Review: In the sales notes accompanying this latest slice of 7" gold from Athens of the North, boss man Euan Fryer admits that he spent a good "four or five years" trying to locate an original copy of "Time For Change" before finally tracking down original singer Benita. She was more than happy for him to reissue the record, which is one of the most inspired and well-made disco-soul records you're ever likely to hear (how it remained a lost classic, we'll never know). Benita's lyrics and vocals are superb, the horns are punchy, and the B-side "Hot Mix" contains one of the best slap-bass solos you'll ever hear. In a word: essential.
Review: Comedian Espen Beranek Holm might seem like an unlikely Norwegian disco pioneer, but his 1981 single "Dra Te Haelvete" - a sweary, guitar-laden Italo-disco chugger about a man's efforts to get high - has long been a favourite of adventurous Norse DJs. Here, Todd Terje's Olsen Records has decided to give it a re-release, with the man himself providing a trio of reworks. There's a delay-laden, radio-friendly Edit, a strutting, stripped-back Disco Dub, and a thrillingly alien and out-there Acid Mix (which, typically, also features a Clavinet breakdown). This 12" also includes a dubby, punk funk flavoured interpretation from Prins Thomas.
Review: Tobias Bernstrup is a contemporary musician and video artist born 1970 in Gothenburg, Sweden. He received an MFA from Royal College University of Fine Arts Stockholm in 1998. Using the visual language of pop culture, video games, sci-fi, classicism and gothic noir, he has created a stage persona with notorious live performances. Dressed in elaborate costumes of skin-tight rubber suits and fetish gear, Tobias' external appearance is androgynous. He raises questions about representation of identity, the body and physical space in both virtual and non-virtual realities. Between 1997 and 1998 he self-released two limited CD-R EPs. In 2002 his debut album 'Re-Animate Me' was released by Tonight Records followed by two limited 12" singles for the song "27" and the Italian version "Ventisette".
Review: Sundries' Disco Goodies series, which rounds up the best of the label's digital releases and presents them on multi-artist EPs, reaches its fourth instalment. It hits home hard from the start, where Berobreo's 'Soul Driven Dynamics' provides an attractive mix of 1970s orchestral soul samples and rubbery deep house beats. Experienced re-editor Oldchap brings the goods with a lightly tooled-up and beefed-up rework of an orchestra-sporting disco gem ('Coloridos'), before X Gets The Crest delivers a percussive, hot-stepping and filter-smothered re-wire of a much-loved Cymande classic ('Still Come Home'). Over on side B, Alexny's heavy disco-funk re-edit ('People Says') is joined by a hazy and horn-heavy revision courtesy of Sould Out ('City Gal') and the pitched-up disco loop-funk of 'Since You Came' by Workerz.
Review: The Moiss Music label seems to like to drop their EPs two at a time. They did it in February and they're doing it again in May. This eighth outing collects four more lively disco cuts, each with their own subtle influences. Berobreo's 'White Rabbit' for instance has funky undertones with loopy guitar riffs and nice breaks. The Magic Track's 'Jamming With Mom' meanwhile is more sensuous and deep, with late-night synth work and seductive vocals. Oldchap's 'I Want To Show You' has an expressive soul vocal with more low-slung grooves and Alexny's 'Not Bad' then gets quick, clipped and loopy for its lip-pouting disco thrills.
In Alto Mare (Adriatique remix instrumental) (7:13)
In Alto Mare (Adriatique remix radio edit) (3:25)
In Alto Mare (4:23)
Review: Loredana Berte's unmistakable voice meets the glittering finesse of French touch as Dimitri From Paris spreads her 1980 hit 'In Alto Mare' across a hot griddle of club-ready disco. The track launches a new remix series celebrating Berte's legacy through the lens of contemporary producers and DJs: Dimitri, known for his stylish refits of Jamiroquai, Chic and Dua Lipa, now leans into a comparatively classic funk groove, elevating it with a cinematic glide and streamlinear post-prod polish. Long a staple of his DJ sets and broadcasts in bootleg form, this official release feels fated. "It's melodic, disco-flavoured, cinematic, and emotionally powerful - all the things I love," he says, as it manifests as the first of seven reworks dropping over the course of May 2025.
