Review: 'J'Voudrais Qu'Tu M'Dises' is the latest 12? reissue from Forest Jams. Like previous releases, little is known about Kelly Lane but her vocals shine over a blend of synth-pop, house and boogie. The track exudes both charm and strength as it delivers a funky, smooth sound. For purists, the B-side offers an instrumental version. Additionally, a remastered and highly catchy and house-driven dance remix also features and is sure to make Kelly Lane's captivating grooves find their way into the hearts of a who hear it.
Review: Tommy Largo is a big deal in the world of jacking house and here he lands on Greenhouse Recordings with plenty of evidence to support that. His sound comes steeped with Southern influences on opener 'BBQ Ribs' with its noodling jazz chords and spoken word mutterings making for a lively atmosphere over funky beats. The Jam Funk Remix has a Chicago bump to it with the jazzy keys left in place over well-swung drums. 'On No Not Again' hints at new jack swing with its steamy sax lines and effortlessly catchy groove before 'BBQ Ribs' (Oddphonic remix) closes out with the deepest sound of the lot, perfect for when the sun has gone down and the party heads indoors.
Review: If It Ain't Jazz, we don't know what it has! Back, after a punctuated pause, the label return to dazzle us with their enduring, distinctive brand of instrumental disco-soul razzmatazz, and here we hear Laroye and Aroop Roy rub two heads' choices up the right way, both into phattened, globular, kick-boosted anthems. First comes 'You're A Star', an electroni-cization of Aquarian Dream's 1978 disco explosion, to which Laroye brings much extra shimmy and sway. Then there's Roy's 'Let The Music Play', sampling an unknown (to us) number that - don't get caught off guard - certainly *isn't* Shannon's freestyle hit from 1983. Whatever it is though, it's a banger too!
Review: Sound Metaphors offshoot Miss You has been particularly astute at licensing and reissuing long-forgotten European disco gems. They've found another unknown classic here in the shape of two gorgeously string-laden 1977 disco covers of Andalucian folk songs by singing sisters Las Dablas, both of which originally appeared on the same Spanish seven-inch. 'Zorongo' is authentic-sounding, faintly threatening disco rich in heady Clavinet motifs, soaring orchestration, low-slung 'walking bass' and sprightly piano stabs, while 'Solo Y Sin Problemas' is a slightly funkier and sweeter slab of mid-tempo disco. Best of all, though, is the new 'No End Extension' - a breathlessly brilliant, dub disco-flecked revision that teases out the instrumental sections before finally dropping the sibling duo's lead vocals.
Review: 'Humanoid Invasion' is a stone-cold Italo disco classic from 1986 that now gets reissued on the irrepressible ZYX label. It comes in various forms starting with the Dance Mix which is bright and led by shiny, irresistible arps and squelchy synth bass. The jittery rhythms demand you jerk your body and the Space Mix then adds extra effects and reverb with more shine on the chords. A Digital remix feels more crisp and contemporary but still in a retro-future way and then a 7" and an epic Megamix Vol 1 are included to make this the ultimate ode to a classic.
Review: British indie rock apostolic supper-eaters The Last Dinner Party present a new 7" to celebrate the release of their second ever single, 'Sinner'. The song makes thorough use of staccato, operatic vocal theatrics (courtesy of lead vocalists Abigail Morris and Lizzie Mayland) while thereafter breaking into an otherwise gritty post-punk joie-de-vivre. This limited-edition white vinyl release hears the studio version of 'Sinner' on the A come backed by an energetic live take of the same song on the B; the latter was performed in Melkweg, Amsterdam only recently, and marks a gothically stark contrast to the record version.
Review: There's no secret to the success of Late Nite Tuff Guy's long-running Tuff Cuts series. Buyers have simply responded to the consistency of the Australian producer's approach, and the quality of loopy, house-friendly re-edits. This eighth volume features more party-starting fare, from the glassy-eyed extended breakdown of "Go For That" (yep, a Hall & Oates rework) and soft-touch house take on Marvin Gaye ("Heard It"), to the end-of-night bliss of "Dreams", a decidedly warm and rolling rearrangement of the famous Fleetwood Mac cut of the same name. As if that wasn't enough bangers in one place, he finishes with a triumphant rework of disco-era Michael Jackson ("Starting Something").
