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

 

 

 

 

EP Review: The Future Introspective EP by MNEA

 

The Future Introspective EP

By

MNEA

 

It was back in July 2023 that I reviewed the debut, and now sold out release ‘End Of Your Era’ by Collective MNEA. Now they are back with the hugely anticipated The Future Introspective EP which keeps the core of the label artists from Live From The Groove but, adds in new features along the way.

The Future Introspective EP sees Dweller on production, mixing and mastering duties. The artwork and design come from Tuff Draft Design alongside artwork concepts by Ethr82. With such a wealth of artists involved in this one, I’ll give you as much information as I can in the review. So, sit back, keep your mind open and join me as I take you through The Future Introspective EP.

As the initial release for the EP is on limited edition vinyl, with streaming coming only once the vinyl is gone, I’m going to refer to side A and B as I go along. The EP kicks off on the A-Side with Look Forward which features King Kashmere, Enlxsh and Dweller, with cuts coming from DJ Cuban Jon and DJ Simon C. The beat is heavy getting your head nodding as soon as it drops; under this beat is an almost eerie sound from keys that grabs your attention enough to keep you focused on the lyrics, while the cuts slice through your awareness with laser like precision. This one looks toward a possible dystopian future for the human race, where we have these dreamscapes put forward by the emcees, each one giving us a bleak look at what’s to come in a future that might be a lot closer that we truly realise. With those bleak thoughts still so raw in our minds, it’s time to Free My Mind with Jess Edie on vocals. The sound eases the anxiety of a bleak future with a vibe that takes you back to the days of Bristol’s Massive Attack or, more recently, the neo-soul of O.Love. Jess brings us a stunning vocal sound that calms the most stressed nerves as she opens up on what she will do to free her mind from all the struggles and strains of life. Now suitably chilled out, its time to join Dweller, Enoch and DJ Simon C for the Rapture. Organ notes and horns mix with an up-tempo drum beat that gets you bouncing once more. This one kind of mixes the definitions of the word rapture in to one track as it brings you that sense of euphoria, teasing you with aspects of looking back at what has  gone before and then looking forward to the start of a new journey; in a way that is uplifting and bringing optimism to the forefront. Side-A is rounded off with Hurt, featuring Laura Vane, this one combines bass and piano as the main elements that give this one a deeply soulful vibe but, with a funky edge. Laura brings this powerfully soulful voice that captures every part of your being as she brings forth the fact that no one can get away from the fact that there are aspects of life that with hurt us. We can do our best to avoid and ignore what’s happening around us but, sooner or later we have to face that facts and it will hurt…

 

With Side-A ending on such an emotive note, it gets you wondering as what Side-B is going to bring. You don’t have wait long as Life’s Many Questions brings a feature from Scrabble and sound that this jazzy funk vibe to it with this mix of drums, keys, guitars and more. Scrabble goes off on this one juxtaposing everything you think might be the answer and whisking your thoughts into a whirlwind, all in the space of a single verse. Still leaving with no real answer to life’s many questions. Next up we find MNEA reworking the track Loose Tongues by indie funk band The Stash Collective. This one features SimpleSamples and Kansul with cuts from DJ Simon C. The sound is heavy with a pounding bassline that gives this one a head banger vibe that will likely have you punching the air. The title of this one describes the track perfectly as its all about letting their tongues loose and spitting forth the kind of bars that have you buzzing from top to bottom. The midpoint of the B-Side brings you The Most Wonderous Part Of Your Life as Conbel Evrence, on co-production, helps bring you this chilled out interlude of laid-back beat and organ notes that takes you to the point of being so relaxed you just want to float off to this one for the rest of the day but, this is MNEA and you know that is not about to happen. The penultimate track of the EP is the Free Your Mind (Extended Mix) which features guest appearances from enlxsh and UK DMC finalist 2024 DJ Rasp alongside Jess Edie. That same neo-soul vibe is here once more, only this time you get a lot more of it and you really feel how that deep bass vibrates your entire body. Enlxsh adds this deep verse that mirrors the sentiments of Jess and is all about looking deep inside to unlock what will truly set you free. DJ Rasp brings the kind of cuts that take your breath away, adding another element to superb extended version. The final track on the EP is the Hurt (Algo Remix). Here we find that Laura Vane’s stunningly powerful vocals and message remain the same, but the huge change here is the DnB sound of the remix. This one turns the tempo up a few notches, which you might think would change the vibe of this one far too much but, the increase in tempo is just enough to keep the message working while taking the track to the kind of level that could well make it a huge club banger. While DnB is not my cup of tea normally, this one actually sounds quite good and does work very well.

