Dedy Dread At Juno Download

Review: On this 26th release from Resence, Dedy Dread shows his credentials with two deep-friend nuggets of fuzzy, summery funk. "Psychedelic Cloud" opens proceedings, delivering a loose, chunky take on funk that harks back to the days of '60s garage rock, Rare Earth and psychedelic funk. It's good fun, layering his Lyrics Born-ish vocals over a grainy broken funk rhythm. "Safari Life" sees him join forces with bootleg type Mr Bird for a shaker-and-whistle heavy slice of carnival-inspired laziness. Think parping trumpets, jolly acoustic guitars and hand picked spoken word samples. In summary: deliciously summery.

Review: Mashed-up reggae and hip-hop from the Cast A Blast label on this new single from Dedy Dread and DJ Rebel, which sees the distinctive descending riffola of Ray Charles' "Hit The Road Jack" incorporated into the excellent "Criss N Shine". While this original is full of rootsy jazz goodness, Turntable Dubbers & Sebski recast the vocals against a light, warm and friendly dancehall beat while Blend Mishkin evoke the "Sleng Teng" riddim on the plugged-in beats of their own remix.

Review: A nu-funk remix of The Mommas & The Poppas' "California Dreaming". Just writing those words seems preposterous. But trust us, Tim McVicar's take on the 60s hippy classic really works! Squidgy bass and chop-slapping beats a-go-go, by the end of the summer it will be illegal not to play this in BBQ and beach sets. Law will also be upheld on anyone not exploiting the utterly funky charms of the other three cuts. DJ Tiznas & Mr BiGK's take on Kenny Dope and Screechy Dan's "Boomin In Ya Jeep" is like Fatboy Slim circa 98, Dedy Dread & Mr Bird take Missy Elliot into Hammond organ heaven while Mr Fresh's "SOUL" is a trip head nod so heavy it falls over into massive sticky pile of jazz.

Review: An offshoot of UK label Riddim Fruit, Booty Fruit is an imprint dedicated to mash-ups, bootlegs and edits that drops Homemade Bullets as its first release this week. Mr. Mention melts the Stereo MCs' "Connected" with the accapella from "Classic", a prestigious posse cut from a couple of years ago featuring Nas, Kanye, Rakim and KRS-1, while Dedy Dread cooks up a fun mix of chirpy reggae and Wyclef Jean. Funk Ferret chooses to add some big beats to UB40's perennial classic "Red Red Wine", and to round things off, One Funky Soul gives Jeru Tha Damaja a Northern Soul twist on "So Called Bro's".