Review: Patrick Adams was responsible for producing tons of terrific disco records during the late 1970s and early '80s, but few are quite as dizzyingly good as Cloud One's 1976 cut 'Atmosphere Strut'. Created by Adams with the assistance of regular collaborator Peter Brown, the 9-minute plus track is notable for the extensive use of superbly spacey synthesizer lines, an infectious deep disco groove and a typically head-in-the-clouds lead vocal from Margo Williams. This reissue naturally offers-up Adams' original, must-have 12" club mix, but also a brand-new re-edit from disco rework specialist KON. He lengthens the intro, beefs up the bass and makes crafty use of some improvised vocals from Adams and Williams that were previously buried on the multi-track master tapes.
Review: The mighty Cloud One is back on wax here with more super disco business on the US label P&P with this fresh new 7" platter. This project was of course masterminded by the legendary Patrick Adams and Peter Brown back in the 70s and they had plenty of catchy tunes with genius sound designs. 'Disco Juice' is one and kicks off here with soaring strings and super smooth disco grooves topped with effortless vocal coos and lush licks. On the flip is the lively 'Charleston Hopscotch' with big chord stabs and astral synths reaching up to the skies next to jazzy piano breakdowns.
Club Mayz - "Fantasy In This Uncaring Void" (4:05)
Bizarre Billy & James Rod - "El Capron Patron" (6:21)
Ricardo Baez - "Non Dimenticarmi" (4:00)
Seth Booth - "Interzone" (4:20)
Review: For those seeking neo-Italo-disco and synth-heavy dancefloor sleaze, Bordello a Parigi's 'Diamonds in the Night' series has long been a must-check affair. Naturally, there's plenty more previously unreleased gold to be found on the latest edition, volume six. Club Mayz kick things off with 'Fantasy In This Uncaring Void', a cheery, all-action affair that sounds like a long-lost early 90s synth-pop/Italo-disco instrumental, before Bizarre Billy and James Rod doff a cap to Bobby Orlando's productions for the Flirts on the superb 'El Caparon Patron'. Turn to the flip for 'Non Dimenticarmi' by Ricardo Baez, a throbbing and melody-rich slab of Hi-NRG revivalism and the intergalactic excellence of 'Interzone' by Seth Booth.
Review: It's always a buzz to see a new Athens of the North 7" drop onto our shelves. This first drop of the year comes from label regulars Coast to Coast who had their unreleased and self-titled soul album reissued here back in October 2021. It is the opening track from that glorious record that gets its own pressing on 45 rpm here with an instrumental on the flip. The original from core members Mark Beiner and Ben Iverson, 'Love Is The Same' has glorious vocal falsettos and super sweet rhythms that bring feel-good vibes like no other.
Review: Coco & Ben were a partnership between Benjamin Robinson of Ben And The Squeeze Tight Band and an uncredited singer (presumably the Coco of the title), who came together for one perfect and extremely rare single from 1979. Now Athens Of The North have dusted down these two smooth as silk soulful disco jams and given them a fresh pressing. 'Good Feelin' is a mellow, soul-feeding cut for Sunday afternoon reveries and toe-tapping country drives alike. 'See The World' is a more sultry affair for those who like their grooves to dig in a little deeper.
Review: For their latest journey into re-edit/original production fusion, Brooklyn's Razor 'N' Tape crew has turned to Munich duo COEO, who have previously impressed via fine outings on Toy Tonics and Let's Play House. The four-tracks here, which all blend samples from classic recordings with their own drums and musical flourishes, all sound like guaranteed dancefloor winners. Check, for example, the breezy Afro-beat-goes-disco cheeriness of "Nigerian Affair", the wonderfully rich keys and organic deep house bump of "Pajama Stomp", and the riotous, high-octane disco-house loop-funk of "Long Night Ahead". Best of all, though, is opener "Like It Is", a sweet, dewy-eyed, string-drenched soul revision that achieves the perfect balance between dancefloor grunt, and paying due reverence to the German duo's horn-heavy source material.
