Roska’s Top 5 UK Funky Tracks

After some truly memorable performances by the likes of Palms Trax and Flako, we’re all set to bring down producer and DJ Roska as part of our new international property - Various Artists.

Though often bracketed under the broader and less experimental genre that is UK funky, Roska’s sound is really an amalgam of funky’s accessible melodies and moods with swung house percussions and room shaking sub-bass.

The ace selector and producer first began to attract attention in 2007 when DJs from the then smaller UK scene began to pay attention to his raw, gritty and grimier early productions. One track called ‘Feeline’ in particular, which was released through his own Roska Kicks & Snares label, jumped out at underground movers and shakers at the time.

However, the real turning point in Roska’s career came in 2009 when he was invited to host a weekly show on Britains leading radio station – Rinse FM. With a steadily growing loyal audience who were receptive to the kind of music he was trying to push, Roska managed to carve out a unique position for himself and the artist he supported. As a result, he began to release his music through Rinse FM’s own label.

Roska has since then released music through esteemed labels like Hotflush, Numbers and Tectonic. He’s also been collaborating with sub-heavy explorers Untold and Pinch, remixed for a range of artists including Four Tet, Modeselektor and Katy B and played at well renowned festivals including Sonar, Glastonbury, Global Gathering, Bloc, Lowlands and Outlook.

We decided to get in touch with the artist before he landed in India and ask him the top 5 UK funky tunes that shaped the scene today. This is a great little roundup of singles to get you acquainted with the genre, and give you an idea of what to expect at his show at Bandstand, Delhi where he'll be playing after Wild City DJ Moniker (details) and at The Humming Tree in Bangalore (details):

Apple - 'De Siegalizer'

One of the first Funky tracks I heard early in 2007 which sounded right and captured all the elements of what the sound was about at that time.

Fuzzy Logik - 'Turn & Twiss'

Another early track in the prime times of the genre emerging. This one was one of the energetic tracks of that era and came with a different vibe no one herd at that time. I also re-released this on March 11, 2016 on my label RKS.

DJ MA1 Feat. Sophia - 'I’m Right Here' (DJ Naughty Remix)

The original and remix of this track were so strong and showed different sides to the sound, both bringing out some sick percussion and pads. The vocalist Sophia worked really well on both tracks and with MA1 too.

Crazy Cousinz Feat. Kyla - 'Do You Mind'

One of my favourite UK Funky vocal based tracks. It was another that stepped up the level of production and overall sound to achieve.

Hard House Banton - 'Sirens'

I remember talking to Banton about this one and at the time it had just blown up. The vibe on this definitely opened up to a new market and had more people from house and overseas interested in what we was doing over in the UK, mainly in London.

Gig Details:
1 April: New Delhi, Bandstand w/ Moniker
2 April: Bangalore, The Humming Tree w/ _RHL