 

Now, I’ve kept the descriptions relatively short here but, there is a lot more that you could say about these tracks but, sometimes it’s just not needed. MNEA and Live From The Groove have done a cracking job of dropping an EP that, firstly, is as long as some albums can be these days; secondly, they have experimented with a host of different vibes and sounds that take you on a true audible rollercoaster ride. What this shows is that MNEA are not just your normal run of the mill Hip Hop collective, but they are here to bring good music from whatever genre fits the bill. So, the foundations of the sound might be in Hip Hop but, what you do get from this one is that MNEA are a collective that truly want to stretch the boundaries of their musical influences and by doing that they are going to open the listener up to a sound that you can never anticipate one hundred percent. That is especially apparent when you consider that outside of the core label artists, you will never know who might feature and the vibe they could bring.

It is actually very hard to sit here and know exactly what more I can say about this EP. It is one of those things that kind of speaks for itself and you are just going to have to listen yourself to know what feelings it is going to elicit within you.

Every feature on The Future Introspective EP brings their own energy and a diverse range of styles, flows and vocal dexterity. From Rap vocals to Soulful sounds, this one has something for everyone to enjoy and I have to say that I enjoyed every minute of it.

With all that talk of new paths to follow and new beginnings on The Future Introspection EP, has made me feel I’ve said enough here and so it’s over to you give it a listen and see how it speaks to you.

This one is out soon on a limited run of 100 vinyl copies. One randomly selected pre-order customer will also win a USB stick with the entire back catalog from Live From The Groove and some exclusives too. There will also be CD, Cassettes and a couple of concept canvases available too that are hand painted by Ethr82.

Digital release will follow once the vinyl is sold out. So, don’t sleep on this one.

My humble thanks to Dweller and all at Live From The Groove for giving me the chance to drop this exclusive look at the EP.

 

Enjoy and I’ll see you next time.

Steve

LINKS

Live From The Groove Website and Bandcamp:

https://www.livefromthegroove.com/

https://livefromthegroove.bandcamp.com/

Live From The Groove Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/livefromthegroove

https://www.instagram.com/livefromthegroove

https://www.youtube.com/livefromthegroove

  

 

 

Beat-Tape Review: Golden Ape Beat-Tape by Live From The Groove

 

Golden Ape Beat-Tape

By

Live From The Groove

 

The Golden Ape Beat-Tape is the latest release from one of the UKs newest Hip Hop labels. Originally started back in hazy days of 2020, Live From The Groove was an online platform dedicated to radio shows and online performances during those painful lockdown pandemic days. Things grew quickly for the guys who decided to start a label alongside the online shows, and they released their first single this year the dope and very funky 23 ‘til Infinity by Dweller and featuring Nilla (Canada).

Dweller aka Al English is no stranger to Infinite Sounds as I reviewed his album ‘Record Of Achievement’ back in January of 2020. Firstly, let me introduce you to the guys who form Live From The Groove: Dweller aka Al English from Manchester is an emcee/producer, Dave Taylor aka TMB from Worthing handles art plus behind the scenes stuff and Simon Canon aka DJ Simon C also from Worthing is the turntable trickster. They are also part of a DJ collective known as the Get It Together DJ’s alongside fellow  DJ Trick.

What the guys have done with Live From The Groove, is to create a label that does everything or as much as possible in house. So, all the recording, mixing, and mastering, the artwork and design, even down to the shrink wrapping, is done internally. Something that really goes back to the independent record label mentality and very Hip Hop in one sense too.

