Rhythm is, perhaps, the most important component of modern music, yet it often does not get nearly enough credit. So much attention is given to lead guitarists, singers, and MC's that the all important rhythm section is overlooked in the grand scheme. However, there is a subset of musicians and music fans who revere rhythm above all else. North Carolina's own Dirty Drummer (a.k.a. David Haire) is such a musician, and his latest record proves that allegiance in a marvelous fashion. The album is very good, not only as a collection of beats but also as a complete musical piece; it seems to beg for a road trip or a study session as much as it belongs at a club or a block party. Perhaps the best track is "Sadie & Lucy", a song that combines a 1950's style jazz bass line with an almost Caribbean drum beat to stunning effect; it's one of the more unique sounding tracks on the CD. Much in the vein of DJ Shadow, The Roots, or Massive Attack, Dirty Drummer weaves an impressive array of beats and samples into an eclectic mix of songs and still pulls off the unified feel that a true album should, rather than sounding like a collection of drum machine experiments. This is an album that's definitely worth more than just a single listen. by Tristan Hendrix