@DJqbert @dstyles @shortkut @ispiklz
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From the new LP “The 13th Floor” – out September 9, 2016 on Alpha Pup
Universally acknowledged as some of the most skilled scratch DJs in the world, turntable legends the Invisibl Skratch Piklz are releasing their first ever full-length album: ‘The 13th Floor.’
After nearly 16 years apart, original members Qbert, Shortkut, and D-Styles have come together again to record ‘The 13th Floor.’ Composed with a heavy jazz sound in mind, the roughly 35-minute LP is an amazing homage to what true DJing is – and the perfect embodiment of the iconic Invisibl Skratch Piklz sound.
Recorded using three DJ mixers and three turntables, the album showcases the trio’s deft skills and inspired talent, and displays how they have progressed and perfected their sound all while pushing the art of turntablism into brave new dimensions.
‘The 13th Floor’ deftly blends the abstract artistry of scratching with undeniable musicality: lush synths, warm horns, solid basslines, and fat vibes. It’s easy to feel “Fresh Out of FVCKS” – a track that creeps up the keys and slowly shoves its way in. “Kenny G’s Perm” is surprisingly relaxed, a mellow and sludge-covered jam. From the aggressive roughness of “Polka Fist Pump” to the thick sound of “The Freestyle Fanatic,” the LP flips, knocks, twists, and finds truth on the turntables.
Fusing elements of jazz, rock and hip hop, the album demonstrates true artistry, creative composition, and masterful turntablism. ‘The 13th Floor’ solidifies that no matter how much time has passed, the Invisibl Skratch Piklz are still among the most innovative musicians in the world.
About the Invisibl Skratch Piklz:
In 1989, three incredible DJs in the San Francisco Bay Area – DJ Qbert, DJ Apollo and Mix Master Mike – formed a crew called the Invisibl Skratch Piklz. As a crew, the guys took the idea of DJing to new heights by utilizing the turntable as a full-blown instrument and thinking of themselves beyond just DJs – together, they were a unit. Armed with turntablist skills unmatched by any in the world, the Invisible Skratch Piklz developed their style and technicality to become the first ever all-DJ group.
As the Invisibl Skratch Piklz progressed, new members joined – most notoriously being A-Trak, Shortkut, Yogafrog, and D-Styles. Together, they were unstoppable. They traveled the world, won competitions, demolished their competitors – and they paved the way for other turntablist groups such as the Executioners and Beat Junkies. Following a run that lasted more than a decade, the Invisibl Skratch Piklz performed their last show as a group in 2000 at Skratchcon in San Francisco.
Qbert and D-Styles reunited for a historic reunion performance at Low End Theory San Francisco in 2011. With the addition of Shortkut, the trio of Invisibl Skratch Piklz will be embarking on their first tour together since 2000 in support of their new album, ‘The 13th Floor.’
