Juno Recommends Funky House October 2021

Review: There are classics and then there are classics. The original Rhythm On The Loose tune 'Break Of Dawn' deserves a class all of its own as it stands proud as one of the most iconic dance tunes of all time. The legendary main riff inspired by producer Geoff Hibbert seeing dawn break on an Italian coast line, the big vocal sample taken from 'First Choice's Let No Man Put Asunder', the punchy drums... it's got everything you need to blow up a big crowd. Here we get the original next to bounce remixes from Strike and Stonebridge. This timely reissue will fly off the shelves, and for good reason.

Review: In 1991 the UK is in a very different place to the one it occupies today. One thing that hasn't changed in the 30 years between then and now, though, is how incredibly, unbelievably good Primal Scream's Screamadelica was. And still is.

It might have been the studio mastery brought to the mix by the late, great Andrew Weatherall. Perhaps it hit the nail on the head of a year when the country's rock and dance scenes finally met somewhere on the outskirts of Blackburn, or along the M25. Maybe, just maybe, it's because the tracks themselves are just great. Whatever your personal take, this album should be on everyone's shelves. From the hedonism of 'Loaded' to the pseudo-rave euphoria of 'Come Together', and the self love of 'Movin' On Up' always inspires, the record is of its time but resonates through the ages.

Review: Even Everett is one of house music's most vital singing voices and has got an arsenal of tunes in his catalogue. This time out he lands on Groovin with 'Burning Hot' which has been a big hit in the clubs since 2010. It's one of his biggest tunes and a bonafide house classic with noodling funk bass, soul train grooves and his own soaring vocals the icing on the cake. Flip this one over and you will find an unreleased demo taken from the original song recording. It's more jazzy and, for our money, that bit better for it.

Review: Committed to bringing their biggest digital releases to wax, funky house house powerhouse Defected delivers a package of top notch heaters here for their vinyl debut. On EP12, we have Spaniard David Penn with the scorching disco inferno of 'Lift Your Hands Up' featuring the fine vocal talents of Ramona Renea, followed by Penn's rework of the perfect pairing of Idris Elba & Inner City and their anthem "No More Looking Back" (feat Steffanie Christi'an) rounding up the A side in low-slung and groovy fashion. Over on the flip, it's all about Italian veteran producer Riva Starr of Snatch! Records fame, who serves up the electrifying gospel house vibe of 'Love Divine' featuring Phebe Edwards. There's the Extended Mix as well as the smoother Extended Funk Mix next, which was our pick of the bunch.

Review: A full three decades after they were first recorded, the unreleased Frankie Knuckles remixes of Electribe 101a€™s super deep 'Heading for The Night' but now finally land on wax. 'Heading For The Night' (Night Over Europe) is a balmy late night roller with super impassioned and soulful vocals over a leggy drum beat. The Heading For Maddness version layer sin some extra echo and delay to make for a more spaced out sound, the Classic Club Mxi slows things to a nice deep house crawl and a useful Pianopella rounds out this vital 12".

Review: Nervous will forever be etched in the heart of house music lovers. And even after all these years the legendary New York labels continues to serve up the gems. This time out they call upon the one and only Kenny Dope, one half of Masters At Work and a legendary DJ and producer. He adds his famously characteristic warmth and soul to Kenny Bobien and Wheeler Del Torro's 'The Sun Will Shine Again.' It is a gloriously sunny tune with lively, skipping and South Hemisphere tinged beats, a great vocal and plenty of percussive action. The instrumental strips it back to more direct beat work. Both sides bang.

Review: Todd Edwards is affectionally known as Todd the God because of his skills. Those skills are two fold - he famous fomented this own style of garage with quick beats and cut up vocals used like an extra instrument in the mix. But he is also a badass DJ who can slam through house and garage with high energy and plenty of charger. As such, he is rightly celebrated here with an overdue entry into Defected's long running House Masters series. All his most famous joints make the cut, from the bumping remix of St Germain to the lively vocal soul of his dub of Kim English via originals like his jazzy, chord laced anthem 'Push The Love.'

Review: Slo Moshu's 'Bells Of NY' is one of house music's most revered anthems. It is an iconic 90s tune that blew up every club upon release, and came with bogus producer credits in order to create some mystique. Network ally Andrew Komi is actually the man herbed the beats, and he told all manner of fantastical stories to the UK press who phoned up to hear more about the seminal tune. Here it gets reissued with various different mixes, all of which are explosive. There are the chattery snares and big piano chords of the House 2 House mix, a raved up and turbo-bass version from Xen Mantra's Beefy Bells mix and more besides.

Review: The all conquering Ministry Of Sound have long been associated with huge selling compilations. They're back with another one here that undertakes the no so small task up suing up 'Three Decades of Dance.' They make a fine go of it across four sides of wax that take in all the most enduring early classics, plenty of second wave bombs and even some of the more bona-fide recent bangers. Those include tunes from Bicep, Nineties and Maceo Plex, while the early years highlights include gems from CJ Bolland and the still funk MD X-Spress tune 'God Made Me Phunky.'

Review: Javonntte is a Detroit native musician and house producer for over 20 years. He has true Detroit hustle and is one of the most positive, energetic persons you will ever meet. If you're curious to learn more about him you can check this article here: www.internationaldjmag.com/javonntte.html

Review: Dutch artist Orlando Voorn has always been a link between Detroit and European techno but here he shows something different. This is a fresh new sound across a whole album of tracks on Deeptrax Records sub-label Contrafact that draws on his early-years love of Parliament, Kraftwerk, Motown and P funk. Right from the off this is funky stuff that is packed with soul heritage. Gil Scott Heron is a heavy influence on opener 'I'm About To Whip Somebody's Ass (Revolution),' there are raw and loopy filter disco jams like 'Gotta Get Up' complete with big vocals and the likes of 'Un Common' offer an old school house bump that Armand Van Helden would be proud of.