Back catalogue: Disco/Nu-Disco

Review: Kalita Records are proud and honoured to announce the first ever official reissue of the four choice tracks from Randolph Baker's privately pressed sought-after 1982 disco album 'Reaching For The Stars', plus an unreleased instrumental take of 'Party Life' sourced from the original 24-track analogue master tapes.

Originally recorded at Jim Morris and Rick Miller's Tampa-based Morrisound Studios, 'Getting Next To You' features both a mixture of both local Florida talent plus jazz superstar Nat Adderley and bassist John Lamb at their finest. Originally pressed in a limited run of just one-thousand copies, with no distribution and most copies being sold in the local city and on Randolph's own merchandise table at the back of live gigs, original copies have long been sought-after by both collectors and DJs alike, acknowledged as a true grail and masterpiece in the disco scene and deservedly demanding extortionate figures to those lucky enough to find their own.

Here, in collaboration with Randolph, Kalita Records have chosen to re-release the four choice tracks from the album: 'Getting Next To You', 'Jazzman', 'Callin' Me' and 'Party Life'. The former is an in-demand horn and chant-filled disco masterpiece, which, as Randolph explains, concerns unity and "everyone on the same level in other words, everyone just loving life". It is arguably the song that Randolph is most well-known for in the disco and funk scene and perfect for the modern discerning dance floor. 'Jazzman' is an instrumental track with prominent trumpet and saxophone solos working with funky basslines to produce a truly great jazz-funk groove. It was "a tribute to Nat Adderley and Duke Ellington's bass player, John Lamb, for being so generous and saying yes to the project". 'Callin' Me' is a soulful disco number featuring the lead vocals of Laurie Erickson and is "about being on the road and ensuring loved ones that you will always come back home no matter what. It was like a promise to ensure loved ones they didn't have to worry". Lastly, 'Party Life' is a joyous disco track with a strong funk bassline and horns. As Randolph recalls, it "was the joy like after an actor finishes a movie. There was nothing but joy. It's finished; let's celebrate big time. Where everyone in the studio yelled at the top of their lungs - The End!" Here, with access to the 24-track master tapes we have been able to include the original version plus an unreleased instrumental take, allowing us to focus on the infectious bassline and make it even more ready for the modern dance floor.

Accompanied by extensive interview-based liner notes and never-before-seen photos.

Review: Archeo Recordings bring us some more Balearic Italian treasure here with some gold initially recorded in Bologna almost two decades ago. It's a collaboration between friends Bottin and Lucio Dalla that has never before been on vinyl. 'Lunedi Cinema' was an ident that played before Monday night movies on of one of the main Italian TV channels for many years. This electronic version includes the Martedi Mix from 2008, a Minibar Bonus Track and also a mix by pioneering Italian dream house dons Leo Mas & Fabrice with a Bottin dub sealing the deal. It's a superb package of real Italo music history.

Review: The Shapeshifters are bonafide dance music champions with some rare studio skills. Their golden era sound is as rich as they come and their on going relationship with Glitterbox now results in a new future classic, 'Finally Ready.' It follows on from jams like 'Try My Love' and 'Life Is A Dancefloor' and has a strong message that no matter where you come from, on the dance floor there is always acceptance and hope. Grammy, Tony and Emmy Award-winning singer, director, composer, actor and playwright Billy Porter is the co-writer and with all its big strings, live horns and sense of theatre, it's another winner.

Review: During the latter stages of the "Philly Soul" era, New York remixer Tom Moulton delivered a string of inspired, DJ friendly reworks for the Philadelphia International label. For proof, check this fine selection of classic Moulton mixes for the storied imprint. Check first his version of Archie Bell and the Drells' "Where Will You Go When The Party's Over", which he brilliantly teases out and increases in intensity over nine spellbinding minutes. The funkier flex of People's Choice's "Jam, Jam, Jam (All Night Long)" is a sweaty, low-down treat, while the Teddy Pendergrass rework is a soaring disco classic in the Philly Soul style. Best of all, though, is the string-drenched disco celebration that is his mix of Lou Rawls' "See You When I Git There".

Review: Reissued from the 1983 original press on House Of Music - and subject to many a reissue since, for good reason - the Italian duo BWH hear their enduring classic 'Livin' Up / Stop' rereleased once more. Something about the collaborative effrots of Stefano Zito and Helene Zito made for a dizzying concoction in Italo, and the lasting interest in this single is backed up by the song's squeezy-clean mix and Hi-NRG synth rollicks. 'Stop' on the B-side, too, is slower and more rapacious, and without it, the single wouldn't be the same.