Review: Since 2012, Munich duo COEO has served up a swathe of sample heavy, disco influenced house EPs for such labels as Let's Play House, Toy Tonics, Lagaffe Tales and Razor-N-Tape Reserve. Here they pop up on Razor-N-Tape's main edit label with something different: a quartet of traditional scalpel works from their personal stash. First up is the elastic, horn heavy disco-funk of "Express Lane", which is quickly followed by the skewed Arabic boogie-funk brilliance of "Libyan Sun". Over on side B, "Don't Oho" is a breezy revision of a sun-kissed Afro-disco workout that sounds like it would be capable of causing a commotion in the club, while "Move Your Body" makes merry with a warm, rich and intoxicating early '80s boogie-soul jam of unknown origin.
Review: The sixth volume in Toy Tonics occasional "Tonic Edits" series comes courtesy of label regulars COEO, a Munich-based duo who previously proved their edit credentials via a tasty 12" on Razor-N-Tape. This collection is arguably even better than its predecessor and sees them take their rusty scalpels to a quartet of Japanese disco-pop tracks from the 1980s. There's much to admire, from the sleazy electrofunk grooves, bold pianos and sparkling pianos of "Matchbox" (A2) and the slap-bass propelled boogie goodness of the Teena Marie-esque "Uber Man" (B1), to the freestyle influenced synth-pop bounce of cheery closing cut "Tibetan Dance". Arguably best of all, though, is lead cut "Japanese Woman", a bi-lingual disco song rich in rubbery bass, Chic style guitars and sparkling synthesizer flourishes.
Review: Munich twosome COEO have long been a reliable source of hybrid nu-disco and house productions, with their releases on Toy Tonics being particularly good. Music For Friends, their first release of 2021, is another rock-solid collection of ear-catching cuts. The most incendiary, peak-time ready number is undoubtedly 'Voyager (Piano Mix)', a brilliantly rush-inducing slab of piano house revivalism with added nu-disco synths, though EP opener '25 Hundred Friends', a tough-as-teak blend of chunky deep house, fluid piano solos and warming jazz-funk instrumentation, pushes it close. Elsewhere, 'Slipstream' is a borderline Balearic chunk of dreamy and melodious deep house, while 'Midnight Visions' is colourful, emotive and musically intricate.
Canto De Alright (Caflo vs Deeper Roots edit) (6:28)
Made You Do It, Look (3:45)
Fly Like The Payback (3:38)
Review: Next up on the brilliantly revitalised Gamm label is Coflo, who delivers a trio of dynamic reworks that show why he's one of house music's most exciting new producers. There are no lazy edits here-just bold, club-ready blends packed with flair. 'Canto De Alright' is a versatile transition tool that slides seamlessly between house and hip-hop. On 'Fly Like The Payback,' Coflo fuses Steve Miller Band and James Brown into a rare groove gem and closing the package, Nas gets a funky boogie rework that hits hard and grooves effortlessly. These tracks are hot, inventive, and destined to become weapons for DJs who like their sounds sharp and soulful.
Review: Parisian label Cracki Records has once again collaborated with Hong Kong's Fauve Records, which is headed up by producer and DJ Romain FX, for another fine edition of the Make Italo Disco Great Again series. This is volume four and it comes after artists like COEO, Arash & Quasar and Mangabey made their amir in the past. This new one continues to showcase global talent and has artists from Ireland, Korea, Mexico, Germany and beyond each sharing their unique take on Italo disco. This volume includes dazzlers by Mystery Affair, Shubostar, Sara Miller, COLE, Maltitz and Romain FX who all impress.
