Review: Hip-hop artist Shing02 (Shing Annen) is a longstanding fixture of chill hop, and is notable for his cross-cultural focus, having been born in Japan but growing up in Western cities. With a precise, multilingual emceeing style few of his contemporaries can match, he's also known for his involvement with Nujabes and the soundtrack for Samurai Champloo, we're happy to see he's still hard at it. 'Real With You' is a collaboration with contemporary lo-fi hip-hop/chill-hop artist 14? and is a bright and serene wonker, lyrically dealing in themes of going with the flow, revisiting memories and letting go.
Review: Milkcrate Mondays has got a red hot 7" on its hands here with DJ Abel and DJ Spinobi taking one side each. The former kicks off by, says the label, "taking an Ocean classic for a trip to Miami." His take on 'Lost' is a funk-laced jam that blends r&b vocals with bubbling beats and jazzy keys into something brilliantly seductive. On the flip side, DJ Spinobi lays down some heavyweight Afro drum patterns and raw rap bars on 'Bay Bunny' while 'PRVNZA VIP' is a more blissed-out island sound with reggaeton undertones and angelic Spanish vocals up top. A real summer weapon.
Review: Sundries' Disco Goodies series, which rounds up the best of the label's digital releases and presents them on multi-artist EPs, reaches its fourth instalment. It hits home hard from the start, where Berobreo's 'Soul Driven Dynamics' provides an attractive mix of 1970s orchestral soul samples and rubbery deep house beats. Experienced re-editor Oldchap brings the goods with a lightly tooled-up and beefed-up rework of an orchestra-sporting disco gem ('Coloridos'), before X Gets The Crest delivers a percussive, hot-stepping and filter-smothered re-wire of a much-loved Cymande classic ('Still Come Home'). Over on side B, Alexny's heavy disco-funk re-edit ('People Says') is joined by a hazy and horn-heavy revision courtesy of Sould Out ('City Gal') and the pitched-up disco loop-funk of 'Since You Came' by Workerz.
Review: Bloco & Soul Essentials are back with their smooth, feel-good vibes with their 7" There For You. Side-1 features the title track, a joyful slice of soul with a fantastic horn section and classy vocals. It captures a warm, 70s mood with smooth strings and an overall laid-back groove that's perfect for fans of classic soul sounds. On Side-2, 'Shady Lady' offers a slower, funkier groove. The track's funky bassline and gentle piano keys create a relaxed, sultry atmosphere, while the rich blend of guitar and smooth vocals tie everything together beautifully. There For You is an essential pick for anyone who enjoys soul music with a touch of Japanese funk and jazz influences, delivering timeless grooves with a modern edge.
Review: Melodiesinfonie, Bluestaeb and S. Fidelity join forces to form a powerful trio, unveiling a rich nonnet of tracks destined for the universal chillout space. Taking shape in a picturesque studio in the South of France - and then completed in centres from Zurich to Berlin - the likes of '365 P', 'Summertime In '92' and 'Just Give Me The Aux' carry on the sparse and material-sonic tradition that has in recent decades inflected the neo-soul and jazz-electronica worlds. Every track here sounds to have been made with what sounds to the most apparently humble means available; rimshot clicks, wooden hits, impassioned hums and coos, Rhodes chords here and there. Loyal to one rule and one rule only - "we need to stay in the room together to make this a record that feels exciting to us" - the result is an evenhanded five-track flirtation with soul-bearing passion, toeing the hobline of cool and hot.
BT (Brenda Taylor) - "You Can't Have Your Cake & Eat It Too" (Greg Wilson edit) (9:08)
Forrrce - "Keep On Dubbin'" (Greg Wilson edit) (5:17)
Raw Silk - "Do It To The Music" (Greg Wilson edit) (6:37)
Shirley Lites - "Heat You Up" (Melt Down mix - Greg Wilson edit) (7:19)
Review: West End's double-pack re-edit series continues, with long-standing UK electrofunk hero and scalpel rework specialist Greg Wilson sharing a quartet of revisions. There are airings for two of Wilson's most sought-after scalpel works from the "Credit To The Edit" series - superb versions of Brenda Taylor's "You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat It Too" and Raw Silk's "Do It To The Music" - as well as a couple of previously heard rearrangements that are on-point as per usual. Wilson first adds even more mind-altering delays and low-slung dub disco flavour to Forrrce's "Keep On Dubbin'", before superbly stretching out the mostly instrumental "Melt Down Mix" of Shirley Lites' synth-laden peak-time classic "Heat You Up".
