Discognized

Confunktion Records very own Mr. Confuse returns with a cover version of Rockwell’s 80s classic “Somebody’s Watching Me” in true organic funk style. The songs kicks off with heavy funk drums, an incredible horn section, funky Hammond organ sound and soulful vocals by singer John Winston Berta.

Make sure you check out the music video of ‘Somebody’s Watching Me’ and don’t miss this release on Confunktion Records as the 7 Inch vinyl version is limited. Be quick on this one!

Somebody's Watching Me

Somebody's Watching Me (Instrumental)

Somebody's Watching Me (Chorus Version)

Battle of the Year 2021 - The Soundtrack

Break It Loose

For worldwide bookings please write to: booking[at]mrconfuse[dot]com

www.mrconfuse.com

‘Do You Realize’ is the question which Mr. Confuse asks on this album and it comes as a massive plea for the power of funk. ‘Do You Realize’ is about being true to the groove, carries strong lyrical statements while touching political matters as well as social issues in its clever and heartfelt lyrics but is first and foremost, of course, about being real.

On ‘Do You Realize’ Mr. Confuse picks up on the distinctive, organic and powerful sound he introduced on ‘Feel The Fire’ and takes it a step further. ‘Do You Realize’ tells a story from the beginning to the end: ‘We Gonna Bring The Funk To You’ with featured singer and main vocalist Dan Salem allows no second thoughts as a perfect opener and leads into ‘Catch Me’, the first single release. In a total of 13 tracks and with full-on party tunes like ‘Never Let The Rhythm Go’ and ‘Let’s Get The Feeling’ the album keeps a steady pace. The second single releases ‘Too Hot’ and the conscious and soulful ‘Why Can’t You See Me’ carries ‘Do You Realize’ to the perfect ending with the moving soul ballad ‘Cool Smooth Waters’ introducing the mighty soul voice of Mrs Elaine Thomas. 

It would not be a true Mr. Confuse album if it would not pay tribute to a musical pioneer. With his versions of ‘Boogie Down (Bronx)’ (with the voice of well know German Reggae artist Benjie) and ‘Man Made’ (featuring Dan Salem) Mr. Confuse pays tribute to Man Parrish as one of the innovators who translated Funk and Boogie into the HipHop-Era of early Electro and Freestyle. ‘Do You Realize’ comes as an apt title then.

Accompanying the album there will be a colourful bunch of remixes released in various formats. Well known British producers like Lack Of Afro (Freestyle Records), Newcastle's own Smoove (Jalapeno Records), up and coming producer Daytoner (Wass Records), among the excellent bossa breaks remix production of Dr Rubberfunk (Jalapeno Records) and an exciting remix on the jazzy tip by Tom Eno (Jack To Phono Records) are representing the UK remixer scene. The album also features contributions by Hungary's finest producer team The Uptown Felaz (Shiftin' Gears Records), Poland's Przaśnik (Funky Mamas And Papas Recordings) and Germany's block-rocking Ghetto Funk producers Funkanomics (Big M Productions) together with well known German Electro Funk expert Funkmaster Ozone (Da Source Records) and fresh new faces like Salem & Bastino - not to forget Afternoons In Stereo (Timewarp Music) from Toronto/Canada and a rare appearance of Dublex Inc (INFRACom!).

With ‘Do You Realize” Mr. Confuse is not only expanding his trademark sound but the album also introduces him as a musical director with an open ear for the bigger picture. With up to 23 international musicians he created incredible sounding big arrangements you would rather expect from the good times of big studios from the 60s and 70s. Here is a producer who not only reveals a deep understanding of the rhythms ranging from Afro to Soul and from classic R&B to HipHop, but who also has a vision of translating history into the future. ‘Do You Realize’? Indeed we do!

It also can be heard on the Goodgroove Regrooved Series IX and the breakdance compilation "Battle of the year - Soundtrack 2009". 

Never Let The Rhythm Go

Time to Move

Time to Move (Instrumental)

Time to Move (feat. Alicia Cibola)

No Time to Snooze

For worldwide bookings please write to: booking[at]mrconfuse[dot]com

www.mrconfuse.com

Mr. Confuse is a traveller between the styles. Collecting 14 tracks on his album Mr. Confuse takes us on an excursion from HipHop to Afro, Electro and Latin back to Funk. „Feel The Fire“ comes as an organic statement for the analogue link between HipHop and Funk as well as an authentic and up-to-date plea for the original brass arrangements in the Funk and Jazz music of the 70s.