Back to the Golden Ape  Beat Tape which is a hand selected line-up of producers that Al English has had the pleasure of working with over the years. Side A has been compiled and arranged by himself while the B-Side has been mixed by the legendary DJ Jazz T (Jehst, Fliptrix, Ramson Badbones DJ)  of Boot Records. It promises to have a slightly different feel to each side and Dweller promises me that the A-Side will be a bit more on the chilled side But, the B-Side will have a more upbeat vibe with Jazz T doing all the mixing live on the turntables.

With all that said, there is only one more thing to do and that is for me to take you through the album. So, let’s go…

The Golden Ape Intro has the of walking  down the street and passing a venue when you hear the sound of a DJ cutting up some Hip Hop inside and your instantly draw to head in and see what’s going on. The first track to grab your attention is Speedboat by Gadget & GrandHuit, this is mellow sound created out of guitar, sparse drums, and a mixture of organ vibes that you just kinda want to sit back and nod your head to. Next up is Decadent by Kuartz, which has that lo-fi vibe of keys, drums and assorted background sounds that is really mellow but, has an uplifting feeling too. Backseat Drivin’ by D_Piff sees the drums take a backseat to this melodic sound which almost takes the feeling of being the open air that puts this kind of industrial vibe on it but, it’s still mellow and still laid-back. The sound then lightens up with the piano in Working by Conbel Evrence, which softens the drum element almost to the point it is barely audible, creating this fresh sounding vibe that puts you in mind of standing on the seashore on a bright early summer morning and that feeling continues with the sound of gulls, soft drums and organ notes on Apterlude, another track from Conbel Evrence that keeps you drinking in that feeling of a fresh sea breeze blowing away the cobwebs. No compilation of this nature would be complete without at least one beat from the man himself and here Dweller gives us On The Grass, complete with the uplifting sound of guitars, flute and drums which have you floating of into the wide blue yonder feeling as free as the birds.

From floating in the sky, we glide gently back to earth with the sound of Last Man Standing by Chilla Ninja, the soft sounds, drums and cuts, really makes you feel you’re standing on a street, bathed in light of a setting sun and listening to the music  floating to into your awareness from all around you. Those sounds begin to merge into one sound, electronic vibes and acoustic guitar that is Three Paths by Mazzini.  Via a vocal sample we are presented with the notion of three paths to one God, which in this moment feels like  three paths to one sound, that sound is the music  that uplifts us and takes us wherever we want to go, perhaps music is our god?

With that thought in mind, piano notes draw us into Take A Cyde by Chills Myth. Drums drop in alongside the piano notes and once more we find ourselves being overtaken by the music which expands our consciousness to new levels as we allow it to do so, simply by the art of listening. The final track of Side-A is Runny Colours by Orange Feel, The perfect way to end this side as the sounds of harps, soft drums and vocals have you feeling like you just awoke from a meditative music dream and the sights and sounds of the world are just beginning to become a part of your awareness once more.

With our awareness now squarely back in the room, we flip the tape over to side B, both wondering and preparing ourselves for what’s to come, already knowing that DJ Jazz T is about to be live in the mix. Welcome To Side B finds Jazz T cutting up some chillers, tweaking those adrenaline levels a bit and creating anticipation for what’s coming. First track to get the full-on treatment is No Perps by Chills Myth, a synth heavy sound with various drums and cymbal sounds that begin to elevate those upbeat, head-nod vibes. Full Court by Lone Apostrophe almost takes us back into that Lo-Fi vibe with its chilled horns But, the drums elevate this one alongside the initial cuts from Jazz T.

