Req "Sketchbook"

I decided to write about a great downtempo record this week inspired by the work some local artists (El Nou Mon, Chili, Hobo D, DJ Tats) as well as the rise in popularity of "LA Beat" music (Flying Lotus, Baths, Shlohmo and the hip-again Anticon label).

Req is a graffiti artist-turned downtempo producer, a kindred spirit of DJ Cam and DJ Krush. Allmusic.com rightly describes Req's music as "stripping hip-hop of its extraneous elements and focusing on the bass, the beats, and the atmosphere around them." Pitchfork echoes this sentiment, writing that "even the most minimal hip-hop production feels thick and cluttered next to Req's naked approach."

Sketchbook is the producers third LP, released on the inimitable Warp label in 2002. Sharing three tracks here, "Something," "Ampeg 18 KHz," and "Dolby C," the last being by far my favorite on the record. The simplicity of these beats is really their beauty. See, it's not that Req chose not to add more to each compositions, it's that there really is nothing more to add. Req: the Mark Rothko of beat music... maybe? See for yourself.



1. Req - Loop Bass
2. Req - Something
3. Req - I Seek
4. Req - Sketchies Death Track
5. Req - Colours
6. Req - Ampeg 18 Khz
7. Req - Upstairs
8. Req - Dolby C
9. Req - Symbolic 3
10. Req - Java Bytes
11. Req - Love Ache
12. Req - 3 of 4
13. Req - Wasp Zither
14. Req - Gap Clothing

Buy the record here.