The 2nd chapter in Chikaramanga’s beat-album series, "Progressing to the Stone Age,” delves deeper into the essence of mid 90s Hip Hop beats, skillfully crafted using the classic Akai MPC 60 and Maschine. This album is a fusion of authentic 90s Hip Hop vibes, modern technology, and international music/records of 70s and 80s.
Track List:
Reboot
Echoes
The Warp
42
The Echelons
A Tech Tale
Loop Logic
Digital Past
Telescope
Tokyo Tengoku
Produced by Chikaramanga Mixed and Mastered by NOAH
Chikaramanga, revered for his role in the iconic Los Angeles-based hip hop collective Giant Panda, has brought his craft back to his hometown of Tokyo. With a prolific history in the underground hip hop scene of the early 2000s, he was a driving force behind Giant Panda's two acclaimed albums. Known for his mastery of a classic and vintage Akai sampler, MPC 60, and Maschine, Chikaramanga also leads the LA-based label TRES, supporting its mission to "preserve the tradition, yet stimulate the progress." Drawing inspiration from 70s and 80s Japanese vinyl, his beats transcend eras and continents, bridging generations of hip-hop fans—from those who experienced 90s hip hop firsthand to the current generation discovering its timeless appeal.
Check out 'Soundscapes: 90s Hip Hop Instrumentals', curated by Chikaramanga of Giant Panda. It's a collection of 90s Hip Hop instrumentals on Spotify. While instrumental versions of many 90s Hip Hop tracks remain elusive on Spotify, Chikaramanga has carefully chosen instrumentals that minimize vocal elements, ensuring listeners can appreciate the details of each beat. You can hear how beats for those classic Hip Hop tracks were put together – the layers, sequences, and all that.
Emerging from the dynamic scene of Los Angeles during his time with the illustrious hip-hop collective Giant Panda and Tres Records, Chikaramanga has returned to his Tokyo roots, evolving his sonic journey. "Progressing to the Stone Age Phase One" presents a rich palette of sounds, a testament to Chikaramanga’s ever-expanding artistry.
The track "Jobs" unfolds with a purposeful, slow tempo — its heavy drums and jazzy, enigmatic samples exude an atmospheric depth. In contrast, "A Friendly Reminder" stands out with its innovative drum programming, intertwining with Japanese Shamisen strings to offer a blend of nostalgia and invigorating melodies. Yet, one of the album's crowning jewels is "Back-of-the-envelope Calculation." Arguably one of the most potent tracks, its heavy drums and captivating samples evoke a unique sense of retrofuturism, echoing the vision of tomorrow as imagined by the visionaries of the 1970s.
In Tokyo, Chikaramanga fuses the nostalgic allure of 90s vintage samplers with the sharpness of modern "Maschine" techniques. His compositions delve deep into the world of 70s and 80s Japanese vinyl, often drawing from the cinematic melodies of movie and anime soundtracks.
Delve into "Progressing to the Stone Age Phase One" for an auditory experience that spans decades and cultures, where Chikaramanga seamlessly bridges the past with the present, ever embodying Tres Records' mission: "Preserve the tradition, yet stimulate the progress."
"Progressing to the Stone Age Phase One" is a digital-only release. It will be available on all major digital platforms worldwide on the release date, 12/1/2023.
All tracks produced by Chikaramanga and Mixed and Mastered by NOAH