Review: Loredana Berte's career started in the mid seventies and went on to make her into one of the most iconic Italian singers of her generation. Her 1980's album proved her most acclaimed and now Groovin Records serve up two of its most standout cuts. The fuse big hearted vocals, cosmic disco keys and funky reggae beat that will warm any early evening party right up. 'In Alto Mare' is the more upbeat of the two thanks to its funky riffs and big piano stabs, but both still sound mighty fine after 40 years.
B-STOCK: No outer sleeve; otherwise in good condition
Wishful Desire (5:26)
Na Wahala (6:36)
Na My Life Be Dis (10:21)
Memories (6:03)
Review: ***B-STOCK: No outer sleeve; otherwise in good condition***
There is always a good backstory to the music that Emotional Rescue releases and this EP is a case in point. It comes from Betty & The Code Red and Betty was the girlfriend of Tunde Obazee, a Nigerian-born artist who used music as a "non-violent tool to express his socio-political opinions on global injustice." The pair would entertain people on campus by playing anything they could get their hands on, informed by the old Edo folk songs they had grown up around. They went on to live in Italy and the US and start a family as well as lay down self-released songs that have become cult classics. A selection of them feature on this, the first of two EPs from the pair.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Wishful Desire (5:26)
Na Wahala (6:36)
Na My Life Be Dis (10:21)
Memories (6:03)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
There is always a good backstory to the music that Emotional Rescue releases and this EP is a case in point. It comes from Betty & The Code Red and Betty was the girlfriend of Tunde Obazee, a Nigerian-born artist who used music as a "non-violent tool to express his socio-political opinions on global injustice." The pair would entertain people on campus by playing anything they could get their hands on, informed by the old Edo folk songs they had grown up around. They went on to live in Italy and the US and start a family as well as lay down self-released songs that have become cult classics. A selection of them feature on this, the first of two EPs from the pair.
Review: Betty & The Code Red is a life and creative partnership between Benin-born Tunde Obazee and his girlfriend Betty. The pair grew up in Nigeria and would play all manner of instruments to entertain people at the local school before staying together as they went on to live in Italy and the US. Obazee performed at colleges and universities despite no formal training and eventually recorded a selection of tunes together including a small album on relatively new bits of gear like the Yamaha RX7. Especial has collated some of their best work across two new EPs, this being one of them.
Review: There is always a good backstory to the music that Emotional Rescue releases and this EP is a case in point. It comes from Betty & The Code Red and Betty was the girlfriend of Tunde Obazee, a Nigerian-born artist who used music as a "non-violent tool to express his socio-political opinions on global injustice." The pair would entertain people on campus by playing anything they could get their hands on, informed by the old Edo folk songs they had grown up around. They went on to live in Italy and the US and start a family as well as lay down self-released songs that have become cult classics. A selection of them feature on this, the first of two EPs from the pair.
Review: Mr Bongo take a trip back into the golden era of boogie with this choice reissue from the mighty Elite label. There were countless classics on there back in the day, but they were rarely pressed in mammoth quantities and so some have become highly prized items in the ever-ravenous second hand scene. Beverley Skeete laid down some killer singles in the early stretch of her career, and 'Warm' is one of them. Originally out in 1985 and sounding as funky as ever, it's a great opportunity to cop this jam, which comes backed with the lilting finery of 'If The Feeling Is Right', an evergreen downtempo soul jam originally put out in 1983.
Review: Cult Edits are specialists in pushing a certain kind of heater, working in a mode landing something between edit and original. Six producers - Mario Bianco, Tomoo Hata, Roe Deers, Radial Gaze, A Tweed and Oltrefuturo - lay down a blend of sampledelic, ecstatic, multi-tempo'd tribal moods. Channelling everything from chic Tulum rituals to the brutalism of Eastern-European underground clubs, and rounded off by doses of Italian rasta and Japanese re-imagining of Hungarian folk song, all come to the label's exquisite brand of mandala-esque vinyl.
