Review: Erol Alkan's faultless Phantasy Sound is one of the most high-quality but musically hard to predict labels out there. British Ugandan DJ Josh Caffe has dropped a few killers here before and has a full length coming later in the year but first is 'Meine Lederjeans'. It's a slow-motion electro-funk cut which vocals that drip with Prince-style sexuality and soul. The Paranoid London remix then does what Paranoid London remixes do - bring the grit, grime and sleaze. It's a raw and frazzled remix with early Chicago acid-house vibes. A superb EP with two very different but equally standout tunes.
Review: Cee O Funk's latest double-sided release, 'Night With You,' is a brilliant example of the French touch in modern funk. The A-side features 'Night With You,' a sexy and electrifying track infused with electro funk vibes and highlighted by Mae Rojas's strong vocal performance. B-side 'Brazil,' offers a beachy electro funk experience that transports listeners to sun-soaked shores. Both tracks are masterfully crafted with analogue synths, adding a rich and authentic texture to the music. Cee O Funk continues to impress with their ability to blend classic disco funk elements with contemporary electrofunk influences.
Review: 'Hard Times' is a mega rare outing from Chequers which they dropped back in 1983 at the height of popularity for this sport of sound. It's irresistible electro-boogie that will get you in a spin in no time. The squelchy bass, r&b vocals and withering sci-fi disco synths all bring real colour. Flip it over and you will find the equally stellar 'If You Want My Love'. This is the first time this one has ever been reissued by its Freestyle label. Don't sleep on this surefire party starter and underground classic.
Review: Electro Wayne's mid 80s-focused Circuitry project get busy on Peoples Potential Unlimited with two starlit synth boogie originals; "She's Just That Type Of Girl" is a playful east coast funk flex with a slight freestyle touch to it. Harmonies, light touches on the keys and exceptional drum production, it's a sassy slice that will warm-up any floor. "Under Pressure" lowers the tempo but thrusts up the sensual urgency with great percussion and come-to-bed spoken word. Authentically done.
Review: A vibrant homage to 80s electrofunk and disco, packed with lush grooves and melodic finesse. Side-1 kicks off with 'Freak', a shimmering track steeped in 80s-inspired electrofunk, blending sleek melodies with a polished, retro vibe. 'Last Days Of Cybotron' follows, maintaining the melodic theme with a funky, futuristic edge that nods to the electro era's pioneering spirit. On Side-2, 'The Chiller Thriller' slows things down with a cool, laid-back electrofunk groove, perfect for low-key moments. 'Radio Station P You' channels early 80s R&B funk and electro in the vein of the Gap Band, delivering a nostalgic yet fresh energy. Wrapping up the release is 'Sassy Strutt', an infectious fusion of funk and house with undeniable dancefloor appeal. This collection masterfully bridges the gap between vintage electrofunk and nu-disco, making it an essential pick.
Review: One of many stone-cold Patrick Adams disco funk gems, 1981's "Don't Let My Rainbow Pass Me By" enjoys a long-awaited reissue 37 years after its last outing. Its sprightly slippery groove and floating falsettos remain as strong and as a vital as they ever did... But at a fraction of the once triple-figure price tag it's had over the years. Don't let this record pass you by.
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: Mousse T.'s latest album, Melodie, is a testament to his enduring prowess in the realm of dance music. Following a string of successful remixes and collaborations, Mousse T. teams up with The Shapeshifters and Tensnake to deliver a sophisticated groover that exudes disco nostalgia. Featuring the enchanting vocals of Cleah, 'Melodie' captures the essence of classic disco while infusing it with modern flair. From start to finish, the album is a journey through infectious beats, funky basslines and irresistible melodies, showcasing Mousse T.'s impeccable production skills and his ability to create music that keeps the dance floor grooving. With its timeless sound and undeniable energy, 'Melodie' solidifies Mousse T.'s status as a master of the disco 3000 sound, ensuring that his music will continue to captivate audiences around the world.