Review: Late Night Tuff Guy has long since proven his credentials as a master of the cheeky edit. He now mints his own new label Tuff Cuts with a first EP of what will surely be many. It features two reworks hand picked by the man himself and then pressed on 12". The first is a dancefloor ready rework of the Bill Withers classic 'Lovely Day' with a nice rolling groove and plenty of the original's charm still in tact. Things get more sultry and seductive on the soul drench and more slow motion sounds of 'Love About' on the flip. It's a real beauty for the end of the night moments when love is in the air.
Review: The Australian edit machine known across the globe as Late Night Tuff Guy offers up two sublime dancefloor weapons from his armoury for the second in his series of limited, hand stamped Tuff Cuts 12"s. "Ain't Nobody" from Rufus and Chaka Khan is a classic, and has been subjected to numerous edits and reworks over the years; this version from Late Night Tuff Guy belongs amongst the better ones, looping and extending the original and laying it over his trademark crunchy slo mo beats. Face down, the "Back To Life" accapella is joyously diced and laid down over a glistening disco production from the Nile Rogers and Bernie Edwards discography.
Review: If you want hugs on the dancefloor deep into the night, Late Night Tough Guy's (formally DJ HMC) "Bless The Rains" is the perfect drug. The Adelaide based luminary rehashes Toto's "Africa" in a heavily pitched down and simple edit fit for any fromage-laced discotheque. Skirting around the throbbing bassline and triangle hits of "My Body On Fire" is a vocal that will have some train-spotters pulling their hair out in frustration, while "Not In Love Anymore" will have both Warren G/Nate Dogg and Michael McDonald fans bumping and grinding to excess.
Review: Tough by name, sexy by nature, here we find Australia's LNTG focusing on two very well-known disco funk gems. First up is a chugging, jacked up take on Chic's "I Want Your Love". Adding rhythmic muscle and fine-tuning the bass, it's a fine example of a quintessential edit. Next up are two renditions of Tom Browne's "Funkin For Jamaica". The titles speak for themselves... Those looking for a dancefloor sing-along should head for the full vocal mix while those looking for more a bass-loving boogie showdown should head for the funkin' remix. Tough times call for Tuff measures!
Review: Late Nite Tuff Guy bursts through RSD 2016 with a hot selection of disco-flavoured house chuggers, and we'd been waiting on a comeback from both the dude and label - all boxes ticked from our side. "Hold Tite" is the perfect summer blazer, all luscious vocals and dripping beats, and "I Don't Like Acid" takes that same soulful spirit but strips the groove right down to a bopping little rhythm that is likely to be enjoyed by both hip-hop and house fans alike. The flip's "One Night In A Disco" is a sample-heavy, string-infused floor-melter, whereas "Shelter Me" goes all balearic and feet-up - the perfect lounge cut.
Review:
The eleventh edition in the Tuff Cut series sees the artist formerly known as DJ Housemaster Cam (HMC) deliver a couple more low slung, slo-mo edits for maximum dancefloor potential. The Adelaide-based legend serves up some proper disco fever on 'Shame', with a real champagne flavour if you know what we mean. On the flip, hear the amazing grace of 'To The Rhythm', yes it's yet another resplice of the classic, but this time it's been done just right! Respectful edits of the highest calibre, from a land down under.
Review: The Late Nite Tuff Guy gets in on the action once again with this triple gripper of edit goodness. Those with a perfunctory grasp of disco knowledge will probably guess that the title cut from this Make Me Feel 12" takes it's cue form the classic disco track by Sylvester and in the hands of the Tuff one we have a beefed up rendition that will service any self respecting discotheque dancefloor perfectly. "Love To Love" eases down the tempo and turns up the heat as LNTG brings his Midas Touch to the Donna Summer standard, whilst "He's Mine" is a nice little muscled up tweak on the Brandy and Monica classic.
