DJ Rashad – Double Cup

Trap, footwork and juke all have the potential to be seen as disposable, relying on chopped-up samples, and beats that go as dumb as they go hard. In the hands of Chicago footwork legend DJ Rashad however, this sampledelic approach becomes a masterful and energised dancefloor assault, where every complex series of kicks and snares, each time-stretched soulful wail, every synth and horn stab is placed with meticulous precision and decisive effect.

Featuring collaborations with other scene stars such as Spinn, Taso and bass maestro Addison Groove, Rashad's full-length debut is perhaps one of the best starting points for novices in the world of this high-tempo, rapidly evolving subgenre of US dance music. Highlights include the loping, ultra-polished, lurching future R 'n' B of Show U, the chopped soul of Only One, the post-modern G-funk of the title track, and the minimal, bleeping gangsterisms of I Don't Give A Fuck. Another convincing entry in Hyperdub's celebrated and challenging bass music canon. [Bram E. Gieben]