Today

Review: Cool, confident and coated in 70s sample class; Sard Boogie develops his reputation as one of the more subversive, jazzier producers in the nu-funk movement with his fourth full lengther Funky Walker Dirty Talker. From the quirky key meanders on "5 6 Keyboards" to the early 90s hip-hop heaviness of "Peep Show" via the speedier, bloc-rocking swing-out "The Item", there's a great range on show, held together with a consistent theme of nifty chops and fun samples. Easily his most accomplished album yet.

Review: Two of the nu-funk scene's leading lights go toe-to-toe on this sizzling six-tracker from Tru Funk's Polish party HQ. Axe goes deep on a less-is-more ethos; "Funky Jam" builds with confidence, holding the full House Of Pain rap back to the very last moment. "Bush Tucker" is deeper again with a warped wonk to the groove while "Totally Fried" ends Axe's trio with some very cool use of a talkbox and a well known numerical chant from J Kwon. Morlack, meanwhile, develops his electro boogie rep; "Happy Hip Hop" bubbles with a rich synth bassline, "Summer Lover" radiates sunshine vibes via the medium of slap bass and cheeky Vanilla Ice vocal stabs while "Suspicious" wouldn't have gone amiss on a Paula Abdul record. Unashamedly 80s. Unashamedly funky, too...