Back catalogue: All genres

Review: This special 12" features two tracks that will not be on the vinyl version of the forthcoming AC Soul Symphony, Disco opus "Metamorphosis" featuring a 20 piece orchestra alongside a whole host of top live players. That makes it an even more vital pick up because both are pure disco fire. 'I Want To See You Dance' has the title's classic refrain repeated over big Salsoul style string licks, funky basslines and soloing piano. 'The Talented Mr Adams' is a tribute to the legendary disco producer Patrick Adams and is a super sweet swooner with golden live strings and brass backing up a loose-limbed rhythm and vamping pianos that get you in the mood for love. These two tracks act as a fine teaser for what's to come on the much-anticipated album from a contemporary version of acts like MFSB and Love Unlimited Orchestra.

Review: Still peddling pure and fast jazz-funk disco, and coming straight from the source, Afrodisia are an ingeniously named German band whose stated intent was to transcend colour and creed through the mode of music. The band barely squeezed by with four EPs and an LP to their name; these two new cuts were recorded for a second album, which never saw the light of day. The A cut is the highlight, being the dreamiest and creamiest of the two.

Review: Cordial have partnered with Afrodisia to reissue their sought-after album, 1980's Elephant Sunrise, in 2018, with an album of previously unreleased recordings to follow. To whet our appetite, they've decided to release the never-before-heard "Malik", a brilliant chunk of jazz-funk fusion that would have got jazz dancers hot under the collar had it appeared when it was originally recorded way back in 1982. On the B-side you'll find the similarly minded "A Fool No Longer", a dancefloor-focused chunk of blue-eyed soul that has previously only been available on obscure 1981 compilation album Rock Aus Der Alten Schule. Brilliant stuff all told.

Review: Back in the late '70s and early '80s, Aquarian Dream's "Phoenix" was something of an anthem on the UK's soul all-dayer scene. While ostensibly a disco record, the band's jazz-funk roots ensured that it was particularly popular with serious dancers, particularly those who headed for the jazz room rather than the main dancefloor. The Norman Connors-produced cut remains something of a must-have for disco DJs who like their grooves to come with a fair dollop of instrumental solos. This timely re-press also includes the even wilder "East 6th Street" - originally included on the 1979 UK re-issue - which features Aquarian Dream band-members trading solos over a killer disco-funk groove.

Review: Frappe launched its inaugural studio EP with the original version of the tracks that now get remixed and in doing so marked a new milestone for the Parisian label. They found renowned house producer Art Of Tones and the jazz-funk band Chatobaron combine expertise and top-quality studio musicians into some lush house sounds. Now they get reworked by the likes of Crackazat, Pal Cut and Trubojazz into deep jams, funky and percussive jams, disco-tinged and organic jams and lush downbeat jams.

Review: AXNER's latest single 'Shout From The Rooftop' is as glossy and golden as disco gets with two members of Nile Rodgers' Chic in the form of drummer Ralph Rolle and vocalist Audrey Martells both helping to make it so. It's got a soaring vocal and funky basslines and gets some high-grade remix treatment here. French artist and Folamour collaborator Kousto goes for a sunny house remix with the original's riffs left in place. The legendary John Morales offers a timeless M + M main mix that brims with glorious instrumentation and nonstop grooves and the one and only Al Kent brings his magic touch to a perfect Balearic sound with some superb Rhodes solos.

Review: Kalita Records are proud and honoured to announce the first ever official reissue of the four choice tracks from Randolph Baker's privately pressed sought-after 1982 disco album 'Reaching For The Stars', plus an unreleased instrumental take of 'Party Life' sourced from the original 24-track analogue master tapes.

Originally recorded at Jim Morris and Rick Miller's Tampa-based Morrisound Studios, 'Getting Next To You' features both a mixture of both local Florida talent plus jazz superstar Nat Adderley and bassist John Lamb at their finest. Originally pressed in a limited run of just one-thousand copies, with no distribution and most copies being sold in the local city and on Randolph's own merchandise table at the back of live gigs, original copies have long been sought-after by both collectors and DJs alike, acknowledged as a true grail and masterpiece in the disco scene and deservedly demanding extortionate figures to those lucky enough to find their own.

