Afrika Bambaataa - Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light

Afrika Bambaataa is a timeless legend, as relevant, daring, and innovative today as he was over two decades ago when "Planet Rock" became one of the first breakout hits to put hip-hop on the map. He's created countless classics and has collaborated with everyone from James Brown to Boy George to John Lydon. His Zulu Nation launched the careers of De La Soul, Queen Latifah, and A Tribe Called Quest. "Dark Matter" taps into elements ranging from African percussion, Bollywood, and jazz, to techno, new wave, and "dirty south", blending them into one of the most interesting and infectious albums in recent memory. Contributing producers include such famed and up and coming names as Fort Knox Five, Paul Daley, Uberzone, Simply Jeff, Sharaz, and more. Album Description

Years Later He's Still Making Quality Music...

This album was seriously slept on. With only three mere reviews on this site (all three reviewed around when it was released) and the bargain basement price, combined with almost nonexistent sales, you can tell barely anyone heard this. Which is a shame, because the always-creative Afrika Bambaataa released a real gem here.

When I originally bought 'Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light' I really wasn't sure about what I was getting into. Sure, like everyone else, I've heard Afrika Bambaataa's classic work, but what would his new school stuff sound like? However, the legendary name and spiffy cover convinced me to purchase this 2004 release, and in the end I was glad I did.

At first I was disappointed with it because I really didn't know what to make out of 'Dark Matter...'. However, the more I listened to it the more it grew on me. The opening song 'Got that Vibe' has a unique beat and great rapping. 'Metal (featuring Gary Numan)' is an update of the classic track of the same name, and it features another legend Gary Numan (you know, the guy that did the song 'Cars'? Yep, him). Most of the tracks here are great, but at 18 songs long does the entire album stack up? Well, there are some tunes on here that I skip, namely 'Touch & Go', 'Ain't Takin' No Shhh', and ' Pick up on This', but the majority of the stuff here is good, so if you're a hip-hop fan that wants to witness a modern album by a legend (who may have possibly been the first rapper ever), check this out. June 15, 2007

Moving At The Speed of Funk

So Afrika must have gotten tired of the shadows. His newest opus hit the shelves on October 26th, 2004. It's called Dark Matter: Moving At the Speed of Light and it's truly worth of Afrika's name. It's difficult to explain this album simply in terms of Afrika's history since it's largely a techno album with some hip hop elements, and the status of most electronic music is lamentable got too many subgenres to discuss without someone getting upset. But there's something beautiful about this album. Not only is it not missing a beat, and has Afrika at the peak of his game playing in a style that's familiar, it's llike 80s Bambaataa armed with modern technology and some of the most awesome production possible. The overall sound is so thick and noisy with amazing beats, clicks, african chants, sitars, world percussion, electrodrum assaults, and the occasionally insane speed rap from the many guest stars on this album that it's hard to even catch your breath. Weighing in at 72 minutes, it's also a hefty chunk of music in toto.

While the album has its LARGE SHARE OF FILLER (70 minutes you're practically guaranteed that, with "Pick Up on This" and "No Dope Fiends on the Floor" as unfortunate examples), it's got some songs on it that are just plain perfect. From the opening salvo of "Got That Vibe," with its speed rapping from King Kamonzi and sitar slinging tempo blur, this album is obviously special. From that it cools down to Gary Numan covering his own song with a special guest bluster by MC Chatterbox. If that wasn't wild enough to throw hip hop, new wave, and techno into one insane blender, there's more like that to come. The title track, "Dark Matter", keeps up with just as much speed and an addictive chorus and is personally my favorite with its swirling synth horns and expanding synth leads. The funny thing is the amount of producers Bambaataa flips and then destroys at their own game. Lil' Jon gets beat and shown for the Afrika-plagiarizer he is when Afrika effortlessly pulls up "Just a Smoke" and "Shake n Pop Roll" to old-schoolize the whole Crunk movement. Along with that there's the dark funk provided by "Take You Back" and "Almighty Rah" full with slab bass lines and some wah effects.

Perhaps the greatest standout is Afrika's ease at standing away from the controls. A careful reading of the liner notes reveals there are quite a few tracks he wrote but did not produce, and at time sung over beats made by others. Dark Matter comes out then as more than Bambaataa updated, but Bambaataa also joining with his contemporary electro-descendants while retaining all of trademark sounds. If anything, Afrika gets a little too addicted to shout outs, chants, and tribal drums, but everyone deserves some of their indulgences. For anyone that likes techno, hip hop, or even likes funk this album should suit you. November 30, 2004

Back to the Future with one of Hip Hop's forefathers

The man that brought you Planet Rock and some of the most intense breaking music of the 80's is back. This guy is a legend. If you're into hip hop and want to get a feel for an artist that was probably your favorite current star's inspiration - check this out. This is NEW music with a significant old school influence. It has great production values and sound quality.

As a hip-hop fan for over 25 years, I am telling you cannot go wrong with anything produced by this creative and innovative artist. ROCK - ROCK - Planet Rock - Don't Stop. November 24, 2004

RETURN TO PLANET ROCK

I'm so glad that Afrika Bambaataa is back. His influence in hip hop is undeniable but what is understated is the inspiration he's given to the rock world. Where would bands like Out Hud and !!! be without Bam? It'd be hard to tell but Bam's retro-futuristic space funk has been popping up a lot in new music. With the return of Death Comet Crew and Liquid Liquid, it's nice to see Bam right there with them. There wouldn't be a DFA records without Bam who is the man who built the house of jealous lovers. This is another great outing from a man who has brilliance encoded in his DNA. Viva La Bam! Much respect to this man. November 1, 2004

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