As part of the producer team Breakout, Mr. Confuse was a household name in the Funk and HipHop community already in 2006. His idea to reinterpret Afrika Bambaataa’s „Planet Rock“ as a Funk tune and in a Jazz-Breaks version gained Breakout massive international attention.

Mr. Confuse decided to produce „Feel The Fire“ in a kind of style which is typical for HipHop:  “I work sampler based. You look for parts of drum loops and other pieces in a record and build new music from it.” This concept is as exciting as it is hard work: „I will return to my Sampler with what the musicians played and often do a completely new cut. You may say that I use a musician as a sample library.“ Consequently recording „Feel The Fire“ took quite some time. In the end the complete album consists now of about 10000 samples. To finish an album like that it is a matter of sweat and tears ...“. 

On „Feel The Fire“ you hear some of Hannover’s best musicians – Marc-Amadeus Figge, Martin “Margot” Gontarski (Spice), Lars Heindorf (Sugarhat), trombonist Matthias Brennecke and Hammond organ C3 player Hakan Türközü. Percussion comes courtesy of Lionel Berton from Paris, the vocalists are Emma Pujadas a.k.a. Lady Emz from Barcelona and Jazz singer Inna Vysotska.

So it comes as no surprise that Mr. Confuse can very clearly define his references and inspiration: „I draw my influences from HipHop and I want to work on something I can identify with. What I tried is to transfer the idea, better say the musical basis of HipHop, from the 90s back to today. So it was just natural for me that I tried to keep my sound dirty like it was in the 60s and 70s. My main idea by doing songs like “Planet Rock” or “Lookout Weekend” was to put the 80s back into 70s or 60s by using technology of the 90s – got it!?”

Groovin' On The Spot

Short Hip Hop Mix by Mr. Confuse. All Lossless for the highest audio feel.

Mr. Confuse - 35 Minutes Of Hip Hop

Another short Hip Hop Mix by Mr. Confuse. All Lossless for the highest audio feel.

Mr. Confuse - 30 Minutes Of Hip Hop

For worldwide bookings please write to: booking[at]mrconfuse[dot]com

www.mrconfuse.com

Mr Confuse returns with two brand new up-tempo funk tracks on Confunktion Records.

The first track "Rush Zone" is a funky mover with exciting heavy drums that really keeps you moving till the end. On the flipside "Gain Station" offers a driving bass line and a breathtaking afro-funk feeling.

The 7 Inch vinyl version is limited to a 150 units - so you better be quick on this one!

Rush Zone

For worldwide bookings please write to: booking[at]mrconfuse[dot]com

www.mrconfuse.com

Mr Confuse’s “Feel The Fire” completely remixed by by like-minded producers, musicians and DJs – enjoy and read who is on board:

Track: Feel The Fire
Remixer: Smoove (Newcastle UK – Jalapeno Records) 
Ubiquitious producer, remixer and travelling DJ from the North of England, Smoove is recognized as one of the most prolific ambassadors of breakbeat fusion. Smoove has just released the album „Antique Soul“ with soulmate, songwriter and singer John Turrell on Jalapeno Records, plus he is active with his own Wack Records imprint.

Track: Hurricane Jane
Remixer: Daytoner (Cornwall UK - Wack Records)
Daytoner spends his waking hours on an ill-advised trawl through the vintage easy listening vinyl of friends, relatives and the consistent mine of Cornwall's charity shops in order to habitually rehash into a sampled odyssey of smile rendering audio. Daytoner also works with local musicians to ensure the audio's usually more than just a mash. The debut Daytoner single 'Little Wonder' was released in March 2009 on Wack Records and will be one the tracks on the first Daytoner LP, provisionally titled 'Sunburst Radio' which is currently being recorded.

Track: Balkan Funk
Remixer: Ed Royal (Innsbruck Austria – Innvision Records)
Ed Royal discovered his love for dejaying in Italy during the early 80s, crossing over funk, breakbeat and drum & bass. As a true freestyler he has been running Innvision Records since 2003 and produced remixes for the All Good Funk Alliance, Soulphonic Soundsystem, Mawglee, Michael DeVellis, K’Bonus, Badboe, Timewarp Inc., Parov Stelar and Rephrase. He features in the record collections of colleagues Makossa (FM4), JonH (Fort Knox Five), Kid Loco (Yellow Prod.), Rob Birch (Stereo MCs).

