Review: Many Hands is a fresh label helmed by Jona Jefferies and Kava that here kicks out an eclectic EP with four tracks from various members of its musical family. Dan Aikido opens with '0800 TXT4 Herb,' a smooth fusion piece that builds a laid-back groove, blending fretless bass, jazzy keys and soulful vocals all reminiscent of Rare Silk's 'Storm.' Ernie Ruso's 'Stroke It' offers slow, sensual r&b infused with P-funky wah-wah effects while DJ Nomad's 'African Boy' brings upbeat pop house next to funky organ and a female reggae MC.Jefferies' closer 'A Change Will Come' samples Dr. Martin Luther King Jr with a rave-inspired beat and soulful piano. Cracking stuff.
You Could Be More As You Are (Super Disco mix) (5:07)
You Could Be More As You Are (Bleep mix) (2:59)
Review: For the unaware, Saada Bonaire's 1984 gem 'You Could Be More As You Are' is the very definition of a cult classic. Known for offering a chugging blend of new wave, leftfield synth-pop and post-disco dancefloor nous, it was produced by an obscure German DJ and fronted by two female vocalists. Those singers have now joined forces with producers Jens Mahlstedt and Ralph 'von' Richthoven to deliver a 2025 remake. It's presented in two distinctively different forms. On the A-side, we get the 'Super Disco Mix', a driving, bass guitar-driven affair that mixes replayed elements of the 1984 original (including some of the spellbinding synths) with clipped disco guitars and freshly recorded vocals. The flipside 'Bleep Mix' is not an early Warp style re-build, but in fact a slightly more electronic-sounding dub disco version.
JKriv - "Better Than Her" (feat Saucy Lady & Tortured Soul) (4:39)
Kim Anh - "In The Stars" (5:06)
Cody Currie - "Ghost" (4:48)
Review: Razor-N-Tape's Family Affair series makes a welcome return here with a third great instalment. This series is something of an annual end-of-year tradition by now (OK, it's arriving a touch late) and this one hits as hard as any with five tracks taken from the full and standout compilation. It is two great remixes of classic RNT material that gets things underway with Ezel offering a dub of Cor.ece and Bruce Leroys sublime deep hose mix of Guinu, then JKriv's 'Better Than Her' is a fat bottomed bit of deep cut electro funk and elsewhere Kim Anh gets raw and cosmic, and Cody Currie's 'Ghost' is broken beat perfection.
Review: Favourite Records' new reissues series come with a new concept; each classic track comes with an exclusive bit of artwork on each side of the 12" sleeve. This time, they compile two speedy funk tracks from Crystal and J.E.K.Y.S.; 'Funky Biguine' is an homage to the French ballroom style of the same name, from which it draws influence, while 'Looking For You' is a devotional dream from J.E.K.Y.S., a French band singing in English. Slick, quick, and affecting stuff.
Review: Moiss Music released a hot pair of EPs in February and repeat the same trick in May with another quality double drop. It is a various artists offering as always with DJ Delivery's 'Never Gonna Give You Up' a sure-fire floor-filling anthem to start things off. It's got loopy drums and string samples as well as sumptuous vocal harmony then Borka & The Gang keep the feel-good vibes alive with 'Kidding Feelings and Even Funkier's' Dance With Your Feet' is another smile-inducing bit of disco warmth with withering sic-fi synths and hip swinging claps. Jordan Reece's 'Prayer' has hints of gospel in the vocal while noodling keys and tight kicks all get looped to perfection.
Firefly - "Love Is Gunna Be On Your Side" (Dave Lee Love Emergency mix) (9:42)
Ruffneck - "The Power - The Rhythm" (Backroom Productions Feel The music mix) (5:17)
Johnny Dynell - "Rhythm Of Love" (Larry Levan Garage dub) (5:33)
Doug Willis - "Doug's Disco Theme" (Doug Disco mix) (7:18)
Review: In its full digital form, Z Records' excellent Life's Better With Disco Comp is an epic 37 tracks deep. Naturally there aren't that many cuts on this sampler 12", but the four on show are undoubtedly amongst the set's many highlights. Boss man Dave Lee kicks things off via a superb classic disco-meets-nu-disco revision of Firefly's 'Love Is Gunna Be On Your Side', before there's a chance to cop an obscure Backroom Productions rework of their early proto-house/garage-house gem (as Ruffneck), 'The Power - The Rhythm'. The mid-'80s fun continues on Larry Levan's vintage remix of Jonny Dynell's 'Rhythm of Love' - a killer fusion of dubbed-out synths and drums and Konk style Latin percussion - while Doug Willis' 'Doug's Disco Theme' is a classic disco-house number from Lee under one of his many alternative aliases.
