DJ KENTARO [Ninjatune-Japan] 2002 World DMC Champion- Thurs Nov 8- Crown&Sceptre

Another Ninja Session presented by Eclipse.

After the ramjammed sellout that was Kid Koala + Amon Tobin, we finally have something that can live up to the standard set by our first Ninja Tune event.

World DMC champion in 2002, released a Solid Steel mix on Ninja Tune last year and put out his debut album on Ninja this year. His live show is staggering - not just a run of the mill 'wikka wikka' turntablist gig. Kentaro has an amazing VJ which by all accounts just makes the show. His musical sensibilities settle somewhere between Krush, Kid Koala + Amon Tobin so expect some classy as hell Hiphop, Dnb and Electronica. The visual show is reminiscent of DJ Shadow, his scratching touch like Q-Bert and the live element reminds me of DJ Vadim. Just click the links or look at him on You Tube. All the footage is sick.

Thursday November 8
Crown & Sceptre.
Just 100 presales at $25+bf
Remainder on the door.

2002 World DMC Champion
DJ KENTARO [Ninjatune-Japan]

Kentaro was featured on TV ASAHI (Japan's national TV Station), and his album was featured. (It has English subtitles) -
vol.1
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pyJWM7jP7rw
vol.2
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xlt4oO9EfiA

DMC finals 2001 and 2002 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXrB0SpX4Uo or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJLQG0TAp_s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeCZwi-VnOw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgD9dPeVXG8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rr1tFIPgPk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCrS_fAauks

"DJ Kentaro may be a turntablist - a world-beating turntablist, in fact, having taken the DMC World Championship title in 2002 - but that doesn't mean that only spotty geezers in puffas and baseball caps need to look out for him. Because hip hop and scratching represent merely one side of Kentaro's multi-faceted musical persona." - IDJ Magazine (UK / EU) 10/2003

“More than just a technical DJ, Kentaro is a performer, inciting the crowd into a frenzy while titillating the scratch fetishists. Starting with the Roots and winding up with Pharcyde, Wayne Marshall and Sizzla - with cut and juggle excursions through all the other artists from all over the world, Hip-hop, reggae, drumn' bass, house, electro and jungle -he slid easily to a second victory,” stated Blast Magazine.

On September 18th 2002, reigning DMC World 3rd place from 2001, DJ Kentaro (Kentaro Okamoto) re-tried for his 1st time World Champion title and claimed the title with the first perfect score ever in DMC World history. Dedicating his winning 6 minute set to his consciousness "No walls between the music", DJ Kentaro finally took 2 gold Technics 1200's and a matching Technics DJ mixer to its home country.

Kentaro’s blend of hip-hop, breaks, drum & bass and turntablism is untouchable. His tours have included the largest 40 dayz North-Western Solo European/UK tour of himself - The No-Waller's asian tour 2002, as it was mentioned above - legendary tour with the Roots in Japan 2003, tour with Pharcyde in Japan2003, the Zamurai Japan tour 2004 w/ Hifana & Gagle from Tokyo and Sendai, Japan, and extensive dates worldwide... Jamaica, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France. This, along with, extensive coverage in all most every hip-hop and dance music magazine and TV program available, (Check out the December 2002 cover of Blast Magazine, the October 2003 of IDJ Magazine, and the March 2004 of V-Magazine) has made Kentaro a worldwide hip-hop phenomenon.

Where some turntablists are content to fill their routines with the same ol' thang, Kentaro uses his awesome technique to move beyond the crab scratch and has catapulted drum 'n' bass and dance music into a realm that nobody has yet to explore. My Favorites Songs - Kentaro's first ever mix CD - stands as a testament to his pioneering vision of melding the mentality of a battler with the street smarts and savvy of the hip-hop elite.

