Bassnectar

Imagine Spank Rock producer/DFA ex-pat Armani XXXchange shirtless, bouncing mindlessly in front of a mirror, spraying Axe in time to chilled break beats with a sultry MC breathing Spanish prose to jocular bass lines — a likely scene. The song the baron of underground eclectic cool is listening to is "Yo,” produced by Lorin Ashton, featuring KristinaMaria. Ashton’s already reached feats most electronic composers never even aspire to, having worked with KRS-One and Buckethead for Bassnectar’s 2005 release, Mezmerizing The Ultra. With Underground Communication, Ashton aims for more abstract achievements, namely unifying revolutionary forces from independent, truth-seeking communities. The cover — a metallic fist fashioned out of dozens of speakers thrusting out of the satellite-laden ground — signifies successful grass roots progressive politics championing over corporate propaganda. Lyrically, there are a handful of guest spots from MCs like Persia, Nibu and an El-P-sounding Seasunz; they’re only covertly politically. Nonetheless, the message comes through loud and clear, with a soundtrack hardly short of captivating. Through 80 minutes, Bassnectar approaches surreal club-beats via IDM, dub and drum & bass-style hip-hop, imparting serene sonic spaces, uniting tastemakers and pace setting for global communities. Although the liner notes are the record’s most revolutionary part, that doesn’t slight this subversive collection.