Review: Ace Records are she-pop experts who have kept a constant stream of high quality offerings from the 1960s coming. Featuring mostly British and American artists the label now widens its net to serve up a pair of high impact tunes from their well-received Ciao Bella! Italian Girl Singers Of The 1960s compilation CD. Brunetta's 'Baluba Shake' has big and cavernous drums, plucked guitar riffs and rollicking great chords next to lung-busting vocals. It's a real dancer. Things get more impassioned on the high speed funk chase that is Rita Pavone's 'Il Geghege.'
Review: When deciding on tracks to release on '45' for the first time, the Dynamite Cuts team seems to mine a mixture of sought-after sets, familiar favourites and overlooked obscurities. This single falls int the latter category, featuring as it does two killer cuts from Funk In Hell, a 1976 album by library music collective-turned-instrumental funk outfit Button Down Brass (a band founded by trumpeter and arranger Ray Davies). A-side 'Superstition' is simply superb: a down-low cover of Stevie Wonder classic 'Superstition' that sits somewhere between down-low library funk and Blaxploitation movie soundtracks, with a dash of big band funk thrown in. Instrumental flipside 'Shades of Hades' is equally as vibrant, with elongated electric guitar notes, heady hand percussion and spacey synth sounds combining superbly with spy-funk horns and weighty bass.As played by DJ Muro from Japan
Review: Captain Planet is a globe trotting DJ and producer who mixes up worldly roots music with his own fresh take on hip-hop and dancehall. For this one he joined up with Zuzuka Poderosa & Raphael Futura for a brilliant Brazilian disco and funk song that harks back to the 70s and 80s with influences like Tim Maia, Sandra Da Sa & Gilberto Gil. 'Moqueca' though also has some nice dance floor weight to it as well as the richly tropical percussion, steamy horns and seductive chords. On the flip is an instrumental and the good news is this is a taster of a full album to come.
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.
Review: The irrepressible Gamm label knows a thing or two about disco, funk and soul. Yet more irrefutable evidence for that claim comes from this tidy 12" two tracker featuring some lost remixes. 'I'm In Love Dancin' takes source sounds from Arthur Russell's classic 'Is It All Over My Face' and repurposes them with gangling percussive lives, sunny flutes and mad horns to make for something that will shake your body loose. Flip it over for the steamy, sensuous, intense disco stomps of 'Imma Phreak' complete with fame coos and cries and plenty of dance floor clout. The legendary Rahaan and DJ Emanuel are in fine form here.
Review: It's ten up for the FrescoEdits Iabel with this latest entry into their esteemed series and as always there are plenty of irresistible beats on offer. The in-house FrescoEdits add their touch to the glorious, string-laced and funky disco of 'Little Love' and bring bumping beats and funky guitar riffs to 'Philadelphia'. Rogue D's 'Pensi A Me' is a super smooth heart melter for dancing in the open air as the sun begins to fade, while Kings Of Groove's 'You Got The Funk' is a soulful, slapping house cut with cosmic synth energy and hooky vocals that will always bring the good times.
Review: Soul Supreme is a master keyboardist best known for his covers of classic hip-hop songs by the likes of Mos Def, MF Doom and A Tribe Called Quest. Here side-steps his covers duties to handle remix productions for two of his contemporaries in the Netherlands neo-soul scene - Gallowstreet, LYMA, Shamis and Rebiere. The A side lends a wonky future house feel (a-la GoldLink, Crackazat) to '52 North', Gallowstreet's ode to the city of Amsterdam. The B tune strips it back to a lo-fi soul bapper, fleshing out its theme of loneliness in parenting.
