Review: When deciding on tracks to release on '45' for the first time, the Dynamite Cuts team seems to mine a mixture of sought-after sets, familiar favourites and overlooked obscurities. This single falls int the latter category, featuring as it does two killer cuts from Funk In Hell, a 1976 album by library music collective-turned-instrumental funk outfit Button Down Brass (a band founded by trumpeter and arranger Ray Davies). A-side 'Superstition' is simply superb: a down-low cover of Stevie Wonder classic 'Superstition' that sits somewhere between down-low library funk and Blaxploitation movie soundtracks, with a dash of big band funk thrown in. Instrumental flipside 'Shades of Hades' is equally as vibrant, with elongated electric guitar notes, heady hand percussion and spacey synth sounds combining superbly with spy-funk horns and weighty bass.As played by DJ Muro from Japan
Review: Captain Planet is a globe trotting DJ and producer who mixes up worldly roots music with his own fresh take on hip-hop and dancehall. For this one he joined up with Zuzuka Poderosa & Raphael Futura for a brilliant Brazilian disco and funk song that harks back to the 70s and 80s with influences like Tim Maia, Sandra Da Sa & Gilberto Gil. 'Moqueca' though also has some nice dance floor weight to it as well as the richly tropical percussion, steamy horns and seductive chords. On the flip is an instrumental and the good news is this is a taster of a full album to come.
Review: The irrepressible Gamm label knows a thing or two about disco, funk and soul. Yet more irrefutable evidence for that claim comes from this tidy 12" two tracker featuring some lost remixes. 'I'm In Love Dancin' takes source sounds from Arthur Russell's classic 'Is It All Over My Face' and repurposes them with gangling percussive lives, sunny flutes and mad horns to make for something that will shake your body loose. Flip it over for the steamy, sensuous, intense disco stomps of 'Imma Phreak' complete with fame coos and cries and plenty of dance floor clout. The legendary Rahaan and DJ Emanuel are in fine form here.
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.
Review: It's ten up for the FrescoEdits Iabel with this latest entry into their esteemed series and as always there are plenty of irresistible beats on offer. The in-house FrescoEdits add their touch to the glorious, string-laced and funky disco of 'Little Love' and bring bumping beats and funky guitar riffs to 'Philadelphia'. Rogue D's 'Pensi A Me' is a super smooth heart melter for dancing in the open air as the sun begins to fade, while Kings Of Groove's 'You Got The Funk' is a soulful, slapping house cut with cosmic synth energy and hooky vocals that will always bring the good times.
Review: The first in a new series of split 12 inch releases from the Peoples Potential Unlimited camp, with both sides containing some exceptional 80s boogie action. The piano heavy croon of Hill's ''Delicate Rose'' features on the A Side due to popular demand after featuring on the PPU DVD. On the flip current ABC Wisconsin news anchor Roshell Anderson gets a reminder of former soul glo glories.
Review: From Kon's forthcoming compilation on BBE entitled Kon & The Gang, this 12? sampler features two cuts taken from the LP and an exclusive remix from Boston producer and mix engineer Caserta, namely "Timeless" (Caserta mix)" a tasty serving of super deep and low slung disco goodness. A more functional edit for DJ use follows on "Timeless" (remix - Caserta mix)". On the flip Truccy (better known as Compost's Rainer Truby and Corrado Bucci) present "Closer", a gorgeous slo-mo house jam with a rolling groove fetauring all the good stuff: swirling Rhodes keys, groovy congas and hypnotic vox.
Lex, Dennis Liber, Rosa - "Una Sera D'Estate" (feat Max Giovara) (7:02)
Lex, Dennis Liber - "End Of The Line" (5:56)
Dennis Liber - "Playa Eden" (feat Sariela Camargo) (8:32)
Dennis Liber - "Hidden Island" (feat Ricardo Benitez) (4:17)
Review: Rocksteady Disco welcomes Dennis Liber & Lex for a standout debut here. Their four-tracker captures the magic of musical nights spent down in Mexican hotspot Tulum with organic and airy grooves aplenty. 'Una Sera D'Estate' (feat Max Giovara) exodus late-night warmth and loved-up vibes with its melodic bassline and disco-tinged house drums. 'End Of The Line' is more lively but is no less direct with its big drums and pointed bass phrasings. Liber then goes solo for the dreamy, Italo-tinged yet tropical 'Playa Eden' and wonderfully escapist closer 'Hidden Island' complete with Balearic beats and the sound of singing dolphins.
