Shin-Ski, Insight and DJ Ryow (a.k.a. Smooth Current) are Shinsight Trio.  Around 2002, whilst touring the U.S., Insight meets producer Shin who introduces him to Ryow.  Compatibility is established and they release the critically acclaimed debut Shallow Nights Blurry Moon in 2006.  Combining progressive lyrical content with a heavy jazz and soul inspired production backdrop, many ears were won.  However due to its release limited to Japan, it failed to have as influential an impact as it deserved in the west.  Nonetheless they sparked a strong cult following, aligning themselves with a lot of the jazzy, melodic sounds being discovered in the alternative hip hop scene in the east.

It however took 4 years for the sophomore Somewhere Beyond The Moon, but all in good stead as it delivered well on high expectations.  In the interim, the individual members embarked on solo and side projects; Insight and Damu The Fudgemunk released the highly acclaimed Travel At Your Own Pace as Y Society, Shin-Ski released instrumental and collaborative albums featuring prominent artists such as The Procussions, Othello and Funky DL whilst DJ Ryow built a strong body of work including the strongly praised Scenes From Life.

Moonlight Sunrise therefore follows a very respectful lineage as the ill trio re-unite for their third album.

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Shin-Ski (left), Insight (centre), DJ Ryow a.k.a. Smooth Current (right)

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Akin to the last album, the lyrical stalwart Sondu joins Insight on the opening track which is a textbook “explosive entrance”.  Insight literally fires a verbal locomotive of lyrics over production that sounds like the party is still going on from the previous album.  A warm auditory welcome back for fans and an energetic introduction for new listeners.

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“Higher Velocity” takes a tangent as Insight morphs from party mode to providing some wise, uplifting lyricism over beautiful piano keys and light string arrangements.  Both elements of the track compound each other to produce one of the albums stand outs.   Indeed it’s needless to say that Insight is on point throughout the album delivering thoughtful rhymes.  Whether it’s a call for unity on global issues whilst dispelling the complacency and obliviousness of others on “Times Like These”; “artists with a bubblegum steeze doing dumb deeds don’t feed into times like these”, or a discussion exploring self-confidence and hard work alongside Maine hip-hop trio Educated Advocates on “Take Stride”, there is always a sense of empowerment through amicable means.

The production does a great job of complementing the rhymes, encouraging a reflective frame of mind over the deeper tracks and evoking feel good emotions such as “Peace, Love and Happiness” on the more celebratory ones.  Shin-Ski effortlessly strikes a balance between the boom bap head-nodders and the more experimental, tranquil vibes.  However, for all that is excelled the album isn’t without its duller moments.  The track “Rush” is perhaps my only solid qualm with the release as it comes across formulaic, and with a weak hook it doesn’t really contribute much overall.

While the album is sprinkled with sagely scratching by DJ Ryow, his presence would perhaps have felt more prominent if given a turntable solo in place of one of the albums weaker tracks, i.e. “Rush”.  This could have preserved consistency and given fans something substantial from Smooth Current.

One point that will become immediately clear is the sheer number of features on this release, taking up a good two thirds of the tracklist.  This is not to say it’s a detriment, as the many local and international artists bring a lot to the table.  Aside from a few familiar names, real highlights come in the way of Germany’s Geronimo.  He brings a crazy flow that demands attention regardless of language barriers on another of the albums stand out tracks “We Got Soul” which doubles as a definitive example of Shin-Ski’s inspired production.

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Given all the strong features, it’s comforting to witness that the strength of the core trio isn’t wavered or overshadowed.  Insight demonstrates his lyrical dexterity in tandem with all, including the Japanese defective rapping robots #894, #181, #716 and #563; collectively known as Midicronica on the frenetic “Rhyme Physics” and French MC Moby Dee on the heartfelt ode to the great art “Can’t Forget Hip Hop”.

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Moonlight Sunrise is as wholesome as a Huxtable family dinner.  “Honest and genuine”, as Shin-Ski has described the group in the past, best sums up the sentiments conveyed.  There’s never any reflection of anything other than who and what they are and there is no escapism into a fabricated lifestyle. Themes confronted such as ignorance, complacency and hardships surrounding personal progression, faith and love are done so with integrity.  It’s an introspective look at people and music, but avoids becoming a semi-biographical account of Insights life, although the advice has likely been forged in this fire.  Instead the content and perspective is kept within the wider shared space applicable to everyday life making it a hugely accessible album.

It may face scrutiny for the heavy prominence of features, and some have already begun to label the lyrical content of this release as “Shinsight Trio by numbers”.  These two arguments could be viewed as countering one another, as the features both harmonise with the albums vision and change the pace from the usual three man group.  Ultimately, the keyword is most definitely cohesion.  Three albums deep, and despite the extra presence of guest artists, the group play their parts individually and collectively naturally, so naturally in fact that it’s easy to call them one of the best around.

Releases Worldwide October 26th

PURCHASE “Moonlight Sunrise” HERE: Japan CD • iTunes

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[easyreview title=”Word Is Bond Rating” cat1title=”Lyrics” cat1detail=”Insight is capable of carrying an entire album, however the addition of some strong features keeps it fresh” cat1rating=”4″ cat2title=”Production” cat2detail=”Varied and quality sounds, although more room for DJ Ryow would have been welcomed” cat2rating=”4.5″ cat3title=”Originality” cat3detail=”It follows the previous two albums closely, but guest features give it a new angle” cat3rating=”3.5″ cat4title=”Replayability” cat4detail=”A very accessible album that will make for easy repeat listens” cat4rating=”4″ summary=”A good album by Shinsight Trio that should satisfy fans and win over newcomers”]