Peter Britto - "I Want Your Love" (Ben Gomori Festival Romance edit) (7:58)
Emmanuel Kahe & Jeanette Kemogne - "Ye Medjuie" (Ben Gomori Open Goal edit) (7:49)
Black Truth Rhythm Band - "Umbala" (Ben Gomori M'bala edit) (6:20)
Review: Monologues boss Ben Gomori has served up plenty of edits of African classics for labels like Sterns Music and Analog Africa, and now presents four Afro-Caribbean reworks licensed from tastemakers in the scene, namely Mr. Bongo, Soundway Records and Analog Africa. He injects South African legend Marumo's 'Khomo Tsaka Deile Kae' with big beats, while Black Truth Band's 'Umbala' is paired back to a disco bumper. Emmanuel Kahe Et Jeanette Kemogne's 'Ye Medjuie' brings 1980s Cameroon funk and Peter Britto's lo-fi soca gem 'I Want Your Love' is beefed up for the club. Useful tools for sure.
Nuit De Fievre (Pellegrino Nottata Stellata remix) (5:08)
Review: Be Strong Be Free's 7" series is on fire this year and now comes back with a third instalment. It is 'Nuit De Fievre' and it comes from label owner Gratts, aka the "Belgian down under," who revisits disco's golden era by assembling a stellar studio team starring the Moody Mae band in the company of Reinhard Vanbergen on violin and Jaj from Paris on vocals. What they cook up in return is elegant boogie and disco that will chime well with fans of Dimitri From Paris. The B-side features Pellegrino's jazz-funk rendition, adding Mediterranean flair straight from Vesuvius. Both sides promise deliciously uplifting grooves for any disco enthusiast.
Jose Finagandara, Juan Diego Lllescas & Ground - "Something Sign" (5:39)
Akira Arasawa With KUN & FRANKY-CH - "Yunnan" (8:18)
Review: Especial Specials has joined forces with Osaka-based imprint Chillmountain Recordings to offer up another Enjoy Your Self EP. This one once again showcases the talents on its roster with label head Ground kicking off with a beatdown meets trance sound on "Utau Narukoyuri'. After that slow burner come tribal percussive sounds from 'Arauma' (Kobato Dub), sunny cumbia on 'Something Sign' and a meandering Balearic journey from Akira Arasawa With KUN & FRANKY-CH that is brought to life with new age flute sounds, bird calls, jungle drips and folkloric strings. A fantastic EP, then.
Review: This collaboration between Jimi Tenor and Tomasz Guiddo shines brightly and features a heartwarming hook that really lodges deep in the brain as 'Where The Wild Roam' pairs ancient-sounding lo-fi drums with a Western-style whistle and plenty of earthy, twanging guitars. Next up the legendary Louie Austen lends his vocals to 'Smile' for a steamy and tropical house sound lit up with Latin melodies over a shuffling, samba-adjacent rhythm. Erobique, known for chart hits in Europe and his work with DJ Koze, contributes his magic, while Freestyle Man, aka Sasse from Moodmusic, delivers his trademark deep house style. Ale Castro adds a DJ-friendly house version, enhancing the EP's overall allure.
Turned Your Back (Atjazz extended remix instrumental) (5:03)
Review: J Axel and Eva Essa find magical harmony on this new collaboration on the Do It Now Recordings Vinylized label. 'Turned Your Back' is a perfectly heart-melting, life-affirming bit of soul-drenched and intimate deep house with gorgeous vocals and super smooth drums all healing you to your core as the gentle rhythms wash over you time and time again. It's a faultless original but one that is also ripe for remixing and who better than Atjazz who slightly ups the tempo but keeps the deep, wavy rhythmic vibes and adds a little cosmic magic in the synths. A sublime package indeed.
