funky house sceptics, let me draw your attention to this

girl unit meanwhile closed with ciara's "speechless" <3 <3 <3

i cant stop listening to Champion's mix of Craig David from Chosen Ones, did this one get much attention?

Hearing Ikonika play Jam City Ecstasy remix @ Night Slugs last night was great.

Illmana's "Kiss You" downloadable here. AWESOME TUNE:

http://soundcloud.com/illmana/illmana-ft-tamzin-kiss-you

i really wish his "ready fi de war" with stush was available properly somewhere!!

Devine Collective's "Touch Her In The Morning" possibly the biggest banger of all the bangers they've done in 2010 so far (though hard to choose when they've all been so great).

This is the one with the string riffs and the minor key synth work (like Mario's "Mario Play The Bloodclaart Bass") and the R&B vocals "I touch her in the morning... NO LIES! NO LIES!"

Meanwhile the Roska album is actually really good!

Concentrated with relatively harder tracks that I think go a decent way towards recapturing the energy and dynamism (and sheer syncopation) of his early work ("Tomorrow Is Today", "Squark", "Timestamp"), while the vocal tracks (the two Jamie George tracks we already know, "Energy" and "I Need Love") are all just really well done, softer and sleeker without sacrificing his distinctiveness as a producer. And the album feels varied (repetitiveness being the ever-present danger of having such a worked-out production approach) without needlessly venturing off into "proper" techno / dubstep / grime / house / etc. Ironically the result ends up standing up much better next to, say, Carl Craig's Landcruising than an outright attempt to ape that feel would have been able to.

It's telling that Marcus Nasty has played heaps of tracks off the album - whereas I've never heard him play, like, "The Shepherd" or the Untold remix. "I Need Love" is practically an anthem at this stage.

haha i thought the roska album was really bloody boring - didn't help that it was released in the same week as the ~genius 4eva~ ikonika album i guess.

I wouldn't say I feel the opposite - I don't think the Ikonika album is "really bloody boring" and I do like tracks like "They Are All Losing The War", "Video Delays", "Look" and "Red Marker Pens". If I was patient with it I'd probably end up finding the whole album rewarding. But I guess as a general rule that style does very little to hook me and I have to restrain myself from switching over to something else very quickly. Whereas I thought I was definitely going to feel the same with the Roska album and I'm surprised that I don't.

Actually the one track on the Roska album that makes me impatient is "Messages" which is the most erm "funkstep" moment there.

That said I'd be interested to know if you were surprised at being bored by the Roska album, Lex. Do you particularly like much of his prior work other than "Our Father" (not some kind of trick question - I just know you really like that one)?

I'd find it odd for someone who likes his work generally not to be pleased with this album as I think it totally plays to his strengths, unless they'd actually wanted him to go for some kind of traditionalist detroit techno or funkstep vibe, or maybe they'd wanted the bangers to be more straightahead and less syncopated (so more in the "Our Father" / "Gone To A Better Place" / "In Your Handbag" vein) - maybe you would have liked the latter more?

I think maybe the "problem" with Roska's syncopation (when he works in this mode) is that it makes the tracks so tense rhythmically that they can't actually generate the same kind of free-sprint energy that a more straightforward rhythmic matrix allows, except in the mix where that energy is generated by the huge friction with the surrounding tracks. Even say "Climate Change" (still my sentimental favourite Roska tune) sounds a lot less dynamic as a standalone track than when it's used well in the mix. I guess this is a truism though.

Meanwhile Funkystepz have provided a download like for their Rihanna "Rude Boy" remix, which I've gone from thinking is a middling effort for them to totally loving. The way the beat breaks down so gratuitously during the "what you want want want" section is marvelous and very typical of their um generosity as producers.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/qoajra

Also Heatwave have linked up "Play Di Ting":

http://www.mediafire.com/?tnloidqdmmy

the roska album just didn't leave much of an impression - there wasn't as much character as i was expecting, even on the vocal tracks (i already disliked "wonderful day"). it's never a good sign when you're thinking "hmm is this album over yet?" on your first run-through. i don't know what i was expecting, i didn't know he's released an album til it was out, but i was def hoping for more in the "our father" vein, which is an all-timer for me.

i actually find the funkystepz "rude boy" a bit too bassliney - prefer the loose cannons remix with lady chann.

i also found roska album pretty boring. i feel like i've heard a lot of the tracks in mixes where i enjoyed them much more. in the mix context they feel much more energetic whereas in the album context they just feel a bit flat. also not a wise choice of album opener lol

I think maybe the "problem" with Roska's syncopation (when he works in this mode) is that it makes the tracks so tense rhythmically that they can't actually generate the same kind of free-sprint energy that a more straightforward rhythmic matrix allows, except in the mix where that energy is generated by the huge friction with the surrounding tracks.

