Funkdaddy Records

Regardless of whether you have heard of him, Funkdaddy has been around the block many times. He's been putting it down ever since his debut in 1991, which means that without name recognition, he
's got to be doing something right. He's laid tracks in the past for some of the west coast's elite, including E-40 and Ras Kass, so the people that matter, the artists, recognize his talent potential. He's made a splash locally as well, as a mainstay in the Seattle hip-hop music scene for over a decade.

"In the Mix," dropping on FD Records, is Funkdaddy's next endeavor. Aside from album production, he's involved in many facets of hip-hop, varying from radio DJing to club DJing to mixtapes. Because of his versatility, one might think that a lack of focus could pervade his fourth full-length record. 20 tracks deep, with an expected emphasis on club joints, "In The Mix" is pretty much exactly what you'd expect from a career DJ's album. So the formula is there, but the question is how it will measure up to all of the others floating around out there. The main factors in determining this are Funkdaddy's work behind the boards and the caliber of emcee he recruits to work with. With a decided lack of big names on this release, he's pulled together a group of guys that he hopes will bring it home.

Well, "In the Mix" certainly has its moments. There are several seriously bumping beats, tweaked nicely for the club. Successes include the Arabian-tinged "Live Without You," which has a laid back tempo with a nice loop and vocals from Livio and Teanna. "The Rumble" is a horn-heavy anthem that features Livio again, this time putting some distance from the rest of the album's emcees with a fast-paced flow. These standouts are few and far between, however. Since nearly every song is geared for radio play, there are plenty of misses, and those that miss take away from the effectiveness of the others. What essentially happens on this release is that there is a large collection of club tracks, and each one takes away from any success that the previous ones have had. There is hardly any break from this tedium.

Other than on "The Rumble," none of the many emcees that appear on "Mix" show any sort of lyrical dexterity. Amongst others, the heavily featured Livio and Mr. Rossi keep squeezing the same subjects of women and thuggery. Occasionally, they'll say something nice, but never anything particularly quotable. The result of such a plethora of similar styles is not pretty. None of the listed rappers is awful, but they all seem to be sharing ideas. There is no reason to subject a listener to so much bland discourse on the same themes, especially such uninteresting ones. The rhymes hardly ever venture from these tired topics, and this drags the album down. Even a few songs about something else would have helped.

There are far too many mediocre moments for this album to work as a whole. There are highlights, but nothing that is begging to be played. Several of the club-geared songs are exercises in generic song execution, with poppy beats and nondescript boastful rhyming. In addition, none of the beats are wack, exactly, Funkdaddy's work is just mostly too basic and uninspired to work for an entire LP. The slower songs work, especially "Get ‘Em Boy," despite a lack of originality. The only reason for this is that they break out of the rut that "In The Mix" frequently falls into. Twenty full-length songs on one album is very hard to pull off, and Funkdaddy falls prey to the common plague of having too much ambition. - www.rapreviews.com

What does it take for a platinum selling producer and Seattle-based superstar DJ to stay on top?  Well, first of all he has to keep his style current, has to keep his game tight and he has to hit the block and the clubs with hot material so the name stays fresh.  With his latest mix CD From All Angles, DJ Funkdaddy does just that.  Keeping himself relevant to the often fickle audience that make Hip-Hop their home, funk laces them real smooth-like with a live blend of Hip-Hop and R&B just in time for summer.  The well-mixed CD that begs for little and delivers a lot is definitely ready for your stereo.

