Greek label, based in Athens and set up by Angelos “Timewarp” Stoumpos in 2009. Kraak is a sub-label of Timewarp Music (est. 2004), and provides a home for any releases that don't quite fall within the parent label's “nu funk, nu disco, nu jazz, dub and breaks” remit – so expect anything from broken beat to deep house to electro. Apart from Timewarp himself, some of Kraak’s key artists include ActRaiser, LegoBoy and The Allegorist, as well as Afternoons In Stereo, AKA Canada's Greg Vickers. Just to avoid any confusion, there is no connection between the Kraak label and similarly named Dutch funk/soul outfit Kraak & Smaak.
Review: Vi Mode Inc Project main man Vito Lalinga doesn't like to get tied down musically. In the last six months alone he's released expansive EPs that variously touch on Cuban music, fiery funk breaks, nu-jazz and disco. It's the latter sound that he returns to on this sequel to summer 2018's "Black Spirit Project". There's plenty to get the juices flowing throughout, from the jazz-funk tinged warmth of opener "Attack On Earth" and Clavinet-sporting "Ethnic Deep" (a mid-tempo fusion of reggae and disco with plenty of other World music references), to the harmonica-heavy swamp funk chug of "Blues In The Sky" and Chic-influenced bounce of "The Right Time".
Review: With a wider artistic remit than its re-edit/nu-disco oriented parent label Timewarp, Athens' Kraak Records have snapped up mysterious producer Rey B for four slices of electronic disco. They over-riding vibe here is of glossy, immaculate sunkissed Eurodisco. Layers of glistening synths wash over tough electro-house beats like sun cream over tanned hardbodies, with retro 80s-style melodies cascading like poolside cocktails. All four tracks will have you pining for a phantom holiday you never actually had, but it's the open-topped sports car ride thrill of "Pretend" that does it for us.
Review: Giannis Michelinakis's Lego Boy project gets a thorough overhaul from a pool of produces on this remix collection of his "Black Box From Your Plane" release. Beat Ride transform "Alone Again" into a silky nu-funk treat, while Mikael Fas pitches down the vocals on the same song and wraps Aeroplane-esque synths around them. Others to look out for on this 13-track release include Lefteris Lappas' breaks mix of "Don't Cry" as well as D-Pen's acoustic guitar remake of "Walking Alone".
Review: Following his impressive debut on Metronomic a couple of years back, DJ Mas Corazon makes his debut appearance on Greek label Kraak Records with the balearic nu-disco vibes of "Love Construction" and its gorgeous vocal throughout. Second offering "A Better Day" sees the New York City-based producer head poolside for more sun in the fun, on this low slung boogie-funk number that'll have you dancing well after sunset.
Review: Based in Suffolk, ActRaiser goes by Rob Sayles in real life, and until quite recently he was best known for a string of liquid funk releases on labels such as Fokuz, Celsius and Influenza Media. His fourth album, however, finds him back in the downtempo/chill-out territory where he started out - his 2011 debut album came out on Cold Busted. 'Short Stories' may be sitting in our Broken Beat/Nu-Jazz pages but you won't find too many 7/13 time signatures or pointless flute noodles here - instead think dreamy, soulful instrumental vibes from the Balearic side of the street. It's a little 'polite' in places, maybe, but easy on the ear all the same.
Review: 2021 may have started as 2020 ended - I.E in a frighteningly dystopian manner - but Kraak Records regular Voodoo Child is in as cheery and positive form as ever, musically speaking at least. The producer's latest EP is breezy and attractive, offering a range of tracks that draw influence from both house and nu-disco. Check first the rolling riffs, sustained chords, ear-pleasing synthesizer flourishes and warehouse-ready house beats of 'Dub Me High', before backtracking to revel in the shimmering electronics and funk-fuelled nu-disco grooves of opener 'Transient Access'. Elsewhere, he reaches for bold synth stabs, bustling Afro-house beats and drowsy chords on '2 The Bone', while '2 Trumpets & A Beat' is a warm, woozy and undeniably huggable slab of nu-disco drowsiness.
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