Contributing Writer
Dirtybird Records is honoring its San Francisco roots with a new remix package celebrating hometown heroes Hawke and God Within and their timeless classic ‘Acid Funk’. Out now and available on digital platforms for the first time, ‘Acid Funk’ has received exciting reworks from originator Gavin Hardkiss, Canadian duo Smalltown DJs and psychedelic producer Rabbit in the Moon, as well as a collaborative remix from Pillowtalk’s Mr. D and the late Navid Izadi’s The Sheik.
Originally released in 1996, ‘Acid Funk’ is a treasured record of San Francisco’s pre-internet rave era from Hardkiss aliases Hawke (Gavin Hardkiss) and God Within (Scott Hardkiss). Exclusive to vinyl, ‘Acid Funk’ has grown in notoriety due to its rarity as a secret DJ tool heard in few sets and found only by true crate diggers. Nearly 30 years later, ‘Acid Funk’ still resonates with dancefloors in the Bay Area and beyond, and carries on the legacy of Scott Hardkiss who unexpectedly passed away in 2013.
“The Bay Area house sound and Hardkiss are a big influence; the attitude, groove, and all-around cool vibe of the original ‘Acid Funk’ is still undeniable.” – Smalltown DJs
“Hardkiss were infused into the soundtrack to the early West Coast rave years. ‘Acid Funk’ in particular was an anthem in those warehouse days. ” – Mr. D
From Rabbit In The Moon’s synth-heavy flip and Smalltown DJs bass-bumping lift to Mr. D and The Sheik’s off-kilter experimentations and Gavin Hardkiss’ commemorative reprisal, each remix is inspired by the limitlessness of the Bay Area’s eclectic house sound. Transcending the boundaries of the track’s original physical-only release and uniting electronic music lovers despite time or geographic location, ‘Acid Funk’ has left an ever-lasting legacy for generations.
“‘Acid Funk’ has been exclusively available on vinyl for the past 25+ years. So thrilled to get some current flavored remixes. I really dig what David Christopher of Rabbit in the Moon, Smalltown DJs and Sammy D & Navid brought to the project. Scott would be proud!” – Gavin Hardkiss
Along with the first-ever digital release, Acid Funk is available as a limited edition vinyl here. Dirtybird invites the flock to celebrate the history of the Bay Area and stream the Acid Funk (Remixes) out now on all platforms.