Artist:		Takagi Kan
Title:		FRUIT OF THE RHYTHM
Production Co:  EPIC/SONY
Cat#:		ESCB 1135
Release:	1991/../..
Price:		2800yen
Length:		16 tracks
Track Data:
	 1  Introduction		2'00"
	 2  MIITO ZA RIZUMU		5'00"
	 3  Freakedout			5'26"
	 4  Funk Inc.		  	3'49"
	 5  This is hip hop		1'04"
	 6  HIPPU HOPPU FOOKU		5'26"
	 7  Lovebreak			1'26"
	 8  KOI NO FOOMYURA		4'11"
	 9  SKUURU			6'53"
	10  SHIRIASU BANGAICHI - oldjackswing - 1'35"
	11  PUBURIKKU ENAJII		4'47"
	12  Dodapunkrock		4'37"
	13  Drop science		4'14"
	14  TAAN our TEIBURU		0'50"
	15  From the east for the quest 6'23"
	16  Outroduction		2'37"

Comments:
	Fairly typical and good quality Hip-Hop music. Not hard to guess which
western artists we should compare him to, look at the guest appearances - 
Africa Baby Bambaataa, Q-Tip, etc. Music is similar to De La Soul, MC Hammer
etc, though there is not much sampling of beats, most beats sound like 
original programmes (mostly synths, though guitar and saxaphone makes itself
heard). LOTS of scratching.

I personally like the rhythmic, uptempo stuff at the beginning, but others
have said they like the later soulful tracks. Music is quite catchy. Takagi
Kan can flow quite impressively, though his lyrics tackle different subjects
from urban Black rappers. There is also a LOT of English mixed in, many of
his rhymes depend on it. Album is quite musical, interludes between tracks
are often musical, rather than humour as on many rap CDs.

(Ross Clement: ross-c@scs.leeds.ac.uk)
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Artist:         Takagi Kan
Title:          Grass Roots
Production Co:  Major Force (Sony)
Cat#:           SRC2 2
Release:        1992
Price:          Y3000
Length:         58'29"
Track Data:
         1  Kan za Kan
         2  Gurasu Ru-tsu
         3  Dokuta-!!
         4  Love is the Presage
         5  Are You Freaked
         6  Smokin' Blues
         7  Ienakatanda
         8  Fudduramu Toukyou
         9  11pm
        10  Hate
        11  Essensharu Rojikku
        12  Alternative Tongues
        13  Hip Hop Folk (Milo Remix)
        14  Motto Sureshot Zutto Shoutout - Egyptian Reggae
        15  Rock On
Goodies:        Standard jewelbox.  Booklet with lyrics.

Comments:
Takagikan is one of the first rappers with his own album in Japan, and is the
spearhead of the Major Force label.  He, along with rap group SDP were
featured cameos on the recent De La Soul album "Buhloone Mind State."
Though he is recognized as a hip-hop artist first, this album is a
departure from pure hip-hop style.  Takagi Kan has a good delivery, with a
voice suited for the task, but at times, his almost senseless rhyme style
leaves the listener floundering.
Cover:
"GRASS ROOTS"
"TAKAGIKAN"
Close-up of Kan's face in light blue-tone

Grade:  B               Genre:  Rap
Bought at Records Heaven in Kawagoe.

(Benjamin List: list@scf.usc.edu)
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Artist:         Takagi Kan
Title:          Heavy Duty Vol.1
Production Co:  Ki/oon (Sony)
Cat#:           KSC2 40
Release:        93/6/21
Price:          Y2500
Length:         31'29"
Track Data:
         1  Hajime ni
         2  HEAD!
         3  Smokin with cool (monday nigh)
         4  Blue Funk
         5  Essential Logic '93
         6  Dynamic
Goodies:        Standard jewelbox.  Booklet with photos and lyrics.

Comments:
Interesting project as Kan combines forces with influential music makers.
Contributers include as follows:
2. Friction
3. Cool Spoon
5. United Future Organiztion
6. Yann Tomita and Bernard Purdie
Cover:
Odd graphic of a boom box.
Kanji: "Takagi Kan"
"HEAVY DUTY vol.1"

Grade:  A-              Genre:  Rap, Acid Jazz
Bought via special order from Kinokuniya Bookstores

(Benjamin List: list@scf.usc.edu)
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