Juno Recommends Disco: May 2024

Review: Dave Lee's Z Records looks back to go forward as it offers up a spiffing new 12" of contemporary reworks of 4 classics cuts of various vintages from the ZR back cat. Kicking things off in fantastic fashion is a slap bass and wah clav powered take on Raven Maize's 'Forever Together', originally released in1989, this was the first house cut to feature the now iconic keys riff. Dave's Heavenly Star mix of 'One Kiss' (first out in 1991) is pure hip-swinging soulful disco. Joey Montenegro (who could that be?) offers two classic cuts on the flip side. 'Make A Move On Me' (Original Disco mix) sees the crossover hit from 2005 get a Chic like makeover with its zippy leads and timeless diva vocals. Whilst the special 25th Anniversary Mix of 1998's 'Can't Get High Without U' closes things off with some peak time, tension filled, disco house action!

Review: This classic electro funk track Maxx Traxx called 'Don't Touch It' is about as desirable and rare track as any 1980s record is. Originally released in 1982 by the Chicago soul group Maxx Traxx, the records are scarce for a small price. When word got around that the record would get reissued, it sparked interest from Another Taste to do a cover for the flip side and honour the event, an excellent homage to the original while injecting their own creativity and showmanship. Impossible to choose a favorite, let's just enjoy both excellent pieces of spacey funk music. This edition comes on purple 7".

Review: Popsicles by Little Rocker, originally released in 1983 and now reissued in 2024, offers a delightful glimpse into the funk and disco sounds of its era. The A-side, 'Little Rocker' ,captivates with its spacey, sexy vibe, drawing listeners into its groove with infectious rhythms and irresistible melodies. The track exudes a sense of coolness and confidence, making it a standout piece for funk and disco enthusiasts. On the B-side, 'These Are The Good Times' continues the infectious energy with its upbeat tempo and funky instrumentation. It's a feelgood anthem that celebrates life and joy, inviting listeners to let loose and dance along to its infectious rhythm.

Review: The Record Store Day releases are coming thick and fast right now, and this is another doozy that arrives in limited quantities. British artist Mark 'China' Burton left an indelible mark with his one and only ever release, which is this soulful disco masterpiece. Produced by Adam Sieff and unveiled on the Logo label in 1979, this string-laden gem remains highly coveted, with original 12" copies fetching over L400. The arrangement, crafted by the UK's John Altman, who later collaborated with icons like Diana Ross and Tina Turner, adds to its allure. Altman, known for his work on the iconic 'Walking In The Air' with Aled Jones, lends his expertise to this limited edition release.

Review: Donnell Pitman is legendary for his funk-laced and seductive rare groove sounds yet despite a career in music that has lasted almost 50 years, he has never dropped an album. That changes now as he lands on Star Creature with his delightful debut record New Funk. It is his fifth project with the top Chicago label and maybe his best - and not just because it includes the brilliant 'The Chocolate Lover' which is a tune that has come to define his sound. All around it are plenty of timeless disco and boogie-tinged delights with live drums and funky guitar fretwork. Some are low-slung and sleazy, some upbeat and fun, all of them come with irresistible vocals from Pitman.

Review: Funkyjaws Music keeps on keeping on with its Let's Dance series, which now hits volume number three. It is another doozy that follows the tradition of bringing together four different and equally able artists on one 12". Jacques Renault kicks off with some funky and disco-fried fun on 'Such A Tease' and The Patchouli Brothers take it old school with their steamy disco burner 'Wishin' U Would Call.' The flipside keeps the good vibes alive with some lovely cowbell action and mad-funky riffs on Paul Older's 'Dancin' On Your Mind' and then a little steamy psyched-out guitar magic defines the glorious closer 'House Of Rising Sun.'

Review: Back in 2020, Vick Lavender unveiled his 'Time Traveller Mix' of 'Set Fire To Me', a superb cover of Willie Colon's Latin classic of the same name. It never appeared on wax at the time - it was, sadly for vinyl enthusiasts, digital-only - so this 12" is sure to be in demand. Naturally, it kicks off with that fine re-imagining - a brilliant blend of layered Latin percussion, intergalactic electronics, sunset-ready chords, jammed-out Rhodes motifs and rolling deep house grooves. This time round, he's also added a more stripped-back, drum-heavy version (the 'Beats N Life Vinyl Mix'), while the EP also boasts another previously digital-only treat: Kai Alce's deep house-meets-broken beat tweak of D Millz collaboration 'There It Is'. In a word: essential!

