Mummy Fortuna's Theatre CompanyBorn of Man & FliesReview

For a while, we thought it was only us who were beginning to grow tired of the same old blunts 'n' gats 'n' cristal 'n' hoochie haze of hip-hop hooliganism. So it was with some surprise that when British uber-electronica label Warp Records decided to take matters into their own hands to form their own experimental hip-hop label,our heads were turned in one of those "three guys walk into a pub, needle goes scratching off the jukebox rather loudly" kind of way.

Warp, however,knew exactly what they were doing and their beat oriented offshoot Lex has become one of the shining stars in the experimental post hip-hop world. Having already released material from the likes ofReq, Disflex6, Kid Acne and Boom Bip, this looks to be a banner year for the label and this release should further that direction with ease.

The CD kicks off with "The Evaporation Of Manmade Angels",which seems to be the originalversion of the "Toy Chest" track included on the Lexoleum One compilation released earlier this year. In this demo version, the song has been stripped down to nothing but a rolling beat and a wonderful minimal piano run over which members Coop and Sketch rap so quickly, it will make your head spin. Fans of the original will enjoy this alternative take immensely.

From there on in, Born Of Man & Fliestakes us even deeper, the music switching gears from ambient pianos to an experimental indie-rock jam session and then right back again without losing any momentum. The Brighton based duo love contrast and even when the songs turn it up a notch like in "The Cerulean Lamp / Spider Says", they never lose the plot. Just check out the transition into Spider Says, where the track turns inside-out into a gorgeous Aphex Twin-esque ambient collage. It's like Daddy Freddy and Gavin Bryars decided to have a nice walk in the countryside and pick some of those lovely little mushrooms that grow there, then put the results to tape.

Furthering the conceptual evolution of hip-hop like their peers Req, Anti-Pop Consortium and Boom Bip, Mummy Fortuna's Theatre Company are another of a new breed of producers and MCs who are rebelling against the often clichéd and hackneyed world of hip-hop and doing something completely new and unique. Budding producers could learn a lot from these guys...here's hoping there's lots more to come.

A very promising start from one of the most original acts we've heard this year. Watch this space closely.

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