100% otm

probably this isn't the place to talk about it but i'm also finding it hard to get into the ikonika album. i think the set of noises she uses is just quite...silly. for some reason i keep imagining how ridiculous it will sound when looking back on it in 20 years time. it's not like i don't like things with computer game bleeps and bloops as a rule..some amazing grime songs use these sounds but they always that 'hardness'.

that ikonika album is a bit shit. well shit is a bit strong but its so overrated now its untrue. she had good singles before, particularly please, but the album is just too much of that. and the chiptuney sounds wear thin quite quickly, just cos its hard to really take it too seriously after a while. it just sounds a bit silly cos shes aiming so hard for 'depth' and 'soul' and 'meaning'. plus its way too overloaded. people seem to think its 'complex' but its not really, its just unnecessarily overstuffed, as if piling as much of every possible idea you had for a track one after another is a good thing. it sounds nice and smart and all that, but as a whole it just doesnt add up. and the funky tracks - to bring it back on topic - are actually some of the weakest i thought. maybe its cos funky is still so new and developing, that it sounds a bit weird to hear her trying to essay it - like that one track that rips off lil silva, id rather hear lil silva tbh.

still not heard the roska album but hes really the last person i thought would do an album, or do one i would want to hear really. but i love his aesthetic.

also i hate that wonderful day track roska produced. good production (would rather it was instrumental) but such a pathetic vocal.

I'm not into the "Wonderful Day" vocal but hearing it in mixes so many times kinda wore away at my initial irritation. And I think "Love 2 Nite" is great.

whats the altered natives mix of that ikonika track like? ive a feeling i might like that more.

Lex my sense is that the big difference between us in this particular area (given we usually agree so much) is that I'm more of a rhythm nerd and you're more of a sonix nerd. The big stumbling block with Ikonika for me is that her rhythms mostly sound very enfeebled to me and the dinky computer game melodies just an elaborate distraction ("pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!")... Whereas I'm guessing part of what bores you about the Roska album is that once you take away the intensely detailed grooves the arrangements are very thin.

It's not coincidental, I think, that "Our Father" is both rhythmically simple and sonically "thick" by Roska's standards.

When did Major Note$ release an album? It popped up on Spotify the other day when I was looking for Friend of Mine and it sounds pretty good, lots of different vocalists, Basement Jaxx album voibe.

The Ikonika album is great, its the one video-game inspired album that actually makes you feel like you're inside a video game. But I'm not sure why it's being talked about here.

disagree that ikonika's rhythms are remotely "enfeebled" or whatever, i love how she messes with tempo and rhythm. and wtf is this lil silva rip-off that apparently is only on titchy's copy? she sounds nothing like him.

this track is great though -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW78HjQdvPM

It's not so much that Ikonika's rhythms are specifically enfeebled, it's just that whole stuttery draggy post-dubstep rhythm matrix used on most of the tracks (e.g. the first five) that I find very difficult to really get with in general regardless of the producer. But it's not worth having an argument over as I've never liked it except in isolated exceptions so I'm hardly going to change now.

Matt the internet is turning up no details of a Major Note$ album :-(

http://us.7digital.com/artists/major-notes/album

It exists! With packaging reminiscent of a CD of sea shanty cover versions available from your local petrol station.

er lex, psoriasis sounds like lil silvas different (i think its that one, though it could be bits of any of his tunes). quite obviously too. perhaps you missed that track?

not exactly difficult to spot -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lPIOf-z0TA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3PhBWkFWTM

Matt that Major Notes album looks like a comp of most of his older work (but no "Scream Out" or "Holy Ghost" WTF?), though I hadn't heard the opener "Tropicalia" and that's possibly new (and also sounds great!) - "Jungle Book" and "Friend of Mine" are classics also.

He's a bit inconsistent though - given how jaw-dropping productions like "Holy Ghost" or V-Boiz's "She Got That" or (ESPECIALLY) his remix of J-Wess' "Deja Vu" are it's odd that he then does relatively anonymous stuff like "Meet Me On The Dancefloor". I think when he wants to be he's maybe technically the best producer in the scene but you wouldn't know it from half his tracks.

