DJ Format - 'If You Can't Join 'Em...Beat Em' (Genuine) Released 11/04/05

After the relative success of his 2003 debut ‘Music For The Mature B-Boy’ Brighton based Turntablist extraordinaire DJ Format returns with the fantastically titled ‘If You Can’t Join Em… Beat Em’. From the Intro the boom bap is crunked all the way up to eleven and the bass and snare drums are set to kill.

This isn’t to say that this is merely a hip hop record, oh no… It would seem the former van driver of Jurassic 5 will be infiltrating the psyches of anyone that loves really good music. The funk samples and beautiful loops will have only the snobbiest punters refusing to get their grinds on, such is the dexterity of his skill. He isn’t on his own though having drafting in old cohort emcee Abdonimal and emcee D-Sisive to rock the M-I-C.

First track ‘3 Feet Deep’ is a stanky funk rocker that leave hip hoppers and indie kids with mouths agape utilising a surf guitar sample that’s vaguely reminiscent of Fatboy’s Rockefeller Skank and the metaphorical interplay between said Mic Manipulators is breathtaking. However every second on this album ranges from good to great.  Choons like ‘Ugly Brother’ and the exquisite instrumental 'The Turning Point 'hum with the urgency of fellow Brighton beat smith Norman Cook, honestly. That’s not to say this is an out and out pop record, or even hip hop record, for that matter as the grooves he deploys are shot with such a sly wit that means it should take residence on even the most conservative dance radio playlists.

Much like DM and Jemini’s ghetto pop life record it rides as slick as most of commercial chart rap but instead of naff casio beats and dull lyrics 'If You Can’t…' boasts the most engaging soul and jazz samples shot with Real New York out and out hip hop scratch and break beat that his mainstream breakthrough is on its way. Chali 2na (of Jurassic 5 fame) makes a guest appearance to add a dash of tru-skills credibility but achieves so much more. ‘The Place’ rocks the speakers with real panache and flair and is a lesson of where hip hop should be now if not for the corruption of the almighty dollar and American dream.

Much in the same vein as Boston old skool explorer Edan, Format has made something old sound fresh and new repeating the trick swapping 60’s psyche rock for only the stickiest and naughtiest funk. 50 Cent, Ja Rule, Fat Joe et al are doing their utmost  to proclaim rap is dead by feeding us the same old junk over and over again but fortunately ‘If You Can’t Join Em’ enriches the listener with the knowledge that there is urgency left in beats, breaks and spray paint. DJ Shadow move over, DJ Format now rules the Jansport…