Ken Ishii
Japanese techno artist Ken Ishii is among the most innovative, experimental composers in contemporary techno. Although working in and drawing from a decidedly dancefloor-oriented, Detroit-derived framework, Ishii's exploration of avant-garde compositional techniques like chromaticism and the prominent influence of digital synthesis figures him as strongly deviant from Motor City aesthetic tradition. A Tokyo native, Ishii's work is most resonant in feel perhaps to the work of Derrick May, though the influence of more artful electronic experimentalists like Yellow Magic Orchestra and Haruomi Hosono also figure prominently. Although Ishii has only been releasing music since the early '90s -- recording under his own name for the R&S label, as well as Rising Sun (for ESP), Utu (Plus 8), Flare (Sublime), and Yoga (ESP) -- his 1993 and 1994 R&S works, as well as his Sublime CD Reference to Difference are all benchmarks of techno futurism. Incorporating elements of British bleep and breakbeat techno, as well as elements of the 20th century avant-garde, Ishii's finest work expands on techno's rigid rhythmic structure, wedging in elements of chaos and disruption. Like the Black Dog, B12, and other armchair experimentalists, Ishii's music is often praised by DJs who nonetheless refuse to give his often challenging records much play. Although until only recently unknown in Japan and just a step above obscure on the global techno scene, Ishii's 1995 release Jelly Tones opened his work out onto a larger audience, prompting a world tour and growing repute as compsoser and DJ. In addition to a continuous performance and DJing schedule, Ishii also remixed tracks for Keiichi Suzuki, Tokyo Skaparadise Orchestra, Cova, and Masatoshi Nagase. Sleeping Madness, his first album for R&S in four years, dropped in 1999, and Flatspin followed a year later.
© Sean Cooper /TiVo
-
Yakitori: Soldiers of Misfortune (Soundtrack from the Netflix Series)
Film Soundtracks - Released by Netflix Music on 18 May 2023
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
Headwind
Techno - Released by Electropical record on 24 Feb 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
-
Twitched Remixed, Pt. 4
Techno - Released by Different Is Different Records on 1 Aug 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bionic Jellyfish
Techno - Released by Electropical record on 21 Dec 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Fatal Error EP (Original Mix)
Techno - Released by Tronic on 12 Nov 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
Bitter End & Skeptics
Dance - Released by Harthouse on 7 Jul 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Malfunction Manipulation Satoshi Fumi Remixes
Techno - Released by Different Is Different Records on 17 Dec 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Liver Blow Remixes Part 2
Techno - Released by 70 DRUMS DIGITAL on 16 Jun 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Transmisssion / Diagonal Remixes
Techno - Released by Stickrecordings on 4 Sep 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
The Buddah's Ear
Techno - Released by Impact Mechanics on 11 Mar 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Escape (Original)
Techno - Released by Code Records on 12 Aug 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Twitched
Techno - Released by Different Is Different Records on 8 Sep 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Twitched Remixed, Pt. 2
Techno - Released by Different Is Different Records on 11 Jul 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo