Munk is best known for co-running the Gomma label alongside Mr. Telonius, but he's also always had a decent line of his own releases. His 2006 James Murphy / Nancy Whang collaboration 'Kick Out The Chairs' was one of his strongest tracks to date and in some ways the live sounding ambitions of this EP aren't a million miles from that.
The difference is that this is very much a disco EP, whereas some of that earlier work had a bit more punk. Munk sees this release as a protest against all the bland bleep-heavy deep and tech house that has flooded the market in recent years. Dirty Glam Jams is a refreshing antidote to the sound.
First track 'Munkysound' feels like a new calling card - a decadent slice of contemporary disco that places a bit of a focus on real instruments than many modern disco producers. It still isn't Random Access Memories, mind - it's modern in approach, but the liberally applied freestyle vocals and fiendish bass licks feel authentically disco.
On 'Nigerian Jam' Munk channels his inner Fela Kuti, with plenty of Afrobeat coming through on the big brassy kicks and a bumping dubby bass line. 'Coolo Bongo', inspired by the Boogaloo sound and 70s New York Latin funk, is a jerky number with some raw brass and a looped percussion line.
The final original track, 'Woman', is more heads-down and ass-shaking than anything else here, a focused bass forming the track's foundation whilst a strong vocal hook provides the chorus. The percussion is what keeps the track moving and we get more Latin-brass to keep the track feeling old school.
The EP closes on a remix of 'Munkysound' from German producer Moullinex. This mix is one of the standout moments on the EP, giving the track a more dancefloor-friendly feel with a bit of a French touch vibe to the filters. It's a little less creative than Munk's original, but probably a bit more fun to lose your shit to. The bridge is particularly fine, with a softer, more melodic hook before a large drop that is sure to do some wonderful things this summer.
Dirty Glam Jams is released through Gomma on 4 July and you can preorder it from Amazon.co.uk on MP3 for just £1.79 [affiliate link]. Check out that lovely Moullinex mix of 'Munkysound' below: