Funkier Sounds April 2024

Welcome back, hope you’ve had a good 4 weeks since we last met. This newsletter is more of a monthly thing now, so here’s April’s edition!

This week...

• A free gift from the Stars…

• Billy’s got a Secret…

• Funkier Sounds has missed you!

• What I’ve been listening to

• Gem of the Month

A free gift from the Stars…

I’ve got a new free download for you - an edit of Messages from the Stars by RAH Band. I’ve loved this strange little tune for years - it’s got that irresistibly funky 80s boogie bass that I love so much. I heard it again a while back and thought now is the time to put my spin on it. I’ve given it a little spruce up, added some new percussion and rearranged it a bit, and I’m fairly pleased with the result. I’m giving it away to you so please download, enjoy and share with anyone who likes that sort of thing.

Billy’s got a Secret…

As well as the freebie above, I’ve also got some music out on real record labels! My latest release is called Billy’s Secret - so called because it features samples from the unlikely duo of Billy Joel and Queens of the Stone Age’s The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret. This crispy and slightly madcap jackin’ house number is out on Robotical Grooves as a Traxsource promo, and will be out on all platforms in a couple of weeks…

I’ve also got a remix out today, putting my spin on a lovely track called Feelz by RC Disco. It’s out on The Discography Lessons, a label that I help to run… and as always 10% of any profits go to mental health good causes!

Funkier Sounds has missed you!

My Funkier Sounds radio show has been carrying on, and now that this newsletter is more of a monthly thing I’ve got a couple of new episodes to catch you up on. Firstly we had Monday’s episode, which featured a high powered guest mix from multi-genre DJ Abby Daze. This one went in hard and kept the BPMs high throughout, but still featured lots of excellent, well known tunes and funky delights. 

Then going back a couple of weeks we had a mix from FunkSupply, a DJ and lovely bloke based in Portsmouth. Steve put together a slightly less frenetic but still very nice guest mix of disco and disco house, including some tracks that I’ve already added to my collection!

What I’ve been listening to

Thought it was time for a new feature that’s not all about me, but instead shining a spotlight on some of the wonderful DJs that I’ve been tuned into recently! 

My friend Ken has put together a chugging excellent hour of hazy, dreamy lower tempo beats… 

Keeping things on a balearic tip but picking the pace up throughout - this mix from Loose FM is nicely eclectic…

The wonderful LEV was back on Balamii a while back, with a guest mix from none other than the legendary DJ Spinna…!

Gem of the Month

Something to bring a smile to your face this month - Too Tight by the wonderfully funky Con Funk Shun, from back in 1980. Beautifully uplifting vocals, tight horns, funky bass and that trademark skipping percussion. Watch out for the lovely wibbly synth solo too!

Thanks for your eyes and your ears. Use those eyes to look out for one another.

Tom xx