Review: Balearic is perfected to near-Platonic form on this new split single from Joan Bibiloni, the Mallorcan artist and guitarist behind many such full-length masterpieces as 'Joana Lluna' and 'Una Vida Llarga I Tranquila'. Gouranga Music's re-licensing of Bibiloni's music here sees two new remixes by esteemed reworker Ray Mang; 'The Boogie' adds sheeny mega-production to Bibiloni's original, with tense chordwork and watery delays backing up a maddeningly restless instrumental. The ambient standout here, though, is the B, 'Val, Vuw Ya', on which Mang refuses to differentiate between pad, kazoo, tambourine and guitar, it's that washed out. A fascinating new release, straddling two disparate zones in Balearic music.
Review: This is some much anticipated reissued soul treasure from 1983 that comes on black wax as well as yellow, which is also available on Juno. It was originally written by the legendary Larry McGee and though it is over 40 years old now it is still irresistible. This track effortlessly fuses disco, UK street soul, and boogie, creating an irresistible tune suitable for both dance floors and intimate home listening sessions. Featuring lovestruck vocals, persuasive basslines, and sultry saxophone melodies, 'Space Lady' mesmerises listeners from beginning to end. Flipping over this 7" vinyl reveals an extended version crafted specifically for DJs, guaranteeing seamless transitions on the turntables. A genuine gem that continues to shine brightly, even after the passage of time.
Don't You Want My Love (vocal extended mix) (7:39)
Don't You Want My Love (dub mix) (7:31)
Don't You Want My Love (The Coney Island Rhythm Band remix) (6:45)
Don't You Want My Love (Jerk Boy remix) (7:18)
Review: Tinted Records offer up the latest new single by LA-based funky pop house producer Birdee. A resident of the likes of Groove Culture and Body Heat among many other hot label names, Birdee delivers big newness on this stratospheric uplifter, replete with surrounded fingerclick claps and a serious vocal line. Three new mixes also feature, with a new dub mix on the A2, as well as a nighttime caban-bound flip by The Coney Island Rhythm Band on the B-side, as well as a closing piano weapon version by Jerk Boy.
Review: Marking 40 years since the release of Edwin Birdsong's self-titled and fourth studio album, this Philly reissue couldn't have landed at a more poignant time as the LA funkateer sadly passed away on week of release. "Cola Bottle Baby" is known to absolutely everyone thanks to Daft Punk and that refreshing fizzy groove sounds even better, freer, looser, cooler in its natural state. The lesser spotted "Freaky Deaky Sities" kicks like a loose limbed mule, too. Perhaps a riposte to Roy Ayers "Freaky Deaky" hit the year before, or just another fine trope LA's funk continuum, once again it's the cult fusioneer at his most vibrant. Rest in peace.
Review: West End Records? What's that? This is Bitter End and you're in for some lush disco rhythms with this new badboy from the imprint's mysterious movers and shakers! "Echo Loves Narcissus (part 1)" dominates the A-side with a mighty, steel-cut groove that oozes a certain 90s nostalgia without sounding stale or overworked; the tune's punchy bass-weight and cosmic melodies make for the perfect combo. On the flip, "Get The Love" takes inspiration from the 80s EBM movement while still holding down a fine-ass house groove complete with sexy vocals and warehouse bleeps for all rave purposes...
Review: Richard Barrett is the man behind the Bitter End alias and he returns to it here to deliver some more beautifully soulful, full-bodied house music that follows on from his collaboration with Roisin Murphy. Known for his impeccable production, that shows here as the tracks are rich and lush and perfect for playing nice and loud. The grooves hit all the right spots, blending smooth vibes with infectious rhythms and in the case of 'Adjustment -> Love' delightful vocal hook. 'Maladjustment -> Love' is another sparkly cut with retro-future appeal and 'Something Going Nowhere' has a sleazy swagger to it.
Review: The Bitter End label and eponymous production outfit is back with a new and limited 12" of brilliantly dazzling electro, disco and some other unnameable sounds. It's fresh in its fusion of the new with the old and opens with 'U Up', an electro-tinged cut that glides through the cosmos with characterful synth sounds and plenty of colour. 'U Dancin' then brings wispy pads and smeared vocals to a twitchy technoid groove and 'U Perfect' brings out some spangled metal sounds and dubbed out low ends before 'U Burnin' closes with lurching beats and hefty bass under raw percussion. It's experimental body music that cannot fail to get you going.