Here, in collaboration with Randolph, Kalita Records have chosen to re-release the four choice tracks from the album: 'Getting Next To You', 'Jazzman', 'Callin' Me' and 'Party Life'. The former is an in-demand horn and chant-filled disco masterpiece, which, as Randolph explains, concerns unity and "everyone on the same level in other words, everyone just loving life". It is arguably the song that Randolph is most well-known for in the disco and funk scene and perfect for the modern discerning dance floor. 'Jazzman' is an instrumental track with prominent trumpet and saxophone solos working with funky basslines to produce a truly great jazz-funk groove. It was "a tribute to Nat Adderley and Duke Ellington's bass player, John Lamb, for being so generous and saying yes to the project". 'Callin' Me' is a soulful disco number featuring the lead vocals of Laurie Erickson and is "about being on the road and ensuring loved ones that you will always come back home no matter what. It was like a promise to ensure loved ones they didn't have to worry". Lastly, 'Party Life' is a joyous disco track with a strong funk bassline and horns. As Randolph recalls, it "was the joy like after an actor finishes a movie. There was nothing but joy. It's finished; let's celebrate big time. Where everyone in the studio yelled at the top of their lungs - The End!" Here, with access to the 24-track master tapes we have been able to include the original version plus an unreleased instrumental take, allowing us to focus on the infectious bassline and make it even more ready for the modern dance floor.

Accompanied by extensive interview-based liner notes and never-before-seen photos.

Review: Banda Male was a collective that formed in a home studio in Salerno, one of the historic districts in the South Italy. It was the initiative of composer and keys man Peppe Maiellano and rapper, DJ and producer Tonico Settanta. The rest of the cast is ever rotating and the music they make is a lively mix of disco, funk and soul with signature Italo melodies. This new single is taken from their June 2021 album UFO Bar and is a low slung number with a steamy vocal and a somewhat sleazy bassline. 'Living Disco Club' (Tonico 70 Reloved) then slows it down further with even more twirling melodies.

Review: Expansion Records' continues to delve into the bulging archives of Roy Ayers' influential Uno Melodic Records imprint, which issued some superb jazz-funk, soul and boogie throughout the 1980s. Here they offer a new pressing of Ethel Beatty's sought-after, Roy Ayers' produced 1981 double A-side. For some reason they've reversed the running order, with side A offering original flipside 'It's Your Love', a Dee Dee Bridgwater co-authored slow jam that's soulful, seductive and sumptuous. Over on the reverse you'll find the more celebrated ''I Know You Care', a deep disco number full of glistening guitar riffs, smooth chords and warming grooves. In a word: luscious

Review: Detroit's John Beltran can do no wrong if you ask us, and what he does do is always famously varied, from sound design for TV to melodic techno excellence via ambient beauty. Here for MotorCity Wine he revisits his Back To Bahia series with a third volume that finds him flexing his Afro-Brazilian deep house chops. The 7" opens up with the jazzy boogie of Lsaura' which is steeped in Minneapolis funk and will get cultured dancefloors in a spin. 'As The Sunsets' that appears on the flip and is a superbly emotive sound with wispy late night melodies and glowing harmonies and shuffling Latin grooves. Essential.

Review: GAMM presents the debut of enigmatic producer Black Truffle, with an EP of underground Euro disco / boogie, high energy disco-jazz and leftfield Euro folk-funk-jazz. On the first side, get swept away by the breezy and lo-slung funk of 'Autumn Of Love' followed by the late night boogie-down vibe of 'Integration'. Over on the flip, 'Superqueen' is your go-to dancefloor heater to play at the peak of the evening, and finally there's the sensual slo-mo vocal number 'Zore Moya Vechirnaya' which is the perfect closing track for later on.

