Ken Ishii

Japan, 1993–now

Japanese techno producer (b. 1970), the first from Japan to break through internationally. Made in a bedroom with minimal gear, Jelly Tones and its single 'Extra' - with Koji Morimoto's award-winning anime video - carried Detroit techno back out to a global audience.

MusicRoots documents 4 artists who influenced Ken Ishii and 0 artists Ken Ishii influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Ken Ishii?

• Derrick May — Derrick May's Detroit techno redirected Ishii's music entirely; critics hear May's feel most clearly in his work.
• Juan Atkins — Atkins's founding Detroit machine-funk is part of the techno Ishii turned toward after starting in Japanese electronica.
• Yellow Magic Orchestra — Ishii came up on 1980s Japanese technopop, Yellow Magic Orchestra above all, before Detroit techno changed his direction - and their artfulness still figures in his music.
• Kevin Saunderson — One of the Detroit techno producers Ishii took from, with Derrick May and Juan Atkins.