Review: A home strictly for the tuffest cuts from the tuffest guy since last year, the Tuff Cutt label returns with a sixth grip of edits from Australia's finest exponent, Late Nite Tuff Guy. One of the country's true pioneers of house and techno under his previous House Master Cam guise, Carmelo Bianchetti has enjoyed a second wind as edit machine Late Nite Tuff Guy. Any jobbing selector that dips between house and disco will find these four cuts more than useful, featuring perfectly calibrated revisions of Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Revelations and The Jacksons. The latter take on "Shake Your Body (To The Ground)" is guaranteed to rescue any dancefloor.
Review: Nearly 12 months on from the release of the first sneaky Soul Cut 12", Late Night Tuff Guy delivers the follow-up. Like its' predecessor, Soul Cut #02 features a range of tracks that variously blur the boundaries between re-edits, remixes, and sample-heavy original productions. While "Number 1" offers an attractive, seductive scalpel rearrangement of a typically stuttering and synth-laden '80s soul/boogie jam, opener "That's The Way" is an enveloping deep house jam with a pleasingly metronomic, head-nodding pulse. As for "Nothing Can Keep", it sounds like a subtly housed-up rework of sumptuous disco-soul classic. As usual, it's impeccably produced.
Review: It has been a bit of a while since we heard from edit king and seductive groove maker Late Nite Tuff Guy. Thankfully now he is back after his hiatus with more of his brilliance in the form of a third entry into his Soul Cut series. He brings his magic fingers to a pair of dazzlers here, with a hearrt-wrenching version of a latter yaers Motown anthem, with a modern update that leaves the original vocals in place but adds a little more drum weight. On the flip, 'Don't Look' is a much more smoochy and seductive late-night sound for cosy dances.
Review: Late Nite Tuff Guy's Soul Cut #04 offers three expertly crafted edits that breathe new life into classic 70s tracks, blending disco, jazz, funk, and pop into a seamless listening experience. On Side-1, 'Beijo' sets the tone with a smooth, disco-infused reimagining of Earth, Wind & Fire's classic interlude. The track has a light funk undercurrent, creating a vibe that's perfect for dancing all night, with a Balearic twist that adds a fresh touch to the original. Side-2 kicks off with 'Sunshine,' a tasteful edit of Roy Ayers' iconic 'Everyone Loves the Sunshine.' Late Nite Tuff Guy maintains the soulful essence of the original while adding his own groove, making it a perfect summer anthem. The EP closes with 'U Got It Bad,' a rendition of Stevie Wonder's 'You've Got It Bad Girl,' reworked into a smooth, jazzy track that's both nostalgic and timeless. An excellent 12" for fans of classic disco, funk and jazz, with a modern twist.
Review: LNTG brings another batch of supremely-executed edits to the table; timeless tracks from the vaults given a fresh feel, extended, reworked and reloved direct from the stems. The A-side hears disco-funk royalty reworked to perfection, flipping none other than George Duke's 1979 sizzler 'I Want You For Myself' and exposing its machinic underbelly. On the flip, we hear two party anthems: a nicely beefed-up take on Steely Dan's 'Peg' and a mandatory tributary version of Cheryl Lynn's '2 B Real'.
Don't Let The Music Stop (Max Buchalik remix) (6:50)
Review: Soulmeex is a brand new label that debuts with a vibrant nu-disco and Italo outing that was created during the spring and summer of 2024. Featuring the signature style of synth maestro Philipp Lauer, the EP includes remixes from Johannes Albert and Max Buchalik. 'S-Paragus' is all dazzling Italo arps, 'Don't Let The Music Stop' brings more bright, shiny, celestial synth work and 'S-Paragus' (Johannes Albert Remix) is all jacked up for the club but not less lush in melody. Last of all, 'Don't Let The Music Stop' (Max Buchalik Remix) closes out what is an impressive start for this label which first started in December 2022 as a weekly mix series.
