DJs: Most Charted - Disco - Most Charted August 2014

Review: Berlin-based Norwegian producer Henning Severud is in the midst of a fine run of releases as Telephones right now with his debut on Running Back proving to be one of the label's most loved platters in some time (this is no mean feat it should be said). His latest appearance is on Paramida's Love On The Rocks imprint, itself a label that cant help but impress so far this year and Lotusland makes for a fine addition. Telephones offers up Sunset and Sunrise versions of the track and both feature sumptuous usage of melodies and early '90s NYC flavour embellished with a hint of uplifting European euphoria. It's likely you'll be hearing both versions for as long as the sun keeps shining this summer and they are complemented by remixes from Discodromo and Gatto Fritto with the latter a quite mind bending Electro Boogie workout.

Review: Part two in EditChannel's three-piece dedication to Mangiami restaurant, one of New York's most creative nightspots in the last decade. As with the inaugural release, the identity of the editor will remain a mystery, but if you research just who was present at the restaurant on the regular you'll know this isn't some two bit editing chancer who's handy with a cut and paste function. "All Day" is a fuzzy, dubbed out Afrocentric groove while "Trocin" dusts off the disco strings for a dramatic point and strut session of epic proportions. Both of them rep at the highest possible levels.

Review: This latest release from the Outta Sight label places two true Latin heavyweights on one super special 7". Proceedings commence with the life affirming Balearic piano slapper "Spring Rain" by the Grammy Award winning Argentinean composer Juan Silvetti, which was originally released back in 1977. The lolloping bassline and naked keys make for a wonderful introduction to the track and the moment it opens up into the full vocal harmonic beauty is musical heaven. Meanwhile on the flip we hit one of the best cover versions the Latin quarter has ever given us in a vibrant interpretation of Gil Scott-Heron's "The Bottle", courtesy of Salsoul co-founder Bataan Nitoliano. Stunning.

Review: DJ Fryer's Athens of the North imprint has provided soul and disco DJs with some killer 7" reissues since launching earlier this year. Here, he uncovers another obscure but oh-so-good gem. There's little information available about Bileo, aside from the fact that they released just two singles between 1979 and '83. "You Can Win" was there debut. It's a deliciously loose and celebratory chunk of disco-soul featuring spellbinding horns and a cheery, wholeheartedly positive vocal. It's the sort of disco-soul gem that makes us want to hug complete strangers before running into the sea fully clothed. The more low-slung disco-funk flipside, "Let's Go", is almost as good. Recommended.

Review: The ignition switch for a superb trio series that pays homage to NYC's Mangiami restaurant... An authentic nightspot that did far more than serve great food. Open from 2006-2012, it was frequented by some of the most inspiring creative minds you can imagine. Naturally the soundtrack was equally inspiring, as this series (crafted by an editor who wishes to remain anonymous) suggests. "How We Do In NYC" is as low swung and sleazy as it gets. Awash with slippery wah wahs and vibrant horn flurries, it celebrates the whole city and not just the restaurant. "Lonesome Edit Blues", meanwhile, takes Waylon Jennings to groove pastures he never could have imagined.

Review: Those record buyers out there of a certain vintage will see the name Beatconducter on this 12" and remark what a coup it is for KAT to secure the man for their 20th release. Along with Red Astaire, Ture Sjoberg's Beatconductor edits helped establish GAMM as a powerhouse label for beat favouring selectors a decade ago. Of course he's remained a strong conductor of the beat in subsequent years under a variety of aliases (check out the Beatfanatic stuff if you can) and he brings his wise disco knowledge to the fore on these two edits. A side track "A Message Of Love" is a gospel stormer that leans on Ashford & Simpson's fantastic live outing of "The Boss," whilst "Boogie Love" revisits Lulu's "I Love To Boogie" beefing up the break, stretching and teasing before the rather ace vocal comes in and takes hold.

Review: While he may have spent the last few years pursuing a deep house agenda for labels such as Bosconi and Fly By Night, Bologna-based producer Riccio earned his stripes providing high class reworks for the now legendary Super Value Edits label. Here he returns to his roots with a four-track onslaught of tasty scalpel works for Editorial. There's naturally much to admire, from the string-laden disco-funk pulse of "Put Some Love In Your Life" and dewy-eyed, near Balearic disco wooziness of "Little Drummer", to the storming, peaktime brilliance of "I've Loved It" (our pick of a strong EP) and woodwind-laden loop funk of "Flute".

Review: More dusty-fingered funk and reissue fun from DJ Fryer's prolific Athens of the North imprint. As usual, these tracks are pretty darn obscure; they both dropped on the Split Decision Band's 1978 debut on the obscure Network Records imprint. "Watchin' Out" is a tight-but-loose chunk of hazy disco-era funk with a sturdy backbeat and particularly rousing horns. It will slip into both funk and disco sets with ease. Flipside "Dazed" is altogether slower, with sparser production emphasizing the quality of the parping, razor-sharp horns. It's a superb alternative to the equally admirable A-side. Another winner from Athens of the North.

