Back in ’86, when Rick Rubin was co-running Def Jam with Russell Simmons, he made the audacious move of signing terrifying thrashcore metal outfit Slayer amidst the rap vanguard. It was a major factor in banging together the heads of the two genres, thus creating shock waves still felt today. While Def Jam went on to corporate hugeness, the task of cross-pollenating hiphop with other genres has fallen to underground operations like Thirsty Ear. Paul Miller, aka DJ Spooky, is one of hiphop’s intelligent figurheads – he’s just published a book called Rhythm Science – and now strives for further genre-demolition by hooking up with Dave Lombardo – drummer with Slayer. Unsurprisingly, the project started as Spooky messing about with Dave’s volcanic beats. Then Jack Dangers, of eighties aural terrorists Meat Beat Manifesto, came in as co-producer. The beats were mangled, embellished and guests brought in such as Chuck D and Living Colour’s Vernon Reid. They are predominantly creating new hybrids out of the oldest instrument in the world – the drum. The results are often seat-gripping.
4 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: KRIS NEEDS
