Funk From The Trunk

Basement Freaks – Funk from the Trunk
Reviewed by Sadie O., 8/4/13
Infectious electronic Funk from a pair of producers, originally from Greece, now based in Hamburg. Electronic takes on a variety of old school funk styles. Several guest vocalists. Really takes me back to the discos I never visited in the 70’s…
FCCs – if you’re nervous, best to avoid tracks 1 and 8, because it’s very hard to tell whether they’re saying “funking” or “fucking”. Definite FCC on track 10.
1. 3:23 ?might be an FCC? “fucking” ***blues harmonica and relaxed funk shuffle. Yummy combo.
2. 3:31 ***”Shaft” scratch guitar, Nawlinsish horns, grunty electronics. Midtempo, upbeat, several vocal styles.
3. 2:57 ***upbeat Parliament-style groove with grunty bits. Fun.
4. 4:05 ****siren intro, then downtempo disco-funk with major grunty bits. Guest female MC rap.
5. 3:14 ***midtempo boopy disco-funk shuffle. 80’s Euro style processed vocals, flute solo.
6. 2:56 ***downtempo bongos and 80’s feel to the wiggle, falsetto vocals (rather oddball lyrics…)
7. 0:51 ***great rubber funk instrumental – but short. Foo!
8. 3:40 ?FCC – hard to tell … “fucking” ***upbeat super-disco reeking of cocaine from Studio 54. Definitely a hint of Clinton…
9. 5:23 ***jaunty, bouncy, grunty bits and “farfisa”.
10. 3:37 FCC “bullshit” ****midtempo grunty super-funk, guest vocals. I’d totally play this during Safe Harbor, you bet.
11. 4:18 ****a bit blaxploitation groove, falsetto vocals, upbeat. Definite Shaft feel.
12. 4:06 ***downtempo and very relaxed, falsetto vocals, a bit smarmy in that inimitable disco kinda way. Delightfully grunty.
13. 5:05 **downtempo, definitely smarmy, but the electronics are pretty irresistible. Not down with the slow “organ” bits, though…
14. 5:19 **slow intro with “used record” noises, then midtempo relaxed bop. Instrumental. Some nice bits in the middle, rather “worldy” sounding.