Review: Teddy Powell and Zee Desmondes are The Jack Moves, a contemporary disco and hip hop outfit who here link with unknown newbies The People Of Newark and Larry Hamm for this tidy new 7" on Star Creature. 'Horror Games' has a squelchy synth bass line that carries the loose drum work and bustling methane of background vocals and found sounds. A lead singer takes charge up top as various chatting crowds play out in the background. It's a busy tune that also comes as an instrumental for those who prefer the focus to be on the well crafted drums and bass.
Review: Heidelberg-based David Jackson is half-Irish, hence this giddy attempt to combine giddy, kaleidoscopic Italo-disco with nods to his ancestry. In truth, only 'Guinness Emotions' - an effects-laden, spaced-out fusion of electric folk and glitchy, spaced-out electronica - features distinctive nods to Irish musical culture. What's on offer elsewhere across the EP, though, is still highly impressive. Title track 'Guinness Italo' is a throbbing, shirts-off chunk of celebratory Italo-disco/Hi-NRG revivalism, while 'Guinness Trance' sits somewhere between neo-trance, Italo and late '80s Eurodance. Bonus cut 'Guinness Drumapella', a proto-house style drum workout, is ideal for those DJs who like to get busy in the mix and build up the percussive pressure.
Off The Wall: Live Yokohama Japan 78 (Paso Dobleextended) (7:56)
Off The Wall: Live Yokohama Japan 78 (Paso Doble radio Edot) (4:29)
Off The Wall: Live Yokohama Japan 78 (Paso Doble instrumental) (3:09)
Review: Michael Jackson's Off The Wall tour is legendary. It came in the late 1980s and saw the King of Pop at the very height of his powers, mesmerising crowds with his iconic dance moves and impressing them just as much with his vocal performances. In 1987 he headed to Japan and played live in Yokohama one magical night which was recorded on tape forever. One of the tracks he played was the title cut from his Off The Wall album and now it's pressed up to blue 12" as three different Paso Doble mixes.
Review: This classic Japanese funk tune has long been adored by erudite boogie, 80s funk and soul fans in Japan but also more internationally, and for the first time here it is now available as a 7" single. Produced by Toshiki Kadomatsu, the release includes one track each from the Jadoes albums It's Friday from 1986 and Free Drink in 1987, both of which are considered iconic in the Japanese boogie canon. 'Summer Lady' is full of glossy 80s drums and sparking melodies that bring unbridled joy and 'Friday Night' is a little more paired back but the stepping drums and male-female vocal interaction is a thing of beauty.
Review: DC archival masters Peoples Potential Unlimited first shone the light on Dwight Sykes and his Jahari project on the must grip Situations cassette late last year, revealing the work of a key player in Michigan's underground boogie scene. Those selectors out there without the means to play tapes in a club setting will no doubt be very thankful to PPU for this 12" that brings together some unreleased demo cuts from Jahari along with a newly remastered version of the superb title track from that cassette. So up top you get two alternate takes on "Fire & Desire" with the studio version a real funk gem, whilst "Situations" sounds all the more sweet and soulful in newly remastered form.
Chuck Davis Orchestra - "Spirit Of Sunshine" (6:23)
Review: Westend brings more of that glorious disco goodness that they have been so well known and loved for over such a long period of time. This one is a split that kicks off with Jake's 'You Are the Star.' It's propelled by neat and tidy bass guitar riffs with more decorative melodies and riffs up top. The drums have an irresistible sense of slide to them and the vocal is of course the icing on the cake. Chuck Davis Orchestra steps up in the flip with more lush and classy disco complete with effervescent string stabs and more funky bass. 'Spirit Of Sunshine' manages to bottle up just that and douse you in it from start to finish.
