Review: Diogo Strausz has previously released on Razor-N-Tape as part of the duo Balako but now steps up as a solo artist to kick off the label's 2021. A Sao Paulista now living in Paris, he brings plenty of musicality to the slick 7", firstly with 'Emancipacao,' which is awash with melancholic keys and rich bass but also plenty of fantastic leads from both synths and sax. It's splashy and splashy and colourful disco. '50 Anos Em 5' then gets playful and funky with a Latin twist as the salsa beats an squelchy bass all make you want to spin on your heels.
Review: More golden goodness from Athens of the North here - the label that never runs out of soul and disco goodness. Strictly Business hail from Dayton, Ohio and deliver a double-sider gem of deep 80s soul on this rare 7". One side brings pure boogie heat and is funky, driving and brilliantly dancefloor-ready, while the flip slows it down with a more smooth and heartfelt ballad. Originally self-released with the help of friends and family, the record flew under the radar until rediscovered by Daniel Mathis, who helped license it for release here in limited quantities. A fine and soulful slice of overlooked Midwest magic.
Review: The farther away we get from the Brit funk scene of the 1980s the more magnificent it seems in retrospect. Just take this 1980s gem from one hit wonder Strike One. 'Can't Touch Me Anymore' has got it all - squelchy synth bass that is always on the move, crashing hits to get the hips going and rousing chords that bring that sunset warmth, all topped off with a steamy vocal. This loving reissue comes backed with a brand new production from the outfit in the form of 'Chicago Sunrise.' It's a jazzy late night pearler with a brilliant bassline and superb chord work. A vital little 7" if you ask us.
You Can't Turn Me Away (Produced By Roy Ayers) (5:28)
Review: Expansion's latest must-have release brings together two killer cuts from Sylvia Striplin's brilliant 1981 album "Give Me You Love", which originally appeared on Roy Ayers' Uno Melodic label. Ayers produced and arranged both cuts alongside regular collaborator James Bedford. "Give Me Your Love" is, of course, something of an anthem in underground disco circles, with Striplin's breathy and emotionally rich vocal rounding off a superb cut that's rich in crunchy Clavinet lines, walking bass, snappy drums, sensual synth doodles and rising horns. Flipside "You Can't Turn Me Away", meanwhile, is closer in sound and vibe to Roy Ayers' jazz-funk cuts from the period, which is no bad thing.
You Can't Turn Me Away (Produced By Roy Ayers) (4:32)
Review: Sylvia Striplin has been heavily sampled by all manner of artists over the years. Here one of her biggest hits 'Give Me Your Love' is presented on a 7" for the first time with 'You Said' on the flip. The A-side is the one with its big funky licks, low-slung bass line and celebratory riffs all finished off with the glorious vocal itself. 'You Said' is a more jazzy and low-key number, with swirling drums and hip-swinging claps taking you later into the night on a more cosy and personal vibe.
No Secret Affair (Sean P The Second Line Jazz Funk Excursion remix) (8:56)
No Sceret Affair (Ge-ology Truth To The Light remix) (8:48)
Review: The Backatcha label has been busy turning out the jams recently and this 82nd EP is another one that will get you up on your feet in no time. Style X was at the helm of the original tune here but now two edit and remix masters get their hands on it and head into all new realms. First up is Sean P with The Second Line Jazz Funk Excursion remix which is all overdubbed horns and hurried disco rhythms, cosmic synths and loose percussion that make you move. Then it is the Ge-ology Truth To The Light remix that brings driving, deep and dubbed out disco goodness with majestic horns.
Review: For their sixth addition to the Eastside Edits series, Ontarian hip-hop editors (and here, total reconstructors) Suckaside drop two new versions down the chimney for Christmas. As ever, the cat-and-mouse game of original-track discovery is up; this time, we hear new takes on Snoop Dogg's 'What's My Name' (here reincarnated as 'Heres My Name') and Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' (here, 'Heard It Through Creedence'). Both are stereo-centred and bass-bolstered, with new big beats and slick instrumental varnishings providing ample extra headroom for ever-rejuvenative dancefloor goings-on.
