ultrafunkmag » disco

Jamiroquai – “Do It Like We Used To Do”

Rune Johnsrud — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 01:45:30 +0000

150 beats per minute (BPM) is normally way too fast for a disco song, but here it works extremely well, and it’s one of the best tracks the band has ever recorded. For some unknown and strange reason, it was omitted from the regular “Funky Odyssey” album, and it was only available on a bonus CD released in Japan and a few other places:

JB & Funky Halvor – “Boogie Funk”

Rune Johnsrud — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 16:09:01 +0000

At last, a fresh new mix from my two very good friends, ultrafunkmag contributors and DJs: Mr. JB (Johannes Bjelland) and Mr. Funky Halvor (Lie), and as usual they bring tasty and groovy tracks aplenty, so listen, download and enjoy!

Download link: JB & Funky Halvor – Boogie Funk (136MB mp3).

Opolopo – “Voltage Controlled Feelings” (2010)

Rune Johnsrud — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:36:01 +0000

Originally from Zirc, Hungary, but now based in Stockholm, Sweden, Opolopo is a highly skilled producer, musician and composer who grew up listening to artists like Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones and Kraftwerk. Inspired by those and many other sources, he has created his own very unique blend of electronic funk, disco and soul. You can listen to a couple of sample tracks below, the first from his “Voltage Controlled Feelings” album, the second from a SoulParlor record titled “Evoluzion” (both released by the Tokyo Dawn Records label):

Opolopo – “Reversed” feat. Blacktop & Amalia:

SoulParlor – “Real” feat. Colonel Red (Opolopo Roller Skate Remix):

Bob Sinclar feat. James ‘D-Train’ Williams – “Darlin’”

Rune Johnsrud — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:00:32 +0000

KRAZ – “The Funky President Mixtape”

Rune Johnsrud — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:13:14 +0000

Eric Krasno (a.k.a. KRAZ), founding member and guitarist in the excellent bands Soulive and Lettuce, has released his first mixtape combining old and new funk, soul, disco and hip-hop tracks. The playlist and download link for the complete mix is available on his Bandcamp page.

Amalia – “Art Slave” (2011)

Rune Johnsrud — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:05:49 +0000

With strong roots in early 80′s boogie disco and more modern nu-soul and electronic music, Amalia’s debut effort (out March 4.) is clearly influenced by artists like Chaka Khan and Erykah Badu to name a few, but the album still manages to sound like her own creation, overflowing with fresh grooves and rampant creativity! The very kind people at her label Tokyo Dawn Records, allowed us to select a track for you to listen to, enjoy and download for free:

Download link: Amalia – Bonafide (11.3MB mp3).

Karyn Paige – “The KP EP” (2010)

Halvor Johannes Lie — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:23:54 +0000

Overall the KP EP’s production sounds organic and modern, very much like Prince’s latest albums. Some of the songs sounded very pop for me at first listening, but as I listened closer interesting variations in the arrangements sipped through and the whole thing grew on me. There’s a good live-feel to this EP, a lot of variations in rhythms, though always funky, within the the musical genres of boogie-disco, nu-soul, pop and r&b.

The EP is 5 songs strong and all of the tracks are of high quality. I especially like the song ”Want To” — A sweet danceable funky thang. Sounds a lot like a late Prince quality track: Bouncy synth boogie! You can listen to the full song and download it for free from her homepage by clicking on the link below:

Download link: Karyn Paige – Want To (9MB mp3).

Karyn Paige is a singer straight out of the SF bay area where she among other things is doing a lot of good work with the bay’s own Jazzmafia. The KP EP is a result of a cooperation between her and producers Matt Berkeley and Joe Bagale, which she’s also playing together with in the band Supertaster. The EP features appearances by Aima the Dreamer (The Mamaz, J-Boogie’s Dubtronic Science), Steve Bradley (No Doubt) and Joe Bagale.

Homepage: Karyn Paige

Purchase & audio samples: iTunes (digital download)

Bootsy Collins – Two sweet tracks

Rune Johnsrud — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 03:30:55 +0000

Here is a couple of really sweet tracks from the Funkiest man in the Universe, who sadly lost his older brother in August. R. I. P. Phelps “Catfish” Collins.

Ever lost your lover – (“Fresh Outta P University”, 1998):

Groove Eternal – (“Play With Bootsy”, 2004):

Lyrics Born – “Coulda Woulda Shoulda” feat. Sam Sparro

Rune Johnsrud — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 03:06:41 +0000

The new album “As U Were” came out a week ago — unfortunately he chose to follow the less organic path laid down on his previous release… However, it does contain this one great track:

Johannes & Torleiv mix 1 – “Funky Sunday Soul”

Johannes Bjelland — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:00:20 +0000

Finally got this one up! Me and Torleiv spinning a bunch of soulful tracks – we decided to have a party and record a mix while waiting for the Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings concert later in the evening (which was great btw!), focused on modern soul – early 70s and onward. Our intention was to play music with a Sunny Sunday Feeling, but it got more up-tempo as people started to arrive.

Download link: Johannes and Torleiv mix 1 – Sunday Soul.mp3 (129MB mp3).

Sorry about the inconsistent sound-levels… We had some trouble with the recording set-up.