Back catalogue: Disco/Nu-Disco

Review: West End's double-pack re-edit series continues, with long-standing UK electrofunk hero and scalpel rework specialist Greg Wilson sharing a quartet of revisions. There are airings for two of Wilson's most sought-after scalpel works from the "Credit To The Edit" series - superb versions of Brenda Taylor's "You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat It Too" and Raw Silk's "Do It To The Music" - as well as a couple of previously heard rearrangements that are on-point as per usual. Wilson first adds even more mind-altering delays and low-slung dub disco flavour to Forrrce's "Keep On Dubbin'", before superbly stretching out the mostly instrumental "Melt Down Mix" of Shirley Lites' synth-laden peak-time classic "Heat You Up".

Review: The 1984 classic 'Come Back Lover' by The Fresh Band receives an official remastered reissue from the original tapes. Produced by Darryl Gibbs of The Strikers and expertly mixed by Tony Humphries, this disco boogie gem soared in underground dance clubs across Chicago and New York, championed by DJs like Mancuso, Larry Levan, and Ron Hardy. Are 'N Be (see what they did there?) presents this special re-release on translucent green vinyl featuring two versions mixed by Humphries: the mesmerising original plus the Dub, with deeper, more atmospheric vocals and stunning piano breaks. Do not sleep on this one.

Review: To celebrate its tenth anniversary, Archeo Recordings breaks tradition with the release of a new series of exquisite EPs honoring past masters. This collection features reimagined tracks from the label's cherished catalog, showcasing the talents of contemporary artists. Among these, Pepe Maina's 'The Infinite', enhanced by Manu's tribal percussion and electronics, transforms a classic into a celestial slow dance. Roberto Aglieri's 'Danza N. 1' receives a vibrant reinterpretation from Daniele Tomassini, merging proto-techno rhythms with psychedelic flute melodies, perfect for day raves and moonlit gatherings. The EP also revisits Radio Band's Italo-boogie classic 'Radio Rap', given a contemporary twist by the enigmatic Radiomarc. Finally, Mushrooms Project breathes new life into Futuro Antico's 'Pan Tuning', creating a transcendent dance journey that blends ancient sounds with modern beats. This collection not only honors the label's history but also promises exciting future endeavors, making it a great time to reflect on the past.

Review: KC

Review: Hailing from Philadelphia, the Eraserhood Sound label has been fostering a particularly cosmic bend of synths and soul music which is primarily rounded out by their in-house band, Fantasy 15. Following a string of on-point singles, the group now coalesce for a hotly anticipated debut album which delivers on the promise of those early drops. Drop in on 'Ray Gun' and let the thick swathes of brain-tickling synths send you stratospheric - this is hot and heavy boogie colliding with the loftiest prog and coming up trumps. There is a luscious vocal cut featuring Kendra Morris, but primarily this is an instrumental trip to take you very far out indeed.

Review: Celebrated around the world for their contribution to the world of funk and disco, it all began for the Fat Back Band with the debut album Let's Do It Again which now gets reissued on South Bound. It has been out of print for many years and the reissue comes with the full cooperation of Fatback founder Bill Curtis. The album was recorded in 1972 at Blue Rock Studio in New York and includes originals like 'Street Dance' which became a Billboard R&B hit in 1973 plus 'Free Form', 'Take A Ride (On The Soul Train)' , 'Give Me One More Chance', 'Goin' To See My Baby' and the title track. It also comes with cover versions of some classics like Jimmy Webb's 'Wichita Lineman', 'Green Green Grass Of Home' and David Gates's 'Baby I'm A Want You'.

Review: Fabrizio Fattori has been a deep cover hero in Italian dance music since the mid 80s, and while he may have shifted his attention to tribal house music in the 90s, this collection zeroes in on his earlier afro disco funk work, which drips with Balearic groove appeal. Collecting sought after records and other archival gems, this lengthy EP is a joyous, synthy excursion through sunny climes, from the MIDI brass and plastic slap bass of "Leg Pulling" to the intricate percussion and live sax of "Bara-Hum-Ba." This is a quintessential Best reissue - beautifully packaged, and putting super rare music back in the hands of the fans.

Review: Eddie Fisher's The Promise is a rare and under-the-radar 1985 session from the East St. Louis guitarist, best known for The Next One Hundred Years and The Third Cup. Though never a mainstream star, Fisher's legacy has grown through the years, thanks to DJs and crate diggers who uncovered his unique blend of boogie, jazz and funk. Released on his own Nentu label, The Promise remains one of the most elusive records in his catalogue, a boogie jazz funk essential that has been long out of print.

Review: Cordial Recordings in partnership with Pilier Records are proud to announce the return of Philadelphia's legendary Mr Garfield Fleming, with this mini album of new productions. Fleming only released about three singles sporadically between 1981, 1984 and 1991 - but he's an incredibly under appreciated artist, we know that much. All female vocals are performed by fellow Pilier recording artist Mz. Nina. Featuring the sexy deep-funk of "Ain't Nothing Too Good For My Woman" - this one is a true diggers delight for those in the know! The late night boogie-down vibes of "Daddy's Home" or "Is That OK" takes things down slo-mo territory and of course we've just got to mention that terrific Daft Funk Funktion Creep Rub (yep!) of "Grass Ain't Greener".

