Topping off a full on year for both the label and club night which has seen them release a mix album and artist album from the mighty Dreadzone, been involved in programming and running two of the UK’s most important festivals; Glastonbury and The Glade, It’s now time for them to gear up for their 8th birthday and as part of the celebrations Functional have decided to team up two of the hottest stars of breaks to drop what can only be described as one of the most liveliest mix albums around, so step forth Jay Cunning & Atomic Hooligan!
There are DJ’s who just DJ’s and there are producers who DJ to earn some extra cash and then there are DJ’s with a genuine gift for rocking the dance floor and there’s no denying it both Jay & Atomic Hooligan’s proven track record for mashing up venues firmly puts them into the latter category!
For those that don’t know, Jay & Atomic Hooligan (Terry Hooligan and Matt Welch) run ‘Menu Music’ a label and concept for throwing the biggest parties, playing the baddest tunes to the most up for it crowds around and when this duo are on the decks, you certainly knows it. Their ‘6 decks & FX’ sets are the stuff of legends.
Back to the mix, from the MC led intro (recorded at one of their infamous 6 deck sets in Russia in front of 12,000 ravers!) you know this is something special. The album is killer from start to finish featuring just the right mix of slamming breaks mixed up with the biggest party tunes (for the laydeez) and Terry’s mad scratch skillz giving this mix the edge that many programmed and dare I say ‘Pro Tools’ mixed albums seem to lack. Put simply, it rocks.
JAY CUNNING has been in the mix since the heady days of acid house (that’s ‘89, not ‘88 fact fans) through sheer determination Jay has kept the faith hosting numerous pirate radio shows, promoting events and knocking out beats. Things really started coming to ahead in 2001 when Jay became involved with the infamous Breaks FM internet radio station and also developed a rather natty skill for 3 deck mixing both of which won him gigs across the globe from Toronto to Russia to Romania.
ATOMIC HOOLIGAN is MATT WELCH and TERRY HOOLIGAN, two stars of the breaks scene who really need no introduction. Their 2004 album ‘You Are Here’ broke the mould for what was considered achievable with a ‘breaks album’ Their accompanying 8-piece live show is really something that has to be seen to be believed and seen the guys perform at Glastonbury, Fabric Live, Cargo, The Ocean Rooms and many more. Terry’s deck skills have led to the Atomic's being voted as one of the Top 10 breaks DJs in the world.
Featuring such belters as Jay Cunning & One Sinner ‘Bad Man’, ‘7 Ten Split’ and ‘Just One More’ by Atomic Hooligan and unreleased exclusives ‘Ghetto Soul’ by Rico Tubbs and ‘Ghetto Blaster’ by SOTO this mix is the ultimate party breaks for ya ears. Nuff said.
