DJ /rupture, Minesweeper Suite (Tigerbeat6) 9+
Perhaps the reason the are still relatively few artists making daring innovations with world music is that they're afraid. Aware of the legacy of colonialism and appropriation, most artists would prefer to leave it alone rather than risk offending entire cultures and religions. Not so with Boston-bred, Barcelona-residing DJ /rupture, who takes samples from Middle Eastern, African and Caribbean artists, paints them in the neon glitter of artless pop like Foxy Brown, Aaliyah and Roberta Flack, bends 'em over the couch and has his way with them, cutting, splicing, spanking with punishing breakbeats. I love it. Each track is a dizzying clash between pop, world beat, and avant-garde, where fellow Tigerbeat6 labelmates Kid 606, DAT Politics and Cex intermingle with Nina Simone and Donna Summer. Agit-pop hip-hoppers Dead Prez, instrumental post-rock stars Cul De Sac and Egyptian percussionist Mahmoud Fadl make notable appearances. Many of the tracks feature dancehall reggae-style toasting over the manic fusions of bhangra, drum 'n' bass and dub rhythms. At times, the narrative thread resembles a bird's nest, as the chaotic din threatens to overwhelm. But Minesweeper Suite manages to effectively space out the bombs with moments of respite, a little jazz riff, or some soulful singing. DJ /rupture's intentions might be similar to Thievery Corporation, but his jagged mixes are far more stimulating than their more processed, yuppie lounge and coffeehouse-friendly style. By being brave enough to abuse the music properly, DJ /rupture ends up paying far more respect to it than anyone who would rather let it suffocate in a glass museum display case. Let's hope this is the blueprint for the future -- battling future shock with shockingly disparate weaves of cultures and genres.
