The 10 best footwork tracks, according to Ital Tek

Brighton producer Ital Tek has dabbled in futuristic dubstep in the past but on new album ‘Nebula Dance’, released this week on Planet Mu, it’s the razor-sharp beats of Chicago’s footwork scene that have got under his skin. Here he takes us through his favourite footwork and juke tracks. “It’s quite hard to narrow it down to 10 as there is so much variety and experimentation within juke and footwork,” says Ital Tek. “There are many reasons that it has caught my imagination over the last few years. I think this list contains in my opinion a mixture of the best elements of this broadening genre.”

DJ Clent – DJ Clent #1
Ital Tek: “Tracks don’t get much rougher than “DJ Clent #1” and “One Blood” They’re so heavy and abrasive, both kill it on a dancefloor.”
Traxman – Compute Funk
Ital Tek: “Pretty much everything I’ve heard from Traxman has been amazing, the track Compute Funk was the one that stuck out most for me from ‘Bangs + Works 1’. It’s got a great sense of urgency to it and a really different feel to a lot of the other tracks. I can definitely hear a twisted Kraftwerk influence in it.”
Traxman – Footworkin On Air
Ital Tek: “Footworkin On Air and She Died There encapsulate a lush dream like quality, which is what I strive for in my own productions.”
DJ Roc – One Blood
Ital Tek: “Tracks don’t get much rougher than DJ Clent #1 and One Blood They’re so heavy and abrasive, both kill it on a dancefloor.”
Young Smoke – Let Go
Ital Tek: “Let Go is about the most uplifting footwork tracks I’ve ever heard. Young Smoke is probably my favourite producer this year, his ‘Space Zone’ album has been on repeat for me, but this track just about takes the top spot.”
Jlin – Erotic Heat
Ital Tek: “Jlin’s Erotic Heat is a proper weird tune, I think it’s wicked. It’s got some of the best drums I’ve heard in a long time.”
Boylan – High Life (Sinjin Hawke Remix)
Ital Tek: “I think this track is a great crossover between the true Chicago sound and where the European producers are taking it. I have to be honest and say I’ve not heard the original but this remix is epic. I love tunes that can pair grandiose with rough and raw. This track does that perfectly.”
Machinedrum – She Died There
Ital Tek: “Footworkin On Air and She Died There encapsulate a lush dream like quality, which is what I strive for in my own productions.”
DJ Spinn – 2020
Ital Tek: “I love the minimalism of tracks like DJ Spinn’s “2020” It’s got a serious moody attitude to it and the synths in this track have a real brooding sci fi vibe to them.”
DJ Earl – Hit Da Bootz
Ital Tek: “DJ Earl’s Hit Da Bootz has been in my DJ sets since I first heard it on Bangs + Works vol.2. It’s a complete banger.”

Ital Tek and Mike Paradinas of Planet Mu will play at We Buy Gold at The Alibi in Dalston, London on Friday 26th October. The night is free.