There's been a disturbance in the underground house scene as of late. Ratchett Traxxx has been popping up in Resident Advisor comments with his unique brand of vitriol aimed straight at the heart of the scene. If you even spend a minute checking out the dude's Twitter feed you'll get the idea. Needless to say, those in certain dance music circles have been waiting to see if Ratchett Traxxx can back up his words (which seem to be consistently composed with caps lock engaged) when it comes to the heaters. Not to imply that everyone's been waiting with baited breath. With Raxxx001 the veiled producer delivers his mission statement, dropping his vision for what is "the most innovative music…EVER." For all his hubris Ratchett Traxxx produces some pretty effective ghetto house tracks. Taking cues from the Dance Mania school he digs through contemporary pop and hip hop for hooks. Jay Z's "Tom Ford" molly referencing vocals are looped up on "Molly Pop," which is sure to work over some dance floors. And he takes Rich Homie Quan's "Type of Way" hook for "Nut On U." Fitting, as he's certainly got his haters feeling some type of way. It's the other two tracks that prove to be the most compelling though. They're two instrumental cuts that show that Ratchett Traxxx may have more up his sleeve than he's letting on. All we're left wondering though, is just who is Ratchett Traxxx and where did he come from?

• music label: Ratchett Traxxx 2014

reviewed by Joey Coco 03/2014