Peter Seiler - "Timebend" (feat Sheryl Hackett) (4:32)
Eoism - "Ultraverse" (5:00)
Voertuig - "Cego" (5:19)
Voertuig - "808 Ambient Jazz" (3:45)
Eoism - "Even Flow" (5:45)
Review: Colkin from Raw Soul and Mauke Club sets the tone on this new FUTUR compilation, which has been curated by Benedikt Meger with a spherical acid house meditation. Peter Seiler's track, a standout from the reissue of his debut album Flying Frames, features Sheryl Hackett's soulful vocals and merges song structure with jazz improvisation. Eoism from Pulse Drift, Undersound, and Inch By Inch delivers low-swung electro flavours perfect for sunset vibes while the B-side opens with Voertuig of Tonal Oceans and Cobra Club who presents a seriously raw acid jam followed by an experimental, jazzy piece, reminiscent of the 90s downtempo era. 'Eoism' closes things with a floating, futuristic banger, going to make a well rounded (in more ways than one) and ultimately very useful piece of vinyl.
Review: The Space Grapes return with a 12" EP from the Italian trio Collettivo Immaginario which is made up of LA-based drummer Tommaso Cappellato, pianist Alberto Lincetto and bassist Nicolo Masetto. Known for their experimental fusion of eclectic jazz, funk, downtempo beats and vintage Italian library music, this release marks a fine exploration of Italian vocals. The A-side, 'Luce' features a vibrant mix of 80s jazz-funk and boogie in an extended, energetic version. On the B-side, 'Luna Gioia' presents a contemporary take on downtempo Brazilian funk and slow disco complemented by an instrumental version that highlights the music's intrinsic beauty.
Review: Colors are a classic example of an obscure Italo-disco outfit who's quirky (and undeniably Italian) take on synth-pop chimed with listeners in different parts of the world in the mid 1980s. 'Never Mind', their second single, was a hit single in Germany and the Phillipines on its initial release in 1985 - hence this reissue. With its jangling guitars, nods to indie-pop and surprisingly deep and warming synths, it's one of the more Balaeric Italo-disco classics of the era, and one that has aged well. On this reissue, the trio's original instrumental and vocal takes come backed by two fresh revisions: a more synth and drum-machine driven rework by Flemming Dallum that drags it closer to classic Italo-disco territory and a twinkling, largely instrumental Hysteric edit tailor-made for dancefloors.
Review: For their latest release, Six Nine Records has taken a deep dive into the back catalogue of Aussie nu-disco duo Confection, an outfit who released a wealth of (largely overlooked) cuts throughout the last decade. 'Delectable U' first featured on the pair's CD-only 2012 album Private Conversations and features core members Joshua Bageley and Juanita Tippins in full-on revivalist 80s soul mood - all rubbery bass guitar, glossy FM synth sounds, eyes-closed lead vocals and slow-motion S.O.S Band beats. This time round, it comes backed with a fresh remix courtesy of T-Groove that subtly speeds up the beats, thickens the bassline, showcases the band's Chic-style guitar licks and drags the track further towards nu-disco dancefloors. Simply superb!
Review: This latest is a reissue of a Congress Productions EP featuring their seminal 'Neptune'. The much-sampled early 80s jazz-funk classic comes in original form next to two unreleased cuts. The first is a rare boogie cut 'Live It Up' that has been extended for more dancefloor heft having first been dropped under the D'aile' alias as a B-side. Then comes 'Kevin's Funk' which is named in reference to Incognito trumpet player Kevin Robinson, who played as part of a Congress-associated line-up for this session.
Review: Norman Connors 's 'She's Gone' and ''Mr.C' (the title cut from an album of the same name) have never been available on vinyl before but this year's record store day celebrations end that with a nice heavyweight pressing courtesy of Arista. 'She's Gone' is a timeless blend of soul and r&b that is much loved in the soul scene for its fresh composition and stirring, heartfelt vocals. The instrumentation too is next level and superbly fuses horns, strings, and rhythm instruments. Newly remastered but with a sympathetic ear for the original 80s sounds, this one will fly off the shelves.
