Peter Seiler - "Timebend" (feat Sheryl Hackett) (4:32)
Eoism - "Ultraverse" (5:00)
Voertuig - "Cego" (5:19)
Voertuig - "808 Ambient Jazz" (3:45)
Eoism - "Even Flow" (5:45)
Review: Colkin from Raw Soul and Mauke Club sets the tone on this new FUTUR compilation, which has been curated by Benedikt Meger with a spherical acid house meditation. Peter Seiler's track, a standout from the reissue of his debut album Flying Frames, features Sheryl Hackett's soulful vocals and merges song structure with jazz improvisation. Eoism from Pulse Drift, Undersound, and Inch By Inch delivers low-swung electro flavours perfect for sunset vibes while the B-side opens with Voertuig of Tonal Oceans and Cobra Club who presents a seriously raw acid jam followed by an experimental, jazzy piece, reminiscent of the 90s downtempo era. 'Eoism' closes things with a floating, futuristic banger, going to make a well rounded (in more ways than one) and ultimately very useful piece of vinyl.
Review: You might have caught onto German label Synq with their release of John Dimas' Rave Wave back in 2020, and now the label finally kicks back into action with a various artists release which widens the scope of the label. DJ Gus leads the way on the A-side with 'Toxic Dementor', a throbbing workout taking cues from Italo and Hi-NRG while retaining the cool demeanour of a modern day club track. Lis Sarroca throws down a dreamy electro beat on 'Solstice' and Voodoos & Taboos brings the heat to 'Press One' before Cosmic JD cleans up with the trancified wig-out 'Soft R@ve'.
Review: Notes on A Journey kicks off their new self titled NOAJ edit series here with edits of two tunes from each of Germannu and Valeria. Making those careful edits are real scene mainstays - Delfonic is first and is the man behind the much loved Berlin store OYE Records so has a vast knowledge of what sells and what works well on the dancefloor. He offers a super cool and breezy version of the lush Latin tune 'Fale De Mim' and a more percussive and bumping take on 'Marcacao.' Acclaimed DJ and tasteful selector Mendel then offer this own versions which are just as summery, feel good and life affirming gems for floors who like real music.
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: Mishell Ivon and Vincent Kwok are back and combining their skills once more with this brilliant bouncy new funk outing on The Sleepers. The first tune on this pocket-rocket of a 7" is 'High', a funky weapon that is high on life and built around well-syncopated drums and a percussive bassline. The icing on the cake is Mishell's vocals which weave in out of the synth stabs and lush keys, all of which are well arranged. Flip it over and you'll get lost in the funk once more with 'In The Dust' with its masterfully rhythmic bassline and more of those buttery Mishell vocals.
Musta - "Loving Me" (feat Venessa Jackson - Hot Toddy remix) (8:03)
Danny Kane - "Sucker" (feat Jacqui George) (4:56)
Jaegerossa - "Street Player" (6:05)
Stan Boogie - "Speak Out" (Qwestlife remix) (5:45)
Review: Riot's popular Disco Made Me Do It Series notches up a third volume of beats here that will once again get floors vibing. Musta's 'Loving Me' is up first in the form of a Hot Toddy remix that twists and turns on groovy synths and sensuous vocals. There is a big diva feel and clean synth lines to Danny Kane's 'Sucker' that fill the heart with joy and then old-school funk comes to the fore on Jaegerossa's musical 'Street Player.' Completing the picture is the Qwestlife remix of Stan Boogie's 'Speak Out' which is another timeless cut with authentic disco loops and lovely vocal energy.
Kikko Esse & Emanuele Del Carmine - "Funky Tranky" (7:06)
Vagabundo Club Social - "Calabao" (6:00)
Review: The Tropical Disco crew continue to show an utter disregard for the season by serving up more of their seamy and summer grooves. The super strong Various Artists collection kicks off with the funky bass riffs of 'In Motion' from Phazed Groove, who ride the riffs and fluttering flute lines to the cosmos and back again. Ziggy Phunk gets more raw and punchy with a freewheeling disco house cut that will shake your booty loose and on the backside are two more timeless tracks: 'Funky Tranky' has lush trumpets reaching for the skies and 'Calabao' brings a real Latin vibe and flailing percussive energy.
