DJs: Most Charted - Disco - Most Charted February 2012

Review: Given that Todd Terje's first original material in some five years resulted in one of last year's highlights with the Running Back released Ragysh, it's natural he would want to leave some space before following up. The first of a series of EPs crafted from using one bit of vintage gear in particular, It's The Arps sees Terje dabble with the intricacies of the Arp 2600 analogue synthesizer as well as pay homage to his favourite Monty Python sketch. This is just as nerdy as you'd expect from a man who recently launched a website with the specific intention of exploring the obsessive studio nature of his contemporaries. The aforementioned "Inspector Norse" is an obvious highlight here, slowly unfurling gorgeous layers of playful synthesis that grapple the simplistic drums with flirtatious delight. Naturally for someone who spends most weekends of the year in a nightclub, Terje demonstrates a real prowess for building up the track, teasing your senses once before unleashing the mid point monstrous moment. It makes for another signature track from Terje which is likely to engender a rapturous reception for many years to come. Alongside it, "Myggsommer" provides a brief, twee interlude into oddball sci fi soundscapes which again prove to highlight the Arp 2600's capacity for inventive and idiosyncratic sounds. From here Terje unveils a two part skywards saunter through "Swing Star" showcasing a more dextrous manipulation of the Arp 2600's melodies across the markedly more rhythmic upbeat first part and expansive luxurious cosmic subsequent endeavour. Whilst "Inspector Norse" is guaranteed to be the one track from this release you will hear in the international discotheques, the remainder of It's The Arps serves as a excellent reminder of Terje's ever growing talent as a producer.

Review: The esteemed Les Edits Du Golem imprint resurfaces in style after an absence of several years with four refined oddities from the excellent I:Cube. Following swiftly from the veteran producer's stunning Lucifer En Discotheque 12" for Versatile, it's clear I:Cube has begun the New Year with panache. Proceedings open with the vaguely sinister slo-mo house of "HNT", all dramatic synth infractions and Cocker style hushed vocals over a strident rhythmic bump, which is complemented by the equally laidback sleaze that is "A Bicyclette". Those seeking more uptempo thrills will be satisfied with the infectious 90s Italian house stylings of "Piano In Paradise", which takes a pleasantly dark twist mid way through. "You Dance So Well" is reminiscent of the kind of oddball track you might find on those excellent A Few Things From Ivan Smagghe CDs and will delight those who prefer their music to be on the weird side.

Review: Numbering musicians from LA, Copenhagen and Auckland amongst their ranks, Parallel Dance Ensemble perhaps epitomise the far reaching remit of Permanent Vacation. Debuting on the Munich label with the digital-only Possessions & Obsessions last March, the band will have slipped under the radar of the vinyl buying cognoscenti. Matters are amended somewhat by this twelve inch that sees a typically well curated selection of artists remix tracks from that EP. Any record that puts the likes of Max D and Maxxi Soundsystem alongside a rarely used collaboration moniker between Studio Barnhus' Boman and Petter (Salax Peep Show) and the Perm Vac mainstays Spectacle is going to get the disco whiskers twitching and your intrigue will be well rewarded here. It's rare that a production from Future Times artist Max D gets trumped in our affections but the moment the bass line drops on the Maxxi Soundsystem remix of "Shopping Cart" is a real joy to behold!

Review: Aside from a gloriously colourful Coati Mundi album, the Rong Music imprint has been notable for their absence from the release schedules of late. Matters are amended with aplomb as the New York label adds the quite excellent Mutant Beat Dance to their roster with this excellent release. Just one of many side projects from Ann Arbour's consistently excellent Melvin Oliphant III, Mutant Beat Dance sees him collaborate with vintage synthesizer enthusiast Beau Wanzer. Transmissions from the duo to date have been restricted to a DFA remix here or a Disco Capablancas 12" there, but the spontaneous energies and innovative rhythms demonstrated on both "Another World" and "New News Is Old News" ensure this twelve inch is our record of the week. Some excellent artwork too!

Review: Sleazy Beats Recordings is now a must check label for disco aficionados, and this EP from the mysterious Dead Rose Company maintains the label's strong track record with the production outfit's biggest release to date. "So Into You" begins with a springy bassline providing the backbone for a musculature of warm synth flourishes, with the sharp guitar licks cutting through like the proverbial knife through butter. "Hankasheef" meanwhile takes an 80s vocal snippet whose source will be right on the tip of your tongue, and marrying it with a mid-tempo groove and glorious filter action leading to an epic climax. On the flip side, "Kissing In The Dark" opens with a lush string section which provides the backdrop to a track that never seems to stop climbing. The EP ends with the blissful slo-mo action of "Come Closer", whose climactic horns offer a fitting end to a fantastic EP.

Review: NYC disco deity Jacques Renault has graced many fine imprints - Public Release, RVNG and his own On The Prowl label to name but three - and here he joins KZA's impressive Let's Get Lost edits stable inhabited by the likes of JD Twitch and Welcome Stranger. The big one here is A-Side "World Unknown", a heaving slice of visceral house formed around thumping drums and a vocal refrain that worms it way into your head and doesn't leave for some time. Pop this in your collection of peak-time party records and thank us later. The B-Side is made up of the shuffling deep house-disco crossover of "In The Jungle" and the positively delicious "Bah Bah Jazz": forget low frequencies, this one's all about those skittering hats! Raw, rough and ready from start to finish - highly recommended.

Review: 2011 was a pretty special year for Gerd Janson's imperious Running Back imprint and they open proceedings on the next annual chapter with two cuts from their digital archives on this killer Digital Dubplates 10". The A Side houses an absolutely sublime version of Todd Terje's "Snooze 4 Luv" from the magnificent Ragysh EP, further exposing the sumptuous horizontal qualities with aplomb. Providing some nice contrast is an equally refined remix of Son of Sam's "Nature Makes A Mistake" from Jack Plug. The reissue of this 1984 industrially charged oddity was our favourite Running Back release of last year, and the chance to grasp a physical copy of Plug's effort (which is superior to the more highly lauded Ame remix) should not be passed up. Running Back also win the prize for first great runout groove inscriptions of 2012.