Due Remember: Kurtis Mantronik

Joyfully looking back into the years for inspiration (specifically ‘87-‘88 era here), I can recall a handful of urban electronic beat kings consistently bringing the heat with each & every release.  Without a doubt, Rick Rubin and Teddy Riley quickly come to mind.  However, one specific moniker tends to occasionally escape the conversation.  That’s gotta change.

Like many DJ/ remixers, Kurtis Mantronik got his start in that favorite meet-up spot for music fanatics (past-tense)…the record store.  Having moved from Jamaica to NY during one of The City’s musically-richest times, his talent & vision were undoubtedly bound to connect with like-minded music zealots that would help provide the foundation for such an amazing legacy to come.  During his brief tenure at the infamous Downtown Records, he met Haitian-born MC Tee, and went on to form Mantronix. 

The fortunate results of this pairing produced one of the greatest Hip Hop singles of all-time (no matter what part of the planet you’re on),  “Fresh Is The Word” (1985).  A big factor in the staying power of this particular record is that it was released at a time when the charts (especially the “rap music” ones) were flooded with songs that were primarily made up of James Brown samples.  Having taken his major electronic influences from the likes of the BX’s Afrika Bambaataa plus Germany’s Kraftwerk, Mantronik felt his sound would hit hardest simply using the legendary “Champ” (by The Mohawks) sample, combined with the masterful use of Roland’s TR-808 drum machine.  First-hand testimony, whenever you heard the signature kick-clap 4-bar sequence in the very beginning coming out the speakers, your party was officially stamped “LIVE”.  The breakout dancefloor success of such gutsy moves as this, virtually made ‘85 the year of Mantronix.

Between the years of ‘85 and ‘91, Mantronix went on to release 5 full length albums, with styles ranging from Hip Hop & electro to Soul/ R&B.  However, Kurtis Mantronik’s work didn’t stop in the studio.  Additionally, as an executive throughout this same period, he managed to produce, direct, and oversee various monumental projects from the likes of Joyce Sims, Nocera, and Boogie Down Productions, to name a few [amongst other accomplishments, he’ll forever be in the books as the person who first signed EPMD!].

Personally speaking, I came up in the roller rinks, the “teen clubs”, and weekends doin’ in the park.  I recall now that throughout those years, one of the most impressive swings (i.e. beat pattern movement), consistently seemed to belong to K.M.  A Mantronix beat quickly meant war on the dancefloor; and he quickly became one of the names I’d search liner notes for, when it was time to put the week’s lunch money to good use.  I should credit one Mantronik composition in particular, for influencing me to do whatever it is I call myself doing today…“Got To Have Your Love” featuring Wondress (1990).  Over twenty years later, this track remains “musical crack”.

Mantronik nearly went on to nearly work himself into exhaustion, which eventually brought on a brief hiatus.  He’s since made the U.K. his new home, where he can be found doing what he does best (in a much more dance-oriented setting, have you), while also adding a few video game scores to his portfolio. 

*Versatility, the ability to keep it movin’, all while continuing to distance himself from the played-out…it’s what’s made Kurtis Mantronik the official musical hero he is.  Due Remember.