Enois Scroggins Remix

Just finished a little remix for Funk Soul legend Enois Scroggins entitled "She Haunts My Dreams." - Check it out and make sure you look out for Enois' new album "Special E" out soon.

Back in the studio this week working on 3 new re-mixes for the legendary Enois Scroggins! PLUS laying down some vocals for an amazing new Electro-Funk track from Fanateek One.

Album officially released on Limited Edition CD & digital download today!

Album Teaser

Neon Electra Album early out-take - In the studio with Rachna recording Burnin Up

ALBUM RELEASE!!

Neon Electra is finally finished! CD manufacture is now in progress with a release date of 10th October 2012. CD will be available through CD Baby, Amazon & Roasted Records. Digital download release date will follow shortly after, date to be confirmed.

The CD contains 10 tracks, 6 page booklet, clear jewel case with double sided inlay, cellophane wrapped and ready for distribution.

Available from www.roastedrecords.com

The final track listing and back cover:

Album artwork preview

New mini track from Neon Electra

TeleJam Feat. Lord Dice
This was originally intended to be a short interlude but it is more of a mini track now thanks to MC Lord Dice

Weird Jam Project Album Review

So while my own album seems to be taking forever to put together, I thought I'd do some reviews of synth funk albums which I have been listening to lately. Firstly there are some awesome new-wave old school 80s style funk artists out there at the moment who deserve some exposure and appreciation:

A great place to start is with an amazing compilation album featuring some rare talents on the french label Funky Size Records.

Various Artists - Weird Jam Project
Funky Size Records 2011

http://www.weirdjamproject.com/

Summary:
A truly amazing compilation with some absolute gems and a great introduction to some of the best synth funk artists around today.

1. Intro.
The album opens with a Zapp style intro by Amadeo & Midet Touch. The intro in it's self is a funky little track which sets the mood for the whole record.

2. Enois Sgroggins - You Saved Me.
Next up we have a smooth modern soul funk groove from the Old School Brother himself - Enois Scroggins ft. Wadz. Great production and perfect soulful vocals from Enois

3. Nickee B - Baby Be Mine.
This track from Nickee B has a real electric 80s sound, great production and really nice use of auto-tune vocals.

4. Marabunta - Sexy Lady.
The song opens with a playful boy/girl flirty vocal exchange leading into a fusion of organic/electronic groove. When the vocal come in, you know that this tune is real class. Understated vocals, bass, guitar, synth effects, drums and tight claps fuse together to create a sexy funk groove that grows on you with every play. Marabunta is a class act.

5. Amadeo - Guerila Funk.
Opening with a rally style voice sample, the tune kicks into some electro space funk with robotic vocoder and more rally vocals. It's like a cross between b-boy electro, B-Movie Sci-Fi and The Running Man. A cool original vibe from Amadeo.

6. Fanateek One - 10#1 ( dance )
Fanateek One is the reason that I found this album. This track is a laid back affair with vocoder vocals.

7. Funkmaster Ozone - When You Walk & Talk
Wicked big electronic drums which seem to have some authentic 80s shuffle or drifting sync coupled with some cool scratching, talk box vocals and sweet lead synth grooves make this track funky fresh.

8. M.A.D. Ft YassL'objet du delire
To be quite honest, this is my least favorite of the tracks on this album. In it's self this is a solid funk record with organic horns, guitars, keys, vocals etc, but this is the main reason it doesn't quite fit with the electric feel of the rest of the tunes. From a technical point of view, the song is seriously over compressed, to the point that I find it hard to listen to.

9. Enois Scroggins - Love Ain't Only Promises
Another super smooth modern soul joint from Enois. The man and his songwriting team can do no wrong. A review of some more of Enois Scroggins' albums will follow soon.

10. The Funky Drive Band - Lost Generation
Now we're groovin. This track is not in your face but it has something that makes you move. It might be the excellent drum programming, the funky guitar, the warped synths, the groovy bass, the hypnotic street soul vocals, the ghostly sax, the filtered pads or just the message. An anthem for us 80s Funk Soldiers - We Are The Lost Generation!

11. 3 Times Of Funk - Funkatised
Some sweet slap bass drives this little funky jam which is pretty much an instrumental track with some processed vocals used as a sort of pad sound.

12. Marabunta - Need Music
Another solid classy track with excellent lead male vocals & female backing vocals. This one has a real disco vibe.

13. Nickee Be - 1984
This is a four to the floor electro track which has a real open feel although it feels a little cold as it is so mechanical with no organic elements, this is also it's appeal. I suppose it's one of these those tracks that you have to be in a certain mood to really enjoy.

