Only a mere eleven years after it’s predecessor, Morlack’s Funk Blasters label re-assembles the ‘squad’ (or at least partly re-assembles the squad) for a new six-track EP Funk Blasters Squad II to showcase the label’s talent. First up is Philly C who finds a far better beat to sling under Run DMC’s It’s Like That than Jason Nevins ever did – though, unlike Nevins, he just uses the hook and pairs that with a bit of Donna Summer. The tempo then changes somewhat as Bezwun arrives with the squelchiest of late 70s/ early 80s funk overlaid with a pumping nu-disco beat. The remaining four tracks are all made up from members of the original ‘squad’ – and the first of these, Itchy Bastards, also provides uptempo mirrorball action. Badboe follows with Love So True maintaining the tempo via a pumping harmonica-laced affair that re-purposes Andre Gibson for the dancefloor before the arrival of Mr Bristow with Loose Kenny. This latter is nothing less than a fat slab of hip-hop-inflected party breakbeats featuring a beat derived from a track by country king Kenny Rogers (!) and some incendiary scratching. Which all leaves Morlack to act as rearguard and Wind It all in with some smokey slo-mo trip-hop-soul. Maybe don’t leave it over a decade for a follow-up yeah?
(Out now on Funk Blasters)
