EDWIN BIRDSONG Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Edwin Birdsong's self-titled album was originally released in 1978 on Philadelphia International Records and very much captured the spirit of the great disco era. By then, Birdsong was already a significant figure at the cult label having proven himself as both a songwriter and producer. The album features several tracks that became dance floor staples such as 'Cola Bottle Baby,' 'Kunta Dance' and 'Goldmine,' each packed with infectious funk grooves perfect for partying. Famously, 'Cola Bottle Baby' was later sampled by Daft Punk in their smash hit 'Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger'. Although the album didn't chart, it remains a prized find for disco and soul heads.

Review: Marking 40 years since the release of Edwin Birdsong's self-titled and fourth studio album, this Philly reissue couldn't have landed at a more poignant time as the LA funkateer sadly passed away on week of release. "Cola Bottle Baby" is known to absolutely everyone thanks to Daft Punk and that refreshing fizzy groove sounds even better, freer, looser, cooler in its natural state. The lesser spotted "Freaky Deaky Sities" kicks like a loose limbed mule, too. Perhaps a riposte to Roy Ayers "Freaky Deaky" hit the year before, or just another fine trope LA's funk continuum, once again it's the cult fusioneer at his most vibrant. Rest in peace.

Review: Two more of the most famous tracks sampled by Daft Punk get pressed up on this cheeky little 7 inch. Breakwater's "Release The Beast" is unmistakably the blueprint for "Robot Rock" while "Cola Bottle Baby" by Edwin Birdsong was liberally sampled by Guy-Manuel and Tommy B on "Harder Better Stronger Faster". Both delicious funky disco cuts in their own right and great fun to drop!

Review: The Reflex's multi-track re-edits are always on point, but those he's created for Salsoul Records have generally been impressive even by his high standards. This third double-pack of 'ReVisions' (as he calls them) contains two of his best Salsoul reworks yet: a thrillingly stretched-out take on Gazz's 'Sing Sing' that sees him cannily showcase some of the track's key elements in turn before unleashing the familiar bassline, breaks and vocals, and a fabulously spaced out 'Cosmic Dub' of Rafael Cameron's early electrofunk classic 'Boogie's Gonna Get Ya'. That too, has a big build, making the introduction of the bassline and Cameron's chorus vocals a genuinely breath-taking moment. The EP also contains a solid take on a lesser-celebrated Cameron tune, the more disco-fied 'All That's Good To Me', and a Tom Moulton-esque take on Edwin Birdsong's 'Win Tonight'.