The Ablist by Rob (Turntables) Swift (CD, Feb-1999, Asphodel)

Album Features
UPC:	753027099327
Artist:	Rob (Turntables) Swift
Format:	CD
Release Year:	1999
Record Label:	Asphodel
Genre:	R&B, Turntablist

Track Listing
1. Day One
2. Dope on Plastic
3. What Would You Do?
4. Night Time
5. Modern Day Music
6. Two Turntables and a Keyboard
7. Fusion Beats
8. Alma's Message
9. Turntablist Anthem
10. Let's Talk Relationships
11. I'm Leaving
12. Brainstorming
13. All That Scratching Is Making Me Rich
14. Ben Fee the MC
15. Musica Negra (Black Music) - (remix, featuring Johnny "Juice" Rosado)
16. Gangis Kahn
17. This Is Our Day
18. Will to Do Something Different, The
19. Something Different
20. Gangis Kahn Returns
21. Ablist, The

Details
Contributing Artists:	Johnny "Juice" Rosado
Distributor:	Revolver USA
Recording Type:	Studio
Recording Mode:	Stereo
SPAR Code:	n/a

Album Notes
Personnel includes: Rob Swift, Johnny "Juice" Rosado, Dr. Butcher (turntables).Producers include: Rob Swift, Dr. Butcher, Dujeous?, Godfied Peters, Xopher Davidson.Engineers include: Dino Zervos, CJ Moore, Liz Mercado.Personnel: Doctor Butcher, Johnny Juice Rosado, Total Eclipse, Mista Sinista, Roc Raida (scratches); Kia Jeffries (background vocals).Audio Mixers: Dan the Automator; Liz Mercado.Recording information: Glue Factory, San Francisco, CA; Power Play Studios, New York, NY.Photographer: John Carluccio.Arrangers: Dan the Automator; David Guy; Doctor Butcher; Apex; Xopher Davidson.Directly influenced by Herbie Hancock's "Rockit," an early melding of jazz and hip-hop, The Ablist is Swift's attempt to introduce the turntable as a virtuosic instrument capable of being played with the same feeling and skill as any other instrument. He uses the turntable in various contexts, from solo scratching to full band. Much of the album is stellar jazz-inflected hip-hop, even if it falls somewhat short of the incredibly high goals of its composer, but those high goals are what make The Ablist such a thrilling listen. Many songs use the turntable in ways that have not been explored. On "What Would You Do?," Swift's scratches act as a sort of instrumental answer to the question posed. "Fusion Beats" shows that the turntable can be a jamming instrument as well, with some nice interplay with keyboards on what is actually some pretty straight jazz. Turntables are also brought into a full-band context on "Modern Day Music" and "All that Scratching Is Making Me Rich!" "Modern Day Music" features the band's three MCs and Swift's DJ Premier-like cutting up of words and phrases over a deep groove. Swift's spare style of cutting often recalls Premier, and his production skills are similar to Large Professor, emphasizing rolling bass and swinging but steady beats. Overall, Swift has crafted a strong personal statement. The album echoes old-school skills without devolving into a pastiche of past hip-hop styles or following commercial rap trends. Instead, The Ablist suggests directions in which hip-hop can go to remain viable. The album doesn't entirely follow through on all its promises, and Swift doesn't always reach his goals, which can make the album a frustrating listen at times. Overall, however, The Ablist redefines the turntable as a musical instrument that can bring new dimensions to both structured and improvised music, and it shows that Swift is capable of some incisive music that works outside the normal confines of turntablist music. ~ Stanton Swihart

Editorial Reviews
...party friendly....Hands of stone, elbows of rubber...
The Wire (19990401)