Back in ’08 I started to get into Japanese hip hop pretty heavily. I cycled through most of the popular DJ’s out there and was impressed by their use of soul and jazz samples. One thing in particular attracted me to some artists over others – the use of MC’s. Nujabes is no doubt my favorite for this very reason, but a few others have also done this with much success, notably DJ Krush. Although, I’ve checked out a couple of his albums and really enjoyed it, I think I need to take another look at this talented DJ. Only the Strong Survive is one of only a handful I listen to of his on a regular basis.

CL Smooth’s, featured MC on the track low-toned, voice glides soulfully over Krush’s jazz instrumentals. What does me in on this track is the kick drum along with the brass instrumentals, really hits the ear right. Give it a listen and give a shout out to your favorite DJ from Japan (I want more!).

When DJ Krush remixes his own ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE, he makes the track more abstract, lowering the vocals a tad while increasing the atmosphere. Attica Blues bring the vocals back out front and pushing the drums up, tossing in extra cutting and jazz for good measure, while The Underdog adds a meditative guitar strum to his mix. The Automator chills things out even more with a slightly different guitar bit, and Dillinja puts in some jungle-like deep bass hits but without the jungle rhythms.

Finally, Forme puts in some atmospheric breaks on his mix. A nice and varied collection of mixes. This release in my opinion must be the pinacle of the mo-wax success,Krush really is on top of his game here.The only other things that come close are his opus 'Meiso' and the epic 'Big City Lover'.' Only The Strong Survive' still send shivers up my spine,knowing Krush as a beat freak its hardly surprising that C. Oxmo Puccino L Amour Est Mort RARE. L Smooth spits some of his most potent rhymes even considering 'Mecca And The Soul Brother'.High praise indeed i hear you say but when all is said and done this is a must have 10' for anyone copping jazzy mid 90's boom bap.

Official site with band information, audio and video clips, photos, downloads and tour dates. 1 brother Gots No Heart Spice One 3:07 2 Streiht up Menace MC Eiht 4:37 3 Packin' a Gun Ant Banks 4:02 4 Top of the World Kenya Gruv 4:04 5 Only the Strong Survive Too Short 5:09 6 All over a Ho Mz. Kilo 5:55 7 Guerillas Ain't Gangstas 4:07.