Photonz – Lamborghini Funk review

In today’s climate it’s all too easy to cite Chicago and Detroit to describe the raft of “deep house” records that arrive each week or evoke the hallowed “post Burial” phrase to convey the sounds that sprawl out of whatever you want to call that area beyond dubstep. Therefore, when you hear a track with no obvious reference points and no easily comparable artists it tends to knock you for six. A recent example would be John Roberts remix of George Fitzgerald’s “Silhouette” which save for the vocals was indistinguishable from the original and also pretty much unique in it’s execution (to these ears at least).

Joining Mr Roberts in the what the fuck do you call it stakes is “Lamborghini Funk” from Portuguese duo Photonz. A name that has remained close to the radar since the days of Dissident (RIP), the track opens the latest release on their One Eyed Jacks label. Bumping across your speaker cones at circa 110bpm, the seemingly incongruous drum patterns work in a way that brings to mind how the great Jockey Slut once described Maurice Fulton’s music as the sound of falling up the stairs. Indeed to draw further on the Fulton comparisons the track is reminiscent of his work as Syclops – especially when the demented key stabs take effect.

Alongside it “Xabregas” shows similarly deft approaches to programming with a stripped down swinging proto house rhythm augmented by off kilter dusty fills, as massive waves of rave potency rise from the depths and engulf proceedings with a winning sense of euphoria. Further demonstration of the versatility of the Photonz sonic palette is shown on “Cascade” which teases out twilight synth washes over a dripping tap of pads before a rough percussive flex is introduced which signals the ascent into some expansive, mind altering computer funk. It makes for a sensual pleasure from beginning to end on a EP that comes highly recommended.

Tony Poland