Glam roc Features

SUNDAY 23RD AUGUST 2009 AYIA NAPA SPECIAL

Ministry of Sound UK Funky House Mix CD

Mixed by UK Funky head honchos DJ Footloose (BBC Radio 1xtra), Pioneer (Total Kiss) and Supa D (an originator of UK Funky) this is an album that contains the genre’s finest tracks from its leading producers, including the aforementioned alongside others to include Donae’o, Geeneus, Crazy Cousinz, DJ Naughty and more.

One of the most exciting things about dance music is that every once in a while a new genre emerges, created by a select number of producers; it evolves until it becomes an independent genre of music in its own right. What is even more exciting is when it is a UK movement. One such genre to make the crossover from underground to commercial status is UK Funky, a style of music that takes its influence from many genres including US House, UK Garage, Soca, and R&B to produce a beats driven, vocal heavy and all together energetic and funky style of dance music.

Ministry of Sound presents The Sound of UK Funky is a triple CD containing a generous (62 track) tracklisting of the most popular cuts from the UK Funky clubbing phenomenon.

CD 1 is mixed by DJ Pioneer who is Kiss Fm’s UK Funky ambassador who originally hails from the UK Garage scene. His style eventually evolved into one that was more encompassing, merging garage, four to the floor and soulful house aiding the start of the UK Funky movement. His background is evident in this mix at it presents an eclectic overview of the genre leading with a selection of its biggest tracks alongside some ingenious remixes of house favourites and underground belters. Look out for Ultra Nate ‘Love’s The Only Drug’; ‘Hardhouse Banton ‘Sirens’; Altered Native ‘Rass Out’ and Karizma ‘Twyst This’.

CD 2 is by DJ Footloose, another massive radio jock for this genre who is taking it to the UK and beyond via his digital Radio 1Xtra show. Starting his career spinning jungle tracks, he too made his way into the garage scene, although his journey ended at the grime crossover due to his penchant for music that was more vocal and upbeat. Footloose’s mix clearly demonstrates this passion because of all the mixes this one stands out to be the most guided by the genre’s garage undertones. Check out Brasstooth ‘Celebrate Life’ and Marco Del Horno ft Kate Leone ‘Never Gonna Let You Go’ with other standouts being Geeneus ‘As I’; Lil Silva ‘Different’; K Cat ‘Get Off The Wall’; Bizzi ‘Bizzi’s Party’ and NB Funky ‘Rhythm Box’

CD 3 is from Supa D crowned as ‘The Founder’ of the scene who has been dedicated to the cause since 2003. Also an original junglist, Supa D made his way into the funky house scene using his previous experience to carve out a sound all of his own. He is also a regular spinner on the capital’s leading pirate station Rinse FM, an establishment that can boast the scenes most pioneering DJs and producers. Supa D’s pirate networking and long term commitment to the genre are represented in this mix with originals from producers Geeneus ‘Yellow Tail’; Crazy Cousinz ‘Inflation’ and ‘I See You’; Apple ‘Chantes’ and ‘Goy Goy Cowbell’; Donae’o ‘African Warrior’ and also Nat-Mor ‘I Feel’.

Ministry of Sound presents The Sound of UK Funky - is an exciting insight into a movement that has evolved from its many successful UK musical predecessors. It is bona fide UK music that is on the verge of an international breakthrough.

CD 1 - PIONEER

CD 2 - FOOTLOOSE

CD 3 - SUPA D