Ken Ishii
A leader of Japan's techno scene for decades, DJ Ken Ishii was born in Sapporo,
Hokkaido, in 1970. Inspired by Detroit techno, the synth-pop group Yellow Magic
Orchestra, and the dance music kingpin Derrick May, he began releasing music
during the early '90s, often using pseudonyms like Rising Sun, Utu, Flare, and
Yoga. His debut album, 1993's Garden on the Palm, became one of the benchmark
albums of techno music, its popularity driven by singles like "Pneuma" and "Deep
Sleep." His 1994 follow-up, Innerelements, was similarly influential. One year
later, Jelly Tones helped broade...