Review: West End's double-pack re-edit series continues, with long-standing UK electrofunk hero and scalpel rework specialist Greg Wilson sharing a quartet of revisions. There are airings for two of Wilson's most sought-after scalpel works from the "Credit To The Edit" series - superb versions of Brenda Taylor's "You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat It Too" and Raw Silk's "Do It To The Music" - as well as a couple of previously heard rearrangements that are on-point as per usual. Wilson first adds even more mind-altering delays and low-slung dub disco flavour to Forrrce's "Keep On Dubbin'", before superbly stretching out the mostly instrumental "Melt Down Mix" of Shirley Lites' synth-laden peak-time classic "Heat You Up".

Review: Luca LTJ Trevisi is LTJ Xperience and he began his DJ and producer career in the 80s. He was a resident at two of Italy's most acclaimed clubs and sure knows how to craft a tune. As well as his own originals he is a master of the remix and someone who can rework any cut to be even more potent not he floor. He proves that here with four new versions that span deep and dreamy and cosmic disco. He tackles Vasquez, Black Mighty Wax, Soultrend Orchestra and Papik & Sarah Jane Morris and turns each into gold.

Review: The Four Flies label brings together two disparate sounds here on a delightful 7". Salifornian funk collective Banda Maje are in fine form as they add their own vibes to 'Wait For Me' which is a lush disco-funk joint by Canadian multi-instrumentalist Franky Selector. It first appeared on his well-regarded Never Better album and is a world gem with thrilling Afro guitars, warming house drums and sunny synth sounds all topped off with great call and response vocals. An instrumental appears on the flip for a more direct to dance floor vibe.

Review: Expansion's offshoot label is back with a second release and for the occasion have put together a special eco vinyl 10" here that is strictly limited to just 100 copies and is fully deserving of that treatment: Tom Browne Feat. Carol Woods combined to great effect in the 80s on this soul classic that now gets a first-ever single release. It's the sort of immediately heartwarming tune that draws from soul, jazz funk, disco and more to cook up a steamy and excellent groove. On the flip is Diplomats Of Soul with their own super cover of 'Brighter Tomorrow' featuring Brit funk and acid jazz greats Incognito & Imaani.

Review: Larry Pignagnoli, Alessandro Zanni and Stefano Cundari created Brando, the quintessential short-lived Italo project. The first two singles from the group landed in 1983, one of which is now lovingly repressed by the original label, ZYX Music. As well as the vintage versions, we get treated to a couple of versions from the go-to remixer for tracks from this period, Flemming Dalum. It's released as a 40th anniversary piece commemorating this classic slice of sentimental, full-fat Italo, but with these new remixes there's plenty to appeal to die-hards and casual observers alike.

Review: Here's a cool double pack 7" drop on Act Of Sedition which serves up some snappy edits of heady grooves from the broad church of funk and soul. A-side cut 'Condition' is a much-loved anthem these days thanks to Ken Rogers' original tune soundtracking the most psychedelic bowling sequence ever set to celluloid in The Big Lebowski, and this 'V Jagged Sky' version has some choice zippy effect to only enhance the trippiness. Lup Ino's 'I've Been Working' is a soulful disco house strutter, while DJ Steef's rework of Belenou's 'Sove Te-A' is a mesmerising slice of Afro groove with a rhythm section that'll hook you in hard. Bully Boy's 'Pasteurised' sits pretty on Side D in a subtly pumped up slice of high life goodness to lift the party's collective spirits in no uncertain terms.

Review: A while back, Africaine 808's DJ Nomad contacted Favorite Recordings' chief Pascal Rioux about a killer track he'd been given some years back - an obscure, previously CD-R only fusion of modern Gwo-ka and Zouk by Esnard Boisdur entitled "Mizik Bel". Rioux was excited by what he heard and agreed that the track should come out on vinyl, accompanied by a fresh rework by Nomad and Dirk Leyers as Africaine 808. Boisdur's original version (side A) is rhythmically dense but also cheery and life affirming, with celebratory chorus vocals and 80s zouk style synth lines subtly rising above a busy, all-action groove. Arguably even better is the sub-heavy Africaine 808 mix, which brilliantly re-imagines the track as a tasty chunk of tropical house/disco-zouk fusion.