Loneliness (I-F & Alden Tyrell - live at CBS Micro Party Stubnitz 2006) (7:57)
Review: No, don't worry, Gove and Boris haven't found their way into cosmic disco or twisted acid house....The Conservatives were a brief project for Dutchmen John Scheffer (aka Intergalactic Gary) and Unit Moebius pioneer Ferenc van der Sluijs (aka I-F) around the early 2000s. "Loneliness" was their only single and it still sounds beautiful 13 years later. "Loneliness" is a chunky but altogether trippy slice of what we would now call disco but just called house back then while I-F and Alden Tyrell's remix comes with much more 303 crunch. Well matured and still highly relevant.
Review: NYC Records looks outside its in-house stable for the first time here and signs the delightful nu-disco delights of Constellation. This duo hails from Miami and focuses on space disco sounds that fans of the famous Metro Area style are sure to love. They remain mysterious themselves but their beats are brilliantly designed with plenty of retro-future pads, cosmic arps and tight basslines full of colour, texture and soul. Like Daft Punk but deeper and more dubbed out. All four of these cuts are sure to get floors going but also bring plenty of style.
Nigeria (Tall Black Guy Boogie Love remix - feat Broken Keys) (4:05)
Nigeria (Tall Black Guy Boogie Love remix - instrumental version) (4:05)
African Spirits (Andres extended remix) (5:33)
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: Nicola Conte and Gianluca Petrella follow up last year's beautiful "African Spirits / New World Shuffle" with two more lavish instrumentals. "Sun Song" lives up to its name with wave after wave of heated musicianship from the belting harmonies to the light-touch keys. "Nigeria" taps deep into the source too as it drives us through the heart of Lagos with full horns and sweeping keys. Spiritual, sun-splashed and vital.
Review: Leroy Burgess had already left a huge mark on Black American music by the time the 80s rolled around thanks to his part in Black Ivory alongside Patrick Adams, but he was about to hit on a purple patch of productivity scattered with one-shot gems like Convertion. The project was a family affair featuring the likes of his adopted brother James Calloway on bass, his cousin Sonny T. Davenport on drums and his sisters Renee J.J. Burgess and Dorothy Terrell on backing vocals. The lead track they recorded, 'Let's Do It', is a prime slice from 1981, in the years of transition from disco to boogies and it sounds as great as it did back then. The original B-side of the split release, a mellow ballad by Four Flights entitled 'All I Want Is You', is present and correct on this reissue from Demon Singles Club too.
Review: 'Back For More"' by Cool Million stands out as a true Neo-Boogie classic. Originally released in 2010, this infectious dancefloor anthem has become a coveted gem among DJs and collectors, with original pressings fetching remarkable prices due to its limited run of just 1,000 copies. Featuring the iconic vocals of Eugene Wilde, the title track is a soulful synth funk jam that continues to dominate playlists worldwide. The flipside offers another smooth midtempo delight featuring DeeDee alongside Wilde, further showcasing the duo's knack for crafting irresistible grooves. Now, in 2024, Cool Million is set to reintroduce their signature sound with new recordings, while simultaneously delighting fans with a limited re-release of the original pressing. This is an essential addition for any serious vinyl collector or DJ looking to elevate their sets.
Review: The soul, funk and disco 7" community is a strong one. Besides garage rock and psychedelic rock, there might not be another genre that is so beloved on the small but mighty 45rpm format. So, it completely makes sense if you are a newer producer releasing music in these genres then definitely know your fan base. Cool Million is a Danish and German duo doing just that. Their track 'Stronger' is the track and the title of their sixth full length album from 2019. The album has gained such strong reviews that they put it now as a single along with the Dub version on the reverse side. 'Stronger' is a positive and upbeat anthem that is sure reign in the innocent bystanders to party. The Dub is a super-cool alternative version that reminds of us classic roller-skating funk track from Midnight Star or Kool & The Gang. Need a party starter? Get this!