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".
Review: DC-based label Peoples Potential Unlimited aka PPU is a real favourite for us here. It's got a signature lo-fi funk sound and deals in perfectly ageless sounds with a big heart. Robbie M has been a frequent name in the label's catalogue and is back on this new 7" next to Midnight Express. The latter kicks off with big cosmic disco synths, hip-swinging claps and great vocals. Robbie M's brilliantly boogie-fried 80s electro-funk then appears in the form of 'I Need Good Lovin'' with its seductive vocals and catchy broken beats.
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.
Painel De Controle - "Relax" (extended Waxist version) (5:54)
Rabo De Saia - "Ripa Na Xulipa" (Charles Maurice extended version) (5:28)
Famks - "Labirinto" (Nick The Record extended version) (6:17)
Review: France's Favorite label dabbles in all things funky and disco-flavoured, and this time they've decided to go with a Brazilian edge on their latest 12". Painel De Controle begins with a Waxist mix of "Relax", a chilled-out boogie monster with sultry vocals, while "Ripa Na Xulipa" by Rabo De Saia is more uplifting and heavy on the disco strings. Finally, Nick The Record rewires "Labirinto" by Famks into a subtly electro-fied boogie nugget. Nice!
Review: Michigan-via-Ohio gospel group Rance Allen have been going for decades, and thanks to Expansion Records, two of their best known tunes now have a chance at relistenership. 'I Feel Like Going' on barely saw a resurfacing on YouTube, but just one listen and we're sure... this is a shockingly important slice of wax, with slapping electronic disco-soul production embedding sax, viola and castanets in what ought to be considered a criminally undersought pair of dance opals. A modern soul masterclass.
Monsieur Van Pratt Le Groove - "El Rap Clap O" (Regroove) (4:40)
Bully Boy - "Fear'n'Loathing In Funk Vegas" (4:34)
Ben Jamin - "Old Time Feeling" (4:50)
Review: French funk lovers Acts of Sedition roll out another tasty double 7" here that features some massive joints from around the world. First up is the Latin heat of Rare Cuts's 'Amigo Bracno' with its big, bright leads, string lushness and percolating, percussive groove goodness all finished with a great Portuguese vocal. Monsieur Van Pratt Le Groove's 'El Rap Clap O' (Regroove) hits a little harder but with similar funk playfulness and some great chord work and Bully Boy then offers the raw and strident funk of 'Fear'n'Loathing In Funk Vegas.' Ben Jamin slows it right down with the sun-kissed late night bliss of 'Old Time Feeling.'
Review: Following the excellent excavation of the Miami band's unreleased album Best Kept Secret, AOTN's Fryer treats us to his two favourite cuts on a 500-only never-to-be-repressed 45. Seeped in powerful vocal harmonies, "Let Go" is rare groove gold with smooth sax and a dynamic that keeps on surprising while "Will You Be There" is an end of night soul shakedown with a tenderness that's tangible in every element. Don't sleep on this... Or the album. One of AOTN's most exciting releases this year.
Review: Philadelphia International Records was of course a goldmine for irresistible soul sounds. One of the main men responsible for that was the legend Lou Rawls. This lovely new 12" brings together a couple of his signature sounds with subtle remix work by Mike Maurro. You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine' and 'See You When I Git There' have been taken from the original master tapes and given some modern dance floor touches to make them essential all over again. The a-side in particular has superb drums and aching vocals that stay with you a long time.
The Ray & John - "Day By Day" (instrumental) (6:08)
Angel'o - "Angelo" (5:19)
All Trouvee - "Darling" (3:50)
Angel - "Tomorrow Night" (3:53)
Eggs Time - "Feeling Action" (4:12)
Review: Leng Records' 59th release is something a little different: a very personal collection of largely obscure and hard-to-find gems, mostly created by European pop producers in the late '70s and early '80s, from artist and record collector Paul Beckett. Firmly Balearic and sun-soaked in tone, there's plenty to set the pulse racing throughout. For proof, first check Ray & John's 'Day By Day (Instrumental), which sounds like Please-era Pet Shop Boys reclining at a pool party in Rimini, before admiring the space rock/synth-pop fusion of 'Angelo' by Angel'o. Over on the flip, Beckett offers up three more slices of glassy-eyed goodness, with the loved-up deep synth pop of Angel and the fretless bass-sporting wooziness of Eggs Time standing out.