Hill District - "You're Scared Of Falling In Love" (3:35)
Richie Merrett - "You'll Always Have Yesterday Standing By" (3:35)
Review: Dave Welding's Soul Junction has another great package here from The Hill District. This was a group of working musicians that was initially assembled by bassist Walter "Sonny" Hughes who was impressed with them after seeing them rehearse one afternoon. They only ever managed to record one 45, however, and it is this one, and it has overmuch remained hard to find over the years. Hill District's 'You're Scared Of Falling In Love' is glorious sunny and carefree soul with gentle rhythms and great vocal work. Richie Merrett then steps up on the flip with 'You'll Always Have Yesterday Standing By' which is much more verily sentimental and pained.
Review: The first in a new series of split 12 inch releases from the Peoples Potential Unlimited camp, with both sides containing some exceptional 80s boogie action. The piano heavy croon of Hill's ''Delicate Rose'' features on the A Side due to popular demand after featuring on the PPU DVD. On the flip current ABC Wisconsin news anchor Roshell Anderson gets a reminder of former soul glo glories.
Review: From Kon's forthcoming compilation on BBE entitled Kon & The Gang, this 12? sampler features two cuts taken from the LP and an exclusive remix from Boston producer and mix engineer Caserta, namely "Timeless" (Caserta mix)" a tasty serving of super deep and low slung disco goodness. A more functional edit for DJ use follows on "Timeless" (remix - Caserta mix)". On the flip Truccy (better known as Compost's Rainer Truby and Corrado Bucci) present "Closer", a gorgeous slo-mo house jam with a rolling groove fetauring all the good stuff: swirling Rhodes keys, groovy congas and hypnotic vox.
Lex, Dennis Liber, Rosa - "Una Sera D'Estate" (feat Max Giovara) (7:02)
Lex, Dennis Liber - "End Of The Line" (5:56)
Dennis Liber - "Playa Eden" (feat Sariela Camargo) (8:32)
Dennis Liber - "Hidden Island" (feat Ricardo Benitez) (4:17)
Review: Rocksteady Disco welcomes Dennis Liber & Lex for a standout debut here. Their four-tracker captures the magic of musical nights spent down in Mexican hotspot Tulum with organic and airy grooves aplenty. 'Una Sera D'Estate' (feat Max Giovara) exodus late-night warmth and loved-up vibes with its melodic bassline and disco-tinged house drums. 'End Of The Line' is more lively but is no less direct with its big drums and pointed bass phrasings. Liber then goes solo for the dreamy, Italo-tinged yet tropical 'Playa Eden' and wonderfully escapist closer 'Hidden Island' complete with Balearic beats and the sound of singing dolphins.
Review: Dave Lee's Z Records hits the milestone 20th edition of this Attack The Dance floor series. It has always been a reliable outlet for glossy, disco tinged and floor friendly house tunes from some of the genre's most accomplished names. This time out, Dave Lee appears ac couple of times, firstly with the feel good and soul-licked remix of Mike Lindup's 'Atlantia' and then with a boogie mix of Jungle's 'Keep Moving' which comes with a nice dotted funk bassline and big shiny strings. Lazywax and and Emmaculate Afrodisia remix further boost this useful 12".
Mariah & The Machine - "All I Want For Xmas Is A Dog"
Run Winston - "Wonderful Christmas In Hollis"
Review: Get ready for the ultimate holiday mash-up here as this fun 7" brings together two festive anthems that will light up your turntables, and the party. First, Mariah and her Machine deliver a cheeky twist on 'All I Want for Christmas is a Dog' by reminding us that owning a canine is a lifelong commitment. On the flip side, Winston puts a fresh spin on Run-D.M.C.'s 'Christmas in Hollis' by giving it a vibrant Queens New York makeover. With ill reindeers and Jam Master Sleigh, this record is sure to deck the halls and add some serious holiday cheer to your collection.
Review: DC-based label Peoples Potential Unlimited aka PPU is a real favourite for us here. It's got a signature lo-fi funk sound and deals in perfectly ageless sounds with a big heart. Robbie M has been a frequent name in the label's catalogue and is back on this new 7" next to Midnight Express. The latter kicks off with big cosmic disco synths, hip-swinging claps and great vocals. Robbie M's brilliantly boogie-fried 80s electro-funk then appears in the form of 'I Need Good Lovin'' with its seductive vocals and catchy broken beats.
