United Spiritual Singers - "Not A Minute Too Late" (Tom Noble mix) (6:50)
Review: Since 2020, Athens of the North's in-house band, East Coast Love Affair, has been serving up increasingly impressive slabs of retro-futurist brilliance. Previously, they've turned their hand to spacey jazz-funk/house fusion ('Don't Be Afraid'), deep vocal house ('Without You'), disco-funk ('Confrontations') and lovers rock (a superb cover of Eddie Kendricks' 'Date With The Rain'). This time round, they join forces with veteran gospel-soul choir United Spiritual Singers to deliver an incendiary disco-funk cover of the outfit's obscure (and recently reissued) 'A Minute Too Late'. The scorching, club-ready original mix comes accompanied by a superb Tom Noble rework that re-images the track as a Boyd Jarvis/Paul Simpson style proto-house heater full of reverb-laden vocals, echoing drum machine percussion and addictive synth-bass.
I Hear Music In The Streets (Expansions NYC dub) (4:51)
I Hear Music In The Streets (LV Classic Boogie mix) (6:33)
Review: It would be fair to say that post-disco outfit Unlimited Touch's 1980 single "I Hear Music In the Streets" is one of the greatest boogie/electrofunk records of all time. Louie Vega clearly agrees, because late last year he decided to gather together the remaining members of Unlimited Touch and record a fresh 2020 version. The A-side "Touch Mix" is the bomb. It features a more organic-sounding disco-boogie groove than the 1980 original, with delicious guitars, bass and electric piano/organ underpinning seriously good group vocals from the sometime Prelude-signed outfit. Over on the flip, Vega serves up an electric piano solo-laden dub mix, as well as a "Classic Boogie" take that naturally sounds very similar to the band's much-loved original version.
I Hear Music In The Streets (Expansions NYC dub) (4:49)
I Hear Music In The Streets (LV Classic Boogie mix) (6:33)
Review: Anyone with even the smallest interest in disco and boogie will have heard Unlimited Touch's 1980 classic 'I Hear Music In The Streets'. It's a stone-cold killer that should be approached with caution. Louie Vega, of course, is respectful, and these versions are not remixes but rather re-makes, with the Masters at Work man being joined in the studio by all manner of guest musicians and vocalists - including original members of Unlimited Touch. The standout version is the near 11-minute A-side 'Touch Mix', an all-live post-disco version rich in classic disco bass, guitars, electric piano keys and spacey chords. The short-ish 'NYC Expansions Dub' cans the vocals and emphasises the various instrument solos, while the 'LV Classic Boogie Mix' is an almost note-for-note remake of the 1980 original.
Review: Super Spicy celebrates getting to five years old in the best way it knows how - with a new release, of course. This one comes on translucent re wax and brings together a blend of seasoned and fresh talent including Hotmood, Shalvoy, Diana Swan, Musta, Adam Nova and Uptown Funk. These tracks do a fine job of reflecting the label's dedication to innovation right from the off. Musta's 'Fresco' is a nice jumbled percussive disco funker, Hotmood's 'Ayaaa' rides on some electric synth waves and Shalvo's 'Dancin' is a smooth cruise for the midnight hours. On the flip side are three more vibrant and vivacious disco dancers for good times only.
Sanctuary - "Disconnect" (extended Disco instrumental) (6:25)
Willie J & Co - "Boogie With Your Baby" (extended Disco mix) (6:21)
Unknown Tape - "Familiar Time & Place" (Chicago mix) (7:05)
Unknown Tape - "Familiar Time & Place" (Detroit mix) (7:09)
Review: The shadowy Edit & Dub crew don't talk about their releases, so it can be difficult to ascertain whether the tracks they're showcasing are long-lost originals, or new edits of ridiculously rare records. Either way, the label's latest EP features versions of some seriously hard to find treats, starting with a fine 'extended disco instrumental' of Sanctuary's 'Disconnect', a fine disco-boogie jam from 1980. They then deliver a (we think) previously unreleased 'extended disco' mix of Willie J & Co's killer 1976 disco-funk gem 'Boogie With Your Baby'. On the B-side we're treated to two takes on the mysterious 'Familiar Time and Place' by Uknown Tapes: a 'Chicago Mix' which sounds like late 80s Windy City acid house smothered in spacey deep house chords and intergalactic electronics and the mid-80s techno-tinged 'Detroit Mix'.
