Disco Recommendations May 2010

Review: This limited gatefold double 12", brought to us from that Dmitri guy who loves Paris, reshapes four classic Philly stompers for 2010 dancefloors. Get Down With The Philly Sound sees Dmitri in fine form with two reworks of the Teddy Pendergrass fronted Harold Mevlin & The Blue Notes, plus the Philly Devotions' "Hurt So Bad." And be sure to in Eddie ndulge in Dimtri's take oKendricks' epic soul belter "He's A Friend", which he turns into a hands-up disco gem.

Review: BBE unearth another batch of rare and underexposed disco cuts on Off Track Vol 3. Compiled by the crate digging New York/Boston based duo Kon & Amir, the release gives an authentic representation of Brooklyn’s ghetto, funk and afro music scenes. Sophisticated tracks for real music heads

Review: Black Van is the collaboration between two of dance music's most prolific producers and remixers, Kris Menace and KoweSix. "Yearning" is their debut track together and will showcase their combined love of dance music when it sees release on DFA Records this week.

Kris Menace is best known for his anthemia "Discopolis" as well as for his idiosyncratic remixes for the likes of Underworld, Depeche Mode, Air, Royksopp and of course, LCD Soundsytem, for whom he remixed "North American Scum." James Murphy was a particular fan of this remix, so much so that he has remained in contact with Kris ever since, ultimately leading to DFA's signing of "Yearning." KoweSix is one half of the Hamburg based duo, Moonbootica. After two studio albums, five compilations and over fifty remixes of acts such as Adam Freeland and Junkie XL.

"Yearning" is the beginning of the journey for the pair. An album is on the way but for now we have this track which effortlessly combines the past with the future. This disco twisted house track storms along with real vigour right from the beginning. Its 4/4 beat and relentless bass is joined by shimmering keys that wash across the entire track. Only faltering once, the tune is then built back up and beyond.

The only remix comes from Emperor Machine who delivers an eight minute long, mind bending fusion of disco, psychedelia, funk and electro. Its percussion and intense rhythm make it the full throttled, evil twin of the original that it is.

Review: Try to pigeon hole Gerd Janson's Running Back label at your peril whether it be Tensnake's epic disco jam "In The End (I Want You To Cry)" or Precious System's oddball deep house or even a classic Prescription Records reissue - you can always rely on good old Gerd to bring out something, well, that is genuinely interesting. The latest offering - an EP from Zanzibari producer Mim Suleiman - offers some brilliant disco-boogie action, hardly surprising when you discover that the man behind the production wheel is one Maurice Fulton.