Words by Matt Benn.
It’s not often I sit down and write original articles for UKFunky.net, mainly because my spelling and grammar is terrible but also because I prefer to let the music do the talking as that’s the real reason you all visit the site. But as 2011 draws to a close I have been inspired to jump in front of the keyboard and pick out some of the Producers from the UK I think are worth keeping an eye on in 2012. So here we go…. In no particular order ten Producers I think deserve to get a share of the spotlight in 2012.
Foamo
Foamo is no new newbie to the scene. He already holds residencies in London and Ibiza and has performed guestmixes on Radio 1,Kiss and Rinse. This year he has put out some great music and even done an official remix for Carl Cox!
We think 2012 is going to be even bigger for the High Wycombe boy so if you have not already realised how talented he is, wake up now. Foamo is going to smash it in 2012 and we are fully supporting him. Foamo, we salute you!
Twitter: @Foamo Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/foamo
Foamo’s Current Releases On Juno Download
MixKid
I have a lot of time for MixKid – He is one of the most controversial and entertaining people I follow on Twitter and is an incredibly talented producer. Say what you like about Mixkid – you cannot deny this mans passion for the music. This year he has dropped some gems spanning the whole spectrum of house music – Deep, Soulful, Tech, you name it Mixkid has jumped on it.
His work rate has been extremely high throughout 2011, I just hope more people catch on to what he’s doing and he gets some more music officially released in 2012. Labels pay attention!
Twitter: @MixkidMuzikDJ Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/mixkidmuzik
MixKid’s Current Releases On Juno Download
Matt IQ
Contrary to popular belief, Matt IQ and I are not the same person! It sounds biased, and it probably is a bit, but ‘From Bank To Brick Lane’ which came out on our label was one of the best EP’s of the year – experimental, cross genre and different.
Musically you never quite know what to expect from Matt IQ but we predict big things for him and hope to work with him again in 2012.
Twitter: @_Matt_IQ_ Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/ieqrecords
Matt IQ’s Current Releases On Juno Download
Shox
With artists such as Roska, Skream and Zinc from Rinse FM making such a huge impact on the electronic music scene this year I feel that as part of Rinse’s all-star line-up Shox has been slightly overlooked this year.
Shox has consistently made and released great music this year on his own label Hundred2ONE Recordings. After releasing three big EPs in 2011 the stage is now set for more in 2012.
Shox makes his own brand of dark bassy house that has a very raw feel to it and with bass music becoming so much more prominent we think 2012 will be a good year for him. Catch his show on Rinse every Monday from 1400-1700 (GMT).
Twitter: @Shox_ Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/shoxrinse
Shox’s Current Releases On Juno
Jook 10 & Sunday Roast
Ok, ok… I cheated and picked two for this choice but Jook10 & Sunday Roast are a team and together they make up the mighty Soul Serious records. They are also both part of Marcus Nasty’s ‘We R Bass’ camp.
If you are into bass music and have not heard of Jook 10 and Sunday Roast you must have been living under a rock this year! They have been consistently putting out bass heavy tracks which have been getting some serious love in the Juno Download Funky charts and regular radio play on some of the biggest specialist shows in the UK.
Now that they have both really made an impact on the scene and you know the names we feel that 2012 is going to be their year. Look out for Jook 10, Sunday Roast and SoulSerious Records!
Twitter: @djsundayroast // @djjook10
Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/jook10/ // http://soundcloud.com/sundayroast
Current Soulserious Releases On Juno Download
Fuzzy logik
As one of the pioneers of the UK Funky scene you might think Fuzzy is a strange choice in a list of emerging artists but after a bit of a quiet spell Fuzzy has been back with a bang in the final quarter of 2011. His tracks ‘All My Love’ featuring talented singer Jada Pearl and ‘Playground’ featuring future star Myshy have topped the specialist charts and destroyed dance floors nationwide.
He has his next track with singer Myshy ‘Pose’ coming out in early 2012, which is the perfect way for Fuzzy to start 2012. We wish him all the best for next year. He already has the backing of all UK Funky fans, now it’s time for him to crossover to the wider House Music world!
Twitter: @FuzzyLogik Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/flogik/
Fuzzy Logik’s Current Releases On Juno Download
Walter Ego
Walter Ego is a Sheffield based producer who we have been supporting over the last year or so. He has a unique, clever production style that caught our attention straight away. When he is not making funky / bass sounds he also makes Grime and in July put out the ‘Calm Down’ EP which featured some of the best local MCs from Sheffield and surrounding areas.
I think 2012 will be a big year for him – he already has some big releases planned including one with UKFunky.net!
Twitter: @djwalterego Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/walter-ego/
Walter Ego’s Current Releases On Juno Download
Woz
Bristolian producer Woz released two EPs on Black Butter Records within a few months of each other. Both received a great deal of attention and praise. His second EP the Oakay EP really grabbed us, he seems to take influences from Funky, Techno and Jungle and mash them into his own unique sound.
Now that he has two good releases under his belt and some really strong tracks on his Soundcloud page we have high expectations for him in the new year.
Twitter: @Wozlo Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/ash-woz/
Woz’s Current Releases On Juno Download
Funk Butcher
Funk Butcher is another name that has been in the scene a long while now. He established himself early as one of the top DJ’s in the UK Funky scene but in the past year or so he has really started to shine as a producer too.
Butcher has already shown his versatility having released some nice chilled vocal tracks, dirty dutch inspired harder instrumentals and even some deep techy sounding house. In 2012 we are looking forward to the promised ‘Nasty Butcher EP’ he is releasing in collaboration with Marcus Nasty and more releases on his own ‘Houseology’ label.
Twitter: @FunkButcher Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/funk_butcher
Funk Butcher’s Current Releases On Juno Download
Kry Wolf
Kry Wolf are the owners of the ‘Sounds Of Sumo’ label and ‘Sumo’ brand of parties. They have really stepped it up in 2011. Their label has gone from strength to strength having released music for Whole Sick, Tommy Kid and Hybu to name just a few but the reason they have made this list is their own production work.
This year they have put out several top class releases and some really great remixes. Kry Wolf clearly have a very high work rate and deserve all the respect they are getting at the moment. In 2012 we expect even more great releases from Sounds of Sumo and hope to hear a lot more from Kry Wolf.
Twitter: @Kry_Wolf Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/kry-wolf
Kry Wolf’s Current Releases On Juno Download
Wildcard – Tom Shorterz
Tom Shorterz is my ‘Wildcard’ and is a last minute addition to this list. We recently featured the Birmingham based DJ / Producer on UKFunky.net after he sent us his track ‘Morning Alkaline’ out of the blue. He has already established his talent as a DJ having played in clubs as far afield as Ibiza and Canada but it’s his skills as a producer that has really grabbed us.
As far as we know he has not released anything this year but his talent is undeniable and if he makes any more music like ‘Morning Alkaline’ we think he will go a long way.
Twitter: @Shorterz Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/tom-shorterz/
That’s it! There are so many names I could have (and probably should have) added to this list but it is so hard to pick just 10. That’s a very good sign for 2012. I apologise if you are a producer and you think you deserved to make the list, these are just 10 of the names I personally think are going to do big things in 2012.
Do you agree? Let me know by leaving a comment or tweet!
Matt Benn.