Lot49 label boss and tech funk pioneer Meat Katie is a man well renowned for his outstanding collaborative releases, but it has to be said there is something quite special about those rare releases where we get to see Meat Katie’s sound stripped bare and solo. ‘The Tension EP’ not only features MK recording solo, but there also isn’t a remix insight, this is pure unadulterated tech funk from one of the genres founding fathers. Meat Katie AKA Mark Pember shouldn’t need any introduction at this stage of his career, but for those who haven’t been around over the past 15 years: Pember has recorded for labels such as Lot49, Kingsize, R&S & Wall of Sound to name a few, he has mixed and compiled albums for Ministry of Sound, Fabric & Bedrock; he has run two highly successful labels in Whole 9 Yards and Lot49 and he has Dj’ed in every corner of the globe at some of the world’s biggest music events and dirtiest clubs. Pember’s pushing of the tech funk sound (a hybrid of techno, house, electro and breaks) has seen him stay musically on the cutting edge, unallied to any particular scene. His open minded attitude and impeccable production is certainly evident on this latest stunning EP. Opening cut ‘The Real El santos’ kicks things off with a dark edged techno rub that draws on heavy twisted bass and synth lines to whip up an intense dancefloor vibe. ‘Needles and Pins’ is up next, taking things into a deep warehouse groove with tight drums and distorted hits. This is a superbly dirty piece of tech funk that is bound to find favour across the board. Penultimate track ‘Lucia’ lifts the intensity another notch with reverb laden drums and a killer rolling b-line, add some top end bleeps, squelches and stabs and you have a monster of a tune! Final piece ‘Tension’ is a slice of tech infused house music with a vocal sample that is guaranteed to get stuck in your head, and in ironic opposition to its title this is a truly warm and engaging piece of music that leaves you feeling like you’ve spent a weekend in the sun, sterling stuff! Four tracks of brilliant techno and tech edged house from electronic music maestro Meat Katie, you can’t say fairer than that!