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The Album is the debut album by the group Mantronix.

This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (May 2021)

The Album
Studio album by Mantronix
Released	1985
Studio	New York City, New York
Genre	Electro, hip-hop
Length	35:53
Label	Sleeping Bag[1]
Producer	Mantronik, MC Tee
Mantronix chronology
The Album (1985) Music Madness (1986)
Alternative Cover
British Bonus Tracks Version
Alternative Cover
2008 Expanded Edition

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
Pitchfork Media	8.1/10[3]
Sputnikmusic	[4]

From contemporary reviews, J. D. Considine gave the album a three star rating, noting its sound was "pretty run-of-the mill for hip-hop" with its "vintage electronic percussion" and M.C. Tee's "standard-issue raps."[5] Considine specifically noted that Mantronix "definitely has a way with the music. They assemble their jams with funky finesse, revving up the marhciner behind "Bassline" until the rap evaporates into pure rhythm" and that "Mega-Mix" was "about as CONCRETE as this music gets."[5] "The Album"'s track "Bassline" was praised by Ken Tucker who called it the most well-known cut as "a slinky dance-music composition that employs rap-music cadences to achieve a choppy frenetic effect" while stating the rest of the album "Isn't as innovative" with the exception of "Mega-Mix" which was "almost abstract collage of sound effects, comes close."[6] Paul Mathur of Melody Maker proclaimed the album went "for the paint stripper approach, burning away electro's lesser indulgences and leaving hard core hip hop of the highest order."[7]

The NME placed the album at number 10 on its year-end list of best albums of 1986.[8]

Track listing

1. "Bassline" (Kurtis Mantronik, MC Tee) – 5:26
2. "Needle to the Groove" (Mantronik, MC Tee) – 3:41
3. "Mega-Mix" (Mantronik, MC Tee) – 5:35
4. "Hardcore Hip-Hop" (Mantronik, MC Tee) – 6:18
5. "Ladies" (Mantronik, MC Tee) – 6:55
6. "Get Stupid "Fresh" Part I" (Mantronik, MC Tee) – 3:52
7. "Fresh Is the Word" (Mantronik, MC Tee) – 5:31

Bonus tracks

In February 2006, Virgin/EMI re-released the album in the UK with five bonus tracks and new cover art.

1. "Ladies (Revived)"
2. "Bassline (Stretched)"
3. "Hardcore Hip Hop (NME Mix)"
4. "Ladies (Dub)"
5. "Ladies (Instrumental)"

Double-CD deluxe edition bonus tracks

On February 12, 2008, Traffic Entertainment Group released a double-CD edition of the album, titled simply Mantronix, with an extra disc and new cover art. The extra tracks are as follows:

1. Bassline (Club Version)
2. Needle to the Groove (12" Version)
3. Fresh is the Word (12" Version)
4. Ladies (UK Remix)
5. Bassline (Radio Version)
6. Bassline (12" Version)
7. Needle to the Groove (Alternate Version)
8. Jamming on the Groove
9. Needle to the Groove (Live)
10. Ladies (Live)
11. Ladies (A Capella)
12. Get Stupid "Fresh" Part 1 (A Capella)
13. Fresh is the Word (Radio Version)
14. Fresh is the Beat
15. Fresh is the Word (A Capella)

Chart positions

Album

Chart (1986)	Peak position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums	47

Singles

Year	Single	Billboard chart	Position
1985	"Fresh Is the Word"	Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales	16
1985	"Needle to the Groove"	Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales	23

References

Sources

• Considine, J. D. (September 6, 1986). "Joel's Bridge Doesn't Cross River". The Salinas Californian. p. 30. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
• Mathur, Paul (March 22, 1986). "Mantronix: Mantronix: The Album (10)". Melody Maker. Retrieved November 1, 2020 – via Rock's Backpages.
• Tucker, Ken (July 11, 1986). "'Legal Eagles' Theme Song is Weakest from Strong, new Rod Stewart Album". Spokane Chronicle. p. 40. Retrieved August 12, 2020.

External links

• Mantronix: The Album at allmusic

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