Suit & Tie Guy Vs Dorian Electra - "Fa$t Ca$h (Easy Credit & The Economic Cra$h)" (Objacktivist mix) (8:14)
Suit & Tie Guy Vs Dorian Electra - "Fa$t Ca$h (Easy Credit & The Economic Cra$h)" (Lorenzo Vektor remix) (3:04)
Suit & Tie Guy - "The Bilderberg Gate (RIP Pete Namlook)" (7:12)
Suit & Tie Guy - "Because It's Lucky (Where's The Kibble At?)" (4:46)
Review: STG Soundlabs' first drop is a wild ride. First up, Suit & Tie Guy goes up against Dorian Electra on 'Fa$t Ca$h (Easy Credit & The Economic Cra$h)' which gets remixed by Objacktivist into eight minutes of bendy deep house with lashings of Ibiza soulfulness. The Lorenzo Vektor is a wild footwork remix with drums piled up on top of one another and the vocal chopped and diced into pieces. On the flip is a star-gazing synth house exploration of outer space and then a killer electro-funk jam. One of the most unpredictable EPs we've heard in ages.
Review: If you were building a disco collection from scratch and wanted to fill in the Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder shaped gaps, you'd probably opt for tracks paired together on this original vinyl 12" from Casablanca Records. 'I Feel Love', an undulating, arpeggio-driven monster that's something akin to a slow-burn, motorised dancefloor orgasm, rightfully takes pride of place on side A (though, curiously, it's not Patrick Cowley's definitive, 15-minite 'megamix' version, but rather the regular club mix). Arguably superior - musically, at least - is the flipside version of 'Love To Love You', a 16-minute disco builder where Summer's breathy vocals and Moroder's spacey synths twinkle atop a sleazy disco groove.
Review: Three contenders for disco queen Donna Summer's best tracks ever now get pressed to iridescent rainbow picture-disc wax in quick succession, allowing you, the listener, to finally make your mind up as to which you prefer the most. 'Love To Love You Baby', 'I Feel Love' and 'Hot Stuff' are compiled onto this exquisite slab, with the latter two tracks appearing as their exclusive 12" extended versions, which are much more sought-after compared to the radio edits!
Review: Classic Casablanca disco re-issue. Far and away Summer's sweetest season, 'Bad Girls' stands as a pop
and disco classic 24 years after its release. And this expanded, remastered deluxe edition brings a new
dimension to the reach and range of this stunning musical document. Also contains the big hit 'Hot Stuff'.
Review: Natsu Summer is a city pop and reggae sensation who is set to go to the next level with the release of her upcoming 2024 album Orange Airmail. She now teases it in fine style with this new limited 7" vinyl that has been produced by Cunimondo Takiguchi of RYUSENKEI. Teh single, '2025' is a vibrant and danceable lovers' rock track featuring amapiano rhythms and hot stepping rhythms that make it a real gem for enlivening any dance floor through a loud sound system. The B-side includes a special cover of a hidden Japanese lovers' rock classic from the '90s which adds a nostalgic touch to this delightful analogue release.
The Sunburst Band - "Secret Life Of Us" (Special 45 version) (3:27)
Dave & Maurissa - "Look At The Stars" (2-Step Soul mix) (5:02)
Review: This 2023 RSD release on Z Records is a treat for fans of soulful disco and 2-step garage. The A-side features a special 45 version of 'Secret Life Of Us', a catchy and uplifting anthem from The Sunburst Band's fourth album. The B-side showcases a 2-step soul mix of 'Look At The Stars', a smooth and romantic tune from Dave Lee's Produced With Love II album. Both tracks showcase the vocal talents of Maurissa Rose, who adds warmth and emotion to the songs.
The Sunburst Band - "He Is" (Jimpster remix) (7:21)
Joey Negro - "I Recognise" (feat Sacha Williamson - Andres remix) (6:27)
Prospect Park - "The Kinda Love" (Jkriv remix) (8:06)
Jakatta - "My Vision" (feat Seal - The Vision remix) (7:03)
Review: Dave Lee aka Joey Negro has pulled together a fine team of remixers here to serve up their own versions of tunes by him, Jakarta, The Sunburst Band and Prospect Park, all for his own Z Records. Freerange boss and deep house Don Jimspter goes first and brings real sunshine to his take on 'He Is.' Detroit badman Andres then does what he does best to 'I Recognise', that is layering in hip hop slanted beats and nice rolling baselines under lush chords. On the flip are two more positive house vibrations to make this a handy EP.
