Review: Welcome to the sunkissed and free world of Swing Set Sounds, a label committed to sunshine melodies and grooves. Having cleverly built interest in this, their first artist compilation, by revealing a track at a time, the album is set to put the label (and the artists!) firmly on the map. Highlights include the slow and low organic hip-hop grooves of "Imagine This" by Shimi Sonic, the big drummed funky breaks of "Watch The Man" by D-Funk and the sparse Latin grooves of "La Majeur" by The Fritz. Once you visit this world, you won't want to leave.
Review: This is the second instalment of Riddim Fruit's new compilation series, Remix The Version, that see choice cuts from their vaults get reworked by others on their roster. First up is Shimi Sonic's "Hot Peach", which gets tackled by BadPoe resulting in some serious early '90s vibing breaky world-hop. Next up Dephicit's "No Rules" is turned into a killer digital dubby Trap/R&B hybrid.
Review: A brand new label dedicated to the nu-funk crusade, Funk Fusion are launching with a serious statement of booty-shaking intent. With concentrated mid tempo party vibes littered throughout the set, there are some genuinely unique examples of creativity here... Including the harmonica and slap-bass mischief of "Seems Like A Dream", the rich crooning dancehall vocal of Waykin Bakaman on "The Scury", the haunted house-level scratchy bass on "Monster". With other highlights coming from X-Ray Ted (a discofied version of Junior Senior) Phunk Sinatra (Busta Rhymes goes Bollywood) and Rory Hoy (gritty horn heaven that nods to Exit Planet Dust), this really is a fantastic way to launch a label.
Review: Four new crucial remixes and edits from Israeli producer Shim Sonic on "Re:Funked" as he breathes new life into The Doors on "Soul Kitchen" and "LA Woman", with a set of punchy nu-funk breaks gelling nicely with the funky-rockin' originals. Lulu's excellent freakbeat classic "Love Loves To Love, Love" also gets the Shimi Sonic treatment, as well as the Fab Four on the booty-spanking "Drive My Car".
Review: As the days get longer and the sun begins to peep out from behind the clouds, thoughts begin to turn to summer nights and al fresco dancing. The lead cut on this EP - a Mouldy Soul remix of "Supernova" - sounds like it was tailor-made for dancing to in the sunshine. Its' breakbeat rhythm and low end bounce are perfectly complimented by some delightfully lazy trombone solos. Blend Mishkin continue the lazy, sun-blushed theme with a cosy downbeat interpretation of "Going Around", while Dephicit delivers a thoroughly breezy re-cut of "Follow Me". A dazzlingly bright EP is completed by a solid hip-hop-soul take on "I'll Take You" by El Bomba.
Review: Tel Aviv's Shimi Sonic shows off his wide range of influences on this new EP for UK label Riddim Fruit. Opener "Supernova" even has a touch of the Pink Floyd about it, with a spacey two-chord jam fleshed out nicely by slide guitars and trumpets, while "Follow Up" mines a cumbia beat and features a fun, carefree vocal from Missin Red. The straight-up studio funk of "I'll Take You" featuring Rowetta on the mic is also well worth a listen if funky breaks are your weakness.
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