Back Catalogue

Review: Under his Quasamodo guise, Dimitri Nassios, recently set tongues wagging with his releases on Greek funk imprint Timewarp. This new EP however, arrives courtesy of Jalapeno Records, but the vibe's the same, man. "Can't Hold Me Down" is like Latino funky house and bears more than a passing similarity to Armand Van Helden's famous Professional Window remix. The wah-wah soul of "Change Is Strange" is the second tune here to feature the leather-lunged vocals of powerhouse Thalia. "Son Of Shaft" takes the famous blaxploitation theme and slips a breakbeat under its backside, while "Funkenstein" is total 70s funk wig-out.

Review: Since releasing their first album in 2007, Greek band Quasamodo (AKA The Q Orchestra) have become funk scene stalwarts. Following albums for Timewarp and Freestyle, here they jump ship to funk breaks specialists Bombastic Jam. It's a good move. While "Movin On" is nowhere near as bombastic as many of the label's releases, it retains a sharp dancefloor focus. Musically, the Quasamodo sound is pleasingly bright and breezy, offering strong songs (backed with fantastic vocal performances) that fuse a consciously laidback approach to funk and soul with disco, rock and jazz-funk influences.

Review: Athenian funk junkies, Timewarp, unveil their first release of 2013 - a remix package of last summer's popular album by this prolific German producer. The 'Valique Ghetto Disco mix' of "Blast" is a pulsating wah-wah funk-meets acid freakout extravaganza! Kowlaksi, on the other hand, turns the song into an anthemic fusion of reggaeton and synthpop. Elsewhere we get breaky, ska-hop ("Stay Focused"), pumping arpeggiated disco ("Love In Return") and even some vintage live jazz vibes ("Get Down").

Review: Quincy Jointz funky debut album, Praia De Geriba has gone on to receive huge acclaim ever since its release on Greek label, Timewarp in May last year. Indeed it was such a success that the Greek electronic funk specialists decided to release a remix package of therelease. In turn, that was such a success that there is now a second volume of remixes of the album. Seven different remixers offer their own unique interpretations of the tracks that made the original album such a hit in a collection that spans house, nufunk and dubstep.

Opening with all the playful and uplifting feel of an original Quincy Jointz track is Hamburg's rising nufunk producer Funktomas who serves up a funky and skanking remix of "Trippin." Merging big beats, ska and funk, the German adds his own vibe to the track in the genre bending traditions of the label. Flashbaxx are up next with their remix of "The Place." A slick and groovy slice of house mixed with nu-disco, this is one of the more commercial, conventional tracks on the album. Onur Engin follows with his own nufunk remix of "The Place." The Turkish producer uses e-guitars, uplifting horns and some catchy saxophone hooks to create his electro slasher. Da Wiesel takes on the Brazilian hip-hop of "Super Hero" before Spaniard, Calagad 13 unleashes his 80s infused remix of "Hottie Party." "La Dub Musica" gets two dub treatments to close off the album. JazzKLippa's is a skanking, reggae styled piece of dubstep whereas High Fidelity goes grimier dubstep with dark, wobbling basslines.

This is an album that captures the spirit of the original album but crosses varying genres and styles whilst doing so. Totally fitting for a remix package for both Timewarp as a label and Quincy Jointz as an artist, this is a fun and exciting ride.

Review: A new journey around German producer Quincy Jointz's Praia De Geriba album, with five new producers tasked with building on QJ's own brand of nu-funk breaks. Audio InFunktion remakes "Chicago" as a mean and menacing breakbeat wobbler, while "Hottie Party" is reduced brutally on Curv's mix to a set of brooding strings and 70s funk horns. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Gunta Kinte's treatment of "6 Million Ways To Swim" is a fast, frenetic and fun mix of 150bpm beats and jazz guitar that - weirdly - works wonderfully well. Fellow German nu-funk phenomena Jayl Funk also drops a more party-friendly take on "Chicago" - using chanking guitars and classic disco bass to drive it along nicely.

Review: The Q Orchestra is the musical project led by Greek producer, musician and songwriter Dimitris Nassios. Their debut album Journey Through Sounds is an opus of soulful danceable modern club grooves that delve into a whole spectrum of funk, breakbeat, disco, jazz and world music to great effect. Opening track "Simon Say's Don't Stop" sees funk heavy breakbeats sit underneath brass led horn lines, while 'Boogie Nights' featuring vocals of Jennie Kapadai comes replete with disco touches. 'The Pink Rider' is a collab with the Sly Players (from Goodgroove Records) who deliver a deeply grooving disco tinged funk number with distinctive guitar licks. Jennie pops up again on "My Way" which ventures into nu jazz territory whilst "Ritmo Diaboloco" and "Boca Que Engana" mix Latin breakbeats with exotic soundscapes.

Review: Hungary isn't known as the hotbed of raw funk but The Qualitons are on a mission to sort this matter out. Tight, rolling organic funk is the order of the day with a heavy emphasis on slippery guitar licks and swift butt-punching drumwork. "Rolling The Bones" swaggers with a James Brown slamming groove and wears rock-tinted shades. Building with gusto, and a killer Hammond solo, this will induce any dancefloor into a swinging frenzy. "Fulcimpa" (Hungarian for earlobe, in case you're wondering) is a more sultry instrumental affair. With a jazzy bassline, wild keys, swooning horns and brushed drums, it's another fine example of why Hungary and funk are the very best of bedfellows.