Review: Although the cover of this latest instalment in the Paradise Breaks series echoes the famously trippy sleeves of '70s prog rockers like Yes, the music couldn't be more modern. Actually that said, many of the productions on here do plunder the '70s for inspiration but they choose funk over wizard's capes and that. Highlights include the mighty "Bad Mother" which combines raw soul divas vocals, wah-wah guitars and thumping break beats, J-Sounds' tight and groovy break-funk jam "On And On" and the super catchy shuffle-pop gem "Nobody Else" by Arteo. A totally mixed bag and all the better for it.
Review: Breakbeat Paradise instigate another funk quest... But if you follow them for more than a minute you'll know the funk never left them. Label founder Badboe takes the lead, working a Bussa Bus vocal over a warm upbeat summer jam groove. Father Funk follows with a Natisni vocal and a '70s-style Lalo Schifrin OST groove. Dig deeper for piano-pumping diva-driven soul on Timothy Wisdom's "Bad Mother" and a superior EP-closing ode to Grand Puba via Tom Showtime. Brought the funk back recently?
Review: Canadian breaks addicts ReSoul welcome the talent that is Timothy Wisdom to their impressive roster of sample kings and outright funk masters. The kid has been up to some interesting stuff, but "On My Mind" is probably his best of the lot, featuring smart sampling techniques and a rebooted funk beat. "Put The Stereo On" is slower and more ragged, and focuses on a hip-hop swing. Gorgeous, party-time instrumentation and infectious vocals make this a tune that could be liked by just about everyone.
Review: Canadian Timothy Wisdom is a modern hip-hop influenced producer with a deep love of disco's golden age. These two tracks could be a perfect soundbite of the block rockin' party sound of the late 70s early 80s. ""Get On Up" evokes images of Bootsy Collins jamming with Nile Rodgers with Grandmaster Flash on the decks, while "Up N Down" adds slap bass, lots of brass and some almost evangelical vocals to complete the party in fine style.
Review: If anyone ever tells you The Four Seasons' disco bomb "Oh What A Night" can't be 'badboy'd up, you are legally allowed to slap them in the face with a pair of headphones. "Wild For The Night" takes said classic (and one or two other cheeky samples) bang into the future with booty shaking glee. Elsewhere we find the equally glittering "Ghetto Disco". Loaded with a vibrant horn and organ hook and a bassline that splutters funk juice every which way but loose, it's yet another slice of guaranteed dancefloor dynamite from The Funk Hunters.
Review: Straying away from his usual funky realm, Canadian producer Timothy Wisdom trades in his raw, uptempo drums for a more down-low set of glitch-hop beats on this new EP for East Van Digital. "I Want Out" for example shows an affinity for bassy hip-hop producers like Kidkaneval thanks to its sinuous leads and galactic echo textures. "Represent The Real" shows a definite dubstep influence whilst still being hip-hop to the core, while "The Fade" is perfect for fans of melodic and distinctly futuristic breaks.
Review: This should be considered something of a treat for funk breaks fans. In a bid to raise funds for the Love Music, Hate Racism charity, it gathers together tracks from both heavy hitters (Badboe, Fort Knox Five, Zamali etc) and lesser-known talents on one action-packed compilation. If this kind of party-rocking fun is your thing, it should be an essential purchase, not least because it includes some fine material. Check in particular Super Combo Funk's trad funk/P-funk fusion "I Don't Need No Dope", PulpFusion's fuzzy "Rockin Kids" and the wobble-step influenced "Boob Job" from Bristolian Ewan Hoozami, who happens to be the son of former England rugby player Alistair Hignell.
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