Review: Rhythm, blues and funk outfit The Blackbyrds were formed in Washington, D.C. in 1973, and as we have noted numerous times over at Juno, their music hardly saw the light of day around the time, save for a re-formation in 2012 after renewed interest brought their music back to light. The Washington fusion group were initially mentored by trumpeter Donald Byrd, but their sound came to differ from his sultry and slow tones, working in a more melancholic yet upbeat style, and flowery trumepeteering to boot. This 7" comes in stunning new vinyl quality, showing off a further two lost instrumentals, 'Rock Creek Park' and 'Gut Level'.

Review: Boo is a solo Japanese boogie vocalist who was largely active in the noughties; his most eminent album 'Post Soulman' was released in two volumes, and did thrilling justice to Boo's soulful vocals and faux-Philadelphia street beatstyle. Now rereleased as a single (originally one of the tracks from the album), 'BOOGIE DRIVE 678' gets a good look back on. With a busy mix and lyrics reflecting on the butterflies one feels when encountering someone who makes us feel "high inside", this reissue also comes with the venerable steel pan mix on the B.

Review: Archeo Recordings bring us some more Balearic Italian treasure here with some gold initially recorded in Bologna almost two decades ago. It's a collaboration between friends Bottin and Lucio Dalla that has never before been on vinyl. 'Lunedi Cinema' was an ident that played before Monday night movies on of one of the main Italian TV channels for many years. This electronic version includes the Martedi Mix from 2008, a Minibar Bonus Track and also a mix by pioneering Italian dream house dons Leo Mas & Fabrice with a Bottin dub sealing the deal. It's a superb package of real Italo music history.

Review: The relentless Athens Of The North is having a busy month even by its own high standards. February alone has at least three new 45rpms dropping and this might be the best: Homegrown Syndrome were a band that ended up in LA but giggled all round Memphis. Some members had played with an earlier band but they all came good on these previously unleashed tunes that have been found in the attic of Jerry Jones. 'Got The Love' is a chunky funky stepper with swirling synths and disco energy. 'Party Vibes' then takes off once more on hip swig claps, big arching chords and strident drums.

Review: .No, this is not a surprise jazz-funk outing from Dan 'Caribou' Snaith, but rather a reissue of the sole single that French outfit Cortex released as Caribou, way back in 1977. Copies of that record are now very hard to come by, so it's great that Trad Vibe have delivered this fresh edition. It's worth picking up for 'Californie' alone. The track is a near perfect fusion of the Gallic ensemble's usual loose jazz-funk sound and energetic, sun-drenched disco - all breathless electric piano solos, memorable guitar licks, dancefloor-friendly grooves and spiralling group vocals. Original flipside 'Stevie', a more relaxed and loved-up affair closer in tone to Cortex's usual material, once again resides on the reverse.

Review: Hot on the heels of this one first being reissued back in May, it now gets a second run courtesy of Disques Messager out of France. Cristina Camargo's 'Moral Tem Hora' was one of the standouts from the super Brazilian Disco Boogie Sounds (1978 - 1982: selected by Junior Santos) compilation. It's a perfect fusion of Latin flair, Brazilian disco and jazz funk magic that has fat bass riffs and lots of bright chords and busy percussion next to a classic vocal. On the flip things get slower, sentimental and all loved up on 'Minas Do Rei Salomao' which his a perfectly steamy jam for those hot afternoons under the sun.

Review: Legend of the Madrid scene Casbah 73 is back with a new one for Kraak & Smaak's Boogie Angst here, featuring four new sweltering tracks. The message of environmental politics on 'Let's Invade The Amazon' sung by Hawaii by-way-of Texas' Tonya Wilcox is backed by a low slung disco arrangement, followed by the late night boogie-down instrumental 'Pale Splash Of Blue'. Over on the flip, remixes come from some right legends of the scene; Yoruba Soul takes the track deeper as expected, while Razor N Tape main man JKriv goes for a tropical vibe.

