Tack-Fu (85 decibel Monks)

Classic hip-hop beat crafting with artistic flair. Not just break beats and repetitive loops, but more of an audible experience when you get a sonic scoop of the diverse musical combinations courtesy of producer Tack-Fu and his production collaborators titled the "85 decibel Monks." His circle of trusted musicians, DJ's and studio engineers who operate under the umbrella of the logo, apply their specialized skill set to enhance the audio signal during the creative process of beat building. The equipment & workflow may have changed over time, but the broadcast quality standards set 20 years ago continue to resonate today. Music aficionados dubbed it the "85 dB Monk Signature" sound, but the artists involved from the scratch mixes to the final master...prefer the term "Amplified Authentic". Tack-Fu has been hammering out beats in his recording lab since the late 90's and has released 3 compilation CDs ("Yen & Slang" ('98) / "Chained Reaction" ('00) / "Tack-Fu Presents: 85 decibel Monks" ('04) ) and several of his instrumentals have appeared on cable television channels (MTV, VH1, A&E, Discovery, & many others) since 2005. Music licensing for cable television & low-budget cinema have served the production outfit quite generously, but the chief of the 85 dB tribe felt a return to the fundamentals of song construction for public consumption and scrutiny was long overdue. "The landscape has shifted once again with digital distribution and music streaming services," elaborated Tack-Fu. "I cut my teeth using physical artifacts; a compact disk paired with a glossy press kit. Mailing that package to college radio stations and niche music magazines were outlets that an independent label/artist depended on to gain traction. After the marketing campaign, finding a reputable distributor that catered to the underground hip-hop aesthetic was a nightmare. The web site was a nice tool to have in the back pocket during that era, but it wasn't the engine that fueled the market. The script has flipped and the dialouge reads loud & clear... unlimited access, less hoops to jump through and a world possibilities for the independent artist on the outside looking in." Time marches on and the way music is made, dispersed and consumed seems to have the consistency of water flowing from one container to another, always changing shape. However, there are a few qualities in the realm of audio production that Tack-Fu won't shapeshift. "Listeners should receive a healthy dose of a well-crafted groove, not just repetitive loops layered on top of each other. The various artists involved in this 85 decibel Monk music collective helped fill in the blanks and supply the necessary bond to form a solid soundtrack." states Tack-Fu. "Tack is an artist in the recording studio," explains Grover Beats XL, a multi-instrument musician who gravitated to the vibe and the vision of the collective 10 years ago. "Listeners should be ready to go on a musical journey; his presentations will exceed your expectations." Every recording is designed to fill the soul with a satisfying listening experience. Phat beats, groovy basslines, funky instruments and the finest sound quality. Check out the music...enjoy the ride.

I grew up with an record player and huge stack of 45's. I would jump on my bike and hit up garage sales, looking for records with the coolest looking labels. Back then I was paying maybe a quarter for a handful, so you can imagine the different styles of music I had tucked in my closet. When hip-hop music hit in the mid 80's, that was it for me. I knew hip-hop/rap music was going to grow and become widely popular and I wanted to be apart of it.

Old records to lift samples, sound forge & acid software.

With a little tip of the cap to the legendary Bruce Lee, "Be as Water, My Friend."