(Hussle/EMI)

DJ Sneak’s track Funky Rhythm off his debut album Housekeepin’ has had a number of remixes released. Sydney label Hussle, an offshoot of EMI has brought out another remix by The Chameleons, who are new Australian resident Klaus ‘Heavyweight’ Hill and Tim McGee. The original song is written by DJ Sneak (Carlos Sosa) and Blakkat (Mark Thomas Bell). On the B-Side is Que Pasa (Spanish Club Remix), also written by Sneak and Blakkat and also off Housekeepin’.

Funky Rhythm begins with a crisp driving beat with clear hi-hats coming in and the vocal refrain of ‘The more you hear it, the more you want it’, the moving effect of this is obvious from the get-go. A short way into the track a very boppy bass kicks in which complements the drums well to create what my notes called a ‘boompty-boomp’ sound. Interesting to note that on BBC’s Radio 1 website description of DJ Sneak’s music they use the term ‘boompty-boomp’ which makes me feel like I’m not too far off the point.

Que Pasa’s Spanish Club remix kicks in with a cheeky percussive beginning that is soon after led forcefully by a thumping bass drum. The liner notes are quite comprehensive in listing the various instruments performed in recording this track, from saxophone, Hammond organ, guitar and percussion to quite a long list of vocalists that include DJ Sneak and Blakkat joined by Bear Who (lead rap) who also featured on Sneak’s previous well known track Fix My Sink, as well as Ive Mendez who’s beautifully produced voice is perfect for the Spanish feel of the track.

In English, Que Pasa translates as ‘What’s Up?’ and there’s a definite feel of community and party-vibe in this song and it makes for a great party track that would work well alongside something like Basement Jaxx’s Jump and Shout.