Review: Budabeats dropped their first Southern Hemisphere EP three years ago now and it sold out in super quick fashion. They finally back it up with more heat, and this one kicks off with an edit of legendary performer Emilio Santiago. The TropiCals duo flip his 'Revelacao' into a pure summer heater with squelchy synth bass and then Chillum Trio's 'Luuva Acida' is percolating and spaced out disco chugger. Cheb Aarab's 'Law Kan' gets an edit from Karl Planck which is all about the retro 80s chords and lush xylophone sounds and then Balint Boldizsar's 'Scarabeu' is an exotic and hypnotic deep disco snake charmer.

Review: Welcome to Nila's Quest, a brand new label that starts as all good day's should, with a healthy serving of breakfast. It's an Argentina Breakfast, to be precise, and the first of what we can only assume will be a series of releases under this title. Jovit is first out of the blocks with the cosmic and crunchy tech house of 'Gamma Goblin' while Ian Puchetti then gets all blissed out and beach with his Ibiza tinged deep house cut 'Dreams'. There is a charming sense of 80s synth nostalgia to the snappy beats of Bruno & TOBI's 'Te Quiero' then Dual Sense's 'Morning Driver' closes out with a perfect soundtrack to late night driving.

Review: Beatconductor's Dub Spectrum EP takes listeners on a journey through Jamaica with seven tracks of dubbed-out pop covers. The EP features creative mash-ups such as The Wailers providing instrumental backing for Adele, Dua Lipa, Christina Aguilera, and Duran Duran, offering a fresh perspective on familiar tunes. Additionally, Amy Winehouse and The Pretenders unite to form a ska supergroup, showcasing Beatconductor's innovative approach to blending genres. Beatconductor's skillful reinterpretations breathe new life into classic tracks, infusing them with reggae and ska influences while maintaining their original essence.

Review: Blue Feather were a truly blue-eyed funk outfit from the Netherlands who had a prolific run in the 80s with two albums and a string of club singles to their name. "Let's Funk Tonight" was surely one of their bigger hits, and it sounds resplendent with a fresh master and the full extended version spread out across the A side here. Offering something new for the modern market, Best call upon Faze Action to flesh out this reissue with a killer dub of the track that treads softly but funks deep, just like a good dub should.

Review: Enigmatic producer Black Truffle debuted on this label back in February with the first volume of his Black Truffle Edits series. Once again he mixes up disco, funk, boogie and more with 'Aurora' being nice and bright, airy and inviting to get things underway. 'Milk & Honey' ups the energy levels with more spongey synths and plenty of OG disco attitude next to some scorching vocals. Last of all, 'Spa Dance' gets more freaky and funky with some spaced-out synth work and plenty of great guitar riffs underlining the sliding disco drum work.

Review: Boo is a solo Japanese boogie vocalist who was largely active in the noughties; his most eminent album 'Post Soulman' was released in two volumes, and did thrilling justice to Boo's soulful vocals and faux-Philadelphia street beatstyle. Now rereleased as a single (originally one of the tracks from the album), 'BOOGIE DRIVE 678' gets a good look back on. With a busy mix and lyrics reflecting on the butterflies one feels when encountering someone who makes us feel "high inside", this reissue also comes with the venerable steel pan mix on the B.

Review: Bread & Souls is a new project dreamt up by Italian entrepreneur and music lover Franco Fusari. For this he invited Mark de Clive-Lowe to direct and produce his roving vision: a series of collaborations with the cream of boogie and jazzdance's best performers and instrumentalists, including the likes of Bembe Segue, Vanessa Freeman, Paul Randolph, Rich Medina, Tommaso Cappellato and more. Under the banner of Bread & Souls, these eight originals and six remixes hit hard yet smooth, sliding down the proverbial aural gullet like a well-made Manhattan.

Review: It's another family affair over at New York City's Razor N Tape label. For this edition, they have tapped the ever reliable Israeli indie-dance heroes Red Axes for a euphoric rendition of Nenor's 'Do You Remember' (feat Jenny Penkin) making for proper Balearic vibes, while the one-and-only Boo Williams delivers another ultra-deep house journey in the form of 'Besty Smith'. Over on the flip, we see the return of New Zealand-based producer Frank Booker who hands in the late night mood music of 'Time Won't Tell' followed by Peter Matson with a slinky and neon-lit rework of label chief JKriv's 'Something Else'.

