In terms of putting DJ/Dance culture on the map, PAUL OAKENFOLD'S place in history is already assured. His reputation as a world class deck spinner precedes him, while his dabbling in the rock world as remixer/ producer - notably of HAPPY MONDAYS' scuzz-rock classic "Pills, Thrills,'n' Belly aches" earned him large helpings of kudos aeons back.
Consequently, "Bunkka" is being touted as an important release and it's difficult to argue in terms of Oakenfold's pulling power. After all, precious few people can gather together collaborations from artists as diverse as PERRY FARRELL, HUNTER S.THOMPSON, NELLY FURTADO and ICE CUBE under one roof. Indeed, for this alone, respect is due.
When all the celebrity parties have wound down, though, is "Bunkka" really any cop? Well, yes and no, actually, as its' 11 tracks run the gamut from excitement through to indifference where this reviewer is concerned.
Knowing my mindset, maybe it's not surprising that it tends to be the mavericks that set my pulse racing and three collaborations, especially, make "Bunkka" worth the time of day.
"Time Of Your Life" is the first. Billowing in on a murky cloud of dub fitting for a long-time PIL fan, it soon unfolds via creepy arabesque soundscapes and a suitably creepy, hassled vocal from JANE'S ADDICTION leader PERRY FARRELL. The introductory "Woke up this morning with a head full of snow, was it a dream?" is more than enough to pique attention round here.
Meanwhile, the mere fact that OAKENFOLD enticed a collaboration from the Great Gonzo, HUNTER S. THOMPSON is good enough, but "Nixon's Spirit" gulps down great draughts of paranoia and gives you the goosebumps. In typically abrasive mode, Thompson narrates: "it's not a generational thing...it's in us...you or me or Kurt Cobain or Bishop Tutu or Keith Richards." Whooh! It's all over far too quickly as well.
Best of all though, is the (very) unlikely TRICKY/ NELLY FURTADO collaboration, "The Harder They Come". The Western-copping title gives you some idea of its' scope, but Nelly's mellifluous yearning complements Tricky's nocturnal, grave-robbing rasp to perfection and - regardless of plot line - makes for one of Tricky's best outings since the heady days of "Maxinequay." Truly excellent.
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More of this and "Bunkka" would have been a contender for one of 2002's best, but sadly much of the remainder falls well short. The single, "Southern Sun" (featuring CARLA WERNER), and "Hypnotized" (TIFF LACEY) are identikit dance outings and tough to pick out in a crowd, whilst "Ready Steady Go" - despite boasting some boisterous rock guitar - is spoiled by some tired yelping from ASHER D from the pathetic SO SOLID CREW.
Mooted single, "Starry-Eyed Surprise" (featuring SHIFTY SHELLSHOCK) is better; the hectoring rap actually complementing the familiar, floaty backing track, but both the ICE CUBE and GRANT LEE PHILIPS efforts are woefully disappointing. ICE CUBE'S "Get 'Em Up" is bog-standard bitches and ho's drivel, while "Motion" touts a diamond-hard backing track, but PHILIPS' attempts to come across all sensual and mysterious founder badly and he just sounds vacant to this reviewer. Full marks to both Oakie and Grant for trying, but, well, back to the day jobs, lads.
PAUL OAKENFOLD probably created "Bunkka" thinking of it as the ultimate sealed-off pleasure centre. In places, I can live with that. However, while we're still using the album title as a metaphor, "Bunkka" also (too often) recalls the sand trap of the same name. One it usually takes too long to get out of.
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