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Parisienne party starter David K might have seen releases on labels such as Cocoon, Tsuba and Supplement Facts since, but this is the record we've all been waiting for since the dancefloor detonating Boul De Nerf. His last EP on Freak n' Chic, it was, without argument, one of the biggest tracks of 2007 and managed to spread itself among a remarkably wide array of DJs. Inspired by a night with Loco Dice, it was drenched in trippy funk. Messy minimal, if you will, it sang to everyone who heard it. Hell, I've even heard it used as a bed on a late night talk radio show. 

There are some mighty big shoes for David to fill, then. And does he do it? Does he step up to the mark and deliver a follow up worthy of similar kudos and praise? Of course he does. What's more, he does it with true finesse. Although I will say, if you're expecting Boul De Nerf Part Two, you're in for a shock; here we have two tracks of the highest house distinction - neither of which bear any resemblance to the aforementioned club bullet of last year. 

This, of course, can only be a good thing; Bento Box Volume One shows true versatility and takes us back to the deep funk David showed on his earlier releases such as his Free Kit single on Freak N Chic or his Yo Chicago cut on Robsoul. The two track EP kicks off with Yakiniku, a deep hypnotic groovefest with a heavy helping of percussion that hints of the tribalism heralded by New York clubs 10 years ago when the likes of Danny Tenaglia was king. 

A slow burner, this 10 minute epic builds gradually in the same way a good Ame record builds. Subtly it takes you to the top before introducing a funky-assed bassline that will seduce any dancefloor. With the chopped up vocal effects laid gracefully over the top, it's impossible to resist.

On the B, Yakitori is more your heads down fare. Acting like an ode to house music's Chicago roots, this is something you could see everyone from DJ Sneak to Josh Wink dropping, and just as you think you've got your heads around the groove, in comes a beautifully soft synth wash, adding colour, warmth and added funk.  

Meanwhile on Bento Box Volume Two, we're bound, gagged and forced into a warehouse where tubular bass rumbles and strobes flicker confusingly. If Yanika is the warm up, Kobe is the pay-off, all muscular and dramatic while retaining K's trippy leanings, it's house music in its most naked form.  The final piece of this feet fattening feast is Fugu, a track where the masterful art of hypnosis is never far away. Lurking suspiciously in the shadows in the form of Basic Channel style bleepery, the underlying funk is smothered with a digitised snarl. 

Four tracks over two essential EPs; it's a warm and welcome return to Freak N Chic for David, then. Whether this will be as big as his last EP with them, who knows? Or indeed cares - the most important thing here is that he's still on top of his game, and those who understand the nature of great, infectious grooves will be all over this.

Artist: David K Title: Bento Box Volume One & Two Label: Freak N Chic    Tracklisting: Volume 1 1. Yakiniku 2. Yakitori Volume 2 1. Kobe 2. Fugu www.freaknchic.com www.myspace.com/davidkblog