Tags: Disco House

Review: Mancunian Kevin Gorman used to make some great minimal techno on his Mikrowave imprint but has since moved on to create some of his best music under the Adesse Versions moniker. With a slew of fine edits and remixes under his belt, he presents us with a killer cover and tribute that's set to be one of the summer's biggest anthems. A tribute to the seminal New Order classic "Blue Monday", Gorman retains the very same Moog bass and ARP strings from the original, over a groovy breakbeat and a vocal reminiscent of Bernard Sumner himself. It was an ambitious feat, but Gorman manages to pull of an impressive rendition here, which also comes accompanied with a handy instrumental version on the flip.

Review: Over the past few years, Johnny Rock has proved to be one of the shrewdest re-editors around, delivering must-check reworks of thoroughly obscure gems that tend towards the exotic and intoxicating. Further proof of his dusty-fingered, scalpel-wielding genius can be found on this Orange Tree Edits outing. Check first the rubbery, off-kilter '80s electro-flex of "Kat-Woman Do", before admiring the Mascara-sporting, New Romantic style synth-pop goodness of "Bitter Juice". Elsewhere, he offers up some skewed, percussion-rich late-night eccentricity (the delightfully weird "Hippie Jam") and successfully dances his way through some Communism-era Yugoslav post-punk heaviness ("Streets of Belgrade").

Review: Jonny 5 is known for his superlative edits as well as heading up the Bahnsteig 23 label and here he returns from time out becoming a father to kick off this new one from Duca Bianco. 'Joy riding' is loopy disco-post-punk for a peak-time trip. Multi Culti man Dreems then brings the Afro party vibes with his 'Bususua' which is packed with dub fx and steeped in fun. Miserymix then throws in their Italo-licked post-disco and punk sounds on 'Adjust Your Love' before a big finale by Black Bones. They offer a deep and dubby house that has been a secret edit for a while but finally gets unveiled here to great effect as it worms its way into your brain.

Review: Some serious UK electro history here, as Running Back delivers a fresh pressing of Equip's rare 1984 gem 'XXXO', which was previously only available as a single-sided 12" back in the early 2000s. It's an undeniably far-sighted concoction which was produced by Greg Wilson, Martin Jackson and Andy Connell for - but sadly never included on - the pioneering Streesounds UK Electro album the trio created. Although technically electro, the track's 4/4 beats and proto-acid sounds make it a contender for the elusive title of 'first ever house record made in Britain'. To back it up, Gerd Janson has re-edited two previously unreleased electro beats recorded by the trio for a breakdance performance at the I.C.A, both of which sound like mutant, extra-percussive fusions of electro and post-punk.

Review: Icelandic band Gusgus have been going since the mid 90s, moving through many different eras and sounds in pursuit of their own musical curiosity. Following a spell on Kompakt they established their own Oroom label to carry the last two albums, and now they're back with a third transmission which shows them to be as inspired as ever. The concept around Danceorama concerns an imaginary utopian rave mall where everyone is free from societal prejudice and all the best bits of club music are on offer. Whether it's 808-toting low end rollers with lashings of acid or blissful fountains of synth you're after, Gusgus have got you covered.

Review: The Innovative Leisure label is here with more of that irresistible hand-stamped white label goodness. This one comes from the super cool LA duo De Lux (who have a new album out this month) as remixed by Dan Tyler and Conrad McDonnell aka Idjut Boys. They bring plenty of their signature and spacious cosmic dub sounds to 'What Life', layering in the echo and spring reverb in fine style. The dub mix is on a constant upward trajectory that never resolves and so will have the floor in raptures with cowbells and big splashy drums. The original is also included as is their Seven Slackers remix.

Review: The music of Russian producer Volta Cab is known for is blend of post-punk, synthwave and downtempo elements, resulting in a dark and cosmetic plod though nightmarish yet cartoonish sonic backstreets. Like living somewhere sun-soaked in the 1980s and bowling down the road in the the driver's seat of a car that converts into a giant mechanised owl at night, the tracks here are at once sinister and sultry. Catch the tonal shift on the B-side, however, where the EP undergoes a sea-change into Meat-Beat style electro.

Review: This collaboration between Jimi Tenor and Tomasz Guiddo shines brightly and features a heartwarming hook that really lodges deep in the brain as 'Where The Wild Roam' pairs ancient-sounding lo-fi drums with a Western-style whistle and plenty of earthy, twanging guitars. Next up the legendary Louie Austen lends his vocals to 'Smile' for a steamy and tropical house sound lit up with Latin melodies over a shuffling, samba-adjacent rhythm. Erobique, known for chart hits in Europe and his work with DJ Koze, contributes his magic, while Freestyle Man, aka Sasse from Moodmusic, delivers his trademark deep house style. Ale Castro adds a DJ-friendly house version, enhancing the EP's overall allure.

Review: Thus spake Zaratustra, who clambered down from his mountain lair after ten years of brooding and solitude to let the people of the meadows and grasslands know of the true nature of reality; the overman, aka. Stolt. Nietzsche references aside, this new release by French disco artist Zaratustra, in collaboration with singer Stolt, is a riveting take on electro-disco-Italo; 'Uprising' is a ricocheting heater of immeasurable proportions, channelling the spirit of hi-NRG and new wave in its vocal shrieks, eighth-note bass runs and gated splashy snares. A veritably worthy addition to Skylax's LAX series.