DJs: Most Charted - Disco - Most Charted June 2016

Review: Mathieu Cle's Closed Paradise follows up his superb Masterworks release earlier this year with another delicate, deep and downright heady EP. This time four tracks are in the offing, each one as robust and loopy as the last; from the slippery bass slaps of "Asymmetrical" and the crowd's whoops and hollers on "Dice" right through the teasing piano and vocal echo loops on "Bad Girl" and the slower, sexier deep disco funk of "Filtered Light", Cle's understanding of DJ dynamics and dancefloor desires are as chiselled as possible... Good times guaranteed.

Review: REPRESS ALERT: From the label: "This EP is a dedication to the Amsterdam based Alkebulan Project. Philou and Villy are both members of this project, the project brings artists from Africa & African Diaspora together. The Alkebulan Project is on a mission to change the perception of Africa an it's citizens. Nigerian artist Villy and his group "Villy & The Xtreme Volumes" are on a mission to educate Africans with their message calling for a revolution in Africa, politically and socially in all aspects. Philou has a combination of Congolese, Nigerian and Sierra Leonean heritage and it is in these roots that he has built his sound. His passion for the continent of his ancestors is fervent and his projects are challenging commonly held preconceptions about Africa. His goal is to challenge negative stereotypes, by making African cultures more approachable through music. Much love for Rudy Asibey for founding The Alkebulan Project and bringing the artists together and many thanks to Marcel Vogel for giving us the opportunity to tell our story through."

Review: The first ever Athens of the North 12" is a real pearler, presenting the unreleased full length mix of Symbol 8's classic disco burner "I Thought You Wanted To Dance." The track was originally pressed on 7" back in 1978, split down the middle with one part on each side, but it's a track that was made for the full 12" format and is done so here on a Full Midtown Mix. Charlie Adams versatile vocal flipping into falsetto with ease while the band holds the solid groove is a special thing. On the flip-side is a Shock Version of "I Thought You Wanted To Dance," which surfaced later and sounds very different, sitting pretty alongside a personal DJ Fryer favourite "Call Me". Essential as always.

Review: Moscow's Arsenii is up next on New York City edits imprint Razor N Tape. Following up the great Allegria on Basic Fingers last year, he's back with some more obscure oddities spliced to perfection once again. He takes the razor to "Son of the Sun," which the label themselves describe as "the Shaft-in-outer-space drama" (and we agree completely) to the 'proto-balearic lilt' of "Jungle Melody" by Pierre Dalmon and of course the big band funk of "Fool Like A Child"; more commonly known to some as Christian Gaubert's "Sweet And Fool Like A Child" from 1979.

Review: Three 12"s deep and still no clue as to who Waffles actually is. Just as tasty, fluffy and addictive as its predecessors, "Hankuri" struts with a certain amount of Afro charm while plodding with Italo-like thrust. "49 Gang" takes an even slower route with a dubby sheen and playful funk that's reminiscent of the Norway's cosmic eruptions 10 years ago. Like the previous outings, both cuts have been experienced on the Despacio system in recent months and both hit hard.

Review: Having only launched in 2015, no one was expecting DDD to lay out a Record Store Day bounty quite so soon. But boy are we glad they have. 500 copies on 180g triple vinyl from some of the nu disco and proper deep house scene's most respected and exciting individuals, it's a beautifully restrained collection of never-to-be-released-again grooves that's built to last. From the swooning Moodymannisms of MyStep's "Get Over" to the jazzy sprinkles and lighter footed filtered flavour of M Ono's "Little Fat Sparrow", these tracks will never tire. Jump on them before it's too late.

Review: Released on the Night Time Stories Ltd subsidiary of Late Night Tales last year, Khruangbin's debut album, The Universe Smiles Upon You, was quite the unique proposition; a wholly psychedelic homage to '60s Thai rock/funk. Tracks from that LP form the basis of this latest 12" from Future Boogie's own sub-label Boogie Futuro which, as the title suggests, features some killer remixers doing their thing to Khruangbin. Session Victim bring a sense of deep house class to "The Man Who Stole My Sunglasses," identifying some cooing vocal tones that work so well amidst the shuffle of their Hamburg groove, whilst DJ Milo's tweak of "Balls & Pins" proves he's lost none of his talent for using samples effectively. Maribou State get their percussion on with the heat-treated take on "People Everywhere", leaving Vuelo to deliver a sense of space with his dubbed out revision of "Zionsville."

