DJ Kentaro - Enter

An accomplished fusion of styles, rather than a compilation album, Enter is a triumph

Album Review by Bram Gieben | 11 Apr 2007
Album title: Enter
Artist: DJ Kentaro
Label: Ninja Tune
2002's DMC Champion Kentaro is known as 'The No-Waller' – he does not believe in traditional genre boundaries, and his debut album embodies this as much as his showpiece DJ sets have in the past. The opening track, Enter The New Ground, cycles through traditional Japanese instruments, electro, hip-hop and drum and bass in under three minutes, an elegant morphing process that characterises what is to come. Collaborations with label-mates Spank Rock and New Flesh are particular highlights, electro and dancehall layering in some urban flavour to the mix, while a welcome contribution from The Pharcyde turns up the heat with some crazy free-jazz drums and jumping pianos. One Hand Blizzard leaves you in no doubt as to Kentaro's scratching abilities, whilst fellow countryman Hifana offers an entirely different take on hip-hop beats. An accomplished fusion of styles, rather than a compilation album, Enter is a triumph. [Bram Gieben]

Release date - 28 Apr

Read our interview with DJ Kentaro online at www.skinnymag.co.uk.

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