Review: Reissued from the original Sedsoul 7" first laid down in 2010, and then a further digital 'House Session' edition in 2015, Cool Million and Eugene Wild are again 'Back For More'. Clearly, the Danish-German production duo, when in collaborative cahoots with r&b singer Wilde, are prone to redound to milking the dance for all it's worth; we gather that for as long as this tune is out, they'll always want their seconds and thirds, else they wouldn't eat, so to speak. So too does this third edition of the stellar, four-alt-mix 'Back For More' prove just as funky as it did at the moment of its original release fourteen years ago; Wilde rides the groove with serious flux, assuring the fulfilling of said prophesied return against spiccato strings and a curvaceous synth bass. There's even a karaoke version on there too, just in case you'd like to flaunt your underground soul intel at your next knees-up.
Review: Cool Million's 'Tonight' arrives here on a special limited edition white vinyl. Featuring the legendary Glenn Jones it's a lush blend of 80s soul and funk infused with a modern twist. Jones's soulful vocals glide effortlessly over sleek lyrics, harmonising perfectly with Cool Million's infectious groove. The track radiates nostalgic 80s smoothness but never sounds kitsch and that shows the duo's fusion of retro influences with modern production has stood the test of time. A slow-motion dub on the flip makes this a great little weapon.
Review: This evergreen favourite gets another reissue, this time on coloured vinyl. Cool Million's 'Tonight' featuring the legendary Glenn Jones mixes up lush 80s soul and funk with a modern twist. Jones's soulful vocals seamlessly float as he serves up smooth lyrics that perfectly complement the infectious groove crafted by Cool Million. There's a nice balance of nostalgia throughout as retro influences kiss up with modern production which means that the tune carries a timeless appeal and always stands out in any set. This remains a must-cop, especially as we head into summer.
Review: Cool Million's Tonight featuring the legendary Glenn Jones is a catchy fusion of 80s soul and funk with modern flair. Jones's soulful vocals effortlessly glide over smooth lyrics, perfectly complementing the infectious groove laid down by Cool Million and the track exudes a nostalgic vibe while still feeling fresh and contemporary, showcasing the duo's adeptness at blending retro influences with modern production. 'Tonight' has a timeless appeal of soul and funk, making it a entertaining listen for fans of both classic and contemporary music alike.
Review: Cool Million has long been synonymous with the boogie funk style, which is sadly a genre lost by the late 1980s. Collaborating with singers spanning eras from the 80s to today, they bridge generations of soul, funk, and boogie. Here they work with English soul sensation Kenny Thomas, known for his UK Top 40 hits, who is a cornerstone of the original UK soul scene, boasting eight Top 40 singles and two Top Ten albums. His track 'Without Your Love' exemplifies this genre, a driving uptempo anthem with a funky uplift. The accompanying dub version enhances its appeal for DJs worldwide, affirming its place in contemporary record bags.
Review: Cool Million featuring Kenny Thomas on vocals is a refreshing return to the soulful sounds of yesteryear. With Without Your Love, the duo, Rob Hardt and Frank Ryle, once again showcase their talent for crafting infectious grooves that harken back to a more musically satisfying era. Thomas's soulful delivery shines on this track, serving as the perfect complement to the funky rhythm and melody. The song exudes a timeless quality, reminiscent of classic soul and R&B from the 80s, with its boogie-inspired feel and soulful synths reminiscent of artists like Paul Laurence and Kashif. Originally released in 2012, this track now get's its own 7" for DJs and collectors to highlight the standout track.
Review: 'One of a Kind' expands Cool Million's sound and marks a new direction towards a more diverse boogie funk style ahead of a much anticipated new full length which is due to arrive next year. This latest dancefloor hit features Seest, a Danish soul singer and longtime collaborator, while the tune blends funky, jazz-infused boogie that draws inspiration from artists like Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang, and The Crusaders. It boasts powerful horn arrangements, rich chord changes and driving basslines with an up-tempo power-funk groove at its finest. This single serves as a great taste of the album to come.