Jamma D - "Don't Wanna Leave The Couch Today" (4:20)
Roche - "House Shuffle Boogie" (6:13)
Darone Sassounian - "Arms" (6:18)
Review: This deep, jazzy and lo-fi house 12" is perfect for escaping at this time of year as the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and the general weight of modern life can get all too much. It comes from an array of standout producers from around the world including Darone Sassounian, Jamma D and Jarren from Los Angeles, Roche from Portland and Morris Mobley from Nancy, France. Between them, they offer the cuddly, cloudy depths of 'Drippin'' (Sauce dub), humid and jazzy heat of the sumptuous 'Don't Wanna Leave The Couch Today', playful rhythms of 'House Shuffle Boogie' and more besides.
Review: Acid jazz star Rad has worked on tracks featuring top-tier talent including the Tower of Power Horns, David Garibaldi, Roger Troutman, Ray Obiedo, Bobby Vega and Michael Spiro. Originating from the San Francisco Bay Area, which is of course home to musical legends like Herbie Hancock, Tower of Power, and Sly & The Family Stone, she now delivers on her Oakland funk roots with a pair of killer cuts on this new 7". Her second album, Gotta Be from 1994 captured funk's essence with sharp breaks, hooky melodies, and her captivating voice and these newly remastered songs, from it ensure their timeless groove remains ever-present.
Que Sakamoto+NT - "Ninjya Wa Sugoi" (Radial Gaze remix) (7:30)
Review: Saint-Petersburg based duo Andrey Redkov and Stas Redkov have been hugely prolific since first pairing up in 2019. They have already served up seven EPs and now arrive on Fauve with another new one. It is a second volume of their West & East series and kick off with the jittery analogue grooves and post-disco wonkiness of 'Focal Savor' which is a writhing mass of detuned synths and chattery percussion. Que Sakamoto+NT's remix is a little more smooth and groove based but still sounds unhinged. The same outfit then serve up an original, 'Ninja Wa Sugoi', which is all tense and drawn out electronics that become more techno at the hands of the Radial Gaze remix.
Review: Intime Anthem is a new label that makes a suitable impressive debut here with a various artists offering that explores a leftfield disco sound. Ramozel's 'Nomentum' has deadpan indie vocals and stark mechanical drums with cold wave synths. Parker Bjoske wars monads with twisted synth modulations and slow, purposeful kicks on 'Tempo.' Naimer then switches the mood with a more playful and 80s-inspired sound, bright retro synths and euro-dance grooves on 'Wildejoe.' There is a supple acid-laced majesty to Ivaj Odnode's closer 'Atillol,' which makes this as vital as it as varied.
Review: Michigan-via-Ohio gospel group Rance Allen have been going for decades, and thanks to Expansion Records, two of their best known tunes now have a chance at relistenership. 'I Feel Like Going' on barely saw a resurfacing on YouTube, but just one listen and we're sure... this is a shockingly important slice of wax, with slapping electronic disco-soul production embedding sax, viola and castanets in what ought to be considered a criminally undersought pair of dance opals. A modern soul masterclass.
Review: If there is one thing ZXY knows about, it is unearthing and reissuing Italo disco rarities from the 80s. This one is from 1984 and finds Rank tapping into the perfect nostalgic aesthetics of the time - silvery drums that are not overly produced, wispy synths that bring cosmic energy and some loved-up chords. 'Happy World' comes with a vocal and instrumental version as well as a signature Flemming Dalum remix from the man who never lets us down.
Monsieur Van Pratt Le Groove - "El Rap Clap O" (Regroove) (4:40)
Bully Boy - "Fear'n'Loathing In Funk Vegas" (4:34)
Ben Jamin - "Old Time Feeling" (4:50)
Review: French funk lovers Acts of Sedition roll out another tasty double 7" here that features some massive joints from around the world. First up is the Latin heat of Rare Cuts's 'Amigo Bracno' with its big, bright leads, string lushness and percolating, percussive groove goodness all finished with a great Portuguese vocal. Monsieur Van Pratt Le Groove's 'El Rap Clap O' (Regroove) hits a little harder but with similar funk playfulness and some great chord work and Bully Boy then offers the raw and strident funk of 'Fear'n'Loathing In Funk Vegas.' Ben Jamin slows it right down with the sun-kissed late night bliss of 'Old Time Feeling.'
Review: Following the excellent excavation of the Miami band's unreleased album Best Kept Secret, AOTN's Fryer treats us to his two favourite cuts on a 500-only never-to-be-repressed 45. Seeped in powerful vocal harmonies, "Let Go" is rare groove gold with smooth sax and a dynamic that keeps on surprising while "Will You Be There" is an end of night soul shakedown with a tenderness that's tangible in every element. Don't sleep on this... Or the album. One of AOTN's most exciting releases this year.
Review: Philadelphia International Records was of course a goldmine for irresistible soul sounds. One of the main men responsible for that was the legend Lou Rawls. This lovely new 12" brings together a couple of his signature sounds with subtle remix work by Mike Maurro. You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine' and 'See You When I Git There' have been taken from the original master tapes and given some modern dance floor touches to make them essential all over again. The a-side in particular has superb drums and aching vocals that stay with you a long time.
The Ray & John - "Day By Day" (instrumental) (6:08)
Angel'o - "Angelo" (5:19)
All Trouvee - "Darling" (3:50)
Angel - "Tomorrow Night" (3:53)
Eggs Time - "Feeling Action" (4:12)
Review: Leng Records' 59th release is something a little different: a very personal collection of largely obscure and hard-to-find gems, mostly created by European pop producers in the late '70s and early '80s, from artist and record collector Paul Beckett. Firmly Balearic and sun-soaked in tone, there's plenty to set the pulse racing throughout. For proof, first check Ray & John's 'Day By Day (Instrumental), which sounds like Please-era Pet Shop Boys reclining at a pool party in Rimini, before admiring the space rock/synth-pop fusion of 'Angelo' by Angel'o. Over on the flip, Beckett offers up three more slices of glassy-eyed goodness, with the loved-up deep synth pop of Angel and the fretless bass-sporting wooziness of Eggs Time standing out.
Review: Ron's Reworks is a mysterious new edit label that deals in tweaking disco gems. Whether Ron is the name of the edit artist, or a nod to the fact these tunes might have been played Ron Hardy, we don't know, but we do know they are worth having: Gilles Peterson played the lush soul grooves of "Flight Of The Eisenberg" on his 6 Music show which should be all the support you need to know about, while "Heads" is a more deep cut of late night funk with playful riffs and a gorgeous vocal sample next to jazzy Rhodes keys. "The Jubes" ends things with a heartwarming gospel vocal from beautiful outfit The Supreme Jubilees that will leave you feeling warm inside.
Review: Ron's Reworks, a series of scalpel jobs and lightly beefed-up reworks from Crazy P co-founder Jim Baron AKA Ron Basejam, has now reached its fourth volume. Predictably, the included material is every bit as well-crafted as its' similarly inclined predecessors. The standout is undoubtedly A-side 'They Speak Colour', a loopy, soft-focus disco-house jam whose relentless grooves, synthesizer splashes and simmering orchestration make it sound like Soundstream after a bong full of Marijuana smoke and several disco biscuits. Elsewhere, 'The City' is a canny revision of an unusual disco-boogie number that builds through sections of drums and cut-up, scat style vocals before finally flourishing late on, while 'The Cull' is a deep and meandering head-nodder tailor-made for warm-up sets and sit-down bar gigs.
