Funki Porcini
Encyclopedia
Funki Porcini is musician
and film maker, James Braddell, from England
.
His music is a combination of Downtempo
, Breakbeat
and Jazz
with elements of Hip hop
, Drum and bass
, sampling
and time-stretched
vocals. The name "Funki Porcini" is a twist on "Funghi Porcini", the italian name of the mushroom Boletus edulis
, commonly known as "penny bun".
He spent ten years in Italy
making music for film and television. Thereafter, he returned to England. In 1994 he signed to independent record label
Ninja Tune
and set up his own studio, The Uterus Goldmine.
For his fourth album, Fast Asleep, Braddell worked with Team Alcohol (aka Rupert Small) to produce visual interpretations of eight tracks, which are included on the album's accompanying DVD.
He has also recorded as a member of 9 Lazy 9
(aka 8 Lazy Bastards), under the pseudonym Giacomo Braddellini; and released the EP "Float On" (1995), as a member of short-lived band Purr, along with DJ N4Eric (aka Toona) and Stuart Warren-Hill of Hexstatic
. Recently he has been making films and animation and has worked on the scores to two films by Tony Grisoni; Syncing and The Pizza Miracle.
Them!:
The track 123,3,4 from The Ultimately Empty Million Pounds uses samples from Ornette Coleman's album The Shape of Jazz to Come.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and film maker, James Braddell, from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
His music is a combination of Downtempo
Downtempo
Downtempo is a laid-back electronic music style similar to ambient music, but usually with a beat or groove unlike the beatless forms of Ambient music. The beat is sometimes made from loops that have a hypnotic feeling...
, Breakbeat
Breakbeat
In 1992, a new style called "jungalistic hardcore" emerged, and for many ravers it was too funky to dance to. Josh Lawford of Ravescene prophesied that the breakbeat was "the death-knell of rave" because the ever changing drumbeat patterns of breakbeat music didn't allow for the same zoned out,...
and Jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
with elements of Hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
, Drum and bass
Drum and bass
Drum and bass is a type of electronic music which emerged in the late 1980s. The genre is characterized by fast breakbeats , with heavy bass and sub-bass lines...
, sampling
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
and time-stretched
Audio timescale-pitch modification
Time stretching is the process of changing the speed or duration of an audio signal without affecting its pitch.Pitch scaling or pitch shifting is the opposite: the process of changing the pitch without affecting the speed...
vocals. The name "Funki Porcini" is a twist on "Funghi Porcini", the italian name of the mushroom Boletus edulis
Boletus edulis
Boletus edulis, commonly known as penny bun, porcino or cep, is a basidiomycete fungus, and the type species of the genus Boletus. Widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere across Europe, Asia, and North America, it does not occur naturally in the Southern Hemisphere, although it has been...
, commonly known as "penny bun".
He spent ten years in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
making music for film and television. Thereafter, he returned to England. In 1994 he signed to independent record label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
Ninja Tune
Ninja Tune
Ninja Tune is a London-based independent record label started by DJs Matt Black and Jonathan More, better known as Coldcut and managed by Peter Quicke. The label has a strong leaning towards mostly Electronic Music...
and set up his own studio, The Uterus Goldmine.
For his fourth album, Fast Asleep, Braddell worked with Team Alcohol (aka Rupert Small) to produce visual interpretations of eight tracks, which are included on the album's accompanying DVD.
He has also recorded as a member of 9 Lazy 9
9 Lazy 9
9 Lazy 9 is an Italian-based acid jazz/downtempo group on the Ninja Tune label. The group consists of Keir Fraserello, James Braddell , with Gianluca Petrella playing trombone, Mishael Levron on guitar, Manù Bandettini playing flute and Adriano Tirelli on bassoon.-Albums:* Paradise Blown 9 Lazy 9...
(aka 8 Lazy Bastards), under the pseudonym Giacomo Braddellini; and released the EP "Float On" (1995), as a member of short-lived band Purr, along with DJ N4Eric (aka Toona) and Stuart Warren-Hill of Hexstatic
Hexstatic
Hexstatic is a UK music duo, consisting of Stuart Warren Hill and Robin Brunson, that specializes in creating "quirky audio visual electro." Formed in 1997 after Hill and Brunson met while producing visuals at the Channel Five launch party, they decided to take over for the original members of the...
. Recently he has been making films and animation and has worked on the scores to two films by Tony Grisoni; Syncing and The Pizza Miracle.
Albums
- Hed Phone Sex (May 1995, Ninja TuneNinja TuneNinja Tune is a London-based independent record label started by DJs Matt Black and Jonathan More, better known as Coldcut and managed by Peter Quicke. The label has a strong leaning towards mostly Electronic Music...
