With spring in the air and summer just around the corner (southern hemisphere) I instinctively revert back to the summery Balearic jams in my music collection. For me this sound perfectly complements the vibe of those sun filled drawn out days. Dan Lissvik of Studio fame is always on heavy rotation and features as a big part of my soundtrack around this time. Further to this I’ve always had a fascination with all things Scandinavian none more so than Swedish culture whether it be style, music, design, art etc which is how I first discovered this sound. Born and raised in Gothenburg, Lissvik’s music is the essence of the burgeoning Swedish music scene. An in demand remixer, solo artist and band member, Lissvik is always on point musically and stylistically.

This track is taken from his solo release 7TrxIntermission released a couple of years back on the INFORMATION label. This particular jam is a slow burner clocking in at just over 10 minutes long but for those with patience a thoroughly enjoyable composition that will capture your attention with repeated listens.

If you like this be sure to seek out not only his solo work but collaboration as Studio and the many remixes that are floating around.

I don’t know much about Com Truise except that he hails from New Jersey, has a clever performance name, has a day job as an Art Director and he makes amazing beats under a few different monikers such as Sarin Sunday among others. I stumbled across him on the interweb not so long ago and I’m really thankful I did. His music has been on constant rotation since and it will form a big part of my upcoming summer soundtrack. For those looking for comparisons or references his music sits somewhere in between the blissed out sounds of Washed Out and some of the more structured beat stuff coming out of LA. Think Flying Lotus but less experimental. This is not to say Com Truise is not doing his own thing, I for one think this stuff is highly original and a refreshing take on the glitched out beat movement that is bubbling away in different corners of the world. For those of you that enjoy this track check out the Cyanide Sisters EP available for free download from his website. While you’re there check out some of his amazing mixtape as well.

NZ got that good stuff! Beat head Julien Dyne collaborates with vocalist Mara TK from Electric Wire Hustle to create a track brimming with funkyness and soulfulness. At present there’s a surge of amazing music coming from this part of the world and these two are certainly leading the charge with their respective projects and in joining together the vibe is strengthened tenfold. This is killer and if you haven’t done so already I suggest seeking out both Julien Dyne’s and Electric Wire Hustle’s albums on the double.

Taken off  the ‘Atmosphere Ep’ and released back in 1993, this is regarded as a classic in the electronic music world. Listen a few times and it’s easy to hear how the tag is justified, this is often considered one of Chandler’s best releases. Simplistic in nature the track oozes warmth and soul and the groove is unstoppable.

I find it somewhat comforting that tracks from such a long time ago still stand up with as much relevance now as they did upon release. Some might consider this a worrying trend, however I prefer to look at the positives and celebrate an amazing song and talented producer. For lovers of all things deep in house music – Enjoy!

The Loin Brothers aka Long John Saliva and Sylvio Mangles punch out pure disco heat with their forthcoming release ‘Garden of Vargulf’. This one is ripe for the late night discotheque’s with production of the highest quality. The full package also features an acid re-rub and a couple of tasty remixes from Tornado Wallace and fellow disco brethren Woolfy. Out in just a short while on August 16th and available on vinyl and digital be sure to get it while it’s hot. Drop me a line in the comments section to let me know which is the your pick of the bunch.

Loin Brothers – Garden of Vargulf – coming 16 August on vinyl + digital! by future classic

In other news stay tuned as very shortly there will be a number of significant changes to the traditional Friday Funk format.

What to say about this track? What is it? What genre? Who is James Blake? What’s that vocal sample? Where did he come from?

All the above comes down to one word…EPIC.

James Blake and this track is the sound of the future. R&B vocal stabs with dub steppy beats and a whole bunch of other stuff thrown in the mix. Maybe not for everyone at first but guaranteed to hit the spot after a few listens. Mark my words people this guy will be huge and he is one of the most forward thinking producers out there. Beautiful forward thinking SOUL music.

