Hip-hop has become a truly global phenomenon. From it's humble origins with DJ Kool Herc's sound system in the Bronx, New York, it has spread like wildfire. Each culture and group has taken hip-hop, and put their own unique spin on it. It is, however, easy to pick out an artist who has had any kind of hip-hop influence.

Take for example Japan's DJ Krush. His North American major debut was Meiso, featuring such hip-hop luminaries as the Roots. On this new album, Krush has stepped away from the lyricists, but still pays homage to his peers in hip-hop, having tracks with Mista Sinista of the X-Ecutioners ("The Kinetics") and Shawn J. Period, one of the top underground producers in the business today ("The Dawn").

The album also retains a mystique that could only come from it's other influences. For example, samples from traditional Japanese instruments and singers lend a unique flavour to such tracks as "Parallel Distortion," "Interlude," "Rust," and "No More"

Where vocals are necessary, Krush recruits the best, collaborating with Canada's own Esthero on "Final Home (Vocal Version)."

Tracks to check for: "The Dawn," "Parallel Distortion," "85 Loop," "Rust," "The Kinetics," "No More," and "Final Home."

The final verdict: A great chillout album, and an album you won't regret having in your collection. There are probably others you might like to grab first, especially considering how expensive this one is, but it is worth grabbing eventually.