Juno Recommends Disco: Best of 2023

Review: On their debut album, 2016's the Tony Allen Experiments, Naples twosome Nu Guinea re-invented tracks by the legendary Afro-beat drummer as synth-heavy chunks of deep jazz-funk and nu-Balearica. For this follow-up - their first full length entirely made up of their own compositions - the duo serves up a set of jazz-funk, disco and boogie cuts rich in both their trademark colourful analogue synthesizer sounds and live instrumentation. It's a formula that guarantees a string of memorable highlights, from the sun-kissed peak-time brilliance of "Disco Sole" and rubbery, funk-fuelled "Je Vulesse" (a killer vocal number), to the wobbly downtempo trip of "A Voce E Napule" and Mizell Brothers fizz of closer "Parev Ajare", the album's most synthesizer-heavy cut.

Review: Edinburgh's Athens Of The North label is endlessly flawless and this time around they pull together the special lovers rock covers they put out at the end of last year onto a superbly strong 12 track compilation. It arrives just in time for the warmer months and has been curated by Sam Don and overseen by label boss Euan Fryer. Standouts include Christine Lewin's lush take on the heavily sampled "Juicy Fruit" while the lo-fi bliss of Al Charles's "Outstanding" is another one to swell the heart and sooth the soul. For more sentimental moments check Family Love's "Do Me Baby." Overall, though, this is a must buy.

Review: Dimitri From Paris has the kind of masterful touch which makes any one of his remixes buy on sight material. But if you need to know more, on this 12" for Z Records he's taking on the Russian band Leonid & Friends and their cover of 'Street Player' by Chicago. Of course the original was an iconic joint made even more classic by 'that' Bucketheads tune, and you can hear DFP having fun nodding to that iconic bit of 90s chart-topping house in these deadly versions. If you like your disco house fierce and fiery but still delivered with finesse, this record is all you need.

Review: Betty Griffin's 'Free Spirit' gets served up as two new remixed versions in honour of the 10 Year Anniversary of Greg Belson's noteworthy radio show, Divine Chord Gospel Show on Dub Lab. Greg himself joins up with Paulo Fulci as Divine Situation to add their own special fire to the already hot originals. Their first Downlow rework rides on some psyched-out guitar lines with the chunky, percussive rhythms riding rough below. Then, on the flip, the Maceo's dub is more smooth, streamlined and cosmic with its widescreen synth lines.

Review: Over the years, multi-track re-edit king the Reflex has successfully tampered with many million-selling artists - Madonna, Queen, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder included - so it's little surprise to see him turn his attention to two gems from the late, great George Michael. On the A-side there's another chance to cop the French scalpel fiend's 2018 re-build of Wham's 'Everything She Wants', which he created using the parts to the album version of the mid-80s electrofunk classic. Arguably even better is his flipside rub of 'Freedom '90', a near nine-minute re-wire that slowly builds in waves, before finally unleashing the track's infectious piano riffs and the hands-aloft chorus. Throw in some dubbed-out sections towards the end and you have a genuinely fabulous revision.

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: Toronto-based 45 Label Eastside Edits is back with more of that heart-melting musical goodness for a fifth time. These two pearlers both rework classic samples into new and seductive funky beat frameworks. 'Second Nature' has twanging and funky bass and smooth rolling grooves with a laidback vibe all topped off with a distincitve hook. On the other side, 'Tapp Dance' has slower, deeper neo-soul vibes - two very tasteful reworks for sure.

Review: Two years ago New Guinea joined forces with Early Sounds Recordings to offer up a killer compilation of rare 1970s and early 80s disco, jazz-funk and electrofunk recordings from Napoli, the Italian city they call home. Such was the success of the set that they've decided to offer up this equally impressive sequel. Amongst the mostly ultra-obscure, little-known cuts you'll find a wealth of highlights, from the high-octane disco stomp of Tonica & Dominante's "Babilonia", the spacey boogie business that is Ara Macao's super-sweet "Reflection", the languid AOR-funk of Maria Kelly's "Dimme" and the low-slung jazz-funk brilliance of Tony Iglio's "Luci Di New York".