Review: B EDITS brings vibrant energy with their double sided single, blending disco, nu-disco, jazz, and afrobeat influences. On Side 1, 'Aunts & Uncles' delivers infectious Latin-influenced party vibes, perfect for igniting the dance floor with its lively rhythms and playful melodies. On Side 2, 'Free' treats listeners to jazzy nu-disco goodness. This track radiates with joy and sophistication, boasting impeccable production that highlights its infectious groove. With a touch of soul, 'Free' is filled with warmth and charm. For those wishing to find well produced dance music that is Latin inspired, look no further as this is a celebration of dance, culture and pure musical enjoyment.

Review: Be Strong Be Free debuts a new series here, Mellow Magic Worldwide, which will offer up a series of DJ weapons that have been produced by "worldwide studio buds." The first one opens with some superb tackle from Gold Suite whose brilliant 'Crush' is a slow-burning 80s jam and emotive rollercoaster that has made a real impact during road testing experiments. On the flipside is the mysterious Mancunian Visions Of Eden who debuts on vinyl with a lush deep house jam 'When It Has Past that has a subtle Balearic charm. Lastly comes Murrin who heads up the Puca Sounds label and co-runs Berlin party Fandango. His 'Maybe Tonight' is a late-night cosmic delight.

Review: Norman Connors 's 'She's Gone' and ''Mr.C' (the title cut from an album of the same name) have never been available on vinyl before but this year's record store day celebrations end that with a nice heavyweight pressing courtesy of Arista. 'She's Gone' is a timeless blend of soul and r&b that is much loved in the soul scene for its fresh composition and stirring, heartfelt vocals. The instrumentation too is next level and superbly fuses horns, strings, and rhythm instruments. Newly remastered but with a sympathetic ear for the original 80s sounds, this one will fly off the shelves.

Review: One for the ages. UK label Backatcha does an impressive curatorial job on this reissue of Popsicle's timeless disco-funk instrumental mini-classic, 'Little Rocker', which was first released in 1983 and has gone down in time as an 'extremely scarce' one. Of course, most economists will tell you that scarcity is what lends this kind of thing its credo; indeed, while the original issue of this record barely surfaces on online marketplaces, Backatcha's efforts do just as well to propagate the furtive enjoyment of this gem, putting out a similarly limited quantity on 12" and yet injecting just enough wax into circulation to keep its snappy, impactful intromissions going strong.

Review: Dutch DJ, digger and re-editor Pete Blaker returns to Hot Biscuit Recordings - possibly the most on-point re-edit imprint of the last few years - with a second batch of tried and tested revisions. Lead cut 'Harry's Little Vocoder' is, we think, a fine re-edit of a grandiose, horn-heavy, orchestrated European disco of the sort most associated with German artist Harry Thumann. On the B-side he returns to 'Neverending' - which in its original re-edited form appeared on his previous Hot Biscuit 12-inch - and delivers a fresh 'cosmic version' alongside Dionisis. Effectively a fresh cover, it's a deep, dreamy, drum machine-driven chunk of intergalactic cosmic disco that should suit nu-disco DJs and disco purists alike.

Review: First released way back in 1982 but exceedingly hard to find ever since, Intrigue's 'I Like It' is a classic slab of Brit-funk era UK boogie whose lyrics playfully muse on craving cash when you have very little ("I really want your love but I'd rather have the money and I like it"). This Backactcha Records reissue features both versions from the original 12" - the EP-leading full vocal mix and the longer, more club-focused flip-side instrumental - as well as what appears to be a previously unreleased remix. This builds up brilliantly via drums and short rap sections before introducing the killer basslibe, pianos, synths and lead vocals. It's a fantastic and arguably more club-ready take on a much-loved but previously impossible-to-find Brit-boogie classic.

Review: Music duo North 90 reclaim an unfortunate term inherited by much 90s and 00s Eurodance, 'Eurotrash', with an inspired EP released through London's M.A.D. Records. Its four slabs of soulful cheese - kitsch, edging-on-twee, breaksy Euro-house - are lent a modern twist by the pair, proving the immense possibility of an unfairly derided sound. Opener 'Euro Trash' is the obvious lead, but then there's also the low-slanging dreamworlds of 'We Can Only Imagine' and 'Isabell', which recall sonic contexts when Europe indeed wasn't the site of scorn, but rather admiration for its projection of style.

