Bangs & Works, Vol. 1: A Chicago Footwork Compilation

Let’s get one thing straight: I’m not in a position (socially, economically, geographically) to offer you a summary of the Chicago Juke and Footwork scenes. I don’t want to come over as another suburban white boy garnering escapist ‘ghetto’ capital through pretending I’m up on something I’ll never experience. If you want the full background then head off to this great feature.

This caveat in place, I still want to share something of the genre that is Juke via the thoroughly intriguing, surprising, strange and sometimes confusing set of tracks that comprise Bangs & Works, Vol. 1: A Chicago Footwork Compilation put together by Mr. µ-Ziq himself, Mike Paradinas of Planet Mu records.

The first thing that strikes you is the vocal samples: various hip-hop and R&B vocals, and the occasional film sample, shifted and pitched in weird and often odd directions, and repeated to the edge of annoyance. Some of these samples make you smirk: Tha Pope’s take on ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ via his ‘Jungle Juke’ being the standout. Yet others are nothing less that chilling: ‘Eraser’ by RP Boo matches a ‘Live and Let Die’ sample with voices repeating and responding with “Fuck that. Burn them all” and “Burn. Burn. Let ‘em. No holds barred”. It makes for an uncomfortable and disturbing listen, but I guess it should be.

Second up are the beats: clattering and skittish rhythms, with 808s at the edge of breaking point and snares cutting through like gun shots (no doubt deliberately so). And finally it’s the deep, dark and rumbling sub-bass that hits you. And crikey it does if you play this up loud.

Over its 25 tracks, all of which come in at less than 4 minutes, the best are those that sound simply extraterrestrial, especially DJ Rashad’s sublime ‘Teknitian’.

According to reports, with this collection, and via other means (Soundcloud, YouTube, etc.), Juke and Footwork are making waves with UK producers looking for something that is truly after/post-dubstep – a development that points to an exciting future to these old ears.

DJ Rashad – Teknitian

DJ Elmoe – Yo Shit Fucked Up

Purchase Bangs & Works, Vol. 1 here

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