Lauded for years by hip-hop aficionados, Kentaro has won the respect of Japan’s Hip Hop Best Artists (tied winner was Eminem from USA) which explains why revered Japanese labels like Endeavor Entertainment, W + Kennedy Tokyo Lab, Artimage and Jazzysport. Undiluted and Virus have presented him with exclusive tracks you won't be able to hear anywhere else. And let's not forget Kentaro's exclusive turntablist cut ups - three mind blowing pastiches that are all ahead of its time. Kentaro is moving at the speed of vox. Sleep on his skills and he's gonna leave you in the dust.

Try this out to get you started...

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rr1tFIPgPk[/video]

fuking hotness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice!!!

IDJ may be a music magazine,a dance music magazine infact- but that doesn't mean that only spotty geezers in puffas and baseball caps are the only ones not reading the complete shite you cunts write. Seriously, sorry to derail the topic for a small second, but how can you promote an artist by insulting them and their fans? Kentaro is obviously into turntablism (more so than the vast majority I'm willing to bet) so therefore IDJ have decreed him to be a fucking loser. I do realise they are not attacking Kentaro himself, just taking the piss out of an easy target, but for some reason this has struck a nerve. This may be the case because I'm highly fond of wearing baseball caps, wish I owned a puffa jacket and have had to rid myself of the odd spot or two in the past. I think otherwise though, I think it's highly unfortunate that Kentaro was given a backhanded compliment, in order to make the giver of said compliment look a little bit cooler. Fuck you, IDJ. I shall never wipe my arse with you again.

Anyways...... DJ Kentaro is hopefully going to be fantastic!!! His Solid Steel set for Ninja Tune is definitely one of my favourites from that series and still gets repeated listenings. Check the fuck out of this shit!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPutHJ4qCss
25 bucks is dirt cheap for this dude. Bring it on!!!!

That bio was a cut/paste job from the tour agent man...

I wrote this... sure its not too insulting to anyone.

World DMC champion in 2002, released a Solid Steel mix on Ninja Tune last year and put out his debut album on Ninja this year. His live show is staggering - not just a run of the mill 'wikka wikka' turntablist gig. Kentaro has an amazing VJ which by all accounts just makes the show. His musical sensibilities settle somewhere between Krush, Kid Koala + Amon Tobin so expect some classy as hell Hiphop, Dnb and Electronica. The visual show is reminiscent of DJ Shadow, his scratching touch like Q-Bert and the live element reminds me of DJ Vadim. Just click the links or look at him on You Tube. All the footage is sick.

This gig is going to be seriously sick. We've kept the price way down because I want all these Ninja Sessions to be ram jammed with open minded individuals. Honestly don't miss out. Shows like this are few and far between. We have an exciting 3rd installment planned for 2008 but it can be a real waiting game with a lot of artists of this calibre.

I like that Youtube footage too, Birds eye view of Kentaro in the mix. There is so many I just thought I'd go with 8 to start with.

Where can punters buy tix, besides the Sceptre? I know quite a few people who know Kentaro solely from youtube, who are definitely heading along! Should be a wikkid evening

Let me get this organised. Planning to have this and Paul Van Dyk's Beach Party up on sale by Thursday. Still have not slept yet since Saturday morning so productivity at this point is minimal

50 tix at the Sceptre, 50 at Venuetix I think. The presales will go fast.