Review: Casbah 73 makes his Glitterbox Recordings debut here with a slice of disco so funky and soulful that you will not be able to get it out of your heart or head. The big vocal hook is what drives the whole tune forward and is from Angela Goode, who sounds utterly timeless. Although it's a brand new tune it drips with that 70s authenticity and comes with a Percussion Jam, noodling remix from Body & Soul man Danny Krivit who draws out the breaks, and then a more steamy and freeform version from Rahaan who makes more of the jazzy keys.

Review: Monsieur Dimitri from Paris works his magic on Casbah 73's organic disco grooves with a remix treatment that surpasses all expectations. Casbah's original track may sound like a band-recorded take with added production sheen, but it's actually a deceptively well-made track recorded by a talented solo artist. Dimitri brings added wompy disco-house heat to the track in two parts, with the first part focusing on the more bangerific elements of the original, and the B (part two) stripping things back to focus on the more minimal, solo dubby parts.

Review: Killer version of the Lonnie Liston Smith classic monster club track by Incognito side project Citrus Sun featuring Valerie Etienne on vocals.

Review: LA-based disco-funk outfit Colletivo Immaginario are keepers of the flame for honey-glazed grooves with a faithful 70s studio sound that simply melts in the ears. This new single is the first 12” on the Domanda label they call home, and it shows off the band at their best, with core members Alberto Lincetto, Nicolo Masetto and Tommaso Cappellato joined by none other than Danilo ‘MCDE’ Plessow moonlighting on Moog for the six-minute odyssey ‘Tempo Al Tempo’. As well as the spellbinding original version on the A side there’s a show-stopping twist on the track from legendary remixer Patrick Gibin on the flip which zeroes in on the house-compatible qualities of the rhythm section to make for a DJ-friendly version which will light a fire under any assembled throng of party people.

Review: Nicola Conte is one of the central figures in the Schema story, and his nu jazz and broken beat partnership with Gianluca Petrella has yielded some golden music in recent years. Nigeria originally came out in 2018, and then last year popped up on the duo's People Need People LP, but now it's getting a proper remix treatment which sees Tall Black Guy twisting the track out as a heady disco house roller for sundown moments when you need a little jazzy flair in the proceedings. That version comes in vocal and instrumental versions, and then the mighty Andres steps up for one of his simmering groove escapades as he delivers an extended remix of 'African Spirits'.

Review: A decade has now passed since Crossroads released their debut. The Italian duo has not released all that much in between, which is a shame since 'If You're In Need' - a cover of a disco-era soul staple made famous by Lenny Williams' soaring 1979 version - is genuinely terrific. Their take on the classic song is arguably best enjoyed in its 'Extended Mix' form, which blends authentic, 1970s style disco instrumentation (including sultry strings and the prominent piano stabs from Williams' version) with subtly beefed-up grooves, jazzy horn solos and subtle nu-disco flourishes. The remix is package is great, with a sublime, beat-free, full vocal version (the 'Acoustic' mix) being joined by a sublime, synth-sporting Young Pulse remix (another winner from the Parisian re-edit hero) and the groovy, effects-laden 'Call Me Dub'.

Review: Soul meets speed garage on this new V/A EP from Z Records, blurring the lines between the genres in just the way we like it. The opening track - Grant Nelson's mix of 'Starlight' by Dave & Omar - is a euphoric, piano-laced uplifter which both sonically and lyrically urges us to reach for the sky. That's followed by the DJ Fudge production 'Everything' by Chocolate Fudge Band, featuring lots of live instrumentation and a Curtis Mayfield style vocal, while over on the flip, 'Looking For You' proves to be a deep and bouncy cut filled with soulful Motown vocal chops and an organ workout worthy of any Sunday service, over a beautifully wonky house framework.