Review: Former Whiskey Barons man Bosq has enjoyed a long working relationship with Nigeria-based, Benin-born guitarist and vocalist Kaleta. We make this the pair's eleventh collaborative single in the last decade and, as with their previous outings, it trumphantly blurs the boundaries between Afro-disco, Afro-beat and Afro-funk. On side A you'll find vocal and instrumental takes on 'Meji Meji, a pleasingly live-sounding affair full of rubbery bass guitar, righteous horns, infectious drums and Kaleta's evocative guitar licks. Over on the flip, they opt for even heavier, life-affirming horn motifs, Afro-disco grooves and more sun-splashed Afro-funk guitars on vocal and instrumental versions of the similarly inspired 'Sonayon'.

Review: In short, anyone and everyone's idea of a feel-good chart topper. Synth brasses, piano weaponry and finger clicking pulses are all ingredients in its stew; Babert's Italo Disco mix, meanwhile, is a subtle departure from the original, but proves summerier and groovier, perfect for your next rooftop rave or beachside bash.

Review: Washington DC group Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers have got a real belting Latin tune on their hands here with 'Berro e Sombaro'. It's a tune that has been sampled many times over the years though you will be hard-pushed to find an original version anywhere. It was originally the last tune on Chuck's Bustin Loose album from 1979 and soon became a go-to funk track with a big impact that also saw it make a mark on the 80s rare groove scene. On the flipside here is an exclusive 7" edit of 'Never Gonna Give You Up', which was composed by Gamble & Huff composed and has never been on 45 rpm before.

Review: Marking 40 years since the release of Edwin Birdsong's self-titled and fourth studio album, this Philly reissue couldn't have landed at a more poignant time as the LA funkateer sadly passed away on week of release. "Cola Bottle Baby" is known to absolutely everyone thanks to Daft Punk and that refreshing fizzy groove sounds even better, freer, looser, cooler in its natural state. The lesser spotted "Freaky Deaky Sities" kicks like a loose limbed mule, too. Perhaps a riposte to Roy Ayers "Freaky Deaky" hit the year before, or just another fine trope LA's funk continuum, once again it's the cult fusioneer at his most vibrant. Rest in peace.

Review: When sourcing material, the prolific Tropical Disco edits and rework series has largely relied on a small handful of reliable producers, most notably Sartorial and Moodena. Significantly, neither are present on this action-packed four-tracker, with the imprint instead showcasing the work of some genuine rising stars. Javi Frias kicks things off in fine style via the gently beefed-up, low-down disco-funk sleaze of "Push Me", before Hurlee adds a humid South American twist via the carnival-friendly hedonism of "Brasilia". Over on the flip, Fun Kool aims for arms-aloft peak-time disco perfection on EP highlight "Jam Now", while Brothers In Arts' "What's Wrong" is a filter-sporting slab of weighty disco-house goodness.

Review: Ghanaian disco-funk stalwart Sidiku Buari initially broke through in his native country in 1975. Although it was his eponymous debut album that cemented his star status, it was the single that preceded the set, "Karam Bani", that established his reputation. Here it gets a deserved reissue, complete with original B-side "Ye Koaba". The title track is something of a beast: a driving, funk-fuelled work out rich in jammed-out electric piano lines, sweaty drums and soaring, life-affirming vocals. "Ye Koaba", meanwhile, is a little breezier and jolly in tone, but no less essential.

Review: Tropical Disco Records rolls out more of their sun kissed goodness on an impressive 21st volume of their self-titled series. As always there is a devious selection of disco dons taking charge of the course cuts, with Dominic Balchin getting the party started with big trumpet stabs and soul train grooves. Da Lukas slows things down and goes for a more deep, swinging cut with his 'Get Disco Vibes' and then scene veteran Moodena's 'Who Got The Keys?' gets more jazzy, with some fantastic keys and funky bass. Toby O'Connor closes out with a steamy and romantic slow jam, and in doing so rounds out an EP packed with the sort of positive vibes we all need right now.

Review: If you go to the sort of quality dances where you might hear old sound disco then there is a good chance you will have lost your shit to this one at some point the past. It is a disco gospel 12" curated and edited by Chicago pair Sadar Bahar and Marc Davis. First, they up the energy levels on the joyous Fountain Of Life Joy Choir Under The Direction Of Kevin Yancy tune 'I'm So Happy' which is high speed, high spirit and life-affirming goodness. Then they tweak Rev Charles H Nicks Presents The Baptist Assembly Of Free Spirit Mass Choir's 'Optical Illusion' with swirling big band energy and magnificent organ chords.

