Lab Funk

Lab Funk

Editorial Reviews
From URB Magazine
Martin Iveson is best known as the music and sound effect producer for the illustrious Tomb Raider video games and a slew of remixes and 12-inch releases on Nottingham's DIY Records. Upon resurrection of his Mantis Recordings in 1998, he hooked up with jazz musician Pete Wraight (who's played with Charles Webster and extensively on Herbert's Bodily Functions) and Atjazz was born.Labfunk is an album that skirts on the outer rim of both deep house and broken beat, in which organic elements and heavily synthesized sounds happily co-exist. Iveson has a very keen ear for both time-honored music and fast-forward future sounds. Tracks like "Strike" exalt this, with a Herbie Hancock-esque neoprene bassline, muted trumpets and ultra-clean drum break. "Kidnapped" continues on the same path, with an aggressive bassline and more of Atjazz's signature '70s throwback muted horns, while "It's Complete" is on more of a mellow tip, with a subtle drum break, star-kissed synths and a synthetic bass line. The true standout of the album is "Harmony," the only female vocal oriented track that makes a very sudden (and tasteful) change-up from broken beat to straight house music mid-way through the track.

This is an expertly programmed album that breaks genre barriers and will appeal to fans of house, broken beat, downtempo and funk. This electronic fusion avoids the syrupy, overwrought instrumentation that has plagued this sound for so long. It's an impure record for purists of all genres, and above all, it's damn good.

Aaron Schultz

Tracks:

Day 2001
Strike
Kidnapped
All That
It's Complete
Interlude
Harmony
Heavy Weather
Casa De Ilusion
Labfunk
Touch The Sun

Customer Reviews:

Hot Stuff!!!.......2005-01-10

This is one great CD! If you want the perfect music to just chill to, this is the one to get. Martin Iveson and Peter Wraight take jazz and electronica to another level with a perfect blend of house music, broken beats and traditional jazz. Though most of the songs are not what many would be dance worthy, the closest contender is 'Strike". Then again, we all need a moment in which we could just sit down, relax and listen to some good music-and you can't get any better than "Labfunk".

samples.......2003-05-02

i'm very interesting to this work af atjazz but, before buy it, i vould want to ear some sound samples..can you help me?

Amazing!.......2002-07-20

This CD will suit you if you're into Jazz (Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Monk) or deep house (the Naked Music Crew). To me this CD not only showcases Mr. Iverson's ear for great music, but it also tells us that the real root for dancemusic is jazz. I was swept away (right off the bat) by the opening track and the airplane sounds soon dillute into a whicked synth and slick bass groove that will rock your chair. A solid vocal hook from a luch female voice tells us Bring A New Day. What a way to start the show! But wait, it soon evolves into Miles Davis type horns, before the entire song is elevated by a three chord progression that screams Herbie! The next song has a bridgey-bass line that twists and turns, with soft melodic keys looming. Track 3 is a NuJazz groove with a deep flap bassline that will make you move - if it doesn't nothing else will. Track 4 is the perfect NYC subway song - if there ever was one - I love how surreal it is. The next song is one of my favorites, smooth vocals, sound horn section, great percussion, key-arrangements, all are fused to form a slowjam that will make you "Feel It". No doubt. Up next is a weird track that's a bit off place, but it's OK as Harmony follows up. That song has a very interesting break that breaks the roof! Tracks 8,9, and 10 feels like a combo to Track 4 - somewhat similar vibes, yet they all have a different groove. To close things off is what is, for my money, the absolute gem - Touch the Sun. It puts me on such a natural high that makes me feel like Icarus! Dancefloor heaven! So, get this CD and spread the word!

Cooler than the other side of the pillow.......2002-06-19

Harmonious, adj. 1. Sweet-sounding, tuneful. 2. Forming a pleasing or consistent whole; concordant. 3. Free from disagreement or dissent.