Review: This week's lesson in simple musical mathematics is demonstrated by Tensnake and Aloe Blacc. The former's inexorable rise in 2010 has perhaps been matched by the worldwide popularity of the latter's "I Need A Dollar", so getting Mr Niemerski on board to remix the track was a smart move. The end results are typically appealing, with Blacc's vocals looped brilliantly around a burning deep house arrangement that peaks in all the right places. The central energetic pulse of cavernous bass stabs and slick hi-hats are inundated by massive swathes of soaring chords as the track progresses, with the requisite breakdowns augmented by choral vocal refrains. Totally euphoric in its intentions and execution, this is bound to have devastating effects when implemented at the right time.
Black Devil/Prins Thomas - "On Just Foot (Slide Inside)"
Black Devil/Unit 4 - "An Other Skin (Days Of Blackula)"
Black Devil/Black Mustang - "Constantly No Respect (The Phenomena Of)"
Review: Black Devil Disco Club returns to action on LoEB with "Ride Again", a collection of mixes from his "In Dub" album. First up is the Prins Thomas mix of "On Just Foot", a chugging Italo disco groover led by a rolling arpeggiated b-line, quirky analogue stabs, vocoder vocal hits and wicked conga-laden beats. Proper floor-pleasing Italo workout. Next we have the Unit 4 mix of "An Other Skin", more b-line driving space disco with dark sounds and huge synth lines. Last but not least is the Black Mustang mix of "Constantly No Respect", a hard-hitting percussive jam exploring the darker side of the Italo universe.
Review: Fresh off the heels of their fiery 'African Dubplate 12"', Disco Dub 45 returns with another scorching selection of rare and unheard disco gems. Compiled and re-edited by Black Disco Demo Club, this limited-edition release is a treasure trove for disco aficionados and DJs alike. It's a four-track journey through the diverse sounds of disco, with each cut offering a unique flavour and infectious energy. From the soulful vocals and soaring strings of 'Track 1' to the pulsating rhythms and funky basslines of 'Track 3', this compilation is a masterclass in dancefloor ecstasy. Don't miss out on this opportunity to add a piece of disco history to your collection.
Review: Black Truffle is back and serving up a delicious four-course musical meal that traverses vintage disco styles while blending in jazz-funk and Latin influences. Black Truffle has long since proven his ability to serve up fine reinterpretations of hidden 70s gems and for preserving the original essence while adding his own flair. 'Disco Meringue' kicks off this latest gem with a crisp, piano-driven Latin vibe ideal for mixing between disco, Latin and deep house. 'Drum Tartar' is a percussion-driven exploration of jazz-funk and Bossa-Nova featuring a powerful drum break. 'Consomme' then delivers a high-energy dancefloor banger with pulsing percussion, organ riffs and sax solos and finally 'Souffle' concludes with a funky big-band jazz number.
Review: Tony Black's latest single, 'Sexy Lady,' released on FullTime Production, is a vibrant blend of disco, funk, and house. The track features standout vocals from Nadyne Rush and Jacob A, adding a soulful touch to its infectious beat. 'Sexy Lady' is instantly memorable, capturing the essence of each genre it fuses. The remix contributions by Italian producer Da Lukas deliver powerful club-ready versions, with the Da Lukas remix and Da Lukas vocalize remix both offering distinctive grooves. Souls Groove's mix brings out the funk and soul elements, showcasing the more musical side. Each version of the track adds its own unique flavour, making 'Sexy Lady' a versatile release.
Review: Bloco & Soul Essentials are back with their smooth, feel-good vibes with their 7" There For You. Side-1 features the title track, a joyful slice of soul with a fantastic horn section and classy vocals. It captures a warm, 70s mood with smooth strings and an overall laid-back groove that's perfect for fans of classic soul sounds. On Side-2, 'Shady Lady' offers a slower, funkier groove. The track's funky bassline and gentle piano keys create a relaxed, sultry atmosphere, while the rich blend of guitar and smooth vocals tie everything together beautifully. There For You is an essential pick for anyone who enjoys soul music with a touch of Japanese funk and jazz influences, delivering timeless grooves with a modern edge.
