Shakkazombie |
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Shakazombie are a very experimental group. They are a group of 3 - rappers Osumi and Iguchi, and the Music is by Tsuchida who is now becoming world renowned as a sampler. They did a song called "Shakkattack" which was apparently well received. The drum beat is quite minimal, but this is a good thing - if Hip-Hop had a loud beat every time, then it would become pointless. (This doesn't mean that all their songs are minimalistic though - many of them are the total opposite!). The delivery of the lyrics in Shakkatak is what really does it for me though. Especially the chorus - "OOh OOoooH OOOH SHAKKATTACK!". Among other joint collaborations, they have done songs with Buddha Brand (Buddha Bland). This includes the song "O-Kami" which is really, the best song ever made. Although it is a joint effort, it is really Shakkazombie that make the song what it is. Especially the part where Osumi starts shouting "Oh, O-Kami Yami o" or something like that. His style is similar to Old Dirty Bastard from the Wu-Tang Clan, only even more mental. I managed to get hold of their first Album "Hero the S.Z." from Japan Centre in Picadilly London (0171 439 8035). It is a really good album, but then I am biased. Surprisingly though, there are no collaborations on their album - except for an extra hidden song that is on the CD (a remix of "Tomo ni ikko"), which has loads of people on it. The interesting thing about the album is the range of vocal styles they use. Some of the songs have a similar style to Poetic/Grim Reaper from the gravediggaz, some are mostly shouting, and in one extremely strange song called "Shingo" they are both rapping together in a very low growling monotone (the song ends with what sounds like a ZX81 loading up). There second album was "Journey into foresight" which has them dressed as characters from "monkey" on the cover. Its not quite as tight as the first album, but is worth a listen. For me the standout track is "64 bars relay" which is features guest appearances from Dabo, XBS and Suiken, but "Shiroi yami no naka" with its funk guitar also seems to be quite popular. On this album there are a couple of guest appearances of Suiken (who also appeared on the bonus track for the first album). they've done more albums since, but due to poverty, and living in the wrong place, i can't get hold of them. shingo.mp3 niji.mp3 64 bars relay mp3 (featuring members of nitro microphone underground) |
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My Osumi page NTV Shakkazombie page (in Japanese)
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