Review: The legend of Ron Hardy will always live on - the pioneering selector changed the way dance music was played and consumed in clubs. His own edits were the backbone of his often intensely emotional and celebratory sound and this Ray label has long been putting out the best of them. Number 53 in the series kicks off with the cosmic synths and soothing vocal harmonies of 'Atmosphere Strut' before 'Classy Dance Orchestra' gets all elegant and sophisticated in its approach to disco. Captain Dax's 'Dr Beezar' is the last cut and another direct line to the sound of Paradise Garage in the 70s.
Review: Red Greg, on Moton, delivers a trio of edits of obscure cuts from his seemingly endless record collection. Ten-minute A-side "Movin" is an undulating disco treat built around a killer bassline, twinkling melodies, punchy orchestration and one hell of a female vocal. On the flip you'll find the jaunty, horn-heavy disco-funk bump of "Desire", a superb rework of a barely known, bilingual gem, and the spiraling Caribbean disco-funk insanity that is peak-time workout/synthesizer wig-out "Trinidad Duke". All three edits have been "secret weapons" for the dusty-fingered DJ for some time, and can now be yours for less than nine English pounds. What's not to like?
Just Can't Wait (feat Lumi HD - Kid Creme remix) (4:51)
Just Can't Wait (feat Lumi HD - extended mix) (5:28)
One More Time (feat SANITY - Red Rack Em remix) (6:39)
One More Time (feat SANITY) (5:19)
Review: As we wait impatiently for the release of Sam Redmore's forthcoming debut album, Universal Vibrations, the hotly tipped producer has treated us to some club-ready revisions of two tracks from that set. In its extended mix form (track 2), 'Just Can't Wait' is an inspired slab of vocal boogie brilliance complete with heady Afrobeat style horns, sparkling piano riffs and a chorus so addictive it should probably come with a warning. Kid Creme's accompanying remix is a bouncier disco-funk revision rich in rubbery bass guitar, Nile Rodgers licks and jaunty electric piano stabs. Over on the flip, Latin-fired, rap-sporting Afro-breaks number 'One More Time' is given an airing, alongside a fine, stripped-back, sub-heavy deep Afro-house rub from Bristol-based veteran Red Rack'em.
Review: Reflex was a band assembled in the 1980s by drummer David Humphrey from bands including Public Image Ltd. and they put pout their biggest hit 'Funny Situation' privately via Star Records in 1981. Paint A Picture now serve up a first ever fully remastered and licensed reissue of the superb 7". An original will cost you upwards of L200 if you can find it so this is welcome indeed. The record includes an insert with some content on the release, which was made in the same studio and engineered by the same man as the classic Britfunk anthem 'Southern Freeze.' It is similarly tight and funky and will make any floor go off.
Review: The Reflex never fails to serve up dazzling edits and now he is back on Revision with another super tidy two tracker. Up first is 'Hpyflng,' a gloriously feel good tune with big soul vocals, hints of 60s funk in the grooves and muffled crowd noises to add extra atmosphere, and that's all before some mad xylophone work comes in to really take things to the next level. On the flipside, 'Strtgy' slows down and sinks into a more deep cut and fat bottomed gooey propped up by some rich funk bass. The hip swinging claps and breezy guitars really flesh out this stylish and seductive sound.
Review: For his latest trick, cheeky scamp The Reflex has turned his attention to the Herbie Hancock tune that inspired countless 1980s kids to don a tracksuit, grab a pair of Adidas Shelltoes and hurl themselves around like the Crazy Legs crew. Naturally, his version of 'Rockit' is a body-popping treat that subtly extends and rearranges sections - especially those containing Hancock's jammed-out synth parts - and adds a few tasty breakdowns before unleashing the now familiar melody. Over on the flip the French producer takes his scalpel to the Isley Brothers, providing a fine multi-track edit and extension of the group's much-loved, guitar-solo sporting proto-disco soul number 'That Lady'.