Jamaimoi - "Ici C'est Toujours Les Vacances" (edit) (5:09)
Unison Apollo - "Belgian Mambo" (Ediit) (6:07)
Black Pomade - "Sea Urchin" (edit) (4:54)
Digei De Bairro - "Ferramenta N20" (edit) (4:10)
Review: The Manzo Edits label continues to do good work early in its life with a fourth volume of edits from various fine studio craftsmen. Jamaimoi's 'Ici C'est Toujours Les Vacances' opens up with some big disco loops, smart filters and feelgood drums then it's down into dry, sleazy dubbed-out territory with Unison Apollo's 'Belgian Mambo'. Black Pomade's 'Sea Urchin' pumps the party once more with old school drums and cowbell business, and Digei De Bairro's 'Ferramenta N20' then glides on spaced out pads and ascending grooves.
Review: J & M Music Co US welcomes LeBaron James for another standout four-tracker that brings raw house and smooth disco together on one EP. Up first is 'Always Be True' is a deceptively simple sound that brings straight-up dancefloor beats with hooky pads. 'House Party' then has more heavy kicks and wild percussive patterns to liven up any party and 'One' then brings a more cool and laid-back disco groove that has a slick modern twist. Last but not least is 'Sugar And Spice' which brings a touch of sophisticated and chic instrumental vibes. It's a fourth different sound on a versatile EP.
Review: Funk, soul and house music courses through the veins of Jamie 3:26 and he always manages to convey that into his irresistible grooves. The best of them come on his own label 326 which is where he arrives now with this new 12" Dancefloor Damage Vol 1. It's a tight affair with just one cut on each side of the wax, starting with 'Maqnifique' which is a steamy, intense disco house stomper with wiry lines and unrelenting grooves. On the flip is a very different vibe - a sunny, flute-led led and jazzy soulful house number with heart-melting chords.
Waiting In The Wings (East Cost Love Affair mix) (3:16)
Waiting In The Wings (2:56)
Review: It's a busy time for Athens of the North - to be fair when isn't it - as the Edinburgh label drops a couple of real gems this month. Marion Javius's 'Waiting In The Wings' originally dropped in 1978 and the head of this label loved the track but for a couple of aspects to it. Years later, he discovered that a friend of the label David Haffner "had been sitting on the multi-track tapes for some time and was cool with us doing a 45." So here we have the original on the B-side, and the slightly tweaked and edited new East Cost Love Affair version on the a-side. It's a great touch-up job if you ask us.
Review: Some boogie collectors go weak at the knees at the mention of Christopher Jay's 'What Do You Want Me To Do', a superb single from 1987 that's long been near impossible to find. This isn't that gem, but something arguably even more exciting: some previously unreleased business from the same obscure, overlooked artist. 'Be My Lady' dates from a similar period and sees Jay sing swooning words to a member of the opposite sex over a sunny and kaleidoscopic blend of rubbery bass, clipped guitars and shiny synthesizers. Flipside 'Come Out Tonight' is rather tasty, too. Slower and even warmer, it sits somewhere between 80s soul and yacht rock.
Review: Athens of the North is continually one of our favourite labels here at Juno HQ. The Edinburgh based outlet's tireless mission to unearth forgotten gems or shine a light on deserving tracks that may have been overlooked cannot be faulted. This time out Christopher Jay's 'What Do You want Me To Do' from 1987 gets served up on its own 45rpm. It is a glorious bit of disco boogie with a rugged broken beat, funk in the bass and soul in the buttery vocal. On the flip is a subtle edit that hits just as sweet a spot and it comes with a nice picture sleeve, too.
Luther Vandross - "Until You Come Back To Me" (7:52)
Review: Chicago DJ and producer JayCee Indamix is back to take care of the second instalment of the Ginzu Edits series. Up first is legendary New York street poet and soul innovator Gil Scott-Heron whose lovely 'Grandma's Hands' gets a funky rework with some busy broken beats and layers of extra instrumentation. On the flip is another classic, this time from the great Luther Vandross. His 'Until You Come Back To Me' becomes a deep and funky house cut with soaring vocals framed in a soulful groove with lots of special effects adding a contemporary twist.
Review: Aussie duo Jayse & Steve P are so low profile that we can't source quite enough information to introduce them, but when the edits are this good - we'll just let the music speak for itself. The pair are back with another collection of boogie-funk edits; on the A-side there's some sexy and neon-lit late-night vibes, and over the flip the retro styles carry over with a low slung electro-funk jam featuring a quite familiar and absolutely infectious hook.
