Whether or not youre familiar with his time in the DJ supergroup the X-ecutioners, New York turntablist Rob Swift deserves your attention. Hes as agile as ever yet no longer confined to a hip-hop palette. Released on Mike Pattons Ipecac label, Swifts new album The Architect recasts his unconventional instrument for bolder purposes. Theres all the stirring swell of a great film score; orchestral samples are conjured throughout. Unfolding in two- and three-minute snippets, fat scratches and sizzling snatches of rhythm are woven into an atmospheric, post-rap whole. Its miles ahead of 1999s underrated The Ablist, despite the similar title, and only one track features an MC. Disciples of DJ Shadow and J. Dilla owe it to themselves to get acquainted with Swift. DOUG WALLEN
Fri., March 5, 9 p.m., 2010
