Bleep

It’s rare that the genesis of a genre can be traced back to any one person, but RP Boo is indisputably the footwork originator. From ‘Baby Come On’ to Established!, his distinct mark as a musician can be felt all over the footwork scene, and beyond. The seminal Legacy collection opened the floodgates in 2013, his debut album and a reintroduction after two decades in the game; on its tenth anniversary, Boo is back for another round, diving once more into the archives to show even more of what put footwork onto the map.

Dense layers of percussion reign supreme in Legacy Volume 2. Taking tracks made from 2002 to 2007, this selection sees RP Boo settling into the newly initiated genre, throwing any number but four to the floor. ‘Eraser’ is the perfect intro, inducing instant tension with an ominous, scorched synth backing crisp snare hits that cut through everything in the mix, and the repeated “no holds barred” sample makes for a taunting warning of what you’re about to hear next.

‘Heavy Heat’ doubles down, sparse yet enveloping with the onslaught of throbbing sub bass and abrasive, lo-fi brass loops, leading into the relentless kick that tackles through ‘Total Darkness’ with strings of percussion, raw and pure dance energy. A snatch of an Amen break snakes in between pneumatic clashes of drums and dramatic strings on ‘Say Grace’, playing with the format alongside the hypnotising vocal loops of ‘Azzoutof Control’ and the furious button pushing of ‘Pop Machine’.

This is music for the feet made by the master of footwork, switch off your brain and your body will know what to do.