Da Funk

The slinky distortions of "Da Funk" made Daft Punk one of the quickest, most surprising successes in the dance world -- as famed among the ranks of occasionally snobbish music critics as among the more easily persuaded (by a good groove, at least) figures in the global club community. The first major single for Messrs. Bangalter and De Homem-Cristo, "Da Funk" works through an almost languorous tempo with effects that sound straight out of a '70s porn film and an attention to sonic detail that would soon spawn imitators of their filter-disco sound. The single, first released by Soma Records (the Scottish label operated by the techno duo Slam), ignited throughout the dance underground early in 1997, paving the way for a distribution deal with Virgin. Soon enough, the label signed Daft Punk to an album deal, financed the shooting of a hilarious, enigmatic video directed by Spike Jonze, and distributed the album Homework -- the title a grateful cue to their influences among American dance producers -- throughout the world. Though Daft Punk proved themselves no one-hit wonders (Bangalter himself recorded several during the late '90s), "Da Funk" was an immense record and may endure as their best moment.