Reinvoking the chinking Cava, cream crocodile-skin loafers and beaming grins of 1999 UK garage’s panto-bling, ‘UK funky’ has reignited grime’s Ayia Napa-bound contingent to much-needed sexier, good-times effect. Most of the 41 cuts on here are assembled around the same formula: shuffling bongo-loaded percussion, swooping no-frills basslines, ’tudey g’yal singalong hooks and smiley rudeboy back-chatting, but this compilation sums up the scene in its current prime. As fun as a Balearic mountain-side scooter ride in an open Ralph Lauren shirt and orange cargo shorts, silver tooth glinting in the dusk light.
Jaimie Hodgson