Dr Hypenstein | CD | Redtenbacher's Funkestra

Product notes

DR HYPENSTEIN — THE FUNKESTRA’S STREAMING BREAKTHROUGH Success can mean several things across a catalogue built over three decades. Some records capture a particularly strong band. Others mark an artistic turning point. Dr Hypenstein is the Funkestra album that travelled furthest. Released in 2015, this tightly constructed collaboration between Stefan Redtenbacher and his longstanding writing partner Thomas Feurer placed the bass unapologetically at the centre of thirteen compact instrumental tracks. Muscular horns, flutes, guitars, programmed beats and assorted electronic interventions move around it—occasionally with elegance, occasionally like machinery escaping from a basement laboratory. Alongside The Hang and FUNKOPIA, Dr Hypenstein stands as one of the three cornerstone Redtenbacher’s Funkestra albums. In streaming terms, however, it is the clear catalogue leader. “Funktionality” has become the most-streamed Funkestra recording, passing 3.8 million Spotify streams. The title track and “Right On It” remain live favourites, while the record’s bass lines have attracted players and students around the world. It is the band’s most bass-centric album—not a display of technique for its own sake, but thirteen short pieces built around riffs, movement and the useful principle that a tune should know when it has made its point. LISTEN TO DR HYPENSTEIN Dr Hypenstein by Funkestra PRESS, PLAYLISTS AND RECOGNITION KEXP selected “Baby Fat” as its Song of the Day in February 2015. Writer Jacob Webb praised its agile groove, vibrant bass foundation and sense of sheer enjoyment. Broadcaster George Graham gave Dr Hypenstein a full album review on WVIA-FM, describing its combination of retro funk, contemporary production and playful sonic detail. He subsequently included it in his Best of 2015 Albums list, selected from more than 500 releases featured during the year. “Funktionality” was selected for Spotify’s editorial bass playlist Bottoms Up and continues to sit alongside music by Victor Wooten, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Nathan East and other leading bass artists. Mike Dolbear’s review praised the record’s funky bass lines, forceful horn writing, memorable grooves and ability to reach beyond a specialist jazz-funk audience. THE ALBUM Rather than recreating 1970s funk as a museum piece, Dr Hypenstein places recognisable funk ingredients inside a more contemporary production world. The title track introduces the album with bass, flute and sharply arranged horns. “Baby Fat” combines a wiry saxophone lead with clipped guitar and electronic detail. “Swagger” brings in considerably heavier footwear, while “Cave Canem,” “Bassbulator,” “Bassface” and “Funktionality” explore different species of bass-led misbehaviour. There are no lengthy introductions or extended solo excursions. All thirteen tracks remain under four minutes, giving the album a directness that distinguishes it from the Funkestra’s larger and more expansive ensemble recordings. MUSICIANS Michael Davis — tromboneThomas Feurer — saxophones, flutes, keyboards, drum programming and percussionNick Manchione — trumpetStefan Redtenbacher — bass, guitar and keyboards TRACKLISTING Dr Hypenstein Baby Fat Go Mo Funktionality Swagger Cave Canem Bassbulator Right On It Bassface Macho Matchup Busted Tower of TNT Supergalactic PRODUCTION Produced by Stefan Redtenbacher and Thomas FeurerWritten by Stefan Redtenbacher and Thomas FeurerMixed and mastered by Thomas FeurerArtwork by Chris KentishOriginally released by Wooden Hat Records on 27 January 2015 Physical CD edition with thirteen instrumental tracks.