Review: Ron's Reworks, a series of scalpel jobs and lightly beefed-up reworks from Crazy P co-founder Jim Baron AKA Ron Basejam, has now reached its fourth volume. Predictably, the included material is every bit as well-crafted as its' similarly inclined predecessors. The standout is undoubtedly A-side 'They Speak Colour', a loopy, soft-focus disco-house jam whose relentless grooves, synthesizer splashes and simmering orchestration make it sound like Soundstream after a bong full of Marijuana smoke and several disco biscuits. Elsewhere, 'The City' is a canny revision of an unusual disco-boogie number that builds through sections of drums and cut-up, scat style vocals before finally flourishing late on, while 'The Cull' is a deep and meandering head-nodder tailor-made for warm-up sets and sit-down bar gigs.
Review: Ron's Reworks is a mysterious new edit label that deals in tweaking disco gems. Whether Ron is the name of the edit artist, or a nod to the fact these tunes might have been played Ron Hardy, we don't know, but we do know they are worth having: Gilles Peterson played the lush soul grooves of "Flight Of The Eisenberg" on his 6 Music show which should be all the support you need to know about, while "Heads" is a more deep cut of late night funk with playful riffs and a gorgeous vocal sample next to jazzy Rhodes keys. "The Jubes" ends things with a heartwarming gospel vocal from beautiful outfit The Supreme Jubilees that will leave you feeling warm inside.
Review: Red Greg, on Moton, delivers a trio of edits of obscure cuts from his seemingly endless record collection. Ten-minute A-side "Movin" is an undulating disco treat built around a killer bassline, twinkling melodies, punchy orchestration and one hell of a female vocal. On the flip you'll find the jaunty, horn-heavy disco-funk bump of "Desire", a superb rework of a barely known, bilingual gem, and the spiraling Caribbean disco-funk insanity that is peak-time workout/synthesizer wig-out "Trinidad Duke". All three edits have been "secret weapons" for the dusty-fingered DJ for some time, and can now be yours for less than nine English pounds. What's not to like?
Just Can't Wait (feat Lumi HD - Kid Creme remix) (4:51)
Just Can't Wait (feat Lumi HD - extended mix) (5:28)
One More Time (feat SANITY - Red Rack Em remix) (6:39)
One More Time (feat SANITY) (5:19)
Review: As we wait impatiently for the release of Sam Redmore's forthcoming debut album, Universal Vibrations, the hotly tipped producer has treated us to some club-ready revisions of two tracks from that set. In its extended mix form (track 2), 'Just Can't Wait' is an inspired slab of vocal boogie brilliance complete with heady Afrobeat style horns, sparkling piano riffs and a chorus so addictive it should probably come with a warning. Kid Creme's accompanying remix is a bouncier disco-funk revision rich in rubbery bass guitar, Nile Rodgers licks and jaunty electric piano stabs. Over on the flip, Latin-fired, rap-sporting Afro-breaks number 'One More Time' is given an airing, alongside a fine, stripped-back, sub-heavy deep Afro-house rub from Bristol-based veteran Red Rack'em.
Can't Fake The Feeling (12" instrumental mix) (5:25)
Review: Long-serving soulful house and jazz-funk band Reel Peeple has decided to inaugurate a new series of disco and boogie covers. On the A-side of this first EP they serve up vocal and instrumental covers of Evelyn 'Champagne' King electrofunk classic "I'm In Love". Although these are largely reverentially faithful to the King's version (even down to the synthesizer settings), they also feel a little more loose and groovy - thanks in no small part to the band's drummer. On the flipside they opt for a more traditional disco sound on their versions of Geraldine Hunt's "Can't Fake This Feeling". Aside from the additional of some synth strings and warm Rhodes chords, they too are pleasingly faithful to their source material.
Review: Reflex was a band assembled in the 1980s by drummer David Humphrey from bands including Public Image Ltd. and they put pout their biggest hit 'Funny Situation' privately via Star Records in 1981. Paint A Picture now serve up a first ever fully remastered and licensed reissue of the superb 7". An original will cost you upwards of L200 if you can find it so this is welcome indeed. The record includes an insert with some content on the release, which was made in the same studio and engineered by the same man as the classic Britfunk anthem 'Southern Freeze.' It is similarly tight and funky and will make any floor go off.
