Ten-years-ago Portland icon Emancipator was another kid in his bedroom putting out beats. He compiled these songs into a full-length album that would go on to lay the bedrock to the trip-hop genre. When his beats made his way to the late-legendary hip-hop producer Nujabes, Emancipator's path took a sharp and unprecedented turn as he signed his first album Soon It Will Be Cold Enough to Nujabes' Hydeout Productions- and the rest is history. A decade of sold-out shows and critically acclaimed productions later, Emancipator is now looking back on his already storied career with the release of a new EP featuring two previously un-released tracks "Maps & Father King."

Originally created for his debut LP Soon It Will Be Cold Enough, but ultimately omitted from the final tracklist, "Maps & Father King" evoke the true roots and spirit of Emancipator's sound from its most primal days. Side A of the EP, "Maps," is a electric-guitar driven production whose atmospheric synth and intuitively designed melodies compile for a atmospheric ear-full. In addition to the original, renowned producer/DJ Star Slinger flexes on his own remix that results in a sound that is comes in like a jazz-y Tycho with a touch of steel drum. Kodak To Graph also takes "Maps" into the lab to give a the tune a more experimental vibe with sonic distortions and a more psychedelic feel.

Side B, "Father King" is a cosmic whirlwind of electronic, and classical string and guitar instrumentation that results in a sound akin to a chilled out Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Hoping on the remixes, Emancipator passes the torch to both Catching Flies and Imagine Herbal Flows for two stand alone productions that are both unique and clever in their revision.

Pick up the "Maps & Father Kind" EP courtesy of Emancipator's Loci records on digital on vinyl here.