The piano notes and orchestral vibes of Lost Potential elevate the upbeat vibe  once more as Jazz T raises things up just a few notches before raising it up again with the heavy piano vibes of Who I Hang With by Chills Myth. This one has some nice drums and bells too that give this a sweet Hip Hop undertone but the piano notes take the forefront, making this one perfect for a summers drive. The drums and multi-layered sound of Big Slacker (WYCypher Theme) by ExP, has this upbeat electronic jazz vibe that just continues that summer drive chill-out cruise. From there we break into a more  traditional Hip Hop sounding drum vibe of Downrock (Breaktime Pt 3) by Gadget, which has some almost far eastern elements to the sound while also being one of those tracks that maintains a certain b-boy element to it as well, especially when you add in some cuts from Jazz T.

Woah by Conbel Evrence brings a drum and synth infused sound that seems to continuously get you ready for something  but also keeps you waiting….. and what you are waiting for is an Interlude that is this upbeat xylophone heavy sound over some vocal samples, it kind of raises you up into the stratosphere once more. The interlude takes us into the penultimate track On My Knees by V, which has this solid Hip Hop sound with piano notes and drums with some guitar notes and vocal samples which really elevate the upbeat vibes getting those heads nodding. An explosion of sound and some deft cuts catapult us into the final track Spirit Levels by Dusty Methods, which has drums, guitar sounds and much more that give this one an almost nerve-jangling sound with a jazzy vibe.

 

This is definitely a Beat-Tape of two halves and all the tracks are seamlessly mixed into each other. Creating this Lo-Fi Hip Hop sound that you can float, nod, bounce, or simply just kick back and chill to.

Let’s take the A-Side with its eleven tracks of goodness that says ‘you don’t have to have more bounce to the ounce’ to be Hip Hop, you can also be chill and still be Hip Hop.

It also shows how Hip Hop vibes have influenced and given rise to such genres as Lo-Fi, Trip Hop and Chill Hop. Here Dweller has chosen nine tracks by ten producers, plus one from his own repertoire (two if you count the Intro) to show the calibre of those who produce a more chilled out form of Hip Hop. All mixed in a way that creates this beautiful, relaxed flow that allows you to kick back, close your eyes and let the music take you wherever you want to go.

Now, the B-Side also has that Lo-Fi, lazy summer days kinda feel to the music but, here DJ Jazz T adds his own stamp to proceedings by seamlessly cutting and mixing the entire twelve tracks all in one live session. That addition of cuts, scratches and mixing adds an extra dimension that does the job of raising vibe enough as to give you the perfect soundtrack to a warm summer’s afternoon drive to nowhere in particular, except into the heart and soul of the music.

I have always loved instrumental music such as this because you can listen to it over and over again and it always takes you somewhere different and the Golden Ape Beat-Tape does just that. I have listened to this a few times but sitting and being more focused on the tracks for the review had it sounding entirely different to when I first heard it. That first listen had a certain anticipation attached to it as I was literally the first person outside of the label to hear it, which meant I was hearing something fresh and new, and I’m still amazed how I remember something totally different to what I heard today. That is the power of good music.

There is nothing for it but, for you to give this one a go and I’m pretty sure you won’t be disappointed. The Golden Ape Beat-Tape will have a strictly limited run of good old fashioned cassette tapes for all of you who love that retro feel. There will also be some limited CDs too and remember all those tapes and CDs are done in house with one of a kind artwork. I mean, what more do you want? Seriously.

The Golden Ape Beat-Tape shows exactly what independent labels are capable of, in their desire to bring you the best music and best in limited physical releases. Live From The Groove have produced something that is a little different perhaps,  but still has it roots in the foundation of Hip Hop music.

Pre-release orders will be up on Bandcamp and streaming on 28^th April with the full release exclusive to Bandcamp on 15^th May. Full streaming release will follow.

My huge thanks to Dweller for asking me to review this one.

One that note,

I’ll see ya next time.

Steve

LINKS

Live From The Groove Bandcamp for the April 28th Pre-Release and much more:

https://livefromthegroove.bandcamp.com/music

Live From The Groove on Mixcloud:

https://www.mixcloud.com/livefromthegroove/

Live From The Groove YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@LiveFromTheGroove

Live From The Groove on Instagram:

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

Live From The Groove on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/livefromthegroove