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.

Review: Backatcha continues to delve into the back catalogue of British 80s soul outfit Intrigue, a combo born in the Britfunk and boogie era whose independently released records have long been sought-after by disco diggers and record collectors alike. Having already reissued the band's best-known tune, 1982's 'I Like It', they've now turned their attention to a more overlooked gem: 1986 single 'One Touch'. Glossy, colourful and effortlessly soulful, it's a fine chunk of polished, club-ready 80s street soul with nods to electrofunk. Flipside 'Touch Down', a more extended affair, is an alternative, largely instrumental dub mix that adds layers of effects to key elements while stretching out the synth-heavy groove.

Review: The reissue of Electric Mind's Can We Go single brings back the early electro and post-disco vibes of 1983, captivating listeners with its Italo-Disco and Electro stylings. The album cover itself exudes retro charm, hinting at the futuristic soundscapes within. It transports listeners to a bygone era of electronic experimentation, with elements of Italo-Disco and Electro, creating a captivating sonic journey that feels both nostalgic and ahead of its time. With this reissue, fans old and new can rediscover the magic of Electric Mind's pioneering sound, a highlight to the enduring appeal of early electronic music.

Review: Stereo:type is keeping busy with a number of releases already lined up from the young and auspicious label. It is UK artist Risk Assessment that has been behind the first couple and is again back in action here with number three. This one kicks off with a slightly deeper disco cut that has a seductive vocal and rousing chords then 'Dreamz' is a nice blissed out roller with magical melodies bringing the richness. 'Someone Like You' is denied by the voice of the one and only Barry White - his buttery baritone riding over loop and funky drums and bass and 'Power' then brings a touch of house to close out.

Review: The fledgling Stereo:type label is back with a sizzling second release and it is the UK's Risk Assessment at the buttons. Once again here his sophomore vinyl outing is all about soul drenched and peak time disco cuts with plenty of passion and character. 'Welcome' has all the funky loops and neat keys you need to get you going, 'I Hear Music' is a real stomper with freaky guitar riffs and '5 O'Clock In The Morning' brings some big diva vocals and plenty of lush strings. Last of all is the steamy hot disco funker 'Disco Night' with its slick filter work and rich bass. Another delicious EP, then.

Review: The always hard working Emotional Rescue now unveils the electronic disco project Exo Fender, helmed by esteemed New York producer Eric Calvi and featuring the legendary Steve D'Acquisto. The remastered songs 'Big Mood' and 'Music In My Mind' span two new EPs, with updated edited versions by NYC producer Justin Van Der Volgen. Calvi's journey from Paris to New York's music scene in the 1980s when he engineered hits for artists like Cameo and Africa Bambaataa, and laid the groundwork for Exo Fenders. Inspired by clubbing friendships, the project's infectious grooves and tongue-in-cheek nature gained club play and collector's acclaim, with Van Der Volgen's remix enhancing their timeless appeal for today's dancefloors.

Review: This is the second of two releases from Emotional Rescue that looks to the music of the Eric Calvi who headed up the collective Exo Fender, a project that brought together a bunch of friends, producers, and studio amigos. This one is a live boogie jam 'Music In My Mind' with Brooklyn DJ and producer Steve D'Aquisto. He was a regal at The Loft and a friend of Arthur Russell so all that bears out in the music - a loose-limbed disco groove with languid percussion and big vocals. A Justin Van Der Volgen edit rounds out the 12".

Review: Craft Music's Good For Dance series continues with its second instalment and this one has been curated by none other than DJ Craft himself. Joining him are talented pals Schmoltz, Bogdan Ra, Romain FX, and Outra, also known as Joutro Mundo. These deep diggers are celebrated for their prowess in unearthing hidden gems and transforming them into dancefloor anthems and that's what they do here as each artist brings a unique flavour to the mix. Schmoltz's 'Luv The States' is a peak-time percussive disco jam, Bogdan Ra brings some slap-funk drums and glossy Italo synths and 'Tell Me Why' has crunchy drums and jagged synth stabs before a camp closer in 'Colosso'.