Review: The Bloto quartet recently marked their return with 'Szlam' and 'Scieki,' their first singles in over two years, released on a limited 7" vinyl via Astigmatic Records. These tracks sold out instantly, leaving fans eager for more. The band now continues their musical assault with another 7" release, featuring a remix by modern funk maestro DaM-FunK from Pasadena, California. This release serves as a prelude to their upcoming LP Grzybnia, set for an autumn 2024 release. Bloto's latest single, 'Bakteria,' draws heavily from classic acid house, offering a sinister and primitive sound that's reminiscent of the harsh resilience of bacteria. Recorded during an improvisation session at Studio Pasterka, the band has abandoned acoustic instruments in favour of synthesisers and drums, creating a raw, infectious track. DaM-FunK's remix, 'Bakteria Re-Freak,' transforms the original's dark atmosphere into a vibrant G-Funk track, filled with sunny synths and a drum machine beat. It evokes a biopharmaceutical bacterium leisurely moving through the streets of Los Angeles, blending warmth with a hint of danger. This release not only boasts Bloto's innovative spirit but also highlights DaM-FunK's ability to reimagine and elevate the original material.
Review: Blue Feather were a truly blue-eyed funk outfit from the Netherlands who had a prolific run in the 80s with two albums and a string of club singles to their name. "Let's Funk Tonight" was surely one of their bigger hits, and it sounds resplendent with a fresh master and the full extended version spread out across the A side here. Offering something new for the modern market, Best call upon Faze Action to flesh out this reissue with a killer dub of the track that treads softly but funks deep, just like a good dub should.
Turn Me Loose/My Design (extended version) (13:58)
Turn Me Loose (Sirs cut) (10:32)
Review: Best Records present another deep cover jam Balearic diggers will rejoice at being able to lay their hands on. Blue Night was the brainchild of Peter Miconi, who created "Turn Me Loose" in 1983. All the elements are present here, from the aching blue-eyed soul vocals to rich guitar solos and an irrepressible funk bedded down in the groove, here stretching out for a full 14 minutes of pure sunkissed bliss. On the flip, SIRS takes a careful run at the original that simply reframes the elements with a more pronounced rhythm section - this is someone who knows exactly what the track needs and declines to change anything for the sake of it. Classy stuff, as you would expect from a reissue on Best Records.
Review: Rhythm's Got Soul is a sonic trip back to the fever-pitched disco era, where Asabi Goodman's powerhouse vocals and Geoff Boardman's dynamic production converge to create an electrifying dancefloor experience. Bursting through the stratosphere with all frequencies blazing, the track treats listeners to pitched horns, filtered drums, and sultry vocals, reinforced by Andrew 'Bigfoot' Leslie's everlasting bass. Momentum builds with Dave VHS's rhythm guitar and vamp keys, accompanied by hectic percussion, culminating in a groove that's both syncopated and loose, thanks to the MPC4000 sample treatment by The Soulicitors. On the flip side, 'Rhythm's Hot' (Afro Instrumental) takes listeners on an Afrocentric trip, with a relentlessly persuasive percussion groove reminiscent of Midnight Marauders chords. Well-timed transitions spread smooth like butter, weaving elements like A Taste Of Honey basslines into an instrumental strut that builds to a disco-fever crescendo. It's a monster cut that keeps the energy high and the dancefloor moving. Asabi Goodman's vocal versatility, effortlessly shifting from sweet and soulful to commanding and powerful, adds depth and emotion to each track, while Geoff Boardman's production shines through, blending samples and live instrumentation into a resonating dynamic disco experience. 'Rhythm's Got Soul' is a standout collaboration that begs to be checked out.
Review: 'Rhythm's Got Soul' is the highly anticipated collab record between singer-songwriter Asabi Goodman and producer/arranger Geoff Boardman aka. Blunted Stylus. A testament to the enduring efficacy the mixture of belter vocals and powerhouse production, 'Rhythm's Got Soul (Lose Control)' and its contrapuntal 'Afro Instrumental' make for raunchy, impudent soul-dance divinations, with booming kicks n' claps, felt-out breaks, and longing harmonies making up their effusive bulk. The B is particularly great, making use of spare components and one-off vocal injunctions to "come and dance with me."