Review: The one and only Phillip Lauer continues his flawless sonic journey on 'Seventy Seven Zero Zero Seventy Seven'. The Frankfurt-based producer never puts a foot wrong, as his ever-morphing club sound moves through undulating sonic landscapes. His latest effort features a pair of originals coupled with inspired guest remixes, covering a fair few dancefloor bases. The title track features a hypnotic vocal hook soaring through dreamy pads, pulsing acid bass and plucked guitar, before Khotin ramps up the acid and toughens the drums for a slightly more robust rework. We enter new wave territory on 'Felt Bat', with a bassline that would make Peter Hook proud, euphoric synths and snare-driven rhythms. Yu Su steps up on remix duties, transposing the track deep into heads-down territory, as rolling breaks power paranoid drones and psychedelic synth lines across an immersive nocturnal trip.
Afro National - "Push Am Forward" (Al Zanders edit) (6:03)
Afro National - "Push Am Forward" (3:42)
Review: There's naturally much to enjoy on the latest volume in Africa Seven's A7 Edits series, which pairs original - and usually obscure - old Afro-disco and Afro-boogie gems with fresh 21st century edits. This time round, the A-side is all about Kemayo & K System's piano and horn-heavy disco-funk jam 'Biram', a two-minute blast of dancefloor exuberance that Phillip Lauer cleverly re-imagines as loopy, locked-in chunk of Afro-disco/disco house fusion. Over on the flip there's a chance to savour Afro National's heavy, low-slung stomper 'Push Forward', a cut that brilliantly adds chanted vocals and Hendrix style guitar solos to a sweaty, non-stop groove. Al Zanders does a great job in ratcheting up the tension and heaviness on his accompanying club-ready extension.
Review: In the world of house music, it's often the B-sides - more adventurous or deeper alternatives to the peak-time-focused lead cut - that often last the test of time. It's a conclusion that Vick Lavender has come to, at least, because this limited-edition EP marks the first in a 'B-Sides Series' in which all cuts are bonuses, alternate takes or 'tributes' to other artists. He begins by paying tribute to Dexter Wansel on 'A Space of My Own', layering dense hand percussion, spacey electronics and intergalactic synth sounds over a rock-solid kick-drum pattern. He then slams down two versions of the King Sporty sampling 'Mr Sporty': the sax-squelch-and jammed-out keys-heavy brilliance of the 'Time Traveler Re-imagined Mix' and the more leisurely, synth solo sporting deep house warmth of the 'Drums & Life' version.
Review: A reissue of American singer Debra Laws' 1981 single here on Expansion. She made her debut as a solo recording artist in in the same year, with the release of her album titled Very Special. This album, produced by her brothers Hubert and Ronnie, was a success with the singles "On My Own" (a lovely neon-lit disco-funk groove) and "Very Special" (a super sensual ballad on the slo-mo tip) being featured here. Up until the beginning of the '90s, Laws worked with her three siblings, recording and doing many live performances in the United States and abroad. Samples from "Very Special" can be heard in Jennifer Lopez's 2002 hit single of "All I Have".
Review: The third volume in Colpo Grosso's edits series amounts to yet another slinky slice of sensual post-Italo disco sundries. With each original artist and track title on the record respectively lent a three-letter and N-letter abbreviation, we'll leave it to you to piece together the puzzle as regards to whose source material is being reworked here. On this occasion, the hired hands are Massimo Voci, M.B. Funk, Wandevogel and Legowelt, each of whose takes on the various steam-downs and sweat lodgings of the genius genre that is Italo amount to four farther, slammingly sexual condensations of the sound. Our fave has to be Vandevogel's version of 'PRNDLCS', which starts out dramatically downcast before launching into a well-placed implantation of baritone sax and *bonne brisse* vocals.
