Back catalogue: Disco/Nu-Disco

Review: The backstory to this one is great. It starts in 1978 when a New York producer was in need of some studio musicians to lay down some fast and funky rhythms for a band he was working with, The Imperials. Minneapolis talents Andre Cymone and Prince Rogers Nelson duly stepped up and recorded 'Fast Freddy The Roller Disco King'. An album from the Imperials was set to follow but it never did, leaving us with this one majestic cut. It's soul-drenched and cosmic disco with a killer vocal back with a more leggy and slow-motion cosmic wonder, 'I Just Wanna Be Your Lovin' Man.'

Review: There's been much made in the media about "Christmas creep" - that phenomenon where festive products appear earlier each year. Here's another example, as Music On Vinyl gets ready to gorge itself on heavy carbs and sugary snacks via a surprisingly early reissue of Modern Talking's 1987 festive single 'It's Christmas'. A big hit in Europe at the time, it layers a typically emotive vocal (extolling the virtues of 'the season') - and a children's choir in the chorus - over a shuffling, lightly Latin drum machine rhythm, sleigh bells, chiming synthesiser lead lines and all the usual Christmas single trimmings. It is, like many of its Ilk (and egg nog) an acquired taste - albeit one you can stomach while you dance around a decorated tree in a decidedly iffy Chrimbo jumper.

Review: 'Don't Worry' is a classic song by Modern Talking, the German duo of Dieter Bohlen and Thomas Anders which was released in 1987 as part of their fifth album, 'Romantic Warriors'. The song features the signature sound of the acclaimed duo, with catchy synth melodies, disco beats and harmonised vocals. The song is a classic example of the Euro disco genre that the West Berlin duo popularised in the 80s and has certainly stood the test of time.

Review: Modern Talking is the German pair consisting of Thomas Anders and Dieter Bohlen who were rather prolific back in the 80s and beyond. There has been a revived interest in their music of late and for that reason much of it is being reissued, including this new, limited edition and nice heavyweight 12" edition of 'Give Me Peace On Earth.' It's a three track disco odyssey that starts with the sentimental and syrupy sweet vocals of the title track, which is doused in loved up 80s chords. 'Stranded In The Middle Of Nowhere' is just as devastatingly heart broken with its slow, crashing drums and yearning vocals then bonus cut 'Sweet Little Sheila' picks up the pace for a lively dance floor disco workout.

Review: Hugely successful German disco duo Thomas Anders and Dieter Bohlen are Modern Talking, and they made lots of sentimental as well dance floor-ready disco sounds back in the 80s. Much of it is being reissued by the behemoth that is Music On Vinyl and next is a limited edition marble red and blue vinyl version of this three-track 12". There is a campness to this which fans of the likes of Erasure are sure to enjoy - 'Jet Airliner# (Fasten Seat Belt mix) has big 80s drum sounds and glistening synths while the vocals drown in reverb. The instrumental is a little more clean though the drums and arps still make for a big impact and the radio version is also included to close.

Review: Modern Talking was one of the most successful German disco-pop acts of all time. It's an alias for writers, composers, producers and vocalists Thomas Anders and Dieter Bohlen and they put out a busy run of music back in the 80s that is reconnecting today with modern audiences. As such much of it is being made available again thanks to the Music On Vinyl label, and on various different coloured slabs of wax, no less. 'Lonely Tears In Chinatown' has all the playful pomp and campness of a Eurovision song winner with its big synth stabs and cold drum machine grooves. 'Give Me Peace On Earth' is an over-the-top ballad that drowns you in more 80s nostalgia.

Review: A lush and evocative blend of orchestral grandeur and dreamy 80s synth work, this soundtrack is a sonic journey into steamy sci-fi. The opening theme glides effortlessly between delicate baroque flourishes and pulsing electronic rhythms, setting the tone for an adventure that is both mysterious and seductive. Sweeping string arrangements intertwine with shimmering synthesisers, evoking a sense of exotic wonder while maintaining an undeniable sense of nostalgia. The compositions balance classical sophistication with experimental textures, capturing the film's mix of pulp adventure and fantasy-tinged eroticism. Tracks shift from ethereal, atmospheric moments to more urgent, rhythm-driven passages, mirroring the story's dramatic turns. The use of vintage synth tones alongside lush orchestration results in a sound that feels both timeless and unmistakably rooted in its era. Remastered from pristine stereo master tapes, this edition restores every intricate detail with warmth and clarity. An exquisite rediscovery of an underrated gem.

Review: Don Blackman's 1982 self-titled debut is an underrated jazz-funk gem that fuses soul, funk and jazz-fusion into a sophisticated groove-laden journey that was produced by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen for GRP Records. The album showcases Blackman's keyboard wizardry and soulful vocals across standout tracks like 'Heart's Desire' and 'Holding You Loving You.' With playful cuts like 'Yabba Dabba Doo,' it balances polish with joyful experimentation and though not a commercial hit, its influence has quietly grown and ir has been sampled by hip-hop greats and revered by collectors alike. This reissue reaffirms its status as a cult classic and a crucial slice of 80s funk.

