Review: These previously unreleased tracks from Revelations member Phillip Balou were offered to Super Disco Edits by one-time British soul journalist David Nathan, who worked alongside the musician and band mate John Simmons at the tail end of the 1970s. A-side "Ain't Nothing Like The Love", a gospel inspired slice of sumptuous soul complete with jazzy guitar solos and an evocative lead vocal from Ballou, is undoubtedly the pick of the two tracks and well worth anyone's hard-earned cash. That said, deep and sugary flipside "For Real" - a thrillingly evocative slow jam full of gospel style choral backing vocals, sumptuous electric piano and sweeping, synthesized strings - is almost as good.
Review: Back around the early 1970's, Bell Telephunk was formed around the New Jersey area. Some members moved to Cleveland, Ohio where the group performed in local bars and clubs at the time. The band disbanded early on but the name lay dormant for a few years until round the mid '70s; when Michael Calhoun and a few others decided to rejuvenate the name again. They played often at the Kinsman Grill in Cleveland where they cut their teeth. They ventured into the studio just once and record a series of six songs: crossover ghetto soul of the highest order and on their newly formed Kinsman Records label. This previously unissuedversion courtesy of Super Disco Edits.
Review: Prior to this year, funk connoisseurs and collectors have known only one record from the 70s Bay Area funk troupe Brass Horizon. That was "We Just Want To Play" and it's been known to go over $1500 in the past. 39 years after its release Super Disco Edits have incredibly unearthed an unreleased gem! So large it takes over both sides, "Horizon's Theme" is a groove heavy instrumental jammed with that classic laid back Berkley vibe where all players get a chance to shine. Part one is all about the organs while part two lets the horns tear the groove a new one. What a find.
Review: Bill Brown and Al Hall jr met in 1971 in south central LA and shared the same flat as jazz man Doug Carn and Brownstone vocalist Billy Wilson. They often played together and some of the sessions gave rise to the two hard to find tracks offered up here. 'Dreamworld Fantasie' is a first release of an unissued 1977 disco and soul gem that muses on how we'd all like our lives to be - and right now such escapist vibes have never been more in need. Flip it over and you'll find a rare though previously released 1971 single 'Stay Off The moon', which delivers a poignant political message that resonates to this day.
Doug Payne & Carman Bryant - "Take A Chance" (4:07)
Review: R&B vocalist Carman Bryant played throughout the United States and was hugely popular. York, Pennsylvania born and raised, she recorded 'Midnight Star' way back when with production taken care of by Cecil DuValle of the Teddy Pendergrass band. The tune never made it out as it was lost when the producer moved to England but has recently been found and gets released here. On the back side is 'Take A Chance,' a duet by Doug Payne and Carman that was recorded in the same sessions at Alpha International Studios. Both are heart rending soul jewels.
Review: This sizzling new 7" from Super Disco Edits serves up Dayton's 'Sky's The Limit' which is a red hot slice of previously unissued 1982 soul.Hall of fun famers Dayton were a well established and popular group with a lush sound that was couched in soul but with funky grooves, boogie basslines and hints of disco shimmer and shine. This gorgeous single has all that and more including a big, buttery vocal. It is an epic, guaranteed floor filler which on the flip side has 'Sky's The Limit (long version)' for extra devastation.
Review: Very little is known about disco troupe The Devoted Souls besides the fact they have a link with musical director extraordinaire Stu Gardner which is where the original master tapes were found. Pure unreleased gold from 1980, there's a bubbly harmonic soul laced throughout the original with just nuances of a more psychedelic trip while Kon searches even deeper into the cosmos with trippy double ups and blissful breakdowns. Get devoted.
Review: You can always rely on Super Disco Edits for exactly that. The long-running label's 68th such serving is from the Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign and features a couple of their previously unreleased joints. Opener '69 Cents' brings slick and sleek afro drumming with some splendid horn sections powering things along. A smooth and soulful vocal ride in amongst the drum grooves and takes you on a fine trip. On the reverse is 'That Is Why,' which slows things down a little and gets more loved up. The backing vocals lend the whole thing an air of class as the lining trumpets soar and the mellifluous chords sink you in deep.
