GUEST Schallplatten & CDs

Review: This 45 delivers two standout tracks with a unique twist. On Side-1, 'Stop On By' offers a clean edit of the classic Bobby Byrd and Vicki Anderson hit, blending soulful post-disco, funk and soul elements into a timeless gem. Side-2 features 'Give A Little', complete a lilting groove, smooth, loungey edges and a classic, pure but sultry vocal that make it a dynamic but still mellow choice for more discerning rare groove DJs.

Review: Guest's Guest Mini Edits Vol 5, released on Cuts, is a delightful fusion of funk and soul. Side-1 features 'Strange Games,' a smoothed-out funk instrumental that exudes magic. The track is elevated by big 1970s strings, adding a touch of disco flair while maintaining a slower BPM, making it uniquely great in itself. Side-2's 'Niagara Falls' offers a deep tribal groove, evoking the vibe of a 70s drama theme show, reminiscent of something you might hear on 'Starsky and Hutch' or 'Emergency!' This EP beautifully captures the essence of that era, making it something to check out for fans of vintage funk and soul.

Review: The Cuts label returns with another in its Guest Edits series. This third volume opens with he joyous and life-affirming string explosions of 'America's Insides' over nice instrumental funk and disco beats. 'Gobek Atmak' then takes on a slowly rhythm and is a more world groove with gypsy jazz and middle eastern string melodies bringing a nice cosmopolitain feel. It's off to the stars on 'Gobek Atmak', a playful and summery ready Italo disco cut with plenty of colourful pops and a nice twanging bassline. 'Orpheus' then shuts down with more ethno-grooves, this time they're slow, sentimental and steamy.

Review: .Guest is a mysterious producer who delivers two stunning edits of rare and obscure tracks on this 7' vinyl. On the A-side cut 'Always Dancin' he transforms a disco gem into a groovy and funky dancefloor anthem with a catchy chorus and a smooth bassline. On the B-side, he takes a spiritual jazz tune and adds some cosmic synths and percussion on 'Krishna' to create a hypnotic and psychedelic trip. This record is a must-have for lovers of eclectic and adventurous disco music.

Review: Publicity-shy re-editor Guest has been responsible for some fine re-edits on the Cuts imprint, including this two-track drop of 'mini edits'. What's on offer is summery, sun-splashed and light-touch, edit wise, with the shadowy producer merely rearranging the two cuts to emphasise certain sections and omit others. The results are impressive, particularly A-side 'Breezy Lady', a slap bass-propelled, spiritually enriching rework of an old Japanese jazz-funk gem smothered in luscious orchestration and loose-limbed drumming. On 'Central Timing', Guest turns their attention to a superb slab of electro-not-electro (think Alan Parsons Project mixed with Cat Stevens' 'Was Dog A Doughnut') from 1982, turning the track into a cosmic, break-sporting dancefloor classic-in-waiting.

Review: The simply and aptly named 'Cuts' label launched in 2021, and immediately set about re-editing "precious (disco) gems mined from a wall of vinyl, cut, polished and mounted for maximum love." The image is endearing; that of a masked vigilante picking from an array of his/her/their best disco weaponry. For their fifth love-bombing crime fighting spree, the artist known as Guest (literally) cuts up classic cuts including 'A Place For Us' and 'Disco Is The Thing Today'. Moody, choppy and supremely dark.

Review: Here we have the second edition of the Cuts series by the enigmatic Guest. Much like the first one back in April, we have some rare and special heaters here that have been re-spliced to perfection by Guest's deft hand. On the A side we have a respectful edit of a certain 1981 disco anthem with an amazing vocal that you have just got to hear, followed by some Ennio Morricone style spaghetti western disco on 'Maddalena". Over on the flip, things get low slung on the late night soul boogie of "Sisters".