Ammoncontact - Ammoncontact

Finally, a hip-hop album that sounds kind of like the Boredoms! Staples of the LA scene, Carlos Nino and Fabian Ammon work tracks filled with sounds that shouldn't belong in hip-hop's narrow minded pettiness, but build them into exquisite beats over which several choice MCs wax poetic. Kamau Daaood, Abstract Rude and Prince Po jump up on the mic, while Cut Chemist and the unstoppably dope Daedelus crop up on the beats. And by and large, it manages to be nice and bouncy as well as being intelligent. There are also several passages of that passe ambiance that is Ninja Tune's stock-and-trade, but I suppose that's in their contract. Despite that, it's easy to get down with their bleepy-soul and freaky funk and make like summer's here early. [Ali Maloney]