Review: Discolidays kicks off its third release with this spicy little joint from The Reflex, the remixer par excellence who is given two juicy tracks to get busy with. On the A-side it's Bruise's 2022 track 'When Pianos Attack' which is being tweaked and pumped for maximum impact, while on the flip Lou Hayter gets the executive treatment via some seriously sophisticated disco house flexing from an expert in the field. With dub and full-fat versions to sink your teeth into, there's plenty of potency in this record to keep your party primed.

Review: Italian artist Ricardo Baez brings his EBM influences to a new and dazzling post-disco EP on Bordello A Parigi that mixes up elector, new wave, synth pop and Italo. First up is dark disco dons Curses to remix 'On & On' and do so with rugged synth lines and jacked-up angular drums. The original is only subtly different and a touch smoother then 'Sfida Notturna' takes off on big stomping drums with bright synths and retro-future 80s feels ringing out proudly. 'Dietro L'Orizzonte' closes down with a more Balearic sound for the afters.

Review: Sweden's mash-up maestro Beatconductor returns with six tracks of masterfully cross-pollinated bangers on this hand-stamped white label. On tap we have edits of the likes of Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Elvis et al., indicating a worthy breadth of knowledge of both classics and non-classics - but all classily recontextualized in ways only the Beatconductor himself can manage. Set to heavyweight 12" wax on two sides, we're certain this one'll serve you well for drunken Saturday dancefloors and upmarket, warmly-lit Sundays alike.

Review: Fool's Paradise is the exciting new label from Toolroom Records' Mark Knight. Coming straight from the heart, it's a natural progression from his hugely acclaimed 2021 album release, 'Untold Business', which saw Mark go back to his roots, paying homage to the more funky, soulful, and vocal house from the 1990s from where he came. With a focus on real instrumentation and production, coupled with great songwriting, this new Toolroom sublabel will be a platform for high quality house music designed to stand the test of time. Launching the new label with a mighty bang and delivering the first in our exciting new vinyl sampler series is head honcho Mark Knight, who joins forces with his Australian Toolroom labelmate, Sgt Slick, and British Soul sensation, Beverley Knight, on a dynamite cover of Prince's 1979 classic, 'I Wanna Be Your Lover'. Respectfully transporting the song onto today's dancefloors, Mark & Sgt Slick deliver a classy uplifting soulful house production, loaded with funky guitars, warm pads and sublime key performances. Adding the icing on the cake and putting her own stamp on things, Beverley belts out one of her signature spine-tingling vocals, garnished with lush harmonies and BV's that would indeed make The Purple One proud. Completing the vinyl package is dance music stalwart, Opolopo, and British soul icon, Jaki Graham, whom together bring the dancefloor heat with their new single, 'Fire'. Powered by a potent soulful house groove from Opolopo, loaded with warm piano hooks, emotive synth melodies and a sublime popping bass hook, 'Fire' see's Jaki flaunt her electrifying vocal talents with a show-stopping performance on this irresistibly catchy song.

Review: As part of this year's Record Store Day festivities, Arista have got a real treat for fans of modern soul and disco. The A-side features a Mike Maurro remix of Breakwater's 'No Limit', a groovy and funky tune from their debut album. Maurro adds his signature touch of extending and enhancing the original elements, creating a dancefloor-friendly version that respects the original. The B-side features the rare 12" version, which showcases the band's tight musicianship and vocal harmonies. This record is a collector's item and a tribute to a classic song.

Review: With its eccentric, helium-fuelled vocals, insatiable bassline, bold pianos and swirling strings, Bumblebee Unlimited's "Lady Bug" remains one of Patrick Adams and Greg Carmichael's greatest productions. This special reissue ignores the duo's original 1978 mixes, instead showcasing the '79 reworks released on RCA. On the A-side you'll find John Morales and Frank "Sunshine Sound" Trimarco's peerless, 10-minute "Disco Mix"- a rework that successfully showcases each individual musical element contained within Adams and Carmichael's similarly epic original production. On the flip, you'll find the lesser-celebrated but equally memorable Larry Levan remix, in which the legendary Paradise Garage resident wisely put more emphasis on the heavyweight bassline and relentless disco drums.