Review: Chase & Status and Stormzy coming together was always going to be huge. One rules the charts, the other the clubs, and between them they cooked up a massive single that got heard everywhere all summer long, including a special live performance of it in Ushuaia Ibiza. Now you can own it on a slab of vinyl that has been cut nice and loud, which is perfect for the tune - the bass is devastating, the bars from Stormzy are hard, the energy is dark and unrelenting and it's the perfect sort of jungle cross over sound that will continue to be heard everywhere well into 2025.
Review: Sweat It Out Records kicks off their tasty Sweat Sampler series with their first volume, cutting niftily across four exceptionally sweaty bops, spanning tongue-in-cheek deep tech reworks and downtempo disco delights. First off is the dream team of Cid and Havoc & Lawn, whom together deliver a hilariously effective house version of America's 'A Horse With No Name'; this is shortly followed by Saturday Love, Kon and Furious's 'Come Out', a rejigged nu-disco samosa packed with some rare vocal spices; then there's 'Give It To Me' by Marco Lys and Ben Miller, a bass-driven bouncer unafraid of lasershot winddowns, injunctive vocals and risers; and finally, there's Set Mo's 'Could I Be', the anthem of the bunch, whose buildup and drop is alarming, affecting, cumulatively awe-striking.
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: 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: '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 world of dark disco tech is vast and so covers plenty of niches and nuances with artists all over the world adding their voice to the conversation. Spanish label Waste Editions offers up four more to the mix here with another well-assembled VA. Dark Vektor's 'Amb La Mirada Ens Menjarem' begins with some synth sounds that evoke a horror scene over snappy drums and sleazy guitar riffs. Synth Alien's 'Replica Cosmica' gets a little more loose but still comes with evocative vocal samples and a characterful world of synth sounds, some that fart, some that gurgle, some that amuse. Imiafan's 'Stupaj (Keen K RMX)' is another prying, loopy sound brought to life with myriad effects, textures and vocal snippets and Wardum shuts down with 'Wrambling' which has grinding bass and scuttling effects topped with occult vocals.
David Penn & Sex-O-Sonique - "I Thought It Was You" (5:59)
Sex-O-Sonique - "I Thought It Was You" (Full Intention remix) (5:15)
Review: London Records and Central Station come together for this, the first in a series of new EPs they will put out together. It finds the top selling artist David Penn offering up a big remix of Michael Gray & Jon Pearn aka Sex-O-Sonique's 'I Thought I Was You' in much the same way he has done with several other big hits before now. It's the sort of impossibly and instantly feel good house record that brims with soulful synths and hand in the air chords, smart little vocal sounds and chunky, funky drums. The original was already a big hit in the clubs and this new version is likely to be just as widely loved.
Dimitri From Paris & DJ Rocca - "Days Of A Better Paradise" (5:57)
Saucy Lady - "Passport To My Love" (5:52)
Misiu - "Love Me Do" (5:59)
Clive From Accounts - "It's Not That I Don't Care" (5:16)
Review: JKriv & Co. at Razor N Tape serve up possibly their biggest release yet, if this one is anything to go by. The first edition in the label's brand spanking new Family Affair series features the pairing of legends Dimitri From Paris & DJ Rocca on 'Days Of A Better Paradise' kicking off the A side, before Saucy Lady's late night boogie-down biz on 'Passport To My Love'. Flip over and you're treated to a seriously lo-slung cosmic disco dub on Misiu's 'Love Me Do' and finally Clive From Accounts tells it straight up on the acid jazz joint 'It's Not That I Don't Care'.
Review: Tatsy Recordings is up to a fifth release and it wants you to sample what it is all about with this fine sampler. It kicks off with Disko Junkie's 'I Like To Party' which will indeed get you ready to party with its lavish grooves. A Nu Disco Mix of Discotron's 'September' then brings more good time feels with its colourful synths and vibrant rhythms. Flip it over and HP Vince has got the sauce with 'Got The Groove' with its loopy bass and classic samples, House Punkz then rework another super smooth soul sample into some disco house beats and Serial Thrilla end it all with the slamming 'More More More.'
DJ Deviant & Swamburger - "Get On The Floor" (3:33)
DJ Deviant - "Where's The Party" (3:47)
Review: DJ Deviant and Swamburger join forces for a double-sided serving of feel-good hip-hop and r&b on this 7" release. 'Get On The Floor' is a surefire party starter, its infectious beat and catchy hooks practically demanding movement and setting the tone for a night of good times. The track is a vibrant blend of classic hip-hop elements and contemporary production, with DJ Deviant's cuts and scratches adding a layer of turntablist flair. On the flip, 'Where's The Party' sees DJ Deviant flying solo, keeping the energy high with a smooth groove and feelgood vibes that are reminiscent of 90s r&b classics. The ever enduring appeal of hip-hop and r&b in full effect.
