Since their inception in 2004, Torpedo Boyz (A quintet made up of the quizzical sextet of DJ Kentastic, DJ Rollin Hand, Daisuke, Kurtis Bo, Borat, and Returner) have been on a mission to spread dancefloor mayhem through infectious grooves, funky breakbeats, and wiseass wordsmithing (in English, German, Japanese, and French), perpetually perched upon the precipice of the absurd. In performance and in the studio, they fuse a DJ/Live Band hybrid musicianship and graft it onto mongrel-like duds which are equal parts audacious pseudo-Chinese Communist iconography and 70's-era Evel Knievel biker/disco cool, complete with helmets, goggles, and glossy polyester red and white tracksuits. These Berlin and Tokyo-based urban fashionistos even claim relatively tasteful, low-key 'support' from K-Swiss, Firetrap Clothing, and Funk Royal Optics. Meaning, they don't do endorsements, but do pay homage to their outfitters. Nudge nudge, wink wink.
Over 3 full length LPs, a remix album, an LP of instrumentals, and a smattering of 7" and 12" DJ-issued singles, Torpedo Boyz have maintained a wildly playful, unabashedly silly 'overcurrent' that defines them. While I'm always a fan of musical acts who don't take themselves too seriously (certainly in the case of Torpedo Boyz, that's a gross understatement), I do confess that some of their repertoire consists of tunes that are sometimes too utterly ridiculous for even my high tolerance of schmaltz, inane non-sensical lyrics, and self-deprecating tacky mugging and dancing. Sadly, some of their most potent grooves are spoiled by these antics. While I am always searching for the perfect marriage of seamless lyrical and groovetastic integration (it's my musical bliss), in many cases, I'll have to settle for the Boyz' instrumental-only versions, scattered amongst their varied releases.
The Boyz' 'Back to the Beatz!' (and the Basslines) represents all the best of their combined talents and Club Kong moxie. It's an audio and lyrical scorcher of Torpedo Boyz' self-referential, apocryphal autobiographical odyssey rise to global dancefloor triumph to hedonistic destruction (perhaps at the hands of international cartels of ne'er do wells, and/or other shady syndicates), and then subsequent phoenix-like restoration to the top of the jetsetting world megacities' niteclub heap.
This is one of those tracks that MUST be enjoyed as a delicious audio-visual full-course meal.
Now, wherever you are, and whatever you're doing--RIGHT NOW--'Shake Your Funky Booty...and Get Back to the Beatz!'
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