Back catalogue: Disco/Reediciones

Review: Adesha and Vincent Kwok present their latest album, replete with exclusive album tracks as well as special edits and new mixes of previously released tracks, the album takes you through the various musical styles that the pair have worked on together over the years. With a broad range of styles from champagne boogie to disco to mellow 808-based r&b, 'Feeling You' shows off the eclectic talents of Adesha's lyrical and Vincent's productive range. Highlights include the sparsely populated uptempo jaunts such as 'Life's Too Short' and the slower, phatter G-funkers like 'Retribution'.

Review: Following up on their highly acclaimed debut release from 2020, raster presents Il Quadro di Troisi's Remixes album, an eclectic collection of reinterpretations of eight of the group's tracks. By inviting fellow label artists as well as friends and long-term collaborators to contribute, Remixes flaunts a broad spectrum, from colorful, loop-based renditions by Toulouse Low Trax and Tropicantesimo, to (Italo)-disco-inspired versions by Daniele Baldelli & Marco Dionigi and Chloe, to more rhythmical and functional tracks by AtomTM, Dasha Rush and Front de Cadeaux. The album also includes a dub-infused reinterpretation of the original album 'Il giudizio' by the artists themselves; all tracks amount to womping, texturologic electro-dub-outs, and dazzle with their no-wavey, muted sophistication.

Review: The Late Night Tales series is an absolute bastion of late-night parties back at yours after a heavy club session, or maybe even on a Sunday morning to welcome you to a day of being hungover. Everyone who is everyone had made their entry over the years and used the chance to show off a different side to their sound and that is just what cosmic disco funkster Jamiroquai did when he stopped up. Now his fine choices get pressed up to four sides of vinyl for this fine reissue.

Review: The translucent yellow vinyl reissue of Disco Not Disco: Leftfield Disco Classics From The New York Underground on Strut brings forth once again an exhilarating journey through the vibrant tapestry of the city's dance scene. Curated by Sean P and Dave Lee, the collection captures the essence of the era's experimentalism and innovation with full authenticity. From the infectious rhythms of Liquid Liquid's 'Cavern' to the hypnotic grooves of Loose Joints, each track pulsates with raw energy and eclectic creativity. With contributions from various key artists of the time, this collection serves as a timeless homage to the influential sounds that defined the underground disco movement while offering a captivating glimpse into New York's musical legacy.

Review: Isle Of Jura propel their Instrumental Dubs series further forward with a second release. Capturing the etheric essence of the 'version' and ready-making it for the present day, the nominal series welcomes contributions and reissues from new and old producers alike. This time around, we're met with a slow, George Kerr-produced cut from 1984, 'If You Want My Lovin', followed by a Brit-funk-esque instrumental from Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes, originally released on the Philly World label. The A-side closes with the 'Sweeter' instrumental mix of boogie bomb 'Loving Sweet Devotion' by Idiater Edwards; then comes the B-side with that indelible Mad Professor flavour, bucking the dub trend with a syncretic of dub, freestyle and disco; and finally, we end on a touch of next-gen psydub bubbling up from The Underwater World (of Jah Cousteau, that is).

Review: Alongside Salsoul and West End, SAM Records - established by Sam Weiss in NYC in 1975 - was one of the definitive labels of the original disco era. This indispensable double-vinyl retrospective showcases the most significant and successful releases in the label's killer catalogue, moving between breathlessly brilliant and over-the-top 'proper disco' (think John Davis & Monster Orchestra's 'I Can't Stop', K.I.D's sensational 'Happendi Muzik Wangu? (You Don't Like My Music)' and Gary's Gang's 'Keep On Dancin' and 'Lets Lovedance Tonight'), boogie-era brilliance (Vicky D's electrofunk stable 'This Beat Is Mine', Glen Adams Affair's 'Just a Groove', Koniko's synth-heavy 'Feel Alright'), and lesser-celebrated all-time anthems (Conversion's 'Let's Do It', Steve Shielto's 'Don't You Give Your Love Away'). The epitome of 'all killer, no filler').

Review: French label Wagram is a go-to when it comes to quality compilations that take a broad look at certain sounds and scenes, and this one is an on-going series that focuses on house sounds with an Afro undertone. The grooves are lively and often come with plenty of percussion. The drums hit hard but with funk, the vocals are Afro-centric and plenty of irresistible hits come thick and fast from the jazzy tribal swagger of 'Imbalaye' to the big steel drum party sounds of 'Viet Dao' (Klement Bonelli & Yann DL remix). Another great collection of colourful Afro house sounds.