haha sorry Dale  just asking! i will keep an eye out for updates

Hey man. Sorry about my rant! I realise that you had nothing to do with quote. Didn't mean for it sound like I was saying YOU, it was meant to be a 'they' you if you get what I mean? lol. I just wanted to express my anger towards that mag (IDJ), because it pisses me off when people say shit that is a broad generalisation, especially when it's fairly mean. I'm sure if you, Eclipse, wanted to promote a DnB gig, you wouldn't say "You don't have to dance like a spastic to enjoy this one" or for a rave... "Even if you're not robbing your folk's place to get some extra cash to pay those bikies who gave you those pills on credit, you can still get your kicks here". It's just plain stupid, I'm sure you'd agree. I'm all for paying other people out, but not with a smug look on my face. The fact of the matter is that pigeon-holing people into different stereotypes based on the type of music they like is not doing anyone any favours. Because stereotypes are the extreme, not the norm.
When it all boils down to it, I guess that quote was chosen by the tour agent in an effort to get a wider audience to attend. You know, you don't have to be a nerdy wigga to come along to the show! Because, I'm sure that's the only type of people who would've attended.  I'm making a bet... 20 bucks says that not one spotty dude wearing a baseball cap and puffa jacket will attend Kentaro's gig... unless it's me.
Yeah, so I hope you didn't take it personally, because I was directing my great vengeance and furious anger towards the provider of the controversial quote... IDJ magazine. It's shit!

YOU CUNTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why wait until I leave the state to put something like this on???

Just have to go see it in Melbourne I guess...

Sorry man... would have offered you a set at this one too... 

Just to rub it in.

DAMN YOU!

Although then again I think I'd have to decline... wouldn't want to overshadow him...

Very gracious of you Julian. Shame you won't be there none the less. I've had a big grin on my face (despite the hangover) ever since I locked up all the details on this show.

I like to think I'm growing an instinct for the dates that will be all sunshine and lollipops as opposed to the nightmare struggles. This one is brimming with nothing but positivity. Should be a Sceptre full of very happy individuals.

Just watched the videos. This is going to be unbelievable.

no youtube access at work, damn...

keen

yeah sick work dale i'm there for sure

Awesome! Kid Koala, Amon Tobin, Food, DK and now this! Can't wait

Exactly man... Ninjatune on fire. This guy is going to blow people away. I honestly can't believe my luck. Truth is I could have done this in a bigger venue on a Friday if making money was the objective but I know just what a rammed out Ninjatune gig on a Thursday at The Sceptre is like from experience and I won't compromise that vision. I think we all deserve a wicked little surprise like this on our horizon.

This is going to be rad rad rad. 

very nice. 

kentaro san no biito kiri sutairu wa samurai mittai na... 

Watashi no namae wa Dale des.

Ichi Ni San Shi Go Roku Shichi hachi Kyu Ju...

That's pretty much the limit of my Japanese so I'll require a translation.

Kentaro's like a samurai (when) cutting those beats

a-so

Tickets up at venuetix on Tuesday as well as the Crown & Sceptre. Each venue has 50 tix each only. The remainder will be door sales on the night at a higher price to be decided once we have an accurate quote on the tech bill. Can't advise presales stronly enough for this one. There were a lot of disappointed peeps standing outside Kid Koala last Ninja Session

Check this one too... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j82aPJjPCvU

So excited this is the next show up. Anticipation is building. I just hope we have enough room. I've been killing my friends with Kentaro clips and everyone's defnately in Should be a pub full of hunderds of pure enthusiasts.

Getting Batch to drop a sick set of Amon Tobin style Drum&Bass after Kentaro (who's be dropping some DnB too) so don't plan to go home straight after if you can 

Tix up everywhere Tuesday.

Dale

This guy is fkn sick... Blows all over Craze imo

Definately up there with Qbert

So excited about this. Kentaro is fucking awesome.

Just a quick note.. for those who prefer to pick up one of the 100 presale tickets to this event as opposed to paying on the night, I'd definately get on it early. Venuetix and The Sceptre have already received a lot of calls about Kentaro to my delight so I'm estimating only 80-85 remaining accross the two ticket selling venues.

This one is gonna be sick, I can feel it in my bones.

man this dude is nuts, loving the vids

Amen to that!! This guy is INSANE!!!!!!! 

So who's on board for this? I think you'll find there is a lot of DnB at this anyway for those on the fence...

Actually for anyone on Adelaide Massive, I'll pretty much give you a money back guarantee this guy blows you away. It's not often I'm that confident.

damn, gotta get ticks!!

