Fresh Squeezed: Rob Swift

Long before DJ Hero, I was deep into the world of turntablism. From Qbert to Z-trip, I found myself only listening to this unique brand of hip hop. A DJ that always stood out among the others was Rob Swift. He was a member of turntablist collective the X-Ecutioners, but he was always more on the experimental side of things. On his solo debut, Soulful Fruit (1997), he mixed jazz and scratch to create a classic in the genre. Next month he is returning to prove he can through another genre into the mix. Using his newfound love of classical music as a point of inspiration, Swift pushes the art further than he ever has before. The Architect, is a refreshing reminder that the 1’s and 2’s are an instrument in themselves.

Through out his career Swift has always been one step ahead, and it seems he may have done it again. True, others have used classical music in routines, but Swift has composed something completely unique and original. There are only two vocal tracks on the album and both feature Breez Evahflowin. On “Principio,” he explains Swift like this “The way it’s layed down, don’t shuffle this LP / the truth is you’d miss something that’s healthy / something like progress, the artform elevated / the next level of turntablism and innovators.”

The Architect (Ipecac Recordings, Feb. 23rd):
01. Overture
02. Introduction
03. The Architect
04. Principio
05. Story Of A Man
06. Sound The Horn
07. Prelude To The 1st Movement
08. Rabia – 1st Movement
09. Rabia – 2nd Movement (mp3)
10. Rabia – 3rd Movement
11. D.R.E.W.
12. Intermission
13. Lower Level – 1st Movement
14. Lower Level – 2nd Movement
15. Lower Level – 3rd Movement
16. Spartacus
17. Sound The Horn (reprise)
18. Ultimo