resurface

The supreme masters’ are back on vinyl as well as on DUB recordings. Complex beats, plenty of bass, as you would expect from the outstanding and untouchable Funckarma. A bit darker sounding this time around, but as with all their previous releases it is simply brilliant and it doesn’t get any better than this (well that’s my opinion anyhow.) Funckarma have done it again. Know this, you can’t touch them!

“Shipyards and Engineering Co. Ltd.” is the album that followed the twelve-inch with the same name that was released on DUB recordings in 2002. The album contains the tracks from the single release other assorted Phako offerings as well as two videos. It’s not just something for the collectors, because it contains great beats intense electronic music too.

Tracks made up by relentless beats being at the same time, complex and minimal, complex because of the irregularities and minimal because they practically consist entirely of percussive elements. The first track is quite amazing apart from a short intro the beats are majestically in charge of the sonic picture apart from haunting soundscapes drowning in beats, cut-up beats and offbeat percussive constructions. The second track features: not as fierce beats, more structure but nevertheless a decidedly haunting atmosphere, filtered machine-like decomposing soundscapes rides alongside pounding beats. The other side features shuffled beats in combination with some sound handling without directly noticeble structure or composition. It’s a great techno oriented track that is not likely to be played on any techno floor in the near future. Fourth track takes yet another turn in this display of fairly lonely and effective beats collages. Last years’ (2002) EOG releases are the testament of craftsmen and scientists that are most likely employed in the beats R&D department. Brilliant stuff!

Making a good hip hop track is not as easy as it may seem as this DUB release demonstrates. A good hip hop track is more than beats and lyrics, you also need a capable lyricist, however Funckarma makes the best of the situation on this 12-inch which is structured in a classical manner: original-, instrumental and acapella versions. It goes without saying that the instrumental versions are the best on this 12-inch which is a remix of a track originally released on the DUB compilation “Men with Boxes”.