Tags: Psychedelic Disco

Review: Following 2012's fourth volume that celebrated the existential work of Tim Maia, here we find Luaka Bop exploring the legacy of William Onyeabor. A high chief and Kenyan diplomat who allegedly refuses to discuss his music, he self-released eight albums in the 70s and 80s and these are some of the many highlights. Stretching from the New York-influenced post-punk synth funk of "Good Name" to the most authentic Afro fusion of "Why Go To War", Onyeabor's range not only reflects his clear creative skill, but also the ever-developing international language of music during the fruitful period he was active. Who is William Onyeabor? Press play and find out yourselves...

Review: Psychemagik teased their debut album earlier this year with the smooth crossover single "We Can Be One", which opens up this hotly anticipated long player from the widely adored duo. There's plenty of pop leanings to this record, but of course shot through with the dreamy lilt of psychedelia and deep-digging Balearic charm that has defined Psychemagik from the beginning. At times it gets more bombastic, as on "Ghost Particle" with Liam Magill, and there's a cheeky party track or two (just check "Above The Clouds"), but the main focus here is on rich songwriting with a heavy emphasis on warm synth tones. Existing Psychemagik fans will be happy, but this record should equally land them a new legion of admirers as they take another step forward in their evolution.

Review: Sai Galaxy is a collective that draws inspiration and influence from 70s and 80s Nigerian artists such as Nkono Teles, Jake Sollo and Mike Umoh. Australian multi-instrumentalist Simon Durrington leads the way with Olugbade Okunade - former trumpet player from Seun Kuti's Egypt 80 - as well and guests Gabriel Otu, Ray Ledon and Vanessa Baker also playing on these sessions. There is everything from West African funk to a touch of psychedelia, with dance floor ready tunes like 'Get It In The Sun' irresistible to all who hear it.

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 two hugely entertaining CDs, there's 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: A strong, strong showing from Duca Bianco after a period of relative dormancy, teaming up with Manchester's Talking Drums for a musical culture clash with maximum impact. The four tracks see a wide palate of influences being mixed up, from the cheeky Afrobeat shuffle of 'Monkey Key' to the 80s electropop of 'Voice Of Omicron' and the Nico-esque vocal delivery on Balearic groover 'Dolce Julia'. This is an EP with lots of surprises, tons of originality and musical confidence brimming over its edges.

Review: Take a journey to the dawn of DJ culture with Sunshine Sound, the NY imprint that became recognised as the 'Birthplace of the Edit'. The Francois K and Walter Gibbons resplices here of 'Happy Song' is their first vinyl release, known as the original DJ tool (and the original bonus beat) which has been the source of countless samples and imitations since it first appeared in 1977. Kevorkian's version on the A side is the most commonly known one, with its upbeat infectious rhythm, while Gibbons' take over on the flip has more stomp and was very much streamlined for his legendary DJ sets at Galaxy 21.

Review: Blair French is a brilliant groove-smith who has turned out plenty of classics on the likes of Claremont 65, Rocksteady Disco and Razor-N-Tape. After a recent new limited 12" in April he makes a quick return with this a-side gem, 'The Bird Watcher.' It's a loose and worldwide disco sound with organic perc and languid bass next to wild bird calls and hypnotic flute leads.
Eddie Logix's 'Sunshine, Sunblock' then brings a dubbed out vibe with more jungle sound effects and naturalistic atmospheres.

Review: Saada Bonaire was a German disco and world music project from the unlikely town of Bremen. Formed in 1982 by DJ Ralf Behrendt, the unique concept band was based around the super seductive vocal sounds of Stefanie Lange and Claudia Hossfeld. The musicians in the band were from local immigration centres and they signed to EMI to put out one single only, 'You Could Be More As You Are.' Dennis Bovell produced it in Kraftwerk's studio and it fused dub, African sounds, drum machines and synths into something special. The band was cancelled soon after but not before they realised a load of the tunes that had already written on this essential album.

Review: The Duca Bianco label swerves its usual various artists' format to allow CW - who has appeared on those before - to step up with his own solo EP. He is a mysterious artist but is well known for his immersive record collection and legendary sets on the London scene. He is one-third of the Beauty & The Beat party and brings his unique twists of Afro and soul to this quartet of tunes. 'Karambolage' opens up with lots of big horns and noodling string sounds over a ramshackle beat then things take a cosmic turn on the rather more psychedelic 'Six Times Seven' with its Nippon-koku polyriddims, while 'Ou Ka Jis Fe Kole' is a party starter with a Zouk dub edge and 'Nzimbab' is built on a low slung and swaggering rhythm.

Review: Back in 2019, Emotional Rescue began a series where it licensed some all-time favourites, remastered them and pressed them up with new remixes by modern producers. It now draws to a close after many fine instalments with early 80s band The Impossible Dreamers. Their cult 'Spin' arrives here with an epic nine-minute extended reversion that is heavy on the dub and percussion and also an even more dubcentric reprise from regular label artist Dan Tyler of Idjut Boys and Noid fame, her under his NAD guise. There is plenty of raw and raucous rhythm to this 12" that will enliven any dancefloor and round out this series in style.