If there was a Strictly Rhythm of UK Garage (nevermind Strictly’s own pre-UKG and UKG-adjacent output), it was probably the UKG clearinghouse known as Locked On. You can play classic sets with nothing but Locked On releases — from Tuff Jam to Dem 2 to Danny J Lewis to Todd Edwards and (of course) Zed Bias’ “Neighbourhood.” It’s staggering how many classics Locked On dropped and how quickly they popped them out.
They also snapped up some tracks and had the artist remake them (probably because of sample clearance or lack thereof) before shrinkwrapping them in the iconic Locked On wrapper. That was the case with “Hyperfunk,” one of the labels’ crown jewels that originally appeared on Back 2 Front (which also dropped a pretty rare white label UKG remix of Frankie Knuckles’ “Tears“). Most Locked On records were pressed by the thousands, so there’s no rarity here (though the Back 2 Front original is harder to find).
This remix 12″ features an A side remix by Bklava, which isn’t bad but the heat remains the illustrious Steve Gurley remix. Gurley is a 2step wax wizard — a mad giant of the era who put his stamp on records from all over the place (one of my ancient sleeper records is his 1998 remix of “Inside You” by a Chicago producer known as Victor Romeo — aka Dance Mania’s Parris Mitchell). Gurley’s remix of “Hyperfunk” holds up better than even the original — the kind of sparsely produced masterwork that a DJ can ride for hits of low-end energy buried like secret explosives under the dancefloor.
This record has a tortured release history — from digital premieres two years ago to a perennial favorite in the “coming soon” section of websites and ASCII newsletters blasted out by vinyl distributors. It’s back in the latter and, we hope, pressed again in mass quantities because it’s a really dope track to have.
⚪️ Tracklisting
Antonio: Hyperfunk (Steve Gurley Remix) (Locked On / 2x12" Vinyl)
A: Antonio: "Hyperfunk" (Bklava remix) (4:36)
B: Antonio: "Hyperfunk" (S Gurley remix) (6:05)
⚪️ Disclosure Statement
This record was not submitted as a promo.
⚪️ Previous Coverage
⚪️ DJ Whooshhh – RISE vol 6 (2023)
⚪️ Dem 2: Destiny (Locked On 1997) (2017)
⚪️ London Vibes – the story behind one of UK Garage’s holy grails (2022)
⚪️ Jeremy Sylvester reissues classic UKG b-side “Do It Baby” (2021)
⚪️ Shuffle’N’Swing puts rare Garage back in circulation (2021)
