Formed by now legendary New York producer Kurtis Mantronik and MC Tee, Mantronix are still known as one of the best and most innovative groups from hip-hops golden age. Mantronix were probably the first group to popularise... more » samples as pop hooks, although their music actually crossed the boundaries of hardcore rap, electro, techno and house, their music has inspired artists around the world. Their first single; Fresh Is The Word, hit the streets of New York in 1985 courtesy of Sleeping Bag Records. The track had the streets and clubs of New York pumping with its raw beats and East Coast rapping that draws comparisons to Run DMC and LL Cool J. Their second single, Ladies, featured a smoother vocal sound than Fresh Is The Word, and the third single followed just a few months later, Bassline, is another slice of typical mid-80's hip-hop with it's raw beats and energetic rapping, and reached the UK top 40 in May 1986. With its futuristic production Mantronix: The Album was way ahead of it's time when released in 1985 and featured all of their hit singles and some of the rawest hip hop ever released. Now the album has been remastered and features 5 extra tracks - different versions of three of their key tracks. This album is Mantronix best and an essential album for any hip hop fan. EMI. 2006.« less
Formed by now legendary New York producer Kurtis Mantronik and MC Tee, Mantronix are still known as one of the best and most innovative groups from hip-hops golden age. Mantronix were probably the first group to popularise samples as pop hooks, although their music actually crossed the boundaries of hardcore rap, electro, techno and house, their music has inspired artists around the world. Their first single; Fresh Is The Word, hit the streets of New York in 1985 courtesy of Sleeping Bag Records. The track had the streets and clubs of New York pumping with its raw beats and East Coast rapping that draws comparisons to Run DMC and LL Cool J. Their second single, Ladies, featured a smoother vocal sound than Fresh Is The Word, and the third single followed just a few months later, Bassline, is another slice of typical mid-80's hip-hop with it's raw beats and energetic rapping, and reached the UK top 40 in May 1986. With its futuristic production Mantronix: The Album was way ahead of it's time when released in 1985 and featured all of their hit singles and some of the rawest hip hop ever released. Now the album has been remastered and features 5 extra tracks - different versions of three of their key tracks. This album is Mantronix best and an essential album for any hip hop fan. EMI. 2006.
"The beats that were displayed on The Album.Were truly ahead of there time and will contiue to be Sampled for the days to come.In my own opinion Mantronix was then and still is one of the premire groups that ever made this Lady that i call Hip-Hop."
A CLASSIC IS BACK!
05/20/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a must-have album for any true hip-hop fan. Mantronik's production was truly ahead of its time. As with the sound of hip-hop in the mid to late eighties, the songs contain plently of 808 and 909 drum kicks and snares. This was probably one of the most underappreciated albums in the culture. I'm glad to see it's back. We can only hope that Warlock will reprint 'Music Madness' and Capitol will reprint 'In Full Effect'."
Worth fighting for
Vincent Purdie | Brooklyn, NY United States | 12/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I almost got into a fight arguing whether this Mantronix joint was better than Ultramagnetic. LOL I did say almost but this joint was worth fighting for.
Classic Hip-Hop at it's finest, get it.
I dig in the crates so you don't have to."
Criminally Underrated Hip Hop (4.5 Stars)
Norfeest | Washington DC USA | 07/01/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD came out when I was 9 years old and I still jam to it now like it was brand new. I've been listening to hip hop since I was 7 years old (thanks to my dad) and I haven't really heard a better dance album since this one came out. You can't really consider yourself a hip hop head if you don't know about Kurtis Mantronik. Him and MC Tee had one of the hottest joints in '85. Classics like "Bassline", "Fresh Is The Word", and "Needle To The Groove" make this album a must have for any hip hop head. And if that's not enough, "Mega Mix" is a mix of the aforementioned songs. If you throw "Bassline" on at any 80's party, the people will lose their minds. They even have it featured on Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on PS2. It's amazing that Kurtis Mantronik isn't mentioned in the same breath as other legendary hip hop DJs / producers. He's the one that put EPMD on, so obviously he knows a thing or two about hip hop. This album is a perfect blend of bass heavy tracks and slick lyricism (courtesy of MC Tee). This LP may have come out in 1985, but it sounds just as hot now as it did then. It may sound dated but, in my mind, that's a good thing because they just don't make them like this anymore. Go ahead and get this if you haven't heard it already. You'll love it.Standout Tracks: Bassline, Hardcore Hip Hop, Fresh Is The Word, & Mega Mix (My Favorite)"
A classic must-buy album
Papa Smurf | Silver Spring, MD | 05/11/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is an all-time classic album from the King of the Beats himself: Mantronik. He was one to the most underrated and underappreciated producers of hiphop but his work has stood the test of time. This album itself contains five classics: Bassline , Ladies, Fresh is the Word, Needle to the Groove (which Beck sampled for Where It's At) and Hard Core Hip Hop (which Master P sampled for "It A'int my Fault" remix) This is a classic album of mid '80s hip hop. A must for the collection of any true hiphop fan."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
