Req Discography of CDs

Req CD discography 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. ~ John Bush Live Recording

Req's Car Paint Scheme is a rare collaboration between two labels with competing interests but quite different audiences. Released by the perfectionists at Warp, who issue quality experimental techno with an unerring success rate, the tracks on Car Paint Scheme were selected by Damian Harris, the label boss of Skint -- the former home of Req and a label who saw the wheels come off their big-beat machine at the beginning of the millennium but continued releasing quality material from Lo Fidelity Allstars and Fatboy Slim. From the liner notes, it becomes clear that Harris played the editor on a set of tracks that, in some cases, Req had recorded years earlier; considering that the usual Req LP flaunts a certain thrown-together quality anyway, listeners could be forgiven for surrendering to a certain dubiousness. While Car Paint Scheme doesn't reach the quality of the last Req LP Sketchbook, like anything he releases it possesses an obtuse charm that allows anything and makes every idiosyncrasy forgiveable. A record doesn't qualify as an immediate winner when it focuses largely on fractured, down-tempo breakbeats dug either from the Casio or the trash can, with a roster of untraceable effects ranging from ring-modulator processed to acid-bassline plumbing to dub-melodica driven. Still, Req makes them work in a manner that allows adventurous listeners to realize that he's succeeding both despite and because of his limitations -- most of them probably self-imposed. "Skit 1/Style Mentorz" approaches a style of brash energy rivalling Prefuse 73, with a mush-mouthed British rap from Kid Acne. ~ John Bush Incredible warm, organic beats from old school aerosol artist, graffiti master and experimental hip hop visionary Req. Amazing 4th album from Brighton's nocturnal beat creator, giving light to stand out tracks compiled over three years.

Track Listing of songs: World; What; I; Crack; Mbira Classic; Navigator 1; Navigator 2; Bizames; Vocoder Break Rock;

Req takes the opportunity of the longform format to spread his sound out a bit, resulting in an alternating collection of rooted, downtempo beat music and floaty, meandering ambience. Req's stated intention with Req:One was for the music to "hint at a direction" without ever actually ...

Track Listing of songs: World; What; I; Cracvk; Mbira Classic; Navigator 1 / Navigator 2; Bizames; Vocoder Break Rock; I;

Track Listing of songs: Cars Girls Money Too; New Intro; Razzamatazz; Cash Money Green; Itchin; Supreme Kit; Bell Ambient; Rain; Piano Break; Subculture; Beat Box; Stalking;

11 Tracks Released Under Fat Cat's Distinctive, Hugely Successful Label.