Mantrakid - Xenochrony

Mantrakid

Xenochrony
Neferiu Records; 2013

4.0 out of 5

Mantrakid is a veteran on the electronic hip-hop scene and and involved with the Canadian hip-hop scene as well. He is well known for the re-mix work he has done for Missy Elliot as well as the production work for the popular single “New Shoes” that he did for Ricca Razor Sharp. He also runs Neferiu Records and just released the brilliant Xenochrony which takes samples of Frank Zappa songs and completely reinvents them while staying true to the original source. This album comes in at 30 minutes and in that time delivers some of the most innovative use of samples and beat making I have heard in awhile. Not unlike Flying Lotus I was entranced by the diverse use of material and collage of sounds he was able to pack in such a short amount of time.

Some songs create a manic energy that Zappa would have been proud of. “Oh Yes” has such a stellar beat wrapped around Zappa’s voice while other songs like “Digest That” are warped realities that resemble free jazz until the hip-hop style drums start to drive the song. “Attack of the Slime” starts with some distorted lead guitar until a Boards of Canada-esque beat introduces Zappa’s spoken lyrics. As far as instrumental hip-hop this is some of the best out there and is right on par with acts like Prefuse 73 and Flying Lotus.

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