Track: Lookout Weekend
Remixer: Lack Of Afro (Surrey UK – Freestyle Records)
This funky young dude has been going since the age of 7 and now, at 26, Adam Gibbons has all but earned an honorary afro with the release of his debut album, “Press On”. Gibbons found his feet after getting into funk and soul whilst studying Music Technology at University and started to play his trade in various bands around Exeter. Recent remix work included Diesler, The New Mastersounds, Eddie Roberts (NMS), Tim Wood (Social Beats) and he is currently working on remixes for Nicole Willis and Flevans.


Track: Groovin’ On The Spot
Remixer: Mash & Munkee (Kiel/Wuppertal Germany – Funk Weapons Records)
Mash & Munkee are Unifairfly & Deli-kutt, two producers from the North & West of Germany. Besides several music projects they are running the 7" label Freesoul 45 Records founded in late 2008. Unifairfly started producing in 2004 and is involved in other projects like "Madball Scientists" which is a collaboration between Germany and New Zealand focused on hip-hop flavoured space jazz. Kolja (Deli-Kutt) is deejaying since '96 concentrating on NuJazz, downbeat, soul and good ol’ funky stuff. Their recent 12” “Wake Up” has gained big attention in the NewBreaks scene. Put funk as main ingredient and add jazz, soul, dub and hiphop as spice and you’ll taste what Mash & Munkee’s music is all about.

Track: The Groove Merchant
Remixer: The Uptown Felaz (Budapest Hungary – WahWah 45s)
The Uptown Felaz (TUF) is a Budapest-based crew and is a joint-project of several people who have known each other for a long time. Their first big nick was in 2002 when they wrote the soundtrack for the Hungarian movie "Tesó" ("Bro'", Best Script @ Hungarian Film Week). WahWah 45s released their first 7" „Brainstorm“ and also got the remix treatment from Ninja Tune's Hint. TUF has five members: Akos Baranyai aka Future (turntables, djing), Gabor Katona aka Negro (drums, djing), Krisztian Padar (programming), Attila Nemeth Dr. (bass), Levente Szabo Dr. (guitar) and Diesler, Trinity & Rocky Rococo, Kid Loco, Dom Servini, Flow Dynamics and Ed Royal are spinning their tracks.

Track: Imovel
Remixer: Rephrase (Sydney Australia – Good Groove Records / Knowfool Records)
Starting his production career in 1999, Rephrase formed Sydney breaks group Db Chills. They signed their debut album "BrokenSound" to Stephen Mallinders (Cabaret Voltaire) label Offworld Sounds. In 2003 he focused on producing his debut Rephrase solo album "Beatcoaster" praised by the likes of John Stapleton (Dope on Plastic), Gilles Peterson & Miguel Migs. In 2006 Rephrase dropped his second album „Little Vistories“ followed by numerous 12“ offers on labels like Goodgroove, and Knowfool plus remixes for Bah Samba, Flevans, Beatphreak, All Good Funk Alliance, Kurtis, Tom Eno & Kidzen.

Track: It’s Just A Blues
Remixer: Thomas Blondet (Washington DC USA – Rhythm & Culture Recordings)
If you had to sum up Thomas Blondet in one word, that word would be versatility. The man has got some of the most versatile dj and producers skills you will ever encounter. Blondet is most well known as the DJ Tom B, a name he carved out for himself in the 1990’s club and dance music scene in Washington, DC. In 2006 he started his own label, 202 Digital which is perfectly suited to navigate the new music industry. Tom also releases music on Rhythm and Culture Recordings Over the past year he has been working with DC’s roots reggae rockers See-I, featuring Rootz and Zeebo of Thievery Corporatiom as well as his own full length album.

Track: Lay It Down
Remixer: JetTricks (London UK)
A two man groove machine in control of bags of breaks and tons of instruments running on nothing but biscuits and Coca-Cola have emerged to create upfront, diverse and innovative music - with the help of some of the best poets, singers, rappers and musicians this duo produce serious music with a sense of humour...in between trips to the 24hour garage for  more Jammie Dodgers and bottles of Coke...JetTricks are currently working with spoken word artist Miss AdeFunKe, the Lovely Faye Houston and I am Sam... Go on have a listen!

