The Funky Redneck Visits Nippon is Kuto Masta Kurto's instrumental soundtrack to Japan, or as he puts it Boom Bap Hip-Hop Meets Soba Noodle Soup. Apart from the humorously title tracks the Japanese connection isn't obvious unlike on other similarly themed albums such as Esoteric Vs. Japan. I was half expecting this to be Funky Redneck Samples Nippon but it is definitely a case of inspired by modern day Japan.

Musically it is an extension of the Diesel Truckers album, with a lot of the big boom bap drums and horns and now with the addition of piano and violin melodies. While the album's roots are in hip-hop it wouldn't be out of place as a soundtrack to a JRPG game, although that is not to say that hip-hop and Japanese games don't go together (see this and this).

Clocking in at 21 minutes the album is short but it leaves me wanting to hit the repeat button - the piano based tracks in particular. Next time Kurt is in Japan it would be good to hear him get some locals (and Kool Keith of course) to lay some vocals down on top of this.

8.0 /10

Track Listing

1. Part Time Ninja

2. Inspector Shingo

3. Prefecture Piano

4. Soba Noodle Western

5. Saiko Strings

6. Faito Funk

7. Blue Bijin

8. Horny In Harajuku

9. At The Love Hotel

10. Godzuki