This summer, the always-distinct sound of Gramatik made a distinguished album in Epigram (QRO review), by combining the old rap sounds with the new, while adding the likes of musical guests Raekwon and Leo Napier. Playing off of that, Gramatik hopes to continue in this vein in Epigram: Deluxe Edition, with many instrumentals, plus differing, even epic sounding unheard renditions of the rap songs. The drama of the initial release very much remains, however, with a bit more focus on instruments with lyrical poise in some areas, atmosphere is the result, tracks that are much more trippy but also relaxing jams for a playlist style sound.
In particular there are many remixes, the “Animus Mundi” remixes are good, there are many versions of “Native Son” and “War of the Currents”. “Native Son (Noisy Freaks Remix)” is really special piano based theme and “Anima Mundi” is always smooth, remixed by Kotek and Luxxas, there is even lots of soul in the somewhat louder “War of the Currents” renditions.
Probably “Native Son” takes the show here with the very interesting city vibe and soul in these remixes, “Life wasn’t easy,” repeated in the remix by The Geek vs. Vrv, and the ever-ethereal “Electric Mantis Remix”, plus the “Great Dane Remix” version of rehearsals. The rap recorded vocals in lyric in, “The Native Son Prequel (Dabin Remix)”.
There are some solid songs really amazingly not remixed, “Corporate Demons” or “Room 355”, these are both good in the original “Eat Liver (Labach)” gets one only, which is ok, the drums are ok here.
Maybe the best way to sum up or review a remix special or deluxe edition is by giving more songs for the listeners to click on; most of these are particularly good tracks. Here goes: the extra instrumentals are all good with almost every inch of the recordings being worthwhile just for the piano and keyboards; being into the type of stylings, with jams for guitarists or hip-hop hardcore beat enthusiasts, which in and of itself is what made Epigram and this as well great.
First, look at the “Native Son Prequel” remixes, the “(Jenaux Remix)” “(Dabin Remix)” “(Myrne Remix)”, then the many popular “Native Son” remixes, the “(Awoltalk Remix)”, “(Electric Mantis Remix)”, “(Great Dane Remix)”, “(Luxas Remix)”, “(Medasin Remix)”, the aforementioned ”(Geek vs. the Vrv Remix)” and ”(The Noisy Freaks Remix)”, and last “(Feat. Raekwon, Leo Napier, Prob Cause)”.
Thirdly, there are the “War of the Currents Remixes”, with an “Instrumental”, “(Lookas Remix)” “(Gill Chang Remix)”, “(Prob Cause Remix)”, which all are good, though they may end up being too loud for some. The best of the others, depending on your taste, are in particular, the one “Eat Liver Instrumental”, and of course, the three ”Satoshi Nakamoto Remixes”, “(Psymbionic Remix)” would be the one to look at.
Lastly, the ”Anima Mundi” (Lokki Remix)” and “(Kotek remix)” are both a bit louder and more dramatic, but just as good as the exceptional original.
”Native Son” has been remixed many times here, many just accentuate what Gramatik, Leo Napier, Raekwon, and the instruments were already doing, but many also do a bit more with the instruments like the sound, which makes the “Anima Mundi” remixes appealing. Plus, overall, Epigram: Deluxe Edition, just particularly solid instruments, and fans of modern rap, fans of soul, as well as instrumental enthusiasts ought to fit this in for the instrumentals. Whether you want the deluxe is another matter, as the original is good, but with more versions of the soulful “Native Son”, with a few extra instrumentals, and extra modern “War of the Currents” surely some will, and it is worthwhile.
