A series of drum sections on this track leapfrog one another with precision coordination, cascading along with an effortless flow. Built around a Funkyish rhythm, rolling hand drums bring a deep green coolness to the hard grey underpinnings of programmed exactness and pulsating circuitry. But a mood of gravity pervades the track, hinting that its unrelenting pace is born of necessity. Equatorial nature reclaims landscapes altered by advanced societies, while untended facilities threaten to rupture. Lamin dropped this free download earlier in the month to raise awareness for his new single on Sticks N’ Stones Recordings. The vinyl version drops today, so go cop that. (Photo by Steve Bayens.)

Mixpak fam Funkystepz (check their ‘Half On A Baby’ remix here) just served up this excellent mix for The Fader. If you want a UK funky education, it’s right here.

“Kong Riddim” is some tuff, bashy UK Funky from Bristol’s Actraiser. It’s haunted vibes, deep basslines, and irresistible beat would make even Donkey Kong loosen his tie. The artist produces a bunch of different styles, from house and techno to dubstep and funky, and even has a funk side project. This track is unreleased at the moment, but he also just flipped “Cartridge Chaos VIP“, a housier 130 joint that he’s giving out for free. (Artwork by Andrio Abero.)

Ghana Riddim – Ramzee feat. CKP, Gracious K, C Don, Mista Silva, MC Ranking, Tribal Man

This is the official video for the “Look Pon Me” single from Sticky’s recently released Jumeirah Riddim EP out now on Mixpak. Shot in Kingston, Jamaica and starring Natalie Storm, this video, like the single, represents one of the strongest funky bashment collaborations between London and Kingston to date.

Support this release on Vinyl, iTunes, Beatport or Juno!

Mixpak is proud to announce the “Jumeirah Riddim EP,” a brand new release from Sticky which is out today on iTunes, Beatport, Turntable Lab and Juno. The EP showcases Sticky’s undeniable “Jumeirah Riddim” which represents his recent embrace of UK Funky and has been an underground hit in the UK for some months. Once we signed the track, we called up rising Jamaican star Natalie Storm for a voicing and she delivered a catchy bashment/funky monster, “Look Pon Me” (stay tuned for the video dropping early next week). JA vocals in hand we went back to the UK and got bassline mastermind Dexplicit to rework the track into an uptempo, heavy bass epic. Finally, Sticky rounded it out, revisiting the original and flipping it for the “Jumeirah Riddim Sequel.”

If you’re not familiar with Sticky, he built his reputation as one of the United Kingdom’s leading club music producers at the height of the UK Garage scene. His productions not only kept the clubs on lock, but they also launched the careers of a number of the UK talents including the Mercury Award winning Ms. Dynamite. Sticky has re-emerged on the scene in 2009 and the “Jumeirah Riddim” is his biggest statement yet.

The EP features original cover art by renowned artist Devin Flynn, creator of animated show “Ya’ll So Stupid” (check for it on adultswim.com) and bassist for DFA band Pixeltan.

Be looking for the vinyl to hit stores next week.

Natalie Storm is quickly climbing the ranks of dancehall with a destructive combination of some astounding punchlines, fierce lyricism and street savvy topics.  Her latest radio hit, “Recession Special”,  flows over the vibesy Hindu riddim with ease and finesse, providing not only a club-worthy dancehall smash, but also an empowering message about female independence when it comes to getting paid. (“No love without money, bwoy haffi pay fi get this honey…ladies, mek sure yu get that dough.”)

Natalie has been working in the studio on two brand new productions: a breezy dancehall throwback riddim entitled Cheese Trix and another project, the Firestorm project which features musical heavyweights such as Sizzla, Macka Diamond, and Ward 21, as well as relative newcomers such as Cordel ‘Scatta’ Burrell’s new deejay find, Rage and Magnum Dancehall Queen Tiki.

Natalie on the Cheese Trix Riddim:

The Cheese Trix ah go hard, it have a different vibe so far than Firestorm because it has more of an original dancehall feel, and because so much R & B out there in dancehall, we’re bringing back the good old hardcore dancehall days. Dylan my manager tested the riddim on the Swatch Sound System just to hear how it a beat. It sound a way!! The riddim a go hard!!

You can listen to Natalie’s blazing “God Bless Me” on her Cheese Trix Riddim at the always on point Heatwave Blog, and you can also listen to more of her music and check videos on her myspace.

Natalie’s also got some super exciting — though still top secret — Mixpak releases coming soon. First things first will be a voicing of a monster UK Funky track that Mixpak has signed. Can’t say too much more, but her song is catchy as hell and is gonna catch instant rewinds. Also, while filming the “God Bless Me” video last Tuesday in Jamaica, she snuck in an extra video shoot for said track. Two videos in one day…the woman’s a hustler! Check back for more news soon…