Mantronix, The Album (side A)

Mantronix coupled underground hip-hop with electro on 1985's distinctive The Album.  The bass has impact to spare, thanks in part to the simple arrangements.  Kurtis Mantronik's vocals sound great, and the lyrics are well-crafted.  Vocoders, sampling delays, and '80s drum machines were obviously state-of-the-art at the time, and while the dated technology can feel charming, memorable songs like "Fresh is the Word", "Bassline", and "Needle to the Groove" have aged gracefully.  Beck, of course, has given Mantronix pop-culture cachet by appropriating "two turntables and a microphone" from "Needle to the Groove".  The iconic cover emphasizes the idea of stripped-down simplicity.