Private Press LP

Description

XL Middleton has been at the forefront of the modern funk movement practically since its inception in the early 2010's. His label MoFunk, originally created with Funkmosphere member Eddy Funkster, has been one of the premier labels in the genre. XL's latest, "Private Press," is a reference that vinyl collectors worldwide will be familiar with. Generally meaning a record that was pressed by the artist themselves, or by a small, local boutique label without big financial backing, it's a sort of double entendre that speaks to the widely accepted definition of the term, but also to the personal nature of the music itself. XL's signature synth squiggles and rubbery bass lines are almost always designed to incite dance floor activity, but the subject matter of the songs themselves are much more than just party anthems. "When You On The Line" speaks directly to a love interest, assuring her that she should never hesitate to pick up the phone and call. "Fallin On You" & "They Don't Have The Answer" deliver sharp social commentary and radical political positioning, while "Realtors At My Door" references the 2025 wildfires that destroyed much of the Altadena neighborhood that Middleton grew up right next to. Funk was never just about hedonistic celebration; XL Middleton's "Private Press" is simply a reminder of what has always been.