Search results: Shima

Review: The second in a two-part remake by Square Enix of the landmark best-selling video game Final Fantasy VII, this revamped and rejuvenated title - Rebirth - is set to represent the latter half of one of the best video games of all time in a manner never experienced or experienceable before. Much in the same way as the remade game itself, the new soundtrack compiles the efforts of several of the game studio's brightest musical sparks, restarting all of the game's best themes and motifs from scratch. Directed by music supervisor Kenji Kawamori, the soundtrack is a soaring uplifter, and a perfect complement to the futuristic, sublime, mercenary anti-corporatist story arc of the game.

Review: Mihail P brings us a 4 tracker, including a special John Shima remix. We start with the title track "Relinquish", a nice journey through deep space at a modest tempo. It features electro breaks rhythm patterns and harmonics to send you in to orbit. Following is "Shifting", a more acid tech vibe and straight 4/4 chugger, in line with proper Detroit / UK lushness from the 90's and forward. Flip to the B side for "Reliquish John Shima remix". It's hard to say which track is the peak, but this one's a contender. John Shima is known for his signature bleepy, but danceable sound. He adds layers of synth programming intelligence and great basslines as usual. Finally the B2 "Close to Zero" is the closing tune. Similar to the opener, we find more electro breaks, synth basses and a cool pad to complete the perfect journey.

Review: Krush's eighth - and last - album Jaku is up there with Endtroducing and Donuts in terms of seminal, influential and forward-thinking beat longer players. 10 years since its release and it still sounds as timeless, unique and exciting as it did in 2004. The slick licks of a young Mr Lif on "Nosferatu", the post-apocalyptic tension of "Univearth" the sludgy, swampy cosmic hip-hop of the Aesop Rock-featured "Kill Switch" and the unashamed sax sex of "Slit Of Cloud"..... Do we need to go on? Limited edition, 180g transparent vinyl; even if you already have this in your collection this is a very, very appealing investment.

Review: Blue & Green has turned out several well-regarded hip hop albums over the last decade-plus, all of them on Cold Busted. 'Gravity' is one of the most standout and so not gets a welcome reissue to make it available and affordable to all once more. It's a hazy collection of lovely lo-fi beats, with frayed edges and gentle grooves making for laidback listening that is imbued with great melodies. Some have a playful cosmic edge, some are stoner soundtracks and others bring shuffle samba style or gently persuade you to get up and groove.

Review: Depending on whether or not you had a material arts phase during your childhood you might already know that a Dojo is a place to do karate. Dojo Zone, though, is a place to pull a different kind of move - dance moves. His Abduction EP sure will get you doing that with the mysterious cosmic vibes of 'Nocturnal Activity' built on rugged drum patterns and snaking bass. Elsewhere is the intergalactic techno trip that is 'External Energy' and acid funk of 'Mystery On Pete's Street' as well as a fine John Shima Extraterrestrial mix.