CROWN

TRACKLIST Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Dam-Funk - Page 3 Re-Freak Mix Reggie B - Page 5 Scifonk Mix INFO The record follows earlier EPs the duo created under their former alias Funkinevil, 2013's Ignorant and 2012's Night/Dusk. The record once again brings together two artists from opposite sides of the pondžJulien hailing from London and Hall representing Detroitžwith a shared love for soul in its purest essence. Opening "Page 1", a pitched-down vocal by James Massiah pronounces, "My planžwon't let you take it from hand." That alone could be considered the nut graph of a record about taking ownership, created by two vanguards in the electronic music scene that, a decade ago, insisted on infusing their music with soul in a commercial club circuit lacking in it. Assembled from a few years-worth of studio jams in Julien's studio, Crown dials up the staticky warmth present on earlier Funkinevil tracks like "Dusk" and "In The Grid." Across seven songs, Funkinevil shaves off some of their tougher elements, instead shooting for pastoral melodies and funky basslines, like on "Page 2", where Vicky Flint's flute flutters sleepily over breaks and a groovy Korg synthesizer. But the atmosphere on the EP is also grander than everžon "Page 5," Cloud's wistful melisma soars over Flint's bleating saxophone and wandering sci-fi synths. With all this attention to funky musicality, it's only fitting that two legends specializing in the craft would land on the B-sidežDäm Funk revs up Page 3 with a slamming kick and his unmistakable coolness, and Reggie B turns Page 5 into a sludgy, jazzy dance party. In the words of Julien, "I think a lot of people have forgotten about what this whole thing is about. Musically, artistry and everything. So I'm happy this is what we represent on this project."