Review: RNT welcomes Brooklyn-based band 79.5 to the family with the first single from their forthcoming eponymous LP. Soulful and psychedelic, the haunting melodies of Club Level float above a steady strutting rhythm section, punctuated by moaning baritone saxophone and drenched in washy reverb.
NYC mainstay Eli Escobar crafts a masterful remix that leans into 80s nostalgia, with a soundscape and arrangement nothing short of perfection.
Review: Italian talent Giuseppe steps up to Loft Records with a trip back to the 80s. He fuses everything from Italo house to post-punk, techno and synth pop into these warming grooves and does so with a fine array of hardware tools including the Yamaha DX7, Korg monologue and Behringer Crave, all of which lend their distinctive palettes. 'Flying Minds' is a musical techno opener with singing leads and crunchy beats, and that bright sense of melody also defines 'This Is My Show' and the playful, angular grooves of 'No More Dark Music'. 'Takinti' shuts down with the rawness of a proto-house cut and sugary synths of a classic Italo gem.
Review: Back in the late '70s and early '80s, Aquarian Dream's "Phoenix" was something of an anthem on the UK's soul all-dayer scene. While ostensibly a disco record, the band's jazz-funk roots ensured that it was particularly popular with serious dancers, particularly those who headed for the jazz room rather than the main dancefloor. The Norman Connors-produced cut remains something of a must-have for disco DJs who like their grooves to come with a fair dollop of instrumental solos. This timely re-press also includes the even wilder "East 6th Street" - originally included on the 1979 UK re-issue - which features Aquarian Dream band-members trading solos over a killer disco-funk groove.
Review: For some reason, South Africa was a hotbed of over-the-top, sometimes synth-laden space disco in the late 1970s. Recently Ultra Vybe re-edited and remixed one of the most famous examples, 'Love in Space' by Rene Riche and Her Cosmic Band, and here give another sought-after South African gem the same treatment. Blush's 'Lift Off' first appeared in 1980 and features two female singers banging out suitably cosmic lyrics atop driving drums, twisted synthesizer lines and clipped guitar riffs. It's undeniably catchy and over-the-top in the best possible way, as a quick listen to the A-side "45 Edit" will prove. Over on the flip, U Key fiddles with some filters and provides bumping new drums, thus transforming the track into a disco-house treat.
Bruise - "When Pianos Attack" (The Reflex Revision) (8:09)
Lou Hayter - "Time Out Of Mind" (The Reflex dubavision) (6:01)
Lou Hayter - "Time Out Of Mind" (The Reflex Revision) (6:17)
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: Charlie Charlie's 'Save Us' is a track brimming with raw emotion, and Mondag's remix feels like a perfect counterpart, bringing a subtle touch of melancholy with its soft saxophone solo. The track maintains its weight, but Mondag's approach gives it a dream-like quality, coaxing out the depths of its aching beauty. Bella Boo's edit brings a noticeable shift, tightening the rhythms and infusing the track with a sharper energy, but it never loses the soul of the original. Gerd Janson, meanwhile, offers an ambient version that feels like an entirely different experience - less immediate, but no less absorbing. On the other side, Hypernatural's remixes expand on the dreamlike, almost otherworldly feeling of the originals. Knightlife's take on 'Spirit Walk' stretches the song's already fluid nature, making it feel weightless, while Gerd Janson's remix of 'Stormfront' adds a darker, more reflective mood.
Review: A long-overdue revival of an underground German gem from 1984, Jurgen Grah and Markus Kammann crafted a sound that fused early new beat, synth-pop and electro with a sharp sense of groove. Collage's 'Mit Den Puppen Tanzen' resurfaces as making it a hidden treasure for fans of forward-thinking dance music. The title track is a sleek blend of disco and electro, layering pulsating synths over a club-ready rhythm that still feels ahead of its time. 'Schwarze Nacht' twists post-disco elements into something funkier, reinterpreting familiar grooves with fresh energy. 'Harter Film' leans further into an edgy new wave sound, its electro beat driving a tense yet undeniably danceable atmosphere. Balancing underground cool with accessible hooks, this is a record that effortlessly bridged electronic experimentation and dancefloor appeal. A vital listen for those who appreciate the history of an exciting time between post-disco, house music and the 80s new wave sound.