Review: Under the Jaz alter-ego, John Zahl has been serving up laidback, Balaearic-minded edits of musical obscurities since the mid 2000s. Initially, that was for Claremont 56 offshoot Sixty Five, but in the last decade he's also appeared on Passport To Paradise, Rotating Souls and, most recently, Pinchy & Friends. Here he returns to the latter label with four more rubs of atmospheric cuts from the dusty corners of his record collection. He begins with the wonderfully throbbing, solo-heavy dancefloor synth-scape of 'Cloud Worship', before successfully tinkering with a tactile, semi-organic proto-house gem on 'Pick a Toy'. Over on side B, 'Puzzle' is a tidy revision of a cosmic-minded, French language Balearic synth-pop gem, while 'Friday Night' is an eccentric, off-kilter slab of new wave disco oddness.
Review: French producer Jehan is next up on Blur Records with a new EP, TV Screen, that shows that he has a sophisticated approach when it comes to bending free jazz with electronic music and a love of hip-hop. The latter of those is evident in the title of the opener, '92 Till Infinity', which pairs lazy keys with lazier beats and soul drenched vocals. 'Montre Suisse' (feat Donnie Moustaki) has dusty beats that sound like they might fall over themselves topped with warm organ chords and 'You Win' (feat Scruscru & Meowsn) then brings a sweet and swaggering deep house vibe. The flip keeps the slow burning and late night feelings alive with a trio of loved up, well sampled, blissed out beats.
Review: Jeroboam serves up the tongue-in-cheek title 'Brexit Funk' on Chuwanaga and is sure to get you moving as a result. There is some serious sunshine and Brit-funk loveliness to the title track. It is lit up with vibes keys and irresistible funk basslines that all brim with good-time fun. 'Peckham Night' is a more sultry and steamy sound for when the sun is setting thanks to its lazy drums and splashy cymbals all topped with some smoky trumpet soul. A dub mix rounds out with even deeper-cut grooves and romantic melodies. Three grown-up delights for sure.
Review: What we gonna do right here is go back, way back. You already recognise that refrain, don't you? That's because it is one of the most sampled refrains in dance music history. Now it gets pressed up on to 7" for this year's Record Store day as a 7" double header featuring two of the most impossibly huge hits from the Jimmy Castor Bunch, namely the million-plus selling 'Troglodyte', and on the reverse, 'It's Just Begun'. A true funk masterpiece that made its mark lighting up parties in the Bronx in the 70's before it set a fire under those who went on to create hip-hop's earliest blueprint, it remains a classic to this day.
Review: JKriv returns to Razor-N-Tape after two years away and in that time it is clear to say he has further fine tuned his sound. This latest offering kicks off with 'Blueprint' which is a nice loose sound with elastic acid lines and bright chord stabs. 'Intuition' (feat Megatronic) slows down to sun-kissed and lazy swagger with soulful spoken words and cuddly pads and soft shakers all soothing you to your core. 'Zone 1' then kicks on with a nice bright blend of nu-disco colours and soft acid undulations and 'Paula's Dance' (feat Pauha) closes with some steamy and timeless house that is perfect for sunset sessions.
Review: Funkyjaws Music has decided to offer up its first solo EP here having decided to make the previous four volumes of its Let's Dance series various artists collections. JKriv gets the nod here and doesn't disappoint. First up is the leggy mid-tempo disco of 'Share The Night' with its chattery Chicago house style drums and rasping bass. 'Big Chief' is a brilliant mid-tempo jumble of percussion, toms, hits, grinding bass and lazy kicks and 'Let's Do It Right' then takes off on nice clean piano house grooves full of uplifting joy. 'Acid Fantasies' closes out a truly varied EP with a more raw and direct acid house jacker.
Review: David R Jones's 'More Than A Dream' is about as Italo as Italo gets. It's also a hugely accessible disco cut with plenty of euro-dance influences in its hi-NRG, camp and upbeat arrangement. There are sinewy synth modulations and shiny arps, chugging beats and a big vocal to finish it off with plenty of razzmatazz. The dub version is included here as well as an acappella, extended mix, instrumental version and standout Eddy Mi Ami remix to complete this essential new 12" from Irma. All of these will provide great moments of energetic release in the club this winter and beyond.