Review: The final edition of Aksel Schaufler's ambitious Golden Ravedays project is finally upon us. For many this series will be remembered as one of the most defining musical aspects of 2017, where each month one tremendous 12' after another would come our way and essentially creating a wonderful soundtrack to a very special year: a zeitgeist, if you will! From balearica to new wave Krautrock and cosmic psychedelica to straight up house bombs: the series encapsulates Schaufler's unerring dedication to his craft which has spanned close to 20 years and his seen him become synonymous with the the famed Kompakt imprint and enduring success with his Hippie Dance label. On the A side is the dreamy spaghetti western feel of "Late Night Skanking" with its mesmerizing orchestral sections and otherworldly instrumentation taking you deep into the exotic. On the flip there's some bold and stylish indie-dance on the low slung tip with "Punky Reggae Party" which really nails that Cologne/Dusseldorf style vibe because after all - that was his former stomping ground, before he relocated to Paris.
Review: The Supremes and Magic Disco Machine deliver double the dancefloor delight with 'Bend A Little' on 7" vinyl for the avid soul DJs. The vocal version by The Supremes, previously exclusive to CD, finally graces vinyl, showcasing their undeniable talent and energy. On the flip side, Magic Disco Machine's instrumental rendition takes flight with infectious grooves and funky beats. It's a great little 45 for DJs and collectors alike, marking the first vinyl release for both tracks. Don't miss out on this electrifying addition to your music collection!
Review: Be With Records' latest reissue takes us back to the mid 1980s and the wonderfully loved-up world of Surface, a trio founded in the boogie era went on to notch up a string of hot '80s soul hits. The record boasts two of the American outfit's finest moments. On the A-side you'll find 1983 debut single 'Falling In Love', a near perfect fusion of sweet, loved-up vocals, metronomic synth bass and breezy melodic motifs that has long been considered a classic (and with good reason). Arguably more exciting for the heads is the flipside 'Love Mix' of 'Happy', a sparse, stripped-back and 'reconstructed' Loose Ends style slow jam from 1987 with added dub-wise intent and echoing drum machine percussion.
Review: Daniele Prencipe, a former member of Ganymed, the influential Austrian space disco band from the late 70s, is a versatile multi-instrumentalist with a rich discography spanning jazz to pop. Based in Italy, he excels as a musician, singer, and composer, yet remains underrated despite his evident talent. His solo projects and work with Surprise showcase his exceptional abilities. Particularly notable are tracks like 'Wow' and 'Singin' And Steppin'' which are reissued now by Baba and show how he pioneered the use of the Minimoog and Vocoder. These compositions feature intricate arrangements that set them apart. Originally released on a rare 7" by Polydor in 1983, these are standout funk jams.
Review: Venti d'Azzurro Records has hit another milestone - this marks the Italian label's 50th release. In honour of that, they have put together this lovely picture disc with six of what they think of as their most classic songs. The wax has art on both front and back and comes in a special sleeve so looks as good as it sounds with plenty of disco goodness. Swan kicks off with 'Shining Star', Ken Laszlo brings Italo magic to 'Dancing Together', Ryan Paris brings some stepping cosmic brilliance to 'I Wanna Love You Once Again' and there is plenty more from Albert One, Miko Mission and others.
Review: Top producer Sweatson Klank and the critically acclaimed Kondi Band collaborate on the powerful new single 'Money Face' on this fresh 12". This deep, mid-tempo Afro house track features Sierra Leonean legend Sorie Kondi who tells a poignant story of how the government used his image on newly printed currency without consent and left him uncompensated and struggling in Freetown. A modern protest anthem blending Afro beat and world music influences, it's also a dance floor-ready disco track. The EP includes remixes in the form of a slow disco dub, an amapiano remix by Sweatson Klank and an Afro future dub by Will LV.
