Single Review: Tittyshaker by Analog Mutants

 

Tittyshaker

By

Analog Mutants

 

It’s always good to have the Analog Mutants here on the blog and this new single is no exception. This is also the first single from the Analog Mutants not to feature DJ Grazzhoppa as there are no cuts on this one. Production comes from DJ Snafu and vocals from Phill Most Chill.

Now, there is a little bit of a story behind the beat and title of this one. I was struggling a little bit with certain aspects of this one, and although I had an idea what this one was all about, I decided to ask Snafu for a little bit more. The sample comes from an obscure genre of music called Titty Shaker. This form of music from the 1950’s is hard to define, as it is mainly instrumental but usually with a single word chorus. An example of this would be the track Tequila by The Champs. This is a form of music that was widely used in the strip joints of Vegas and also in Go-Go dancer shows, hence the genre was coined as Titty Shaker. Snafu found a sample he loved the most and turned it into an instrumental called Tittyshaker and then sent it to PMC who crafted his lyrics around the beat and its title.

Tittyshaker has this upbeat funky vibe which features guitars, keys and horns, this brings an infectious sound that injects movement into your body and brings a huge smile with it. This fits perfectly with PMC’s tongue-in-cheek lyrics that are not only reflect the title but, also serve as fun filled ode to the female form, actually one certain aspect of the female form that many of you reading this, have a certain attraction to!

This one is definitely an energy filled track that is one of those just for fun sounds that everyone enjoys bouncing to, and this is definitely one of the clubs. As it will undoubtedly get everyone up regardless of your take on this.

However, it would be amiss of me not to mention one thing, which is that the genre of Titty Shaker music is built on the objectification of the female form, and this will mean that there are some people that may well not like this for just that reason. Now, like it or not, there has been a lot of the objectification of the female form in some areas of Hip Hop music and other genre’s. I do not support this objectification but, after giving this one several listens, it is obvious that this definitely has that tongue-in-cheek aspect and is not written to promote the objectification of the female form but, more just celebrates one part of the female form that makes a woman, a woman (I say that with the greatest of respect to all Women). Plus, there are more than a few men out there who could quite easily shake their own titties too!

The B-Side to this one is the Tittyshaker (Mod Edit) which takes the track and strips back the vocals to give you a sound that more closely matches the original genre of music leaving just the bare bones of PMC’s chorus as the vocal part.

Overall, Tittyshaker is another banger from the Analog Mutants that with have everyone grooving, proving that you can take any obscure genre of music and turn it into a banger. DJ Snafu does a great job of doing just that here, finding something truly obscure and bringing it into the now. Plus, PMC gives us the kind of infectious lyrics that just match the vibe of the production, both of which flow so well and are choc full of energy, fun and more.

Now, whatever you may think of this one, it is definitely one to have a listen to and make up your own mind to, and you can’t ignore the fact that its infectious vibe will get you moving in some way shape and form.

Tittyshaker is out now on Nobody Buys records, with the vinyl versions selling like hot cakes (They are probably sold out by the time you read this).

I’ll see ya next time,

Steve.

LINKS

Grab a copy from NBR Bandcamp Here:

https://nobodybuysrecords.bandcamp.com/album/analog-mutants-tittyshaker-mod-edit

Analog Mutants Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/analogmutants/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076861993571

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdmQVsflTXTcN48kfC5pPFA

Nobody Buys Records Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/nobodybuysrecords/

https://www.facebook.com/NobodyBuysRecords

VIDEOS

Tittyshaker

Tittyshaker (Mod Edit)

 

 

 

 

Album Review: Golden Ape Beat-Tape Vol. 2 - Beats By Dweller Side-B Mixed by DJ Simon C

 

Golden Ape Beat-Tape Vol. 2

Beats by Dweller

Side-B Mixed by DJ Simon C

 

It was about eighteen months ago when a reviewed the first Golden Ape Beat-Tape from Dweller on the Live From The Groove label. That release featured a collection of some of the UKs finest underground beat makers , plus a B-Side that was seamlessly mixed by the legendary Jazz T.

Now Live From The Groove is back with the second instalment, the Golden Ape Beat-Tape Vol 2. This time around the collection of beats all come from label founder Dweller with Side-B being mixed by the labels own DJ Simon C….

That said, let’s get into it…

Each side of the Beat-Tape is nine tracks long and a little under 25 minutes in length. The A-Side kicks off with Misguided Adventure, which has a proper funky head nod vibe that really comes alive with this double bass element that vibrates through your whole body as you groove to the sound. What It Means follows with drums, keys, guitar vibes, flute and more, all coming together to give you a sound that keeps you moving. This one has that kind of vibe that would not see it out of place on a soundtrack of movie or TV series that has an inner city setting or similar. Next up is Chop La Disco which brings this awesome funk fuelled sound that mixes drums, strings, piano and guitars into the kind of sound that has an infectious feel to it. The infectious funk vibe continues on Beam Me Up which has this wicked drum beat over which is this eclectic mix of piano, organ and electronic vibes that picks you up and has you floating off into space. Now you are suitably floating off, its time for North Stars to have you transcending into another dimension with this futuristic beat and electronic vibes. Taking you far away as you allow the sound to permeate your awareness. Without warning the vibe changes with Grubby Luggage, here the sound has a more boom bap feel with a solid beat and funky bass sound that brings back from outer space to get your head nodding once more. Now you suitable grounded once more, Slow Motion Thinking brings a lighter sound with flute, keys, guitars, and a more chilled beat. This one would almost have you chilled right out but for the occasional high paced beat elements that just about keep you in the moment. The penultimate track on this side is the only one to feature a vocal sample thus far as the intro to Pick The Right Way. Here the beat is heavy with electronic elements which seem to fit with the notion that picking the wrong way will take you on a downward spiral to place you don’t want to be. You end this side immersed in a place where you get A Word In Your Ear, one which is full of strings, drums, and cymbals. The sound has this head nod element but, also this vibe that has a more thoughtful edge to it, the kind of sound that fits perfectly when you are in a contemplative mood.

