TWOFER: Nightmares on Wax x Neutrino

Here’s another go-round of twofers. And it seems that Nightmares on Wax and Neutrino are aptly paired. There needs to be an understanding of hip hop, as a genre, that’s all inclusive. No, there’s really not a difference between hip hop and rap. But while that discussion pointlessly rages, producers that seek to incorporate traditionally boom bap oriented fair into their work need to be considered welcome under an all inclusive musical banner. If that doesn’t eventually happen, the stultifying affects will be felt on the genre. Really, how many gold toofed emcees are needed? Not that many. And while supa-producers are nice, their presence doesn’t readily allow for the music to move ahead. So without further ado…

Nightmares on Wax
In a Space Outta Sound
(Warp, 2005)
Instrumental electronic and hip-hop albums are always a tenuous outing. Whether or not one enjoys the disc as a whole, there are inevitably a few moments that are less than pleasing. I suppose, though, that this notion is applicable to any album of any genre, but specifically a useful thought in the case of Nightmares on Wax (aka George Evelyn). In the mid-nineties NOW was hailed as the leader of digital-related instrumental albums, much like the one before us currently - In a Space Outta Sound. Unlike previous releases by NOW, the first two thirds of this offering eschew the more electronic sounds that Warp Records is known for and simply goes for seemingly organic grooves. Of course this is all production trickery. Jamaican influecenes infect a number of cuts here, which is always a nice coupling with the genre. There are a few moments of soul and ambient music getting the best of the producer, but overall this is an a more than satisfying release from a name that is and should be synonymous with instrumental music.

Neutrino
Self Titled
(Mush, 2004)
Two men, whose names I couldn’t pronounce - so I’m not gonna type ‘em - produce some beats as smooth as what. I don’t really know what the down tempo actually is, but I’m sure I’ve had it explained to me prior, and no doubt heard it before. Enough with the labels, though. This is ostensibly hip-hop in the same way that DJ Krush or Theivery Corporation is. In fact this recalls the likes of Headset or Daedelus save for the uber-electro glitches. Upon further research, Neutrino turns out to not be a duo at all. In fact Neutrino is any of three electrically neutral subatomic particles (any of various units of matter below the size of an atom, including the elementary particles and hadrons) in the lepton family. So that being out of the way let me say that there are some tasteful beats on here. Nothing’s quite plain, but unorchestrated - uncluttered. Each melodic figure repeats itself numerous times, but it doesn’t get tired somehow. Hand drums make a casual, but integral appearance on “Mood-D”. The organix and even slight psychedelics that duo brings in are counter-acted a few tracks latter with “GP” and it’s electro produced drums. Mostly tasty licks.