Review: Almost a year to the day on from the release of the first release from their hush-hush Pezzate imprint, dusty-fingered Italian crate diggers Twice and Volcov with more must-have re-edits of suitably little-known gems. Check first the untitled A-side, where one of the two producers (we're not sure who edited what) successfully takes their scalpel to a sparkling slab of synthesizer-heavy jazz-funk brilliance full of two-step drum machine beats, squelchy acid-style electronics, comforting chords and kaleidoscopic lead lines. There's a more deliciously Balearic feel to the flipside edit, which boasts extended jazz guitar solos and elongated synthesizer chords riding a Latin-tinged fusion groove.
Review: Samosa Records is back with a summer edition titled Afrikano Vol. 1, featuring four tracks from various artists. On the A-side, Vagabundo Club Social kick things off with the life-affirming boogie vibes of 'Mr. Mista', while by C. Da Afro & De Gama are equally uplifting on 'Sweet Dance' that's all about the beat and horn breakdowns.Over on the flip, Atchoum & Grincheux appear with the spiritual life music of 'Demokousse' remixed by Les Inferno who underpins the track with infectious breakbeats and finally Lego Edit provides goes poolside and sunset on the low slung 'Afromaniaco'.
Roland & Brother Rich - "Roger Moore's Living Room" (6:23)
Review: Tropical Disco have now served up an impressive 22 volumes of timeless and wonderfully seductive disco tunes. These are sounds that will brightened up your life and make it sunny even if the real weather is awful, as it is now at the end of October while we write this. Vagabundo Club Social bring Latin vibes to their big, horn lead opener 'Costero.' Monsieur Van Pratt's 'Jazz Player' then leads with a more seductive horn sound and slide guitars that get you grooving. Infradisco's 'Aungasana!' layers up steamy 80s sax lines with neon chords and bulky disco house beats and Roland & Brother Rich close out with a deep and jazzy house groove straight from a Detroit basement.
Fun Kool - "Policy Aziendale" (feat Bcleo & Anna Dee Tee) (6:19)
Review: The popular Tropical Disco Records imprint offers up split EP number 28, a typically action-packed and club ready collection of cuts from experienced heads and newcomers alike. Label regulars Vagabundo Club Social kick things off with 'Zumba X', a lightly 'fixed' and straightened-out slab of low-slung Afro-funk/Afro-boogie excellence with just the right amounts of psychedelic sounds, before Russian producer ScruScru turns a horn-heavy African disco instrumental into a disco-house treat. Turn to the reverse for Da Lucas's chunky disco-house re-wire of Rostario Cristofaro's 'From My Soul' - a heavily orchestrated, Clavinet-sporting treat - and the P-funk-flecked dub disco excellence of Fun Kool's 'Policy Aziendale', featuring Bcleo and Anna Dee Tee - the EP's standout moment.
Review: On their latest EP for Incoherent Data, producer Valerio Della Notte prove themselves to be not only a slick producer but also a rather amazing vocodist. Setting about exploring the boundary between human emotions and digital tech, 'Silicon Love' sets the stage for a four-track, new beatific bust-up of galactic proportions; unfortunately we can't make out the lyrics, but that more or less doesn't matter, due to the existence of auditory pareidolia; we hear what we want to hear. A2, B1 and B2 are equally as weighty and synthetic glitter-caked, bewitching the ears with power chords and mega-triads of the most excessive and luxuriant variety. Only 'ZXC' dubifies things somewhat, steering more quizzical through glassier square leads, like a cutting room floor fragment from a mid-career New Order studio session.
Review: 'Girassol' has long been one of the hardest-to-find gems in Brazilian great Marcos Valle's vast catalogue of sun-drenched musical treats. It was initially recorded and released as a promo-only seven-inch, with copies being handed out to customers of a Brazilian supermarket chain. This, then, marks the track's first ever commercial release. In its' original form (side A), 'Girassol' is a lusciously short, soft-focus affair - a two-minute chunk of laidback, jazz-funk influenced South American boogie bliss with the kind of high production values that you'd expect from Valle during his successful post-disco period. As with the original 7", it comes backed with the slightly more elaborate 'Playback' instrumental mix, where gentle, eyes-closed saxophone solos come to the fore.
