COURTESY OF HIPHOPCORE.NET Rob Swift, born Robert Aguilar, has become a top turntablist, starting with his stint with the X-ecutioners.

Pioneer DJ Swift speaks
with his scratches

One of the premiere and most creative of turntablists, Rob Swift, will show off his skills tomorrow at "Feng Shui" at the Hyatt Regency.

Rob Swift & DV One Where: Ciao Mein & Poolside Bar of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Hotel, 2424 Kalakaua Ave. When: 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. tomorrow as part of weekly "Feng Shui" event Admission: $10 cover, 21 and over Info: double-o-spot.com Also: Swift will do a free demonstration and Q-&-A session from 2 to 3:30 p.m. tomorrow at Creative Sound & Lighting, 46-003 Alaloa St., in Kaneohe, 236-2766

Once part of the original lineup of New York City's vaunted DJ collective the X-ecutioners, with Grandmaster Roc Raida, DJ Total Eclipse and Mista Sinista, he's also released three solo albums: "Soulful Fruit," "The Ablist" and "Sound Event."

In the latter album's liner notes, he emphasizes his dedication to the creative and not the self-indulgent.

"Once you have an understanding that scratches are a form of communication," he wrote, "you gradually realize that scratches are like words. Using long, dictionary words doesn't necessarily make you a great speaker. It's about knowing your audience and understanding that sometimes simple words make the greatest impact."

According to an official press release last October, Swift left the X-ecutioners under "amicable but immediate" circumstances.

Swift is now concentrating on solo projects and URB magazine reports that he's currently readying his latest solo album, as well as a project with legendary fusion jazz composer Bob James, who's previous work has been sampled by some of hip-hop's earliest stars, including Run-DMC and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Seattle's DV One will also spin the wheels of steel tomorrow night.