Review: The latest awakening from DFA Records hears James Murphy and company lift but a single little finger, precipitating an avalanche of anticipation, as this is their first material in three years. First premiering on NTS to clamorous acclaim, the band's first release since 2022 comes with minimal promo text, and packs bubbling synths with grinding drums, creating a familiar yet refined sound. Echoing the band's early style, it now comes on an exclusive 12" inverted by the 'Extended Trash Can Dub', which brings found, street-larked spring-sound, and vision-questing whispers, to a stomping indie romp, a potentiality promised but not entirely delivered by the original track.
Review: US only 12" from LCD Soundsystem on DFA, featuring tracks which were only on limited UK 7"S and 12"S - including 'North American Scum' Oananisyic dub mix.
Review: Francesco Fisotti is the leader of the new Italian disco-funk band Le Dune and this makes their debut release. 'Sugar' features a fusion of electronic drums, synths and groovy bass with a retro feel but fresh modern production flair next to vibrant guitars. When you pair all that with catchy, pop-driven vocals you have a timeless disco vibe that will unique all manner of dancers. Alongside the original version, the Extended Mix emphasises the groove, the Instrumental Version' leans into a percussive, tribal sound while the 'La Notte Mix' co-produced by Issam Dahmani delivers a late 80s proto-house feel.
A Tribute To Muhammed Ali (We Crown A King) (long version) (9:08)
A Tribute To Muhammed Ali (We Crown A King) (short version) (6:41)
Review: During the funk era, heavyweight boxing champ Muhammad Ali proved a great source of inspiration for many musicians and bands. Dig hard enough and you'll find tons of singles recorded in tribute to the legendary fighter. Le Stim's 1980 disco-funk tribute to "the king of the fighters" is not one of the better-known examples, but it's certainly one of the most scintillating. Here, the sought-after gem - all rousing horns, Clavinet-heavy grooves, spacey synths and starry-eyed vocals - is given the reissue treatment by Melodies International. Like the hard-to-find original, it includes both "long" and "short" versions, with the former - a sweaty, nine-minute workout straight from the top shelf - standing out.
Review: Le'O Roy is credited with just one release and it is this one from 1980 on Golden Flamingo Records. Over the years though, 'Pound For Pound' has become a cult classic and one that has fetched the best part of 100 quid on second hand markets. Produced by Bobby Brinson and Peter Brown, it is a feel good and electric cut with low slung grooves embellished with plenty of percussion and lively vocals that range from soft and buttery to more raw and visceral. The hypnotic cowbell rhythm really hits home and locks you in and both sides are the same here so that you can ensure your copy never wears out.
Dave & Maurissa - "What About My Love" (Special 45 version) (4:53)
Disco Sparks - "Keep Your Eye On The Sparrow" (feat Christine Wiltshire & The DS Orchestra - Special 45 version) (3:48)
Review: The second taste of what is to come from the Dave & Maurissa album, 'What About My Love' is a modern slightly boogiefied take on the Johnnie Taylor classic. Here Maurissa shines with a heartfelt soulful vocal performance over Chic styled guitars, hip-cracking bass guitar and squelchy leads. On the flip is Disco Sparks's 'Keep Your Eye On The Sparrow' (feat Christine Wiltshire & The DS Orchestra) which is another life-affirming, lush disco/soul cut with funk drenched basslines, epic brass sections and standout vocal turns. Both specially edited for 7", this is an absolute must-buy for disco lovers.
The Trammps - "I've Gotta Stand Up" (Dave Lee Garage City mix)
Celestial Being & Citizens Of The World Choir - "Raise The Vibration" (Crackazat club mix)
Soul Dhamma - "Flower" (Dave's Boogified mix)
Review: Vintage house and disco don Dave Lee knows a thing or two about serving up irresistible and timeless cuts and that's what he does here with the 24th instalment of the long-running Attack The Dancefloor series on his own Z Records. The man himself kicks off with Maurissa Rose on the loosely chugging, deep and soulful 'Open Me Up' (a first taste of the upcoming album together). He then slips into US garage style with his popular remix of The Trammps' 'I've Gotta Stand Up' that harks back to the glory days of 90s Soulful House. Felix Buxton's Celestial Being & Citizens Of The World Choir's 'Raise The Vibration' gets a gloriously sunny and positive Crackazat club mix before Lee closes the release with squelching synth in the form of his Boogified mix of Soul Dhamma's classic 'Flower.'
