Freakshow - Krafty Kuts (January 2008)

Break beats fans have probably noticed the recent Break famine in Australia, which seems to have been replaced by a wash of electro-house over the past year or so. With the re-release of his album Freakshow, saving grace and one man act Krafty Kuts ( Martin Reeves) could not have better timed his return to the table. The 2008 Big Day Out edition revives the original release, featuring a bonus remixed disk of his former favourites. However despite its anticipation, Freakshow doesn’t flourish in waving its cape wildly but rather slips in through the stage door. Krafty Kuts refrains from boasting his scratching skills in front of the other kids and seems to have adopted a less-is-more policy, providing his dancing audience with some solid beats to sink their feet into.

You could be forgiven for assuming the ass-grinding funk of the title track would set the tone for the album, but you would be wrong. We Do This and Keep Moving are sure to satiate any hip hop cravings, but if you’re after more of Krafty’s signature funk he’s got you covered with She’s Out Of My Head. In fact he appears to cover all bases – perhaps even stretches to reach them – as the album somehow seams together thick disco bass with heavy hip hop beats and some seriously refreshing percussive threads (tune into Bass Phenomenon). His skill is undeniable, so it’s disappointing when Reeves gets distracted and throws up the Back in 5 sign with an occasional stretch of uninspiring house loops.

Featuring more cameos than the Simpsons Movie, Tim Deluxe, Freestylers, Scratch Perverts and Dynamite MC are among some of the guest artists each adding their own flavour, so it’s not surprising that the album tugs in many different directions. You get the feeling that Freakshow would be better served as a compilation and probably prevents any development of a coherent album, but it sure makes for a bloody good dance.