Nujabes City Lights (Ft. Pase Rock & Substantial)

Japanese producer and DJ Seba Jun (Nujabes is his birth name backwards) was only 36 years old when he died last February from injuries sustained in a car accident. His death was a big loss to a far-ranging community of fans who admired the artist's work on the anime series Samurai Champloo, as well as his albums.

Nearly two years after his death, Hydeout Productions has released a final album of the late artist's unreleased work. Spiritual State, which dropped December 3, represents a 14-track triumph for Nujabes on many levels. The production is top-notch throughout, and the guest spots from talented underground emcees Cise Star, Pase Rock, and Substantial are right on.

"City Lights" is a good example of Nujabes' mastery of the jazz-hop style. It's not as flashy some of the other tracks on Spiritual State, which may cost it cool points with casual hip-hop fans or listeners looking for something more club friendly. That's okay. It's a throwback to the days when hip-hop was cool and knew how to play it cool.