Ken Ishii

techno

Ken Ishii (ケンイシイ) is a successful techno DJ and producer from Tokyo. He has released work under his own name as well as under the pseudonyms: FLR, Flare, UTU, Yoga, and Rising Sun. Ken Ishii debuted on a legendary Belgian techno label, R & S Records, in 1993. In that year he straight won No.1 on the UK’s NME magazine’s techno chart, which led him to worldwide recognition. In 1995, the highly praised album “Jelly Tones” (R & S / Sony Japan) was released. In the following year, the video for the single “Extra” from this album (directed by Koji Morimoto, the animator of the worldwide hit cartoon, “Akira”) won MTV’s “Dance Video of the Year”. Since then, Ken has been regarded internationally as one of the Japanese pioneers who can create world class electronic sounds. In 1998, he produced the official theme song for the winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan and it was played in more than 70 countries around the world. Then in 2000, Ken was interviewed and was on the cover of Newsweek magazine, featured as a symbol of the Japanese new culture. This was acclaimed as a great undertaking by a dance/electronic music artist. He also produces music for films, such as doing the theme song and soundtrack for the monster hit Japanese film “Whiteout” in 2000, which led him to be nominated in Japanese Academy Awards. He expands his boundary to games as well. Rez, the game Ken contributed his exclusive tracks to, became a cult hit. In 2005, he reached a major...