Japanese hip-hop innovator DJ Krush will launch a brief U.S. tour in June in support of his recent mix-CD, Code 4109.

The jaunt marks the DJ/producer's first U.S. appearances since a handful of shows last year, when he released his most recent studio album, Kakusei, which featured the song "Crimson" (RealAudio excerpt). Beginning in Los Angeles on June 13, the tour will hit San Francisco and Chicago before concluding in New York on June 17.

Known for his smoky, downtempo breaks and minimalist zen aesthetic, DJ Krush helped define a genre of instrumental hip-hop with his early albums, 1994's Strictly Turntablized and 1995's Krush. He has since collaborated with fellow producers DJ Shadow and France's DJ Cam as well as rappers Black Thought of the Roots and Guru of Gang Starr.

Code 4109 features hip-hop and breakbeat music from all over the world, including Berlin's Jazzanova and DJ Cam, whose "No Competition" (RealAudio excerpt) is included.

"Non-American hip-hop seems to be more diverse in a lot of ways," Krush said recently. "[International rap groups] try to incorporate different elements into their sound, which is a good thing, because they're all basically looking for something original of their own."

DJ Krush is working on a new studio album.

DJ Krush tour dates:

June 13; Los Angeles, Calif.; El Rey

June 14; San Francisco, Calif.; Bimbos

June 16; Chicago, Ill.; Metro

June 17; New York, N.Y.; Bowery Ballroom