, Cat. no: ZEN17/ZENCD17, 2xLP/CD) - Love, Pussycats and Carwrecks (June 1996, Ninja Tune, Cat. no: ZEN23/ZENCD23, 2xLP/CD)
- The Ultimately Empty Million Pounds (1999-03-29, Ninja Tune, Cat. no: ZEN40/ZENCD40, 2xLP/CD)
- Fast Asleep (29 July 2002, Ninja Tune, Cat. no: ZEN57/ZENCD57, 2xLP/CD+DVD)
- Plod (01 Dec 2009, Ninja Tune, Cat. no: ZENCD140, CD)
- On (3 May 2010, Ninja Tune, Cat. no: ZENCD144, CD)
Singles
- It's A Long Road (Feb 1995, Ninja Tune, Cat. no: ZEN1224, 12")
- Dubble (1995, Ninja Tune, Cat. no: ZEN1231, 12")
- King Ashabanapal mixes / King Ashabanapal's Big Pink Inflatable (1995, Ninja Tune, Cat. no: ZEN1237/ZENCDS37/39, 12"/CDS)
- Hyde Park / Suck Acid, Perl & Dean (1995, Ninja Tune, Cat. no: ZEN1239, 12")
- Carwreck (1996, Ninja Tune, Cat. no: ZEN1247/ZENCDS47, 12"/CDS)
- Let's See What Carmen Can Do (1996-04-07, Ninja Tune, Cat. no: ZEN1250/ZENCDS50, 12"/CDS)
- Love, Pussycats & Carwrecks EP (1996-08-30, Shadow RecordsShadow RecordsShadow Records was launched in 1995 as an Instinct Records sub-label to focus on the more organic side of the underground electronic music scene...
, Cat. no: SDW-12011-1, 12") - Funki Porcini Vs Jerry Van Rooyen (1997, Sideburn Recordings, Cat. no: SB 001, 12")
- Rockit Soul (1999-02, Ninja Tune, Cat. no: ZEN1276/ZENCDS76, 12"/CDS)
- Zombie (19 Oct 1999, Crippled Dick Hot Wax!, Cat. no: CDHW 063, 12"/CDS)
- The Great Drive By (24 October 2001, Ninja Tune, Cat. no: ZEN12102, 12")
- 16 Megatrons (Theme tune for Top Of The Rock website www.topoftherock.com)
As James Bradell
- "Untitled" on Rising From The Red Sand (Volume Three) (Sep 1983, Third Mind Records, Cat. no: TMT 13, Cassette)
As Funki Porchini
- "Trip To Nowhere" on Freezone 4: Dangerous Lullabies (15 Jule 1997, SSR Records/Small, Cat. no: SSR 187 LP;SSR 187 CD/SMA 487972-2, 4x12"/2xCD)
- "Z Cars" (with CujoAmon TobinAmon Adonai Santos de Araújo Tobin , known as Amon Tobin, is a Brazilian musician, composer and producer of electronic music. He is described as a virtuoso sound designer and is considered to be one of the most influential electronic music artists in the world...
) on Joint Ventures (11 Nov 1997, NINEBARecords/Shadow Records, Cat. no: NOZACD06/SDW032-2, CD) - "Z Cars (Superintatude Mix)" (with CujoAmon TobinAmon Adonai Santos de Araújo Tobin , known as Amon Tobin, is a Brazilian musician, composer and producer of electronic music. He is described as a virtuoso sound designer and is considered to be one of the most influential electronic music artists in the world...
) on Joint Ventures (1997, NINEBARecords, Cat. no: NOZALP06, 2x12") - "Crashism" on Endlessnessism (1998, Dot, Cat. no: DOTLP04/DOTCD04, 4x12"/2xCD)
Remixes
- ClusterfunkMad Doctor XMad Doctor X is a British DJ.-Blapps Posse:The Blapps! Records label run by Jason Carter, released several records from 1989–1992 that are considered classics in the Baltimore area, as well as in the British rave scene...
- "Refungalised (Funki Porchini mix)" from Inside (Blapps! and Funki Porcini remixes) (June 1995, Ninja Tune, Cat. no: ZEN 1227R, 12") - Journeyman - "Mama 6 (Funki Porcini Remix)" from Earthrise.Ntone.1 (1995, Instinct RecordsInstinct RecordsInstinct Records is a New York City electronic-music record label that first gained prominence in 1990. It is best-known for releasing much of Moby's early work. The label has several sublabels, which include Evolver, Instinct Ambient, Kickin Records USA, Liquid Music, Shadow Records, and Sonic...
