Of the thinking behind Mndsgn, aka Ringgo Ancheta‘s fifth album, he explains, “I think of all the posthumous Dilla leaks, and how I’ve always been just as, if not more inspired by the stuff that was never supposed to come out. Albums should be proper meals, but every now and then a snack can really hold you over.” As such the San Diego producer has produced an album inspired by the beat-tapes and Dilla releases as a treat between what he regards as weightier musical tomes, but as it turns out, this is more than enough to keep you going.
The constantly creative Ancheta found himself with a excess of unheard and unreleased music, and Snaxx is a follow up to his self-released tape of remixes, Snax (one x), bringing in guests including Pink Siifu and Jon Bapp, and pulled together tracks from his hybrid DJ/live shows. With beats an funk spilling out of his and scattered all over the album, what was meant as, well, Snaxx actually turns out to be his most enjoyable, engaging and satisfying album yet.
Like Dilla, Ancheta has an innate ability to say what he needs to say in an imaginative and compelling way over very short vignettes of songs. Highlights are aplenty, but Deviled Eggs with its slightly skewed, tumbling synth lines oozes funk, while the clever samples, jazz stylings and smooth soul of follow on Cashoos make it to the revered repeated listen on first hearing status. Opener Comethru with its wonky opening and with oddly nightmarish beats spewing out is another track that grabs your attention.
And that is essentially the secret of the success of Snaxx. What could be the soundtrack of the summer months, something to talk over and nod long to when sipping a drink actually takes you by the lapels, gets close to you and talks in the most intoxicating of beats to you, so much so you can’t drag yourself away. This isn’t a snack. This is a feast.
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