Dave Simpson CD OFTHEWEEK Mexico and pop generally go together like Cliff Richard and a bottle of tequila (worm included). History throws up only Los Lobos of La Bamba fame (who were actually from Los Angeles), and Gram Parsons’ Flying Burrito Brothers – as Mexican as a beef dripping sandwich. Mexican pop has existed for years, but scarcely made it further than Mexico City, principally because it’s been a desert of conservatism. When Titan first attempted to shake up the nation’s output with drum machines/samplers (in a previous incarnation, Melamina Ponderosa), they were worshipped by the underground scene, but otherwise all but hounded out of the country. Titan, however, are as Mexican as it is possible to get. Elevator (Virgin) -all mescaline-soaked electronic grooves -is as Mexican as guacamole, and frequently so unfeasibly funky George Clinton’s mothership has obviously been accosted by banditos. All of which is shocking cultural stereotyping -but this is what Titan are about. There is something genuinely surreal about them, with plenty craziness on Elevator, from 1-2-3-4’s addled laughter through to the electronic Come on Feel the Noise (nothing to do with Slade, but in fact a kitsch’n’sink take on the old Starsky and Hutch theme). While this tomfoolery tends to grate, it does underline that when Titan do get serious, they sound like nothing on Earth, particularly during their blistering funk jams. Underlying the madness lies some very hard work. Elevator has involved several producers, including Michael Franti and Beck/Dust Brothers collaborators Sukia. It feels like Mexico’s entire historical culture is here, from sampled B-movies to what may well be the local coyotes. Crucially, this is refreshingly off-kilter electronic funk. At the very least, this should be the soundtrack for several summers to come.