Album Review : Dev Large Kurofune 9000

Artist : Dev Large

Album Title : Kurofune 9000

Styles : Instrumental Hip-Hop / Soul / Funk / Jazz

Label : Libuys Music
Reference Code : LMCD7
Released : 2005/03/30

Running Time : 72:10

REVIEW >>>

Ever since the members of Buddha Brand went on their own ways in 2000, hip-hop heads and the fans of Buddha Brand have waited for Dev Large's solo debut like kids waiting for their christmas presents. Dev Large even though he has gained more respect as a producer than an mc has kept people waiting for his solo releases for 5 years now but the wait is finally over with the release of Kurofune 9000. Or is it? In some ways yes but what might come across as a dissapointment is that the whole album consists of much of the same as heard on the man's mixtapes, it's all instrumental, it's all about that funk and soul that you're already used to if you've followed the man's career (with the exception that it's all produced by Dev Large this time around). Before all you rap fans click the previous page button on your browsers, i'm asking you to read this review no matter what you might feel about instrumental music in general. Kurofune is what you can expect from Dev Large, a wonderful trip back in time to the era when hip-hop didn't yet exist and back to the roots that eventually lead to the birth of the music we call hip-hop today.
With so much talent and individuality coming out from Japan nowadays (especially from the abstract / instrumental hip-hop scene), it's getting easier and easier to please the hungry street cats that have been bumpin their DJ Krush collection for more than 10 years straight looking for the next man to step up and take them into a world of their own with a satisfying instrumental release. In the past few years though Japan has become the pioneer in the abstract / instrumental hip-hop scene and now there is more than plenty to choose from for everybody who are looking for something different. Dev Large's new release is in no way abstract or innovative (except for 1 or 2 tracks) but it does what all good instrumental albums do, which means taking you into a world of rich soundscapes with a funkastic twist. What makes Kurofune 9000 work is exactly the fact that it's got a theme, it clearly aims at a certain goal and succeeds in the delivery. Dev Large knows the music like his pockets and is not afraid to make brave choices with his sound. So most of the time the album delivers but there are also times when some of the tracks become a bit too repetitive mostly due to the lack of real vocals. There are voice samples on the tracks however but sometimes it's not enough to save them from becoming a bit tedious to listen which ends up hurting the album's replay value.

When the album is at it's best it totally grabs you by the balls makes love to your ears. Some of the more polished tracks come out near genius when on the other hand some tracks drag the overall level of the album down. If you have an open mind to listen to more than 1 genre of music this album won't dissappoint you. Dev Large has recorded a perfectly balanced album filled with different genres of music for the more sophisticated listeners of urban music. Most old school Buddha Brand fans might end up dissappointed that Dev Large still didn't make a rap album of his own but a lot of that feeling goes away upon hearing this album. Kurofune 9000 might not be breaking any new ground in music but overall it is an highly enjoyable ride. DL though could have however with a bit more time polished some of the tracks and take them further instead of using a simple direction for some tracks making them sound repetitive, especially when the longest tracks are also the most simplistic. In other words most of the albums tracks kick off well but never evolve into something extra ordinary that you must hear again and again. If you're looking for an album with a great mood this is the album for you, it doesn't rival Dev Large's best productions with his old group but comparing it with Buddha Brand would be wrong because of the difference in styles anyway. Not a classic but so far definetely one of this year's better releases.

Rating :

Words By : Jesse Viinikainen

ADDITIONAL INFO >>>

Dev Large is the Ex member and rapper/producer of the legendary Buddha Brand, one of the most famous crews during the history of Japanese hip-hop. After Buddha Brand disbanded in 2000, Dev Large became more of a fulltime producer and has only featured as a rapper on other peoples works. Dev Large has also followed the footsteps of his mentor Muro and has put out a series of Funk/Soul/Jazz mixtapes which has also had a huge influence on his own work as a producer since the beginning.

TRACKLIST & SOUND SAMPLES >>>

01. Kurofune 9000 (Black Spaceship)
02. Eternal Love Affair
03. Libyus (Deep Sea Mix)
04. Da Ba Da Ba #5
05. Bangin'
06. J.J (Juvenile Jazz)
07. Disco Fusion '76
08. Tokyo Ghetto Funk Express (Ultimate Break & Beats Mix)
09. Heaven In The Sky
10. Mind Power (Fresh!!)
11. 1 Peace
12. Positive Vibes
13. Animan (Meditations)
14. Winter Sadness (Lost Tape 1993 Mix)
15. Trip To Earth At 10:00 (DJ Bobo James Meets D.R. D.O.I. In Space Funkamentao 9000) (Far East Def Jux Mix)

Album Highlights are marked with this symbol

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	Artist : Dev Large Album Title : Kurofune 9000 Styles : Instrumental Hip-Hop / Soul / Funk / Jazz Label : Libuys Music Reference Code : LMCD7 Released : 2005/03/30 Running Time : 72:10
REVIEW >>> Ever since the members of Buddha Brand went on their own ways in 2000, hip-hop heads and the fans of Buddha Brand have waited for Dev Large's solo debut like kids waiting for their christmas presents. Dev Large even though he has gained more respect as a producer than an mc has kept people waiting for his solo releases for 5 years now but the wait is finally over with the release of Kurofune 9000. Or is it? In some ways yes but what might come across as a dissapointment is that the whole album consists of much of the same as heard on the man's mixtapes, it's all instrumental, it's all about that funk and soul that you're already used to if you've followed the man's career (with the exception that it's all produced by Dev Large this time around). Before all you rap fans click the previous page button on your browsers, i'm asking you to read this review no matter what you might feel about instrumental music in general. Kurofune is what you can expect from Dev Large, a wonderful trip back in time to the era when hip-hop didn't yet exist and back to the roots that eventually lead to the birth of the music we call hip-hop today. With so much talent and individuality coming out from Japan nowadays (especially from the abstract / instrumental hip-hop scene), it's getting easier and easier to please the hungry street cats that have been bumpin their DJ Krush collection for more than 10 years straight looking for the next man to step up and take them into a world of their own with a satisfying instrumental release. In the past few years though Japan has become the pioneer in the abstract / instrumental hip-hop scene and now there is more than plenty to choose from for everybody who are looking for something different. Dev Large's new release is in no way abstract or innovative (except for 1 or 2 tracks) but it does what all good instrumental albums do, which means taking you into a world of rich soundscapes with a funkastic twist. What makes Kurofune 9000 work is exactly the fact that it's got a theme, it clearly aims at a certain goal and succeeds in the delivery. Dev Large knows the music like his pockets and is not afraid to make brave choices with his sound. So most of the time the album delivers but there are also times when some of the tracks become a bit too repetitive mostly due to the lack of real vocals. There are voice samples on the tracks however but sometimes it's not enough to save them from becoming a bit tedious to listen which ends up hurting the album's replay value. When the album is at it's best it totally grabs you by the balls makes love to your ears. Some of the more polished tracks come out near genius when on the other hand some tracks drag the overall level of the album down. If you have an open mind to listen to more than 1 genre of music this album won't dissappoint you. Dev Large has recorded a perfectly balanced album filled with different genres of music for the more sophisticated listeners of urban music. Most old school Buddha Brand fans might end up dissappointed that Dev Large still didn't make a rap album of his own but a lot of that feeling goes away upon hearing this album. Kurofune 9000 might not be breaking any new ground in music but overall it is an highly enjoyable ride. DL though could have however with a bit more time polished some of the tracks and take them further instead of using a simple direction for some tracks making them sound repetitive, especially when the longest tracks are also the most simplistic. In other words most of the albums tracks kick off well but never evolve into something extra ordinary that you must hear again and again. If you're looking for an album with a great mood this is the album for you, it doesn't rival Dev Large's best productions with his old group but comparing it with Buddha Brand would be wrong because of the difference in styles anyway. Not a classic but so far definetely one of this year's better releases. Rating : Words By : Jesse Viinikainen
ADDITIONAL INFO >>> Dev Large is the Ex member and rapper/producer of the legendary Buddha Brand, one of the most famous crews during the history of Japanese hip-hop. After Buddha Brand disbanded in 2000, Dev Large became more of a fulltime producer and has only featured as a rapper on other peoples works. Dev Large has also followed the footsteps of his mentor Muro and has put out a series of Funk/Soul/Jazz mixtapes which has also had a huge influence on his own work as a producer since the beginning.
TRACKLIST & SOUND SAMPLES >>> 01. Kurofune 9000 (Black Spaceship) 02. Eternal Love Affair 03. Libyus (Deep Sea Mix) 04. Da Ba Da Ba #5 05. Bangin' 06. J.J (Juvenile Jazz) 07. Disco Fusion '76 08. Tokyo Ghetto Funk Express (Ultimate Break & Beats Mix) 09. Heaven In The Sky 10. Mind Power (Fresh!!) 11. 1 Peace 12. Positive Vibes 13. Animan (Meditations) 14. Winter Sadness (Lost Tape 1993 Mix) 15. Trip To Earth At 10:00 (DJ Bobo James Meets D.R. D.O.I. In Space Funkamentao 9000) (Far East Def Jux Mix) Album Highlights are marked with this symbol