AMG Review of Channel H

Adam Greenberg
All Music Guide

Something of a Japanese alternative to the Gorillaz, the dual DJs of Hifana (KEIZOmachine! and Juicy) made their mark in 2003 with Fresh Push Breakin', but made bigger waves with 2005's Channel H and the strength of the single "Wamono" and its attendant video. The duo mixes modern, noise-heavy hip-hop elements with traditional Japanese instruments played live -- shamisen and light drums run throughout "Wamono" -- to create a unique sound, and adds psychedelic animation to the mix for a full audio-visual experience. As seen and heard on Channel H, the end result is a huge array of creativity.