Review: Don Blackman's self-titled debut album, released in 1982, stands as a testament to his versatility as a musician, blending jazz-fusion, funk, and r&b with a distinct creative vision. Though it may not have made waves on the charts, its legacy has only grown with time, cementing it as a cult classic in the 80s jazz-funk landscape. Blackman, a skilled keyboardist and vocalist, had already built a name through collaborations with heavyweights like Parliament-Funkadelic and Roy Ayers, but his debut marked a bold foray into the spotlight. The album itself feels like a rich, meticulously crafted groove machine, where Blackman's keyboard wizardry is matched by his soulful vocal delivery. Tracks like 'Heart's Desire' and 'Holding You, Loving You' highlight his knack for catchy melodies, while 'Yabba Dabba Doo' leans into playful funk, embodying the joyous experimentation that permeates the record. Each song brims with tight, polished arrangements, grounded by smooth basslines and Blackman's ability to switch between genres effortlessly. What makes this album so significant is its impact on future generations. While not an immediate commercial hit, it's become a goldmine for hip-hop producers, with many of its tracks being sampled by major artists, pulling it from obscurity into a cherished underground classic. In an era when funk and jazz were evolving, Blackman's debut was - and remains - an unsung yet influential piece of music history, offering a snapshot of an artist at the peak of his creative powers, melding diverse sounds with a rare sophistication.

Review: The reissue of Earth, Wind & Fire's Greatest Hits album brings so many timeless classics back to the fore while celebrating the iconic band's soulful blend of funk, r&b and disco which so defined an era. This collection captures their iconic tracks like 'September,' 'Boogie Wonderland' and 'Shining Star' and shows the vibrant brass, infectious rhythms and harmonies that made them such legends. Remastered for enhanced audio quality, the reissue invites listeners to experience these chart-toppers with fresh clarity s is a must-have to experience the energy and spirit of one of music's most influential bands.

Review: Heatwave's greatest hits collection from 1984 is a perfect embodiment of their sound. Disco, soul and funk all combine to thrilling and floor filling effect across nine tracks. The band formed in the mid-70s in Europe but had members from all over the world. Johnnie Wilder was the founder and an American serviceman based in West Germany who stayed put after the war and sang in local clubs before hooking up with Rod Temperton in the UK. 'Boogie Nights' is their most iconic and successful hit and it opens this collection in gloriously uplifting fashion.

Review: KC

Review: Pantechnicons of Philadelphia soul, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes reached their musical peak with Teddy Pendergrass between 1972 and 1975. Their 1975 album Wake Up Everybody hears Pendergrass' last vocal contribution to a band before he went solo; the record is filled with thought-provocations and gnomic lyrics, and became famous more by way of its covers than its originals. Returning the favour, 'Wake Up Everybody' was later covered by John Legend & The Roots, while 'Don't Leave Me This Way' became a disco classic thanks to the vamping vocal verves of Thelma Houston. This 750-copy 50th anniversary repress now comes with a special bonus: a rare 11-minute remix of 'Don't Leave Me This Way' by remixing pioneer Tom Moulton.

Review: The Modulations released their album It's Rough Out Here in 1975, not only impressing both industry and laity with the singles 'Rough Out Here and 'I Can't Fight Your Love', but also spurring the considerable career of a funk quartet whose merit outdoes their reputation alone. The Modulations recorded extensively with MFSB, the house band of the famed record label Philadelphia International; these sessions yielded this album, one considered a gem of 1970s soul music. Exemplary of the long, wistful titles of the Philly funk era and beyond, the titular roughness of the record is also nonetheless embedded in a sea of audible Romance; the Modulations' hard knocks don't exclude the necessity of letting emotion in, with 'Head On Collision With Heartbreak' being an indelible example of this sense of being swept up in one's own emotions in the face of heartbreak, away from the perseverance aesthetics of "gritty" realism one might expect from a title like this.

Review: This vinyl reissue of Plush's 1982 album is a joyous celebration of a hidden gem from the golden era of r&b. Originally overlooked, Plush were more than just another band; they were more a collaboration of talented artists including Bobby Watson, Rene Moore and Angela Winbush. Together, they crafted a blend of dance music featuring the vocals of Siedah Garrett, Tony Phillips, and Ambrose Price II. Discovered by chance in 1983 with the radio hit 'We've Got the Love,' often mistaken for Dynasty, Plush faded into obscurity despite its promising start. With production reminiscent of Shalamar and Leon Sylvers III, Plush's self-titled album encapsulates the vibrant r&b trends of early 80s with infectious melodies and pulsating rhythms. The standout single 'Free and Easy,' penned by Moore and Winbush, embodies the era's transitional r&b sound, driven by a pronounced bass line and upbeat percussion. Despite its short-lived presence, Plush's legacy is revived through this reissue, allowing modern listeners to appreciate its rich musicality and Angela Winbush's influential contributions. 40 years later, this album oozes nostalgia about a great time in dance and rhythm and blues.