Review: Classic disco re-issue! A couple of nice Miami disco numbers from Jimmy Bo Horne, getting on the spankwagon on the A-side with a pumping club track, but not letting up on the flip either, another crisp number guaranteed to keep the disco burning!
Review: Kalita Records have secured rights to a first ever reissue of Wilson Boateng's 'Asew Watchman' and 'Mabre Agu' tunes as well as serving up two new extended mixes from Amsterdam-based producer and DJ Mendel for more useful dance floor deployment. Originally privately released in a small run by Wilson himself, these sought after highlife tunes were recorded in London and put out in 1988 and have been pretty much impossible to find ever since. They are phenomenally upbeat and feel good sounds with plenty of highlife melodies, lush synthesizers, disco and boogie beats finished in a truly authentic Ghanian style.
Review: Seems it is time for this disco classic to get its latest reissue and we are always glad to hear it. It is a curious Italo disco gem from the rather mysterious Boeing. It came all the way back in 1982 and as soon as the needle hits the record it has you preparing for liftoff. Sprightly, funky and characterised by a classic, slightly trippy voice-of-god spoken word, cute synth squiggles and a rolling percussive layer that's almost too addictive. Comes complete with an instrumental if the vocal commands are just a little too much for you. This is a limited reissue on Full Time Production out of Italy.
Let's Start To Dance Again (Dimitri From Paris remix extended version) (6:42)
Let's Start To Dance Again (Dimitri From Paris remix Super Disco Blend) (8:12)
Let's Start To Dance Again (7:37)
Let's Start To Dance (part II) (6:41)
Review: Bohannon's biggest dancefloor hit, 'Let's Start II Dance Again', has been remixed umpteen times over the years, with several reworks of the slamming disco-funk classic released in the early-to-mid-1980s. Here it gets another new lease of life as part of Unidisc's 40th anniversary celebrations, with disco remix maestro Dimitri From Paris at the controls. The Frenchman delivers two tasteful, club-ready tweaks: an 'Extended Remix' that wisely utilises all of the familiar elements of Bohannon's original, while subtly beefing up the beats and adding a few drops and breakdowns, and an even longer, more dubbed-out 'Super Disco Blend' revision. Over on the flip there's a chance to enjoy Bohannon's original version and the raw and heavy 'Part 2' mix from 1981 album Alive.
Review: A while back, Africaine 808's DJ Nomad contacted Favorite Recordings' chief Pascal Rioux about a killer track he'd been given some years back - an obscure, previously CD-R only fusion of modern Gwo-ka and Zouk by Esnard Boisdur entitled "Mizik Bel". Rioux was excited by what he heard and agreed that the track should come out on vinyl, accompanied by a fresh rework by Nomad and Dirk Leyers as Africaine 808. Boisdur's original version (side A) is rhythmically dense but also cheery and life affirming, with celebratory chorus vocals and 80s zouk style synth lines subtly rising above a busy, all-action groove. Arguably even better is the sub-heavy Africaine 808 mix, which brilliantly re-imagines the track as a tasty chunk of tropical house/disco-zouk fusion.
Review: Smeary, bleary, watery-eyed Deutsche-Balearica from the fresh German talent that is Tom Bolas, dropping the impressive four-track EP 'Disco-Calabra' for Violette Szabo. An Italo-German dialectic is immediately heard on the self-titled lead track, on which Bolas' enlisted singer Flo Dalton gets her oozy voice glued and washed out between the producer's ultra-limited beatsmithing. The trend continues on the supporting new wave track 'Orientalo', the comparatively grinding post-punker 'Delusion', and the EBM chugger 'I Just Wanna Dance'.