Steve Jones - "I Need You (By My Side)" (dub mix) (6:21)
Fat Boys UK - "The Challenge" (feat Ray Carless On Sax) (5:19)
Review: This rare Brit Funk 12" originally debuted in 1984 and is now reissued for the first time having been officially licensed from producer Lindel Lewis. Original copies fetch up to $500 which reflects the tune's revered status as a collector's gem. It is influenced by US boogie, disco and dub as Lindel was also producing reggae and classics like 'Night Over Egypt' by Mystic Harmony. Produced with a Linn Drum and Roland 106, Lindel's work reflects his background as a classically trained musician and sound engineer. Next to the original, the reissue includes a never-before-released dub version of 'I Need You' and it all comes on 140g vinyl with retro-inspired labels by Bradley Pinkerton.
Review: Van Jones' 'Finger Lickin' Good' was released in 1986 on Empire State Records. The single features two cuts: the title track has a catchy bassline, horn stabs and a party vibe that is sure to get people dancing. The track has been sampled by various artists over the years, including De La Soul, who used a loop from the song on their hit 'Me, Myself and I'. On the flip, 'Not About That (Show Me Some Respect) is a slower and more soulful track, with Jones showcasing his smooth vocals over a funky groove. The single received some airplay and club play upon its release, but didn't achieve significant commercial success at the time. However, it has since become a sought-after collector's item among funk and rare groove enthusiasts.
Review: Formative disco five-piece who've been sampled and re-edited to the max over the last 20 years, here we find The Joneses in their original form. And they still sound as relevant and timelessly funky now as they did when this arrived in 1981. The original is a tight Chic-style guitar and bass groove that's accentuated by occasional falsetto vocal hits and flurries of disco bubbles and street sounds. Flip for "Summer Groove (Moving On)" where the blistering tight bassline and guitar licks are complemented with a tiny bit more vocal majesty. Instant seasonal sounds, have you kept up with The Joneses recently?
Review: Jonny 5 is known for his superlative edits as well as heading up the Bahnsteig 23 label and here he returns from time out becoming a father to kick off this new one from Duca Bianco. 'Joy riding' is loopy disco-post-punk for a peak-time trip. Multi Culti man Dreems then brings the Afro party vibes with his 'Bususua' which is packed with dub fx and steeped in fun. Miserymix then throws in their Italo-licked post-disco and punk sounds on 'Adjust Your Love' before a big finale by Black Bones. They offer a deep and dubby house that has been a secret edit for a while but finally gets unveiled here to great effect as it worms its way into your brain.
Review: Brooklyn's Razor-N-Tape reach out to the Lowlands and coax Hans Peeman into donning his Junktion alias for a new four-track 12" on their Razor-N-Tape Reserve label. Living up to it's dignified and reserved billing, this fifth release on the offshoot finds the Nijmegen-based Peeman laying down some luscious, colourful disco vibes that will brighten up any sun laden afternoon on the terrace. Title track "Hot & Bothered" sets the tone with a summery vibe underpinned by some bumping drums, whilst "I'm wishin'" glides with a subtle house bump and some wonderful vocal touches. "Fling Cleaning" sees Peeman veer off into disco chug territory, whilst "Visions of You" ends the 12" on a soulful note.
Review: Dave Lee's Z Records hits the milestone 20th edition of this Attack The Dance floor series. It has always been a reliable outlet for glossy, disco tinged and floor friendly house tunes from some of the genre's most accomplished names. This time out, Dave Lee appears ac couple of times, firstly with the feel good and soul-licked remix of Mike Lindup's 'Atlantia' and then with a boogie mix of Jungle's 'Keep Moving' which comes with a nice dotted funk bassline and big shiny strings. Lazywax and and Emmaculate Afrodisia remix further boost this useful 12".