Track: En Movimiento
Remixer: Una Mas Trio (Braunschweig Germany – Agogo Records)
Una Mas Trio has a vision. Based on a blend of traditional south American styles meeting contemporary club music they construct their very own, crystal-clear „Ritmo Del Futura“ which is what they call their debut full length album. Una Mas Trio are Christian Schilgen, multi-faceted instrumentalist on guitar and keyboards, composer and engineer as well as producer in his own studio, and Fab DJ Sammy, founder of the Juju Orchestra, musical mastermind, disc jockey and record collector extraordinaire. The first single „Son Montuno“ was released in late 2007 as a 7“ vinyl and proved to be a sure shot.

Track: The Arrrgh Theme
Remixer: Alan De Laniere (Paris France – Mycrazything Entertainment)
Alan De Laniere has a passion for modern jazz and electronic music. Since his first project during Urban Live Festival in Berlin 1998, this producer from Paris/France has been busy in doing radio shows and working closely with Paul-Francois Thierry on remixes for various labels and artists ranging from jazz to rap. Their prime artistic perspective is to fuse traditional and contemporary music for the modern dancefloor.

Track: Do It Right Now
Remixer: AIFF (Dordrecht Netherlands – Unique Records)
AIFF means in long terms “Afro Influenced Funk Federation”. The Dutch musicians around DJ and producer Phil Martin and musician Ton van der Kolk play an enormous groove establishing their own version of Afro-Funk. Influenced by classic Afro-Funk like Fela Kuti, they try to bring Afro-Funk to a new dimension. Their limited first 7“ „AKWAABA“ b/w „Watergirls“ was highly recommended by Paul Murphy from Afroart Recordings and Andy Smith from Portishead. Keb Darge and Snowboy played it at their gigs, even Paul Weller love that tune. Their love for old funk, jazz, soul, hiphop, reggae and other grooves lead to the result of their new album “Afro Soul System“.

Track: Going Somehwere
Remixer: Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra (Paris France - Ubiquity Records)
The Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra is a french band of 12 musicians inspired by afrobeat, West Indies grooves, the old descargas, brazilian and latin funk plus more than one touch of oldschool hip hop. This project is born in the crazy head of Lionel Berton a.k.a. Masta Conga and realized by the energy and the creativity of each one of its members. ALVO is about the original fusion of different kinds of sounds like the afrofunk, latin music, gwo ka, ethiopian groove and raw rap....!

En Movimiento (Una Mas Trio Remix)

Going Somewhere (Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra Remix)

This is the cover version of 'Planet Rock' by Mr. Confuse. In 2006 he did this cover of the original by Afrika Bambaataa with his first music project called "Breakout".

Produced by Mr. Confuse, Info & Kova

Breakout - Planet Rock (Pt. 1 & 2)

Breakout - Planet Rock (Bonus Beats)

Breakout - Planet Rock (Jazz)

Breakout - Planet Funk

For worldwide bookings please write to: booking[at]mrconfuse[dot]com

www.mrconfuse.com

Anatoly Ice & Dariya - Freedom (Mr. Confuse Remix

Freedom

Freedom (Mr. Confuse Remix)

Bandcamp

Anatoly Ice & Dariya - Freedom (Mr. Confuse Remix)

Simply a streak of creative energy: In fall 2010, the Swiss 8-piece funk-orchestra GMF – Grand Mother’s Funck released their 7-track EP „GMF feat. Akil the MC“, limited edition on vinyl only, which was sent to selected DJs all around the world. In 2011, GMF completed their full-length CD-album “The Proud Egyptian” and toured extensively with their special guest Akil the MC (Jurassic 5). Meanwhile, their vinyl-EP was playing on turntables in England, Germany and France and many remixes were being made…
We are now proud to present a brilliant collection of remixes by Europe’s finest funk- and breakbeat-DJ’s Mr. Confuse (D), Breakbeat Junkie (UK), Zamali (B), Farside (CH), Kalumenos (CH) and last but not least: Breakbeat Paradise’s labelowner BadboE (DK). The six exceptional tracks are now being released as an exclusive vinyl-EP by Breakbeat Paradise Recordings on January 16, 2012. They will be available on Digital in March 2012.
Do (Mr. Confuse Remix)
German DJ and Producer Mr Confuse is one of the main acts in the more soulful part of the nufunk scene, has taken a more laid-back approach to the “Do” track – but nevertheless manage to create quite a musical pearl of a remix. So smooth and groovy you can’t help but feeling good when you listen to it. 
Do (Mr. Confuse Remix)
German DJ and Producer Mr Confuse is one of the main acts in the more soulful part of the nufunk scene, has taken a more laid-back approach to the “Do” track – but nevertheless manage to create quite a musical pearl of a remix. So smooth and groovy you can’t help but feeling good when you listen to it. 