14. Fanateek One - Weird 1986
This does give me the 1986 feeling. Some synth & bass lines in this one that remind me of Beverley Hill Cop - that is a very good thing in my book.

15. Amadeo Ft. Midet Touch - Clap & Dance
A drum machine & talkbox groove that expands and retracts with synth lines, guitar solos, key changes & robots.

16. Funkmaster Ozone - Dance Y'all
The beat and guitar sounds remind be of Prince's Batman album. The synths & vocals make this track fun & really funky.

17. M.A.D. - Funky Fresh
More synths in this one from M.A.D. and an altogether more funky affair. Again I'm not a fan of the overall compressed sound but it's tight & groovy.

18. Ameega - Pretentious
Now this is a little different. I really like this, more with every listen. More of a pop vibe - reminiscent of Prince.

19 Dee Nasty - Prison
Analogue Electronic Vinyl Synth Funk medley - like the funkiest bits of the soundtracks to 10 movies mixed directly to 12" - cool.

Apologies for the slow updates regarding the Album release. Finally things are coming together. I don't have a definite release date as yet but I do have a tracklist :-)





1. Neon Electra
2. Funky Mellow
3. 1985 ( You Got Something ) Feat. Storm
4. Who Shot Goofy?
5. This One's On Me ( Do The Batfink )
6. Going On
7. Zen
8. Tele-Jam Feat. Lord Dice
9. Andore Jr.
10. Funky Love

TBC - Bonus track for CD release Featuring the Old School Brother himself - Enois Scroggins

Album Update:

So there's less than 6 weeks until the release of the album and things are hotting up in the studio. I'm very pleased to say that "Soul Girl" is almost finished and features some amazing saxophone performed by the legendary Slap Johnson!

After hearing the scratch track last week, Slap was keen to get involved and had written and recorded the sax parts within 24 hours. Now that's what can happen with the right combination of talent, passion, hard work & efficiency. ( Note to self: must try harder. )

Neon Electra Single in Future Music

Neon Electra reviewed with interview in Future Music Magazine & featured on the FM DVD [ June 2011 ]

Yes! Love that old 'walking through the club' filtered intro trick and then before you know it you're in the thick of some dangerous Zapp-meets-Chromeo style goove-on. Man, that bridge at 2:16 really takes us back. Seriously 'classique' stuff.

We'd like a little more hi-end fizz in the snare & hats, but the buzzing bassline and searing lead sounds are bang on. And we just can't quite put our finger on that stuttered, treated female vocal effect in the choruses, except to say that it sounds tremendous. Speaking of vocals, we love both performances here. If anything turn up the male part slightly, it's hiding slightly behind the synths and it's a real up front performance that's heavy on the cheese, but all the more exciting because of it.

"My favorite part is the simple lead line in the chorus," says Marc. "it was the last addition to the track. I played around with lots of different chords, stabs etc, but that two line lead completely changed the general vibe and brought the whole song together." Smart move. It's slick, full to the rafters with ideas and brilliantly put together.

- Future Music Magazine

Marc Hamill - Neon Electra Official DIY Music Video // 80s Synth Funk Po...

"Neon Electra" the new single now available for to buy in iTunes

Neon Electra - The new single now available for preview [ click on the link on the right ]

The single will be available from all major digital distribution outlets form Monday 21st March - Including iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon, Napster... Download link to follow.

It's time for a general update:

Ok, the EP has been a long time coming, but the wait is nearly over. In fact it will no longer be an EP at all - it will be an entire ALBUM! The official release date is 4th July 2011. This album will be released in hard format only - Cassette Tape, Compact Disc and Limited Edition 12" Vinyl Pack (including CD.)

NEON ELECTRA

Neon Electra Single Release - 14th March 2011. Available for download on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster etc.

The production of Neon Electra ( single ) has been a roller coaster ride. It was the first track that I wrote for the EP well over a year ago, but I just couldn't get the sound I was looking for. It has been re-mixed, re-recorded and re-arranged so many times that I completely lost my way and it was untouched for around 6 months. Finally after listening back to my original demo recently I rediscovered the vibe I was looking for. I think the problem was that I was trying to put all of my ideas into one track, when what I really needed to do was keep it simple, finish the track and let all of those other ideas expand into an album.

The Barbarella night club that features in the song is a place that I visit occasionally and that very few people know about. It exists in a forgotten world frozen in time. They serve Rocket Fuel & Purple Rain cocktails.

Production update:

The original 4 EP tracks are in the final mix stage but the rest of the album will be written & recorded over the next 4 months. Stay tuned.

Marc Hamill - 1985 (You Got Something) [Feat. Storm] Synth-Funk Synth-Po...