Got tickets, am pumped

This is definately your thing Marlon. You know with Paul Van Dyk, Salmonella Dub, Noisia, Logistics and even Q-Bert on the way this Summer.... Kentaro is still the one I can't stop talking about. I've been giving people money back guarantees just so they don't miss it, haha 

so is he gonna scratch on the floats or whats the story?

Good point my man... I'll have a word to the Inbound boys this week. We've hired like a fullon piece of staging as the table, Full screen , projector and the setup is nuts. Seriously anyone who misses this is quite silly.

1 week! yessssss.

This is gonna be amazing!

Would love to be there for it.. new job means no. Saw one of the youtube vids and he is well and truly gonna rock it. Dale, any chance you could arrange something with my work??

 I can arrange for Kentaro to be finished by 1215-1230... but no I can't do anything about the fact you might have to miss out on a couple of hours sleep. This guy will kill it. You won't be sorry if you sacrifice the sleep I don't reckon.

Other way around, unfortunately. Working nights means I'm still at work while the main acts are on..

Gettin damn excited about this Show on Thursday!!

This will be the celebration of my house settling the next day boh!

So who is rolling down for this? My excitement levels are way up there about this guy.

So I previously stated in this thread that I would provide a money back guarantee to all AM users if they are dissatisfied with the quality of this artist... that still stands.

In addition I have decided that anyone who flashes an Eclipse event ticket at the door (so Summer Break, Paul van Dyk's Beach Party, The Bird, Salmonella Dub are all valid choices) can have $5 off the door charge. Just please get there earlyish to be 100% safe. Doors open at 9pm, Kentaro is on stage at 11pm. Thers is no need to rock up at 5 to 11 and leave things to chance. Plus, we have dug up another wicked surprise Japanese DJ that will be playing the 10-11 set. He'll be worth checking out. 

i'll be in as long as there are still tix left

I know the Sceptre still have some presales, and venuetix should have a few left too. We'll be keeping about 150 for on the night which should be plenty. I don't foresee any major dramas but I've been wrong before when it comes to Sceptre events. When people catch on to a good thing there, it can get pretty wild at times.

Dale

sweet i'll go grab one tomorrow or something

I keep seeing this thread and keep wanting to go... so it may just happen. But then i have an extremely busy day on Friday, hmmm.

 

I'm sure you'll make the right choice.

DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW!

I caught him in Melbourne and it was seriously mindblowing.

Kentaro is a fucking machine.

He has the timing of a metronome, and is so fast that in the photos I took his hands are blurred even though I had the flash on.

I swear he's not a real human being but in fact some escaped japanese super ninja robot DJ.

Adelaide might not like his dnb as much because you're all fucking jungle nazis it's a bit cheesy (Pendulum and the like) but it's what he does with the other stuff that's most appealing.

Hmmmm is it any surprise that he's here exactly when Asimo is... Conspiracy I tell ya!


No way am I gonna miss this show.

I'm seriously pumped for this.

Kentaro is fucking awesome. Bring it on.

lol! so true... i for one am not ashamed to say i like pendulum and assorted other variants of cheese.

this show sounds rad, i'd really like to go. so busy with uni stuff though............. but i probably deserve it. i've earned it. okay i'll see who i can drag along with me tomorrow night.

 Ooooooooh

 Maybe

i just picked up a couple of tix and i'm pumped

How much are tix??? I think this will be the sealing factor...

About $30 - *I think* 

$25 presale, more on the door.

The dude is a genius. Worth every cent imo.

Show your Summer Break ticket on the door for $25 entry.

$30 on door otherwise. Seriously though, its worth every cent. Running this to basically breakeven at capacity. It's strictly a gift for enthusiasts. Travel party of 4 people. Full VJ show and rad Novatech setup. It not a $25 show by any stretch. Like Chase&Status+Alix Perez, it's just a show that has to be done. I don't mind doing the work for nothing when the pleasure of the performance will be this immense.