Review: Japanese talent DJ Koco aka Shimokita is a hardcore 45rpm devotee. They are his chosen tools as a beat-juggling DJ who can do logic-defying things with his grooves. He is a regal on Bloom and already dropped serious heat in January with 'World Famous'. This time he is back with a fresh take on 'Made In New York' which is a 1985 classic by renowned Brazilian funk and jazz pianist Tania Maria. He brings his signature hip-hop flair and creativity with his trusted crew, 45trio, and enlists the dynamic saxophonist King TJ (DA-Dee-MiX) to elevate things further.
Review: A new song by the acclaimed DJ Mitsu The Beats (a member of Sendai's hip-hop crew Gagle) and rapper Sorane, 'Daily Meets' is a chillaxed, fluid lo-hi-fi hip-hop tonic for those whose ears require polishing, refreshing and/or full-blown aneling in the morning. Getting at a quotidian "everyday life" themes - bleary eyes, coffee shop hissings, cutlery tinkles, long gazes out the window - this jazzy track blends sharp lyricism with repetitious slice-of-life themes, finding joy in those life periods that the less patient among us dare to call groundhog days. Backed up by the instrumental too, you're more than well equipped for both DJ and home system play here.
Review: DJ Ryow aka Smooth Current is a Japanese DJ and producer known for his hip-hop and r&b remixes. 'Re:Strain Of Stairs', as the title suggests, reinterprets the song 'Strain Of Stairs' by Japanese rock band The Pillows on the A-side, bringing a loose-hipped drum workout to the ordeal. On the B, meanwhile, Ryow goes all out on a new original featuring Kim Hill, 'Ain't Even Like Me', a song which first debuted online a least four years ago - it's an impressively-made production in contemporary r&b, with exquisite harmonies from Hill.
Review: Considered "the absolute Don of Italo piano house", Don Carlos is up next on esteemed NYC label Razor N Tape with an EP of rare vintage house from the archives - 30 years old in fact. For the uninitiated, Don (Carlo Troya) and S-Tone (Stefano Tirone) released two records on Italian imprint Calypso in the early '90s under the alias Montego Bay. Features the emotive, late-night garage of 'Music All Night' (Deep In Milano mix) followed by the low-slung dancefloor heater 'Keep Dancing The Boogie' on the A-side. The flip offers the life-affirming vocal cuts 'Waited So Long' and 'Gotta Keep Dancing' respectively which perfectly capture the zeitgeist of house music's golden era in the early '90s.
LaTrece - "I Want To Thank You" (Dr Packer edit) (6:40)
Shuya Okino - "Still In Love" (feat Navasha Daya - Dr Packer remix) (6:41)
ATFC - "Bad Habit" (feat Lisa Millett - Dr Packer remix) (6:41)
Soul Rebels - "I'll Be Good" (feat Lisa Millett - Dr Packer remix) (6:31)
Review: Defected's disco-minded Glitterbox offshoot has decided to dip a toe into the choppy waters (sorry) of the re-edit scene. The man at the control is fun-time rework specialist Dr Packer, an Australian scalpel specialist who has spent the last few years contributing tidy edits to a variety of well-regarded labels. First, he adds a little late '80s house shuffle to a soul-fired, boogie-era disco classic, before turning the equally familiar "Still in Love" into a bouncy, club-ready chunk of disco-house full of swirling strings and Chic-style guitars. On the flip the good doctor gets his hands a much-sampled electrofunk workout, retaining the drum delays while adding a touch of nu-disco swagger, before brilliantly dubbing out and tooling up the synth-heavy swagger of 1985 hit "I'll Be Good".
Review: More quality grooves from Washington DC label specializing in reissuing obscure and unknown 70s and 80s dance music. This time around is Dreamcast who are Davon Bryant in conjunction with Swedish guy Sasac aka King Al. "Liquid Deep" is sexy late night deep funk the way it was always intended and Bryant's smooth as silk vocals are just like... Wow! So with Dreamcast on the vocals and Sasac on the beat, we are hoping there's more things on the way from this trans coastal duo in 2017.
Review: Disco lovers Leng enlist enduring disco wizard and studio genius The Emperor Machine for a big new single here that was made alongside Severine Mouletin. It comes as two versions on this new 12", with the extended vocal going fist. It's a steamy and tropical bit of disco with feathery, whispered and seductive French language vocals over squelchy synth bass and hip swinging claps. Cosmic twinges finish it in style and on the flip side it gets a little more wild and tropical. An eco-system of synth daubs and neon colours bring the groove to life in a more interplanetary way.
