Disco Recommendations April 2014

Review: After a brief hiatus we are pleased to announce Mangled returns in 2014 with a new distribution deal through Juno. First up is some Ray Mang versions of a song from Italian singer Mari (Marina Conti). Mari's album 'Gentle Beauty' produced together with singer songwriter Mozez (of Zero 7 fame) was released back in 2012 on Numen Records. Ray Mang took a shine to the second single 'Free' taking the Vocals and piano from the original and re-crafting it into a stellar piece of modern euphoric disco. Presented here on heavyweight 180g 12" vinyl in three versions for your listening pleasure with digital to follow. From its first play during Ray's debut appearance at London party institution Low Life back in 2012 this track has been causing goose bumps. Support comes from Bill Brewster, Daniel Wang, Horse Meat Disco, The Idjut Boys, Phil Mison, Una Bombers, Paul Murphy, Luke Solomon, Pete Herbert, Test Pressing and many more.

Review: The ever-spotless edit bastions Magic Wand continue their great work with another quad of stunning Balearically-minded versions. Each one of them will stir a soul at forty paces with notable highlights coming from Coyote's stunning sun-kissed take on Toto's classic "Rosanna" and the track "Be Balearic" which takes the J Dilla and Common record "It's Your World" and twists the focus on to Common's dad's Gil Scott Heron-style spoken word soliloquy. Beautiful.

Review: ** REPRESS ALERT ** Emotional Especial return with a release from Romanian duo Khidja that comes packing some excellent remixes from senor Fairplay and Juju & Jordash! Brought to the attention of EE thanks to Hardway Brother Sean Johnston, who returned from a Bucharest DJ gig singing the praises of two young DJs, Khidja's productions are as impressive as their selections on the evidence here. "Mustafa" is more immediate with shuffle percussion, swirling sirens and acid bubbles leading to a perfect horn break. In the hands of Mr Fairplay, the track takes on anthemic qualities; the stabbing bass and build have allegedly seen howls of appreciation when it's dropped at A Love From Outer Space. "Abdul" finds Khidja in a more calming mood reminiscent of Art of Noise, though the kick and bass ensure there is plenty of rhythmic emphasis, whilst the Juju & Jordash remix edges towards a Balearic digidub vibe.

Review: When released on the THISISNOTANEXIT label in 2008 to little fanfair, the Brain Machine by Brain Machine was 2 unknown producers delivering a unique take on the electronic, experimental climbs of the Krautrock sound. Now known to be Rome based Guido Zen and London's Jon Tye - aka one half of the Seahawks - the album soon spread through word of mouth and was backed with live dates from Scotland to Scandinavia. Handing the album to a selection of producers they admired resulted in remixes from Dusseldorf's Unit 4 and Musiccargo, London's Spectral Empire - aka George Thompson (Black Merlin) and Kyle Martin (Land of Light) - and from the USA, Jonas Reinhardt and both Steve Moore and A.E Paterra of space rock pioneers, Zombi. With the demise of TINAE in 2010, the remixes never saw the light of day. The Lost Machine EP collects 4 of those remixes on to one 12", while the rest will be available as digital only. A collection of percussive interpretations take the album's electronic kraut expanses towards a darker club sound that wouldn't go amiss on the more experimental offerings from LIES or Creme Organisation. All-in-all a welcome archival excavation from Emotional Response.

Review: Ah it's a welcome return for everyone's favourite globetrotting disco socialite Dimitri From Tokyo, surfacing on Jean Claude Gavri's EBO label with a trio of expertly tweaked edits presented on vinyl for the first time. Up first is a heavy duty revision of the Village People number "My Roommate" that hogs the A Side and is a masterclass in the disco edit and one to pull for at peak time! Dimitri gets his loop on with an equally potent take on The Tramps classic "Disco Inferno" whilst the final track sees him look to the list of Levan with a heavily cut rendition of a Paradise Garage classic. In original form, "Bad Mouthin" by the Motown Sounds is nigh on impossible to beat match so kudos to the man from Tokyo for evening out the percussive kinks for contemporary discotheque usage.

Review: Sweden-based disco fiend Parkway Rhythm unleashes yet another crisp synth heavy slice of contemporary disco for Mark Seven's Parkway label. The original struts with a big piano riff that's right up there with Alison Limerick's "Where Love Lives". Peppered with an array of boogie subtleties and bubbly disco noises, it's an instant floor pleaser that will appeal to fans of Paul Simpson's classic productions. For a slightly deeper experience jump on the T Kut dub. Shimmering with dubby flickers and flourishes, if you were a fan of Chicken Lips joints back in the day, you'll be all over this.