Review: For the latest volume in their ongoing Brazil 45s series, Mr Bongo has decided to change tack. The two tracks showcased here are from the golden age of Brazilian boogie. On the A-side you'll find Marcos Valle's "A Paraiba Nao E Chicago", a largely overlooked cut from his 1981 full-length Vontade De Rever Voce. While not as instantly as infectious as some of his better-known singles, it's still superb; a breezy, blue-eyed soul cut full of rising horns and sweet Portuguese vocals. On the B-side, you'll find Don Beto's 1978 disco-funk jam "Nao Quero Mais", a superb track that was seemingly inspired by the Doobie Brothers' "Long Train Running".
Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti - "Aleluia" (3:52)
Review: Two silky sides of Brazilian disco soul on Mr Bongo's perennial Brazil 45s series. First up, long-haired lothario samba fusionista Marcos teams up with Leon Ware for a pristine polished piece of early 80s disco funk. Golden harmonies, staccato vocals and a super juicy bassline; it's not hard to see why it was his best selling single. Flip for the equally smooth "Alleluia" from Brazilian boogie gospelist; this one is all about the percussion heavy breakdown. Proper sunshine block party business.
Review: We cannot get enough of Washington, DC-based label Peoples Potential Unlimited. It deals in a particular brand of lo-fi funk and disco with a hit of the leftfield about it. This time out they unearth some lost recordings from Landyhill (Timex Social Club) Bay Area funk. It has the rude girl vocals of Jamie Vallo over crunchy beats, squeaking synth motifs and raw drum work. Word on the street is more demos have been found from the same era and are to be unveiled soon, but this previously unreleased jam is a great starter.
Review: Austin's Vapor Caves enlist funk heavyweights XL Middleton and E. Live for a powerful remix release that brings plenty of dance floor goodness. On the A-side, XL Middleton, who is rightly dubbed the 'Modern Funk King', delivers a high-energy boogie-blast that elevates the original track to new heights. Flip to the B-side and you will find E. Live crafting a smooth, jazz-infused remix with a relaxed, soulful vibe that's sure to win over any right-thinking dancefloor. Star Creature is on a winning streak at the moment and here delivers yet another essential joint for fans of modern funk.
Review: Fans of UK street soul from the mid-80s you need this one in your life as Heels & Souls Recordings returns with its eighth reissue and unveils some treasures by Elaine Vassell and 3rd Zone. In 1993, amidst the rise of house music, UK soul thrived, accompanied by its DIY street soul sibling as perfectly exemplified here by 'Never Give Up' which boasts a raw, breakbeat-driven groove, blending soulful house, hip-hop, and r&b, while 3rd Zone's 'You Stole My Heart' from 1991, later featured on their 1993 EP No Real Reason, offers a tender yet tough underground vibe. Both tracks showcase the era's spirit, proving that creativity trumps big budgets. Each side includes an alternate version for added depth and diversity.
Review: Yet another 12" rarity from the annals of UK funk & boogie history - this time the 1985 cut 'Sexy Lady' from VeiraKrew. Carribean-born and British-raised pianist Elvis Veira moved to England alongside his pianist and music teacher mother at the age of two, quickly becoming proficient on piano, guitar and bass by his early teens. His love for playing music and singing in choirs propelled him on this musical journey, and his late teens to 20s saw him supporting acts such Heatwave, Wham, Katrina and the Waves and more. In 1983 he started working under the alias VeiraKrew, and a couple of years later in 1985 laid down this 12", backed up with the title track's killer instrumental version and the B-side 'Welcome to a Dream'. It was self-released by Veira, quickly becoming a collector's item with clean copies changing hands for up to 150 a piece. The instrumentals are fresh and filled with life, and 'Welcome to a Dream' is an incredible mid-tempo bopper. Well worthy of a repress, and is sure to be in demand - so don't delay!
Review: Two Velvet Hammer heaters finally get reissued officially here for the first time since 1977, a mere 45 years since their original release, this time on limited edition red vinyl. 'Party Hardy' is a gorgeous disco groover and an essential slice of Chicago history via Soozi Records, whilst the flip, 'Happy', is the ultimate feel-good modern soul classic and about as anthemic as they get. The appeal of this record knows no limits whether you've heard it once or one hundred times. With mint originals being virtually impossible to get your hands on and second-hand copies that do come up clocking in at L250+, this is a no brainer.