Review: The spectroscope of Cool Million's soundworld doubles in width, as 'One Of A Kind' marks a new phase of innovation in their patented boogie funk sound. This latest single hears Danish soul singer Seest - a longtime collaborator with the Danish production duo - add her doubled, tripled, nigh quadrupled vocal overdubs to the already well collieried disco track. With the ensuing EP packed with allusive, fiery effrontery, bringing inspirations from Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang and The Crusaders, we must warn you: this is a volatile disco 7", one that should really come with a fire hazard warning.
Review: Sedsoulciety Recordings have got several new 7"s dropping from Danish-German production duo Cool Million this month. For this one which arrived on black wax in March and now comes on a coloured slab, they work with Tomas Thordarson - whose Latin-flavoured single 'Shame On You' was Denmark's 2004 entry into the Eurovision Song Contest. He gets much more funky here with elements of UK street soul on 'My Life (main)' with its boogie bass and loose, louche claps, rubbery bass and catchy grooves. Flip this one over for a superb dub version.
Review: Danish-German production duo Cool Million (Frank Ryle, Robert 'Rob' Hardt) are specialists in nu-disco and neo-boogie. Until late, they've flaunted this expertise via their renditions of old funk standouts, be that from the likes of Donald Byrd or James Brown. Here, however, the pair team up with Tomas Thordarson for a front-and-centre G-funker of the squeeziest quality, 'My Life', whose lyrics match its form via mentions of 'cutting like a knife' rhymed, of course, with 'paradise'. The instrumental dub is just as glassy and arid, its standout element being the huge, zesty, quivering chords marking out the phrase transitions.
Review: It's a damn shame Cool Runners aka the duo of Paul Tattersall and Chris Rodel and was such a short-lived group because the tunes they made are next level. This reissue proves that with their 1982 single 'Checking Out' served up on a 12" with the sought-after 'High on a Feeling' on the flip. The open is lush street soul with boogie bass and twanging funk guitar riffs topped off with a gorgeous vocal. The second offering 'High On A Feeling' has leggier drums and more of a disco feel, but still plenty of brilliant boogie in the bass. Two cult classics, then.
JKriv - "Better Than Her" (feat Saucy Lady & Tortured Soul) (4:39)
Kim Anh - "In The Stars" (5:06)
Cody Currie - "Ghost" (4:48)
Review: Razor-N-Tape's Family Affair series makes a welcome return here with a third great instalment. This series is something of an annual end-of-year tradition by now (OK, it's arriving a touch late) and this one hits as hard as any with five tracks taken from the full and standout compilation. It is two great remixes of classic RNT material that gets things underway with Ezel offering a dub of Cor.ece and Bruce Leroys sublime deep hose mix of Guinu, then JKriv's 'Better Than Her' is a fat bottomed bit of deep cut electro funk and elsewhere Kim Anh gets raw and cosmic, and Cody Currie's 'Ghost' is broken beat perfection.
Right Here Right Now (Opolopo instrumental remix) (5:12)
Nothing But Love (DJ Friction vocal remix) (4:07)
Review: On his 2023 Soul Fiction album, Berlin scene stalwart Cosmo Klein utilised a wide range of high-quality jazz musicians, recording their contributions in a campervan he'd turned into a mobile studio. Pal Daniel Best was impressed, so has decided to get the best tracks from the LP remixed. On this tidy four-tracker, we're treated to a rubbery, disco-fired interpretation of 'Nothing But Love' by Art of Tones, a propulsive dub-blues take on 'Life Back Now' by Freerange Records regular Philippa, and vocal and instrumental takes on 'Right Here Right Now' by man-for-all-seasons Opolopo. He naturally delivers the goods, wrapping P-funk and boogie influenced synths, snaking sax lines and jazzy piano motifs around a heavy electronic bassline and loose-limbed deep house drums. A genuinely superb remix package all told.
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