Butterfunk EP by Fouk

Fouk might have been curating Outplay since 2013, but their ‘Butterfunk EP’ is in fact the duo’s first proper EP on their own imprint. It’s not that they’ve been resting on their laurels: they’ve dripfed a handful of EPs on the likes of Heist and House of Disco over the past few years, and released solo efforts on Kolour Ltd and Razor ’n Tape that stormed the charts. It’s been fascinating to see the Dutch pair slowly break the mould, moving from heavy sampling in favour to an emphasis on original instrumentation and production.

The Butterfunk EP is a fine showcase of their prowess in the studio, loaded to the hilt with contemporary dancefloor funk. Things kick off with the rolling drums, off-beat percussion and seriously infectious Hammond lines of Organ Freeman. Title track Butterfunk is aimed squarely at the hips with its smooth keys and perfectly placed vocal, while some acid lines give the track a little edge.

Flip over for the bumping ‘Wong Way’, a chunky workout with a rubber bassline. The finale of the EP is ‘Winter’, a fantastic slice of 80’s inspired downtempo mushroom jazz.