Mistura - "Want Me Back" (feat Jemini - Jimpster Jazz'd Right Up remix) (6:26)
Joey Montenegro - "Do What You Feel" (Birdee remix) (7:27)
Lakeshore Commission - "In 2 The Light" (feat Bluey - Dave Lee Mind Travel mix) (7:40)
Destiny II - "Play To Win" (feat Angela Johnson - Dave Lee Destination Boogie mix) (7:11)
Review: Z Records' ongoing 'Attack The Dancefloor 'series of compilation style vinyl EPs has long been a reliable source of disco-fired excellence, and this 21st edition is another high-quality affair. We're first treated to a superb Jimpster revision of recent Mistura single 'Want Me Back', where Jemini's spoken word vocal, jazzy keys and spacey synth sounds rise above loose-limbed deep house beats and wiggly TB-303 lines, before Birdee drops a genuinely joyous, organic-sounding disco-house take on 1991 classic 'Do What You Feel' (now credited to Joey Montenegro, rather than his now retired Joey Negro alias). Elsewhere, Lee's own rework of Lakeshore Commission's Bluey collaboration 'In The Light' is a smooth, soulful, string-drenched delight and the veteran producer's 'Destination Boogie' tweak of Destiny II's 'Play To Win' is a revivalist '80s electrofunk delight.
Jamma D - "Don't Wanna Leave The Couch Today" (4:20)
Roche - "House Shuffle Boogie" (6:13)
Darone Sassounian - "Arms" (6:18)
Review: This deep, jazzy and lo-fi house 12" is perfect for escaping at this time of year as the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and the general weight of modern life can get all too much. It comes from an array of standout producers from around the world including Darone Sassounian, Jamma D and Jarren from Los Angeles, Roche from Portland and Morris Mobley from Nancy, France. Between them, they offer the cuddly, cloudy depths of 'Drippin'' (Sauce dub), humid and jazzy heat of the sumptuous 'Don't Wanna Leave The Couch Today', playful rhythms of 'House Shuffle Boogie' and more besides.
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Monsieur Van Pratt is well known to anyone who likes their disco on the hot side. He heads up the Super Spicy Records label and is now back with a new entry into the Super Spicy Recipe series alongside plenty of other top names. He opens up the EP with a groovy masterpiece featuring a powerful bassline and captivating vocals. Hotmood's 'Like That' showcases the energetic prowess of the Mexican then Julps, from Mexico City's Departamento, debuts with a hypnotic deep cut. On the flipside, Groovy Kds keep the party alive with 'Get Down,' while The Magic Track delivers pure dancefloor magic. Closing out the 12", The Velvet Stripes serve up a super funky and potent finale.
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: Built around a central Stax Records gem from the late 1960s, Purple Disco Machine's 'Devil In Me' is an emotional disco-house burster that reappropriates the staunch voices of Judy Clay and William Bell's 'Private Number'. But the function of this track isn't to evoke mournful blues 'motion more than it is to get you up and dancing; truly, the hard edges and funk bounces of this track will 'bring out the devil' in you too. Fittingly, it comes to a blood red vinyl 12" edition.
Review: Germany's Editor Amore label continues to serve up lovable edits on hand stamped 12"s. This one kicks off with Lee Stefano & Simone Lebon's take on 'Dolci Emozioi.' It is a big, acid tinged and spangled disco tune with a chugging groove that slowly but surely works you into a lather. On the flip side, things grow a little more loose and playful as Jakobin & Domino link up to edit 'Amore In Fuga.' It's a delay-drenched, fat bottomed disco stomper with big vocals and plenty of lush strings.
The Sunburst Band - "He Is" (Jimpster remix) (7:21)
Joey Negro - "I Recognise" (feat Sacha Williamson - Andres remix) (6:27)
Prospect Park - "The Kinda Love" (Jkriv remix) (8:06)
Jakatta - "My Vision" (feat Seal - The Vision remix) (7:03)
Review: Dave Lee aka Joey Negro has pulled together a fine team of remixers here to serve up their own versions of tunes by him, Jakarta, The Sunburst Band and Prospect Park, all for his own Z Records. Freerange boss and deep house Don Jimspter goes first and brings real sunshine to his take on 'He Is.' Detroit badman Andres then does what he does best to 'I Recognise', that is layering in hip hop slanted beats and nice rolling baselines under lush chords. On the flip are two more positive house vibrations to make this a handy EP.
