V/a / Bangs & Works Vol. 1: A Chicago Footwork Compilation

Planet Mu

After releasing albums by DJ Nate and DJ Roc plus an EP by DJ Rashad, Planet Mu presents their first compilation of music from the competitive world of Chicago's footwork scene. For those who don't know, footwork is a hyper-rhythmic, abstract dance music pitched around 160 BPM and largely consists of cut-up samples and phrases twisted into repetitive rhythms and shapes, put to offbeat, syncopated drum-machine patterns and pumping sub-bass lines. Outside of a few low-key vinyl 12-inches, local mix CDs and tracks posted on sites like YouTube and imeem, footwork has 'til now remained very local to Chicago. Although it evolved from the city's dominant form of house music since the mid '90s (sometimes known as juke or ghetto house), this splinter scene is absent from local radio. Instead, at competitive dances in vacant warehouses, karate gyms and on YouTube, DJs provide the soundtrack for a circle of spectators surrounding combatants, or "footworkers," battling each other with their legs, using the particular style of high-speed, combat-dancing that Chicago originated. The music on this compilation ranges from RP Boo (whose track "Baby Come On" from the late '90s is regarded as the first footwork release) to producers who have come through the ghetto house scene such as DJ Roc, DJ Spinn, Traxman, DJ Clent and DJ Rashad. In addition to established DJs, Planet Mu have picked a number of young producers whose music is less known--DJ Nate, DJ Diamond, DJ Elmoe, Tha Pope, DJ Killa E, DJ Lil Rome, Yung Tellem and DJ Trouble.

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