Review: Almost 18 months in the making; Derry doyens Q&D return with another beautifully detailed four track edit collection that's limited to 500 presses. Alan Mooney starts with bus with less of an edit and more of a stunning lesson in samplecraft as the ghost of Jacko creeps in and out of the filters. Vincenzo De Bull ups the tempo ante with a big loopy disco house gem while Napoleon conquers any dance with an edit of a Costa Rican disco delight. Finally the whole crew wind the EP with instantly distinctive strings and a thundering diva-drenched groove. You won't be able to stop yourselves...

Review: REPRESS ALERT: Australia is known for its Sydney Opera House, Great Barrier Reef, the vast desert wilderness and unique animal species including kangaroos and duck-billed platypuses; but is also known for its well-crafted music output and deep love for optimistic sensual tunes. This is the case here with the first release of a mysterious project called Ponzu Island, there is absolutely no info available on the artist, so let your ears judge without prejudice. His first effort comes in the form of a 3 track EP including "Super Koto", "Ponzu Beach" and "Ponzu Logic", they sound like if Morgan Geist and Todd Terje took some acid and locked themselves in a room with a sea view, a synth, and a computer. Welcome to Ponzu Island.

To complete the EP the label counted with Andras Fox, another Aussie who has already gained much respect for his simply-perfect micro house productions (btw don't miss his live set if you ever have the chance). Andras revisits the track "Super Koto" in the form of an extended mix with a slower bpm and his magic touch here and there. On the flip side Apersonal's local producer Trujillo does his usual thing remixing "Ponzu Logic", closing the EP into a deep and darker territory. By now you will be in the middle in the desert asking yourself how you got there..

Review: Saying that Editor's Kutz is going string would be an understatement, and although the label are only on their seventh outing to date, it feels like much longer that we've been graced with their inimitable style of disco editing. There's four cuts this time, a timeless bunch of disco groovers that have been re-moulded for the modern ear and its need for a steady but of 4/4. "Shining Bright" from VinylAddicted is any disco lover's dream come true, while Dan Johnson's "Love Affair" is a solid, fist-pumping bomb with one mighty bassline. On the B-side, "Stop On By" is more laid-back and cooler in its approach, but "Get Ready" is the shining star here, a deep, wet slice of dynamite funk that you could leave on repeat for hours on end.

Review: Yes, yes, yes! People's Potential Unlimited come through with a timely new white label edition of Minority Band's Tasty Tune 12" which was one of the very first releases from the DC archivalists back in 2009!! Both tracks on this 12" originate from the sole record Jersey Shore act Minority Band released at the time they were active, the Journey To The Shore LP issued on local New Jersey label JSR Records back in 1980. It goes without saying finding that LP is akin to stumbling upon gold dust, so let's make do with this 12" which PPU state features two of the best cuts. Prime Jersey Shore boogie.

Review: For anyone who missed out on the RSD 3LP release from Diggin' Deep Disco, cast your frustration aside as the label have elected to reissue that hefty selection of edits over three 12" samplers. Part One here - pressed on yellow vinyl no less - scopes out the contributions from Cassara, Loz Goddard, Vinyl Addicted and Mystep. Of the four it is still the latter's subtle Moodymannisms on the twilight house strut of "Get Over" that makes the biggest impression.

Review: The Iceland-born, Norway-based producer, B. G. Baarregaard, channels the great tradition of Scandinavian electronic disco on this delectable four-tracker, maintaining a crisp and funky edge to his productions while making sure every inch of the wax is dripping with old-skool warmth. "Tokyo 1988" stands out with its perfect lashings of boogie rubbed into the joints, while "Kick The Burger" slows things right down for a cool and deadly cruise through electro funk of the highest order.

Review: New vinyl-only label Matasuna Records enters the fray with a stated focus on reworks of rare & forgotten music treasures from all over the world. The debut release, a 12" featuring four DJ-friendly edits from Voodoocuts and SoulBrigada sets the tone and has a fine titular pun to boot in Afreaka! Voodoocuts takes the A-side duties, pairing up the raw '70s Ivory Coast funk of "Kelja" with the steamy Latin styles of "Tortoise Loops". Those wanting something a bit more disco in sound will gravitate towards the "Hustleman" edit from SoulBrigada which originates from West Africa and has a killer horn line!!! "Madera" sees SoulBrigada look to Cape Verde for source material and features some subtle additions.