Tsutchie is another Samurai Champloo artist whose music I define as more in your face. Fat Jon and Nujabes music seemed like the greatest background music you can have. However Tsutchie's music is the stuff you play when stuff is about to go down. There is a definite hip-hop feel in his music, and honestly, some of it sound like music that can be placed in a game or move techno than the others. There are some weird tunes that can be labeled as groofy and one person suggested out of place. if I had to pick, electronic and abstract would be the best words to describe a lot of his sounds.
Tsutchie has a few songs like "Thank You" and "Pretending To" that are much more relaxing. However, you are like to find him and the duo Force of Nature doing music together. The last Samurai Champloo soundtrack "Playlist" is actually nothing but his work and features his range. It is a mix between calming sounds, a hip-hop groves, to something you'd thik of as in a boss battle scene. It was actually my first CD from Samurai Champloo and the reason why I went looking for more of this stuff.
However, for most people, I would likely recommend Nujabes and Fat Jon for most easy listening with a few of Tsutchie. Because most people appreciate easy listening more than abstract organized music they are likely to get turned off by some of his songs. But having such love for my second favorite anime I knew this music and loved it without getting into the better known musical artist of the show. If they seem more mature in taste or adventurous then Tsutchie and Force of Nature can also work for them (kinda like starting them on an easy liquid diet before hard food).
The amount of music Tsutchie has seems limited but like many DJ's he collaborates with many artist, wich adds greater merit to his work. While it may seem like a small disappointment for some buying his 4 or so CD's is substance enough.
Listen: Pretending To
Listen: Sincerely
Listen: Stars
Discography
1997, as Extra Vaganza, one track: Sublime The Adolescence - discogs.com
4.1998, as Ravolta: Sky
12.06.2000, as Shakkazombie: Get Yourself Arrested
2000, as Shakkazombie: I Got Style/Wonder Worker - discogs.com
2001, as Shakkazombie, one song: First Tour
Unknown, as Shakkazombie: So Tight, So Deep - discogs.com
12.26.2002: Thanks for Listening - discogs.com
12.04.2003: This is a Recording - amazon.co.jp
6.23.2004: Samurai Champloo Music Record - Masta - amazon.com, discogs.com
9.22.2004: Samurai Champloo Music Record - Playlist - amazon.com, discogs.com
11.23.2005: The Basement Tracks - amazon.co.jp, cdjapan.co.jp