Review: Z Recordings chief Dave Lee has teamed up on this one with Omar, a prolific multi-instrumentalist who was awarded an MBE in 2012 for services to music. The result is 'Starlight', a serving of emotive soul funk with a nod to legend Stevie Wonder. Over on the flip, we have the late night boogie-down vibe of Destiny II's 'I'm Here For This' featuring Aria Lyric's powerful vocal delivery, underpinned by an uplifting arrangement that has summertime vibes abound. A new project by Lee, it debuted earlier this year with the excellent 'Play 2 Win'

Review: The cover art for this limited 7" is worth the overprice alone and very much captures the nostalgic feel of the 80s disco sounds you will find within. This one marks Davey H's (aka David Humphrey) debut release for Six Nine Records and surely there will be many more after it because 'Keep Movin'' is a gem. The drums are lithe and lively, the vocals full of heart and soul and the chords cosmic. On the reverse is a T Groove UK remix that slows things down a little and ups the heft of the drums.

Review: Hot'N'Spicy's self-titled series of flame hot disco and funk gems returns with a sizzling sixth instalment here and it has some big names on board. Delfonic opens up with the low slung and seductive loopy disco-house fun of 'Everything Is Love' while HOLDTight up the funk and energy with more loose and percussive grooves on 'Disco Power.' Franck Roger brings his classy French house styling to a deep and slinky number in 'Pinguino Blumo' and DJ Steef shuts down with some big camp disco flourishes and dubbed-out vocal echoes on 'Warp Odyssey.'

Review: Parisian jazz-funk, disco and boogie band Chatobaron - an outfit helmed by multi-instrumentalist Frank Chatona - have previously worked in the studio with house and nu-disco mainstay Art of Tones, so it's no surprise to see them recruiting the mighty Dimitri From Paris to mix their latest single. His A-side 'Club Vocal' mix is a genuinely riotous and celebratory affair, with strong group vocals (singing about how much they love 'your' music) and heady horns rising a jolly and joyous, piano-sporting disco-funk groove rich in low-slung bass and Cerrone style percussion. It comes accompanied not by one of Dimitri's deconstructed dubs, but rather an equally excitable 'Club Instrumental' mix that boasts all the goodness of his A-side mix minus the vocals.

Review: Earlier this year, French disco and jazz-funk combo Chatobaron joined forces with fellow Parisian Dimitri From Paris for the rather good 'I Like (The Music That You Play)'. While that was a wholehearted disco workout, this speedy sequel sees the band (and their high-profile collaborator) explore their West Coast jazz-funk influences via an inspired workout full to bursting with killer instrumental solos, dusty grooves, memorable motifs and a genuinely killer, cowbell-sporting percussion brerak. This time round, there are no Dimitri From Paris remixes; instead, dubbed-out disco favourites the Idjut Boys are on hand to smother the track in tape echo and dub delay. The result is a typically spaced-out, low-slung affair that naturally makes the most of the band's killer bassline and layered percussion sounds.

Review: Infamous Parisian afterparty Discomatin update the edit series they launched earlier this year with another clutch of beautifully modified obscurities. Once again we're treated to the full spread as the collective lay down the sunny side grooves: "Show Me" is a brilliantly kitsch moment in disco with spoken word that guarantees dancefloor humour. "I Need To Meet You" whisks us off to the horizon on a yacht while "Le Paradis C'est L'enfer" is an emphatic piece of French electroboogie that's so raunchy it could make Gainsbourg. Finally we hit "Deboto Love Song". A serious end-of-night (or end-of-morning in the case of Discomatin) unity cut, if the harmonies don't have grown men on their knees you're doing it all wrong.

Review: DJ S is a Greek producer who is one of the best editors around, with his own singular downbeat sound. On his latest release, he joins the Too Slow To Disco Edits series with four tracks of smooth and groovy disco edits. He reworks some classic and obscure gems from the late 70s and early 80s, adding his signature touch of warmth and soul. From the funky groove of 'Groovin', to the low slung sexiness of 'Sweet Love' (2022 version) and the absolutely romantic 'U' - DJ S delivers a delightful EP that will make you want to dance and chill.