Yuji Toriyama & Ken Morimura - "Night Together" (4:47)
Chie Sawa - "Sea Gull" (4:07)
Review: Way back in 1982, Japanese musicians and producers Yuji Toriyama and Ken Morimura joined forces to deliver Aerobics, a soundtrack for exercise classes (really) that joined the dots between boogie, disco and city pop. 'Night Together', a superb electrofunk instrumental rich in picturesque synthesizer melodies, jazz-funk guitar solos (Toriyama was a guitarist by trade), squelchy bass and drum machine beats. It's certainly well worthy of being reissued - as this tidy "45" from Pony Canyon amply demonstrates. Curiously, it's not backed by another gem from that set, but rather another slept-on Japanese classic - 'Sea Gull' from Chie Sawa's 1974 hybrid folk-rock/psychedelic rock album 23 - Twenty Three Years Old. It's decent, but the A-side is the real winner.
Review: All hail the mighty Cerrone, one of the most important figures in the development of a European disco sound distinct from what was happening in the US. His run of LPs in the late 70s introduced a new, synth-driven sound which spawned some monumental hits, the biggest of which undoubtedly being 'Supernature'. Now the veteran disco machine is celebrating 50 years of active service in music by revisiting his former glories with new versions of much-loved favourites. Alongside these productions, Cerrone has also invited some more contemporary players to produce remixes, including Dimitri From Paris and The Reflex.
Review: 50 years have now passed since Marc Cerrone made his recording bow as part of Kongas, so to celebrate the percussionist-turned-disco pioneer has revisited some of the greatest tracks in his collection, not only recording new versions, but also handing over the parts to some similarly minded remixers. There's some modern production trickery and effects, as well as freshly recorded replacement vocals, but the key ingredients of his sound - the grandiose orchestral arrangements, driving kick-drums and sweaty percussion workouts - remain in-tact. The plentiful highlights include the glossy and uplifting 'Got To Have Lovin', the Reflex's wonderfully low-slung interpretation of 'Look For Love', Dimitri From Paris's fizzing take on 'Love in C Minor' and a sterling new version of Cerrone's most famous hit of all, 'Supernature'.
Review: While this fabulous album may sound old - as if it was an obscure, jazz-funk-tinged Italian disco release from 1982 - it is in fact brand, spanking new, making it the first new LP of original material released by legendary Italian imprint Best Record in over four decades. Created by Raffaele 'Whodammy' Arcella and Cosimo Cosmo Mandorino, it offers the same kind of boundary-blurring fusion of early '80s boogie, electro, low-tempo Italo-disco, jazz-funk, disco, Afro-cosmic and colourful Balearic pop (with a few cheeky raps and spoken word vocal passages thrown in) as the Neopolitan albums of the early-to-mid 1980s that inspired them. It's a brilliant set all told - one that authentically pays tribute to their influences and inspirations while offering something genuinely new and exciting.
Dancing Inner Space (long Distance version) (9:25)
Break It Up (4:54)
Breaking Point (5:07)
Review: Freestyle Records presents reissued material by Contact-U, the electro boogie project by Rick de Jongh and Andy Sojka. Originally released via their Challenge imprint, which would quickly begin to focus on the emerging sounds of Hi-NRG and electro at the time, this material is taken from the duo's three EPs released between 1982 - 1984.. Many recognise these tracks as some of the greatest electro-funk sounds of all time; whether it's the electric boogaloo of 'Ecuador' taken from their first EP of the same name, the body rockin' beats of 'Dancing Inner Space' or the robotic p-funk of 'Break It Up' - this really is foundational UK dance music.
Review: Rufus and Chaka Khan's final stretch balances the unfiltered funk of their live performances with the studio polish of their later work. Their live recordings deliver an electrifying set, reworking classics like 'Tell Me Something Good' and 'Sweet Thing' into extended, groove-heavy jams. 'Ain't Nobody' stands outinot just as the lead single but as a masterclass in electro-funk, pairing airtight drum programming with Chaka's soaring vocal for a career-defining moment. Their studio material shifts towards sleek 80s production, offering a more restrained but still soulful contrast. A dynamic farewell from an era-defining partnership.
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