DâM-FunK Curates the Next DJ Kicks Set

PopMatters funk favorite DâM-FunK headlines the latest DJ Kicks release coming in May. Last year DâM-FunK topped our Best R&B of the 2015 list for his sprawling, wondrous, exploratory record, Invite the Light.

At a satisfying 19 songs, Dam lets grooves breath, this is a mix to happily get lost within. It’s a document in vibe. Unexpected contemporary joints from low-key producers like Henning and L33 mingle with lost gems from unlikely places. 80’s Fusion-Jazz guitarist Tony Palkovic on “True To Yourself” follow the the airy-burn of new-age ensemble Gaussian Curve’s “Broken Clouds” or the super rare bliss-Funk of “Theme From Beach Boy” from 1982. Dam’s excellent collaboration with Nite Jewel, as ‘Nite-Funk’ on “Can U Read Me?” is pure bliss and such a fantastic collaboration you’d be yearning for more., reminding listens that one of Dam’s biggest assists is his duality from master DJ to trend-setting producer. And we get this heavy on Dam’s DJ-Kicks exclusive “Believer”. Sheets of synth lines fall all around a locking drum program that starts off innocently enough but ends you in a half-hypnotic state. An extensive instrumental composition that on it’s own could only be classified as signature Modern-Funk. There may be a lot of folks dabbling but there really is only one Damon.

DâM-FunK’s DJ Kicks releases May 27th via !K7 Records.

TRACK LIST

01. Moon B – Oof

02. Nicci Gable – Close To Who?

03. Randell & Schippers – Love Jam

04. Verticle Lines – Theme From Beach Boy

05. Brandon – Suzy Hijack

06. Take Three – Tonite’s The Night (All Right)

07. Index – Starlight

08. Uncle Jams Army – Dial-A-Freak

09. Gemini – Log In

10. Nexus – Stand Up (Instrumental)

11. Reggie B – Poison Candy

12. L33 – Keepin It Tight

13. Gaussian Curve – Broken Clouds

14. Tony Palkovic – True To Yourself

15. Henning – Arrival / Departure

16. Nite-Funk – Can U Read Me?

17. DaM-FunK – Believer

18. True Design – I Wanna Break

19. Crystal Winds – Funk Ain’t Easy

TOUR DATES

APRIL

15 San Francisco, CA – 1015 Folsom

17 Palm Springs, CA – The Saguaro Hotel

MAY

6 Oberlin, OH – Oberlin College

12 Joshua Tree, CA – Joshua Tree Music Festival

14 Los Angeles – L.A. Family School benefit

JUNE

2 London – Jazz Cafe

3 Amsterdam – Paradiso Noord – Tolhuistuin

4 Barcelona – Primavera Sound

5 Paris – We Love Green Festival

JULY

2 Okinawa, Japan Corona Sunsets Festival