KO KIMURA 木村コウ（FUTIC RECORDINGS TOKYO）
日本のクラブ創成期からシーンをリードし続け、2007年でプロDJ歴22年を数える。ハウス、テクノ、プログレッシヴなどジャンルレスで最先端の選曲だけでなく、独自のエキサイティングかつクールなグルーヴ感、クオリティ高いミックスセンスでも知られる。序盤から終盤への流れと組立てを大切にしフロアの雰囲気を作ることが得意という、本質的なDJスタイルで幅広いクラウドを満足させると定評。現在”KOOL”@YELLOW（毎月最終金曜日）、”EN” @代官山AIR（毎月第2木曜）、”HOUSE”@下北沢WEDGE（奇数月第１週目）のレジデントパーティを中心に活躍中。
1997年にスタートした自身のFUTIC RECORDINGS TOKYOでは木村コウの曲はじめ日本人クリエイターの良質な作品もリリースした。特にケンジ・タカシマの楽曲はエルナン・カタネオ、ジョン・ディグウィード、トム・ステファン、ポール・フォルダー、PQMら海外DJたちも好んでプレイしている。
KO KIMURA (FUTIC RECORDINGS TOKYO)
Ko Kimura celebrated his 23th year of Djing as a pro in 2008. He started DJing in his teens, and was one of the very first DJ to spin House music in Japan. Now he is known as one of the most influential and talented DJs in Japan. The tunes he reviews on magazines and plays at clubs become hit items in record shops. He often appears on Japanese media as a charismatic opinion leader for underground culture.
■His resident parties have always been held at major clubs in Japan. One of them "KOOL" @ YELLOW has been held on the last Friday every month for more than 10 years. Ko plays amazing 6+hour set with selections from Progressive, Tribal House, Techno, Electro House to any latest dance tracks that fit into his set. Also the live visuals are featured by VJ E-MALE who is the pioneer VJ in the scene.
Another residency in Tokyo is EN @ AIR held on 2nd Thursday every month . This party aims to bring back socializing side of clubbing to the scene.
■Ko also plays at clubs in major cities throughout Japan every month. He also plays in Asian cities such as Hong Kong and Singapore from time to time, and one of the highlights of his overseas gigs is Ministry of Sound, London. Places Ko was invited to spin include Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Macau, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai, Guam, Honolulu, Sydney, Melbourne, Hannover (Germany), and Amsterdam. Everywhere he goes, even where no one knows about Ko, he rocks the dance floor and brings happy faces on the crowd.
■ Ko started his own label FUTIC RECORDINGS TOKYO in 1997. FUTIC has introduced talented Japanese producers and released 12 titles. Ko’s ambition with FUTIC is to introduce Tokyo sound to the global dance scene. Now he released the first compilation of the label “FUTIC RECORDINGS COMPILATION 01” on January 1st 2007 with his new tracks and new remixes by artists like JIMMY VAN M, POLE FOLDER, PQM, and PHIL THOMPSON (Moonface). This compilation material is available on Beatport. http://www.beatport.com/futic+recordings+tokyo
■ Ko had support from key brands such as Calvin Klein, Guess Jeans, Swatch, Seiko Watch (Spoon), and NIKE on several occasions. He has been endorsed by Stussy since early 90’s and other charismatic street brands of Tokyo such as WTaps, Neibgborhood, realmad Hectic, Nowhere, Supreme and more.
■ Ko has worked (and still do with some) with VESTAX, ROLAND, AKAI, KORG, TECHNICS, ALLEN & HEATH and PIONEER as a development advisor. He also taught DJ courses at Van Tan Sound Institute and Tokyo Announce Academy. Currently Ko and Satoshi Tomiie are developing the new rotary mixer at VESTAX.
■ Ko is a pioneer DJ for mix compilation CDs in Japan. When dance music was not yet so big here, he compiled and mixed the first mix CD ever released in Japan ‘Ultimate DJ's Anthem’ (Toshiba EMI) in 1995. He created a new Mix CD series ‘MIXWORK’ in 1997 from Warner Japan. It was received with surprise because the CD featured many tracks from different independent labels, for it was normal in Japan that time to have tracks from the one record company only.
■ In 2002 Pioneer Japan released John Digweed’s Bedrock works in CD first time in Japan (they were only imports before) and launched a mix CD series by Japanese DJs to introduce Bedrock sounds to Japan. Ko was picked to do the first one. He selected tracks from all Bedrock material and mixed in “Ko Kimura” style. This compilation album came out at the end of February and the following 3 months tour covered all major cities in Japan.
■ As a remixer / producer; Ko's remix works include Swedish singer DE DE, and SEGA's computer game "Virtual-On" tracks. Ko worked with his close friend, Satoshi Tomiie and they have created hits together in late 90’s. They called themselves "Level 9" and produced ‘Don't Stop’ which ranked on Billboard chart. They’ve also remixed Japanese group COSA NOSTRA's track and it was aired massively on FM stations throughout Japan.
He’s also known for his depth knowledge in Japanese animations, and in 2006, he was asked to produce a track for TV anime series “EUREKA SEVEN” which will be shown in US and Europe. http://eurekaseven.bandai-ent.com/
■Ko hosted Ministry of Sound radio show in late 90’s broadcasted on J-WAVE, most influential music station in Tokyo. The first of its kind in Japan with non-stop mixes by top DJs every week also featured Ko’s mix and this helped draw more population to the scene. Ko also hosted the radio show CARL COX GLOBAL on InterFM every Friday night for more than 2 years up till March 2006.
It's BLACK METAL / PUPPET THURSDAY AGAIN!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1U1mBLIXLw
This should make you smile, or fear puppets.
Rate and pass around! Have a great Thursday, and may you win all of your talent contests =)
1/1
Chase Lisbon
King Ko!!! How is my favorite Japanese DJ doing? I was through Tokyo on my way to eastern Russia on tour last week. I ended up staying overnight in Seoul but I should have stayed overnight in Japan and we could have gone raced with the Porsches on the Tokyo freeway again:)!!! Next time bro....
TRACKITDOWN EXCLUSIVE!! Brand new release, a rocking 3 tracker of pumping techno! A wicked track by K.E.N.Y.U. including remixes by Ian Void and C-System.
