Nujabes

Nujabes
File:Nujabes.jpg
Background information
Birth name	(瀬葉潤, Jun Seba)
Born	February 7, 1974(1974-02-07)
Origin	Nishiazabu, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Died	Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan February 26, 2010(2010-02-26) (aged 36)
Genres	Hip hop, trip hop, cool jazz, Nu jazz
Occupations	Producer, DJ, composer, arranger
Years active	1996–2010
Labels	Hydeout Productions
Website	Hydeout Productions

Jun Seba (瀬場潤, Seba Jun^?, February 7, 1974 – February 26, 2010) was a Japanese hip hop producer and DJ who recorded under the name Nujabes (ヌジャベス, Nujabesu^?), the reverse spelling of his name in Japanese order. Nujabes was also owner of the Shibuya record stores, T Records and Guinness Records and founder of the independent label Hydeout Productions.

In addition to Japanese artists like Uyama Hiroto, Shing02 and Minmi, Nujabes collaborated with underground American hip hop acts CYNE, Cise Starr (as a solo apart from the hiphop collective CYNE), Apani B, Five Deez, Substantial, CL Smooth, Terry Callier, as well as British rapper Funky DL. He was also a member of the production duo Urbanforest, an experimental collaboration with Nao T.^[1] His track "Feather" drew attention from underground hip hop listeners.

Nujabes was one of the most prolific contributors to the background music and soundtracks of Samurai Champloo, an anime which blends a feudal Japan setting with modern anachronisms, especially in regard to hip hop culture.^[2]

A distinguishing feature of Nujabes' sound is his incorporation of Jazz samples in his tunes For example, the track "The Final View" on his album Metaphorical Music features the Jazz Standard "Love Theme From Spartacus" by Pianist Barry Harris, as played by Saxophonist Yusef Lateef, sampled over the track. Nujabes incorporates Lateef's head melody on oboe, cuts of his solos, and background piano comping in his piece.

On February 26, 2010, Jun Seba was involved in a traffic accident upon exiting the Shuto Expressway late at night. He died at a hospital in Shibuya Ward after failed efforts to revive him. He was 36 years old. There was a private burial with only family in attendance. Hydeout Productions has stated that Nujabes has left behind tracks, which they plan to release in the near future.^[3]

Discography

Studio Albums

Album information
Metaphorical Music Released: August 21, 2003
Impression Released: September 16, 2004
Modal Soul Released: November 11, 2005
Spiritual State Released: December 3, 2011

Anthologies

Album information
Hydeout Productions 1st Collection Released: April 23, 2003
Hydeout Productions 2nd Collection Released: November 11, 2007

Single Albums

Album information
Ain't No Mystery Released: 1999

Compilations

Album information
Modal Soul Classics Released: June 6, 2008
Modal Soul Classics II Released: November 11, 2010
Ristorante Mixtape NUJABES Released: 2004
Sweet Sticky Thing Released: 1998

Production

Substantial - To This Union A Sun Was Born Released: 2001

Pase Rock - Bullshit As Usual Released: 2003

Mellow Beats, Friends & Lovers Released: June 10, 2009

References

1. ^ (Japanese) Hydeout Productions Information on Nujabes' Metaphorical Music and Other Works
2. ^ ROMAN ALBUM: Samurai Champloo. Mangaglobe/Shimoigusa Champloos, Dark Horse Comics Inc.. 2007. p. 55. ISBN 1-59307-642-8. 
3. ^ (Japanese) An Emergency Announcement from Hydeout Productions

External links

• Hydeout Productions.
• Nujabes on Myspace.
• Last.fm

Persondata
Name	Nujabes
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	February 7, 1974
Place of birth
Date of death	February 26, 2010
Place of death