REQ - Frequency Jams

coltonsschwartz

Review by Colton Schwartz

Frequency Jams by REQ: A Timeless Trip Through Sound If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to float through a kaleidoscope of beats while your brain does somersaults, Frequency Jams by REQ is the album for you. Released back in ‘98 on Skint Records (yep, that legendary UK label), this record dives deep into genres like electronic and hip-hop but throws in curveballs like ambient breakbeat, downtempo funkiness, and even some abstract trip-hop vibes. It’s not just music—it’s an experience. And honestly? It’s kinda hard to put into words without sounding like someone who's had too much coffee. Let me start with “Mbira Classic,” because wow—this track hits different. It opens with these delicate, plinky-plonk mbira tones that feel like they’re straight outta another dimension. Then BAM! The beat drops, and suddenly you're dancing around your living room at 3 AM wondering how something so chill can also make you wanna move. There’s something about the way REQ layers those minimal sounds—it’s hypnotic, almost meditative, but still sneaky enough to get stuck in your head for days. You know those moments when life feels overwhelming? This song makes you pause and go, “Wait… maybe chaos isn’t so bad after all.” Then there’s “Vocoder Break Rock”—which is exactly what it sounds like, but somehow better. Imagine robots throwing a party in a warehouse, except the robots are super chill and kinda artsy. The vocoder vocals glide over crunchy breaks and glitchy bleeps, creating this weirdly satisfying blend of futuristic funk and raw energy. Every time I hear it, I picture neon lights flickering against concrete walls. Or maybe that’s just me being dramatic. Either way, it’s impossible not to bob your head along to this one. REQ really went off on this project, experimenting with styles that shouldn’t work together but somehow do. Tracks like “Navigator 1 & 2” and “Bizarnes” keep things fresh, flipping between laid-back grooves and more experimental textures. Even the mastering by Simon Thornton deserves a shoutout—it’s crisp without losing any warmth, which is no small feat for a record from the late ‘90s. What sticks with me most about Frequency Jams is how it doesn’t try too hard to impress. It’s confident in its weirdness, unapologetically blending genres and moods without caring if you “get it” or not. Listening to it now, over two decades later, feels like rediscovering an old friend who’s still cooler than you’ll ever be. And here’s the kicker—I don’t think REQ set out to make a masterpiece. But sometimes, the best art happens when you stop trying so damn hard. So yeah, if you haven’t heard Frequency Jams, fix that pronto. Just don’t blame me when you find yourself zoning out to “Mbira Classic” instead of doing actual adulting.

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: req-frequency-jams.zip
  • MP3 size: 78 mb
  • FLAC size: 488.8 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
What5:25
Bizames04:32
World6:51
Crack5:15
Mbira Classic3:09
I5:03
Navigator 1
Bizarness
I (Linn Mix)6:04
Navigator 2
Navigator 1 & 27:09
Vocoder Break Rock4:33
Bizarnes4:58

Images

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Catalog Numbers

  • BRASSIC7CD
  • BRASSIC 07LP
  • SKI 489762 2

Labels

Skint

Listen online

  • kuunnella verkossa
  • lytte på nettet
  • écouter en ligne
  • lyssna på nätet
  • ouvir online
  • ascolta in linea
  • online luisteren
  • online anhören
  • escuchar en línea

Formats

  • CD
  • Album
  • 2 × Vinyl
  • LP

Credits

RoleCredit
Mastered BySimon Thornton

Notes

  • "This music was made at home on a Tascam 644 (4 track)."
  • On the sleeve "Navigator 1" & "Navigator 2" are (mistakenly) presented as individual tracks.
  • Digipak issue.
  • Release includes insert with drawings.
  • Tracks 6 & 7 are mentioned as separate tracks on cover, but as one track on the index
  • Continental European, Sony-licensed release.

Barcodes

  • Barcode: 5025425505720
  • Barcode: 5099748976222

About REQ

baixar álbum REQ - Frequency Jamsdescargar álbum REQ - Frequency Jamstélécharger l'album REQ - Frequency Jamslast ned album REQ - Frequency JamsAlbum herunterladen REQ - Frequency Jamslataa albumi REQ - Frequency Jams
Brighton-based graffiti artist and producer. Born February 20 1966.

Real Name

    • Ian Cassar

Name Vars

  • DJ Req
  • Deli 402
  • REQ 1
  • Req
  • Req 1
  • Req One
  • Req1

Aliases

  • Ian Cassar

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a cool fact: The album *Frequency Jams* by REQ is like a musical chameleon. Released in 1998 on the Skint label, it blends so many styles—ambient breakbeat, trip-hop, downtempo, and even funky breaks—that it feels like a journey through different worlds. Tracks like "Mbira Classic" and "Vocoder Break Rock" show off this mix perfectly. It’s wild how one album can jump from chill electronica to experimental beats so effortlessly. Plus, it’s got that UK underground vibe mastered by Simon Thornton. Not your average listen, for sure.

Comments

careerequire1
careerequire1
2025-03-15
Took me a while to really get into Req, but after listening to and loving quite a few records off Alec Empires digital hardcore label coming back to Req just made sense sonically. I think that whenever an album has a track that actually terrifies you, such as track 3 "I" on this one, it deserves some real respect.