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 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. This was acclaimed as a great undertaking by a dance / electronic music artist.
He also produces movie and game soundtracks, such as the theme song and soundtrack for the monster hit Japanese movie, "Whiteout", starring Yuji Oda in 2000 and the cult hit game, Rez, and so on. In 2005, he reached a major achievement in being in charge of the music and designing an exclusive 12.2 surround sound system for the Seto-Nihon pavilion, enforced by the Japanese Government, at World Expo in Aichi, Japan.
These days, Ken spends 2/3 of his time on travelling in Europe, Asia, North/South America DJ'ing and working as a true international artist / DJ. In 2004, he was awarded the Best Techno DJ at "Dance Music Awards" in Ibiza, proving himself to be one of the world's most talented DJ's in the scene as well. He often plays at mega dance festivals, such as Monegros (Spain), WIRE (Japan) and more. His unique blend always drives crowd into frenzy.
His latest album "SUNRISER" was released in 2006 and he again shows his futuristic vision as well as his deep love in his musical root, early Detroit techno. Now, a remix album of this, titled "Daybreak Reprise - SUNRISER Remixed", will be released in Japan in this summer.
Ken Ishii - Beatport Chart - Dec 2008