You Could Be More As You Are (Super Disco mix) (5:07)
You Could Be More As You Are (Bleep mix) (2:59)
Review: For the unaware, Saada Bonaire's 1984 gem 'You Could Be More As You Are' is the very definition of a cult classic. Known for offering a chugging blend of new wave, leftfield synth-pop and post-disco dancefloor nous, it was produced by an obscure German DJ and fronted by two female vocalists. Those singers have now joined forces with producers Jens Mahlstedt and Ralph 'von' Richthoven to deliver a 2025 remake. It's presented in two distinctively different forms. On the A-side, we get the 'Super Disco Mix', a driving, bass guitar-driven affair that mixes replayed elements of the 1984 original (including some of the spellbinding synths) with clipped disco guitars and freshly recorded vocals. The flipside 'Bleep Mix' is not an early Warp style re-build, but in fact a slightly more electronic-sounding dub disco version.
Lady, Lady, Lady (Are You Crazy For Me) (instrumental) (3:24)
Lady, Lady, Lady (Are You Crazy For Me) (feat Mel Hayes - vocal) (4:10)
Review: The Boogie Man Orchestra's 'Lady, Lady, Lady (Are You Crazy For Me)' is a hidden gem in the soulful disco world but it won't stay that way now it is getting this new reissue. It's one of those jams with an impossibly smooth, seductive groove that embodies the essence of 70s funk and soul. The lush arrangements are accompanied by silky vocals and tight instrumentation to make for a perfect balance of upbeat energy and romantic charm. Add in the rich brass sections and driving bassline and you have a perfect example of the orchestral disco sound that we all still love so much.
Review: It's a sizzling seven up for Moiss Music here as they draw together four different artists to offer up one cut each for this new various artists collection. Boogietraxx goes heavy on the filter vibes on 'S N T' which is French touch disco-house of the highest order. Kellit's 'Pryscoks Sockin Socks' is all about sultry sax lines and loose-limbed disco house beats while C Da Afro gets heads up with the streaming sunshine synths of 'Don't Be Quiet.' Groovemasta shut down with the funky Afro-disco stylings of 'Gonna Make U Rock.'
Review: Border Edits 02 delivers four distinctive disco edits that blend groove, funk, and boogie into one irresistible package. Side-1 kicks off with 'Love Excess,' a track that strikes a perfect balance between a smooth disco groove and a hefty dose of funk. It's a sweet opener that sets the tone for the record. Next, 'Triple Boogie' serves up a disco boogie builder with a bassline that will feel familiar to many. It reinterprets the original into a jam that invites you to "listen to the music and let your body move." On Side-2, 'Supafunky' lives up to its name as an anthem for getting down, packed with funky rhythms that are impossible to resist. Finally, 'Wordoutro' closes the record with a drum break that's tailor-made for DJs and dancers, providing the perfect backdrop for creative mixes and energetic dance floors. This is a versatile and funky collection of edits that will keep any disco lover moving.
Review: Over the past decade, Cory Champion has navigated multiple musical dimensions. As a composer, drummer, and bandleader, he has led the Clear Path Ensemble through two albums of celestial, dance-infused jazz under Cosmic Compositions and Soundway Records. Simultaneously, as Borrowed CS, he has crafted dubby techno, minimal electro, and soulful jazzy house. His second Borrowed CS release, Rise n Shine via Planet Trip Records, expands on his "Mystic Shuffle" sound and is a brilliant new blend of futurist machine funk, post-disco, and future soul with some fine features from the one and only Steve Spacek and smooth crooner Mara TK who help deliver grooves that shimmer and snap with rhythmic precision.
Review: French disco singer Maeva Borzakian delivers a stupefying pair of electro-soul tracks to Six Nine, expanding on early feedings on 80s soul and Anglo-Saxon pop for a fresher modern twist. Raised in Paris among jazz musicians, Borzakian rejected the tutelage of her family in favour of self-taught disco productions and performances, which led to her building a career as a resident performer in her home city's many clubs and bars, studding the casts of over 20 different band projects so far. This limited UK press bottles the new and exclusive track 'Hey You' - a synth tomming wake-up slap that exhorts the bad actor in an earlier, controlling relationship - and a T Groove remix of 'You're My Ecstasy', an emotive loller with a finito feel and a drive towards empowerment.
