Review Summary: The genre used to classify this may be "hip-hop" but this is so much more than a hip-hop album? This knowledge has been with Dan the Automator all his life and he lets his various styles come into play on Wanna Buy a Monkey?
Many albums that feature the use of hip-hop and other genres would suggest an open-minded MC behind the project, maybe bringing in like minded producers to get his beats mixed in with fitting sound, allowing the artificial tones to play and do their own thing as does the MC. This is not the case as famed DJ and produced Dan Nakamura is behind this one, doing the mixed styles but not the vocals. The following he has built up should be able to dig this one, as it is in the vein of his previous collaborative work, but he just adds to it now that he is on his own.
Alright so if Nakamura has had so much to do in hip-hop and in music, why haven't I heard of him 'till now? Well if you've followed the pulse of mid-late 90's alternative rap, his name appears many times in the genre's span of marquee releases, just not as a performer. Perhaps you've heard
Deltron 3030? A project featuring Oakland rapper
Del Tha Funkee Homosapien with the Automator taking care of the rigorous production to the piece. The other half of the two big concept albums released by hip-hoppers in that era,
Dr. Octagonecologyst which was a
Kool Keith release also brings in Nakamura to help in its creation. Along with being one of the founding members in both
Gorillaz and
Handsome Boy Modeling School, these credentials show how this DJ gained his form, and the music he made come into the creation of this also.
We know what this man can do when he's mixin' it up with what would become some of hip-hops finest albums, we know he can produce and is a big name in the scene, but what happens when Dan Nakamura has to do it alone? His response is making a mix tape of an album, blending in music already recorded but being used in a way that flows and utilizes the music to work off each other. The main talent being used here is Nalamura's history and lifestyle of listening to music and of constantly be a fan, this acquaints him with the work and encourages good decisions on what to put where.
Wanna Buy a Monkey? is a highly paradoxical album. A tightly produced mix tape comprised of chill out electronica, throbbing hip-hop, fast-paced rap, and all of this is held together in a steady but ever changing tempo that remains consistent throughout. The quality of the flowing tempo really gets put into the spotlight by the changing of the tracks, which at points can be visualized as the same stage but a different artist. Take for example the
Gorillaz track
Latin Simone, a more instrumental Gorillaz track than what they feature, but still maintaining the signature melancholy tone of voice Damon Albarn delivers. It fits into the piece by clinging more to the electronica scope and producing the low mood that drives most of this album. Keeping steady with horns playing on top of a rhythmic piano and backup singers plows this track through to reach the light of day that is
De La Soul's
Bionix which hits a lot harder but still keeps the piano intact, if only sounding different due to the shift of the production's focus. Here it is much more alive as this song represents the flowing and quicker hip hop yin to the mellow electronica's yang.
Of course what must be pointed out is that this is not comprised merely of a bunch of random songs thrown together and sold. As he is active in music, he was previously active in making the tunes featured on here exist in the first place. From his remix of
Air's
"Le Soleil Est Pres de Moi" which began as an Air song upright, but upon being given the attention of the Automator, received remix treatment. As mentioned, the tape contains tracks by two of Dan the Automator's former projects,
Deltron 3030 and
Gorillaz, both of which are styled differently and are music born from two different roots. That really does sum this album up, music that was made by the Automator, with genres that are not similar, but coming together and working out so well when placed on display together. How this works and appeals to such a wide variety of listeners who come from different musical backgrounds is just an additional credit to Nakamura's talent and ability. This is highly recommended if you like any kind of music because there probably is something here that you will enjoy.