From All Angles contains within its track listings, many tell-tale signs of what a ‘real’ DJ is from the track programming, to the well-mixed vocals and instrumentals and the seamless mixing that brings the entire package together.  Funkdaddy exemplifies the difference between a ‘DJ’ and some cat who puts vinyl on steel (or steel inside CD players nowadays) and makes his presence felt with a diverse and ear-popping formula for heat on summer streets.  Funkdaddy accomplishes this by dropping heat rock beats with the lyrics and songs that cats are ringing in the clubs tonight.  More than track selection, the mixing is superb as Funkdaddy displays why he sits comfortably at the top of Seattle’s DJ and mix CD scene with worthy peers like B-Mello and Top Spin.  Effectively, Funk answers Egyptian Lover’s age old question, “What is a DJ if he can’t scratch?” by adding a lil’ scratch at the intro and lacing his name through the mix via the art of sampling.

Funkdaddy’s piece of work includes bangin’ remixes of Joe Budden’s “Pump It Up”, “Whassup” by Jonnell, tracks by Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Baby and Tupac.  But a local boy done good keeps it live for the hometown, and Funk is a local boy who showcases lava hot exclusives from Seattle’s own Livio.  The not-so-youngsta anymore, Livio drops jaws with a murderous verse and his local spice is followed by the solid use of Slum Village’s instrumental for “Climax” touched closely by Mr. Rossi and Sophia as they lay it down on “Dream Come True.”

Overall, DJ Funkdaddy hits the three and gets fouled, for the four-point play with this mix.  The name and reputation as a local celebrity are important to DJs and Funkdaddy keeps his name in the streets with this one.  And for the complainers that equate radio play and celebrity status with sellout, Funk adds some underground heat to keep the blingers and the backpackers satisfied at various points of his mostly commercial offering.  Funk’s offering is simply the elevation of experience, because Funkdaddy has put it down as an underground and platinum producer for E-40, Crooked Path and Azarel amongst others, so his dues have been paid time again and this polished work is a testament to his longevity.  If you’re ridin’ on the block or hittin’ the beach this summer, you’ll probably find something that you like in the sun, so whether hittin’ it from the back or the side, From All Angles is the route. - seaspot.com

In Tha Mix is a new production compilation from Funkdaddy, Seattle’s premier producer and deejay. Teamed with the hottest up-and-coming emcees in the Pacific Northwest, Platinum producer Funkdaddy brings the heat on each and every track, and even flexes his own respectable rhyme skills on a few songs.

The album blends club flavors with feel-good tracks for the ladies, and plenty of memorable anthems for the streets. Variety is key, and Funkdaddy is bringing back that classic West Coast flair to the rap game! 
- www.africasgateway.com

Reviews: Funk Daddy - In Tha Mix

From the depths of the SEA, back to the block/Funk Daddy funky as...well, Funk Daddy.

Relieving anticipation for the funk fiends across the globe, FD Records is back for the 04' droppin In Tha Mix like a hot shell. Known for grindin' and hustlin', Funk Daddy keeps the streets hot with consistent mixtapes as well as cuttin and scratchin on the radio.

Prepared to turn hot into scorching, In Tha Mix features a hefty 19 tracks all produced, mixed and mastered by the funkmaster himself. With this many bangers, your hip-hop fix will no doubt be satisfied until 2005.

Bringin the hottest s*** on the flamboyant "Hottest S***," is local sensations Livio, Playa Lo and S.K, hittin' you with licks for days. Somethin' for the clubs, "Get it Goin'" is sure to get you lucky on Funk Night, featuring smooth wordplay by Thyn and Livio.

J.Boogie, Mr.Rossi, Young Thyn and Liv put it down like a surrendering bank thief on the hypnotic and deadly "In the Mood," asking the ultimate question when alone with wifey or the freak of the week.