Review: Continuing Four Flies' dedication to delving into lesser-explored periods of Italian music, Africamore: The Afro-Funk Side of Italy (1973-1978) takes us on a captivating carpet-ride into the intersection of Afro-funk and the Italian soundscape prevalent in the six years between 1973 and 1978 - a time when disco was still in its nascence, and the nightclub market was rapidly expanding. Bottling the critical moment at which DJs such as Dave Mancuso discovered Manu Dibango's 'Soul Makossa' - with classics such like Jean Paul & Angelique's 'Africa Sound' and Nat King Cole's 'Calypso Blues' following as floor-bound hits - all these productions pushed the boundaries of dance music at a time when disco had not yet taken over.

Review: The latest niche disco compilation to froth forth from Germany's Seismographic label is a self-described 'mysterious record', intending to both hide and show something at the same time. Indeed, we know the feeling, since when it comes to dubious emotions such as ennui and bittersweetness - both common to pop and disco - it takes a skilled artistic, productive and curative effort to pin down both emotions (unskilled hands would liken the art to catching eels in a barrel). Made up entirely of two records that were 'most probably' released in the mid-1970s on Turkish Roma, Disco Dances From Turkey does exactly what it says on the verso. Psychedelic motifs, hard-hitting drums, Arabesk percussion, and hip-hop friendly breaks all collide to produce a careful combo in nine takes, delving into the heart of Romano-Turkish pop music from the 70s.

Review: In the late 1970s and early 80s, disco swept through dancefloors across the world, with musicians, producers and labels in all four corners of the world recording and releasing their own local variations on the New York-pioneered sound. This fine compilation digs into the Japanese interpretation of the sound, offering up a selection of gems pulled from the vaults of the Nippon Columbia imprint. As you'd expect, there are some genuinely soaring and delightfully over-the-top cuts on show (see Godiego's 'The Odyssey Begins - Monkey Magic' and the disco-funk mania of Ikue Sakakibara's bilingual 'This Is Hot'), alongside such forgotten or lesser-celebrated gems as Yumi Moreta's rubbery bass-propelled 'Krishna', the strings-and-synth-drenched brilliance of Pink Parachute's 'Disco Great' and the ridiculously grandiose 'Hazumi De Daitte (A Woman Inside a Man's Body)' by Hatsumi Shibata.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight tear in outside sleeve, product unopened and in perfect condition***


After the success of last year's inaugural Disco Reggae compilation from Stix, it's no surprise the long running reggae focused offshoot of Favorite Recordings have returned with a second collection. All the usual Stix suspects are present and correct here with Matcher, 7 Samurai, Mato, and John Milk all contributing to the nine tracks that will nice up any dancehall that's got a sense of humour. Stand out cuts include the 7 Samurai Electro Dub take on Levan classic "Stand On The Word" and the Grandmagneto cover of "Tainted Love". The Mato mix of "Happy" is as chalk or cheese as the original from that fella in the big hat.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Record ever so slightly warped & creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent working condition***


'Reggae disco' might not be a very well-known style, but Soul Jazz are hardly intimidated by any sense of obscurity, especially when it comes to a fusion between their two most prized genres. Homing in on reggae disco versions of funk, soul and disco classics, this curt but precious compilation features reggae covers of classics by Michael Jackon, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Candi Staton, with coverers including Risco Connection and the Crashers.

Review: In 1977, Gaye Mody Camara, a young Soninke raised in Mali's Kayes region, settled in France to found his own empire modelled psychically after the great Soninko empire. Initially selling wax, kola nuts and other goods in his Parisian outlets, he rapidly started distributing cassette tapes and eventually producing a multitude of recordings for his own label, Camara Production. Crossing paths and collaborating over the next four decades with legendary artists, griots and industry moguls like Boncana Maiga and Jean-Philippe Rykiel, Camara became one of the great independent music producers of his generation, and a pillar of the Parisian Soninke diaspora. Released in close collaboration with Camara and with the assistance of Daouda N'diaye, one of A.P.S' (Association pour la Promotion de la langue et de la culture Soninke) historical members, this selection of songs and accompanying notes aim to shed a light on an intricate culture and its modern music, unjustifiably unknown outside of West Africa and the various diasporas around the world.

Review: Gomma played a vital role in the popularisation of the indie-dance explosion that happened some 20 years ago now. Best known for being spearheaded by US indie outfit LDC Sound system, it combined dance, disco, wave, post-punk and more into a party-ready sound that found favour with both ravers and guitar heads. This second collection from the German label highlights the best of music they put out back then with names like In Flagranti, label co-founder Munk, Nancy Whang & Bonar Bradberry and many more all present and correct.