Review: This release sees the Crossroads production team joining forces with rising Italian soul singer Cler for a captivating reimagining of two classics ia soulful dance anthem penned by Shawn Christopher, receives a fresh update, its uptempo r&b groove adding a contemporary edge to the timeless melody. Cler's vocals shine on both the radio and dub versions, showcasing her impressive range and soulful delivery. On the flipside, she tackles the iconic 'Georgy Porgy', infusing the classic track with a warm, nu-soul groove. Once again, both radio and dub versions are offered, highlighting the versatility of the production and Cler's captivating vocals. This release is a testament to the enduring power of classic soul music and the exciting potential of this rising star.
Review: The strongly titled Death Breaks label, artistic outfit and release series isn't as terrifying as it may sound. For funk and disco loves, in fact, it's magic. This seventh volume kicks off with King Errisson's 'Well Have A Nice Day,' which brings some bright Philly style strings to funky bass riffs, luxurious arrangements and plenty of big horns all with a playful vocal. On the flip is In Search Of Orchestra's more driving and upbeat dancefloor disco pumper 'Phenomena Theme' with squelchy synth bass and jumbled drums and perc.
Double A - "Oh My God" (Double A's Mid Tempo Rewor) (3:53)
Review: The EastSide Edits label outta Canada is here to provide big moments of fun for jobbing DJs. Their first EP sold out in quick fashion because of the irresistible nature of the mash-ups it contained. Now comes a second volume, this time in the form of a couple of edits. Demiur's Jacked Payboi edit of his own take on massive rap hit 'WAP' is smoothed out into a chunky house groove with all the controversial original lyrics from Cardi B and Megan the Stallion left in place. On the flip is a big, shimmering disco epic in the form of Double A - 'Oh My God' (Double A's Mid Tempo Rework).
Kool & The Gang - "Give It Up" (DJ Soopasoul edit) (4:02)
Aretha Franklin - "Rock Steady" (DJ Soopasoul edit) (3:30)
Review: Jalapeno jive maestro Soupasoul had another standout year, in 2024 and only heightened his reputation for crafting exceptional edits that bring new life into funk standards and hidden gems. With a sharp focus on the groove-rich breaks, he is back once again with another instalment that will ignite dance floors everywhere. This time his scorching rework of 'Give It Up' spotlights dynamic horn interplay and soulful jazzy choruses and 'Rock Steady' celebrates Aretha's powerful vocals paired with a killer breakbeat. These finely tuned edits honour the originals while adding fresh energy.
Make Me Move (feat Chelsea 'Chesta' Blake - Boogie version) (4:50)
Here's To You (feat Jolie Davenport) (4:39)
Review: As E Live, Eli Hurwitz is such a big part of the Star Creature Universal Vibrations family that they gave him his own sub-label, Elivity Records. His latest fantastic 45 doesn't appear on either of those imprints, but rather parent label Tugboat Editions. For those who like authentic-sounding revivalist boogie, we'd recommend picking this up - both tracks are re-inventions of old tunes with E Live's colourful, synth-powered twist. Check first 'Make Me Move', where glossy female vocals rise above a squelchy bassline, shimmering synths and unfussy drum machine percussion. Even better though is Hurwitz's flip-side cover of Skyy classic 'Here's To You' - a boogie gem that he re-invents as as a deeper, smoother and dreamier slab of neo-boogie squelchiness.
Review: The music of Earth Wind and Fire is pretty inescapable, but you won't find us complaining. The American soul, disco and funk collective have crafted some of the greatest dance floor tunes of all time, and they still bang decades later. This Ultimate Collection gathers together the best of them on nice heavyweight yellow vinyl. From the epic 'Boogie Wonderland' to the more sentimental 'Fantasy' via super funky gem 'September' there is plenty to love here. First released in July 1999 on Columbia Records, it claimed high in the album charts and remains an invaluable collection.
Review: For those too young to remember the days of glitch-house and electro-house at the turn of the noughties (think Herve, Switch, Claude Vonstroke etc), Fake Blood was one of the true masters of the style. He released a swathe of big records for Cheap Thrills and others, with the two tracks collected here - both of which date from 2009 - being the biggest. A-side 'I Think I Like It' is a superb example of the style, with the producer expertly cutting up a pleasingly silly and over-the-top disco-pop number and turning it into sweat-soaked, hands-aloft gold. 'Mars', meanwhile, gains its dancefloor power from a frankly filthy, mind-altering bassline-turned-lead-line, around which crispy drums, breakbeats and Mylo-esque synth stabs make their presence felt.
