Jimi Needles Record Store (Issue 1)

What better day than Record Store Day to launch my new GhettoFunk exclusive blog post ‘Jimi Needles Record Store‘. To put it simply, I’m going to be periodically rating and reviewing purchasable music from established, upcoming & underground artists on numerous different scenes, and before you ask, yes, both digital & vinyl releases! I’ll also be throwing in free releases from time to time, and GhettoFunk exclusives too, so keep your darn eyes peeled!

TLC – No Scrub (Drop Out Orchestra Remix)

Label: Homesick || Taken From: Homesick #1 || Genre: Absolute Disco || Release: Vinyl Only via Juno (28 April 2014)

From the guys that bought you that absolutely stunning remix of ‘Get Lucky’ last year (A remix that, to my knowledge, has never officially or unofficially been released) now bring to the disco rework community an absolute ballin edit of the RnB classic ”No Scrub”. It literally sounds like Nile Rodgers produced the track; I’m guessing they were going for that all-so-fashionable disco revival sound, and nailed it. It’s such a good rework it could pass as the original to people who have been locked in some musical time warp for 20 years. Check this… (4/5)

Catch the Drop Out Orchestra LIVE in LONDON at “Cubed” @ The Queen of Hoxton, London, UK on the 5th July.

Trio Valore – Liars & Cheaters

Label: Record Kicks || Listen: ”Crazy”  || Genre: Mod-Funk || Release: Limited 45 Run, Digital Download (28 April 2014)

I love this. I had the pleasure of meeting drummer Steve White (The Style Council, Trio Valore) at a stompin’ Record Kicks 10th Anniversary party in central London back in November last year. The supergroup trio performed a magical hammond-lead cover of ‘Crazy’ by Gnarles Barkley and from that moment I was hooked, and of course, wondered if they’d ever lay this down for the DJs to spin. Luckily they did, and they’ve captured that vibe so well. The flip is a rolling funk number called ‘Liars & Cheaters’ which boasts phatty drum breaks, brass & hammond solos which rounds off the cut rather well indeed. (4/5)

Keep up to date with Trio Valore.

Kitten & The Hip – Hello Kitten

Label: Pedigree Cuts|| Listen: “Shut Up & Dance”  || Genre: Swing Pop || Purchase: iTunes (21st April 2014)

Swingsters Ashley Slater & Miss Quinn are Kitten & The Hip. Formed in 2011, their aim was to bring swing and pop together, and the result is a cheeky, classy, energetic and upbeat debut album! With ”Shut Up & Dance” boasting much success already (it’s my favourite from the album) and a whopping 75,000 plays on

already, they also boast an energetic live show when touring. Listen to the entire album below. (4.5/5)

KATH are playing in BIRMINGHAM. Tonight! For more of their shows have a peep here.

Machette - It’s Right And It’s Ok (EP)

Label: Dred Collective || Listen: “When I Pull Up It’s So Fresh” || Soundcloud: @DredCollective  || Genre: Juke, Footwork, Bass || Purchase: Donations via Bandcamp (Digital Only)

Digging deeper… I’m currently on tour in Estonia at the moment, and the one thing that amazes me about the guys I’m hanging out with here is their knowledge and love of UK musical subcultures, especially the golden era of DnB (circa late 90s, early noughties stuff). What also amazes me is their knowledge of current underground music, stuff that’s right under our noses. Some of you might be familiar with ‘Juke House’ or ‘Footwork’ as it’s usually known, the ‘Dred Collective’ are a label & blog that you simply must start following. Machette‘s music can only be described a colourful, funky and truly individual, and wouldn’t sound too out of place in some funky breaks or even DnB parties. Some of the most interesting sounds I’ve heard this year on my travels for sure. (5/5)

Purchase the EP “It’s Right & It’s Ok” HERE.

Illectrix – Digital Evolution (Free Album)

Label: N/A (Self Release/Free) || Listen: To The Whole Album! || Genre: Future Funk / Glitch || Purchase/Stream: HERE

London’s very own Illectrix has a bright future. After receiving much love on the blogosphere from giants such as EDM & GlitchHop.com, it’s time a shared you guys his debut album. I’m betting my scratch hand (I’m a leftie, for those who don’t know) that in the years to come we will be billing Illectrix as the UK’s very own answer to Kill Paris or Grizmatik. The album spectacles are ‘Give It To Me’, a James Brown vs RHCP megamash with huge beats, bass, filters and sawtooth synth, and ‘The Real Deal’ (below) which is a hyped up lil number, moaning synths and funky shuffles make this the chunkiest party tune on this release. (4/5)

Support Illectrix on Facebook!

Thanks for reading GhettoFunkers! Keep your eyes peeled for future Record Store episodes!

Jimi x