Funk Thompson - Funktioning Girl
"Funktioning Girl"starts with Ol' Look Out which sounds like a live jam demo more than a full song, and although it's good, it's definitely missing something. This is made even more evident by the fact that it has been chosen as the opening track (which perhaps wasn't the best decision) and the huge jump up in quality from this and the next track Basa. Although not the best track on the album, the offbeat flow of the track and electro-jazz/funk influences set the tone for the release a lot more than the opener. The City and SMS are both short and sweet (the latter being the much better) songs that just float by in a good way. SuperHuman Being had the potential to be one of the stronger tracks on this release, but I personally feel the spoken word section of the song was far too long and just took away from the song in general. The production on the track is still very pretty though.
Interlude with the Four Roses Society felt unnecessary among a collection of tracks that are even shorter in length than this. Alright to the Sun worked as a nice change of pace and style from the rest of the release. I felt as if this track is what Ol' Look Out could and should have been in terms or delivery and positioning within the album. 2(4) is a very well produced and generally pretty sounding piece, that goes well in to Baby Keys and Beatbag, which I feel are the three strongest tracks. Each of them are well produced, pretty, and focused. Beatbag has some brilliant sample work and the change-ups in the beat are perfect, and help make this my personal favourite track from Funktioning Girl.
Serious Betta is another very strong track, but just not quite as good as the previous three. It does however, serve as a nice comedown of sorts as the end of the album approaches, and goes well in the the closing track; Funk's Outro, which not only ties in well with the name of the artist and the release, but ties the album up quite nicely.
Overall this is a very well produced, and chilled out release. Pretty is the best way I can describe it, but I feel that leaving a few tracks off this release would have improved the overall quality and earned it a much higher mark.