Super Disco Edits Vinilo y CD

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.

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: 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: The Ellis Hall Group's upcoming 7" release, 'Music, Sweet Music,' on Super Disco Edits is sure to find its way into many DJ sets. Originally recorded in 1978, this release is the second in a series where the label unearthed hidden gems from the archives. Ellis Hall Jr. and his Boston-based band bring two tracks that didn't make it to their Night Shift TV performance but are now seeing the light. 'Music, Sweet Music' is a breezy, summer anthem reminiscent of the Blackbyrds and Stevie Wonder, packed into a short but sweet 2:38 runtime. On the flip side, 'Forward Motion' offers a funkier vibe with a new wave edge, kicking in with powerful horns, driving drums and infectious melodies. Featuring Ellis Hall on keyboards and vocals, alongside a talented lineup, these tracks are perfect for fans of classic funk and soul.

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: 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".

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: 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.