Nujabes

Before his tragic death in a car accident in 2010, beat-maker Nujabes was renowned as one of Japan's best exponents of hip-hop/jazz fusion. He released numerous albums in this style, with 2005's "Modal Soul" being widely accepted as the finest example. Here it gets the reissue treatment, remarkably appearing on vinyl for the very first time. Featuring some notable collaborations with both rappers and vocalists (see Terry Callier's re-recorded vocal on Nujabes' cover of his "Ordinary Joe"), the album blends both live and programmed beats (some hip-hop, others looser and jazzier) with impeccable jazz instrumentation, drowsy electronics, deep samples and more intricate musical touches than you can shake a stick at. In other words, it's a genuine fusion classic that has arguably long been overlooked.