October 27 is a bit of a landmark for Finger Lickin’ as the label celebrates its 10th birthday and 100th single release with a mighty limited edition triple CD boxset mixed by head honchos Soul Of Man. Over the past decade the label’s distinctive sound has impacted upon thousands of clubbers worldwide thanks to some belting releases from the likes of Plump DJs, Lee Coombs, Krafty Kuts, Slyde, A-Skillz and loads more. Funk, hip hop, house, breakbeat and electro have all been mixed into the label’s melting pot with artists given complete freedom to do as they please. Of course, the distinctive Finger Lickin’ artwork has helped too, so the new album comes with special packaging and a 16-page booklet for your viewing pleasure.
As for the music, CD1, titled Vinyl Vaults, is a selection of some of the original breaks that kicked off this journey. Tracks from Soul of Man rub shoulders with classics such as the Plump DJs’ Push, the Drumattic Twins’ Feelin Kinda Strange and Lee Coombs’ Future Sound of Retro. CD2’s title of Classic Cuts speaks for itself – Scram, Dirty Waltzer, The Gate and Gimme The Breaks are on here. And CD3 is Future Funk, a fusion of funk, breaks, house and electro mixed by Soul Of Man. Riddled with exclusives and unreleased material from the Plump DJs, Krafty Kuts & A-Skillz, Soul of Man and Drumattic Twins, it also includes specially commissioned remixes from the Stanton Warriors, Utah Saints, Micky Slim and Lee Coombs.
"To pick out a single highlight over the last 10 years is impossible,” says label founder Justin Rushmore of Soul Of Man. “Performing to a crowd of 10,000 smiley-faced ravers at the first ever Field Day in Sydney Australia; flying to New York to record with hip hop legend Kurtis Blow; hosting the infamous fifth birthday party at the Coronet in London, which boasted a full line-up of all the artists on the label; the awesome parties at Snowbombing or hearing your tunes being played in clubs all over the world – there are so many magic moments and so many classic tunes, it’s been some trip so far”
The FL crew will also be embarking on a 10-date tour of 10 cities in the UK, cramming the tour bus with their favourite DJs and their record boxes and bringing the Finger Lickin’ experience to a city near you soon. More details to follow…
10 Years Of Finger Lickin’ is out on October 27 on Finger Lickin’ Records. Visit www.fingerlickin.co.uk
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