Do (Mr. Confuse Remix)
German DJ and Producer Mr Confuse is one of the main acts in the more soulful part of the nufunk scene, has taken a more laid-back approach to the “Do” track – but nevertheless manage to create quite a musical pearl of a remix. So smooth and groovy you can’t help but feeling good when you listen to it. 

Over the last 18 years, the eight-piece collective GMF – Grand Mother’s Funck has built a reputation for party music on a highest level. GMF is generally considered the number one Swiss funk act. They have proved themselves popular among all age groups and throughout the world, with CD-releases in the U.S. and in Germany, steady airplay on the Bahamas and a fan-club in Japan.
On their new album and concert tour, GMF and their singer Rich Fonje are joined by Akil the MC. Rapper and lyricist Akil is best known as a founding member of the legendary HipHop crew Jurassic 5. A true Master of Rhythm from L.A. South Central meets the creators of „Le Funck Fédéral“… Coming from opposite corners of black music as well as the globe – their roots are the same! The collaboration between these two major players is a perfect match and the result an explosive mix of Funk, HipHop, R&B and Soul Music. Their album is a treat and their live show will blow your mind…

Grand Mother's Funck - Do feat. AKIL the MC (Jurassic 5) (Mr. Confuse Remix)

For worldwide bookings please write to: booking[at]mrconfuse[dot]com

www.mrconfuse.com

‘Do You Realize’ is the question which Mr. Confuse asks on this album and it comes as a massive plea for the power of funk. ‘Do You Realize’ is about being true to the groove, carries strong lyrical statements while touching political matters as well as social issues in its clever and heartfelt lyrics but is first and foremost, of course, about being real.

On ‘Do You Realize’ Mr. Confuse picks up on the distinctive, organic and powerful sound he introduced on ‘Feel The Fire’ and takes it a step further. ‘Do You Realize’ tells a story from the beginning to the end: ‘We Gonna Bring The Funk To You’ with featured singer and main vocalist Dan Salem allows no second thoughts as a perfect opener and leads into ‘Catch Me’, the first single release. In a total of 13 tracks and with full-on party tunes like ‘Never Let The Rhythm Go’ and ‘Let’s Get The Feeling’ the album keeps a steady pace. The second single releases ‘Too Hot’ and the conscious and soulful ‘Why Can’t You See Me’ carries ‘Do You Realize’ to the perfect ending with the moving soul ballad ‘Cool Smooth Waters’ introducing the mighty soul voice of Mrs Elaine Thomas. 

It would not be a true Mr. Confuse album if it would not pay tribute to a musical pioneer. With his versions of ‘Boogie Down (Bronx)’ (with the voice of well know German Reggae artist Benjie) and ‘Man Made’ (featuring Dan Salem) Mr. Confuse pays tribute to Man Parrish as one of the innovators who translated Funk and Boogie into the HipHop-Era of early Electro and Freestyle. ‘Do You Realize’ comes as an apt title then.

Accompanying the album there will be a colourful bunch of remixes released in various formats. Well known British producers like Lack Of Afro (Freestyle Records), Newcastle's own Smoove (Jalapeno Records), up and coming producer Daytoner (Wass Records), among the excellent bossa breaks remix production of Dr Rubberfunk (Jalapeno Records) and an exciting remix on the jazzy tip by Tom Eno (Jack To Phono Records) are representing the UK remixer scene. The album also features contributions by Hungary's finest producer team The Uptown Felaz (Shiftin' Gears Records), Poland's Przaśnik (Funky Mamas And Papas Recordings) and Germany's block-rocking Ghetto Funk producers Funkanomics (Big M Productions) together with well known German Electro Funk expert Funkmaster Ozone (Da Source Records) and fresh new faces like Salem & Bastino - not to forget Afternoons In Stereo (Timewarp Music) from Toronto/Canada and a rare appearance of Dublex Inc (INFRACom!).

With ‘Do You Realize” Mr. Confuse is not only expanding his trademark sound but the album also introduces him as a musical director with an open ear for the bigger picture. With up to 23 international musicians he created incredible sounding big arrangements you would rather expect from the good times of big studios from the 60s and 70s. Here is a producer who not only reveals a deep understanding of the rhythms ranging from Afro to Soul and from classic R&B to HipHop, but who also has a vision of translating history into the future. ‘Do You Realize’? Indeed we do!


