Then for the first time in 5year since the release party of "KRUSH" album, Krush and Kodama had their 2nd live session in November 1999. Krush who saw his performance and was amazed again by Kodama's superb trumpet sound. Krush made an enthusiastic offer for Kodama to play on Krush's new album.
BOSS THE MC
A rapper/lyricist who represents Sapporo, a major city in the Northern part of Japan. Debuted as a unit called THA BLUE HERB on his own label, his 2nd single "Chieno-wa/ Kitakaze" caught Krush's attention. Because of Krush's heavy rotation play of this track at his gigs in and outside Japan, BOSS began to be known as Krush's favorite MC. His big break came when he did a guest performance on the first single from Krush's DJ unit "RYU" as well as on their first album. Then having moved the base of his activity from his local city to all across the nation, BOSS has been performing intensively as THA BLUE HERB and with his band HERBEST MOON. On ZEN, the long-awaited Krush vs BOSS one-on-one collaboration has finally been realized.
SUNJA LEE
A Korean-Japanese singer who lives as her instinct leads. She first collaborated with Krush on the legendary masterpiece "SLOW CHASE" which was produced for a compilation album. Her rhyme that echoes in low tone at the beginning of the track fascinated anyone who listened. Compiled on the album was English version, but Sunja, who is fluent in 4 different languages also recorded French and her native language Korean version of this track which was unreleased. The idea of making a YEAR 2000 remix of Korean version of "SLOW CHASE" was the beginning of this collaboration with Krush on a new track for "ZEN".