Review: Andrew 'Emperor Machine' Meecham and French vocalist Severine Moultin enjoyed working on their first collaborative single, 2021's 'Dance Par Amour', so last year reunited in the studio to record a follow-up. 'Your Own Style' follows a similar sonic template, with Mouletin singing in accented English atop a typically analogue-heavy Meecham backing track laden with bubbly bass, delay-laden electric piano motifs, layered percussion and the producer's trademark synth squiggles (a feature of his work since the days he was working with Dean Meredith as Chicken Lips). The song is presented in three variations: the stretched-out and pleasingly loose 'Alternative Mix'; the sparse, effects-laden and mid-80s influenced 'Dub Vocal'; and the warmer, subtly funkier 'Fun Dub'.
Review: It's been a while since we last heard from Kinfolk, but the broad-sweeping label with cosmic chuggery in its bones is back with this powerful dose from Ess O Ess and Saulrichards. "Totem" is an epic track that rolls around in the muck somewhere between shoegaze extravagance, post-rock heaviness and psyched-out electronics. The "Swamp Crawl" version of the track keeps the guitars bedded deep within the mix, but there's space for more expressive synth work. Hardway Brothers take the track on a similarly rockist journey, but take their time building up to a climax. Otologic wrap things up with a deadly dub that will have low tempo trippers rubbing their hands with delight.
Roman Flugel - "More Is Not Enough (Heaven Or Hell?)"
Lauer - "Hector"
San Laurentino - "Final Landing"
Tuff City Kids - "People Is A Crackhead" (Tuff Hamlet riddim)
Review: Established as a record label some four years ago, Live At Robert Johnson have really come to the fore as representing the best of contemporary European deep house alongside the likes of Dial and Running Back. Here, the Frankfurt institution returns to their recent triumphant Lifesaver compilation with this addendum 12" release featuring the productions from Roman Flugel, Lauer, San Laurentino and Tuff City Kids. Flugel opens proceedings with the rough and moody "More Is Not Enough" which brandishes a beat that can't help but get in your face. This is complemented by the calmer, sumptuous New Beat stylings of Lauer's "Hector" and the richly colourful "Final Landing" from San Laurentino. "People Is A Crackhead (Tuff Hamlet Riddim)" is not only the best track title in a hot minute but yet another original dancefloor slayer from Gerd Janson and Lauer's Tuff City Kids, opting for the Germanic digi dub meets tuff house route.
Review: Swirl People revisit their roots with a nostalgic four track EP from their early days as Fortune Cookie. This collection - which is their third release on L.I.T.S. - features carefully selected tracks from their original 1996 releases on Marguerite, a small label run by a friend. Nearly three decades later, these still much sought-after tracks are finally being reissued. The EP opens with 'Glitter Girls,' which is characterised by a catchy bassline, followed by the deep groove of 'Um Bongo.' On the B-side, 'Galactic Snackbar' offers a retro-futuristic feel, while 'Frisko Heaven' wraps up the EP with classic disco-filtered house energy. Timeless tackle, for sure.
Fouk - "Loving At First Sight" (feat Debroah Bond - vocal mix) (5:35)
Atjazz & Shea Soul - "Home" (vocal mix) (6:04)
Robin S - "Show Me Love" (Emmaculate remix) (6:03)
Risk Assessment - "It's Not Right But It's Okay" (feat Monica Blaire - Grant Nelson remix) (6:11)
Review: Volume 4 of Reel People Music's 12" vinyl series delivers four exceptional tracks from the RPM catalogue. On Side A, Dutch duo Fouk teams up with US r&b artist Deborah Bond for the smooth 'Loving At First Sight', followed by the soulful collaboration 'Home' from Martin 'Atjazz' Iveson and Shea Soul. Side B offers two dancefloor anthems: Emmaculate's disco remix of Robin S's 'Show Me Love' and Grant Nelson's powerful rework of 'It's Not Right, But It's Okay' by Risk Assessment featuring Monica Blaire.
Review: Kaninchenbau's main collaborators Sokur and The Funk District helm this latest intergalactic journey in the form of 'All Over You'. It's a superbly tasteful and deep disco joint with lush synth work and the sort of groovy drums that make every head to the floor and get down. Next to the original is a classic 'House Mix' version and then comes two epic remixes on the flip. Both are from accomplished and ever busy Razor-N-Tape producers Nenor and DJ Vas who bring a real touch of classic to their work and offer a different look than the A-side.
