(F.U.N. Recording)

UK label Functional Breaks have released a double CD pack retro>future, to celebrate their 20th vinyl release. The first CD is a 13 track mix from one of Australia’s leading breaks producer/DJs, Phil K. While the second CD of 10 unmixed tracks has been selected and programmed by long standing Beatz & Bobz residents Ben & Lex.

There are two vinyl samplers for the release:

Sampler One:
A) Ben & Lex – Cosa Nostra Ben & Lex
AA) DJ Killer – Recycled

Sampler Two:
A) Diversion Distraction – Under Thunder
AA) LP – Keihatsu

Disc One: retro mixed by Phil K
Phil K always manages to surprise me with his sets. When I’ve heard him play out in Melbourne, he has either drawn on my full attention and impressed the hell out of me, or lost me completely from the start. That is not a reflection on his technical ability (he has that without a doubt), it comes more from his diverse range of sound and moods that he creates in his sets. This can range from dark and progressively deep sets, or a bouncy and funk fuelled cocktail of tunes. I prefer the later, and that’s exactly what he manages to deliver with his selection from the Functional Breaks label.

He starts off with a back to back combo of wizardry… Spoon Wizardry to be exact. The ambient sound scapes of Spoon Wizard – Shoe Monkey (Afterlife mix) transform into a stripped down funk breaks number that’s topped with turbo charged MC vocals. This leads on to Silken’s – Gizmo (Spoon Wizard mix) where the tempo is still warming up.

Silken – Gizmo is where the mix bursts with some much deserved energy. I love the pounding tribal beats at the start of this track as it sets a path to the full blown mayhem of fat chunky beats. DJ Killer – I Want Your Love is where the party begins. This track gets itself a hot little high rotation star because to me it has everything that would get me exited about a breaks number.

Momu – Kitty Hawk is a track that really sneaks up on you when you hear it for the first time. An intro of dark eeriness that stays on a pleasurable autopilot mode and sucks you right in. Only, seconds later it slapps you in the face with a pulsating air siren synth that keeps you begging for more. It too is deserving of a high rotation accolade.

Phil K maintains an interesting mixture of funk and nu-skool breaks (which is what Functional Breaks are built around) for the duration of the mix. The energy does seem to drop towards the later part of this mix. Having said that, I found it was the variety in textures and tones in each of the tracks that made it an interesting and enjoyable listen none the less.

Continuing with the surprises, the mix does finish off with a bang. Frakkar – Slide is another one of my favourites on this CD and a high rotation recipient. Guitar riffs, driving beats, sound scapes and an echoing vocal sample make this one of the more off-centre tracks on the mix.


Disc Two: future selected by Ben & Lex
This CD is suggestive of the future sounds that we can expect from the crew at Functional Breaks. It includes two vinyl samplers (4 tracks in total) that Ben & Lex have included in their selection for this CD.

LP – Keihatsu is the first of these tracks (release FB021). It’s not a dance floor track and that intension is clear. This track is smooth and as cruisey as they get on this selection. Spoon Wizard also appear twice on this CD, these guys (Graham Gray and Neil Anderson) have produced some of the best music to walk out of Functional Breaks and they will continue to do so. Spoon Wizard – Cutlary Charm is a gem with its deep and warm bass lines, topped with chaotic transient melodies. While Ben & Lex successfully put their skills to the test with a gold class remix of Spoon Wizard – There is no Spoon. This track is deceptively deep, until the female vocals loop for the rest of the song. Bouncing on layers of bass and melody, that would easily trap you into a dance floor black hole.

The second of the sampler tracks is Ben & Lex – Cosa Nostra (release FB020). Bouncing tribal drums, with a two note melody hook that loops for the entire track. This track is without doubt a dance floor filler. I hope we see more of this from the guys. This one gets a high rotation star. DJ Killer – Recycled (release FB020) is the third of the sampler tracks and is all about energy, with it’s harsh and rock solid beats.

DJ Killer – Thunder has been soaked in that distinctive acid sound. This track is as evil and dark as I’d imagine hell to be. I’d rate it as my favourite track from both CD’s! (yes, a high rotation star).

After listening to the breadth of productions and talent that Functional Breaks has spawned, one is definitely satisfied with the notion that ‘the best is yet to come’. Highly recommended to lovers of all things that break!