Doug Willis - "The Mighty Douglas" (Doug Godbizniss mix) (6:39)
Roland Wrightangle - "In Your Blood" (feat Darcus - Ron Basejam mix) (7:19)
Jakatta - "American Dream" (Atjazz remix) (7:20)
The Pockets - "Work It Out" (Dave Lee rework) (6:45)
Review: Dave Lee's Z Records continues to fly the flag for disco-tinged house, or house-tinged disco, from new school artists and old-school mainstays. One thing you can be sure of with music n this label is that it will be big, crowd-pleasing tackle that never forgets its roots. There is real religious rapture in the thrilling Doug Godbizniss mix of 'The Mighty Douglas' which gets the EP underway in fine style. After that is a sumptuous, string-laced house classic from Ron Basejam, a lush mix of the wonderfully ethereal 'American Dram' from lounge-y house don Atjazz and classy, hip-swinging vocal house bomb from Dave Lee himself.
Zarenzeit - "Soo Smooth" (feat Roger Versey) (6:11)
Melchior Sultana - "Nothing Like It Seems" (5:56)
Jan Kincl - "Sugar" (7:06)
Barce - "Stigma" (6:19)
Review: The young but already well-formed Deep Inspiration Show label continues its dedication to quality deep house with a new EP that comes as part of their international artist series. Zarenzeit from Zurich and Roger Versey from Arkansas open with 'So Smooth', a blend of rich keys, soulful loops and dynamic vocals over a sensual bassline. Melchior Sultana hails from sunny Malta and follows with 'Nothing Like It Seems' which features silky chords and a shuffling rhythm ideal for late-night sets. On the B-side, Jan Kincl from Zagreb delivers 'Sugar,' a fusion of house and cinematic disco with organic drums while Spain's Barce closes with 'Stigma,' a melodic union of deep house and techno.
Review: Making its debut release on vibrant neon green 12" vinyl for Record Store Day 2024, this release from Sony spotlights Jamiroquai's dazzling 2006 BBC live session, recorded at Maida Vale for radio legend Ken Bruce. It features all of the funk one's most epic tunes such as the perma-hit 'Cosmic Girl', the infectious 'Canned Heat' and the superb opener 'Runaway'. A great album, a great new pressing, a great one to snap up for when you need some colourful cosmic uplifting in your life.
Commodores - "Girl, I Think The World About You" (4:34)
Rufus & Chaka Khan - "Once You Get Started" (4:27)
Johnny Hammond - "Fantasy" (7:26)
Ramsey Lewis - "Whisper Zone" (3:01)
Leon Ware - "What's Your Name" (4:12)
Ashford & Simpson - "Stay Free" (5:24)
Kleeer - "Tonight's The Night" (7:12)
Dexter Wansel - "I'll Never Forget (My Favourite Disco)"
Sister Sledge - "Pretty Baby"
Jose Feliciano - "California Dreamin'"
Dexter Wansel - "Life On Mars"
Lalo Schifrin - "Theme From Enter The Dragon" (main Title) (2:17)
Marvin Gaye - "Here, My Dear" (2:49)
Patrice Rushen - "Music Of The Earth" (3:52)
Brian Blessed - "The White City" (part 3) (10:39)
Review: The Late Night Tales series is an absolute bastion of late-night parties back at yours after a heavy club session, or maybe even on a Sunday morning to welcome you to a day of being hungover. Everyone who is everyone had made their entry over the years and used the chance to show off a different side to their sound and that is just what cosmic disco funkster Jamiroquai did when he stopped up. Now his fine choices get pressed up to four sides of vinyl for this fine reissue.
Review: Kalita Records have secured the first ever official reissue of Jivaro's lovely Saturday Fever album. It is said to be one of the best ever kwaito and bubblegum pop records to have ever come from the fertile South African scene and was first released on Maurice Horwitz's Music Team label in 1989. It serves up plenty of sick prog-house grooves and post-boogie sounds, with fat synths, tiny drum machine programming and a catchy Afro vocals that energise and enthuse any DJ set. This has been sourced from the original master tapes so you can be sure it sounds fat.
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