MANTRONIX

'Mantronix' was an innovative and influential 1980s old school hip-hop and electro funk music group founded by DJ Kurtis Mantronik (Kurtis el Khaleel), and rapper MC Tee (Touré Embden). Mantronix underwent several genre (and line-up) changes during its 7-year existence (1984–1991), from old school hip hop to electro funk to house music, but the group is primarily remembered for its original, heavily synthesized blend of old school hip-hop and electro funk.

Contents

History

Early years – 1984-1988

''Mantronix: The Album''

''Music Madness''

''In Full Effect''

Later era - 1989-1991

''This Should Move Ya''

''The Incredible Sound Machine''

Discography

Albums

Compilation albums

References

External links

History

Early years – 1984-1988

In 1984, while working as the in-store DJ for Downtown Records in Manhattan, Kurtis Mantronik, a Jamaican-Canadian émigré, met MC Tee, a Haitian-born, Flatbush, Brooklyn-based rapper (and regular record store customer).^[1][2] The duo soon made a demo, "Fresh Is The Word," and eventually signed with William Socolov's Sleeping Bag Records.

''Mantronix: The Album''

Mantronix's debut single, "Fresh Is the Word," was a club hit in 1985, reaching #16 on ''Billboard Magazine's'' Hot Dance Singles Sales chart, and was featured on ''Mantronix: The Album'' which was released the same year.
Mantronix's efforts on ''Mantronix: The Album'' and its effect on early hip hop and electronic music is perhaps best summed up by music critic Omar Willey's observation in 2000:
The influence of ''Mantronix: The Album'' is seen among other artists through the sampling of "Needle To The Groove" by Beck in the single "Where It's At" from the 1996 album, ''Odelay'' ("''we've got two turntables and a microphone''..."), as well as, "Fresh Is The Word" by the Beastie Boys in the single "Jimmy James" from the 1992 album, ''Check Your Head'' ("''for all the Blacks, Puerto Ricans, and the White people too''...")

''Music Madness''

Mantronix's second album, ''Music Madness'', was released in 1986. While MC Tee's rhyming style on the album continued in the traditional b-boy fashion of the times, Mantronik's club-oriented production and mixing in ''Music Madness'' tended to attract more electronic dance music and electro funk aficionados than hardcore hip-hop fans.^[3] During this period, while Mantronix was signed to Sleeping Bag Records, Mantronik was employed by the label in their A&R Department, while also producing other artists and groups, including Just-Ice, T La Rock, KRS-One, Nocera, and Joyce Sims.

''In Full Effect''

Mantronix signed with Capitol Records in 1987, in what was one of the first 7-figure deals for a hip-hop group, and released ''In Full Effect'' in 1988, which was the first album to be mastered from DAT instead of reel-to-reel tape. ''In Full Effect'' continued in and expanded on the hip-hop/electro funk/dance music vein of its predecessor, eventually reaching #18 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, Mantronix's highest showing for an album.^[4] ''In Full Effect'' marked the last Mantronix album with rapper MC Tee, who left the group to enlist in the United States Air Force.

Later era - 1989-1991

''This Should Move Ya''

Following the departure of MC Tee, rapper Bryce "Luvah" Wilson, and Mantronik's cousin, D.J. D, joined Mantronix for 1990's ''This Should Move Ya''. Mantronik met Wilson, a fellow Sleeping Bag Records label mate, while doing production for Wilson's aborted solo project.^[5]
The album spawned two top-10 hits on the British singles chart, "Got To Have Your Love" at #4, and "Take Your Time (featuring vocalist Wondress)" at #10. In the United States, the album reached #61 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.^[6]
In a 1991 interview, Kurtis Mantronik commented on the commercial success of "Got To Have Your Love":

''The Incredible Sound Machine''

Mantronix's final release, with vocalist Jade Trini replacing D.J. D, was ''The Incredible Sound Machine'' in 1991.^[7] Grammy-nominated neo soul singer/songwriter Angie Stone co-wrote seven of the eleven tracks that appeared on ''The Incredible Sound Machine''. ''The Incredible Sound Machine'', which tended to favor R&B, new jack swing, and dance music over hip hop, was considered both a critical and commercial disappointment.^[7]
Shortly after a European tour and promotion related to the release of ''The Incredible Sound Machine'', the group disbanded, and Mantronik left the music industry altogether for seven years.^[9]
Kurtis Mantronik resurfaced in Europe in the late 1990s, producing house and techno music artists, and remains an active force in pop-oriented electronic music to this day.^[9]

Discography

Albums

Album cover	Album information
	'''' ★ Released: 1985 ★ Chart positions: #47 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums ★ RIAA certification: ★ Singles: "Fresh Is The Word", "Bassline", "Needle To The Groove", "Ladies"
	'''Music Madness''' ★ Released: 1986 ★ Chart positions: #27 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums ★ RIAA certification: ★ Singles: "Who Is It?", "Scream", "We Control The Dice"
	'''In Full Effect''' ★ Released: 1988 ★ Chart positions: #18 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums ★ RIAA certification: ★ Singles: "Simple Simon", "Join Me Please...", "Do You Like...Mantronik?"
	'''This Should Move Ya''' ★ Released: 1990 ★ Chart positions: #61 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums ★ RIAA certification: Gold ★ Singles: "Got To Have Your Love", "Take Your Time (featuring Wondress)"
	'''The Incredible Sound Machine''' ★ Released: 1991 ★ Chart positions: ★ RIAA certification: ★ Singles: "Don't Go Messin' With My Heart", "Step To Me"

Compilation albums

Album cover	Album information
	'''The Best of Mantronix 1985-1999''' ★ Released: March 15, 1999 ★ Chart positions: ★ RIAA certification: ★ Singles: "Needle To The Groove", "Bassline", "King Of The Beats", "Push Yer Hands Up"
	'''That's My Beat''' ★ Released: 2002 ★ Chart positions: ★ RIAA certification:
	'''Remixed & Rare''' ★ Released: May 25, 2004 ★ Chart positions: ★ RIAA certification:
	'''The Ultra Selection''' ★ Released: March 14, 2005 ★ Chart positions: ★ RIAA certification:

References

1. When Recorded Hip-hop was in its Infancy, One Man was Responsible for Really Pushing the Sonic Envelope. It's Been Far from Plain Sailing Since, But the Mantronix Legacy will Run Forever
2. Mantronix Makes Inroads In British Pop - But Black Duo Still Waiting For A U.S. Hit Chin, Brian
3. All Music Guide ''Music Madness'' Review Henderson, Alex
4. All Music Guide ''In Full Effect'' Review Wynn, Ron
5. Messin' With Mantronix
6. All Music Guide ''This Should Move Ya'' Review Wynn, Ron
7. All Music Guide ''The Incredible Sound Machine'' Review Henderson, Alex
8. All Music Guide ''The Incredible Sound Machine'' Review Henderson, Alex
9. When Recorded Hip-hop was in its Infancy, One Man was Responsible for Really Pushing the Sonic Envelope. It's Been Far from Plain Sailing Since, But the Mantronix Legacy will Run Forever
10. When Recorded Hip-hop was in its Infancy, One Man was Responsible for Really Pushing the Sonic Envelope. It's Been Far from Plain Sailing Since, But the Mantronix Legacy will Run Forever

External links

★ AllMusic.com Biography - Mantronix

★ Discogs Profile - Mantronix