Over the past couple of years the French rap scene appears to have moved towards a point of creative stagnation. Indeed, only a handful of French rap artists have shown themselves willing, or even capable of bringing a new touch to the genre. Meanwhile, the major labels have continued to focus on record sales, releasing increasingly commercial rap albums aimed at teenage radio stations such as Skyrock. Rap fans looking for authentic hip hop or a hint of genuine rap rage have had to turn to independent labels to find any kind of musical satisfaction.

Fortunately, Akhenaton's new compilation, Electro Cypher, has sent a breath of fresh air gusting through the stagnant French rap landscape. And, ironically enough, Akhenaton's new approach is based on turning back to the old rap classics of the 80s.

Cast your mind back to the 80s when school playgrounds were struck by the breakdance craze and France discovered the existence of hip hop thanks to Sydney's cult show "Breakdance"(broadcast on Sunday afternoons on the then public channel TF1). The early 80s was a time when newly-fledged French hip hop fans rushed out to buy the latest LPs by the likes of the Sugar Hill Gang, Spoonie G & The Sequence and Eric B. & Rakim. These are the fertile sources from which Akhenaton draws inspiration on his thoroughly modern compilation Electro Cypher.
Released in October 2000, Electro Cypher taps fully into the electro vein, positioning itself somewhere between Kraftwerk and Afrika Bambaata. But surprisingly, for an album based on electro and dance beats, not all of the 14 tracks featured on it are that suited to the dancefloor (The Battle and Fat Bas being two cases in point).

Akhenaton came up with the idea for his original project last year after putting the finishing touches to his film Comme un aimant. In the meantime Belsunce Breakdown (recorded by the very Marseilles-style Bouga) had been released from the film soundtrack and scored a huge hit with music fans, rocketing into the French and Belgian Top 10 and staying there for several weeks.

Encouraged by the chart success of Belsunce Breakdown, Akhenaton went straight back into the studio and began work on his Electro Cypher compilation. Une autre dimension, the first single release from the album, was soon emulating the success of Belsunce Breakdown and scoring a hit on the French airwaves. Using free time in between recording the film soundtracks of Comme un aimant and Taxi 2, Akhenaton set about enlisting a crack team of producers (which included himself, Akos, Bouga, Bruizza, DJ Ralph, DJ Sya Style, Freeman, Hal, K Rhyme Le Roi, Turntable Dragun'z and Zenn & Barou). Meanwhile, IAM's manager, Fabien Fragione, working with Al-Kheyma (an offshoot of La Cosca), put together an equally awesome collection of rappers, singers and toasters including Daddy Nuttea, Jalane, Tairo, Freeman, Chiens de Paille, K Rhyme Le Roi and Bruizza.

Given this impressive rap line-up, it comes as no surprise to find 14 eminently listenable tracks on Electro Cypher. Obvious highlights include Une autre dimension, Marseille In The House and Miami Bass (a tribute to 2 Live Crew). The excellent How It Is features a striking mix of DJ scratching and mandolines (!) and Space Cannibals revolves around the hypnotic trance sound of an aboriginal didgeridoo. So, whatever yu do, don't be put off by hyper-critical music purists - Akhenaton and his musical compatriots from Marseilles prove that a healthy fusion of rap and electro beats can work brilliantly well!

Gilles Rio
English Text by Julie Street

Electro Cypher (Labels/Virgin)