Let's take this opportunity to introduce the new generation to that classic boom bap hip-hop that we love!
My first new full-length album in six years is called X-Files: Lost & Deleted, a collection of rare, remixed and reinterpreted songs from my archives featuring The Large Professor, J-Live, Supernatural, Breez Evahflowin, Quest, Dr. Butcher, KutMasta Kurt and more.
For the last five years or so I've been flirting with the idea of putting together a "Rob Swift's BEST OF" type of album. After thinking about it for quite some time I finally decided to let the ideas I had swirling in my head out in the open and started working on X-Files: Lost & Deleted this past March.
Unlike other best of albums, this LP just doesn't contain an assortment of music of mine from various solo projects. What you'll be listening to on X-Files: Lost & Deleted is a collection of fresh and new takes on my best work.
The songs have contemporary context and meaning as well as a continuum of history that spans throughout my career as you hear audio from my first ever battle at age 19 up to remixes I am finalizing now over two decades later. I have also added bonus, unreleased demos of mine which will only be available to those who donate to my Kickstarter campaign.
Since I last released an album, I've been dedicating myself to passing on the art and craft of DJing, both as a university professor at The New School in New York City and through teaching private DJ lessons via Skype and at my home studio in Queens. (I've included a number of lesson packages as rewards if you'd like the chance to experience training with me for yourself!)
Crowdfunding provides an amazing opportunity to create the music I want to make and that you want to hear without the compromises involved in working with a record label. I'm excited to have the chance to partner with you to put this dream into action! With your help, this music will reach appreciators of quality sounds all over the world.
There will be two songs on the album that are exclusive for Kickstarter supporters only, including a super rare track of yours truly rapping at age 16 over beats provided by my longtime friend Psycho Les from The Beatnuts!
I've teamed up with Serato to offer you the chance to pledge on an EXCLUSIVE DJ workshop as a reward - get a sneak peek below:
A quick way to learn more about me if you aren't acquainted is to watch me work. Check out one of my signature routines:
Here's a music video from my album The Architect:
And a practice session with the legendary Herbie Hancock:
(Campaign photo by Robert Adam Mayer)
Risks and challenges
There is no risk involved as far as the recording process, that's already well underway and sounding good! But I'd like to be able to pay for the expenses already incurred, including weekly trips to dig through the crates at A-1 Records to build a new palette of sounds that I've used in the process. I'd also like to pay for proper mastering of the album and to be able to market the project to as wide of an audience as possible — and that's where your help is crucial.
I've partnered up with my friend and student Tamara Palmer, a longtime music journalist and DJ, to run this Kickstarter campaign with me; we will both be updating and engaging you as we go!
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Funding period
- (30 days)