You're What I Need (unreleased 12" version) (7:43)
Review: Now this is the kind of disco-soul we should be propping up. An outsider disco favourite, Sweet Clover's 1979 'You're What I Need' is a creaky, wonky honker of a tune, blending traditionally 'theque-worthy vocals with lo-fi, laboured beat, unusual for productions at the time. Production was handled by writer and producer Willie McClain, a criminally little-known talent behind a slew of acetates backing names like Ernest Rodgers and Arena Allen. The talkbox on the B2, the unreleased 12" version, is sublime. Don't miss out on this mega-weird new reissue from Kalita.
Review: House music has been huge in South Africa for some time, and not just in the underground but everywhere - it can be heard on radio, bleeding from car stereos and out of boomboxes all over the townships. It has its own distinctive twist and influences and some of those are explored on this new Voom Voom 12", which is just the second from this label. It features different remixes of two originals and all are steeped in sun-drenched synths, with funky Afro rhythms underpinning the lush vocals. A heart warming EP of real house depth.
Review: If you read these pages at all often, and specifically those dedicated to Peoples Potential Unlimited, you will know we're fully signed-up fans of this superb DC-based label. Lo-fi funk, soul and disco both new and old is its main trade and here we get another such gem from Dwight Sykes. 'Rock Steady' is a passionate sound with listing hi-hats cutting through the murky analogue airwaves as jumbled drums, bass guitar twangs and epic falsettos all tug at the heart. 'One Night Stand' (feat Jahari) is a slow and seminal soul sound full of yearning and romantic pain.
You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) (Michael Gray remix) (7:33)
You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) (Michael Gray dub mix) (7:38)
Review: What more needs to be said about this timeless disco hit? A staple of DJ sets by everyone from Derrick May and Laurent Garnier to James Murphy, this Harvey Fuqua and Patrick Cowley production from 1979 is a truly timeless classic whose spirit still lives to this day on modern dancefloors. Here we are treated to a rework by Britain's undisputed king of funky house Michael Gray (Full Intention) on his Sultra label. With full respect to the original, Gray's rework injects some dancefloor dynamics for the modern sound system. You even get a bonus instrumental "Dub Mix" on the flip!
Review: While nowhere near his most celebrated work, 'I Need You' is undoubtedly one of sadly departed San Francisco disco star Sylvester's most potent dancefloor workouts - a typically driving mood-enhancing cover that transformed a gospel song into a soaring, surging, tops-off hymn to sexual desire. This reissue pairs the Harvey Fuqua-produced original 12" version (1980) with what appears to be a previously unreleased re-edit by Chicago house originator Ron Hardy. The latter's take is more rhythmically sturdy and lightly percussive, with vocal and full instrumental sections (often drenched in effects) sitting side by side with extended drum workouts. It's a fine alternative take of a disco record that should be in everyone's record collection.
Review: Sylvester has too many hits to count, but 'Over And Over' has to be up there. Originally released in 1977, the timeless slice of uptempo disco funk was a mighty meeting of minds - any track penned by Ashford & Simpson is set for iconic status, and with Sylvester up front it's even more of a sure thing. Quite simply eternal. Of course, Sylvester's most famous collaborator was Patrick Cowley, whose magic touch is all over the wriggling, brooding synth boogie of 'I Need Somebody To Love Tonight', presented here as a compact 7" edit for a short sharp blast of perfection.
Review: Mystique is a brand new label out of the always fertile Dutch scene and it opens its account with a no holds-barred EP from Sylvester Javier, aka Stefano Curti of Vibraphone fame. He offers three originals and two versions starting with 'Secret Ceremonies' (Italo Disco mix) which is a pulsating house cut awash with plenty of across textures and percussion. The Cocorico mix has shimmering vocal sounds stitched into the arrangement and the original has a spooky, rather eerie feel with its hurried drums and squirrelling synths. 'Lost In 1st Avenue Loop' is a gritty Detroit house cut with heart of the dance floor intensity and 'Microdot' gets as twisted as you would expect of such a track title. A fine debut EP overall.
Review: The world is full of heart-rendering electronic pop. So much so, you sometimes have to ask yourself if we can handle - or indeed actually need - any more. Rendered almost-immune to the emotionally barrage that seems to haunt our airwaves, playlists, and Made In Chelsea episodes, anyone who still has feelings in 2023 is doing well by all accounts.
