Now, Shook is doing pretty damn well around the blog world at the moment.
So I'd just like to assure you that were not just posting about him because everyone else is.
In fact, he's been getting so much continual attention because he's creating some of the smoothest, original pieces of electronic funk music out there.
Stuff that quite easily sits next to, if not above the recent Justice releases.
Listen for yourself, and grab the 5 track EP, 'Rise and Fall' for a bargain 4.50. http://shook.bandcamp.com/
Shook is becoming scarily good. Not only does his body of work seem to increase at a mad pace but he manages to maintain a quality which is quite outstanding.
This guy clearly has a heap of talent and we are more than happy for him to continue the way he is going.
He's on remix duty again and has some silky female vocals to play with again. This time from Danish superstar Fallulah. The original 'I Lay My Head' was top of the Danish iTunes chart for several weeks and Fallulah is a big deal in Denmark with a sort of Marina and the Diamonds vibe. Check out the original here.
And here is Shook's remix. Gorgeous funk grooves licked by Fallulah's sultry vocals. This is fantastic.
And as you can see it's available to download. What more could you want?
The Shook Ep is now available for everybody to download.
This is great news for a number of reasons:
1. It's very very good.
2. It had previously only been released on a limited amount of vinyl.
3. Shook has initiated a 'pay as you please' policy on this Ep (if you think this is worth nothing you're mad)
Anyway, it's been a long time coming with most of the tracks on the Ep hailing from 2009.
We would totally recommend this. Shook is the future of smooth disco funk jams. If you don't believe us then just take a few moments to listen again to the remixes he's put out in the last few years then go get this EP.
Gorgeous. Utterly gorgeous.
This may be a bold statement and one that I'm sure some out there would argue not a fitting comparison, but Shook for me, is beginning to rival the likes of Breakbot with his smooth funk sounds. Shook's output has been constantly brilliant and this time round he's managed to transform a voice I find uncomfortably irritating into something I could play over and over. This 'beast' of his seems to be something of an inspiration...
I'm actually still waiting for the download to finish as i write this.
The reason i've already started typing is that its the new Shook remix...so basically it's bound to be amazing.
Hang on, the downloads finished...
It's amazing.
Ok good. This time the object of his remixing capabilities is I Blame Coco (Stings daughter). It's very pop orientated as you would expect. As soon as that synth comes in you know its Shook on remix duties...oh wow, it's gorgeous.
Seriously i don't want to slaughter it some some awful description.
Shook has to be one of the most exciting artists of the moment.
Whenever i see his name credited to a track, whether it be as the remixer or the original artist, i always drop whatever i'm doing to listen.
We recently brought you his fantastic MIA remix and now he's kindly taken some time out to answer some questions.
1) What sort of musical up bringing did you have and how do you think, if at all, this hasinfluenced your current work?
I grew up listening to music ranging from Micheal Jackson and Prince to George Gerswin and Claude Debussy. My father is a jazz pianist, and constantly played old jazz when I was a kid. I definitely get influenced by friends, love and just everyday life.
2)Could you give a brief explanation of your relationship with "The Beast"? Is the story line and the cartoons something you plan to continue to evolve?
Beast is very much real. It’s all part of a childhood past that’s still very much alive to this very day. I think it’s important we still remember in the things we used to believe in as a kid, when we didn’t have much to worry about and just could do and create whatever we want.
The whole visual concept and story behind Shook will definitively evolve further. I think it’s really important to create a visual experience when listening to the music I make. I remember listening to The Future Sound of London for the first time and saw all these images in my head. When looking back, I think they were so much ahead of their time.
3)Your Glow EP was limited to a 200 copy vinyl release, are there any plans for a digital release or pushing more copies out on a physical format?
The Glow EP 12” is limited to only 200 copies and they are all in lovely Red colored vinyl! They also come with a mini comic booklet illustrated by the talented “Giuse” who does pretty much all the artwork. The Glow EP 12” is brought out by Positive and Focused Records. There are still a few left, but not too many anymore.
The EP will get a full release early 2011. Can’t confirm any dates just yet, but expect everything you get from a full release.
4) What realm of music do you consider yourself to inhabit, if any? What other artists would you be pleased to be associated with?
I don’t know actually. I don’t listen to a lot of new music and I don’t want to focus too much or try to fit in a specific scene. I think if you do that you will only narrow yourself in the creation of music. I always try to create good and honest music for myself and for my friends. Whether it’s the work I do for a remix or for an original piece.
5) What can we expect from Shook in the future, both near and distant? Is there more original material in the bag or more remixes to get excited about? Plans to travel to the UK?
Well, there are still remixes to be released for Penguin Prison, Ellie Goulding and Emil & Friends amongst others. Early 2011 we will see the Glow EP get a full release, and I have a lot of new and old material still. Some I am dying to get out! I think I have enough material for at least 3 EP’s. Whether that will be brought out in the form of a new EP or a complete album I can’t confirm just yet.
6) What bands/producers/DJs excite you at the moment?
I really enjoy listening to the music of Penguin Prison. I think his songs are amazing. I also really like the music of Datasette. He goes so far in his craft! Also, I always admire the music from Breakbot.
So there you go, an insight into the world of Shook. If you feel compelled to find out more then head over to his Facebook, Soundcloud, Youtube or website.
This last video was taken at Phoenix's recent gig at Madison Square Gardens. The climax of which was the joint performance of Phoenix and Daft Punk in a french electro/pop perfection love in. But hey, its no big deal and definitely not the most exciting thing i've ever seen.
