DJ KRUSHShinsou: The Message At The Depth Record label: Sony/Red Ink Format: 2xLP/CD Release date: 11 February 2003 Do my ears deceive me, or is this the sickest DJ Krush album ever? It’s been said that seven is the number of perfection, and on this, his seventh album, it is becoming clear that the sonic assassin of hip-hop was just getting warmed up. Krush’s production was always abstract and surreal while maintaining hardcore status, but now he’s looking to tear through the after hours head nodding beats that he once perfected. Check the first single “Supreme Team” with the now defunct Anti-Pop Consortium catchin’ wreck on a future past tense scale, reminding us all how well Beans, Priest, and M. Sayyid complimented each other. And it sounds like this collaboration has worn off on Krush; “Toki-No-Tabizi” takes the syntax error approach to hip-hop production, deep frying the drum machine as it emits a stream of digital glitches. A Japanese MC kicks a flow from the matrix. Krush has gotten much bolder in terms of rhythmic complexities. “The Blackhole” is evidence of his pushing the beats to their limit. Easily his most ominous vision yet, the track hovers between techstep style drum and bass and ultra-dark hip-hop. “Trihedron” is just as eerie, offering nightmarish and irregular drum patterns. Even at its most down-to-earth moments, Shinsou consistently keeps your interest. “But The World Moves On” boasts a soulful bump and slick saxophone licks that’ll make your head nod harder than those bobble dolls at the ball game. Dub legends Sly and Robbie join in for a session on “The Lost Voices,” a very nice dub/hip-hop hybrid. Listen closely for Krush scratching up flutes and other sounds in the mix. To speak anymore on this one would belabor the point. Shinsou will knock your block off. This one’s outta the ballpark even for Krush - most impressive. Can’t wait for him to start touring in support of this one. {chloe knuckles}
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