Reviews

I was asked to go out to play in Poland by the Strictly Business crew (J-son and Funkoff – known to friends as Rafal and Jaromir) last weekend (28th November), and I just thought I would take a minute to reflect on a great trip, meeting cool, knowledgeable, talented and hospitable people at every turn.

 

 Warsaw Rocks: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I’ve been looking forward to this night for some time, billed as “the story of Manchester’s early ‘80s Electro-Funk scene,” not just because there’s likely to be some great music on offer, but because the organisers have taken the time to augment this with film, discussion and art to try and dig deeper into the story of this era, which for reasons unknown seems to have been totally overlooked following the House music explosion in 1988.

Little Dragon’s eponymous debut sways between hope and regret in a hazy dream of psychedelic Swedish soul.

Yet another impressive gathering of jazz dance workouts.

These dubs unfold a boundless sonic canvas, bridging past, present and future for an unparalleled listening experience.

A pitched down spacious affair, swimming in reverb and drenched with dub.

Hope For Tomorrow bridges sound, style and culture, symbolising a humanity united in the pulse.

An Apollo Jazz limited album sampler.

The dark, daring path between techno, dubstep and breakbeat.

Welding together growling bass, stinging beats and Ras T-Weed’s trademark toasting, Kunuaka is a moody meld of Afro-electro future funk.

Bonfire is a delightful offering of sleepy rhythms melted slowly with hushed, whispering folk.

Haunting orchestration hangs with eerie improvisation, driving percussion and squelching electronica: a swirling opus of home grown, future jazz.

Out There is an invite to another a world: a sonic voyage of space-bound splendour.