FUNKENIVEN 1956

STEVIE J AKA FUNKENIVEN OUT OF SOUTH EAST LONDON IS GOING TO TAKE THE WORLD BY STORM. REMEMBER WHERE YOU HEARD THIS 1ST.

So sometimes we get sent an MP3 straight out of the blue. You know something from an artist we’ve never heard before, that actually turns out to be pretty sick. This would be one of those cases in point. Full respect to Alex Nut at All Young Kings for this one, whose new kid on the block, Eglo Records, have been causing quite some damage in DJs records boxes of late, courtesy of its quality roster of talent incorporating the likes of rising stars Floating Points, Fatima and Shuanise.

With this two track release, FunkinEven AKA Stevie J is the latest addition to that family and enhances the UK label’s already burgeoning reputation as one to watch when it comes to futuristic soulful beats. Currently residing in West London, the beat maker, hot stepper and provider of the funk Stevie J (who in homage to his home land, the cosmic location Funkineven 1956, has taken on its title for his current incarnation) fuses the electronic sounds of house with hip hop, soul and rare groove to bring you a true melting pot of future dancefloor funk.

Both tracks offer something different but both breathe quality (which sad to say is becoming a thing of the past with the current vogue of MP3 throwaway culture). ‘Mad Swing’ is a straight up synth-laden, funk infused hip hop track with female (possibly Muhsinah?) vocal refrains layered deep in the mix. “You!” on the otherhand is a little more uptempo, with a glitchy feel and snatches of that 80s sound (reminds me kind of what Pepe Bradock could do if unleashed on a Dam Funk record). All in all a killer two tracker. Cop both tracks in question below for a limited time only.


FUNKENIVEN 1956 - YOU
FUNKENIVEN 1956 - MAD SWING