Funk Blasters has been blasting out the funkiest breakbeat and bass since 2011. The label, headed up by French DJ and producer, Morlack, has been pulsing out party-starting power with releases from the likes of: Itchy Bastards, Discobeta, Mako, Mondo Exotica, Mr Bristow, and a mountain of madness from Morlack himself.
Review: If you're looking for some proper dirty, lowdown funk vibes, you won't do much better this week than this four-tracker from French producer Morlack, which indeed makes its intentions clear from the outset thanks to the rather rude spoken female vocal that kicks off 'Boogaloo 22'. Once that's out of the way, you're in for 20 minutes of sleazy, grinding beats, low-slung basslines and James Brown-esque vocal shouts that should satisfy even the most pernickety of funkateers, helped along in the case of 'Need A Help 22' by some cheeky AWB nods. The exception to the rule is 'Poopoo Lala', which has an 80s electrofunk/boogie feel and comes topped with the vocal from Jocelyn Brown's 'Ego Maniac'. Good stuff!
Review: Morlack on Funk Blasters? What more could we ask for as these two goliath figures join forces for a super rhythmic outing, kicking off with groovy rhythmic clinks and sweeping vocal overlays of 'Poplife'. Next up, the bulbous drum bubbles and unorthodox percussive inputs of 'Do Ur Body Snatchers', putting a smile on our faces that goes absolutely nowhere as 'Beyond The Flipside' continues to upgrade the intensity of the project with another thumping piece of bassline action. Finally, we take things down a fidget-inspired avenue as '123' gives us one last grinding punch of low-ended energy, rounding things off with a tasty meal of organic drum energy. Fiery business!
Review: Within the world of breakbeat, there are few names held in such high regard as Morlack, who continues his incredibly consistent run this time around with a five track package on Funk Blasters, that being the fourth edition of his 'Cheeky Edits' series. We begin with the 80's inspired drum smashes and stripped back vocal sampling on 'Breakin', followed by groovy bass guitar licks of 'Telepathy' and pulsating retro synth work of 'Ur Life'. The quality levels remain incredibly high throughout as we then take in 'Da Bomb', a disco-ready roller decorated with glistening guitar riffs and a well sampled chorus block, before the brick wall drum smashes of 'Funky Stuff' see us out in style. Excellent work.
Review: With the breakbeat movement growing stronger and stronger each week, it's quite incredible to see just how consistent Morlack's release schedule has been over the last few years, with a new project dropping seemingly at least once a month, this time on Funk Blasters. We are treated to four powerful originals, kicking off with sizzling horn lines and crunchy drum smacks of 'Robin Practise', alongside the chiming melodic lines and percussive rhythms of 'Jamaica Girls'. Next, the project takes a more violent turn with the powerful electric lines of 'Sardines' and the funk-infused approach of 'Kinda Hectic', signing this one out with a bang!
Review: It's time to drive ourselves into a new wave of breakbeat and funk-inspired goodness, as we here welcome Mr Bristow and Benny Silver across four potent originals, courtesy of the Funk Blasters imprint. We kick off with the inspired lyricism and booming drum slaps of 'Should Have Said', followed by the warbling bass tonality of 'Good Morning' and more melodic vocal expressions of 'Prove Richard Wrong'. Finally, 'Stupid' rounds the project off in style with a more laid back compositional approach.
Review: It's been a very exciting 2019 for Morlack, who continues his run of top quality releases by teaming up here with the ever-ready Funk Blasters team for the third edition of 'Cheeky Edits'. We kick off with the classy sample work and pulsating drum pressure of 'Rumba', before moving into the spaced out percussive structures of 'Momie' and latin-inspired arrangements of 'El Ray'. Next, 'Masta Rocka' arrives with a real punchy drumline, before the the almost 80's sounding compositional layout of 'Da Bird' rounds us off with a bang.
Review: Breakbeat is most definitely back on the up this year, and it is primarily down to the sheer consistency of artists such as Morlack who tireless push forward with new projects on such a regular basis. This latest album episode goes by the name of 'Bluff' and encapsulates everything we love about Morlack's sound, from the stunning instrumental sampling and punchy drum work of 'Colibri Shine' to the dipping grooves of 'Sex Me'. For us, the highlights here have to include both the excellent vocal slicing of '2Be In Family', and of course the horn-heavy riffs of the title track 'Bluff'. Excellent stuff from the breakbeat mastermind!
Review: Re-edit maestro Morlack went AWOL for a while, with reported sightings of him partying with Trotter in as far away locations as Brazilian jungles coming in thick and fast. Well wherever he disappeared to this producer is back and he's brandishing a new album to boot! Beautiful Mistakes features 13 new jams, all of which are guaranteed to get you moving in one direction or other. Highlights include the lively jump up Egyptian DnB of "Belly Pyramid", the smooth 80s soul grind of the title track and the glistening electro-funk grooves of "Nightlife". Back in business!
Review: Last year's Nasty Boogie LP by Mondo Exotica introduced us to this new kid on the electro-swing block. Now Funk Blasters have commissioned remixes of a selection of album tracks. This EP features four reworks, kicking off with Morlack's rejig of "Pussy Caravan", in which he turns in a solid, beefed-up party breaks jam. Elsewhere Kalletti Klub adds a pulsating tech-house edge to the big band joint "Make Them Dance" and Johnny Lectro turns "Stereophonic Swing" into a bizarre hybrid of clownish melodies and minimal house. Lastly Morlack returns for the moody electro-soul of his "Yellow Ribbon" remix.