OMG Princess Nyah Remix of "Pon De Floor"!!!

it's hard to say whos the more over rated on hyperdub...kode 9 himself, zomby, ikonika, cooly G or burial

i'm pickin zomby but this is neither the time or place to elaborate, sorry....as you were

i'm still not sold on this funky bidness eh ?...but i do appreciate your efforts to convert us Tim.

carry on with the good work.

Lex I forgot to say that that Redlight track is amazing. The video clip is like THE archetypal UK funky video clip too.

it fits in v well with zinc & ms dynamite's "wile out" i think - slightly tuffer than most funky

Actually I think it's pretty much spot on with where funky is at in 2010. Stuff with massive dirty basslines is becoming the rule rather than the exception. e.g.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwiMdDk4IiA

Don't mind this sort of 'halfstep' switch to 'funky' backbeat steez...

silkie - quasar (dubbel dutch edit)

...anyone know of more stuff like it lying around ?

not lovin dirty basslines :(

In general or just on the evidence of "Fya"?

About Face, probably the best halfstep-meets-funky tune is Scratcha DVA's "Hard House" from last year, but I can't listen to that Silkie remix at work so I'm not sure if we're talking about the same idea.

don't love them in general, but i'm not so crazy about 'fya' either

Say Tim...you dont have a spare link for 'hard house' lying round do you ?

I'm pretty sure it'll be the same sort of idea. Be interesting to hear the DVA take on it. The thing i like with silkie is, he's got the rolling snare sorted from his days puttering around with breakbeats.

I wasn't too sold on that Silkie refix. I'm not really sure if it's just because I'm overly familiar with the original, or what though.

Finally bought Windrush Riddim off of ukfunky.com, along with a bunch of other tunes.

Geiom's "Sugar Coated Lover" is lovely as well..!

hah...yeah i coulda done without the funky beat switch, its more the idea that intrigues me. So for an Austin Texan like 'dubbel dutch' to combine the two is inspiring in itself.

"Dirty Funk" is ace but I have a feeling it's from last year? Maybe not though. What's the track it samples?

found it. (says a lot about devine that i wouldnt have immediately ruled out them making it themselves, but pilfering eurotrash is oddly pleasing too)

veimateus 7 months ago
Totalmente prostitutas

^ new band name btw

Ha of course. Is this def. "Dirty Funk" though as I've heard another Devine track that's also called that, more of a grimey one. Though maybe it's another part 1/part 2/part 8/part 73 deal. How good is "Touch Her In The Morning" also.

They should make a release of all the parts of House Girls. Or anything.

Is anyone else enjoying Sunday Roast? A lot of his (?) stuff either tends to be interesting instrumental workouts or cheesy (but enjoyable) vocal numbers.

Also, kind of loving Smoove Kriminal these days. The Represent EP from the tail end of last year is wonderful... title track appeared on Oneman's Rinse mix for about 50 seconds.

iirc i just assumed cos the devine fella is on the intro saying "and it's dirty funk", but he could have been speaking generally. although there is a producer who goes by that name as well right? - but i'm fairly certain it was mr devine.

'touch her' is ridiculous yes. really they may as well be the only producers in the world for all i care, until i remember all the other good ones.

talking of DEVINE (how's this for a segue bitches!) i love that "you think ur a man but i think ur a boy" nu-soul number marcus plays and duly claim my rightful place as the only herb to ask who it's by.

that tune's great but I feel that it combines some excellent lyrics with some bad ones in the verses, like they had an all night writing session but still had some placeholder lines, then thought "fuck it let's have dinner" and just sent what they'd done straight to marcus.

The thing with Devine Collective is that there really is no unifying pattern to all their tunes beyond a general aceness and a kind of "effortlessly sums up the spirit of uk funky" vibe.

well i did say it was nu-soul didn't i...

i think perhaps a sense of effortlessness kind of is the unifying pattern with devine actually, and is the thing that sets them apart in fact - this sudden windswept exhilaration and wild elemental feeling of looseness they have with all their stuff that seems to embrace funky's fundamental libidinal urges (r&b sensuality, house emancipation, grime violence, whatever) in a more powerful and direct way each time than the more industrial scenius opportunism of other outfits (most obviously funkystepz) who could also be seen to encompass funky's myriad mores to an extent.