Bobby Evans: "Freak-A-Zoid Robotz"

LA’s got a real moment going on right now—just ask any one of the many futuristic, electro-tinged beatmakers making the cutting-edge scene. Amidst this climate, Delicious Vinyl has astutely offered reissues and remixes galore to shed light on its LA hip-hop legacy and electro future. Last year, Don Rimini’s massive take on Young MC’s “Bust A Move” magically translated that track from ’90s party classic to noughties party bumper, all without feeling trite of derivative.

Now it’s Bobby Evans’ turn, apparently, as his “Freak-A-Zoid Robotz” makes its rounds as the hot Delicious Vinyl remix of the moment. Built loosely around some (heavily vocoded) samples from a Tone Loc b-side, “Robotz” is Cybotron’s electro-breaks classic “Clear” (complete with bouncy ascending synth riff) for the modern electro-house crowd. If it’s not quite the grabber that Rimini’s “Bust A Move” take was, it makes up for it with an ability to infect your head much like…well, Cybotron’s “Clear.” As a side-note, it’s available as a level on Tap Tap Revenge, and while my thumbs ache from trying, I still can’t quite nail it.

The video also bears mention here. It involves robots and 8-bit video game environments and attractive women. The former two are certainly in vogue at the moment, while the latter never goes out of style. What’s interesting to think about, though, is how undeniably mainstream this kind of thing is right now. I’ll go back to Cybotron once again—remember when people used to think that this kind of futuristic robo-shock talk was just mental? How about Laurie Anderson? Even Roger Troutman drew some eyebrows in his day. Maybe it’s thanks to technology, or perhaps Kanye, but we’ve reached that point where electronically-altered vocals and futuristic imagery feel pretty “now.” Even Black Eyed Peas have made their stab at electro-rap (deservedly trashed by David Ritter), which means that now, more than ever, we need good electro-hop to remind us why we keep coming back. I have to believe that Bobby Evans realizes the situation, and good for him if he can press out some Florida booty citrus-flavored funk with it. “Freak-A-Zoid Robotz” is funky and very electronic, and I won’t be surprised to see it in an ad for Target some time soon.