The current arguments about "drumless beats" reflect a lack of history. Consumers take culture as given; but culture was made. By hand. Producer culture is inextricable from DJ culture, and even if both markets & fans reward studio rats over turntable wizards in 2023, us gear nerds need to respect the architects. This is all just digging and cuts.
Exactly like synth or recording pioneers, the early innovators dealt with constraints that are completely alien to iPad Americans. How they solved those problems is instructive. Not in a useless, moralizing way; but in an urgent, immediately useful way. The point, then as now, is nailing the perfect loop. The Fall Grime Collection is two decades of study and one month of honest work.
I want to thank mix/master engineer Matthew Scott and cover artist Kyle Tierce; I am grateful for influences like August Fanon, Black Milk, Buck 65, Coldcut, DJ Muggs, Dr. Quandary, Edan, Es-K, Flashius Clayton, Iceberg Theory, Jeremy Page, Jel, Kutmasta Kurt, Louis Mackey, Loupo, Mr. Dibbs, Prince Paul, Q-Tip, Real Bad Man, Small Pro, V Don and Zach Lucas; and I am indebted to sample suppliers & cultural forces like Adnan Djozo, Brainorchestra, Grandmaster Flash, Langston Masingale, Ludovico Einaudi, Marlow Digs, Million Dollar Extreme, Omari Jazz, Psymun, RZA, Sonic Foundry and the Shintaro Quintet.
UK label Def Pressé taps legendary New York hip-hop producer Blockhead for the fifth installment of their KPM Crate Diggers series. Bandcamp New & Notable May 5, 2024