Review: This third volume of instrumentals continues the faultless Isle of Jura label's deep dive into dub versions and beyond. Side one takes in references from UK street soul and reggae and features two late-'80s tracks by Howard Hill with machine-led rhythms, rudeboy reggae skank and soulful pads. Protek's 'I Love to Dance With You' is a proto-house gem featured in a Jura Soundsystem mix and here it gets a loving re-edit by The Nightlark. Side B includes an instrumental-driven track with spacey FX from The Cool Notes' and Ilija Rudman's 'Dub 4 Love' which is a knowing nod to acid house's golden era.
Review: The legendary single from Illusion's self-titled album, which includes iconic tracks like 'Madonna Blue,' 'Man of Miracles,' and 'Theme,' is being reissued on vinyl in both black and coloured versions. This special release has been newly mastered from the original tapes by Phil Kinrade at AIR Mastering, under the supervision of producer Paul Samwell-Smith. The reissue offers a range of mixes, including an extended, dancefloor-ready version, a punchier drum mix, a melodic, synth-enhanced rendition, as well as an instrumental and bonus beats version, providing fresh takes on this classic track.
Review: 'Fast Freddie the Roller Disco King' is a tune that is as good as its title. It was originally a single by Little Anthony and the Imperials (as The Imperials), featuring none other than Prince on guitar, synth and keyboards. The track's base was recorded by Prince with Pepe Willie and Andre Cymone at Sound Palace Studios in New York with later vocal and instrumental overdubs by The Imperials. The B-side, 'I Just Wanna Be Your Lovin' Man,' is an early version of '10:15,' though Prince's involvement as guitarist on this one remains unclear. Either way, this is a brilliant reissue for disco and funk lovers.
Review: If Electricity is anything to go by, Eno Williams and his Ibibio Sound Machine band were particularly productive during the various pandemic lockdowns of 2020 and '21. The resultant album, the rightly acclaimed group's fourth studio set to date, is predictably inspired, with hired-in producers Hot Chip wisely choosing to subtly tweak rather than totally overhaul the band's distinctive trademark fusion of kaleidoscopic synth-funk, West African disco and boogie, '80s electro and the more electronic end of the post-punk spectrum. Highlights include the throbbing, polyrhythmic Afro-electro of 'Electricity' and the acid-sporting nu-disco brilliance of 'All That I Want', but it's the set's overall feel - described by Williams as "Moroder meets Afro-futurism" - that really delights.
Review: Onsen Music isn't just the title of Shoko Igarashi's second album, but rather a manifesto of sorts. The name refers to a "genre" of music the saxophonist, flautist, and vocalist has created. A strange, bouncy-yet-angular corner of the electronic music universe that feels like it's inviting you to a party thrown by Mr Soft and a flying unicorn. Sounds extend themselves, curve, wobble, warp, float, glitter, and do everything else in their power to make sure you know this is a safe listening space that's equally danceable. Ever bubbly and colourful, 'Rainy' represents the full blown nu disco end of the record's vast spectrum, while the likes of 'Ukigusa' come over far closer to Ryuichi Sakamoto's clean, crisp and cuddly pop excursions - staunchly leftfield and out there, but strangely familiar and universally likeable.
Review: Il Bosco released his first EP back in 2011 on this label and the sounds epitomised the early roots of the Manchester-based label Red Laser. Now he is back with Mega Misses From The Manctalo Diskoteque, a new collection of vintage-sounding Italo-inspired disco games made, it sounds, with an arrangement one authentic vintage gear. Each of these cuts has a compelling rhythm and is embellished with gorgeous melodies and arps that range from dreamy to stiff to seductive. Deadpan vocals make 'Track 2' a real throwback, 'Track 3' has a funky, smooth cruising sound and the rest of the double album plays out with equal elan.
Review: Imagination was both an obscure German jazz-rock band from Dusseldorf who recorded a series of rather good records in the late 1970s as well as being a fine UK electrofunk act. They amassed a fine catalogue of great hits that made an impact across 28 countries and earned them four platinum discs and nine gold discs amongst other accolades. No Music No Life has now remastered The Very Best Of Imagination which offers up their most well-known hits such as the irresistible 'Body Talk' and slow motion workout that is 'Flashback' amongst many more.
Review: Unlike most disco re-edit EPs, Salsoul's latest instalment of 'Reflex Revisions' are "proper" remixes, making full use of original master stems and session tapes sourced from the parent artists themselves. With all four tracks handled by French producer and remixer The Reflex, we know we're in good hands here - he's been at it since 2012. Reflex Revisions don't just add a janky kick beneath a beatgridded 16-bar loop, but rather, they move and sway with the tracks' original feels. Our case in point: 'A Little Love' completely reimagines the drum section found on Aurra's 1983 original, making the whole sonic experience much clearer and brighter. As much can be said for Metropolis' downtempo 'I Love New York', on which Reflex here makes the song grander, wider. Compared to most re-editors, this is an impressive feat occurring in a different ballpark.
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