Back catalogue: Disco/Reediciones

Review: Following the cinematic jazz-funk of 2021's 'Ufo Bar', Banda Maje returns with a new 7" single via Four Flies, which serves as a preview of their upcoming sophomore album Costa Sud. Composer Peppe Maiellano deepens his Mediterranean sound here while honouring his Italian and Neapolitan roots with a heartfelt cover of Peppino di Capri's 'Mo...' on Side A. On Side B, Maiellano explores Brazilian influences with '(Roda De) Samba Maje' featuring Amor Pela Roda and infused with vibrant percussion and cavaquinho. This lovely 45 rpm reflects a rich blend of South-inspired sounds while bridging Italy, Brazil, Africa and modern grooves.

Review: Nick Bike has been at it again, crafting high-grade club cuts that always make an impact. These two have already been well road-tested with great effect. 'Party People (Night & Day)' is the first and is a brilliant collision of some funky, soulful disco classics into one new and strident sound with irresistible claps and vocal hooks. On the flip is the scorching 'Every Night (Hold Me Tight)' which is just timeless and super smooth disco-funk with a persuasive charm. Two no-brainers here that will bring next-level fun to any set.

Review: Beckie Bell's 1980 debut has long circulated in fragments i a 12" here, a collector's tip there. This full reissue by Strut gathers it all in one place. Recorded after Bell's move from New York to Paris, it offers a studio-built vision of disco shaped by session musicians and arranged with subtlety. 'Super Queen' sets the tone with its patient build and clipped vocal phrasing. 'So Many Ways' and 'Magic Lady' follow a slower logic, driven more by mood than immediacy. 'Music Madness', the record's most played track, draws attention with its syncopated synths and layered percussion, though its energy remains low-slung. Bell's voice rarely reaches for spectacle. Her lines sit just above the groove, steady and self-assured. On 'Johnnies Home' and 'What You Need I Can Bring', there's no need for dramatic turns i the performances work because nothing is pushed. The reissue comes with a clean remaster by The Carvery and includes contributions from Arthur Young, Patrick Cowley and Jacob Desvarieux. What emerges is not a lost classic but something quieter: a well-assembled record with a clear internal logic, shaped by a moment where disco didn't yet need to shout.