Review: Super Disco Edits close down their special series of releases from the brother and sister duo of Eryk and Antoinette McClinton with another four-track pearler. The pair recorded with venerated Detroit legends Mike Theodore and Dennis Coffey in around 1979 and they came at a time when they were trying to break the big time. They had already released on Honey Records and here bring plenty of funky influxes to their big disco beats. All four have some fine breakdowns and the final tune, with its 2 step beats, is a real standout.
Review: Eddie Carmichael started Mirror having left his previous band The Voshays when he caught their manager stealing. He formed it with Derry Shepherd, Sandy Ficca, Duncan Bethel, bass player Dave Segal, Bob Groszer on keys and Flynn Emanuel to play trombone. They were regular performers on Miami Beach and recorded only a few tunes, but what tunes they were. It is said that had the band had a better manager they could have gone on to be one of the best of their era. Either way, at least we have these two dazzling disco and soul gems.
Review: The Super Disco Edits camp have pulled off something of a coup here, securing the rights to a previously unissued 1987 cut from studio duo New Jersey Connection, whose sole 1981 single, "Love Don't Come Easy", has long been a favourite of boogie DJs. "Red Light Green Light", featuring the breezy vocals of Cynthia Wilson, sounds like a long lost boogie classic: all sugary-sweet backing vocals, rubbery bass guitar, twinkling '80s soul synthesizer melodies and punchy drum machine percussion. The A-side vocal version is accompanied by a tasty instrumental mix, in which the focus switches to the NJ twosome's superb production. File under: "must have".
Give It Up, Turnit A Loose (previously unreleased) (4:31)
It's A Family Thang (previously unreleased) (4:35)
Review: Obscure Californian group The Real Thing (not the Liverpool 4 piece ) who recorded for US label Whiz enjoy a very special spotlight on Super Disco Edits. Both cuts previously unreleased; they're as fizzy as the product they share a slogan with... "Give It Up & Turn It Loose" takes James Brown to turbo charged pastures, tearing up the funk rule book so rapidly they've got friction burns. "It's A Family Thang" brings us back down to earth with such unified tightness and positivity it would make Sly and the Stones blush. The real deal.
Review: Super Disco Edits decision to focus on releasing previously unissued gems from the disco era has resulted in a string of essential 7" singles. Predictably, this is another must-have. Vocalist and actress Roz Ryan recorded them with producers Dennis Coffey and Mike Theodore in 1980, during a spell in Broadway musical Ain't Misbehavin'. They were destined for a six-track album that was sadly never released. A-side "Keep Shining" is a killer chunk of sing-along jazz-funk/disco/boogie fusion, full of sprightly P-funk synths and punchy horns. Flipside "Put Love Back", on the other hand, is a slow burning delight: a wonderful chunk of boogie-era late night soul shot through with heartbroken emotion. Both tracks are brilliant, in other words.
Review: The Roz Ryan studio real reissue series hits a third and final instalment here. This one is another superb piece of previously unissued 2 step soul that will pirouette its way into your heart. It was discovered in 1980 and produced by the mighty Mike Theodore and Dennis Coffey. First up is 'Love Changes' which was also covered by O.C Smith and is a slow and sultry number with buttery but poignant lyrics. Flip it over for the more upbeat, driving and dancefloor ready number that is 'Funky Way To Treat Me' with a production that heightens all the lush disco elements.
Review: St Paul's Catholic Church in Louisiana was hosting a summer youth program in 1970 and 1971 and it was there that Tunnie Smith was spotted by Father George Artist, who saw potential in his great singing abilities. Smith was introduced to local musicians and bands as a result and was soon playing the local circuit. He landed a record label 18 months later and his first single came in 1973. Success followed as did an album that never actually got roasted. It was then in 1983 that he laid down the slow-burning mid-tempo soul numbers which feature in this 7" for the first time.
Review: Tunnie Smith was born to sing, and 'Dancing On Da Clouds' is the biggest belting under his belt. Handpicked by his pastor in the early 1970s, this lesser-known golden child soon found himself touring every corner of his home state of Louisiana. His first record deal followed, which led to a slew of promised releases and shelvings, rises and falls. 10 years later, a chance meeting with producer George 'Paco' Patterson helped catapult Smith to indie stardom, and his relatively underground status helped foster the uniquely atmospheric mood of these two devotional pieces. They somehow straddle the rapture of soul and the later washiness of dream pop; a strangely beautiful release.
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