Sketchbook

Req resurfaced on the left-leaning Warp after two LPs recorded for big beat boutique Skint, and the results put to shame any notions of underground rap practiced by Rawkus or Def Jux. Though his sub-basement sound aesthetic won't win him any crossover converts, Sketchbook makes a good listen out of downtempo beatbox musings, similar to DJ Vadim's earliest work. The beats have an absence of sound quality, reminiscent of tape decks dusty with age, and there's really not much else happening: a few odd keys, melodica, bells, and occasionally some light scratching far away in the background. Those looking for label context will find much to enjoy, since Warp's notion of avant-beat listening music makes far more sense for a producer like Req than the go-go party music of Skint.