Then along come Synthia, billed by the Big Crown label as a 'supergroup', comprising production don Leon 'El Michels Affair' Michels, and vocalist Claire Cottrill, AKA Clairo. Debate over what constitutes a 'group' aside, So Low, a startling double-A is enough to make you forget everything we just talked about, throw away the idea of overkill, and dive right in. As if born to score something cool, reflective, thought-proving and devastatingly romantic, fans of Electric Youth, Cocteau Twins and Almagris should be here already.
Review: Francesca Macri's System Olympia project takes the best bits of Italo, disco, boogie and house and distills them into something fresh and sincere. As her cover art unfailingly spells out, this is sexy music first and foremost, and that intention charges her productions with a heart which positively radiates out of the speakers. Her Okay Nature label has been a reliable conduit for her prolific output, following up on last year's Always On Time record with this new EP which features a surprise appearance from Working Men's Club on the title track 'Sanctified'. It's a melancholic centre point to an EP which maintains Macri's thematic focus on the spiritual dimension of pleasure.
Ella Andall - "My Spirit Is Music" (Luke Una Machine Soul Tops Off edit) (7:16)
Slick Mission - "Time's Up" (Luke Una 5am Shabeen Proto House edit) (7:13)
Manu Dibango - "Jingo" (feat King Sunny Ade - Luke Una Dancing In Outer Space edit) (5:51)
Review: While he's not put out many re-edits of late, Luke Una has serious scalpel-job pedigree. Back in the 2000s, he and then DJ partner Justin Crawford released a series of largely disco-focused edit EPs on the hush-hush Electrik Souls series. Here he returns to the format with the first in a series of reworks focused on his popular, dusty-fingered E Soul Cultura project. He begins by teasing out and lightly toughening up a killer Caribbean cut from the 1990s, Ella Andall's 'My Spirit Is Music' - an insanely rare and hard to find number that the Sheffield-born DJ has naturally tweaked sensitively. Elsewhere, he emphasises the 'proto-house dub' feel of Slick Mission's early UK house number 'Time's Up', before going even dubbed-out and more percussive on Manu Dibango's lesser-known cover of Latin disco classic 'Jingo'.
Fun Kool - "Policy Aziendale" (feat Bcleo & Anna Dee Tee) (6:19)
Review: The popular Tropical Disco Records imprint offers up split EP number 28, a typically action-packed and club ready collection of cuts from experienced heads and newcomers alike. Label regulars Vagabundo Club Social kick things off with 'Zumba X', a lightly 'fixed' and straightened-out slab of low-slung Afro-funk/Afro-boogie excellence with just the right amounts of psychedelic sounds, before Russian producer ScruScru turns a horn-heavy African disco instrumental into a disco-house treat. Turn to the reverse for Da Lucas's chunky disco-house re-wire of Rostario Cristofaro's 'From My Soul' - a heavily orchestrated, Clavinet-sporting treat - and the P-funk-flecked dub disco excellence of Fun Kool's 'Policy Aziendale', featuring Bcleo and Anna Dee Tee - the EP's standout moment.
Review: Miles Away Records are proud to introduce their latest single to land on the label: the cosmic soul gem 'Super Star' by Ruth Waters and the State Of Mind Show Band. Ruth 'Silky' Waters was best known for her two disco-infused albums Never Gonna Be The Same and Out In The Open, produced by the late, great John Davis. 'Super Star', however, was released on the tiny independent KMBA Recordings label in the late 1970s, and draws on the twin wells of modern soul and gospel, lending both a touch of cosmic goodness. On the flip, there's 'Super Star Pt.2', which plunges deeper into the cosmic essence of the track by way of both extended guitar and synth solos; both tracks are stupendios in their own rights, making this a hotly versatile release for a far-and-wide DJ demographic.
Review: More unearthed disco edits from the godfather of house music Frankie Knuckles, courtesy of the legendary Disco Queen. On the A side we have some rather deep down and dirty blaxploitation vibes (also sampled by Jamie 3:26 on "Dr F**K" several years ago) over a minimal proto-house drum track on "XXX" by XXX. On the flip, we have the powerful soul explosion of South Shore Commission's "Free Man" from their self-titled album of 1975. Now this one shows you all what a 'respectful edit' really is - listen and learn!
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.