Review: Yugoslavia went through unthinkable turmoil during the break up of the Soviet Union, which is why it is all the more astounding even all these years on that it had quite such a fertile and innovative music scene. In 1984, Zoran Jevtic and Zoran Vracevic were a key part of it and helped revolutionise the sound of the day by introducing synth-pop, breakbeat and hip-hop with their Data and The Master Scratch Band projects. Their releases paved the way for modern electronic sounds and this album dives deep into that era and compiles their earliest unreleased works from between 1981 and 1983. It's a daring exploration of genres including industrial, EBM, minimal synth and electro-funk. It adds up to a true digger's gem that will significantly elevate your vinyl-hunting credentials without having to do the hard work yourself.
Review: Vertigini's Thunder EP is an electrifying journey through 80s-inspired Italo house, disco and space funk, spiced with a touch of electro. Released on Bordello A Parigi, this EP perfectly captures the essence of Nu-Disco and Balearic House. Side-1 opens with 'Thunder,' a track brimming with futuristic Italo house vibes, melodic synths, and electro flair. 'Galaxy Funk' follows with great keys and a catchy acid line, making it an instant favourite. Side-2 shifts the mood with 'Final Space,' presenting more serious, French-sounding house elements that add depth to the EP. 'Space Trip' concludes the record on a high note, offering fun and melodic rhythms that encapsulate the playful spirit of space funk. Thunder EP is a vibrant, nostalgic, and innovative collection that will resonate with fans of disco and Nu-Disco. Looking for something unique? Check this out.
Review: In 1986, the Italo disco world was rocked to its dancing shoes by Virgin's debut single 'Tell Me Why' on Time Records. Featuring the beautiful vocals of Tiziana Negrello, it was a dazzling delight and afterwards over time, Virgin's sound evolved into what became known as Eurobeat with various vocalists stepping in. Fast forward to today, and Iventi d'Azzurro has teamed up with Tiziana and the talented Mirko Hirsch to bring you 'Let's Dance', another surefire hit in the Virgin legacy. Packed with big drums and shiny arps as well as signature infectious energy, it's a total must-have.
The Vision - "Heaven" (feat Andreya Triana - Danny Krivit edit) (6:21)
The Dangerfeel Newbies - "What Am I Here For?" (original NDATL vocal - Danny Krivit edit) (8:45)
Review: Since the 1970s Danny Krivit has been a prolific re-editor. We're used to him cutting up classic cuts - think disco and soul, in particular - but he's never been afraid to turn his talents to contemporary cuts. That's what you get on this surprise Defected release. On the A-side he turns his attention to "Heaven", the killer gospel-inspired modern disco single from The Vision and Andreya Triana, turning in a version with plenty of drops, instrument solos and more emphasis on the righteous, life-affirming vocals. He's in a smoother mode on side B, extended and rearranging the rich and soulful dancefloor treat that is Kai Alce's Original NDATL vocal mix of The Dangerfeel Newbies' "What Am I Here For?" - a gem from 2016 that has previously been criminally overlooked.
Review: Following some great releases by Madrid legend Casbah 73, Secret Rendezvous and Moods, Kraak & Smaak's Boogie Angst returns this week with a new one by German-born/Amsterdam-based Marcel Vogel. The Lumberjacks In Hell chief serves up five typically disco oriented cuts on Games Change; there's the boogie-down vibe of 'Head Back In The Game' featuring a smooth vocal, followed by the late night mood music of 'Keep On Stepping' (extended) featuring another brilliant vocal performance by talented singer Lyma. Over on the flip, they treat you to the low slung affair 'Funk Money' and truly the sensual number 'Popping My Cherry'.
Tu Mens Devant Moi (feat Ramatou Traore - Voilaaa remix) (4:08)
Spies Are Watching Me (feat Sir Jean - Patchworks remix) (7:50)
Review: It's a while since we last heard from Bruno 'Patchworks' Hovart's Afro-disco focused Violaaa project, so this surprise set of remixes of back catalogue tracks is more than welcome. Fittingly, three of the versions come from Hovart himself under different aliases. There's a fine, tropical-tinged, sun-splashed Violaaa revision of 'Tu Mens Divant Moi' that doffs a cap to zouk music, and two deep house-tinged Patchworks versions of classic cuts. The mix of the outfit's underground hit 'Spies Are Watching Me' is a brilliant alternative take on a familiar favourite (it certainly breathes new life into the track), while the samba-house-in-Ghana revision of 'Ben Bene La' is brilliant. Throw in a quality J Kriv deep nu-disco version of 'Ku La Foon' and you have an excellent EP of tasteful, club-ready cuts.