Review: Those who frequented Manchester clubs in the early 90s - particularly those where local hero Hewan Clarke plied his trade - will have danced to 'Got To Make Sure', one of a handful of killer street soul records made by Lancastrian vocalist Hughie Crawford as U-Bert. It is considered by some knowledgeable collectors as one of the greatest street soul records of all time. It's certainly been hard to find - hence this much-needed reissue from Backatcha Records. Happily, all three essential versions of the track are present. The original A-side 'Pablo Mix', a smooth, seductive and effortlessly soulful affair rich in loved-up dreaminess and fluttering synth sounds, comes backed by its original B-side, the jauntier and more dubbed out 'Minister Mix', and the more up-tempo, dancefloor ready 'Remix' (originally remixed under the alternative U-Bert & Co alias). Simply essential.
Review: Whether or not this label is named in reference to long-life semi-skimmed milk, we do not know, but the tunes on it are certainly fatter than the 2% you get with UHT. 'Set Your House In Order' is the sort of raw, from-the-heart soul sound that will bring any floor to rapture with its gospel influenced lyrics, big horns and neat organ chords. It's a real dancer, while 'Lego Brick Road' is more of a funk-strutter with moody bass and upright kicks embellished with some warped vocals and playful licks. Two gems.
Review: Remarkably unrestrained, original funk from the UHT label and alias. 'No Love Lost' and 'FM' proffer two draggy jazz-funk heavyweights, both of which plod forth blithely with the insouciance of a blinkered teenager. Said to have been made somewhere in the North of England, these two cuts - resting somewhere between edit and well-polished sound collage - are worthy of their description: "ultra heat treated for maximum punch" (we're drunk).
Keep Rising All Night Long (Sunday Service mix) (6:19)
Review: GAMM has been a treasure trove of edits, golden old soul and forgotten funk gems for an eternity and they come correct again with this monstrous dance floor dynamite on a loud, one-sided vinyl pressing: Ukokos & Jabco's hip hop and gospel styled rework of the world renowned clip of Kanye West's Sunday Service band doing a live cover of "Keep Rising". A majestic, triumphant and real floor filling, crowd pleasing bomb that will bring everyone together for many years to come.
Review: French-Haitian saxophone player Ulysse laid this cult gem down in 1983. After its release, he became an underground sensation within the niche French boogie scene, Both of the tunes which now get reissued manage to successfully mix political statements with dance-floor fire. First up is 'Naima' which is about the resilience of a woman who has grown up in war. On the flip is 'Tiers Monde' which is a much more heavy digital reggae tune that offers a reminder that we must not forget about abandoned children of the Third World. This was big in Paris in the 80s and will be just as big now.
Review: Four Flies present another masterpiece from one of the all-time greats of Italian soundtrack and library music, Piero Umiliani. His work on the 1974 film Il Corpo ranks amongst his most famous work, and now two pieces have been selected from the soundtrack and presented on this exclusive single. 'Chaser' on the A side appears in an exclusive extended form which has never been released before, while 'Hard Times' on the flip remains the archetype of Italian jazz-funk perfection. This is a limited edition so don't hang around as these are sure to fly out.
Review: Piero Umiliani was everything from a library musician to a beloved soundtrack artist, and his name is synonymous with Italian musical heritage, emanating far and wide from the latter 20th century. Coming to light as part of this new reissue from Maledetta Discoteca, 'Fried Bananas' is a danceable rarity that appeared as part of a never-released 1975 LP. Full of whirly rhythm-guitar and full of instrumental lounge-funk tropes, it's another to cement his name.
Review: Piero Umiliani aka Moggi, is the man behind Omicron Records and plenty of seminal library records from the 1970s. The Italian jazz musician, most famous also for scoring many film soundtracks, here has one of his most dance-y tracks served up by Four Flies. It features an original version as well as a special edit retouched by Jolly Mare. The original was recorded in 1978 under one of his many other monikers, Rovi, as a way of not over saturating the market with his name at the time. It is a cosmic beats that chimes with the emergence of that sound and still does today.
