Review: Paul Oakenfold – "Bunkka"

Paul Oakenfold has been a world known DJ for over 15 years. He has spent his career mixing other people�s songs into grade A mix CDs that are sought after by many walks of life. His newest CD, however, is something a little different. Something new from Oakenfold. His new CD, Bunkka, (Maverick) is the first CD he has ever released made entirely of his own music.
The 11-song album is not mixed, like Oakenfold�s normal class of music, but instead contains an eclectic bunch of songs ranging from rap to early 90�s-esque soft rock, and everything in between. It has something to appeal to almost any taste in music.
Bunkka starts with a song that Oakenfold would have been most likely to spin when he was mixing in Ibiza, Spain- Acid Techno. The vocals of �Ready, Steady, Go� are done by Asher D. That song is followed by a much more ambient-sounding �Southern Sun,� vocals by Carla Werner. The relaxed, laid-back style of this song seems like something the Eurhythmics would have done alongside �Sweet Dreams.� �Southern Sun� is followed by a somewhat faster �Time of Your Life� (vocals Perry Farrell.) This song has a significantly faster bpm, or beats per minute, but still manages to maintain a strong hold on the ambience left behind by the last song. After �Hypnotised� (vocals Tiff Lacey) comes �Zoo York,� which some may recognize as the main background tune to Requiem for a Dream.
Skipping ahead a few songs, we come upon �Starry-eyed Surprise,� which is my personal favorite song on the album. It has a clubby funk to it, and vocals by Shifty Shellshock. It also happens to be the first single off the album, and has been a hit on a variety of formats of radio. Adult contemporary, modern hits, dance, etc, all took an interest in this up-beat song impossible not to move to.
Immediately after �Starry Eyed Surprise� is �Get �Em Up,� vocals by Ice Cube. This may be the bridging of the gap in the album. With a rapper such as this one behind a DJ as talented as Oakenfold, a union of genres attract even more people to this CD, and open others up to genres previously judged.
Next is �Motion� and the final song of the album is �The Harder They Come� with vocals by Nelly Furtado and Tricky. This song makes a great end to an already great CD. It�s calming enough to provide a conclusion, but not so that interest is lost. It keeps your attention while tapering the CD off.
I give this album a 4 out of 5 stars- well done, a great first LP for Oakenfold, but with only 11 songs, the end seems to come too soon. Currently, Oakenfold is not touring, although another worldwide tour is expected by mid to late summer.