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Under the gun: Funk D'Void
Funk D’Void whips out his top ten vinyl secrets from under his kilt.
Funk D'Void is Scottish DJ and producer Lars Sandberg, best known for the end-of-nighter 'Diabla' which bridged house and techno (and was flogged by everyone from Danny Howells to Sven Vath). And if you look carefully, recently you’ll also spy the name ‘L. Sandberg’ in the liner notes of releases by "newcomer" Francois Dubois.
'Francois is the French Funk D'Void," explains Lars. "He's more laidback, into the deep stuff. He always DJs with a bottle of wine next to him on the table and he has a really expensive cigarette holder.”
A classy guy then, and classily enough these days Francois Dubios is releasing deep house on hot labels such as Buzzin’ Fly and Urbantorque. So what happened to the techno, Lars?
“I think the whole pumping techno vibe is on the way out. A lot of producers like Vince Watson are going back to their deep house roots and I think it's coming back in a big way because the soul is missing from minimal. I really like guys like Ame who are good at keeping a techno sensibility but also have some chords in there too."
Next up for Lars is a compilation with Phil Kieran on Ministry of Sound, a new Funk D'Void vocal house single 'Lovin' your Body' on Soma and the Francois Dubois single 'I Try' which includes remixes by Nic Fanciulli and Jamie Anderson on the flip. Lars also has another Funk D'Void album in the works too: "It's like the Stone Roses' second album…but with not so many people waiting for it.”
Based in Barcelona, Monsieur D’Void is there for the long haul, even planning to open a house club in the city. Which reminds us – he’s also the wag behind those 'Fuck Berlin – Barcelona has a beach' T-shirts sported at Sonar this year. RA accosted Lars in the rainy backstreets of his adopted hometown, and he obliged by whipping out his top ten vinyls.
***
 Alexander Kowalski – Start Chasing (Extrawelt Remix) [PIAS]
Lars: “I just got this through the post. It’s really powerful. It doesn't use the vocal from the original and it has some clever edits on some of the bassline sequences. I haven't had the chance to play it out yet, but I can tell this is going to get some great reactions. I've loved all of Extrawelt's productions, and this is their hardest offering to date. A biggie.” [listen]
 Kung-Fu Pimp vs Devastatin' Dave – Where's The Acid [Bootleg]
Lars: “This is a full-on dancefloor electro-house monster that uses an old sample from the eighties by D-Mob called ‘We Call It Acieeeeed’, and to the younger dancers on today's floors who probably don't remember it first time around it must sound like some crazy guy doing a Justin from the Darkness falsetto impersonation! It works though, and the clever modern twist from the original bassline brings it screaming into today's flavour perfectly. I guess they never got clearance for the sample though...pity!”
 Mr. G – E.C.G'd [REKIDS]
Lars: “I picked this up in Brazil recently, on a tip from Renato Cohen. I haven't really heard from this guy for a while but I've always been a huge fan. It's a fairly simple affair but it has all the right elements, the hook is white noise! Fantastic. I love big brass horn rises too as fills, and the bassline complements them perfectly. A great mood changer if you're playing too deep.”
 Deetron - I Cling (feat. Ovasoul) [MusicMan]
Lars: “Well Sammy D has always had the utmost respect from all corners of the globe. He has the soulful techno sound that I adore and this track from his new LP is really showing his deeper side. I chose this track because it shows his versatility as a producer –working with vocals is a difficult transition with techno and Deetron has done it with style. He's getting better and better and we need more producers like him!”
Francois Dubois – I Try [Urbantorque]
Lars: “Ahh my French other 'alf. A real house gem with a gorgeous Fender Rhodes hook that really hits the spot on a visceral level. It has an early nineties house touch but can be played at any time during the set. Urbantorque really seem to be on fire at the moment, it's great to see a label supporting deep, melodic music. Not for the minimal crowd...” [listen]
 Ortzroka – T2 (Leon Roberts DeepMix) [Deeper Substance]
Lars: “A gorgeous piece of music. Not a peak-time track but man I could listen to this anywhere. It has to be said I seem to be getting mellower in my old age, but this kind of shit is right up my street. Atmosheric, funky and emotional without using any obvious tricks. Production-wise right on the money, this will be in my collection for a long time.”
Vince Watson - Renaissance/Planet Rendezvous [Planet E]
Lars: “This man is a legend! And he's from Glasgow too! Two epic Detroit-esque masterpieces that show Vince on top form. Great to see him on Planet E as well, as his heart really belongs in Motor City. Typically emotive chords and strings not really departing from the format but when it's done this well it really doesn't matter - Vince has told me that he has lots more in the pipeline. Bring it on!” [listen]
 Vincenzo – Time Out [Dessous]
Lars: “This Italian/German dude has been around for a while, always mixing genres but still more in a house vein - and this one has been my favourite release of his. I hear he's moved to Berlin (he's been living here in Barcelona for a few years). The track itself is a slow-burner and takes a while to get going but that is it's charm: the bassline couples with the hook to play the same sequence and drops to this great chord, but don't ask me what genre it is - with this track I can't really put my finger on it. Good luck in Berlin, Vinnie!”
 Kevin Gorman – DMX [Gigolo]
Lars: “Pretty loco this one. One of those that makes you sit up and take notice. It reminds me a bit of Alloy Mental but it then goes a bit further. Not for the faint-hearted or those on hallucinogenic drugs: this is dark as hell. Gigolo have been putting out some varied electronic styles recently but this one should do well for them. Techno like this still does it for me when there has been some thought put into it.” [listen]
Chymera – Satura [Demo]
Since his relocation to Costa Rica (lucky bastard), Brendan has told me that he has been suffering from writer's block… but this is one of his new ones and it seems that the blank patch has disappeared. Reminiscent of Steve Rachmad's work, it's a melodic builder that sounds great once all the pieces come together in the final stages of the arrangement. I'm not sure if this is going to get released as it's in it's early stages, but it's the beginning of a real winner. Keep an eye on this producer, he's one of my current favourites.
Funk D'Void is spinning at the Together Halloween bash ‘'Disco of the Dead' at Turnmills in London on October 28, 2006.
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Published / Wednesday, 25 October 2006
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