Review: What do we have here then? Well Morlack's decided to compile the perfect (digital) stocking filler here, with the 33 tracks bumper compilation Essential Blasters on his mighty Funk Blasters label. Essentially we get many tracks from a small pool of artists, but that's cool because it's literally chocker with party anthems, all perfect for the festive season. Highlights include the brassy, go-go stomp of Morlack's "Put It Out", the raw breaky funk of "Lemme Talk" by Itchy Bastards and the 4/4 rockabilly swagger of "Elephant Boogie" by Mondo Exotica.
Review: Famed for their Stank Soul Edits vinyl series, Mako & Mr Bristo return on Funk Blasters with the mightily titled, Electric Bongo Disco. The name captures the vibes on here pretty well - four vintage cuts loved for their breaks gently souped up for modern dance floors. Opener is "Sugar Hill Bongos", which lovingly updates a Sugarhill Gang classic. Elsewhere "Hype Fresh Mine" is poppy disco meets hip house, "Refried Beans" is a sweet vintage B-boy gem and "Electric Ruffneck" really goes there, sampling Edie Grant and somehow making it actually sound cool! Now that's talent.
Review: Go-Go was a strain of US hip-hop that hit peak popularity in the mid to late 80s...unless you are re-edit hero Morlack who has never let go (go). Good To Go-Go Vol IV features seven of the kind of tunes that saw the style quickly evolve into themes for TV shows like Fresh Prince Of Bel Air and The Cosby Show (season eight FYI). Highlights include the quirky funk of the cruel-to-be-kind "Wind It On Ugly", the raw throated Busta Rhymes bounce of "Love 2 Fire" and the DX synth bass twangs of smooth soul jam, "She's A Bad Girl".
Review: Although it's fair to assume that every new release from party-orientated producer Morlack will mine the 1980s for inspiration, it's harder to guess which genre he'll focus on. This latest EP actually has more of a contemporary feel, but still doffs a hat to his beloved vintage boogie. "All I Wanna Do Is Funk With You" sounds like The Commodores if they had gone hip-house, "Anytime" features a raw and nasty arpeggiated bassline that's straight from Patrick Cowley's back catalogue, but with added go-go beats, and the title track is elasticated cocktail disco at its finest.
Review: Every now and then the outre space-glam '80s outfits in Morlack's wardrobe start to beckon and before you know it he's rustled up another fine collection dedicated to his love of Go-Go, the cult proto hip-hop sound that emanated from Washington DC. If you're unfamiliar with this style, you can look to the Fresh Prince theme to get an idea (albeit a watered down version). For the real deal though check out the 13 raw cuts here that boast those signature rolling electro drums, funk samples and carefully layered acapelllas from the likes of King Tee and Chuck Brown.
Review: We all know his name. And by now we should all know what he sounds like, too... Morlack has been blazing the nu funk, bass and bootleg scene with creativity and stacks of long players for a good half decade now. This latest set comprises 14 of his genre-melting dancefloor devices; from the Kravitz dancehall facelift "Boss Like Me" to the slap-bass strutting, percussion heavy 80s rap homages "For The Brothers In The Ghetto" and "Problems Generator" each cut is primed for unashamed party fun. Elsewhere there's a 90s ghetto twist on the Tower Of Power-twisting "Movin' On The Dumb Stuff" while another highlight "Back It On" sees Beenie Man getting the funkiest version of his illustrious life. Not a dull moment throughout, Morlack keeps killing it. Get to know.
Review: Morlack assembles yet another distinguished troupe for his latest label collection. All exclusives, all funky, all guaranteed to smash your party's trousers to pieces, highlights include the Parliament-level squidgy funk on DJ Clairvo's "I Like To Like It", DiscObeta's disco-flexing fix of Redman on "Get It On", Mako & Mr Bristow's super nerdy homage of criminally overlooked hip-hop classics "Re-Freshed Rhymes" and Itchy Bastards' guitar-slapping glitch space disco breaker "Let Yourself Go". Morlack has the honour of closing the show, and he does so with a euphoric twist on an A-Ha classic. Incredible stuff, it needs to be heard to be believed.
Review: Morlack comes correct once again with a 27-track collection of total funk blasts. Naughty booties, reversions and mash-ups galore, the eclectic vibe ranges from skippy hair-swishing party rock ("Funky Woman") to cheeky Ting Tings reversions ("Hang It Up") via crazy blends of Zeppelin, Black Box and Outkast ("Ride On A Whole Lotta Love"). Elsewhere we hit gems like the big disco string B.M.W sucker punch "Get A Lil Stupid" and Bowie-busting block party slammer "Triple Fame". Morlack's repertoire was already bulging before this - now it's just ridiculous. Easily one of the best masters of the illicit art of mashery.
Review: French breaks-bass producer and remixer Morlack has made a name for himself with some cheeky edits and sub-punishing originals over the last few years, but "Where Do U Get Ur Funk From" is his first full-length foray for the Funk Blasters label and it's a gem from start to finish. A mix of straight up raw JB funk (as on "Put It Out") to heavyweight nu-funk breaks ("Soul Train Line"), Morlack lends his hand to all manner of styles and keeps things buzzing and distinctly party-flavoured over the LP's thirteen tracks.
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