Sendai, Japan-based turntablist extraordinaire DJ Kentaro managed to deliver one of the most technically dazzling displays of vinyl prowess with his 2005 instalment in Ninja Tunes’ ongoing ‘Solid Steel’ mix series. He proved that he was a force to be reckoned with in both the drum & bass and hip-hop spheres, on the same level as say the better known Craze.

While Kentaro’s subsequent 2007 debut artist album ‘Enter’ left some listeners scratching their heads with its eclectic and frenetic genre-splicing excursions, most doubts were extinguished in the wake of Kentaro’s subsequent tour. Which, if you missed his lightning jaunt into Australia last year, is exactly where this live concert DVD comes in. The main centrepiece here is Kentaro’s jawdropping 50 minute long live show, filmed in his hometown of Sendai last year, and wisely Kentaro’s taken a leaf out of DJ Shadow’s book, opting for a spectacular bank of A/V screens which allow you to enjoy his technical dexterity in minute detail, whilst also offering plenty of VJ eyecandy along the way.

As for the DJ set itself, it certainly replicates the recent album’s furious hybrid jungle / hiphop approach with frightening precision, with Kentaro executing furious workouts like ‘One Hand Blizzard’ and ‘Space Jungle’ without so much as dropping a single beat. While it’s certainly technically faultless stuff however, the less scratch-happy might find themselves getting a bit worn out as Kentaro’s set nears its end, but then again they’re unlikely to be buying this DVD.

There’s certainly plenty of variety (and some respite) offered up by the inspired guest appearances, which include a run through ‘Little Journey’ with Little Tempo’s full band line-up, and The Pharcyde’s appearance on ‘Keep On’, easily one of the biggest highlights here. Toss in three additional videos for the Spank Rock-fronted ‘Free’, ‘Tasogare Highway’ and a revised mix of ‘Shuriken Cut’, plus additional clips and interviews from the tour, and you have a very tasty package indeed.