November 17, 2021

DJ Krush – Kemuri

Artist: DJ Krush
Track: Kemuri
Label: Mo Max
Year: 1994
Format: 12" Vinyl
Producer: A Certain Ratio
Engineer: Chris Bemand
Recorded: Beta Farm London

There was always going to be at least one Mo' Wax Recordings release in The Lost Record selection, the biggest issue I had was deciding which one! I first found Mo' Wax in 1994 and DJ Krush - Kemuri was probably the second or third release on the label I bought.

The first was the “Royalties Overdue” compilation which I picked up from a record shop just down from Talbot Road bus station in Blackpool. Paul Kearns (aka much loved & respected DJ Greenbins) ran it, he thinks it was called Vinyl Wizard but memories are hazy! Anyway listening to Royalties Overdue was a defining moment in my musical taste. Up until this point I was mainly into house and the odd bit of hip hop, disco and funk. I had Massive Attack and Portishead stuff but Mo Wax (Along with labels like Ninja Tunes) took the “trip hop” sound to a whole new level, fusing beats with funk & jazz breaks, vocal samples, dark strings and electronica with mad cutting and effects!

Unfortunately, Mo' Wax is no longer going (it’s relaunched – ED) and its founder James Lavelle (who started the label when he was in his 20s) also collaborated as Unkle. I ended up buying many of their releases but have chosen Japanese producer, remixer & turntablist DJ Krush with his track Kemuri. It was one of the earliest releases I bought and defines the sound of that time from this genre, dark heavy beats and baselines with lots of samples and effects cut into the mix. Kemuri was a double a-side on a joint release with DJ Shadow’s Lost & Found. It was DJ Krush’s first singles on Mo’ Wax and his first UK release. DJ Krush is still going strong today with a new album due out this year and is renowned as much for his performances as a live turntablist as he is for his musical releases.

Is this Record lost: Yes

DJ Krush - Kemuri album sleeve