Review: Stand Tall marks another adventurous venture from versatile producer Flevans, showcasing his knack for infectious hooks across a spectrum of genres. From disco to soul to electronica, with a surprising nod to drum & bass, Flevans demonstrates his ability to seamlessly blend diverse musical influences. Standout tracks like 'Say Yes' featuring Laura Vane strike a perfect balance between pop, funk, and dance, while 'Carry Them' exudes upbeat energy with its fusion of funk, breaks, soul and electronica elements with a touch of melancholy. 'Wild Shadows' offers a smooth, downtempo experience with soulful vocals and catchy melodies, while 'Dreamer' uplifts with its disco-infused positive rhythm and blues dance vibes. Overall, "Stand Tall" is an uplifting record that showcases Flevans' versatility as a producer and multi-instrumentalist. With its diverse sounds and infectious rhythms, it's sure to engage listeners across various musical tastes.

Review: Salerno star Carlo Fontana is the subject of this new release from Futuribile. It is a collection of his most treasured unreleased gems and hard to find classics that provides a perfect overview of his wonderful sound for fans old and new. These lush sounds combine layered brass, jazz horns, sunny keys and crooning, loved up vocals with plenty of sliding bass and rich harmonisations. They're disco ready and perfect for Balearic gatherings as they ooze tropical and exotic charm from front to back. Each one has been remastered to sound as good as gold, too.

Review: The reissue of Fratelli Malibu's "Ciro Miami" brings a refreshed take on Andrea De Fazio and Paolo Petrella's imaginative project. Known for their work with the "Nu Guinea" live band, De Fazio and Petrella infuse "Ciro Miami" with a nostalgic yet futuristic soundscape, highlighting their deep love for synthesisers and drum machines. The album's music vividly portrays the escapades of Ciro, a Neapolitan emigre chasing the American Dream. Through a blend of bright synths and punchy drum patterns, it captures the allure of neon-lit nights, opulent car culture, and the dizzying highs and lows of excess. The tracks evoke the excitement of cocktail bars and gambling dens, as well as the pulsating rhythms of video games and space fantasies. The reissue offers a chance to rediscover the album's dynamic energy and creative ingenuity. The sound palette, characterised by its retro-futuristic vibe and vibrant melodies, not only celebrates the original release but also enhances its appeal to a new generation of listeners. The album's journey from euphoria to disillusionment, all conveyed through its infectious beats and shimmering textures, remains as captivating as ever.

Review: Shiny boogie reissue action from Peoples Potential Unlimited, the undisputed kings of disco digging. This label has to be recognised for what it's done, for the amount of material that it's made available to contemporary boogie addicts, and for the style with which they've done it. Here we have some glorious material from 1980-1981 by Mark J's Freeway project. If there truly is such as thing as 'blue-eyed soul', then this is your 'green-eyed boogie', a marvellous, uptempo collection of funky tunes with a subtle electro edge running through the lower ends of the mixes. Also, it'll surely appeal to a variety of 'soul' lovers, from the ones who like that slight electro edge to their disco, to others who are into their vocal solos, piano keys and yes, even some organs. All in all, this is a timeless piece of music which had been lost in the depths of time and into the pockets of the second-hand market cats. Don't miss it.

Review: Since his debut with Schema Records in 2001, Gerardo Frisina has poured his soul into modernising styles such as Latin jazz, funk, and soul. In Sight Vol. 1 now introduces a fresh batch of such cosmo-futuristic moodsetters, continuing a trend that was first set in motion with his debut Moving Ahead (2020). Now the new album, preluded by singles 'Mindoro' and 'Desejar', hears seven tracks, including a cinematic bossa supernova 'O SoNho' as well as an exclusive cut from a rare and revered 10" deep cut from 2009. Frisina's attention to detail ensures the standout vibe of each composition, bringing a one-of-a-kind club-orientation to a rich atmospheric mantle.

Review: Given the brilliantly simple concept behind this fine compilation - contemporary Detroit producers remix Funkadelic - we're rather surprised nobody's done it before. With 17 varied re-rubs stretched across three slabs of wax, there's naturally plenty to enjoy. Highlights come thick and fast, from the deep house/P-funk fusion of Alton Miller's take on "Get Your Ass Off and Jam" and Andres' loose, hip-hop influenced revision of "Music For My Mother", to the thrusting loops and heady late night hypnotism of Anthony Shake Shakir and T-Dancer's version of "Standing on the Verge". While many of the versions stay relatively faithful to the original, the more "out-there" interpretations - see BMG's outer-space ambient dub of "Maggot Brain" and Moodymann's epic revision of "Cosmic Slop" - are also consistently impressive.

Review: The Italian Funk ensemble Funkool Orchestra debut album 'Latin Freaks' is here. After a couple of highly regarded singles made the rounds, the full album was eagerly anticipated. Get ready for another dose of Neapolitan Funky Disco Boogie madness with a Latin touch. This album has a mixture of rare grooves, Napoli sound, disco Boogie, Latin soul and boogaloo, which is ideal music to soak up the culture of their native Italian coastline. The first run of releases sold out quickly and so might this reissue. Act fast and get one of best new funk bands in the style.