Kon typifies the crate digger, that form of man that spends an unhealthy amount of time chasing down circular pieces of black plastic in an attempt to unearth a hidden gem. Whilst physical music and even music ownership as a concept appear to be rapidly and irreversibly losing favour and yet the appeal of vinyl has long seemingly held steady, and Kon is a worshiper of the form.
It's logical that vinyl would appeal to Kon. His music is defined by and revolves around funk, a genre vinyl is undeniably sympathetic too. I've been listening to On My Way on MP3 (well, technically AAC) by way of a CD, but there is no doubt it would sound better through the golden and thick filter of some heavy weight vinyl.
Despite this my experience with On My Way shines. Kon creates funk tracks that have a little of the grit of early funk but deliver it with the liberal application of 80s slick soul production and a dash of 90s R&B. As an album it takes some time to get going - the dizzily spellbound interlude of 'Day Dream' that follows two full tracks feels like the first sit-up-and-take-notice moment. But that brief transient moment is immediately followed by the Georg Levin featuring 'Don't Cha Wanna', a sassy track that sways with sunny promiscuity and backs it up with an infectious chorus you won't want to stop listening to.
Kon's passion for music comes through on this album by means of the music he plays. Despite being a focused album in length and scope, it's 51-minutes in length, there is still room for moments in pure tribute, such as the electro-influenced short side-piece '808 State'. Kon's real strength though is in his assertive guest-vocal featuring funk soul songs. Ben Westbeech, whom Kon met at the Southport Weekender, provides vocals on the insistent 'You Don't Know (I've Been Looking For You)’. The disco and boogie influenced keys of collaborator Yuki Kanesaka are all over this album and lend it much of it's upbeat and house-influenced sound.
There's a lot to like in On My Way. Kon's production talent is clear in managing to create songs with clarity and polish that matches their feeling. On 'Blow Me... A Kiss' Kon manages to marry modern house music to an authentically soulful and syrupy vocal from Amy Douglas that gives the track just a bit more guts than most current dancefloor orientate music... It might not capture the zeitgeist or redefine a genre, but On My Way is an unmistakable pleasure.
On My Way is released on BBE on 22 July, available for pre-order from Amazon.co.uk on CD, LP and MP3 [affiliate links].