- A crew of imaginative Japanese footwork producers have made their mark on the genre. Some, like Foodman, are wacky, stretching footwork to its limits. Others, like DJ Fulltono, have mastered a more orthodox style. Fulltono's ultra-minimal footwork is heard on the latest Beat Machine Records' Swinging Flavours 7-inch, which comes with a DJ Earl remix that cements the Japan-Chicago connection.
Fulltono's "Tribal Dancer" is as sparse as some of the earliest footwork tracks—drums, sub-bass, a repeating vocal sample—and is executed with finesse. Hand percussion provides a supple counterpoint to the brittle snares, adding depth to a shuddering footwork jam. DJ Earl's remix is definitely not minimal. It's nearly as glossy as some of his recent productions, the track framed with ticking hi-hats that touch on both trap and electro rhythms. There's also a pensive synth melody, a DJ Earl trademark.
TracklistA1 Tribal Dancer
B1 Tribal Dancer (DJ Earl Remix)