THIS IS TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!

Seriously cant wait!!! Will be large!! 

hmm now whether there will be tix on the door, i am just coming in to see kentaro but havent got my tickets!

I've saved like 150 tix for the door Anna. Its all good. Just get there before 10 to be safe I reckon

Dale

Bring this on!!

Yep, I'm in

and I'm bringin the Turd as well

Just got my ticket.

I know it's been said before, but:

If you miss this show you are a fucking idiot. _{<-- full stop}

Me and Erica are heading in to this.

Can't fucking wait. Kentaro's skills defy belief.

If I could afford it, I'd be there!

what about if you turned down an offer to play at it?
nah, just couldnt make it, but wouldve loved to have gone...

Oh my god. Speechless. The dude is simply not human.

Quite simply the most incredible turntable skills I've had the good fortune of watching.

bleh, i shouldnt have read this thread... ughhh

What Noddy Said.

I am still feeling the effects of alcohol.

and as I said last night I need a jaw brace  and probably a mop

Was mesmerised by the mans skills

exactly what the fat man said. simply amazing.

dropped xray, then played the tune on an effects pad over the top, dropping the bass back in as well. beatjuggled everything flawlessly at twice the speed - the majority of it dnb (including tc's jump which was amazing) while dropping the beat back in. played hip hop, 80s, funk, breaks, dnb. created a breakbeat by putting strips of tape across a vinyl, and beatjuggled that with another record by lifting the needle at the same time as mixing the other track. did a few of those things you can see on youtube also (ie the needle on the label while manipulating the EQ). the finish was ridiculous as well - two high pitched noises that he played at varying speeds to create different tones and with soft touches to create other sounds. did it slow and in such harmony and thought it was going to be a chilled track, but then he picks up the pace and drops some housey beat in and does it all at double the speed but with the same flawlessness (if thats a word) as the rest of the set.

i know it sounds like a lot of beatjuggling (he mixed for about half the set too), but it was all so smooth that you could continuously dance to it.

my words dont come close to explaining it - but just know that you missed out if you didnt go.  after that though, i could forsee dale bringing him back.

Geez do you think? Haha.

Performance of the year for me hands down. When people are running up to you screaming, "Fuck Q-Bert!! Fuck Andy C!! This guys is the best there is by a friggin mile!!!", you know you're watching something incredible. Honestly stomps everyone I've ever had to the good fortune of watching behind the decks skills wise. I was like Q-Bert-check, Craze-check, Shadow-check, Mixmaster Mike- check, Andy C-check, Scratch Perverts- check, Z-trip-check, Mampi- hmmm could be a check. I mean all those guys can do stuff in their own rights no one else can for sure but Kentaro... I'm not convinced he's human. That was even better than standing a foot away from Q-Bert watching him do a scratch demonstration which to date was the most inhuman display I'd seen, followed closely by Z-Trips Nova mix, Craze's 2006 set and any time I get to watch Mampi casually cue up 4 decks at once so he can double drop on top of his double drop if he feels like it.

How happy was everyone when he rocked out that slamming hour of drum and bass at the end too? I suspected we were in for some fun when Kentaro pointed at the Summer Break poster, glossed past Q-Bert and said "TC, Noisia... that will be good party!" Seriously, everyone that missed last night.... regret it.

I'm that much more pumped for Luke Vibert + Zero DB in 3 weeks time now. Ninja Tune artists that secretly love DnB... I'm gonna find them all and bring them to the Sceptre, haha.

OMFG.... Ive never ever been as gob smacked as I was last night watching this guy..... Hes the best DJ in the world as far as im concerned!!! easily the most impressive set ive ever witnessed!!

makes all the other turntablists look dull & boring in comparison!!!- sux 2 be u if u missed this last night!!

Set of the year 2007.- DJ Kentaro & the Sceptre!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

boy am i hung over.....

wtf happened last night, best anything ive ever seen ever. summer break wont match up to this.

