Praktikos’ Chillactic Beat Tape (Vol. 1) is self-described by the artist himself as “a 10-track instrumental collection featuring a unique blend of ambient spacey Hip-Hop beats. Perfect for freestyling, contemplation, or just kicking back after a long day;” it’s fittingly tagged on Bandcamp as “experimental hip-hop, instrumental hip-hop, rap, ambient, beat tape, beattapes, chill beats, chill hop, downtempo, instrumental, Oakland” and within its download file, contains a handy Leasing Rights PDF, so that artists can freely re-use its beats on their own personal projects. While listening to Chillactic’s 10 contained tracks, I readily hear influence drawn from J Dilla, Brainfeeder mastermind Flying Lotus, and Enigma, as well as an almost Radiohead or Aphex Twin-esque sense of tediously planned self-destructiveness… akin to Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke’s critically-acclaimed sporadic work with Stones Throw-affiliated masked villainous emcee, DOOM. Chillactic is currently available to stream at either Soundcloud or within the 3-minute “demo reel” player below, as well as for purchase from Praktikos’ Bandcamp page for a reasonably-priced $7.99 (or more). His next project, the proper follow-up to Chillactic Beat Tape (Vol. 1), Departure EP is currently planned for a November 21st release. – Matt Horowitz (The Witzard music blog http://ift.tt/2fbM5YL)
