Electro before Electro was Electro pt. 2
So lately I’ve been on a electro disco funk kick. Groups like the Jonzun crew and the B B & Q (Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens) Band made some sweet classixx. Recently Dam Funk (stonesthrow rec.)from out in Cali has been dropping some really perfect spacey electro funk. He just dropped rhythm trax #4 for the instrumental stonesthrow series (get it here at stnstrw) and he has single, burgundy city (get here at stnsthrw) . It’s a little bit of a new direction for stonesthrow but a very promising one. Great synths, lasers, and space, very niiiiceee. I really like his track sunset (off of Rhythm Trax) and galactic fun. Here’s the write-up from the stnstrw site – Known as Los Angeles’ “Ambassador of Boogie Funk,” dãm-funk represents the citizens of the Funkmosphere. Headquartered in the Culver City section of L.A., dãm (pronounced: ‘Dame’ as in Damon) spent the last few years cultivating a musical renaissance rooted in the early-’80s styles known as Boogie, Modern Soul and Electro-Funk. As a DJ/selector, dãm attracts the most discerning Boogie Funk afficionados within driving distance of his storied Monday-night Funkmosphere parties. But it’s not just collectors at the bar toasting to the melodic sounds. Anyone who grooves to the likes of Slave, Aurra, early Prince, Prelude Records and the like, will get a dose of those groups’ unknown contemporaries – more obscure but equally Funk-worthy. The next phase of the Ambassador’s mission: continuing the classic West Coast tradition into today’s scene with dãm’s own original “Modern-Funk” compositions. By plugging in his arsenal of vintage synths and drum machines, dãm channels the galactic harmonies of his inspiration into his own brand of new boogie. Stones Throw Records’ like-minded honcho Peanut Butter Wolf brought dãm on to the team to glide into the future with his unique, synth and bass-driven vibe. It’s a promising new chapter for Southern Cali space funk.
Dam Funk x Outrun
A FEW XTRAS
Boogie 2008 – Dam Funk (Stonesthrow podcast) (mediafire)
live on bbc-1 xtra – dam funk (sharebee)
The BB&Q band existed from ’81 to ’86 and put out great tracks like on the beat and starlette. The group was a partnership by Jacques Fred Petrus, and Mauro Malavasi and named after the three boroughs of NYC that the band members came from. They put out four albums (their first being the most successful). The band was headed by Kevin Robinson. The band at various times included artists Chielli Minucci, Kevin Nance, Tony Bridges, Ike Floyd, Paris “Pee Wee” Ford, DeWayne Perdue, Meli’sa Morgan, and Ethal Beatty. BB&Q ended suddenly with the murder of petrus in 1986. (thanks wiki) The Jonzun Crew were an early to eighties to early nineties band led by Michael Jonzun and featuring his brothers Maurice Starr and Soni Jonzun. Another random fact, Maurice ‘the general’ Starr is considered to be the creator of the boy band as he was the driving force behind the eighties boy bands new edition and new kids on the block. Anyways they both put out some taaaste classics. There albums are available at a number of stores (amazon – BBQ band, Jonzun crew), Have at it.
ONE WIERD VID
B, B & Q Band
The Jonzun Crew
Alright to wrap this thing up lets drop some fantastic songs among the many blog lists. First, one of my fav blogs, pelski (lots of quality music, great write-ups, & thorough!) put out the best end of year wrap up (list) by far, check it out (part i, part ii). His posting policy is dead on. Lastly, I’ve got an 8 bit version of eye of the tiger, an unreal young punx mash (Deadmau5 vs. shapeshifters), a herve remix and my favorite boy 8 bit remix. Ahhhhh, gotta love it. There’s quite a few nice trax floating around cyberspace these days. As always support the artists (buy it if you like it, turntablelab, beatport etc). Annnnnd, done.
-BFS2
I have to admit this is clever, ‘bike guitar hero’ peeeeeace.