Review: The tenth studio album by the American female soul vocal group Pointer Sisters is here reissued by MOV, harking back to a certain, unmistakably breakout moment in glitzy, metropolitan electro-soul that emerged just over 40 years ago. The Pointer Sisters broke into the late 70s and 80s charts especially, at the height of the glam era, and rocked the style as it would visibly cross into Studio 54-esque synthpop and disco. Suitably motoric and 'Automatic', this was far from the Pointers' debut album and yet it was also their most popular, attesting a rare example of a group who found their wave well past their industry initiation. Consecutively, on an almost track-by-track basis, the record moves between pacy rock & roll/r&b and glammy electronique, typifying the distinctly vanguard-edging mood of the 1980s West Coast.

Review: American rap outfit Sugarhill Gang changed music history with their fresh hip-hop sounds and never more so than on their self-titled album. It is often said to be the first rap full length and it came in 1980, a full four-plus decades ago now so gets a special, if possibly slighty late, 40th-anniversary reissue on limited edition and numbered heavyweight vinyl. It, of course, includes the band's most seminal tune, 'Rapper's Delight', in two different versions, as well as equally timeless joints like 'Rapper's Reprise (Jam-Jam)' and the much loved 'Sugar Hill Groove'. A bona fide classic, this one.

Review: You can never have enough disco in your life, can you? That's the premise that Music on Vinyl taps into here with a bumper collection of classics across a pair of heavyweight magenta and translucent yellow vinyl. Plenty of the jams included here are stone-cold anthems such as Rose Royce's seductive 'Car Wash', Chic's truly legendary 'Le Freak' with its iconic bassline, and The Gap Band's languorous 'Oops, Upside Your Head.' There are also some interesting inclusions such as Diana Ross's string laced 'The Boss' and undeniable dance floor fillers such as James Brown's still sexy 'Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine.'

Review: Music On Vinyl, in partnership with Warner Music Benelux, revives the iconic Dance Classics series with a fresh take on classic disco, funk, and soul hits. This limited edition compilation, pressed on striking gold-colored 180-gram vinyl, brings together an impressive lineup of tracks that defined dance floors in the early 80s. Dance Classics Vol. 1 features full-length, DJ-friendly versions of beloved songs, including Chaka Khan's infectious 'I Feel For You', Change's smooth 'The Glow Of Love' and a previously unreleased Tom Moulton mix of 'Spacer' by Sheila & B. Devotion. Other standout tracks include Sister Sledge's energetic 'Lost In Music' and Zapp's funky 'More Bounce To The Ounce'. Each song has been carefully remastered, ensuring that the vibrant sound captures the essence of the era while also uncovering hidden gems. A celebration of the joyous spirit of dance music with a selection that balances well-known classics with lesser-known treasures.

Review: This compilation delivers an exceptional selection of dance hits from the late 70s and 80s, offering an un-mixed, DJ-friendly compilation. Curated by Music On Vinyl in collaboration with Warner Music Benelux, this collection features newly remastered tracks, ensuring both familiar favorites and hidden gems sound fresh and dynamic. Highlights include The Trammps' electrifying 'Disco Inferno (Tom Moulton mix)', Chic's iconic 'Good Times (12" version)', and the irresistible 'Ain't Nobody' by Rufus & Chaka Khan. The collection also digs deeper with extended mixes like Hot Chocolate's 'Every 1's A Winner (Ben Liebrand extended Groove mix)' and Womack & Womack's soulful 'Love Wars (extended vocal)'. The album offers a perfect balance between upbeat disco anthems and smooth, groovy classics, with tracks like Michael McDonald's 'I Keep Forgettin (Every Time You're Near)' and Sheila E's 'The Glamorous Life (12" club edit)'. With 15 tracks in total, Dance Classics Vol. 2 delivers a seamless listening experience that captures dance floor energy while celebrating a rich era of musical diversity.

Review: Johnny "Guitar" Watson's 1977 funk album, A Real Mother For Ya, solidified his status as a master of the genre. Known for his exceptional guitar skills, Watson's album produced the international hit title track along with standout songs like 'Nothing Left To Be Desired' and 'Lover Jones.' This reissue also includes the 2020 Ben Liebrand Oldskool mix as a bonus track, adding a fresh perspective to Watson's timeless funk sound. Throughout his career, Watson influenced countless artists, including Jimi Hendrix, and earned a Grammy nomination for best contemporary blues album. Tragically, Watson passed away while touring Japan in 1996, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and groove. A Real Mother For Ya remains a standout example to Watson's musical genius. Available on black vinyl, this reissue ensures that Watson's electrifying sound continues to engage audiences for generations to come.

Review: Based in Jackson, Mississippi, the Wynd Chymes earned a deal with RCA/Victor Records on the strength of their independently released 1981 single, 'Ride' - a killer boogie-soul number that lit up black dancefloors across the United States. Arrival, their debut album, has long been considered a slept on classic - hence this audiophile-friendly Music On Vinyl reissue. It begins with the rather weird new-age ambience of 'Arrival' and ends with the Latin-tinged, Herb Alpert-esque excellence of 'Alakazam'; in between, you'll find an enticing mix of P-funk and boogie-inspired dancefloor workouts, synth-fired slow-dance ballads and energy-packed electrofunk workouts.