The liner notes speak for itself. This album has an attitude to it. Breakbeat, House, Downtempo, and Jazz equate to Labfunk being a well pieced together free flowing form which echoes a throwback to the 70s with plenty of funk included. Those muted horns, driving keyboards, and garage-tinged bass lines are excellent. Do not expect any sounds to get your party hopping but the finesse and ease of delivery would be a perfect night cap for any fan of the above noted music genres. Herbie Hancock was one of the primary motivators behind this album and is directly credited in the liner notes. This album has 1974 written all over it. Gotta love it. Gotta have it. While I can't give it a 5-star rating, it is a super solid 4. For a slower version of Labfunk be sure to explore Muki's Quiet Riot album.

House+Jazz=Atjazz.......2002-04-07

It seems like such a simple equation but it must be more difficult than we think since so few artists can calculate the answer correctly. Fortunately for us, Atjazz found the proper solution. Nice house/broken beat (I hate sub-genres) fused with jazz elements that reach back through time and tap Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock for inspiration. This is eclectic enough to appeal to more than just house fans. It's laid-back enough to chill to but there's enough going on musically to hold your attention. A very solid release!
If you're seeking something that fuses jazz and electronica a bit more organically you should try Erik Truffaz-Revisite or DJ Krush & Toshinori Kondo-Ki Oku. Both are outstanding records.

Average customer rating:

Black Cherry Acid Lab
David Fiuczynski
Manufacturer: Fuzelicious Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00008O89W
Release Date: 2003-06-17

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Step On My Shoes A
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Average customer rating:

Direct
Tower of Power
Manufacturer: Sheffield Lab
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Dinosaur Tracks

ASIN: B000008LO2
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Fanfare/You Know It
You're Gonna Need Me
Squib Cakes
That's Why I Sing
What Is Hip?
Never Let Go of Love

Average customer rating:

T.O.P's Finest!
Perfect!

Direct Plus
Tower of Power
Manufacturer: Sheffield Lab
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000009F9
Release Date: 1997-10-21

Tracks:

Fanfare/You Know It
You're Gonna Need Me
Squibcakes
That's Why I Sing
What Is Hip
Never Let Go Of Love
Fanfare/You Know It
Squibcakes
That's Why I Sing
What Is Hip

Customer Reviews:

T.O.P's Finest!.......2003-08-08

Audiophile-quality,live in the studio renditions of
"What Is Hip","Squibcakes",the bluesy soul of "Your Gonna Need
Me" and the sizzling "Fanfare" and "That's Why I Sing"-all with
blasting,upfront horns and raw-as-dirt singing s percussion make
this a latter-day funk dynamo.Read my words:NOT TO BE MISSED!

Perfect!.......2000-04-17

Quite simply the best album in the world! My humble opinion of course ;-)

Average customer rating:

Jazz Lab/Modern Jazz Perspective
Don Byrd & Gigi Gryce
Manufacturer: Collectables
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Electro music the way its supposed to be

Moving Through Time
The Funk Lab
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Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 2000-05-23

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Customer Reviews:

Electro music the way its supposed to be.......2000-06-12

I just wanted to let everyone know that this CD is awesome. If you have ever wanted a taste of what Florida dance music is all about, then you need to here this CD. It has a mixture of up tempo breaks to make your body move, along with some underground BOOMING electro bass to make your woofers jump. This is a great CD and I hope this is only one of many more to come.

Average customer rating:

Electronic Stimulus

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Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 2001-02-27

Average customer rating:

Robofunk
DJ C4
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ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 2000-09-25

Average customer rating:

Pt. 2-Meltdown

Manufacturer: Funk Lab Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000516TY
Release Date: 2001-08-21

Average customer rating:

Lab Funk
Atjazz
Manufacturer: Import [Generic]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005NJGP
Release Date: 2002-08-13

Tracks:

Day 2001
Strike
Kidnapped
All That
It's Complete
Interlude
Harmony
Heavy Weather
Casa de Ilusi
Labfunk
Touch the Sun

Album Description

Sophomore album for UK dance artist whose musical influences range from 80's soul, jazz/ jazzfunk to the house sound of labels such as Prescription & Blackwiz. 11 tracks including, 'Day 2001', 'Strike' & 'Kidnapped'. Mantis Recordings. 2001 release. Paper sleeve with inner sleeve.

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