On the Wheels of Solid Steel

Disc: 1

1. Introduction - DJ Kentaro

2. Animal Chin - Jaga Jazzist

3. King's Lyn - Clifford Gilberto Rhythm Combination

4. Family - DJ Food

5. Brasilia Freestylee - Coldcut, Silent Poets

6. Scratch Yer Hed [Squarepusher Mix] - Coldcut, Hexstatic

7. Border - The Herbaliser, Latyrx

8. Timber [DK Recut]

9. Terrorist

10. 8 Point Agenda [Version 2] - DJ Vadim,

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Intro [DVD]

2. Loop [Daigakuin Multi Angle] [DVD]

3. Live at Unit, Takyo [Solid Steel Tour 28.01.05] [DVD] - Wagon Christ

4. On the Wheels of Solid Steel [Animation & DVJ Visuratch Mix by DJ Kenta - Animals on Wheels

Tracks:

Introduction - DJ Kentaro
Animal Chin - Jaga Jazzist
King's Lyn - Wagon Christ
Family - Animals on Wheels
Brasilia Freestylee - Clifford Gilberto Rhythm Combination
Scratch Yer Hed [Squarepusher Mix] - DJ Food
Border - Coldcut, Silent Poets
Timber [DK Recut] - Coldcut, Hexstatic
Terrorist - The Herbaliser, Latyrx
8 Point Agenda [Version 2] - DJ Vadim, Moshun Man
Chicken Spit/Up to Jah - DJ Vadim, Demolition Man, Pest 5000
Centre of the Earth - DJ Food
Give It Up - Coldcut
Heard Yer Bird Moved In - Pest 5000
Deux Aus de Maia - Wagon Christ
Sopping Shitty - Wagon Christ
Dark Lady - DJ Food
No Mind [The Zen Experience] - Happy Campers
Great Drive By [Flying Fish Remix] - Funki Porcini
Atomic Moog 2000 [Cornelius Mix] - Coldcut

Tracks:

Intro [DVD] - Shuriken,
Loop [Daigakuin Multi Angle][Multimedia Track] - DJ Kentaro
Live at Unit, Takyo [DVD] - DJ Kentaro
On the Wheels of Solid Steel [Animation & DVJ Visuratch Mix by DJ ...] - DJ Kentaro

Album Description

Ninja Tune were introduced to the work of DJ Kentaro through his success at the 2002 DMC World finals, where the Japanese turntablist won outright with a set of pure innovation using not only hip hop, but also reggae, drum & bass, house and electro, in the process achieving the highest score ever in a DMC Final. This was not surprising to those who had already come across him. Kentaro is a DJ who can play long, scratchless floor-filling sets, or turn his hand to VJ mixes using DVD decks with the same skills.

As such he seemed the perfect DJ to choose to produce a mix of the Ninja back catalogue for the Japanese market. A box full of vinyl and CDs was sent to him and he began piecing together a selection from Jaga, Wagon Christ, DJ Food, Coldcut, Pest, Funki Porcini, Herbaliser and DJ Vadim to create a truly masterful mix, "DJ Kentaro on the Wheels of Solid Steel". The CD came out in Japan in December 2004 and has since sold 15,000 copies in the territory.

However, word of Kentaro's lightning skills and musical ear have since spread way beyond Japan, with appearances at Fabric and Homelands (as well as Ninja's own super hush-hush Solid Steel night) and we decided it was time to share his talents with the world.

To this end, a DVD was commissioned which showcases much of what is special about Kentaro. A mixture of live footage and animation (some of it "visuscratched" by Kentaro himself), this selection of short films will appeal to the turntablist community but, as you'd expect, would also work well as audiovisual fodder for your party.

All in all, then, a fantastic package for Ninja aficionados, turntablist aficionados and people looking to expand their musical horizons, one cut at a time.

Customer Reviews:

qbert watch out.......2006-04-01

undoubtably DJ QBERT is the best but hes not the only asian with speed on the fader. Kentaro can juggle like he worked for a circus the best ive ever heard. some drum n bass so if ur down get down

Another Solid Steel winner.......2006-03-06

This one sort of caught me off guard. My interest in both Ninja Tune and turntablism were on the wain before I picked this up, which makes it even more funny that this album renewed my interest in both. It created a new interest, the Solid Steel mix series. As far as I can tell, Solid Steel mixes are generally meant to be more than just the average mix CD. Amon Tobin showed off his Final Scratch blending skills in a live in enviroment. DJ Food, Herbaliser and Hexstatic proved how many genres can be shown off in a single mix. And my personal favorite, Mr. Scruff dug through crates of his old favorites and forgotten classics to prove how deep his musical knowledge runs. DJ Kentaro, 2003's highest scoring DMC champ, shows what can be done with Ninja Tune classics and some turntablist genious.

Kentaro starts things off right with scratchtastic intro piece. It certainly gives you an idea of how dexterious he is (which you can also watch on the accompanying DVD). From there he goes through almost a Coldcut 70 Minutes... style of pacing. Starting off in jungle/jazz n' bass territory, moving through hip hop and breaks before almost returning back again. Like Coldcut, the flow feels very natural despite minimal blending and more cuting. Another thing to point out is Kentaro puts a strong emphasis on tracks verses technique. Where could have easily been scratching for over 50 minutes, Kentaro lets the lush, diverse catalog of Ninja Tune greats breathe, only showing off when the time feels right. I think what's absolutely the most fascinating is how well his technique is integrated with the music he's spinning. More often than not, unless you know the tracks really well, his special touches actually feel more like they are part of the song. His cuts, scratches, blends, beat juggling all feels so natural that when you go back and listen to some of the original tracks, they may feel lacking that special something that Kentaro added in this mix. That, ultimately is what makes Kentaro better than your average (if not even some of the top tier) turntablists.

The only real complaint that I have with his mix is its just too short. At 55 minutes, shocking as it might sound, the fun is over way too soon. Thankfully, Ninja Tune also issued this with a short DVD portfolio of extra showcases and goodies. With a video of his intro cut, a small (but powerful) segment from the Tokyo Solid Steel tour, and a video of what he can do just using two of the same records, the DVD gives you a great idea of what he's capable of outside of this mix. Much like the album, this DVD is over way too fast and makes you check his website for live dates in your area.

I have to admit, this one of the most suprising releases of last year. I had minimal expectations of this but I got more out of it then I expected. I really hope that as a recording artist he work the same magic that he showed off here. If not, he still created one hell of a mix. Hopefully we'll hear more from him soon.

Album Review:

Album Review

album review

Album Review

Goddess in the Doorway [Import]

Icelandic Chamber Works: Animato

Live at Billy Bob's Texas [Live]

Music: Tear Ya Down [Import]

Music or the Misery

Metallica [Enhanced]

Music in the Air: 70th Anniversary Celebration

Grand Polonaise / Polacca / Rondo / Etc

John Brown: Sword of the Spirit

La Guarachera de Cuba

Levellers

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If [Import]

Musique Transalpine

The Twilight Sad