Review: Expert reissue label Soundway look to 1980s Trinidad & Tobago for their latest rare gem. Two cuts of "Parang" - a sort of South American folk music originated from Venezuelan and Colombian immigrants and later infused with Caribbean rhythms, disco and soca vibes. As such both tunes are impossibly sunny, uplifting and loose groovers that will work dance floors into a spin at any time of year. Colleen Grant's take on the style is driven by a neat funk baseline coupled with her glorious vocals, while Sandra Hamilton's is more down and dirty with rump wiggling drums.
Review: Street Corner's FliP Sessions is a great source of beats for hip-hop heads and this eighth volume is no different. It's limited to just 200 copies and features five more exquisite little sketches that are loveably rough around the edges and full of laidback and dusty soul. After the busted breaks of GREENMINDZ, Toby Glider zones you out with lo-fi loops and Beaulemaire brings heavier beats. Side 2 has a more jazz cut from Elusive and star gazing cosmic melody from Shri!. All five of these are delightful little pieces.
Review: It's difficult to imagine an entire genre of music taking revenge, not least since it begs the question as to what object or upon whom vengeance is being taken. Confusingly but endearingly still, Gusto's 'Disco's Revenge' from 1995 is actually more caught between UK funky house and speed garage than anything resembling disco. But we could happily entertain the idea that the former two genres are simply more strident variations on the many-faced humours of 4x4 dance music. It makes sense, since it's hard to imagine any essential disco song soundtracking a brawl or secret vindictive plot. First released on Bumble Beats Records, 'Disco's Revenge' was funky enough to attract multiple reworks even back then, and this is apparently still going strong, with Kiss Klassics' new reissue apposing the original revenge plot with one rework and one original from producer Sam Tweaks. Whatever kind of revenge Gusto initially hoped to enact, we can say with certainty that it's not the best, cold kind; since both renditions by Tweaks are hot as hell.
Review: Limited to just 100 copies, edit masters Jayse and Steve P have graced us with an ultra-rare pair of deep disco reworks here, cut to a 7" vinyl. The pair's releasing oeuvre is mysterious and matter-of-fact, never letting on as to the tracks' sample origins, but what we do know is that this is a stellar instalment to their prolific edits output - check out the orange, green and purple label releases too.
Review: Jayse and Steve P are two DJs and producers hailing from Australia. As is often the way with music as quality and neat as this, they keep a generally low profile but their edits are deft and crispier-than-crisp, with their instrumentals - here titled simple 'Boogie A' and 'Boogie B' - sounding production-sharp enough to cut glass. Bordering on freestyle and funk, these are short slices of beat dazzlement, and also function as perfect songwriter fuel too.
Review: Aussie duo Jayse & Steve P are so low profile that we can't source quite enough information to introduce them, but when the edits are this good - we'll just let the music speak for itself. The pair are back with another collection of boogie-funk edits; on the A-side there's some sexy and neon-lit late-night vibes, and over the flip the retro styles carry over with a low slung electro-funk jam featuring a quite familiar and absolutely infectious hook.
Special Occasion - "Flyin' To Santa Barbara" (6:37)
Review: Over the years, France's Favorite Recordings has been very good at sniffing out lesser-known European gems from the disco and boogie era, mostly for superb and must-check compilations. Recently, they decided to make some of these licensed obscurities available on a series of 12" singles, where a louder, club-heavy cut is preferable to DJs. The latest sees them offer-up two lesser-known Belgian gems produced in the mid 1980s by future new beat don Tony Baron. Jonathan Jr's 'Hanging On To You' is warm, shuffling and synth heavy, with the artist's soulful and jazzy lead vocal sitting alongside squelchy synth-bass, Nile Rodgers style guitars and post-electro beats. Special Occasion's 'Flying To Santa Barbara', meanwhile, sits somewhere between 80s soul, AOR synth-pop and sax-sporting B-movie soundtrack goodness.
Review: A top value for money opportunity here, as Moiss Music deliver the latest in their sweet and sticky Jam series of various artist 12" line ups, bringing you no less than six bubbling, vivacious disco triumphs from six artists. Khemir's 'Disco Bandit' kicks off proceedings, a production that sounds like it was made by a band of around 45 musicians, a proper cavalcade of strings, brass, brazen disco thump and beautifully bold vocals. Wurzelholz's 'Prince' goes for a bit more economy but with a slinky funk bassline like that - not to mention the occasional exclamation from the purple overlord himself - it's equally devastating in dancefloor terms. Among the other highlights, 'Golden' by I Gemin has the feel of a lost Daft Punk flip tune and Cosmocomics' 'Glamorous Garcon', boasting 70s-style synth bubbles that are as cute as they are retro. Tasty as ever.
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