For the larger world operating outside of Chicago's high speed footwork circles, juke's impact in 2010 has mostly been an indirect one, altering the DNA of established musical continuums in unexpected ways. In David Kennedy's case, footwork's percussive drive and 808 fetish stands as the perfect addition to the latent junglist tendencies showcased on his Ramadanman EP earlier this year where he resurrected London's primordial breakbeat science for a new era.
"Blanked," released under his Pearson Sound moniker, is highly labored and to great effect. Treating and filtering each 808 hit within an inch of its life and adorning the proceedings to mournful strings and diva vocals, the track will never be confused with roughneck ghetto house despite retaining the same energy. Avoiding the incessant vocal chops that characterized his earlier experiment "Work Them," "Blanked"'s emphasis on sub-bass and a mournful atmosphere is quick to remind the listener of his dubstep origins. Trading half-step rhythms for fresher drum patterns is far from remarkable (especially this year) but here, Kennedy proves that he can sculpt his sound to virtually any circumstance without losing its dark, urban core.
"Blue Eyes"' gurgling undertow is even more pronounced, competing with booming Roland kicks for ownership of the track's low end. Interestingly enough, however, much of the action occurs higher up in the spectrum with the track's euphoric build up stealing the show. Here, "Work Them"'s vocal chops return but reconfigured as a taut melodic flourish rather than a percussive mantra. Just as alien to the young sound of Chicago as it is to the dominant trends of London, the track somehow manages to project a funhouse mirror image of both while simultaneously defining its own space.
Buy Pearson Sound - Blanked at
  
Tracklist: Pearson Sound - Blanked
 A1 Blanked
B1 Blue Eyes
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