Review: A long term fixture in the realm of digital disco edits, Stockholm crew DiscoDat recently made the jump to pressing records with label boss Disco Tech inaugurating proceedings. This second release sees Disco Tech complemented by some high profile company from the disco edit hoi polloi in the shape of Late Nite Tuff Guy and LTJ Xperience. Australia's foremost exponent of the disco dice and slice is first up with "Dancefloor Baby" and if you don't know the source material for this one you need to sign up for some electro funk history lessons! LTJ Xperience follows with a beefed up take on "Funky Nassau", whilst Disco Tech holds court on the flip with two reworks, look out for the Tribute mix of Nina Simone's "Baltimore"!

Review: Mondo Disco and U-Ka on one sexy 10"? Disco partnerships don't carry much more clout than this. Mondo's take on "Do It" is less of an edit and more of a complete deconstruction and rebuild; taking the catchy vocal refrain and building a head-bending contemporary groove around it, this will seduce any floor in its path. Meanwhile on the B we find U-Ka on glistening form as "Disco" unravels into a shiny, bright-tight guitar-heavy jam complete with big brash synth boogie charm. Both are absolutely stunning.

Review: The good ship GAMM continues to sail through prosperous waters, and as it eeks towards a hundredth release looks to new blood in the shape of Turbojazz. Perhaps best known for his No More Hits label, the Milan-based DJ and digger Turbojazz is a perfect fit for the GAMM operation on the basis of this two track debut which is nestled snugly in the realm of jazz flecked summer music. Lead cut "Que Pasa" rolls deep on a latin boogie vibe with some sweet edits that add a bit of bump to the grind, whilst the proper jazz heads out there will recognise the sublime piano loop that forms the core of "Nebulosa".

Review: I-Boat Captain returns to IIB with a real gem of a tune. Major Spam is a chugging nu kraut dub disco bomb. Driving drums and relentless bassline wrapped up in swirling synths and delayed vocals. Almunia beef up the tempo and the kick, adding their trademark guitar melodies. Tiedye turn Major Spam into an big piano Balearic house monster ready for some hands in the air moments. Finally on the remix our friends up north Last Waltz create a beautiful lush disco synth chug out. The extra track on the B side Poly Punk is a slo mo acid treat. Squelching 303 underneath a delayed picked guitar and a soaring pad. Balearic acid dub style.

Review: Edit culture continues to sprawl into all territories. And, just as you think there's no more classics to fine, modify and update, along comes a brand new label that screams with potential disco promise. Highlights across this gorgeous four piece are Late Night Tuff Guy's gossamer groove take on Janet Jackson's "When I Think Of You" and EZLV's outrageously funky synth-boogie-heavy pitched up twist on Shalamar's "There It Is". Complete with heavy gospel vibes and big loopy disco, Restore have ticked all boxes and leave us wanting more!

Review: Deep Balearica beckons as Almunia conjures a spell-binding fusion of guitars and studio effects. Imagine Andrew Weatherall producing Simon and Garfunkel. The soundtrack to the perfect sunset, this gradually builds with the most genuine euphoria that could possibly be mustered in a studio. For a proper dancefloor jolt, jump on Marius Circus's dub... Armed with a pumping 4/4, mild acid squirts and heavy dub effects on the guitar, it's the soundtrack to the perfect night that follows the perfect sunset. Make sure this finds its way to your collection.

Review: No stranger to the high profile remix commission over his rise to commercial fame, Marco Niemerski is himself the focus of attention here with a bunch of club ready re-versions of his Nile Rodgers & Fiora featuring single "Love Sublime". Nestled in alongside remixes from Gerd The Word Janson, Duke Dumont and Ewan Pearson is Swede Jonas Rathsman, and the rising Gothenburg-based producer holds his ground in such esteemed company. Indeed Rathsman's version will probably go down well with the Disclosure set as will the B Side version from Duke Dumont. Running Back boss Gerd Janson does a sterling extended 12" mix that has a touch of the Compass Point Studios to it, whilst the Balearically inclined Ewan Pearson's version is strangely reminiscent of the music Tensnake first made his name on.

Review: By their own admission, Optimo Music was a bit quiet in the second half of last year, with the attention of Twitch & co. dedicated to the newly established floor focussed sub-label Optimo Trax. A new year brings renewed focus however, with a swiftly sold out release from Whilst now followed by the label debut of The Twins. To call The Twins mysterious is an understatement; All Optimo Music will reveal is they once resided in Glasgow and count Kompakt regular Superpitcher as a close associate. Indeed, the spectrally charged "Water Coaster" from this amusingly named You've Got A Twin In The Attic (You Lunatic) features mixdown duties from Aksel Superpitcher and there are apparent plans afoot for an album from The Twins on the Hippie Dance label Schaufler runs with Rebolledo.