Out on the We Play House label, the collaboration of FCL between label boss Red D and San Soda ‘Lets Go’ is a certified club killer. Deep house with a gospel tinged breakdown that sends chills down the spine. In context and played properly this track tears a heaving dancefloor to pieces. This can be found in many a discerning DJ’s bag and will feature in late night sets for a while to come.

Hailing from Melbourne town Tornado Wallace aka Lewie Day is currently generating a lot of buzz with people in the know across the disco and house game. From DJ’s, Label Heads, and punters his productions of late are positioning him as of one the guys to watch closely as everything he is putting out is gold. Admittedly he isn’t breaking new ground with a sound that’s been around for years now but the old saying “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ is certainly applicable when it comes to his music, and trust me this is not a bad thing. ‘Paddlin’ released on Jimpster’s ‘Delusions of Grandeur’ imprint sees him work a slow burning house groove into deep soul territory with a level of restraint that only adds to the overall groove, locking you in and sweeping you away to a level of nostalgic bliss. I’m thoroughly enjoying this at the moment and those disco/house heads out there surely will too. Look it up.

GQ aka Good Quality bring the boogie with their classic tune ‘Disco Nights’. The title speaks for itself, nothing but a straight up disco tune and one that evokes the true essence of the music. You can imagine the damage this would’ve have done to dancefloor in it’s year of release (1979), this is proper hands in the air business even 31 years later.

It pleases me to welcome a good friend of mine Cam from Sound Not Seen to FF for the first (but not last) guest review. A design specialist and seasoned music lover Cam is well versed in a range of styles and genres and someone who shares the same enthusiasm in music as I do. He’s one of those enviable people who always seem to be one step ahead of the pack when it comes to thought-provoking quality music. Head over to his page soundnotseen for reviews and recommendations of the highest degree, there’s no doubt you’ll learn a lot as there are plenty of newly discovered gems to be heard and the odd flashback of nostalgic bliss.

Here’s Cam’s latest review of the Milky Disco 3 compilation direct from SNS. A big thank you to him for sharing this with me and along with all his music knowledge you can check out his design work at company Sensory Creative

“Lo Recordings has long been a provider of genre bending music, the Milky Disco series presenting the cosmic flavour of this nu-disco tent. The series has always suggested to me that label boss Jon Tye (aka Milky Globe) has had a keen eye on presenting new sounds of the genre, wanting to sneak some of his own wanderings in, all the while dropping the odd label reworking and space oddity.

Milky Disco III is possible the strongest candidate in the series thus far, hot off the success of II last year, and not missing a beat. I am instantly enthralled by opening tracks Carbon Caveby Leo Zero, Ghostape’s I Feel Your Soul with a playful Panda Bear style vocal hook over chimes, and Jonny Nash doingMetabolic, epic building keys, highway driving bottom end and spicy percussion.

What follows is what makes Lo so reliable, and indeed the series as a whole. Familiar classics in the form of Hatchback’sComets this time getting the once over by long time collaborator Beat Broker (check BB’s work on Flexx and Ghostly to be amazed), everyone’s favourite Black Devil Disco Club rub-a-dubbing their own For Hope and Soft Rocks getting twisted and echo heavy on Bobby’s Revenge. Add to that the introduction to such gems as Ichiban’s Space Patrol going all Coyote on me, Telespazio doing their best Smith&Mudd meets Escort, Cos/Mes and the minimal moon landing vibe of Iron Deck, plus Moscow bringing the Deep Heat off the back of gorgeous guitar lick, and you have compilation that is seriously all killer, no spiller.

Special mention to Brassica’s Made Up My Mind, as my favourite track on an already impressive list. Michael Anthony Wright as Brassica, a Londoner with a slew of tracks and remixes on various labels, here providing a synthed out vocal wonder that punches harder after a second helping. Get into this but be assured you will enjoy the lot”

Here’s a track from Hatchback ‘Comets’ that was given the re-work treatment from Beat Broker for the MD3 comp.