Review: For his latest trick, cheeky scamp The Reflex has turned his attention to the Herbie Hancock tune that inspired countless 1980s kids to don a tracksuit, grab a pair of Adidas Shelltoes and hurl themselves around like the Crazy Legs crew. Naturally, his version of 'Rockit' is a body-popping treat that subtly extends and rearranges sections - especially those containing Hancock's jammed-out synth parts - and adds a few tasty breakdowns before unleashing the now familiar melody. Over on the flip the French producer takes his scalpel to the Isley Brothers, providing a fine multi-track edit and extension of the group's much-loved, guitar-solo sporting proto-disco soul number 'That Lady'.
Review: The Reflex never fails to serve up dazzling edits and now he is back on Revision with another super tidy two tracker. Up first is 'Hpyflng,' a gloriously feel good tune with big soul vocals, hints of 60s funk in the grooves and muffled crowd noises to add extra atmosphere, and that's all before some mad xylophone work comes in to really take things to the next level. On the flipside, 'Strtgy' slows down and sinks into a more deep cut and fat bottomed gooey propped up by some rich funk bass. The hip swinging claps and breezy guitars really flesh out this stylish and seductive sound.
Review: Although the Australian outfit Regime roots are in revivalist funk, 'Never Gonna Stop' sees them turn their hands to warm, loved-up and sun-kissed soul of the kind that was once all the rage in the mid 1970s. The grooves are toasty, the male and female lead vocals effortlessly soulful, and the instrumental touches - think languid jazz guitar solos, sweeping strings and lazy, trumpet-heavy horn arrangements - little less than superb. Flipside 'Deuzy Vibe', a P-funk flavoured, turn-of-the-80s boogie-soul style affair, is almost as good. There aren't that many of these -vinyl 45s around, so buy now to avoid disappointment.
Review: Lips & Rhythm cruises into Summer 2024 with a new EP by Residentes Balearicos. Based in Ibiza, Alessandro Doretto and Luca Averna craft sun-drenched dance music from their island studio. The title track, 'Paraiso,' merges slowed-down Acid and Flamenco guitar with claps, creating a timeless vibe. 'Polvo Mineral' offers mystery with ethereal pads, robust drum fills, and chanting. 'I Wanna Dance' pays homage to the Italian Dream House era with lush chimes, driving synth lines, and pitched-down vocals. Gaspar Muniz, with roots in Brazil and New York, remixes 'Paraiso' into a breaky electro track perfect for late nights in Rio De Janeiro...or whoever you are so long as you shut your eyes and dream.
Review: This hand-stamped white label is the definition of a cheeky 12". It's an edit of the most celebrated tune by the one and only Gil Scott Heron that is primed and ready for good time dance floors. The drums have been beefed up and fattened out, the bassline has been given more weight and the vocal and flute have been left to do their thing up top. The results are high impact. The flipside is another edit of a big one in Aretha Franklin's 'Respect.' Once again the bottom end has had most work with some extra weight and richness, while a big sax rips up the groove as the vocals ring out.
Review: Rhyze was a legendary New York based funk, soul and R&B band and they put out a classic album Just How Sweet Is Your Love on the SAM Records label back in the 80s. One of the little known but killer cuts from it is 'Do Your Dance.' It has driving horns over driving drums, with a slick bassline weaving in and out from front to back. The buttery vocal chants are simply irresistible, too. On the flip is the more peak time, floor filling bit of dynamite 'Free' with its irrepressible horns and clipped, kinetic drums.
Do U Love Me (feat Vanessa Freeman - The DJ mix) (7:08)
The Party (feat Hannah Khemoh) (6:08)
Review: This EP marks a sixth outing for the always fresh Stereo:type which deals in soulful house and disco fusions with a timeless edge. Risk Assessment is behind plenty of them, including this lovely 12" which opens with the deep house throb of 'The Way I Feel'. A dub version strips out the soulful vocal hooks then the flip opens with 'Do U Love Me' (feat Vanessa Freeman - The DJ mix) which is a proper bit of house music songwriting with US garage drums and soaring vocals. Last of all is 'The Party' (feat Hannah Khemoh) which is more upright and intended to get the floor pumping.
