Madvillain Money Folder (Four Tet Remix)

We're taking it back to 2005  for this frenetic Four Tet remix of Madvillain's "Money Folder." After the the realease of Madvilliany, Stones Throw Records attempted to compile a short setlist of remixes by Koushik and Four Tet as a supplement to the album. The project got bounced around for almost a year and ended up falling largely under the radar (due in part to an iTunes-only initial release in the U.S.)

Despite its relative obscurity, the double release was laden with gems, including Four Tet's rendition of "Money Folder." Kieren Hebden, the man behind the Four Tet monicker, abandons Doom's more blunted downtempo composition for a frantic acid jazz-influenced take on the cut. Having just released Everything Ecstatic, Four Tet was heavily sampling a lot of free jazz, and that definitely shines through in the remix.

At moments, Hebden nearly lets the track boil over with tumultuous horns, barrages of snares, symbol crashes, and a cacophony of electronic clamor. But just when the remix is on the verge of collapse, he punches it back in with that crispy synth line, Doom starts back up, and I'm left a little slack jawed.

Four Tet opted for a pretty bold reworking of the original cut, but I find the way he casts you way, way out there just to reel you back in so rewarding. For fans of Doom, Madlib, or Four Tet: if you missed this back, then it's definitely still worth a listen now.