Review: Ludovic Llorca aka Art Of Tones is making his debut on the long running GAMM label here and is a dedication to "the female aspect of disco." He has selected three of his favourite cuts from over the years and put them through his own distinctive filter and what comes out the other side are some sizzling sounds ready to summer deployment. 'Barbara's Disco' (AOT rework) is a leggy and languid one that comes alive with funky riffs, 'Marcy's Shaking' is another loose limbed one with a hint of Afro groover in the rhythms and plenty of instrumental flex. 'Nina's Dance' closes out with a brilliant percussive patter and soulful sound.

Review: 'Love & Hate In a Different Time', one of the Gabriels' sonically sweetest but most lyrically hard-hitting singles to date, may seem an unusual choice to remix, even if the 2020 release did feature a stomping groove reminiscent of Northern Soul. Greg Wilson and Che have done a great job in re-imagining it for dancefloors on their 'full length remix', though, wrapping the original's simmering swings and Jacob Lusk's incredible vocals - smothered in reverb and delay - around a rolling, 1970s style disco groove. The pair also a delivers an 'extended original mix', which stretches out Gabriels' 2020 single version for greater dancefloor pleasure, and a spine-tingling, effects-laden 'acapella' take. Simply essential.

Review: Cloud was a Brit-funk group back in the 80s whose catalogue is continuing to get plenty of attention. Their All Night Long EP was a big reissue with a remix from Ge-Ology and now we get Backatcha serving up this EP of four dazzling cuts. The well-crafted and floor-facing tunes here mix up disco, nu-disco, synth-pop and jazz funk with plenty of unique style. It's another doozy for the collection that saves you from forking out high prices for any originals you may be able to find.

Review: Mysterious edits pushers Discotecas worship a mysterious figure known as 'Gwen', the artist supposedly responsible for making these EPs. Their second instalment here comes in the form of a laid-back, electro-balearic affair replete with several layers of bass guitar, lolling synth and acoustic-mimicking percs. A remix of Sade's 'Paradise' leads the charge, centring her harmonious vocals at the core of the mix, while two further unknown re-edits cement the overall nine minute disco vibe.

Review: Coco & Ben were a partnership between Benjamin Robinson of Ben And The Squeeze Tight Band and an uncredited singer (presumably the Coco of the title), who came together for one perfect and extremely rare single from 1979. Now Athens Of The North have dusted down these two smooth as silk soulful disco jams and given them a fresh pressing. 'Good Feelin' is a mellow, soul-feeding cut for Sunday afternoon reveries and toe-tapping country drives alike. 'See The World' is a more sultry affair for those who like their grooves to dig in a little deeper.

Review: Spacetalk Records returns from a period of hibernation with something special: a new collection of ultra-rare, little-known nuggets from label co-founder Danny McLewin AKA Skyrager. Unlike his previous compilations as part of Psychemagik, there's no killer concept behind Traces of Illusion, just a desire to share some of the dusty obscurities he's found during years of determined crate digging. Musically, it's a mixture of psychedelic folk, leftfield synth-pop oddities, blue-eyed soul, acid-fried blue-eyed soul, Balearic boogie, Americana, ambient jazz, AOR, late 80s dancehall-soul and even a spot of grizzled progressive rock. In other words, it's as educational as it is entertaining, and packed to the rafters with private press treats and impossible-to-find curiosities.

Review: The Gamm label has seemingly been around forever. It is known mostly for its run of edits and hip-hop but has recently got back to its roots with more Latin and disco sounds. Love Drop is a frequent player on the label who now comes back with another sizzling two-tracker. Up first is the bright and house-tinged disco stomper 'Journey Into You' which is a great reinterpretation of the Leon Ware classic. On the other side is his take on a Roy Ayers number that is mad infectious - 'Boogie Down' has restless drum funk and big horn energy with a great vocal hook.

Review: If you have had your ear to the Balearic underground over the summer you might well have heard some high-profile selectors dropping cuts off this latest missive from US label Just What The World Needs. It is another sublime three-tracker that kicks off with the string-laced and upbeat disco delights of the A1. Second up is a much more slow and sensuous sound that sinks you in deep to a beach lounger as the sun fades into the sea and the sky turns flame red and orange. Things pick up again with the third and final cut - a percussive jumble of organic hits and drums overlaid with a heart-melting vocal sample and deft melodic details that drift by like wispy clouds.