Review: Mr Bongo's Brazil 45's series brings us two Brazilian classics: Rita Lee & Tutti Frutti's 'Agora E Moda' and Pete Dunaway's 'Supermarket'. 'Agora E Moda' from Lee's 1978 album Babilonia is a psychedelic disco-boogie groove highlighted by squelching guitar licks, funk drums, and cosmic vocals. Rita Lee, the former lead singer of Os Mutantes and a key figure in the Tropicalia movement, left a lasting legacy upon her passing in 2023. On the flip side, Dunaway's 'Supermarket' is a rare groove/AOR gem with a standout bassline, swaggering guitar, and lush strings, showcasing his talent as a composer and multi-instrumentalist. This release celebrates the enduring influence of Brazilian music.
Review: 'Mysticisms' prides itself on finding the groove, but with a nod (and wink) to discerning ears. However, sometimes it's right to just let it all out and go route one. Berlin based producer Daniel Scholz aka (DJ) Leinad was all about the dancefloor, releasing a series of simple but highly effective EPs of cut up, looped house music that summed up that late 90s Chicago-NYC-London-Paris influenced bombs.
The jack that house built the "heroes" with the "touch" Souvenirs embodies Leinad's sound. Moving from high-school DJ, to computer programmer to professional producer, DJ and soundtrack artist, remixing for the likes of Yellow and Peter Gabriel's Real World, moving from early classic mid-90s German techno and trance releases on to his 'Leinad' moniker (Daniel spelt backwards), the series of releases on JXP can now go for dizzing sums. In Souvenirs, taken from the Disco Part's III EP, Mysticisms found the source - elastic bass, filtered loops, watertight kick and twisted disco'n' strings, all cut back and forth 'for the party' to abandon.
Present day remixes come from Lewie Day's 'Deep Dean' project, offering a wonderful example of an artist at work, a laid back groove, pushing all the right dancefloor buttons, all presented with respect to the past, but with acres of modern day swing; Mysticisms' own cohort Piers Harrison, side stepping his edit school as one of Soft Rocks, to produce a literal peak time acid banger; and to close the 'DJ' returns, Leinad offers a bumping 2022 remake to show he's still a teacher.
Review: The three man group that is Leitstrahl aka members Stoff, Paul Raal and Boogaloo Steve, are back with more disco infused brilliance on Bordello A Parigi, this time alongside Alberto Melloni. Presumably the title of this Azimuth EP is a nod to its influences aka the cult and much loved Brazillian jazz-funk outfit, Azimuth. The label's own Furor Exotica helps on the first track, which is the Dee D. Jackson inspired 'Automaton Lover' with its big disco sounds and bombastic beats. The title tune then has a super addictive melody and inviting instrumental while there are thick basslines to 'Spectral Fantasy' complete with smoky lyrics from Vongold, The smooth finale is 'Light Years' with its rich lounge vibes.
Stripiz (Marcello Giordani DJ Re-interpretation) (6:52)
Review: Since launching in 2014, Disco Segreatha has done a great job in unearthing and reissuing Italian disco gems from the late70s and early 80s. Their latest offering takes us back to 1978 and the sole solo release from Lele Patha, the exceedingly hard-to-find 'Stripiz'. Typical of Italian disco of the period, it's a quirky and pleasingly off-kilter affair, where an, organic disco groove is laden with fuzzy synth sounds, breathy male vocal snippets, swirling electronic chords, mazy organ solos and Candido style hand percussion. The release is also notable for a surprise B-side remix, courtesy of Marcello Giordani, which brilliantly re-imagines the cut as a throbbing, drum machine-driven slab of early 80s Italo-disco excellence.
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