Feel It For Yourself (feat KOG - vocal edit) (4:14)
Feel It For Yourself (Smoove rework) (8:22)
Review: Infectious 70s Afrobeat vibes, courtesy of Kweku Sackey and his dynamic backing vocalists, pulsating with rhythmic depth - imagine Manu Dibango infused with Tony Allen's rhythmic flair and you're close. Richard Ormrod's crafty alto sax solo adds instrumental brilliance and with options like a shorter vocal version for quick hits and a DJ Smoove dancefloor remix for extended groove sessions, 'Feel It For Yourself' caters to diverse tastes and occasions. Whether spinning the extended Afrobeat masterpiece or the electrifying remix, DJs and listeners alike will find plenty to love in this vibrant, soulful release that demands to be felt.
Review: United Disco Organisation have been tapped up by the ATA label for its first voyage into the world of disco. The band is made up of producer and bassist Neil Innes and guitarist and singer Chris Dawkins and here they head off to the cosmos with a classically inclined sound that comes with lashings of Philly soul influences. 'Send The Rain' opens things up and features a fine flute lead from label-mate Tony Burkill. Dawkins's vocals then take the lead over a nice woody, organic groove and an instrumental is also featured. 'Funky Thing' is a glossy, vibes-heavy tune with big melodies and chunky drum funk.
Review: Jimmy 'James' Shaw and his wife Maureen were collectively known as Unity, and were backed by eight piece NYC funk band Downbeats. It is these people being this 1968 slice of smooth R&B and bubbly funk that is now reissued by Fantasy Love. It's the sort of superbly tender and heart aching slow motion soul that will sound good until forever. 'High Voltage' is a more upbeat funk cut powered by deriving rhythms and big horns. Unity & The Downbeats would continue to tour the East Coast until the end of the 70s when they disbanded and left a fine legacy of great singles.
Review: Mega-chromatic soul-jazz with a dash of weirdness from The Universal Togetherness Band. 'I Want You' and 'Call For Love' were recorded between 1979 and 1982, and were subsequently shelved until one of the duo's members began doling out cassette versions, which led to an unearthing in 2014. Subdued and laid-back drums, clack-guitar and toothy bass all poke through this release's sexy soul snark.
Review: Universe City's 1976 12" promotional release, showcasing 'Can You Get Down' and 'Serious,' achieved legendary status in the disco realm. Produced and arranged by John Davis, its limited availability and enduring demand, amplified by spins from influencers like Sean P and Dave Lee, underscore its lasting impact in the disco community. Davis, a pivotal figure in 1970s disco, significantly shaped its sonic landscape as a composer, arranger, and producer. Now, officially reintroduced after 48 years, this exclusive Record Store Day reissue is a must-have for disco aficionados that won't break the bank like an original would.
Review: Upstairs P. is also known as Garrett Rowley) and is a DJ and producer who is currently based in Los Angeles. So far his sounds have come on the likes of Germany's Public Possession in the form of a collaboration with Baba Stiltz, who has contributed to part 2 on the flipside of this new 12" on Punchy & Friends. 'Grem Freche (part 1)' is a melon-twisting bit of psyched-out dark disco, chug and downtempo no wave with endless percussive evolutions and winding rhythms. 'Grem Freche (part 2)' has a more loose, DIY and dubbed out edge but is just as excellent
Review: The music of estranged Estonian producer Uku Kuut is becoming something of a personal obsession for Washington DC label Peoples Potential Unlimited and that's fine with us! First surfacing on PPU some three years ago with a dinky 7", Uku Kuut has graced the label with numerous subsequent releases of varying length with last year's Visions Of Estonia LP a stand-out. Grand Hotel represents another album length trawl through the archives of Kuut's instrumental funk, offering a ten track selection of material he recorded on his travels through the Soviet Union, Sweden and Los Angeles. Kuut's first ever recorded track dating back to 1982 is included, as is material recorded in Herbie Hancock's personal studio. Superb artwork to match some superb lo-fi funk.
Review: Amazingly, this is Chicago deep house don Glenn Underground's 15th album. Much has changed since he dropped his impeccable debut, Atmosfear, in 1996, but he still retains the capability to make beguiling house music. While there's little evidence of the chunky, occasionally booming grooves with which he made his name, 12 July 1979 is as musically warm and beautifully intricate as you'd expect. With extensive use of jazz keys and delicious guitar, there are echoes of his slick Lounge Excursions set on Guidance Recordings, while disco-flecked cuts such as "For The Love of Money" and "Going Bananas (Gorilla Disco)" have just enough dancefloor chops. Best of all, though, is "Service", a hazy exercise in horn-laden deep house soul.
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