Been talking about this for a little while, and it's finally incoming. DJ Kentaro, the Japanese tablist and all round nice guy best known for his flawless DMC win in 2002 and subsequent onslaught of tours and gigs, will be releasing his debut album on Ninja Tune in late April.

Titled 'Enter', the release features collaborations with The Pharcyde, Hifana, Hunger and fellow Ninja and Big Dada artists Spank Rock and New Flesh. Don't be expecting an all out scratch affair and nerdy wet dream though - 'Enter' primarily showcases Kentaro's production chops, which happen to include the turntable as a fairly important part of his set up.

There are some more tablist minded interludes and short tracks, including the Hifana collabo, but overall the album definitely sounds more like Kentaro's sets and influences than anything else. Electronica and especially drum n bass can clearly be heard in a few tracks, including 'Trust'. If you remember his Ninja Tune mix, which is partly the reason for his being signed to the label, than you'll have a fairly clear idea of what to expect in parts.

Elsewhere there are some more hip hop minded tracks, such as the Pharcyde collabo, and overall the sound is definitely one of club music - you might well bump it at home or on your iPod but this was made for the clubs and the dancefloor and you can expect to hear a majority of the tracks in his forthcoming world tour.

The release is also interesting because Kentaro is now the second artist signed to Ninja Tune who has made a name for himself by and large in scratch circles and away from it since his win, and who is openly promoted as a turntablist by the label and promoters at large. It doesn't take a genius to know that with the state of things in music right now, taking a gamble on such an artist can be a make or break thing. It's safe to assume that with Kentaro's big reputation as a club DJ, and interest from the wider DJ scene, this might well pay off - after all you're not talking about the kind of inward looking album the 'tablist' scene has produced over the years.

Still though it'll be interesting to see how things pan out for 'Enter', and for Kentaro and Ninja Tune in 2007. Kid Koala has done well over the years, though his style both in the production and live was always much more unique and in a way interesting than the majority of artists who have emerged from the tablist scene. If Kentaro resembles anyone it's DJ Craze, who also made a name for himself as a club DJ and in the wider electronic music scene since his triple DMC win between 98 and 00.

Those thoughts aside, 'Enter' is an interesting album and one that I would think should definitely appeal across the board even if it does feel at times a little unfocused. The collaborations and Kentaro's hard work in the clubs and on the road are likely to help things along though.

'Enter' is released on the 26th of April on Ninja Tune and you can catch the man on the road from May onwards including a European tour in the summer.