Haha thats a huge call... QBERT, Funkoars, Mampi, Calyx, Teebee, Noisia, Logistics, Commix, TC... they have something to offer too.

I have to say though... Kentaro's set was off the fucking richter. He basically encapsulates all the best musical aspects of Summer Break in one man. He's got me so amped. We'll have to get Mampi Swift and Q-Bert to play back to back to touch that performance... Hmmm not a bad idea getting QBert to scratch over a DnB set. That will be the first thing I ask him when he gets off the plane I reckon. That has to happen.

spewin l couldnt make this.. i woke to 4 different texts sayin how dope it was

Yeah I am still gobsmacked I kept having to pick my jaw up off the floor.

heaps amped for Luke Vibert + Zero DB show  

Thanks for bringing the badness over

Well fucking impressed... like everyone has said... THE MAN IS NOT HUMAN!!!!

I just couldn't believe how every single thing he did was so closely beatmatched (without headphones) that if it was out at all, you def couldn't tell.

Admittedly, I wouldn't want to go out to something like that every week. But that would partly be because it would make it seem less amazing. Def got me more interested for the next Ninja Tunes gig.

Nice one Dale!!!!

Told ya

Haha one from me I bet... I just wished I could zap every enthusiast intothe room at once to see that shit hey. I sent out a few "wish you were here to see this" sms's

HOLY MOLY

I'm still shaking my head in disgust at the guy's skills. Kentaro is on his own level untouchable by anyone. Where the fuck were his hands?!?! I just seen a blur, crossing arms, behind the back, under his leg, etc. wow.

He played some hammerin tunes, bits of everything, but his mixing was so flawless it wasn't just a cut-fest. He had the control to make any beat he felt viable using only what was in front of him, including (and not limited to) mad juggles, wind-ups, wind-downs, swing-beats, feedback+tone mixing- fucking unbelieveable.

Even when the cunts stomping out front of the dancefloor were bumping the decks, he compensated by swapping to the other double and juggling the next drop - it skipped again - he skill fixed it, whilst holding down one of the decks with his hands to stop it skipping again. A true pro.

imo this was the show of the year!!

*sobs softy into sandwich*

dammit!! bring him back soon please dale!!

Already working on it.. he's a way obvious choice to step up for Summer Break 2008 or some kind of festival style deal. I don't think we'll ever get him in an intimate performance like that again. Way too many people will be on to him after last night. We'll have to go bigger.

sorry i didnt make it! was caught up with making a mushroom risotto! 

woulda been AWESSSOMMMEEE

 So how was he?

He was not bad.

Just watching a Japanese Kentaro DVD he gave me last night. I'm not gonna get over how great this dude is anytime soon hey.

wtf....!!!

:bows down:

set of the year for me aswell.. i spent the whole day on youtube remenicing...

cheers dale...seriously raised the bar wit this one..

i found this clip of the X-Ray mix wit the 909, once again WTF,Mental!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBNBDJt8rjs

  holy fuck

The dude really throws traditional ideas of how DnB should be played right out the window hey.

I'm still not over it at all.

I'm still shaking over what I witnessed.

motherfucker

ok, ill use sedatives on my family next time to make sure i dont miss him again...

seconded. kicking myself i missed this.

this is a vid of it..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT4keiXw6-0

Just found one I hadn't seen... so ridiculous how he just picks the friggin needle up and moves it to the right spot over and over....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0sOF1-9oYo

By the way... we videotaped this set so we'll be able to work up some rad Youtube style videos of our own we'll be hosting on the www.eclipsetouring.net website.

I could watch vids of Kentaro all day long.

It is ridiculous just how good he is. He pushes the limits of what can be done with 2 decks and a mixer. Unbelievable.

i just lost an hour to watching Kentaro on YouTube


man that was an awesome hour!!

We seriously need this guy back, stat.

definetly i missed it and im spewing