Review: UK artist Risk Assessment is back once again with some potent sonic weaponry that is designed to make a big impact in the club. All four of the disco cuts are peak time sounds starting with 'Something New' which is awash with some crystalline synths and gloriously lush pads. 'Party People' is nice raw and live-sounding disco with lo-fi drums, slapping hits and a James Brown-style funk vocal. 'Like This Like That!' brings some funky little guitar motifs and a jumble of percussion while last of all, 'Girl At The Disco' shuts down with a more sensuous sound and slinky grooves that worm their way into your affections.
Review: Athens Of The North has never been shy in putting out music. The label is always working on a wealth of different projects it seems and this month drops a couple of very tasty - as per usual - 7"s. Rivage was a leading band in the 70s modern soul scene and one long loved by the Athens label head. He put out a first-ever reissue of their Sit-in On It LP last year and now serves up some of the singles from it, namely the flute-led joy of 'Strung Out On Your Love' and 'All My Love For You,' a comforting soul tune with swirling grooves and classic falsetto vocals. Lovely stuff.
Review: Summer is but a distant memory in real terms, but in musical terms we can bring back the sunshine whenever we fancy. And that's what Marc Roberts does and then some here with four poolside classics. They follow on from Austin Ato's smasher for the label's first release in fine style with opener 'Jogging Back 2 U' full of bendy bass and heart-wrenching vocals. 'Foolio Paradiso' then layers up glossy chords and retro twins stabs with a sentimental r&b vocal that brings the love. The late night cool of 'Foolio Paradiso' has an exotic feel that will have you reaching for the cocktails and last of all '1&O' brings the funk.
Robot84 Vs The RAFF - "Get It Right Next Time" (5:46)
Review: London producer Scott Ferguson is the man behind the Robot84 alias. He has a love for 80s gear that very much defines the sounds he makes, from proto-house to darker disco. His self-titled label is back with more of that good stuff here as he faces off with The Raff for 'Get It Right Next Time'. This one has a creeping groove and warm chord sequences that tease and please beneath sweeping Balearic synths and celebratory melodic sequences that build to a crescendo. The drums get the hips swinging and the sprinkling of cosmic magic finishes it off in style making it a perfect cut for open-air dancing by the beach.
Review: This new and heavyweight 12" from Robot84 is a fresh fusion of Italo and house vibes that are defined by lively percussion, lush pianos, 808 drum fills, and an irresistible vocal hook. The original of this has already garnered attention with high praise from Manchester legend Justin Robertson who dropped it at a Hacienda 51 gig for its 30th anniversary. Sean Johnston, Heidi Lawden, Laurent Garnier and more have all also been playing it out recently which tells you all you need to know, really. Flip it over for a dubbed-out headwrecker that is just as good.
Undercover Of The Night (Stones unreleased instrumental 45 edit) (4:52)
Miss You (Stones unreleased instrumental 45 edit) (4:49)
Review: Rolling Recordings from Antigua makes its debut here with a first release under the guise of Rock Star Heroes who offer up a couple of hard-to-find and previously unreleased funky disco influenced club bound instrumentals of out and out rock classics from one of the worlds best known stadium bands. These are perfectly designed for the club and collide rock, funk, disco and more into fresh forms. Opener 'Undercover Of The Night' popular with the likes of DJ Harvey and is a slice of raw, hard-hitting groove magic with organic percussion and live drums laden with funky guitar riffs and lively chord work that brings the whole thing to life. On the flip is an instrumental version of 'Miss You' which still has all the swagger of the iconic original with sultry harmonica luring you to the floor where the masterful drums and guitars will keep you moving.
Ken Rogers - "Condition" (V Jagged Sky edit) (4:15)
Lup Ino - "I've Been Working" (4:41)
Belenou - "Sove Te-A" (DJ Steef rework) (3:58)
Bully Boy - "Pasteurised" (5:03)
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: Chachi Romero's famously magic fingers are back in full force on the latest release from Open Air 72. This project dives into the nu-funk movement and do so by mixing up retro-funk vibes with futuristic synth sounds reminiscent of the likes of MoFunk, Zackery Funk Force and Dabeull. A-side jam 'Sunwave Space' rings endlessly nodding and funky basslines to withering sci-fi motifs and blissed-out vocal coos. It's a nice and catchy sound while 'Arm Candy' is a more deep and dusty house groove with libidinous vocals and rolling beats topped with some well-chosen vocal samples for an extra steamy allure.
