Michael Fakesch and Chris de Luca are the dynamic duo and masterminds behind the audio maelstrom known as Funkstorung. With countless remixes under their heavyweight gold and gem-laden belts (their Bjork remixes being at the forefront), and a couple of full-length albums to boot, the boys continue to roll out the red carpet for the evolution of music as a whole with their unconventional and insightful production techniques. Disconnected is a faultless example of the latter.
The album features guest vocalists in a way that Massive Attack was initially recognized for, and is the first mostly-vocal undertaking for the duo (much respect to the artists and vocalists for their Herculean attempt). Swaying and slurry swan-song vocals from Enik come across in a cooingly smoked-out way that Dave Matthews only dreams about on his best day. Tes lends his hip-hop fury to "Chopping Heads" as Mark Boombastic beatboxes a bit of ruckus into "Habitual Citizens." Rob Sonic rocks out an old school, street-savvy style in "Mr. Important," and Sarah Jay ends the album with the bittersweet glitch-hop of "Captured in Tones." One of the most breathtaking tracks has to be the acoustic guitar-driven tones of "Sleeping Beauty" and Lou Rhoades' gorgeous soul-strangling voice. Intelligently drifting through expertly written and produced electronica, the musical osmosis of the duo takes on rock, blues, R&B, and a congregation of soul as they work their glitch-ridden magick.
The music and production is consistently captivating throughout, and Disconnected is an overall triumph, not only for Funkstorung themselves, but also for the guest artists, fans, and electro/experimental community alike.