Review: Former Whiskey Barons man Bosq has enjoyed a long working relationship with Nigeria-based, Benin-born guitarist and vocalist Kaleta. We make this the pair's eleventh collaborative single in the last decade and, as with their previous outings, it trumphantly blurs the boundaries between Afro-disco, Afro-beat and Afro-funk. On side A you'll find vocal and instrumental takes on 'Meji Meji, a pleasingly live-sounding affair full of rubbery bass guitar, righteous horns, infectious drums and Kaleta's evocative guitar licks. Over on the flip, they opt for even heavier, life-affirming horn motifs, Afro-disco grooves and more sun-splashed Afro-funk guitars on vocal and instrumental versions of the similarly inspired 'Sonayon'.
Review: Mother's I'd Like To Funk shows off their reissue credentials once more here with a real sizzler from Danish pop group Boulevard. The tracks are from their little-known 1981 album American Dream and have been fully licensed here. A-side 'Ready For Your Love' is a sweet street soul gem with snappy drums and fleshy arps next to the aloof male vocals. 'Still Ready' on the flip is a Synthphonic Dub that has a very similar rhythm and sound but with some more native chords over the top and an extra bounce and talk box vocals.
Review: French producer Antoine Bourachot returns with his third release, delivering a trio of original tracks that blend his sharp ear for melody with a clear affection for groove-driven pop and club sounds. The warm, percussive edge of his productions hint at late-night sets and sunlit afterhours, bringing a jaunty mutant disco. Myd, Diogo Strausz and Art of Tones each offer their own take on the material, turning in remixes that stretch from laid-back funk touches to punchier zoomings into the floor. Bourachot's ability to sit comfortably between radio-friendly hooks and crate-digging sensibility makes this a record with plenty of replay value, balancing polish and playfulness in equal measure.
Review: Berlin's renowned Iptamenos Discos its back with more great musical enchant in the form of this new white vinyl 12" in hand-numbered hand-stamped sleeve from Boys' Shorts. This dynamic queer duo comes from Greece and is made up of Vangelis (formerly of LAGASTA) and London-based Tareq. Their Something To Forget EP is a dazzling mix of disco with a whole world of subtle influences from other genres. Two originals come accompanied by innovative remixes from Gabe Gurnsey and Whitesquare to make this an effective outing that will likely win Boys' Shorts many new followers.
Review: The latest EP from Berlin-based DJ and producer Pablo Bozzi shows another step up in his craft. Across the trio of tunes, his talent for creating infectious dancefloor jams shines through with the bouncy basslines, 90s-inspired synths and a piano-driven melody of 'Sunday Rodeo,' first to hook you in. The title track, 'Fantasy,' combines an alluring vocal with powerful kicks and zesty acid accents that constantly fire at your synapse and 'Siempre' is the closer that finds Bozzi deliver a dreamy synthwave journey that is smartly enriched by intimate, distant vocal samples. Although this one has some nostalgic influences, the modern production will really ignite the 'floor.
Review: Larry Pignagnoli, Alessandro Zanni and Stefano Cundari created Brando, the quintessential short-lived Italo project. The first two singles from the group landed in 1983, one of which is now lovingly repressed by the original label, ZYX Music. As well as the vintage versions, we get treated to a couple of versions from the go-to remixer for tracks from this period, Flemming Dalum. It's released as a 40th anniversary piece commemorating this classic slice of sentimental, full-fat Italo, but with these new remixes there's plenty to appeal to die-hards and casual observers alike.
Review: Washington, D.C. label People's Potential Unlimited (PPU) snub the usual boundaries put upon most entities in dance music, attesting instead to the limitlessness of human musical potential. Here they set another example of such accumulative panache with 'Turn It Out', the very latest vinyl EP from roster producer Bravuda, hailing from the Russian Federation. 'Turn It Out' is Bravuda's re-recording of a demo also recorded for PPU by Terry Patton and Robbie M, entitled 'Tri-Fire'; Bravuda's version is a slimy, windowlicking electro-funk Janus mask, as 'Turn It Out' and its underside '1984' both bring almost equally grumbly and wily sleights of hand, their tiny room reverbs and crushed, sculpted piano chords being of special note.
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