On Te L'Avait Dit (Dimitri From Paris Super Disco Blend) (7:37)
Spies Are Watching Me (Africaine 808 remix) (5:55)
On Te L'Avait Dit (Dimitri From Paris Super Disco dub) (6:37)
Review: Last year, Patchworks man Bruno Havart indulged his long-held love of Afro-disco via a fine album under the Violaa alias. Here, Africaine 808 and Dimitri From Paris take it in turn to remix tracks from that set. The latter serves up two epic interpretations of album title track "On Te L'avait Dit". There's a full Disco Blend, in which he carefully teases out the track by layering up the original production before unleashing the catchy vocal, and a pleasingly percussive, groove-driven Dub. Interestingly, Africaine 808's mix of previous single "Spies Are Watching Me" sticks fairly close to the original, craftily emphasizing Havart's percussion, punchy horns and rich, Afro-disco bass.
Review: A warm welcome back to Bruno Hovart's Voilaaa project, traditionally a revivalist Afro-disco vehicle best known for 2015 dancefloor smash 'Spies Are Watching Me'. 'Fache', featuring Pat Kalla, explores similar sonic territory, with punchy Afrobeat horns, woozy chords and crunchy clavinet licks rising above a low-slung, hypnotic, dub disco-meets-Afro-boogie groove. It comes accompanied by a fine, effects-laden instrumental dub and a trio of similarly tasty bonus cuts: the warming, early garage-house and deep house influenced 'Trouble Travel' (featuring Jai-Nah), the languid, soulful and Latin-influenced 'Too Young To Die (featuring Olivia)' and the Afro-speckled disco-goes-jazz-funk loveliness of 'Trop Jeune Pour Sa'.
La Kappa (Fabrizio Mammarella Italorama mix) (6:38)
Review: If you like the sound of a mystical fusion of ancient Japanese folklore and contemporary electronic music, this EP created by Italian producer Volantis and Japanese artist Hiroko is for you. Inspired by a psychedelic experience in Kobe, it blends hardware synthesis with haunting vocals to cook up otherworldly spiritual realms. The title track merges Hiroko's narration with Japanese train sounds while summoning ancient beings while Eden Burns' remix intensifies the ritualistic atmosphere. 'La Kappa' features Hiroko's playful vocals over dreamy sequences with Fabrizio Mammarella's Italorama Version adding a touch of Italo disco. The whole thing was co-produced with Niccolo Barozzi and bridges East and West seamlessly.
Review: The boutique label from Milan is back with a 6 tracker ep. Masterminds Volantis and Nicodemo present Spaziotempo EP, serving up 4 brand new tracks and asking two of most-in-demand producers out there to put their hands on, Bell Towers and Andras, the two hitmakers from Australia. This record dangerously contains "hands in the air" moments and blissful vibes.
Review: The second installment of Multi-Culti's Moon Faze Sun Gaze series is a typically psychedelic affair, with an impressive cast of producers delivering a quintet of trippy workouts. Von Party & Dreems join forces to present "Wet Raga", a spaced-out combination of delay-laden drums, space disco electronics, and Eastern mysticism. The ever-reliable Red Axes fuses heavy post-punk bass, with punchy percussion and minimal wave melodies on the excellent "Boosha Gdola", while Dreems go solo on the weirdo acid-electro bubbler "Sine O'The Tymes". Nick Murray and Kris Baha underpin psychedelic disco electronics with the heavyweight throb of house on "Say Something", before Cocolo draws proceedings to a close with the pitched-down shuffle of analogue wobbler "F33lings".
Review: You always know that any new 12" from Bordello A Parigi is going to come doused in electric synth work and bright melodies. Voodoos & Taboos do just that on this retro-future new outing, the Reversible Dream EP. The title cut races out of the blocks, awash with glassy pads and prickly percussive grooves, robot vocals and raw beats. 'Unconditional Love' rides on more lush arps, this time with a slightly more melancholic feel. 'Animae' is a stomping disco-house workout with angular beats and prying leads and 'Destino Lontano' closes out with a brilliantly psychedelic comedown sound perfect for after the rave.
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