Review: Bobby Thurston's 'You Got What It Takes' is a soaring, spiralling disco classic whose , squelchy synth-bass and highly addictive horn refrains are not only instantly familiar, but also never fail to raise the temperature out on the dancefloor. This coloured vinyl reissue, released as part of Unidisc's ongoing 40th anniversary series, offers up both the original 12" mixes (vocal and instrumental), as well as a fresh, stretched-out rework from re-edit master the Reflex that's worth the admission price on its own. He naturally makes the most of the original's key elements, building up the groove before unleashing Thurston's vocals, the celebratory horn riffs and - most pleasingly - the track's spacey, life-affirming synth solo.

Review: Anyone with a passing interest in dance music will be familiar with Metro Area's one and only self-titled album. It is now 20 years old and has never been bettered in the two decades since it was released. The US pair also released a highly regarded selection of EPs back in the day on Environ, and the label has decided to reissue them. But not before having them recut and remastered by the one and only Matt Colton. These new editions feature some versions of the tunes that have never been reissued before as well as the original, extended 12" versions of all songs. There is no reason not to pick up all four 12"s, frankly.

Review: Captain Planet is a globe trotting DJ and producer who mixes up worldly roots music with his own fresh take on hip-hop and dancehall. For this one he joined up with Zuzuka Poderosa & Raphael Futura for a brilliant Brazilian disco and funk song that harks back to the 70s and 80s with influences like Tim Maia, Sandra Da Sa & Gilberto Gil. 'Moqueca' though also has some nice dance floor weight to it as well as the richly tropical percussion, steamy horns and seductive chords. On the flip is an instrumental and the good news is this is a taster of a full album to come.

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: Whoever Gallery are, they're a wilfully obscure exercise in metatextuality, with the digital frontispiece of this instrumental disco edits EP depicting two gallery punters idly loitering around the blown-up 12" record, as if fawning over it in a white cube. Whatever the case, these are two mysterious post-mid-70s disco-funk edits, which seem to make a mockery of the exclusivity culture endemic to the art world (a maligned practice that goes comparatively uncritiqued in the realm of dance music) - indeed, so far, the tracks have been played out solely by DJ Harvey and Artwork. Obviously, that means this 12" is worth your one dollar... right?!

Review: Introducing a special edition 12' maxi EP from Barefoot Beats. This extraordinary release offers four dynamic tracks, each representing the heart and soul of Brazil's vibrant music scene. On the first side, you've got Pete Herbert & Dicky Trisco with 'Fique Louca' with its playful vocal whoops and funky breaks that are guaranteed to heat up any dancefloor. Next up is Salvador's Processman who delivers a rhythm-infused Bahian delight that will work at the open air or club alike, with its mesmersing Arp line and captivating rhythmic chant. Over on the flip, there's the upbeat and lively 'Drive You Crazy' by NYC-based JKriv of Razor N Tape, and finally Joutro Mundo from Rio closes out the EP with a sweet melodic anthem that will have you singing and dancing along.

Review: Mr. K's series of edits continues. Any self-respecting music head is well familiar with the Most Excellent Unlimited series from Mr K aka Danny Krivit by now, and the latest entry into it is another doozy on 45rpm. The A-side features an edit of the title tune from a 1972 Ralph Bakshi animation originally played by a top crew of San Francisco area musicians. It is a steamy funk workout in a Latin jazz style with plenty of reverb and DJ friendly grooves. Flip it over and you'll find a gem from Philadelphia's Executive Suite which In Mr. K's hands is lit up with addictive strings and driving rhythms that never let up.

Review: This special 12" features two tracks that will not be on the vinyl version of the forthcoming AC Soul Symphony, Disco opus "Metamorphosis" featuring a 20 piece orchestra alongside a whole host of top live players. That makes it an even more vital pick up because both are pure disco fire. 'I Want To See You Dance' has the title's classic refrain repeated over big Salsoul style string licks, funky basslines and soloing piano. 'The Talented Mr Adams' is a tribute to the legendary disco producer Patrick Adams and is a super sweet swooner with golden live strings and brass backing up a loose-limbed rhythm and vamping pianos that get you in the mood for love. These two tracks act as a fine teaser for what's to come on the much-anticipated album from a contemporary version of acts like MFSB and Love Unlimited Orchestra.

