The Discogs profile page for SlapFunk Records doesn't beat around the bush, describing them as a 'Dutch based label foccused [sic] on RAW house music'. This much is evidenced on their latest release, 'Raw Joints #3'.
Contained within four tracks by four different artists is an adept summary of the SlapFunk aesthetic - jacking, techno-fuelled deep house rhythms that maintain a heavily-European flavour. There's a noticeably Dutch / Germanic styling to all four tunes, especially the opener, 'Splittin' Atoms' by Larry De Kat. It's punchy and straight to the point, dancefloor stuff that's full of soul.
Second is Samuel Deep's 'Djoembat', a bustling jiver that continues with the narrow focus laid out in the previous track. Reversed-hats mingle erratically with frenetic percussion to ensure the mood stays deftly on point.
This carries smoothly through to 'Old Stomping Grounds' by Anil Aras. All three tracks to this point maintain a concrete intention: to get people dancing. And they do this well. What's interesting however, is the broad sample of styles collated for this release; it's a smorgasbord of European, Detroit and UKG sounds, which all combine to pack a punch.
Closing the package is 'Stackin Papers' by U Know The Drill. This one is an out-and-out whomper, like early Objekt material sprinkled over a meaty 4x4 template - vicious basslines combining with a fat, analog percussion track. This is definitely the cut of the release, but all four tracks deserve airplay.
Raw Joints #3 - VA [SlapFunk Records]
[SLPFNK006] is available now from Juno.
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