Review: Kalita Records proudly unveils the reissue of the legendary gospel disco anthem, 'Doing Our Thing With Pride' by the Al-Dos Band, alongside the previously unheard gem, 'Love Jones Coming Down.' Originally crafted in 1976 by William and Elizabeth Robinson in Greenville, South Carolina, this soulful masterpiece captures the essence of uplifting gospel disco, blending seamlessly between tranquil listening and dancefloor euphoria. Originally pressed in a minuscule run of 200 copies on their own Warmer Productions label, the single struggled to find its place amidst the musical landscape of its era. However, its scarcity only enhanced its allure, becoming a holy grail for collectors willing to pay top dollar for a rare original. Following their successful excavation of the band's unreleased album in 2021, Kalita Records now presents this coveted record in a limited-edition 7" picture sleeve single, ensuring its legacy is preserved and accessible to a new generation of music enthusiasts.

Review: Fools Paradise offer the next edition of their Paradise Vinyl sampler series: a very special two-tracker shared between peaktime UK house music connoisseur Soul Avengerz (Paul Gardner) and fabulous French producer Sebb Junior. On the A, Avengerz partners with vocalist extraordinaire Adeva to deliver a fresh, raw, re-recorded version of her 1989 vocal house classic with Paul Simpson, 'Musical Freedom'; the new version is a total rerub and makes for an impressive, dance-reviving extended mix. Sebb's 'Colors', meanwhile, revolves around a central 'colours of your love' sample, and dextrously weaves its beats round a central gelatinous, nigh vesicular synth hook, one that froths and jiggles throughout an overall funky, jacking groove.

Review: With names like Funtown and 'Pleasure', you already know how it's gonna go down. The Japanese imprint here offer two new ones to follow up their prior releases such as 'Better 2 Know U'; on the A-side comes 'Pleasure', on which we're assured that one kiss from this mystery vocalist is all it'll take to get us excited; and then, on the B-side, comes a sudden lo-fi future funk interjection, in what might be one of the sickest examples of the form that we've heard in a while. Not one to miss.

Review: Lexx's latest release, 'Right By Your Side,' is a disco-infused collaboration featuring the smooth vocals of Stones Throw recording artist Stimulator Jones. The track exudes Balearic and pop disco vibes, inviting listeners to groove along to its infectious beat. On the flip side, Jamma-Dee from Los Angeles offers up a remix that adds a slightly more uptempo flair while maintaining the essence of the original. Lexx's production skills shine through, creating a seamless blend of retro and contemporary sounds that will surely get dancefloors moving. With Stimulator Jones' catchy and Jamma-Dee's expert remix, 'Right By Your Side' is something to get your hands on.

Review: Salentino's You'll Be In Paradise', originally released in 1985, receives a revitalising treatment on Giorgio Records, offering four distinct versions that cater to aficionados of disco and nu-disco, with a touch of Italo-disco nostalgia. Side-1 kicks off with the iconic vocal version, serving as an underground classic in the realm of Italo-house. Its infectious groove and euphoric melodies transport listeners to a dancefloor paradise. The Franz Scala remix on the same side elevates the track with a more serious bassline and a heightened focus on the instrumental elements, offering a fresh perspective while retaining the essence of the original. On the B-side, the instrumental version allows the mesmerizing melodies to take center stage, providing a captivating journey for those who prefer to let the music speak for itself. The Casionova edit rounds off the record with a rendition that stays true to the original's tempo while delving deeper into the melodic elements, creating a harmonious balance between nostalgia and contemporary sensibilities. Salentino's You'll Be In Paradise EP showcases the enduring appeal of Italo-disco while breathing new life into a classic track for modern audiences.

Review: Hot Biscuit Recordings, a shadowy imprint reportedly based in the North East of England, is rapidly building up an impressive catalogue of dusty and by and large on-point re-edits, many by confirmed underground heroes such as Rahaan, the Idjut Boys and storied Chicago crate digger Mark Grusane. It's he who heads up the label's latest expansive edit double-pack, racing through revisions of killer cuts of the sort that onlty dedicated disco diggers will know. Amongst the scalpel style edit treats on show are a driving, electric piano-sporting peak-time disco instrumental ('Disco Phobia'), a soaring, string-drenched treat (the heavily orchestrated sweetness of 'Jack's Groove'), a swelling disco-soul special from Philadelphia ('Stay Close') and an interstellar ride to the outer limits of the disco galaxy (the loopy and breathless 'Disco In Outerspace').