Review: .Ron Basejam has always cooked up a wealth of characterful cuts across the house and disco spectrum. This unknown label is now home to a load more starting with the lovely soft focus chords and gospel tinged vocal bursts of deep house meditation 'We Need Change'. A house dub ups the energy a little with more cosmic sprinkles raining down over percussive grooves. 'BFG' then ups the disco quotient with elastic bass and leggy drums, a nice organic vibe and carefree chords. 'Blue' shuts down with some feel good soul and funk house fusion work.
Review: Roy Ayers made a number of killer disco cuts in the late 1970s, though few are quite as essential as 'Running Away', which has now been reissued by South Street Disco. Built around an instantly recognisable (and much-sampled groove), the extended 12" version is rich in rubbery, rising and falling bass, clipped guitars, spacey Rhodes motifs, superb lead vocals from Ayers and even better backing vocals courtesy of the female quintet who would later become Eighties Ladies (who's superb 'Tell Him' was reissued in 2020). Turn to the flip for another chance to savour Fever album-opener 'Love Will Bring Us Back Together', a deeper and more low-down disco groover that boasts some seriously good Clavinet riffs and another inspired Ayers' vocal.
Review: The Barefoot Beats crew return with outing number 14 and once more it is music for sunny climates. Aroop Roy takes care of the A-side of this 10" with 'Fankiando Taniador', the Latin flavoured deep cut disco and funk roller with 80s horn stabs and rumbling bass all topped with a red hot vocal full of flair. It's pure Brazilian heat that is perfect for outdoor dancing and Bernardo Pinheiro's 'Expresso Amor' then brings more sunshine goodness with its slinky disco house beats and swinging hand claps all irresistible to anyone with a heart.
Review: The Roz Ryan studio real reissue series hits a third and final instalment here. This one is another superb piece of previously unissued 2 step soul that will pirouette its way into your heart. It was discovered in 1980 and produced by the mighty Mike Theodore and Dennis Coffey. First up is 'Love Changes' which was also covered by O.C Smith and is a slow and sultry number with buttery but poignant lyrics. Flip it over for the more upbeat, driving and dancefloor ready number that is 'Funky Way To Treat Me' with a production that heightens all the lush disco elements.
Review: Super Disco Edits decision to focus on releasing previously unissued gems from the disco era has resulted in a string of essential 7" singles. Predictably, this is another must-have. Vocalist and actress Roz Ryan recorded them with producers Dennis Coffey and Mike Theodore in 1980, during a spell in Broadway musical Ain't Misbehavin'. They were destined for a six-track album that was sadly never released. A-side "Keep Shining" is a killer chunk of sing-along jazz-funk/disco/boogie fusion, full of sprightly P-funk synths and punchy horns. Flipside "Put Love Back", on the other hand, is a slow burning delight: a wonderful chunk of boogie-era late night soul shot through with heartbroken emotion. Both tracks are brilliant, in other words.
Review: The latest one on Faze Action's label comes from Robin Lee in his Rudy's Midnight Machine guise. This is where Lee's disco funk fantasies run amok, with 'Dyane' in particular coming on strong with the sound of the early 80s. This is blissfully melodic, good time stuff throughout, steeped in classic motifs but delivered with a fresh, modern panache. There are downtempo Balearic moments like 'Crystal Dragonfly' to get lost it as much as there are plenty of invigorated calls to the dancefloor, making this a five track EP to really get your teeth into.
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.
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.
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.
Ship Of The Desert - "Count Of Monte Thisgo" (6:00)
Frank Hatchett Dance Explosion - "Super Hero" (1:51)
Cherish - "For You" (3:26)
Jaze - "Wanna Get Down With You" (7:21)
The 21st Century - "One Of These Days" (5:23)
Porno Disco - "Go Down Moses" (4:19)
Cousin Ice - "Catch Your Glow" (feat Zack Sanders) (6:18)
Boobie Knight - "Juicy Fruit My Love" (6:27)
John Lamkin - "Ticket" (6:21)
Review: You can always count on Z Records to bring a deep-digging, dedicated approach to anything they put out, and that goes double for their flawless Under The Influence series. The 10th volume in the series sees them inviting the incredible Chicago-born DJ Rahaan to select some seriously headsy cuts from his collection, carefully cleaned up, de-clicked and remastered for the best listening experience. Given the nature of the series, don't expect the usual suspects, and instead savour the discovery of some of Rahaan's most treasured cuts, presented here on a double LP comp brimming with discoid magic.
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