Wally Badarou

Review: There are few certified music stars that France's Wally Badarou hasn't worked with along his illustrious career. Black Uhuru, Grace Jones and Herbie Hancock are just some of the names he's collaborated with, but the man only got to that stage thanks to his wonderful solo albums of the early '80s. His very first LP, the much-coveted Back To Scales To-Night, is a sublime boogie-soul gem and it's thanks to the collaboration between Expansion and Love Vinyl that we have it on our shelves once again. The title track is an instant hit of euphoria upon first listen, and its sonic treatment which rendered it stand-out back in the day... and still today! "One Day Won't Give It Away" is another favourite of ours, a drum-machine soul groover, but the instrumental version of "London Town" is also a reason to cop this magnetic, and refreshing soul album.

Review: Boogie Down Express got off to a flyer with that rather tasty 7" shaped package of edited Herbie Hancock delights, and the mystery label's second release sees them graduate to the 12" format for a further demonstration of their cutting skills. Sheila & B Devotion's famous Chic collaboration "Spacer" leads and in the hands of Boogie Down Express, the track becomes a floor-focused edit with the emphasis on the groove and hook which guarantees instant attraction without being too cheesy. Dig deeper for the supreme falsetto funk of Atlantic Starr, highlife electro boogie from Charles Amoah and superb synth cosmic funk of Wally Badarou. Four examples of great edit artistry at play, Boogie Down Express we salute you!