Shaggy Manatee--In Between

Shaggy Manatee has been around. A co-founding member of Pancake Circus, a group that rewrote the way hip-hop is done, Manatee moved on to work with countless artists and just as many genres. Anything from Experimental Pop to Electro-influenced Rap has been under Manatee’s restless working fingers. In Between is Manatee’s first solo album, and in it he shows just where he’s been. Tracks like "Cartoons Worked For Me" and "Numbers Game" show off his electronic skill, going above everyday techno and incorporating hip-hop influences for a fast-paced and non-stop whirlwind of beats and effects. "Good and the Bad" find Manatee experimenting with sound and beat, even though the track goes a bit long for its worth. Also featured on the album are guests Opt Rhyme, Paul Pena, Tendrizer, Non Repro, and a few other San Francisco Bay area artists. Opt Ryhme’s "Tell Me I’m Wrong" is excellent, incorporating Manatee’s innovative beats with Ryhme’s labyrinth of rap lyrics. If you’re lucky enough to find a copy with some bonus cuts, grab it, Zion & B-Child’s excellent "Hamptons" is worth snooping around. In Between is just that, a mixture of Shaggy Manatee’s wide variety of musical talents. Incorporating various genres and a plethora of guest voices, Manatee keeps the album fresh throughout its 16 tracks (20 if you can grab said bonus version) and will keep your ear coming back for more.

(Published at MusicEmissions.com)