What The World Needs Now Is Love (Silent Dream version) (4:32)
Review: Reggae Disco Rockers are Japan's leading reggae and lover's rock band. They have been active since they dropped their first ever single way back in 1996 and since then they have put a steady stream of sounds including six full albums and many more singles. This one is a cover of an absolute soul classic. 'What The World Needs Now Is Love' here becomes a slow, weighty dub with splashy cymbals, nice incidental melodies and a re-sung vocal that conveys the same emotions. Flip it over for a more steamy, sax-laced Silent Dream version.
Review: Reggie Soul And The Soul Swingers dropped their soul classic 'My World Of Ecstasy' back in 1969 on the Capri Records label. It is a cult and highly sought-after gem even all these decades later and there is currently just one second hand copy to be found and it will cost you almost four figures to own. Or you could buy this reissue on Soul Junction which is also backed with the raw and guttural 'Might Good Loving'. It hits hard, at high speed, with frantic drums and horns. 'My World Of Ecstasy' meanwhile is more sedate, with fluttery jazz melodies and gentle drums, great harmonies and a smoky lead.
Review: Although the Australian outfit Regime roots are in revivalist funk, 'Never Gonna Stop' sees them turn their hands to warm, loved-up and sun-kissed soul of the kind that was once all the rage in the mid 1970s. The grooves are toasty, the male and female lead vocals effortlessly soulful, and the instrumental touches - think languid jazz guitar solos, sweeping strings and lazy, trumpet-heavy horn arrangements - little less than superb. Flipside 'Deuzy Vibe', a P-funk flavoured, turn-of-the-80s boogie-soul style affair, is almost as good. There aren't that many of these -vinyl 45s around, so buy now to avoid disappointment.
Review:
Ultra Vybe is one of the many superb soul labels to operate out of Japan. This time they turn their attention to the sounds of the 70s soul vocalist Clarence Reid. He had a slew of hits and two of them make it on to this 7". First is 'Rockin Chair' from his 1975 album It Keeps in Raining. It's mid tempo, warm and well swung with a louche vocal turn. ''Till I Get My Share' is a more direct cut with a passionate vocal and big horn stabs over prickly rhythms. It's one of his earlier singles from 1972 but still bangs in 2021.
Review: Rekid is the alter-ego of Matt Edwards. With numerous recording projects (Rekid, Radio Slave, Quiet Village, Mathew E, Sea Devils) Matt Edwards’ music breaks down the traditional barriers of dance music and exposes influences from Walter Gibbons to Andy Weatherall to DJ Harvey to create a truly unique sound. "85 Space/Retrospective" are two more amazing slabs of tech/disco/slowed down house, his trademark sound as a taster for his forthcoming album "Made In Menorca".
Review: Renaldo Domino has nothing to do with the pizza chain, of course - in fact, he was so named because his voice was sweet as sugar (Domino is an American sugar brand, if you didn't know.) He had a very short but sweet - pun intended - a career that saw him drop tunes on Mercury subsidiaries Smash and Blue Rock, and later Twinight records. They managed to make an impact and for that reason, he was inspired to get back to making new music in 2019. 'I'm Hip To Your Game' was his first single and one that was soon re-recorded for a second release - it's deep and warm with lavish strings where the A-side has a swinging Northern Soul vibe.
Review: Jacques Renault is almost certainly not dead. Perhaps resurrected from the town of Twin Peaks, and now working in a much less shady line of duty than bartending-come-trafficking - now he runs the label Let's Play House - we're more than happy to welcome this producer's new pair of cut-up funk edits. First comes 'That's What You Are', replete with soul-clenching digi strings and bopping bass licks. French house flair comes on the B-side, 'My Love Is Guaranteed', with resampled pre-drops harkening to glorious trumpet trains and glitching 'oh!'s.
Review: 'I'll Be Good', a Mercury single release, is an excellent later track from Rene & Angela (Winbush),
still working alongside Bobby Watson, with a fat, synthesized midtempo 80s groove feel.
