I’ve been really getting into a lot of “Skweee” recently, a relatively new musical style with it’s origins lying in Sweden and Finland and I thought I share a few of my choice finds so far. The Skweee sound is loosely described as being 8-bit funk, but that really doesn’t do it justice. Best just take a listen and make your own mind up I reckon.

The first track I heard that made me really stand up and take notice was a track called Leisi Ellis by Finnish artist Eero Johannes. This was released on Harmonia Records, and is a great example of the Skweee sound, coming across like a futuristic take on P-Funk – you can hear it on Eero’s myspace page.

Skweee music is predominantly instrumental, though there are a few tracks out there with vocals on, notably “Adult Games” by Randy Barracuda (what a name!!) & Mesak – check it out on Randy’s myspace.

My most recent discovery has been a Swedish musician called Beem whose album “The Future” is free(!) to download from his website… best money I’ve never spent. Highlights on the album include the wonderful “Is This The Future”, another great slice of future funk, and “Mount Everest”, a track that sounds like an r’n'b version of Four Tet. Direct link to the DL here. 

Further Reading/Listening:
Labels: Flogsta Dancehall, Harmonia, dodpop, Lo Fi Funk, MAZOUT
Bleep is good for buying anything from the labels above – though the vinyls tend to sell out damn quick!
Loads of interviews with Skweee artists at skweeelicious.

Beem’s Depot Mix
Beem has very kindly donated his brilliant “Depot Mix” to our 24-7 server – keep your ears peeled for it! Many thanks to Beem/Fredrick. Here’s the tracklist:

ESG – The Beat | Lizzy Mercier Descloux – Dolby Sisters, Saliva Brothers | Bow Wow Wow – Do You Wanna Hold Me? | Pylon – Weather Radio | Maximum Joy – White & Green Place | Lizzy Mercier Descloux – Sun’s Jive | Godwin Ezike & The Ambassadors – Torri Wow | Lokonon Andre & Les Volcans – Mi Kple Dogbekpo | Lonnie Givens – Galaxy | Arto Lindsay & The Ambitious Lovers – Let’s Be Adult | Delta 5 – Mind Your Own Business | Deux – Game and Performance | Lio – Le Banana Split | Paul McCartney – Coming Up | Digital Dance – Human Zoo | Buzzcocks – Love You More | The B-52’s – 52 Girls | Bangles – Going Down To Liverpool | Cristina – Smile