.com Dan the Automator's release on the DJs-only label Sequence Records is a blessing to music lovers who've slowed down their record collecting. Most of the songs featured on Wanna Buy a Monkey? are culled from the artist's own albums, but the sophisticated blend of journeymen MCs and edgy ambient groups makes it easy for every listener to find something "new" to dig. Hard-core De La Soul fans may fall in love with Lovage's whisper-soft groove, while Bobby Digi's loose and funky turn on the Tru Master-produced "The Rhumba" might inspire those who appreciate Zero 7's chill-out lullabies to discover the joy of hip-hop. Both camps will enjoy the original version of Gorillaz's "Latin Simone," which recalls the languid, horns-influenced sound of the later-era Specials. But the clear winner here is Black Rob's "Smoothness." Produced by Dan the Automator, the much-slept-on Bad Boy alumni's flow is reminiscent of Big Daddy Kane at his peak--so tightly focused, so all-out smooth it'll have you begging for more. --Rebecca Levine
M**
Rocking it
Album came in excellent condition, in protective packaging.Classic hip hop album produced by an almost legendary dj/producer. This album not only chronicals some of the amazing projects he's worked on, it's put together in an excellent flow that keeps you listening until it's end. A true masterpiece for fans of old school and underground hip hop.
K**A
Watch out for spiderwebs
some scratches, look whoever for this out. Merry Christmas I got a Telya I was not a fan I'm not a fan of anything I rock my arm for soul I rock my own soul I own my own soul. I saw Dan do thisAlive in NYC back that it it was like you were listening to it down live amazing Dan is the man that knows everything in between the lines
A**K
Buy the monkey
Fantastic album. So glad it’s still available to purchase
N**M
Wanna buy a dope ass mix tape?
This album is magical. It's really more of a mixtape, but it's still beautifully tied together.
D**U
Five Stars
Super aWSEOME
A**R
A mixtape session of far-flung proportions
This is a hard album to recommend to a person. It's not that the album isn't any good - it's easily Dan's best offering in the past couple of years, since the Handsome Boy Modeling School record at least - it's just that it's a sampling of Dan's tastes and his tastes are all over the place to say the least. He's produced some great tracks over the years, so any chance you get to see what Dan might put on at a party at his house is a compelling trip you can't help but at least get your feet wet on.It's even a hard record to suggest to fans of Dan's work if they happen to approach this album from only one source of awareness about what he does as a producer/composer. If you're only hip to his Dr. Octagon work, you'll find some track son here, but if you dig the dreamier "Lovage" record, he's also got you covered. I'm sure someone at Sequence thought it would be a great way to get people caught up on Dan who may be just coming to his catalogue, but it's about as diverse as a mix tape gets, so don't think that you're going to be getting the next Lyricist Lounge or something. It's underground flavored, but his flavors are WAY underground.All assumptions aside, it's a very good record. it has some spots that I don't dig, but there's so much variety here that it's one of those rare records that actually makes you feel smarter with each listen. You definitely have to hit it with an already open mind, since the songs aren't picked to be charttoppers, but mind-boppers. You have to have a pretty developed sense of musical awareness coupled with a wide appreciation for differing styles (kind of like the Vikter Duplaix "DJ Kicks" record, but even more underground and hip-hop drum trashy), but it pays off in great dividends.
H**E
Total ripoff
There was no monkey in this box. I better order it again just in case I got a fluke. 5/5, will buy again.
F**0
The Automator Proves He's not just an Expectional producer..
Experiential Hip-Hop producer and one half of "Handsome Boy Modelling School"...Dan the Automator, has a CV in Hip-Hop few can compete with, Having Produced some of the most influential Alternative Hip-Hop albums ever: ("Handsome boy Modelling School/Dr Octagon/Deltron 3030), most people forget that he's also a gifted Dj. And it's with this album that Dan produces a sublime mixtape of tracks that he's produced, as well as other artistes work. His tracklist mixes Progressive Hip-Hop tracks: (Deltron, Black Rob, X-cutioners), Funky breaks, Trip-Hop & smooth Electronica: (Brand Nubian, Dilated Peoples, Bobby Digital, Lovage), with the completely unexpected & not strictly Hip-Hop: (Doves, Air, Gorillaz, Tortoise)....but the moment he moves approximately a quarter of the way in to the mix, from the flat out Hip-Hop of "Deltron's - Positive Contact" into "Air's - Le Soleil est Pres de Moi", and then into "Zero 7's - Destiny" is pinnacle moment in Mix tape sensibilities...as mixing Hip-Hop into Electronica is absolutely no easy task, and it just beautifully illustrates why Dan is so vitally important to the ongoing evolution of Hip-Hop. (P.s. It should be noted that I rate this superb Album 4 1/2 Stars)
D**N
Four Stars
Good
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