Funky House Recommendations Best Of 2010

Review: The Disco Biscuits EP sees five more jackin' beauties from the musical mind of Adelaide-born Dj and producer Fodera. The heavily filtered sound of the title track is reminscent of Bangalter and Van Helden in their pomp, as a cheeky cinematic sample gets chopped up over a relentless disco beat. 'Drive In' is just as essential, mixing old jazz samples with dusted looped vocals to work up a storming house gem akni to vintage Basement Jaxx. A dub is on hand for the jazzier floors. 'Hold On' keeps the party going with some deep and driving organ stabs, while 'Let It Roll' is hip house meets disco with a rap that work a treat paired with the discofied beats.

Review: The first of two vinyl samplers that act as accoutrements to the Defected main course that is Tensnake's In The House mix. Naturally Niemerski's "Coma Cat" is here and everyone has heard it or seen the questionable video so there's no need to discuss that. It should be noted that the track is without doubt the crossover hit of the year though. It's complemented on the A Side by the satisfying deep acid bump of Zev's "Don't Break It" as remixed by Messrs Glasgow and White aka Art Department. The brushed warm tones of Mount Kimbie's "Carbonated" open proceedings on the flip whilst the inclusion of the reverberant acid flux of Armando's epic "Don't Take It" is further proof of Niemerski's old school credentials. Top 12".

Review: Anyone with a cursory taste for house music history will be familiar with the name Timmy Regisford. A stalwart of the New York house scene for some 30 years, he needs no real introduction. Ahead of a forthcoming album that is packed with guest vocalists and fellow producers and set to drop just after we usher in 2011, Regisford debuts a taste of what to expect on this twelve inch. "At The Club" is produced in conjunction with regular cohort Adam Rios and features the sweetly soulful holler of Brooklynite Lynn Lockamy riding a bumping house beat. The groove is laid down by subtle synth stabs and warm bass patterns and ably assisted by increasingly prominent organ flourishes. The flipside mix discards with the vocals to fully emphasise the organ flex but its Lockamy's voice that makes this track a killer.

Review: A slice of proper house music from MAW deity Louie Vega finally surfaces on vinyl some two years after its initial digital release. "Into My Life (You Brought The Sunshine)" is the sort of track all too absent in todays musical climate - soulful vocals from Lisa Fischer & Cindy Mizelle that truly soar over the live instrument groove comprised of smooth drums and a killer disco funk bass lines. Intermittent bursts of heavy moog riffing fill the gaps between the twilight keys to melodic effect. A near ten minute instrumental sits on the flip for those who prefer their house bump sans vocals.

Review: Ahead of the forthcoming Akabu album The Phuture Ain't What It Used to Be, Z Records whet appetites with this rather tidy remix EP. Label boss Joey Negro aka Akabu aka Dave Lee is first up with a searching acid reflex of "Another Generation" which is in marked contrast to the big room electro drama of Thomas Gold's effort. Reach for the flip and you'll find the soothing glacial shuffle that is Jimpster's superlative rerub of "Searchin".