by Donte Kirby
Any fan of underground hip hop or Samurai Champloo has heard of Jun Seba, popularly known as Nujabes. For those who haven’t heard of the Japanese DJ, his record Modal Soul will show you the existential beauty of the 808.
A beat that sounds like dipping in a river on a clear skied summer day along with the croon of a lovely, wise man is “Reflection Eternal.” “You’re a flower. You’re a river. You’re a rainbow,” sings Kenny Rankin in the sample of “Marie” that Nujabes uses. The song transports you to a more peaceful time. That ability to transport a listener to another world is something Modal Soul has in spades.
The fourteen track record is a perfect stop for newcomers to the sounds of Nujabes and old listeners alike. The record is quintessential Nujabes and for fans brings a tear to their eye as they think of a life lost too soon. In 2010, Jun Seba passed due to a traffic accident and for lovers of a part of hip-hop not widely known it’s been a hard five years.
Modal Soul features artist like Cise Starr, Shingo2, and Substantial. All are artist that rap in a way and about topics that those who lament the evils of mainstream hip-hop will find refreshing. Those who love mainstream hip-hop will find sounds of hip-hop they may not have known existed. Their hip-hop minds are expanded by tracks like “World’s End Rhapsody” and “Luv (Sic) Part 3.”
Nujabes was a great talent and you owe it to yourself as a lover of music to check him out. Go to his soundcloud, click play, and be amazed.
