‘Nocturnal Nature’ - Mummy Club

We take a deeper look at Mummy Club’s ‘Nocturnal Nature

Mummy Club are an interesting duo. Made up of Chaz Empathetic and AC, this pair have been creating since the 90’s, with Chaz a former part of the legendary San Francisco Street Music. The idea for Mummy Club came about after AC got Chaz into the SP1200 and its unique sound and limitations. The duo started collaborating and trying to make more modern soundscapes using only this classic sampler to process all samples and sounds. This period of experimentation led to the group’s foundation. ‘Nocturnal Nature’ is their latest full length work, but how does this album fit in the storied pair’s musical legacy?

‘Nocturnal Nature’ is an interesting project thematically. Dimly light by moonlight the tracks tell a cinematic but raw tale. You are invited by Mummy Club to fall into this story. To lose yourself in the possibility of this new, mysterious place. That being said, the album also bubbles with a sense of unease. It’s not a threatening feeling but the listener gets the sense throughout that something’s not quite right. Like they ain’t in Kansas anymore. Mummy Club expanded on the concept further:

‘The tone of each album seems to develop as we start working rather than start as a solidified concept. When we started working on the Nocturnal Nature album, my partner AC started using more congas and percussion as part of the rhythm, which sort of steered the sound in a syncopated, bulletproof soul direction as opposed to the darker, more menacing vibe of the first album. Once the album started taking shape, we embraced the tropical island theme and worked to create a title and cover art to reflect that. While the tone of this album is different from its predecessor, the familiar SP1200 ring is the common thread that connects the two.’

Mummy Club want you to enjoy the trip as a nocturnal experience. When the sun comes down these tracks shine brighter and the trip is much more exciting for it. Take ‘Sanctuary’ for example. The track fizzes and morphs under a quasi 3/4 drum-line. The interplay of timbre and melody create this feeling of natural movement. Like a leopard stalking in the night. Mysterious, perhaps dangerous but overtly beautiful.

The sound choices are also an essential part of ‘Nocturnal Nature’ and a lot of this comes from Mummy Club’s dedication to the SP1200. This vintage sampler forms the backbone of this project. When asked about this Mummy Club explained:

‘Both this album and the first Mummy Club album were made using the SP1200 exclusively so the sound of the group up to this point has been dependent on it! It’s such a nostalgic sound for a lot of us Hip-Hop heads from the 90’s and our original concept was to use this effect (12-bit pitch aliasing) and take in a new direction which really makes the Mummy Club sound unique in the SP1200 field. It’s got Hip-Hop roots but at the same time isn’t easy to pin down genre-wise.’

Despite the project being intrinsically linked to the 1200, Mummy Club are also masters of selecting sounds on ‘Nocturnal Nature’. Each of the main musical ideas at play here are perfectly bolstered by a variety of samples, processed patches and ambience. The tracks are able to jump from bouncy and funky (like ‘Dank Dreams’) to esoteric and intangible (see ‘Stan Lee’); with incredible ease. The different areas of the EQ spectrum are also very strong here. Each layer has the requisite space to shine. Nothing feels bunched up or shoe horned in. The sounds sit naturally and confidently, where they are most comfortable; and that makes the project far richer from an aural perspective. Throughout ‘Nocturnal Nature’, Mummy Club showcases their immense ear for appropriate sound whilst keeping a firm grasp on context, theme and tonal unity. A fantastic feat.

A final standout feature of ‘Nocturnal Nature’ is the interesting and qualitative drums. For most of the project Mummy Club opts for a slower, almost Trap like, rhythm. For a scene so used to funky breaks and off beat drum-lines, this is a welcome difference. The drums allow the tunes on ‘Nocturnal Nature’ to roll and ride. Skirting over, under and alongside the slow bounce of hi hat triplets, hard snares and deep 808s. Mummy Club also applies their same, fastidious ear to the drum sounds this album. Each track uses a totally unique drum kit. ‘White Sands’ is underpinned by a semi synthetic, drum machine-esque palette, whilst tracks like ‘Laugh of the Hyena’ and ‘Obsidian Moon’ opt for a more organic, tighter, rhythmic timbre. Again, as with the melodic section, the drum sounds here are varied, interesting but sonically unified; and the project is far richer for it. 

‘Nocturnal Nature’ is a wonderful album. The loose but cinematic concept allows a lot of  room for interpretation and enjoyment for both band and fan alike. The immense soundscape conjures up stories in an easy but edgy way. The sounds themselves are also expertly picked and processed through the indomitable SP1200. Mummy club have an excellent ear for contextual sounds across the spectrum and it is simply beautiful. The drums also add to this. The varied and interesting rhythmic choices underpin the entire project and add to its slow burning brilliance. Overall’ Nocturnal Nature’ is an experience. Mummy Club have crafted an album that is chock full of atmosphere, mystery and much more. The listener is encouraged to fall into this auditory world and find their own meaning. With very few signposts along the way. ‘Nocturnal Nature’ is not a guided tour. It is an adventure through a completely original landscape. Do yourself a favour and lose yourself in the trip as soon as you can. 

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Listen to ‘Nocturnal Nature’ here: