Brighton-based artist Mark Churcher, also known as Funkin’ell, has dropped his self-titled album Funkin’ell on September 15 through Emote on vinyl and digital formats.
The album is the culmination of years of vinyl passion from Churcher and his multi-decade collection of electronic music from the late 70s to early 90s. Responsible for standout releases such as A-Eno-Acid and the somnambulant A Nice Random Meet, Churcher has established a name for creating music that blends retro references with progressive soundscapes.
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For the last two years, Churcher has hosted his beloved vinyl funk night of the same name, Funkin’ell, in legendary Brighton spots like The Hand In Hand and The Bee’s Mouth. These nights were renowned for digging up obscure funk, electronic, and world music classics, and they created a special atmosphere that convinced the producer to construct an album in its spirit. Funkin’ell the album reflects the indiscriminate styles of those nights, fusing funk, synth, and retro electronics into an art that is both retrograde and progressive.
The album is characterized as a set of filmic instrumentals heavily inspired by the late 70s and early 80s synth culture. Picture Patrick Cowley’s Afternooners meeting Chris and Cosey, with a touch of Escape from New York and a dusting of David Bowie’s artistry. Churcher reworks these old influences and adds his own South Coast swagger.
The first track Old Spice establishes the tone with subtle funk, retro synths, and laid-back rhythm, before Heavy Load rides in with sleazy momentum. Love Exposed provides funky drum machine claps with a sensual female lead, introducing Coming Up Cowboy, a Gary Numan-esque number that brings Side A to a sunset-lit conclusion.
Side B opens with the atmospheric Tomorrow’s World, an ambient interlude of arpeggiated synths, before cutting into Funk Pump, a floor-filling anthem bursting with energy. Daisy Chain inserts a fun groove that gets its way into your body, while the closing Mystical Journey wraps the record up in cinematic intensity, the sound of a David Lynch film realized.
Churcher explains his creative process: “Great pleasure was found in making the LP, creating an electronic juxtaposition between musical power synth chords and analog rumbling soundscapes. Intentionally blurring the lines between easy listening and noise, I’m very pleased with the result.”
Funkin’ell is not just an album, it’s an artistic statement based on retro sound but designed for today’s dancefloors. Followers are invited to grab the record, subscribe to @funkinell74, and attend the next unforgettable Funkin’ell night in Brighton.
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