Review: Del Gazeebo and LL Smooth are two renowned UK producers and editors of funky breaks and hip-hop, and their renown gets a fresh renewal of this brand new'un, 'Got To Be Large'. Blending Cheryl Lynn and Ultramagnetic MC's on the A-side, Gazeebo and Smooth keep things both Real and Poppin'. On the B, obscurer samples are sifted from the ether, which admittedly leave us stumped, but rest assured that the result is just as fiery.

Review: 20/20 Vision and Crazy P continue their long and fruitful relationship with a fourth volume of carefully curated and super-fresh new cuts as part of this fine ongoing series. Scandi-disco don Ray Man opens up with typically lush cosmic melodies and loose-limed nu-disco beats with more than a hint of funk. Tigerbalm then heads into a tropical oasis with 'Cosmic Union' (feat Joy Tyson) which has Afro rhythms and steamy vocals bringing the heat. Ruf Dug shows his multi-genre chops again with 'Vape Quarter Rhythm' which is part proto-house cut and part dreamy Italo bliss out with rave whistles and hands-in-the-air chords. Ibiza's Tuccillo closes out with one of his signature Balearic gems in 'Siroco', which is as breezy and carefree as cocktails by the sea at sundown.

Review: The Demon Singles Club offers up a carefully curated selection of sought-after and classic tracks by legends from days gone by. Next up in the spotlight is Greg Henderson with some super lush disco and boogie vibes recorded back in the early 80s by the enigmatic artist. He only made a few records in his short career but they all made their mark and this one, 'Dreamin,' is a case in point: it will fill any floor with its catchy grooves and lush riffs which have all been reasserted for this special reissue project.

Review: Hot off the heels of Official UK no.1 and soundtrack to the first summer after lockdown Afraid To Feel, skyrocketing duo LF SYSTEM satisfy fans' cravings for a powerful disco anthem with follow-up single Hungry (For Love). Clearly LF Sytem anticipate it'll be a summer of love.

Review: If you're on the look-out for suitably big, party-starting workouts that make liberal use of samples from classic cuts and slept-on disco gems, this five-track label sampler from Tasty Recordings is well worth checking. Vinny Terranova sets the tone with 'Let's Go People', a barnstorming funky house slammer that boasts samples aplenty from an Arrested Development classic, before Disko Junkie pitches up a Grover Washington Jr classic and turns it into a bumpin' disco-house number. Elsewhere, Discotron's 'De La Disco' is a nu-disco edit-not-edit of a 'daisy age' hip-hop classic, HP Vince's 'Oh My Love' is a disco-house take on Luther Vandross, and Fraser's 'Chicago 93' is a thickset disco-house slammer that uses the same disco samples as a famous funky house classic of the early 2000s.

Review: Gloria Ann Taylor, the famed soul singer from Ohio, is regarded as having recorded some of the most rare and sought-after singles of the 1970s. It may come as a surprise, then, to hear that Taylor has returned posthumously, this time for a collaborative new single with Estonian psych-funk and soul producer Misha Panfilov. 'Be Worthy' is a gospel-esque tune, with Gloria's incredible vocals and Misha's vintage production coalescing to form a fresh rendition of Taylor's original oeuvre, but with an unusually Balearic flair.

Review: Nine years after volume one landed in stores, Italian twosome G&D return with a fifth instalment in their occasional edit series. This time they've got company, too. Fellow Italian producer LTJ contributes a brilliant EP-opening edit - the languid, disco-meets-jazz-funk shuffle of 'The Rain Machine', where elastic bass and electric piano solos catch the ear - while Star Creature signees First Touch provide a smoother, chunkier and more synth-heavy rework of the very same track on side B. G&D fill in the gaps, first tweaking a sweaty disco-funk jam ('Ziddy'), before reworking a surging, techno-tempo disco stomper (the wonderfully camp 'Gusto').