Review: Lips & Rhythm cruises into Summer 2024 with a new EP by Residentes Balearicos. Based in Ibiza, Alessandro Doretto and Luca Averna craft sun-drenched dance music from their island studio. The title track, 'Paraiso,' merges slowed-down Acid and Flamenco guitar with claps, creating a timeless vibe. 'Polvo Mineral' offers mystery with ethereal pads, robust drum fills, and chanting. 'I Wanna Dance' pays homage to the Italian Dream House era with lush chimes, driving synth lines, and pitched-down vocals. Gaspar Muniz, with roots in Brazil and New York, remixes 'Paraiso' into a breaky electro track perfect for late nights in Rio De Janeiro...or whoever you are so long as you shut your eyes and dream.
Review: This hand-stamped white label is the definition of a cheeky 12". It's an edit of the most celebrated tune by the one and only Gil Scott Heron that is primed and ready for good time dance floors. The drums have been beefed up and fattened out, the bassline has been given more weight and the vocal and flute have been left to do their thing up top. The results are high impact. The flipside is another edit of a big one in Aretha Franklin's 'Respect.' Once again the bottom end has had most work with some extra weight and richness, while a big sax rips up the groove as the vocals ring out.
Review: This is a mega rare 12" version of a classic tune which will never not get big reactions. 'Get Ready For This' is a proper Philly disco soul delight with stirring vocals that are deep and powerful over fine instrumentals and funky bass effects. On the reverse is a flip by the one and only Paradis garage legend Ron Hardy. He upped the drums and allowed the vocal plenty of room to shine while tweaking the synths and melodies to sit not so loud in the mix and allow horns room to shine. A real gem from the glory days of early club culture.
Review: Rhyze was a legendary New York based funk, soul and R&B band and they put out a classic album Just How Sweet Is Your Love on the SAM Records label back in the 80s. One of the little known but killer cuts from it is 'Do Your Dance.' It has driving horns over driving drums, with a slick bassline weaving in and out from front to back. The buttery vocal chants are simply irresistible, too. On the flip is the more peak time, floor filling bit of dynamite 'Free' with its irrepressible horns and clipped, kinetic drums.
Review: Emotional Rescue continues its love affair with Glen Ricks here by reissuing his solo debut release. 'Keep On Dancing' is a cult and hugely coveted cut that fuses disco and reggae in some style. Ricks had a first successful musical career in The Fabulous Flames then moved between Canada and Jamaica and eventually got stuck into music in earnest again in the Caribbean. He wrote this one with writer and producer Chris Stanley and it came out first on 7" in 1981, then on 12" a year later. It has a superbly soulful vocal and a groove full of subtle bump that is sure to bring joy to any dancefloor. Idjut Boys' Dan Tyler also adds his own spin under his NAD alias for a more heavy and dub-laden take.
Review: Joey Rico Sr., the Italo Disco maestro, reappears with a track that melts hearts from the off. This is the genuine article-no imitations here, just scorching cosmic disco with bright arps and electronic grooves that never quit. Featuring unparalleled yodelling, 'Melting in Switzerland' is another unique sound from Joey Rico Sr.'s on Nobell Foods and it has been pressed on premium wax. For extra delight, flip to the bonus mix aka the Extra Cheese dub on the verse which is no less effective and timeless, and is by no means cheesy in the traditional sense.
Tarrus Riley - "Love Is Stronger Than Pride" (4:10)
Dean Fraser - "Love Is Stronger Than Pride" (version) (4:13)
Review: If you're in the mood for some gently summery reggae-soul to warm you on cold winter nights, we'd heartily recommend this tidy new single from Tarrus Riley, son of legendary Jamaican vocalist Jimmy Riley. 'Love is Stronger Than Pride' is breezy, musically positive and gentle, with Riley delivering a slick and emotive lead vocal over a backing track rich in toe-tapping reggae grooves, subtle organ motifs, twinkling synth sounds and, most surprisingly, some rather lovely Spanish guitar motifs. It comes accompanied by a flipside 'Version' mix that's not all that dubbed-out, but nevertheless does a great job in showcasing the track's sunny and heart-warming instrumentation.
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