Review: Reissued from a 1981 album known as 'I Feel It Rising', Doctor Rhythm's most infectious single ever, 'I'm So Strong Now', hears a reissue on Voom Voom South. "What does it matter to you, if you hurt my pride?" sings the 80s South African supergroup's lead singer, as a lumbering slow string-centric soul bit unveils itself for the humble listener. Following that up are three remixes, one of the A track and two of the group's hustling disco number 'Hook It Up'. A varied, though unmatchably energetic disco release for the heads out there.

Review: ** REPRESS ALERT ** A couple of all time George Duke greats get the official remastered and reissue treatment here. The American songwriting legend's "I Want You for Myself' from 1979 gets a mighty Tom Moulton rework on the A side - which streamlines the essential groove of the original just nicely. On the flip, the sultry late night mood lighting of "Brazilian Love Affair" is funky, soulful and groovy in all the right amounts - the album of the same name from 1980 was hailed as his most popular. Duke was known primarily for thirty-odd solo albums, as well as his collaborations with other musicians - particularly Frank Zappa.

Review: First released way back in 1980 on the album of the same name, 'Coming To You Live' is one of the most beloved dancefloor jams in the sprawling catalogue of sorely missed soul-jazz organist Charles Earland. Here reissued on seven-inch (and therefore presented in edited form), the track blurs the boundaries between Latin-tinged disco and jazz-funk - all heady female group vocals, heady horns, spacey Herbie Hancock synths and infectious grooves. Over on the flip you'll find original B-side 'Street Themes', a breezier, similarly Latin-tinged jazz-funk cut that features some sensational keys-playing from Earland. In a word: essential.

Review: Louie Vega's famed Elements of Life project - an ever-changing collective of musicians who create live house, disco, Latin and soul tracks - returns to action, this time with old friend Josh Milan in tow. In its original Louie Vega mix form (track 3),'Let Us Shine' is a deliciously deep soulful house number with tribal-influenced percussion, gospel-influenced vocals and Vega's usual impeccably produced instrumentation. Milan provides two top-notch 'Honeycomb' mixes (vocal and instrumental), which opt for a breezier and more tactile vibe with nods to both early New York garage-house and the earlier 'proto-house' wave spearheaded by Boyd Jarvis, Timmy Regisford and Paul Simpson. Rounding off the EP is live Latin house workout 'Los Tonos Segrados', featuring guest musician Axel Tosca.

Review: Astonishingly, original copies of Energize's 1979 private press single "Piece of Class" have changed hands for over 500 quid online. Helpfully, Rain & Shine have decided to save us all a few bob by slinging out this licensed reissue. The title track is something of a bustling disco-funk gem - a genuinely wonderful fusion of hazy vocals, dueling horn solos, spacey synthesizer flourishes and driving bass guitar. B-side "Star of the Disco" is an even more up-tempo affair, with mazy saxophone solos, rasping horn stabs and starry jazz-funk keys riding a walking bassline and high-octane disco drums.

Review: Ernie Mckone & Toby Baker have produced this new single for Erine & The Family McKone. The A-side features Valerie Ettienne who is well known for her work with the likes of Galliano and Jamiroquai (with him she made a cover of a Brenda Russell classic). 'In The Thick Of It' is a super silky and mid-tempo soul jam with lavish melodies and gentle grooves. The flipside is in cahoots with Lex Cameron, an increasingly noteworthy London-based singer. It's a tender and loved up tune for cosy dance floor moments.

Review: While it's hardly a holy grail release, Billy Evans' 1985 debut single is one of those rare and hard-to-find jazz funk-meets-boogie jams that merits a reissue. The admirable Kalita Records have happily stepped up to the plate and delivered. We got both versions from the original 12": the cheery, synth bassline-powered dancefloor soulfulness of Evans and arranger Al Walters' original mix, and the pair's more thickset, club-ready Dub Mix, which in typical 1980s disco dubs style includes some fine breakdowns and groove-based sections. Dusty-fingered digger Waxist also provides a freshly re-edited take. He stretches out the groove, focusing on the synth-bass, drums, guitars and horns, before dropping in Evans' inspired lead vocal.