CHILLED HIP-HOP

Fancy something different and super cool? What about stylish instrumental hip-hop that blends jazz, soul, and electronica into a vivid yet laid-back whole? Welcome to the fabulous world of Nujabes.

Jun Seba was a Japanese hip-hop producer, DJ, and composer. Born in 1974, he died tragically in a road accident on an expressway in greater Tokyo just after his thirty-sixth birthday. Creating his stage name by simply reversing the letters of his birth names, Nujabes was a prominent figure in the Japanese hip-hop scene and was widely regarded as one of the best instrumental hip-hop producers of his time. He also contributed music to a number of anime series, including "Samurai Champloo".

Modal Soul was Nujabes’ second full-length album and the last one released during his lifetime. Originally released on CD in 2005, Hyde Out Productions re-issued the album on double vinyl in 2020. Being a Japanese release, it is not easy to find (check Discrepancy’s stocks via the link below!) but if you can get a copy, grab it. The sound is superb and the music hypnotically excellent. The package is attractive too; a heavy card cover with artwork by David Verba, whose red-clay illustration evokes earth below while deep azure currents flow above.

Modal Soul features fourteen tracks, a cluster of colourful individual journeys united by seamless production. Whether featuring jazz samples or underground hip-hop artists, the record displays a tasteful integration of 21st century beats with jazz and soul motifs, often linked by the keyboard (piano) work of Nujabes and Uyama Hiroto.

The album opens with "Feather", with guests Cise Starr & Akin from CYNE adding lyrical content over an almost baroque keyboard foundation.

It’s the hope of my thoughts that I travel upon

Fly like an arrow of god until I’m gone

"Ordinary Joe" has a grooving vocal from folk-jazz-soul singer Terry Callier (who wrote the song) and features what sounds very much like a 'live' flute solo, giving the piece a warm organic feel. "Reflection Eternal" is pretty much what the title suggests, a limpid melody dusted with electronica sparkles and a subdued vocal.

The double album is loosely one of two halves, with more upfront vocal content on the first LP and a more instrumental flavour to the second.

"World’s End Rhapsody" kicks off side three with an upbeat underwater-soul feel while the title track is a stunning sax-driven piece with a hint of latin rhythm. "Flowers" uses a vocal sample of the title word—Dinah Washington, I believe—with lots of cascading piano and a dash of muted trumpet. Then there’s the final side, a trio of sumptuous instrumentals beginning with "Sea of Cloud" (more subtle trumpet, this time by Chet Baker) and ending at the "Horizon".

Modal Soul is a soundtrack to relaxation across sixty minutes of lovingly constructed hip-hop. With intricate beats complemented by beautiful piano riffs, saxophone solos, and atmospheric samples, this is a classy album that creates a contemplative and immersive experience. Highly recommended for fans of instrumental hip-hop, jazz variants, or indeed anyone looking for something different in their music collection. Serve chilled.

© Bruce Jenkins—February 2023