Funky House Recommendations May 2011

Review: Fervent Daft Punk fans will be all over this collector's edition of the French duo's soundtrack for the Tron sequel! Spread across two heavyweight 180g slabs of vinyl housed in a gatefold sleeve, this new edition features two previously unreleased tracks and a code to grab all thirty tracks on vinyl. Naturally fans will already know that "Derezzed" aside, this is strictly Daft Punk doing soundtrack material as opposed to Daft Punk doing new Daft Punk. Perhaps the most important thing about this release is the lack of any of those somewhat risible remixes that Disney insisted on releasing!

Review: Marc Kinchen is kinda worshipped here at Juno - "Given", released in 1993 on his Area label (and soon to get re-released on Omar S's FXHE), is a classic example of the US garage sound that was taken on by Todd Edwards et al in later years. "4You", which appeared on the same 12" as the aforementioned "Given", is here treated to a repress on Defected with a brace of contemporary remixes from Maya Jane Coles and 2000 And One. Coles - who owes a great deal of her sound to the likes of MK - serves up a driving tech house retweak, while 2000 And One brings the brass to the fore on his version, indulging those late night keys. As good as they are, nothing beats the original cut. That bassline, that clipped vocal, it all still works ... brilliantly.

Review: Alfred Azzetto is a leading figure within the Italian house scene with a career stretching back more than 20 years. His first release on Purple Music was in late 2006 and he's enjoyed a string of hits on the label since then. 4 You showcases Alred's signature sound that's fit for a screaming danc floor and certainly never dull. Luca Cassani's Casting Couch mix thunders from the beginning with heavy kick and rubbery bass, before shakers bring the rhythm and a psy-trance melody adds the final touches to the anthem vibe. Alfred's Area mix runs the same course, but by adding jazz tinged hats and brass he succeeds in building a funkier sound. Paolo Barbato delivers an Express mix of "4 You" that boasts a deeper house streak than the A-Side with warm chords and subtle breaks that make for a more laid back listen. Lastly, Vincent Vallers Classic mix plays with vocals and trumpets for another hit destined for Ibiza's 2011 super clubs.