Review: NOW Music is on with a big project here that sees the long-running label present a new series of vinyl compilations, NOW That's What I Call 80s Dancefloor. Each one is set to include what they deem to be "an essential collection of tracks" that they hope offer fair representation of a number of key musical movements and genres from across the 80s. The first volume presented the best in HI-NRG and POP and this one, a double album, focusses on Soul & Disco. All the names you'd expect are here from Prince to Daryl Hall & John Oates, Loose Ends to Rufus & Chaka Khan, so it is a useful one indeed.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Isle Of Jura propel their Instrumental Dubs series further forward with a second release. Capturing the etheric essence of the 'version' and ready-making it for the present day, the nominal series welcomes contributions and reissues from new and old producers alike. This time around, we're met with a slow, George Kerr-produced cut from 1984, 'If You Want My Lovin', followed by a Brit-funk-esque instrumental from Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes, originally released on the Philly World label. The A-side closes with the 'Sweeter' instrumental mix of boogie bomb 'Loving Sweet Devotion' by Idiater Edwards; then comes the B-side with that indelible Mad Professor flavour, bucking the dub trend with a syncretic of dub, freestyle and disco; and finally, we end on a touch of next-gen psydub bubbling up from The Underwater World (of Jah Cousteau, that is).

Review: Toy Tonics is a label that has always done house music well - it doesn't follow trends, it doesn't look to reinvent the wheel, it doesn't repeat the same old tricks. What it does is serve up superb good grooves with plenty of character that are always going to get any crowd going no matter the time or place. The label now goes big with this double 12" of Gomma Dancefloor Gems Vol 1. It is, they say, a collection of "Y2K indie dance tracks" that were all originally released on the German Gomma Records label between 2001 and 2010 and were right up there with music on labels like James Murphy's DFA and Trevor Jackson's Output Records as the hottest of the day.

Review: The excellent Mondo Groove label out of Italy takes us on another worldly disco trip across eight fantastic cuts. Nuccio Di Vico immediately hook you in with the lazy rhythms and starry synths of 'Lasciati Amare' and from there Momo Yang gets more funky on 'Peggio Per Te' and Patrizia Caselli ups the ante with the funky bass riffs and tooting horn arrangements of 'Un Amore Anonimo.' Highlights on the B-side, which is just as good, incudes the more steamy and erotic sounds of Gloria Piedimonte's 'Chi Sei' and percolating disco funk of Spataneri Sebastiano Aria's 'Vagabondo Non Sono.' Super sunny music.

Review: If you didn't know, John Luongo is one of the most legendary disco DJs and remixers of his era. He started out at the Epic label by overdubbing whatever percussion he could get his hands on - so salt shakers, spoons, you name it - onto a promo and then passing them back to tape. Someone got wind and soon flew him out to New York where he mixed and produced Melba Moore's celebrated 'You Stepped Into My Life' and after then, anything he worked on became a disco hit, even if it wasn't a traditional disco artist. Here some of his best works are collected together on one essential double album.

Review: Bosconi Stallions has become the flagship compilation series for Florence’s leading bastion of Italian house music culture, and with each instalment the label’s remit evolves in elegant, considered fashion. As we dive into the third edition it’s clear the legacy of Italian dance music is a vital focus, thanks in no small part to the throbbing arpeggios of The Mechanical Man. There’s space for psychedelic electro tweaking from Minimono and trancey pulses from Queen of Coins and nasty vocodered machine funk from Twovi, all feeding into a vibrant collection that serves as a perfect document of where Bosconi is at, all spread across four sides bursting with heavyweight tracks from legends and new names alike.

Review: Favorite Recordings returns with the second edition of its compilation series: Fusion Global Sounds. Comprising eight rare and hidden tracks produced between 1976 and 1984 in various parts of the world, this hot-off-the-plate comp delivers a mighty-fine array of dynamic, soul-feeding jazz, soul, disco, jazz and funk delicacies. As a fine collector of jazz-funk and fusion for many years, curator Charles Maurice can be credited for sourcing the ingredients for and cooking up this fine spread of forgotten entrees, this time brought together by a common Brazilian influence.

Review: These superb and ongoing Cosmic Disco Machine compilations have provided us with endless amounts of starry-eyed dance floor goodness. The seventh volume is another one packed with goodies from across the 70s and 80s. Logic System's 'Clash (Chinjyu Of Sun)' starts in lush fashion with plenty of shiny arps and mid-tempo drum funk. Barbara Norris's 'It's Heavy!' is indeed, with frazzled bass and thudding kick making for a fine ride while Clive Stevens & Brainchild twist melons with the warped lines and celestial vocal charms of 'Mystery Man' (remix). The bonus cut from Claudio Diva is a standout too, doused as it is in endless echo and mystic energy.

Review: There is no end to the amount of music that NOW has served up over its many years in the music business. From its thrice-yearly pop comps to its vast decades-long snapshots, it has always offered up the freshest pop hits in fulsome fashion. This latest collection, NOW That's What I Call 80s Dancefloor: Disco & Electro, is a double vinyl album on purple and pink wax that brings together the best disco and electro of the 80s. All the names you'd expect feature from Malcolm McLaren & The World's Famous Supreme Team to Shannon with Freeze, Chaka Khan and more also adding weight.