The Ablist

The Ablist
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 23, 1999
Recorded1998–1999
GenreTurntablism
Underground rap
LabelAsphodel Records
ProducerRob Swift
Dan The Automator
Rob Swift chronology
Soulful Fruit
(1997)
The Ablist
(1999)
Airwave Invasion
(2001)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The Austin Chronicle[2]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[3]

The Ablist is the second album by the turntablist Rob Swift, released in 1999 via Asphodel Records.[4][5]

Production

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The album was produced by Rob Swift and Dan The Automator. The rapper Pharoahe Monch makes an appearance.

Critical reception

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AllMusic wrote that the album "redefines the turntable as a musical instrument that can bring new dimensions to both structured and improvised music, and it shows that Swift is capable of some incisive music that works outside the normal confines of turntablist music."[1] The Riverfront Times thought that "it never really breaks away from standard hip-hop and therefore never fulfills its promise as something totally new."[6] Vibe opined that "the only time the album lags is when Swift steps to the mike on 'I'm Leaving'."[7]

Track listing

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  1. "Day One" - 0:30
  2. "Dope On Plastic" - 2:09
  3. "What Would You Do?" - 2:12
  4. "Night Time" - 2:40
  5. "Modern Day Music" - 3:53
  6. "Two Turntables And A Keyboard" - 0:15
  7. "Fusion Beats" - 3:47
  8. "Alma's Message" - 0:14
  9. "Turntablist Anthem" feat. Pharoahe Monch - 4:01
  10. "Let's Talk Relationships" - 0:13
  11. "I'm Leaving" - 2:33
  12. "Brainstorming" - 1:09
  13. "All That Scratching Is Making Me Rich!" - 5:15
  14. "Ben Fee The MC" - 0:08
  15. "Musica Negra/Black Music (Remix) - 5:00
  16. "Gangis Kahn" - 3:49
  17. "This Is Our Day" feat. Dan The Automator - 3:57
  18. "The Will To Do Something Different" - 0:11
  19. "Something Different" - 3:58
  20. "Gangis Kahn Returns" - 0:11
  21. "The Ablist" - 2:13

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Ablist - Rob Swift | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  2. ^ "SXSW Records". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  3. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 3.
  4. ^ "Rob Swift | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  5. ^ Niesel, Jeff. "Turning the Tables". Cleveland Scene.
  6. ^ Hilburn, Matthew. "Able Hands". Riverfront Times.
  7. ^ "Revolutions". Vibe. Vibe Media Group. March 1, 1999 – via Google Books.