Do You Realize

For worldwide bookings please write to: booking[at]mrconfuse[dot]com

www.mrconfuse.com

‘It’s Time To Breakout‘ produced by Mr. Confuse, Info & Kova in 2005.

Since the first Battle Of The Year (BOTY) has taken place in 1990, the annual breathtaking competition of international dance formations has become THE world championship of breakdance. In 2005, more than 400 crews with more than 3.000 dancers took part in 26 official elimination contests worldwide to qualify for the final battle in Braunschweig, Germany.

To transport the diversity of the competition, the BOTY soundtrack includes various artists and styles: from classical Funk with live instruments to Oldschool Hip Hop with an electronic touch and modern House/Disco grooves.

Highlights on this album include Jay-Roc’s opener “One” (taken from his debute album release The B-Boy Hustle Album out now on Dominance as well), new songs by DJ Nas’D, Reeno, DJ Woodo, Hawkeye, Sureshot (aka DJ TEE – Japan), Brisk Fingaz (producer for german rappers such as Kool Savas, Azad), as well as the electrified contributions by the Dominance Records residents Dominance Crushing Crew and Dagobert.

Breakout create an amazing final of the compilation with their track ‘It’s Time To Breakout‘ produced by Mr. Confuse, Info & Kova.

Breakout - It's Time to Breakout

For worldwide bookings please write to: booking[at]mrconfuse[dot]com

www.mrconfuse.com

Outbreak = Breakout, the supa producers behind the massive “Planet Rock”. “The Party” is a sitar driven party-anthem based on the theme song of a famous Peter Sellers movie. “Just Give Me Some Of You Lovin’” is a HipHop take on Donovan.

Produced by Mr. Confuse, Info & KovaTracklist

A1 The Party (Vocal)
A2 The Party (Instrumental)
B1 Just Give Me Some Of Your Lovin’ (Vocal)
B2 Just Give Me Some Of Your Lovin’ (Instrumental)

Outbreak - The Party

For worldwide bookings please write to: booking[at]mrconfuse[dot]com

www.mrconfuse.com

Produced by Mr. Confuse, Info & Kova

Breakout are delivering the much anticipated follow-up to their huge afro funk version of “Planet Rock”. “Lyve Wire” is an equally strong and hard-hitting Breakout original. A heavy but catchy dancefloor smasher. Backed by the Japanese exclusive “Funky Goofball”.

“The funky German funk posse that recently smashed it with their version of Planet Rock come again with two storming original cuts that keep the funkified energy of their previous release and add some serious dancefloor pressure. Lyve Wire’s the choice cut – horn-fuelled and raring to go: a nu funk bomb!” – Fat City (Manchester)

Breakout - The Funky Goofball

For worldwide bookings please write to: booking[at]mrconfuse[dot]com

www.mrconfuse.com

Mo' Horizons - Insatible (Mr. Confuse Remix)

Released on Ten Years of... The Remixes

The Mr. Confuse Remix of ‘Insaitable’ changed the more funky original into an acoustic Cuban Latin version. 

Mo' Horizons - Insatible (Mr. Confuse Remix)

Spinning Around

For worldwide bookings please write to: booking[at]mrconfuse[dot]com

www.mrconfuse.com

Check out the „Man Made“ EP, focussing on the Man Parrish cover versions of the title. 

Connoisseurs of the independent funk and electronic scene will enjoy going through the list of remixers who contributed on this fine Mr. Confuse release - Man Made - EP. 
Well known British producers like Lack Of Afro (Freestyle Records), up and coming producer Daytoner (Wass Records), an exciting remix on the jazzy tip by Tom Eno (Jack To Phono Records, Poland’s Przaśnik (Funky Mamas And Papas Recordings) and a rare appearance of Dublex Inc (INFRACom!).


We Gonna Bring The Funk To You (Daytoner Remix)

For worldwide bookings please write to: booking[at]mrconfuse[dot]com

www.mrconfuse.com

Check out the „Boogie Down“ EP, focussing on the Man Parrish cover versions of the title. 

Connoisseurs of the independent funk and electronic scene will enjoy going through the list of remixers who contributed on this fine Mr. Confuse release – Boogie Down - EP. 
Electro Funk expert Funkmaster Ozone (Da Source Records), Germany’s block-rocking Ghetto Funk producers Funkanomics (Big M Productions), among the excellent bossa breaks remix production of Dr Rubberfunk (Jalapeno Records), Hungary’s finest producer team The Uptown Felaz (Shiftin' Gears Records) and not to forget Afternoons In Stereo (Timewarp Music) from Toronto/Canada.