Review: Working with its sister label OST Recordings, Acid Jazz releases a new version of 'Family Tree' by Family Tree, on a smart-looking label based on the look of the original's Ananda label. For the first time since 1975, this new reissue comes with the Kevin Beamish Disco version and a shorter disco mix, as was initially compiled. Handcrafted by 'I Specialize In Love' hitmaker Sharon Brown and her group Family Tree, this eponymous disco-funk sheller is an unpolished study of musicianship above overproduction; the drums are dynamic and dry, lending ample space to Sharon's nostalgic familial reminiscences.
DJ Jazzy Jeff & Kaidi Tatham - "Doin' The Most" (7:32)
Matthew Law - "Dilla's Disco" (4:10)
Review: The Private Stock label is back with more of their irresistible house magic with a limited translucent red splattered 12" featuring some pretty big names. Terry Hunter kicks off with the sort of guitar-laced roller that you imagine would have been massive at Paradise Garage with 'Go Back Jack' then Ian Wallace brings big and sunny house stomps with his 'From Beginning To End.' DJ Jazzy Jeff & Kaidi Tatham then team up for the irresistibly feel-good disco, soul and house fusion that is 'Doin' The Most' and Matthew Law lays down dusty MPC drums with grinning bass and lo-fi atmospheres on the perfectly entitled 'Dilla's Disco.'
Review: At first, we thought Jack's only residence was 'the house'. It was only 'the house' that we assumed to be the place of Jack's groove; never did we guess that our mythical friend ever set foot into the discotheque for the odd wonkier shakedown now and then. So too do Jackin' Disco prove us wrong with two new Jackin' Disco edits; here of Basement Jaxx's 'Red Alert' and Locksmith's 'Far Beyond', both of which bringing a bangingly driven flair to an otherwise skeletal yet latent-potent pair of OGs.
If It Ain't Jazz, we don't know what it has! Back, after a punctuated pause, the label return to dazzle us with their enduring, distinctive brand of instrumental disco-soul razzmatazz, and here we hear Laroye and Aroop Roy rub two heads' choices up the right way, both into phattened, globular, kick-boosted anthems. First comes 'You're A Star', an electroni-cization of Aquarian Dream's 1978 disco explosion, to which Laroye brings much extra shimmy and sway. Then there's Roy's 'Let The Music Play', sampling an unknown (to us) number that - don't get caught off guard - certainly *isn't* Shannon's freestyle hit from 1983. Whatever it is though, it's a banger too!
Review: With a career spanning almost four decades, Luca Travesi aka LTJ Xperience is no stranger to legendary Italian label IRMA, on which he brings the funk once again on his latest effort 'Feeling Better', a slo-mo and seriously lo-slung dancefloor heater featuring powerful vocals underpinned by dope beats and psyched-out motifs. Elsewhere, there's the soulful downbeat journey 'Before You Know It' featuring some killer horns, and some top class acid jazz arriving in the form of B-side cut 'Let's Dance'.
Tu Amor (feat Persona RS - Your Love Spanish version) (5:40)
Tu Amor (feat Persona RS- Double Drop Luke E Soul re-edit) (7:14)
Review: Sometimes, the right track just lands in your lap. That's exactly what happened with Mamacita's 'Tu Amor', a Chilean cover of Jamie Principle & Frankie Knuckles' 'Your Love'. Originally released in 2012, it started making waves after being played in sets by the Idjut Boys, catching the attention of DJ Steve KIW, who passed it on to Mr Bongo. It quickly became a favorite. While playing in Barcelona, Luke Una dropped the track in his set, and it instantly clicked with him. The track's raw, DIY vibe, paired with its quirky arrangement, made it a perfect fit for E Soul Cultura, and now it's getting its first vinyl release. The song was created by Chilean DJ Mamacita (Carolina Vallejos) and producer Persona RS (Sebastian Roman) on lo-fi equipment, channeling a DIY energy that recalls early Chicago house. It became a hit in Chile's underground scene, though it didn't receive much attention outside of Latin America and the US. For this release, Luke Una and Luke Solomon re-edited it, extending the track and emphasising its wonky synths, while still keeping that unique cosmic feel. Both the original and the re-edit are included in this vinyl release, bringing new life to a previously overlooked gem.
Review: Those fine folks behind the otherworldly Multi-Culti imprint have decided to launch a re-edit series, naturally focusing on reworks of weird and wonderful, off-kilter gems from around the world. This first serving of Cult Edits naturally contains some seriously tasty and exotic fare, most notably the parping, horn-heavy shuffle of Manfredas's "Mani From The Block", a stretched-out interpretation of what appears to be a Turkish style funk weird-out. Flip to the B-side for two more heavyweight slabs of wild goodness: the low-slung, dub-fired post-punk insanity of Siaubas's "Hare Hare" rework, and the throbbing, chant-along drug-chug of Simple Symmetry's brilliant "Yalla" interpretation.