Producing cuts for major players around the nation, Funk Daddy knows the in's and out's of the game like the grooves in a 12" 45. It's also no surprise to see one happier than an R.Kelly remix when listening to the sounds of a Northwest veteran like Funk himself. Respect, skills and loyalty is only a part of the recipe that makes a true player, I'll let Funk tell you the rest.

by Jonathan "Santo" Williams - seaspot.com

The North West seems to be a fairly slept on area for Hip-Hop although it has been steady representing with its own product for many years now.  Coming out of Seattle with his new compilation album, ‘In Tha Mix’ is Funkdaddy.   Bringing his production touches over the 20 cuts he also takes the mic on a few of the solid tracks included.  Funkdaddy also calls on a host of West Coast rhyme slingers and singers to back him up on vocal duties, but don’t expect a stack of big-name MCs to push this CD as Funk Daddy opts to shine light on names like Playa Lo, Livio, Thyn, S.K., Mass, Mr. Rossi, Boogie and Teanna.  With tight cuts like the smooth ‘Playa’s Roll’ and ‘In Tha Mood,’ the old school sounding Smurf-like ‘Don’t Stop,’ the street ready ‘What’s His Name’ and the laid back ‘See Me Comin’ Funkdaddy has certainly served up some heat with this release while showing his mastery of a variety of production styles.  That is not saying that this album comes across disjointed as Funkdaddy manages to keep all of his different influences firmly under his own umbrella.  Showing that you don’t need big names to bring solid Hip-Hop Funkdaddy has demonstrated the power of the underground with this release while showcasing his production techniques at the same time.  Hit up Funkdaddy’s website to get a hold of this release and check out what else he has to offer Hip-Hop.  (www.funkdaddy.com)
--DJ SLIM - Grind Mode Magazine

Funkdaddy along with other Seattle music icons, B Mello, Jace, Topspin, Jake One are in the May 2004 edition of Vibe Magazine. - Vibe

Livio's 2001 release for Pak Pros, My Life, Vol. 1, surprised many in the underground scene. Despite being on an indie label and being from Seattle, Livio attracted an impressive roster of guests for his album, including D-12, Tray Deee, Noreaga, and Spice 1, among others. Moreover, Livio worked with respected producer Funk Daddy (E-40, B-Legit, Sir Mix-a-Lot, C-Bo), who lays down all the beats on the album. Livio definitely reps the West Coast, but his flow and rhyming style are somewhat reminiscent of an East Coast MC, no doubt a testament to his abilities -- he reps like a West Coast gangsta yet rhymes like an East Coast b-boy. Rarely do underground rap releases sound this polished and professional; if you didn't know otherwise, you'd assume this was a major-label release. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide - Artistdirect.com

LIVIO finally drops his debut album after much expected anticipation. After all the press he has received, it would be easy to assume that he will be the next one to achieve that Mix A Lot status in Seattle. His guest appearances include an array of big hitters in the industry including Noreaga, D12, Tre Dee, Daz, Bad Azz, Spice 1, B-Legit, and Dru Down. And for the records it is a nice debut album but definitely overrated. The tracks that are good are very good. Good enough to carry the whole album.

"Keep It Gangsta" is without question the best song on this album. The production on this track, by the legendary Bosko Kante  makes you wanna immediately wanna start C-Walking. It is definitely a West Coast beat at it's finest. It is also reminiscent of the late Roger Troutman with the talk-box included. As far as the lyrics, I also believe this is one of the two songs that Livio gives his best delivery, and when you add Tre Dee of the Eastsidaz to the track.....Need I say more. No wonder it was the first single.

Other tracks that stood out were:

"U Don't Want Nun"- Livio teams up with D-12 members,  Proof &  Bizarre to drop the next biggest hit on the album. The song is just tight!! They all come off with fat lyrics on here. I usually know a FunkDaddy beat, and I wouldn't have believed he made this track had I not read the credits. Not to take anything away from him, he makes hits but this is one of those beats that didn't use all of his familiar sounds. I've always loved when a producer could show his versatility. This should be the next single.

"U Know," and "Street Life," caught my attention as well. Basically, I liked all the songs he had with featured artist, except "Life I know" with Noreaga.

That is where you the listener must come in. Go buy this Seattle artist's album and be the judge. After all, he is only 19 and doing more than 60% of the rappers in his neck of the woods. - BowWowRecords.com