Do You Realize (Dr Rubberfunk Remix)

Mr. Confuse “Feel The Fire” (Not the complete album)

Catalogue number: LEGO 009 (CD/2LP)

LC: 14924 
EAN CD: 40 26424 00122 1
EAN 2LP: 40 26424 00125 2

Release date: Sept. 19, 2008

Mr. Confuse is a traveller between the styles. „Feel The Fire“ is the debut solo album by the producer, arranger, composer and DJ from Hannover Germany. Collecting 14 tracks on his album Mr. Confuse takes us on an excursion from HipHop to Afro, Electro and Latin back to Funk. „Feel The Fire“ comes as an organic statement for the analogue link between HipHop and Funk as well as an authentic and up-to-date plea for the original brass arrangements in the Funk and Jazz music of the Seventies.

As part of the producer team Breakout, Mr. Confuse was a household name in the Funk and HipHop community already in 2006. His idea to reinterpret Afrika Bambaataa’s „Planet Rock“ as a Funk tune and in a Jazz-Breaks version gained Breakout massive international attention. Breakout split in spring 2007 and released their last 7“ „The Funky Goofball/Lyve Wire“ during the summer of that year. Mr. Confuse kept being a requested producer. He had numerous of contributions for compilations (“Brazilectro”, “Battle Of The Year”, Viertelbar, etc.) and released three Mix-CDs („Catch The Beat“, „Confunktion“ and „Brazilian Cuts“), using a wide spectrum of styles. 

Mr. Confuse decided to produce „Feel The Fire“ in a kind of style which is typical for HipHop: „I work sampler based. You look for parts of drum loops and other pieces in a record and build new music from it. This album was created in exactly that way.“ But sampling alone is not enough: „When the structure is there I will go and meet the musicians I work with. I work pretty much autodidactic and very intuitive - this can turn out really bizarre from time to time. Sometimes I’m humming or buzzing the melody I’m looking for to the musicians. I do not play an instrument myself, except that I use the MIDI-Keyboard to be able to work with Plug-ins and think of melody and rhythm. The musicians I work with will turn the ideas which I have in my head into music.“

This concept is as exciting as it is hard work: „I will return to my Sampler with what the musicians played and often do a completely new cut. You may say that I use a musician as a sample library.“ Consequently recording „Feel The Fire“ took quite some time, exactly „from the end of 2006 up to January 2008. In the end the complete album consists now of about 10000 samples. To finish an album like that it is a matter of sweat and tears ...“.

So it comes as no surprise that Mr. Confuse can very clearly define his references and inspiration: „At the moment everything is Electro or Techno actually at least in my town. The sound is very much Eighties, so clean, full of Synthies and 808 programming. When we did Breakout in the summer of 2005 we felt completely different. It was all too clean for us, especially the mixes. I draw my influences from HipHop and I want to work on something I can identify with. HipHop is pretty much the only style I like in the Eighties, apart from Punk probably. Today everything sounds so calculated. It was the snare in the Eighties, today it is the Kick drum. What I tried is to transfer the idea, better say the musical basis of HipHop, from the Nineties back to today. This is what it was like in the Nineties: HipHop tried to transform the sounds of the Sixties and Seventies into the here and now. So it was just natural for me that I tried to keep my sound dirty like it was in the Sixties and Seventies. My main idea by doing songs like “Planet Rock” or “Lookout Weekend” was to put the Eighties back into Seventies or Sixties by using technology of the Nineties – got it!? In the UK and elsewhere there are so many new bands who release handmade organic sounding Sixties and Seventies music right now and I think that is brilliant – it sounds authentic!“

„Feel The Fire“ will be released as a download and on CD, as well as a limited edition double vinyl album.  The first single „Lookout Weekend“ is coming with remixes by Lack Of Afro and Mash & Munkee, the second single „Imóvel“ will feature mixes by Rephrase, Smoove, AIFF, Ed Royal and The Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra.

„Feel The Fire“ – Track by track in the words of Mr. Confuse:

Hurricane Jane
I am a big fan of Joe Farrell and the CTI Label. „Hurricane Jane“ is from Farrell’s 1974 album „Penny Arcade“. I took a break of that song as a basis for the intro of „Feel The Fire“. The drums are not programmed on this track, but being played live by Lars Heindorf from the band Sugarhat.
 