It is now time to flip over to the B-Side where DJ Simon C is about to test the minds of the listener, especially the reviewer who has no idea of track length going into this, with nine beats being perfectly and seamlessly mixed from start to finish. It all kicks off with Cryptwalking, with a heavy beat, bells, keys and more, this one does give you the sense of slowly walking forward, with no real direction and with one eye cast over your shoulder. The beat changes slightly as we move into Flat-tops, where big orchestra horns take the forefront alongside a solid head nod beat. Once more you get that kind of soundtrack vibe before heavy strings join the sound. This carries you into Waterfalls, where the beat and guitar vibes unite with Piano elements to bring this upbeat sound that makes you wonder, what would a waterfall sound like if it had a musical element as is cascaded over your body, and perhaps this is it. The Piano vibes continue with Gut-Wrench which has this Lofi sound that, I have to say, does put you in mind of how you feel having had some gut-wrenching news; carrying you along where you are almost in a daze. Just as you are wondering where this is going, Shot In The Dark drops in with a pulse pounding funk sound that has this awesome uplifting sound with this funky guitar element that puts a grin on your face once more. Sycamore Style kind of drifts into the flow with a drum program and horns that give you a sense being at speed but, also floating at the same time, just like a sycamore seed as it falls to the ground, spinning rapidly while floating slowly on the breeze. Crom’s Lament comes in with a recognisable sample that has that soundtrack vibe to it, alongside heavy drums and cymbals; all of which put you in mind that something big is coming and this is almost the calm before the storm. It is either that or this is the sound of someone coming to terms with their past as their final journey awaits them. Whichever it is there is this emotive edge to this one that conjures up many things for the listener. You won’t be waiting long see what the impending sound was foretelling as The End Of The World is soon upon you. Drums and keys create this deep sound, one that continues that emotive edge, touching you to the very core of your being and making you wonder if there is anything more to this journey; that question is soon answered as Shake The Colours almost explodes into your awareness, instantly pulling you back to the present moment. The upbeat sound of drums, xylophone notes and horns give you an instant adrenaline hit that makes you realise that there is not just a silver lining to the world around you but, that music is the gateway to a brighter future, you just have to let it in…

I have to say that, bringing myself back from this one was a huge task as instrumental music gives me free reign to interpret things however I want and, looking back over my words, I could rewrite this one totally differently if felt like it and even go on for a few more pages yet but, I have to give you some overall impressions, or perhaps I just did…

There are few things that strike you when you have given this a good listen or two, the first of which is the diversity of Dweller’s production across these eighteen tracks. Yes, you can feel that the foundation comes from that boom bap Hip Hop sound but, there are some great elements of other sounds, genre’s and more mixed into each one of these; showing the calibre and an insight into just what he is capable of as a producer. The emotive nature of these tracks really allows you to go anywhere with this one and the fact that it leaves you on a high note means that no matter how you are feeling when you put this one on, it will leave you on a more euphoric note once you get to that last track.

You can’t sum up this one without taking a good look at the B-Side too. DJ Simon C expertly mixes these tracks together, keeping the vibe going all the way through until that last explosion of sound and inferred colour. His addition of cuts across the whole thing also adds depth and keeps that foundation of the Hip Hop sound alive while giving you food for thought without pausing to consider just where the music is taking you; it’s just one long journey to enjoy.

For me this a cracking release that shows exactly what Live From The Groove, Dweller and DJ Simon C have to offer. The Golden Ape Beat-Tape Vol 2 takes things to a different level from Vol 1 and proves that they are true silver backs of the UK Hip Hop scene.

The Golden Ape Beat-Tape Vol 2 is available now and is definitely one not to miss, also make sure you check out the recent review of MNEA ; The Future Introspective EP which is another outstanding release from Live From The Groove

My thanks to Dweller for giving me the chance to bring you this one.

I’ll see you next time,

Steve.

LINKS

Get your copy from one of these links:

https://www.livefromthegroove.com/

https://livefromthegroove.bandcamp.com/album/golden-ape-beat-tape-volume-2

One link for all things LFTG:

https://linktr.ee/livefromthegroove

Live From The Groove Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/livefromthegroove

https://www.instagram.com/livefromthegroove/

VIDEOS

Golden Ape Beat-Tape Vol. 2  Side-A

Golden Ape Beat-Tape Vol. 2  Side-B Mixed by DJ Simon C