Review: A brand new off-shoot imprint to Tiago's ever-ace Interzona 13, Outerzona 13 launches with a clear and emphatic statement of intent. It comes courtesy of Nelson Gomes, erstwhile member of Gala Drop who, for now, wishes to be known simply as Black. Repping three wholly different sides to his skills and sonic world, Nelson ticks every box. Late night dynamite by way of the frenetic conga-heavy Afrofusion of "Black", life-affirming vibes by way of the delicate balance of trembling synth arpeggio and rich motherland chants on "Van III" and end-of-night sensuality by way the laid back soul and sexy horn work of "Tabanka".

Review: Founded back in 2010, James Holroyd's Begin project has garnered near cultish status over the course of it's six releases to date, effectively offering an update on the Northern Sulphuric Soul template where funk and hip hop are replaced by house, Balearica and disco. Just over a year on from the last Begin transmission, Holroyd resurfaces with this ace three track 12" that will suit all dancefloor orientated situations over the summer months. As the title suggests, a sumptuous electronic bassline forms the centrepiece of lead track "Bassballs" gently coaxing out a sultry vocal line and wonderfully delayed saxophone and twilight keys. It's matched by the final track "Drop" in the wow stakes which will delight anyone that's been digging that Gigi Masin retrospective on Music From Memory.

Review: Recent New York transplant Mans Swanberg is clearly a man that enjoys an alias; best known for his Italo tinged edits on the Rollerboys label under the name Bogdan Irkuk and Bulgari, the selector adopts a new guise on this superb debut for Phil South's Golf Channel label. Waldemar Schwartz may well be a new name, but many of the elements that made Swanberg's work as Bulgari so memorable are very much in evidence on Taza De Oro. Chief among them is Swanberg's mastery of the live bass line which really transcends both the title track and B Side "Krav Maga Girls" towards disco heaven. After a fallow period of the last few months (An excellent LP from The Central Executives aside) Golf Channel seem to be gearing up for a ton of great releases, and this one from Waldemar Schwartz is a fine entree.

Review: Having teased us all last year with "Fresh Fromage", Darkest Pumpkin make their first proper debut for 2000 Black and it's a bit special. Taking the rudiments and shimmering electronic soul of contemporary / cosmic disco and subverting them with techniques most favourably spotted in the new-beat scene, both "Let It Be" and "That Feeling" are as refreshing as they are accomplished. "Let It Be" does a really cool cut-up thing before the luxurious electro boogie bassline swathes into the blend with serious sassiness, softening the pendulum-like hypnosis of the vocal loop. "That Feeling" sees more really cool sample creativity over a slightly techier, sparkling arpeggio that's kinda reminiscent of Kirk DeGiorgio. Both kill it.

Review: Big moves from Basic Fingers here as they turn to a veritable legend of the London jazz funk scene in Mark 'Spiritual South' Robertson for their latest edits 12". If you draw a blank at his name, we suggest you go check the man's Discogs for an idea of everything he's done over the years and Robertson certainly brings that pedigree to this pair of self styled Spiritual South Specials. "Everyday" is simply seductive disco at its best, with feel good vibes teased and tweaked expertly for optimum dancefloor implementation, whilst the B Side "Gonna Getcha" sees Spiritual South head into more boogiefied territory. Again the talent shown here for teasing out a groove then dropping into a refrain is second to none.

Review: Type the name Boban Petrovic into Discogs and you'll come across a Serbian producer and selector whose 1984 album Zora racks up quite a pretty penny amongst the collectors community. Kudos then to Belgrade crew Disco Not Disco who have reissued the album with the official blessing of Boban himself for the interest of those partial to some Balkan Disco but not at the premium prices the original pressing is listed at. Petrovic's work is new to us and it may be new to you but fans of the weirder strains of disco will resonate immediately with this eight track set with plenty of material you could envisage Alexis le Tan or Young Marco slipping in their sets.

Review: Russian duo Simple Symmetry have enjoyed an impressive start to their career, delivering a pair of EPs for Glenview that join the dots between psychedelic electronics, wide-eyed nu-disco and Balearic deep house. This first single for Low Budget Family takes a slightly different approach, fixing their chiming melodies, warm deep house chords and winding synths to African vocal samples and skittering beats that sit somewhere between proto-house and Chicago jack. Soft Rocks provide the standout remix, delving deep into their bag of tricks to deliver a hypnotic, trance-influenced chunk of hazy late night house. Brennan Green's remix, on the other hand, is delightfully Balearic - thanks, in no small part, to some great pianos and jaunty synth melodies.

Review: Shamelessly funky edits from two Dutch disco dynamos SHMLSS. They've already given us plenty to jump to via Midnight Riot and Disco Deviance. We're likely to hear a lot more of them in the future, but right now it's all about this epic double up on Manchester's To Rack & Ruin imprint. "Disco Sensation" is a heady slap bass jam session with an array of tight chops and disco flurries on the fills. Meanwhile on the B we're treated to an epic rendition of Peter Jacques Band's "Counting On Love" where every string and piano rolls are polished and presented with dramatic glee. Bona fide disco vibes.

