Funky House Recommendations Best Of 2011

Review: The latest rabble rouser from Friendly Fires gets the requisite remix treatment - with the masterful Seiji and rising rave loon Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs joining an illustrious cast of producers who've worked their dancefloor magic on the unassuming St Albans trio. Whilst not as moment defining as that Aeroplane remix, these remixes of "Hawaiian Air" are just potent as the previous efforts from The Thin White Duke, Wild Geese and Joakim. In Seiji's hands the slightly drunken rhythm is worked into a percussive fluster that builds effortlessly towards a suitably rewarding drop into sliced and diced vocals. It's a trademark Seiji refix with a gut punching elongated breakdown. Flipside, Bradford's greatest export in some time lends a certain laid back euphoria to the track, sounding not unlike Lone and is all the better for it.

Review: Justin Critchlow aka The Sound Diggers is back after a short production slumber with the Don't Flap Just Jack EP. Known for his unique approach to blending house, dub and even dancehall, this new EP comes up trumps thanks to an expert fusion of genres. "Drop Da Funk" is maybe the finest example, with its funky guitar riff intro, a mid-section of bounding house b-lines and jazzy piano arrangements to close. Captivating and fresh throughout, Critchlow eases through styles with enviable ease. "Bump Funk" arrives next; stabby vocal pockets working as instruments and generating a glorious bump 'n' grind vibe. On the flip, "Bearnejackity", as its title suggests, does indeed sample Phil Harris and Louis Prima's "Bear Necessities" from The Jungle Book - we'll let you make up your own mind about that! Lastly, "Floor Swinger" takes our pick here at Juno with its delightful jazz brass sections, swinging rhythm and elegant groove.

Review: Having spent One Night in Oakland courtesy of Guesthouse Music last year, the inimitable Sonny Fodera teams up with San Fran's DJ Mes for this fiendishly titled follow up Two Nights in Oakland! Fans of either producer will know what to expect here, contemporary jackin house with bass lines dipped in urgency and plenty of filtered vocal hooks, with "Freaks on the Floor" laying down the gauntlet. Alongside it "Flyin" offers tightly wound rhythms and a dicier approach to vocal sample implementation, ramping up the inevitable release of pressure when the piano hook comes sailing in. On the flip the duo present two variants on "The Revolution" both of which lift Mos Def's take on the Gil Scott classic and slip it beneath the bounciest of beats, with the original perhaps the best.

Review: Nate Laurence has been around a lot longer than his discography suggests. A well known DJ on the US circuit since the early nineties, he's slowly but surely worked his way to being one of the freshest talents in new-school underground house production scene. Gut Bombs on US label Flapjack is an arresting and thundering EP; the humorously titled "Handjobs For The NRA" rides off a jackin' groove and spat vocals, garnering a certain swagger and attitude in its stride. "Melktart Facemelt" and its stabbing keys and spooky pads link with a funk fuelled rhythm and yet again, killer vocals. On the flip "No Crapalous From Minneapolis's" addictive guitar lick loops before a fiercely melodic drum structure evolves. Emil Lanne's remix as the B2 takes things down to simpler levels, with a more traditional house take.

Review: Straight up funky, jazz fuelled house here on Wattie Green's Blast Off EP. Sharing the A-Side are two delicious versions of "Feel That Way", namely the brass and key heavy original and a smoky, live feeling remix from newcomer Mr No. Flip over for our pick of the bunch - the swing heavy bump of "Osmosis". Quality from start to finish.

Review: Duck Sauce aka unmagnifiable hype merchants Armand Van Helden and A Trak mercifully don't wait as long to unleash their latest club conqueror "Big Bad Wolf" as they did for their previous hit (which will remain unnamed to prevent it's vocal hook lodging itself in your head for the weekend). Regular listeners of the Annie Mac radio show will no doubt already be familiar with the charms of "Big Bad Wolf," which is unusually restrained given the duo's recent form. Bound to feature heavily at any upcoming Halloween parties, Duck Sauce ensure the track has longevity beyond the novelty seasonal play via the accompanying Gesaffelstein remix. The new French darling of the Turbo family turns in a suitably rowdy banger with just the right dash of backwards glances towards the electroclash era.

Review: When anything with the name Frankie Knuckles is released, it's pretty much a guaranteed piece of gold. This can definitely be said about "I'll Take You There" featuring remixes from The Shapeshifters and Dimitri From Paris on reputable label Nocturnal Groove. A-Side Director's Cut Classic Signature Mix is deep, soulful and expertly produced with sultry vocals from the legendary Jamie Principle alongside smooth instrumentation and layering. Much like everything Frankie Knuckles has ever done, "I'll Take You There" is a timeless house record with no limitations. Remix wise, The Shapeshifters sharpen the groove into a dancefloor belter and strip away the vocals, while Dimitri retains the low slung house vibe from the original while adding a modern touch to its classic feel.

Review: US house merchants Flapjack continue their niche Bite Sized Beats series of seven inch releases with Kentucky duo Corduroy Mavericks bringing the dinky boompty vibes. Proceedings open with "Funky Jazz" which leans on an oft used Stevie Wonder classic and wraps the soulful vibe in a typically solid groove - it's trademark Flapjack business and has no qualms about it. If you prefer your house a bit more deep fried then head for the flipside vibes of "Close & Tight", which staying true to its title contains close to your knees basslines and tightly wound drums - the requisite sprinkling of vocal loops and slick electric keys add some soul.