Customer Reviews

Mysteries of Funk

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Being an avid enthusiast of the drum n' bass "scene," as pretentious as it occasionally sometimes is, in listening to this Cd I feel this is not a strong representation of the genre. This could very well be personal, (so you headz chill) but this type of jazzy, tech-step like, a cappella jam seems occasionally cheesy and filled with..well..."filler." I realize that during 1998 this was where it was at for Grooverider. He was hardly setting off bombs in the d n b fabric with other producers overshadowing his less-than-fresh efforts. This album has a few choice cuts, and his production skills are commendable, but combining so-called jazz harmonies with this type of genre is definately an abuse of power. The loungy progressions are worn thick, and lacking any true creativity deep down. This album comes nowhere near stuff on the "Prototype Years" ep which was showcasing the fine talents of heavy hitters Dillinja, Ed Rush, Fierce, Lemon D, Optical, and Boymerang, to name a few. It goes without saying that Grooverider has been one of the most respected and talented DJ's, probably getting all of these afforementioned producers their starts. A big name gets alot of support and can get away unscathed by negativity due to that stardom. No one would dare defy that Grooverider's attempt at making d n b is off key, but let's not give in to someone's production skills because they are graciously empowered in the scene like a king. Purveyor's of fine drum n' bass can find sanctuary elsewhere. Stick with your records for the best.

I'm not a huge fan of drum and bass, but I am an obsessed music lover, and no matter what the genre a song is in, if its good, I'll listen. I've always heard of Grooverider and seen him on countless U.K. festival flyers, and decided to see what the fuss was all about. On Mysteries of Funk, Grooverider takes a very jazzy and lounge-inspired approach. Dancefloor destroyers "Rivers of Congo" and "Where's Jack the Ripper" roll along next to smoother, jazzier cuts such as "Imagination" the beautiful "Rainbows of Color". Emotive chords and clangy guitars phase in and out along extremely tight drum programming and crisp effects. The mastering is excellent, and the album comes through the speaker very clear and effortlessly. The whole album gives the listener a decent listen, and is essential for any newcomer to the drum and bass / jungle genre, as the excellent price and quality factor keep this album stocked in any decent music shop.

This album is a very good example of jazzier drum 'n' bass. It isnt quite as "hardcore" as some other albums (like "Fully Automatic"), but it is very good. I don't think it was meant to be really hardcore anyway, it's more "kick back and relax" sort of stuff. "Where's Jack The Ripper" is probable one if, if not THE best track on the album. A very good buy if you're into this genre. Otherwise, you might be better off with "Fully Automatic" or "This Is Drum 'n' Bass"

Though Grooverider is the original drum n' bass dj, this album is not geared towards the dancefloor. Instead, much in the same vain as Goldie and Roni Size's LP approaches, it was created to be an album worth listening to off the dancefloor as well as make you groove. This is a difficult task believe it or not, and since only a few have done it well since the inception of the genre it may not last. However, "Mysteries of Funk" may be the best foray into true music from a drum n' bass foundation. It incorporates a small but healthy dosage of soulful vocals in a few tracks. Throughout the album psychadelic funk and a hardbop jazzy atmosphere dominates the scenery. Delicious basslines join with jumping drums that force a groove into your waistline while the strings and horns caress your creative sides enough to enjoy listening to it even more than just dancing to it. It's ashame that Drum n' bass has lost its significance in contemporary music for it was a genre with infinite possibilities and much promise. This was recognized early on by pioneers like 4Hero and LTJ Bukem. However, most of the scene has forgotten any hopes at making the scene a respected one musically with the exception of the brazillian drum n' bass craze of the past few years thanks to DJs such as Patife and Markee from Brazil. However, Bristol's own DJ SUV has been single handedly holding the torch for England. Possibly the last great attempt at music for a DnB album is his Sept.11, 2001 release on Full Cycle, Desert Rose. Surely coincedental, it is heavily dosed with middle eastern instrumentation as well as African and Latin American sounds. A brilliant album it is indeed. Perhaps Grooverider will return with another album that will resurrect hope of musical creativity in contemporary music otherwise it may be best to stick with the original Herbie Hancock records.

As antisipated as this album was i am not sure if this album actually delivers the goods.At first listening this was a bit of a drag, but as i listened on i could really get into it.That is groove`s point.I really liked the first track which is like hardcore d`n`b at a very relaxed pace and the middle section does come up very surprisingly.`wheres jack the ripper` reallly is the most outstanding track on this album along with Starbase 23 which has a nice relaxed ambience to it.Not an album for the fans of real darkcore and nothing too special overall,more like Sunday afternoon d`n`b.He is really only a DJ (altough a superb one at that)and his Friday night slot is always worth listening to,along with the great Fabio.You can pick up some kickin new tracks every week from the likes of Die,Krust,Optical,Capone,Bailey,Ed Rush,Photek and the excellent Peshay.Altough i am listening to him on BBC Radio 1 for 4 years now it is a bit of a disappiontment but if you ever get to catch him live , catch him.He really is one of the best.Anyone interested in talking about any reference to groove or d`n`b,give me an e-mail,i`ve been in this scene eight years now and i think i know the score.

I'm not a big DNB fan, but this album is incredible. It is a mood of its own; it has a unified vision. It takes you to the darkest reaches of outer space with the sound of mournful metallic whale calls and random snippets of radio relays from a distant space station - but it stays totally coherent with beats that switch from supple to smashing and then back again. A real piece of art.

From when I got it in 99 its been a passion for me to be involved with DNB, 7 years ago, wow, But yeh Super Techy it stays a same a lot but very interesting songs with a couple that have superb breakdowns that made me fall in love. I have followed grooverider and goldie and now tons of artist becuase of this cd, even on the market today, it still is a somewhat strange original cd, and it has very dark spacey origins, with a twist of nice groovey origins. Great cd, my first love.......and for the used price its worth it to hear it in full length...

i bought the single disc version when it came out in '98 or '99 but didn't get it back after a breakup. i saw the double disc and thought i should get this one instead because it had two extra tracks. what i didn't know was the the order of songs was switched and in most cases extended. i am blown away! this is so much better than the single i can't believe it, i would even recommend buying the double if you already own the single. the packaging is great which shows me this is the version grooverider wants you to have. do yourself a favour and buy it.

Well known as one of the premier innovators of drum-and-bass throughout the world, Grooverider had been spinning his brand of stuff for more than twelve years by the release of this album. With influences from hip-hop, soul, funk and techno, MYSTERIES OF FUNK is a journey into different styles. From the hard-core rush of "Where Is Jack The Ripper" to the floating vocal magic of "Rainbows Of Colour," the common thread in all of Grooverider's songs is funk. Some of the other tracks that standout are the jazzy "Rivers Of Congo," the thick big-beat/industrial sound of "Cybernetic Jazz" and the haunting, vocal-oriented "Fly With Me",along with the capriciously beautiful "Starbase 23". As drum-and-bass gains ground in the mainstream, Grooverider pushes the envelope further with MYSTERIES OF FUNK.

In one word... awesome. Grooverider is one of the true legends of the dnb scene and this album proves just how talented he is. The album veers from the surreal opener 'Cybernetic Jazz' to the jazzed-up vocal track 'Rainbows of Colour' to brooding dark numbers like the brilliant 'Where's Jack The Ripper' and '560*'. Highly original, diverse, and right up there with Aphrodite's album as my fave dnb LP's.