Review: Following his stunning Back To The Balearics debut late last year Belfast conjurer returns with a follow up EP to his inaugural "Pastel Love". Each cut shimmers and sparkles with synth majesty and glistening grooves as the Tust associate explores the true roots of sun-kissed Balearic bliss. "Rise" struts on an insistent synth riff while a web of sub-melodies twinkle in the background, "Goldline" slows things right down and infuses the current LA beat flavours with White Isle charm, "Savannas" is a dubbed out slo-mo stomper while "Balcony Life" closes the show with a tight texture of subtle euphoria. Truly beautiful.

Review: Most Excellent Unltd is the new label shaped endeavour from Paul Raffaele, a name that should be familiar to anyone that frequents the NYC Underground. It launched last year with a fine record from Amsterdam-based Italian MaSpaventi, and evidently will be operating under an open ended remit if this second release is any indication. Scoring some edits from Danny Krivit will be considered a coup by anyone who knows their disco onions and the New York-based DJ and producer's class shines through here. Those requiring some slow dance material will resonate towards the A Side rub down of early 80s cut "Baby Doll" from Girls Can't Help It which is blessed with a touch of the Balearics whilst the B Side houses the altogether more uptempo production in the shape of The Montana Sextet's Loft classic "Heavy Vibes".

Review: With their sumptuous grooves, attention to detail and relaxed soulfulness, the Common Edit releases have quickly become must-have items for those who seek re-edits crafted with a deft touch. Here, the Canadian label drops another tasty hand-stamped 7" featuring typically sensual reworks from friends of the family Khotin and Dane. "Jospehina's Groove", all low-key soft shuffle, winding synths and sensual strings, is particularly impressive, not least in its reverential approach to the source material. There's a little more of a cosmic flavour to the deep, woozy grooves of "Prince Video", whose space noises, lazy synth bass and tumbling guitars occasionally give way to sublime strings.

Review: Supply Records returns with a seventh release which finds Will Martin make his label debut and build on the budding production partnership with John Barera, which commenced with a standout contribution to a various artists 12" on Dolly last year. Much like "Reality" from that aforementioned release on Steffi's label, the four tracks here commence on a disco flecked tip with "Awake" which is filled with driving soulful strings and cracking drums. Classic Rhodes punctuate "Say It Now" whilst the flip shows a different side to the pairing with "Unknown Factor" heading into stab heavy techno territory, whilst title track "Yen" displays Martin and Barera's mastery of haunting atmospheres. Supply meets demand once again!

Review: Edit fiends Basic Fingers usually reserve their tastiest material for the occasionally used Gold Finger offshoot. That's arguably the case here, as Deejaykul delivers a sumptuously deep and soulful house interpretation of the much-played "Feeling Good" (think Nina Simone, though this version has a delicious male vocal). The A-side DeejayKul meets Soultechnic Deepa mix is particularly potent, with intricate Latin percussion, smooth pads and sensual vocal riding an effortlessly sunny groove. There's a bit more vintage US garage on the flip, where the Classic Love Deep mix laces soft-focus chords and classic organs over a typically skippy groove. Impeccable stuff, all told.

Review: Forgotten Corner's first release which arrived last May, showcased the chugging, slo-mo styles of Nick Mackrory and Phil Banks, whose "Jaipur Palace" combined Indian melodies with an EBM-inspired throb. The label's second outing, the Star Wars-referencing Tatooine Moons, comes from again from Mackrory and Banks with the assistance of Khidja, and could almost be a more sedate take on Timothy J Fairplay's World Unknown belter "Cleopatra Loves The Acid", with a considerably more Balearic feel. Cassini Division's remix is even more sandblasted, taking things into even more arid and psychedelically-charged territory.

Review: Having last drawn on more contemporary fare with that killer 12" from Mood Hut artists Pender Street Steppers, PPU focus their attentions on music of a more archival nature with this triplet of productions from Tony Palkovic. Drawing from the 1985 album Born With A Desire the Los Angeles -based multi-instrumentalist issued via the Deep Water label, True To Yourself is a richly rewarding display of Palkovic's talents. The title cut alone is worth investigating, delving deep into the realm of synthesized jazz fusion across ten sumptuous minutes. "Born With A Desire" is prime PPU synth boogie whilst "Hoping For A Better World" is as contemplative as the title suggests. Up next for PPU is Legowelt - don't sleep!