Review: If you've spent some time in the nightclubs of Amsterdam, you will probably have shaken a leg to the selecting skills of Mr. Mendel. You'll find him often spinning side by side with Rahaan, who's releasing Mr. Mendel's edits on his third installment of Street Edits. Including a respectful dance floor take on 'Mind Power', the island disco stomper 'Boogie With The Channel' and a gospel-like hypnotizing version of 'Spirit, The Power'. This soulful 12" will certainly light up some dance floors around the world...

Review: The third and final slice of edit pie, served up fresh from New York's coolest restaurant. Now sadly departed - but clearly not forgotten - Mangiami was home to some of the finest gatherings NYC ever saw on a Monday night. The entire three part tribute reflects the soundtrack consummately, but this finale piece does so with the most breadth... "Music Take You" plays the role of the feel good warm up set. Mild highlife guitars shimmer in the background under dubby horns and a sumptuous swing. "And Your Point", meanwhile, is much more of a late night affair. A subverted Floydian saga that undulates with heavy reverb and insistent loop magic, it acts as a poignant dark finale to an excellent trilogy.

Review: This latest installment in the popular Editors Kutz re-edit series is packing some real heat, which is arguably unsurprising given the talent involved. Whiskey Disco don Sleazy McQueen steals the show with opener "Let's Make Love Tonight", a perfectly pitched chunk of sensual, horn-toting disco that should ignite dancefloors the world over this summer. 78 Edits take on "Love Massage" - a sexy head-nodder in his loopy, toe-tapping style - is almost as good, while Vinyl Addicted & Jean-Paul Gavri's sweet, delay-laden, dub disco tweak of "Can't Play Around" (here re-titled "Let's Play Around") is similarly impressive. As if that wasn't enough to impress, there's also some top drawer shuffling Balearic disco from Lillo Carillo's (the sultry "Le Viole").

Review: Having appeared in one form or another on labels as varied as Eglo, Neroli, Wildheart Recordings and Berceuse Heroique recently, Dennis 'Dego' McFarlane adds Drew Lustman's Blueberry Records to his evergreen CV with the excellent Nuts! EP. Such a signing by the producer known as Falty DL should not be a surprise to anyone that considers themselves a real fan of Lustman's work with Dego regularly touted as a strong influence on the New Yorker's musical output. Rich in musical flavour and heavy in rhythmic impact, all three cuts from Dego here really slam home how accomplished he is as a producer with the wonderfully bugged out "Fancy A Burger" and the rugged, dusted down swing of "Celestial Ditton" vying for first place in our affections. The latter track gets a rather nice rework from Falty DL too!

Review: Wah Wah 45s resident DJ Adam Scrimshire should be a familiar name to those who pay close to attention to the imprint's sneaky Wah Wah Dubplate series of bootleg 7" singles. This is his third outing for the hush-hush imprint, and sees him delivering two more soul-rich cut-ups capable of getting heads nodding and feet moving. A-side "Chaka's Night", a fearlessly loose cut-up of an old Chaka Khan gem that crafts a fluid, floor-friendly groove out of choppy, hip-hop style edits, is probably our pick, though the head-nodding jazz-funk bliss of flipside "Manhattan Night" is almost as good. Tasteful reworks for DJs who like their beats soulful; what's not to like?

Review: The original 1983 7" pressing of Popsicles' "These Are The Good Times", pressed up by the band themselves, is rarer than rocking horse droppings. A quick search of the Internet found two on sale for a cool L1,200 a-piece. Thankfully, DJ Fryer's Athens of the North has seen to give it a much-deserved reissue. "These Are The Good Times" is a particularly good example of early '80s boogie-soul, less reliant on synthesizers than some other records of the period. It's warm, soulful and full of great musicianship. Flipside "Little Rocker", which was on the A-side of the 1983 pressing, is a little slower and synth-heavy, sounding like an eyes-wide-shut end of night classic in the making.

Review: Vinyl-only, 250 copies, no repress... Freedom Sessions certainly know us how to get excited. They've got the vibes to back up their air of exclusivity, too. Each of these four cuts are well-polished deep house cuts the shimmer and shake with the perfect balance of jazz, soul and disco. Native content for the Russian label comes from Buzz Compass (bubbling bass, dreamy chord swoops and a killer loop) and Petr Serkin (filtered bliss that builds and builds). Flying further afield, Italian Riccio dusts off his meanest slap bass while Belarus's Funkyjaws lays down an ultimately timeless lesson in jazz-licked filtered dynamism. Limited and lush... All boxes ticked here.

Review: Young Corner is something of a welcome return from Swiss producer Alex "Lexx" Storer, a producer whose grasp of atmosphere and emotion is matched by a keen ear for what works on the dancefloor. A-side "Turning Tides" is particularly good, delivering a typically Balearic fusion of shuffling, deep house rhythms, and tactile synth bass, sun-kissed textures and gloriously rich, disco-influenced guitars. It feels like the sort of track that would lead to "moments" when dropped at the right time. "Mahogany" is slower, with bolder electronics and crispier guitars joining a thick, dub-influenced bassline. Finally, "Serenity" pushes the Balearic dial to max via dreamy chords, clipped guitars and cascading electronics.