, Cat. no: EX-322-1/EX-316-2, 4x12"/2xCD, Compilation) - Unitone HiFi - "Guiding Star (Funki Porcini Remix)" from Rewound + Rerubbed (1996, Incoming!Incoming!Incoming! is a video game for WiiWare developed by JV Games. It was released in North America on July 13, 2009.-Gameplay:Players control a row of tanks, and must destroy their opponent's tanks by firing back at them...
, Cat. no: INC!LP 3402/INC!CD 3308, 2x12"/CD) - The Mike Flowers PopsThe Mike Flowers PopsThe Mike Flowers Pops was a British easy listening band fronted by Mike Flowers and supported by the "Sounds Superb Singers" and "Super Stereo Brass". There were either thirteen or fourteen of them on stage at any time...
- "Freebass (Cocaine Donut)" from The Freebase Connection: The Mike Flowers Pops meets Aphex TwinAphex TwinRichard David James , best known under the pseudonym Aphex Twin, is an Irish-born electronic musician and composer described as "the most inventive and influential figure in contemporary electronic music"...
(29 July 1996, Lo RecordingsLo RecordingsLo Recordings is a label founded in 1995 by Jon Tye. They are noted for their strong visual style thanks to Non-Format, with whom they work very closely and won a D&AD award for several of their releases sleeves.-Musical style:...
, Cat. no: LOEP 02/LOEP 02 CD, 12"/CDS) - Pierre HenryPierre HenryPierre Henry is a French composer, considered a pioneer of the musique concrète genre of electronic music.-Biography:...
& Michel ColombierMichel ColombierMichel Colombier was a French composer, songwriter, arranger, and conductor.- External links :*...
- "Jericho Jerk (Funki Porcini Mix)" from Metamorphose - Messe Pour Le Temps Présent (1997, FFRR RecordsFFRR RecordsFFRR Records is a subsidiary of London Records, founded and run by English DJ Pete Tong. FFRR has also two subsidiaries: Double F Double R Records and Ffrreedom Records...
(US)/Philips RecordsPhilips RecordsPhilips Records is a record label that was founded by Dutch electronics company Philips. It was started by "Philips Phonographische Industrie" in 1950. Recordings were made with popular artists of various nationalities and also with classical artists from Germany, France and Holland. Philips also...
(France), Cat. no: 456 294-2/456 650-1;456 294-2;456 640-2, CD, Compilation) - Barbara GoganThe PassionsThe Passions were a British band which formed in 1978, and disbanded in 1983. They were one-hit wonders with their misty song, "I'm in Love with a German Film Star". which was released in early 1981.-Career:...
with Hector ZazouHector ZazouHector Zazou was a prolific French composer and record producer who worked with, produced, and collaborated with an international array of recording artists...
- "Cradle Your Soul (Funki Porcini Mix)" from Made On Earth (Remixes) (1997, SSR Records, Cat. no: SSR 179, 12") - Margoo - "Villain (Funki Porcini Remix)" from Ariane 5 EP (1997, Lo Recordings, Cat. no: LOEP 04, 12")
- Sounds From The GroundSounds From The GroundSounds From The Ground is an English electronic music duo formed in 1995. Both members Nick Woolfson and Elliot Jones met through their involvement with the underground music scene in London.-Career:...
- "Over There (Purr Remix)" from Sound Information 3 (1998, Echo Beach, Cat. no: EB020, CD, Compilation) - Le Tone - "Joli Dragon (Funki Porcini Remix)" from Joli Dragon (1999, Creation RecordsCreation RecordsCreation Records was a British independent record label headed by Alan McGee. Along with Dick Green and Joe Foster, McGee founded Creation in 1983. The label lasted until its demise in 1999. The name came from the 1960s band The Creation , whom McGee greatly admired. McGee, Green and Foster were...
, Cat. no: , 12") - Toxic Lounge - "When Sorrows Came (Funki Porcini's Toxic Hammond)" from When Sorrows Came (29 August 2000, Klein Records, Cat. no: KL 015, 12")
DJ Mixes
- "Megamix" (56:03) from Soundclash Present Undo (disc 2: Breaking Off With Funki Porcini) - (1999, Soundclash, Cat. no: SOUND CDLP 01, 2xCD, Compilation + Mixed CD)
Samples
"What Are You Looking At?", the opening track on Fast Asleep, features a vocal sample from the 1956 science fiction filmScience fiction film
Science fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, alien worlds, extrasensory perception, and time travel, often along with futuristic...
Them!:
- "Gentlemen, science is agreed, that if something isn't done and done quickly, man as the dominant species of Earth will be extinct within a year."
The track 123,3,4 from The Ultimately Empty Million Pounds uses samples from Ornette Coleman's album The Shape of Jazz to Come.