Lookout Weekend
„Lookout Weekend“ is a cover version of Debbie Deb’s 1984 single on Jam Packed. A bonafied Latin-Freestyle Electro classic which was originally produced by Tony Butler! I quite like the contrast to turn an 80s track into a Funk track with a dirty bass line.

Going Somewhere
„Going Somewhere“ was recorded together with my graphic designer Florian Bochnig who plays the guitar on it. Actually, he is not a professional musician, but his style fits perfectly. The trombone by Matthias Brennecke really moves this song.

Balkan Funk
Coco, Steel & Lovebomb had this 1999 track „Yachts“ together with A Man Called Adam. They sampled this 60s Brazilian sounding piano and used it as basis for their song. I found this piano very interesting and inspiring. So I had the idea of doing a similar piano line, but with a horn section and also way faster. This worked out good and gave the Latin sounding piano line, I thought of, a Balkan feeling by being played that fast with a brass section.
 
It’s Just A Blues
Emma Pujadas a.k.a. Lady EmZ from Barcelona is a MySpace connection. I think she has a brilliant voice and thought: Why not work together on something? It took months until I received the parts from her, because she did not have recording equipment at home and had to look for a studio to be able to record the song. In the end it worked out good and she had a brilliant vocal line for the song.
 
Do It Right Now
Martin “Margot” Gontarski plays bass on this track, Martin actually was the bass player of the well known German funk band Spice. This track features a really nice battle between the Hakan Türközü’s Hammond C3 organ and the incredible trumpet play by Szabolcs Smid.

Feel The Fire
„Feel The Fire“ is my highlight on the album. Henrik Pfeiffer was working on the guitar for „Lookout Weekend“ and this track at the same time, so they both sounds perfect together. Matthias Brennecke plays this incredible bass trombone which goes through the whole track and which makes it really special, just like Lalo Schifrin had this special bass trombone in his soundtracks during the Seventies. We’ve been doing the sax solo when Simo Schneider came up with the idea to do an interpolation of De La Soul’s „Ring Ring“ in it.

En Movimiento
This was the last track I recoded for the album. Contrary to the other songs it was completely conceived with samples plus an incredible brass line by Matthias Brennecke.

Groovin’ On The Spot
„Groovin’ On The Spot“ was recorded with Lionel Berton from “The Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra” out of Paris. Lionel is a great percussion player, also to be heard on „The Arrrgh Theme“ and „The Groove Merchant“. You simply do not find this authentic afro style where I come from. Same goes for a good baritone saxophone. 

The Groove Merchant
Hakan Türközü is one of the best Hammond organ players in Hannover. I am happy that he played the Hammond C3 on „The Groove Merchant“. After a long recording session for other songs we have been trying the sketch of “The Groove Merchant” just jamming around and at the end of this long day Hakan went really mad on it. 

When I Hear Music
“When I Hear Music” is the second Debbie Deb cover version on “Feel The Fire”. Inna Vysotska sings on this one as well as on “Lookout Weekend”, additional drums come a courtesy of Lars Heindorf a.k.a. DJ Soul Surfer.

Imóvel
„Imóvel“ is a collaboration with Marc Amadeus Figge who is the man behind Mo’ Horizons. Marc wrote most of the stuff with Mo’ Horizons, he is a versatile and brilliant musician and plays piano, saxophone, bass, German flute, samba percussion, melodica, drums and I do not know what else...

The Arrrgh Theme
The „Outroduction“ is dedicated to my graphic designer Florian Bochnig. He has this great street art project called Arrrgh (www.arrrgh.org) which really needs his own theme - and he plays the distorted guitar, of course!


Label Contact
Légère Recordings * Helmut Heuer * Lindenallee 19a * 20259 Hamburg, Germany 
Phone: ++49 (0)40 87 97 69 13 * helmut@lounge-records.de

Booking Contact
frank@bureau45.com


When I Hear Music

Imóvel

Hurricane Jane (Daytoner Remix)

Lookout Weekend (Lack of Afro Remix)

For worldwide bookings please write to: booking[at]mrconfuse[dot]com

Mr. Confuse is a Hannover/Germany based producer, label owner and DJ. From day one his unique style and unmistakable ‘Mr. Confuse sound’ is defined by two of the rarest achievements within music creation – creativity and authenticity.

Mr. Confuse productions have been played on the radio by Pete Tong (BBC 1), Gilles Peterson (BBC 1) and Craig Charles - Funk & Soul Show (BBC 6) to name a few.

Popular tracks by MrConfuse