DJ Krush

He can drop breaks and samples from any source into a smooth, seamless, seemingly effortless flow. Japan's DJ Krush's beats take on a painterly lyricism that feels like simple repetitions, but they reveal themselves as highly complex with deep listening. They're not merely providing an auto-pilot groove; they're highly expressive. It's a reflection of his deep roots in the traditions of hip-hop. Though his productions are flawless, they are essentially a combination of sparing, raw elements fused by laboratory attention to detail. As a rock break repeats unpredictably, cool jazz instrumentation leans against fluttering soul textures and creates a fluid hybrid of musics that, under his hands, sound like they were destined to meet. His frequently fragile arrangements sound like they might unravel at the tug of one loose thread. But he leaves no edges unhemmed; his tracks are finished with precision and grace. More recently, his increasing collaborations with vocalists have added yet another perfect factor in his ever-evolving mix.