How a Britfunk outlier grew into a cult favourite

iLevel didn’t arrive fully formed. The early work in the Minefields period shows a group shaping a direction that was still unfolding. The rhythm is tight, the bass lines are clear and the synths carry the groove. The foundation sits close to Britfunk, yet the music already hints at a shift toward more atmosphere, more nuance and more intention.

That shift reaches full expression on Shake. The album brings focus, clarity and a tone that defines the group. The ideas from Mindfields settle into a sound with a steady pulse and a clear sense of direction.

Shake marks a clear change in tone. The album carries a raw and underground energy that stands apart from the polished Britfunk acts of the same period. While groups like Imagination, Freeez and Linx moved toward mainstream soul pop, iLevel shaped a hybrid sound that sits outside easy categorisation. This quality gives Shake its cult status today.

The production feels dry and focused, built on groove and texture rather than gloss. Tribal patterns appear in the percussion, especially in Cat Among the Pigeons, where the rhythm touches on Afro beat and early club influences. The synths add atmosphere without chasing pop brightness. Sam Jones brings a warm and soulful presence that lifts the music out of the Britfunk frame and into something more personal. Joe Dworniak plays bass with a tight and almost metronomic feel, creating a hypnotic movement that recalls post punk funk more than traditional band funk. Together these elements form a sound that feels both grounded and forward looking.

Shake carries this identity across the entire record. Several tracks highlight how the group refined their approach. Cat Among the Pigeons, placed at the end of the album, brings sharp rhythmic tension shaped by tribal percussion, minimal wave stabs and an understated bass line. Our Song adds an uptempo pulse with warm floating keys and the calm urgency of Sam Jones. In the Sand introduces a relaxed colour with a light Caribbean touch and subtle synth textures. New Day brings bright disco funk energy that lifts the album and shows how the group can shift mood while staying consistent in tone. Into Another World carries a steady funk drive with a clear rhythmic focus. These moments illustrate how the group shaped a sound that feels focused and fully their own, while the strength of Shake lies in the way the entire album carries this clarity.

The evolution from Minefields to Shake also reflects the way the three members shaped their roles. Sam Jones brings a voice with depth and soul. Joe Dworniak shapes the structure and the groove. Duncan Bridgeman adds atmosphere and detail. Their instincts differ, yet their direction aligns.

After the group period, each member follows a distinct creative path. Duncan moves into global music and film, creating projects that explore culture and connection. His work includes the multimedia project 1 Giant Leap and films such as What About Me and Hecho en México, all built around musical collaboration and cultural storytelling. Joe continues in the studio and refines the clarity of his production. He works through Riverfish Studio on a wide range of projects, from soul and pop recordings to collaborations with artists shaped by world music and electronic influences. Sam spends years in Africa and works on storytelling projects, including Rice N Peas Films. Later he returns to the United Kingdom and records again with Joe. Their track YBSA from 2021 carries the same tone that shaped their earlier work.

The group now consists of Sam and Joe. Their channels stay quiet, which fits the calm presence that surrounds their work. The influence of iLevel lives in tone. Their sound aligns with listeners who appreciate clarity, rhythm and atmosphere. It shows how a small catalogue stays relevant through intention and feel.

iLevel grew from Minefields into Shake. They found their identity and shaped a space that continues to stand. Some groups fade. Some groups leave a trace. iLevel belongs to the second kind.