New releases this week: Disco/Nu-Disco

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: Catawba Records celebrates 40 years of influential music with The Lowdown: A Catawba Records Story. Founded by industry legend Richard Mack who helped launch icons like Earth, Wind & Fire and The Jacksons, this curated compilation from the label highlights Catawba's rich legacy in disco and soul with standout tracks from Maurice Starr, Dutch Robinson and The Fantastic Aleems. It takes in all manner of infectious grooves with throwback analogue drums sounds, brilliant keys and smooth vocals with plenty of rare edits, unreleased gems and more well-known but still timeless cuts. Favourites for us include the lithe and leggy Silk jam 'Somethin' 'Bout The Way' and the soul-drenched funk-disco of Jackie Moore & Wilson Pickett's 'Seconds Of Your Love'.