Judy Carter - "Listen To The Music" (12" version) (5:57)
Janet N'Diaye Lokamba - "Funky & Fire" (4:53)
KKE - "Money" (4:03)
Caramel - "L'amour Toujours L'amour" (12" version) (5:56)
Yannick Chevalier - "Ecoute Le Son Du Soleil" (instrumental) (4:06)
JEKYS - "Looking For You" (4:26)
Silence - "Un Peu D'amour" (3:40)
Wally & Shane - "Give Back My Song" (3:47)
Zorgus - "Flash" (3:36)
Joel Dayde - "Qu'est Ce Que Tu Fais Par Amour" (3:29)
Review: For those intrigued by the distinctively Gallic but authentically American-sounding world of French disco-boogie, Charles Maurice's ongoing compilation series should be essential listening. Here he serves up a third instalment that's every bit as good as its' acclaimed predecessors. Highlights naturally come thick and fast throughout, from the mid-80s dreaminess of Maya's undeniably Balearic "Lait De Coco (Dub)" and the Brenda Taylor-ish bounce of Judy Carter's brilliant "Listen to the Music", to the Leroy Burgess style piano stabs and Patrick Adams-ish disco production of Caramel's "L'Amour Toujours L'Amour". Oh, and the late night radio warmth of NST Cophies' "Segregation", a sweet, undulating workout that will no doubt find favour with Balearic selectors.
Review: The X Energy Records label from Italy was an iconic outlet in its day and now its vaults are being plundered for some Balearic treasure. This time it's Maxine who gets pulled doubt with some sensual androgynous vocals layered in next to dreamy synths and pulsating bass. The rhythm on 'Alien' is a playful one that is fresh and original and it gets reworked in three different ways here. Franky any of them will take you to the heart of the Amnesia dance floor back in the 90s. Man Made Mastering in Berlin has taken care of touching up the sound so this one really flies.
MFSB - "Love Is The Message" (feat The Three Degrees - Mike Maurro remix) (11:07)
The O'Jays - "Message In Our Music" (Mike Maurro remix) (11:10)
Review: Disco mixer Mike Muarro has been delivering tasteful, multi-track remixes of disco and soul classics for the last couple of years, and earlier in 2021 delivered a digital-only set of revisions of classic cuts from the Philadelphia International catalogue. This must-check 12" contains two of the most potent reworks from that set. On the A-side you'll find his epic, beautifully executed revision of MFSB's brilliant 'Love is the Message', which features rearranged elements and Tom Moulton style builds, drop outs and instrument solos. He takes a similar approach on the flip, wringing maximum energy and release from the O'Jays 'Message In Our Music' without adding any unnecessary instrumentation. If you're a fan of the Rephlex and Moplen's multi-track revisions, you'll love both remixes.
Review: Initially established by disco polymath Patrick Adams as a "low budget" studio band, Musique briefly burned brightly, releasing two albums and a handful of genuine dancefloor anthems. Their story started in 1978 with this double-header - produced by Adams and mixed by a youthful Francois Kevorkian - on Salsoul Records. This reissue has naturally been fully remastered for club play and is presented on rather fetching translucent fluorescent green vinyl. A-side 'In The Bush', an infectious and high-octane slab of restless disco-funk full of clipped guitar licks, propulsive bass, punchy horns and hybrid whispered/sung lead vocals, is the more celebrated and much-played of the two tracks, though the heavily orchestrated and Salsoul Orchestra style 'Keep On Jumpin' is also excellent.
Review: Having set out their stall via a fine first collaborative release on Bordello a Parigi a couple of months back, Mytron and Ofofo pitch up on Multi-Culti. As you'd expect from a label with such a strong track record of multi-cultural musical fusion, much of the EP defies easy categorization. Sure, you'll find a chunk of Italo-influenced electro ("Non-Binary Joys on the Venus Holodeck") and a couple of slabs of madcap disco-funk fusion ("Si Jambo" and "2Tac Onana"), but also a heavyweight slab of low-slung punk-funk/post disco ("Czary Mary"). Oh, and the skewed electro-funk-meets-intergalactic synth pop insanity of "Something for Your Mind", which also boasts some notably brain-melting vocoder action. More, please!
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