Rob Swift

Editor's Review:

Rob Swift is perhaps one of the best DJs to come out of the East Coast scene. A core member of the seminal East Coast crew, The X-ecutioners, Rob has been exploring and expanding the art of turntablism for years, and has earned a reputation as both a battle DJ and a mixer, asserting the position of the DJ in hip-hop. With his second full-length release, The Ablist, Rob drops some new science, blending his cuts, scratches and beats with the organic sound of a live, jazz-based group on many tracks, and featuring various, solid rappers on others. (The only one I could do without is the "Gengis Kahn" track, featuring an a cappella rhyme phoned in from prison.)

As a highly noted pioneer in the art of turntablism, many might begrudge Rob the lack of copious amounts of turntable trickery on The Ablist; his first full-length joint, Soulful Fruit, was a strong showing of East Coast vinyl reconstruction styles. However, The Ablist’s "Dope on Plastic," "Something Different" and the album’s title track all represent Rob’s mastery of his instrument as a solo artist.

The Ablist also features Rob on a serious jazz tip, grabbing horn samples and slow, rugged beats; mixing in deliberate, well-defined scratches and finding his place among a group, both as a soloist and an arranger. "Fusion Beats" is innovative, with Rob and a keyboard player trading solo and rhythm parts, and even battling a little, a drummer keeping the main beat throughout. "All That Scratching is Making Me Rich!" features Rob and his tables at the Helm, soloing his way through a live drum beat and splayed horn accents.

The Ablist represents the next step in fusing turntablism with other music, and Rob Swift is without a doubt no half-stepper in this quest.

- Max Sidman
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Record Label Asphodel Records Released February 1999

Tracks Dope on Plastic What Would You Do Night Time Modern Day Music Fusion Beats Turntablist Anthem I'm Leaving All That Scratching is Making Me Rich Musica Negra/Black Music Remix Gangis Kahn This Is Our Day Something Different The Ablist Ben Fee the Mc Musica Negra (Black Music) Gangis Kahn This Is Our Day The Will to Do Something Different Something Different Gangis Kahn Returns The Ablist

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