Jana Rush - Groove 6 CS (Outlines, 2021)
"Four years since the release of the Groove, for which responsible were exclusively female producers, the outlines label is presenting the last cassette finishing the series and concluding this publishing chapter. The first two cassettes featured an Argentinian sound artist, Aylu, („groove 4”) and a German vocalist producer and activist, AGF, („groove 5”). „groove 6” belongs to one of the most important characters of Chicago Footwork, Jana Rush. This young producer and DJ proved to be an extremely active artist DJ-ing her first sets alongside DJ Rashad, Gant-Man and Nehpets only to co-release, at the age of thirteen, a vinyl with DJ Deeon (Dance Mania label). Two years later she releases another twelve-inch, this time for Contaminated Muzik. For Jana Rush’ next official release we had to wait until 2016.
„groove 6” is being released a few months after the artist's excellent album „Painful Enlightenment” (Planet Mu), which is an audio documentation of a difficult and dark time in Jana's life. Since„groove 6” was created around the same time, it can be treated as the bright reverse side of the heavy and dense atmosphere of Jane Rush's album.
The A-side tracks of the outlines release are filled with intense and overwhelming physicality. They almost seem like an affirmation of corporeality as opposed to the disturbing and uncomfortable moments from „Painful Enlightenment” („G-Spot”or „Suicidal Ideation”). „Fingering Ur Girl”, „Furious Feet” or „Eros” present the body, movement and physicality in a network of associations referring to the energy of libido, dance or music production. Their sonic intensity also points to the source of Jana Rush's music – footwork battles and competing dancers' moves. This is perfectly complemented by the raw and minimalist track „Off Him” recorded by Jana Rush together with DJ Rashad. The B-side, on the other hand, comprises tracks exploring various forms of rhythmic abstraction. „MY RZ-1” bears resemblance to the music of the Raster-Noton label. „WTF Iz Goin'On ”and „90's Acid” bounce into the listener's ears with a simple sound theme embedded in a rushing beat. The finale, „Simple", turns out to be a perverse play on the footwork convention with the use of 105BPM tempo.
The „groove 6” cassette is a testimony to the extraordinary creativity of the Chicago producer. Her work stems from the musical roots of the Windy City such as ghetto house and footwork, but her music goes much further ahead – being in constant motion and transformation, it eludes any precise definition. This striking version of Jana Rush's footwork seems to exceed its stylistic limitations, thus, reaching previously unknown lands." - Outlines