DJs: Most Charted - Disco - May 2011

Review: ** Running Back Repress for the Terje Fans **Terje Olsen doesn't release many records, but when he does they tend to be pretty special. This surprise EP for Running Back is his only his fifth original single in seven years, but it's arguably his best yet. "Ragysh" is devilishly simple, a naggingly hypnotic house/ electronic disco head-nodder that builds to a gasping climax of chic, intergalactic melodies. It's partnered by "Bonysh", a dubwise beats track that ekes maximum thrills from little more than ever-changing percussion. B-side "Snooze For Love" - available in dancefloor and downtempo versions - continues the stargazing theme, offering up an uber-Balearic mix of bleep melodies, dozy chords and sleepwalking percussion.

Review: Brand spanking new label Sccucci Manucci launches with a 12" offering containing cuts from four different but equally pleasing sources. Those of you who hang out at the crossroads where disco meets house will no doubt already be keenly aware of the stylings of Aussie pup Francis Inferno Orchestra, and here he turns in piano-driven stomper "Horizon Beat". No less euphoric is "Scare The Night" by Jonno & Tommo - alas not a production duo from Far North Queensland but the considerably less tropical climes of London - who drop an oven warm slow-mo jam that brings to mind I:Cube's epic "Falling". Scott Featherstone & Tino TCB on the flip, with "Circles" guaranteed to raise a smile from the more discerning corners of the dancefloor. Portuguese newcomer Ramboiage rounds off the release, dropping some Cottam-esque heavy thud house on "Pretty Baby". Already in the record bags of Jacques Renault and other members of the disco cognoscenti, fans of Wolf Music and Kolour Recordings will be all over this record which comes wrapped in some seriously porno artwork.

Review: REPRESS ALERT: This time on transparent vinyl. Amsterdam dwelling editor par excellence Em Vee took the solo reigns on the inaugural Lumberjacks In Hell - and truly excelled with a great reimagination of "Miss You". The second release on the label sees the German share duties with Spanish edit demon Rayko, with the Rare Wiri boss hogging the A Side. First up is an expert rearrangement of Candi Staton's cover of the Bee Gee's standard "Nights On Broadway" which strips the track of its orchestral leanings to focus on the groove! Following this is a meaty take on a classic, with Barbara Keith's cover of "All Along The Watchtower" reinforced with some bottom end bump. Em Vee spreads a special disco version of Alma Lee's late 70s Philly delight "Gimme Your Love" with an extended intro that fully displays his edit talents.

Review: Horse Meat Disco member Luke Howard debuts the Miss Cheesecake nom de plume for a shiny vinyl release on the venerable London institution otherwise known as Faze Action Records. Electronic bass and piano action abounds on "Get Off The Floor" which features some delightfully lo-fi robotic vocals and a relentlessly driving groove, while "You Must Create", which features Luke's own vocals, is dripping in neon-tinged 80s dancefloor sweat. Sharing the flipside is a typically lush proto house remix of "You Must Create" from label chiefs Faze Action which really could be the theme tune to a 1983 moustache-riddled cop action flick set in San Francisco, alongside an instrumental version of the original cut.

Review: After a successful career in Dutch risque cinema, Strom Vandenberg has decided to dedicate his future days to another passion, the art of lustful disco reworks - with Majesty's Pleasure the conduit. The inaugural release is primped especially for fans of the proto four x four thump, twisted cosmic psychedelia, basement boogie and vintage NJ Jersey sounds. Indeed the opening track "Our Love Call" seemingly swerves through various stages of dance music history before arriving at the burning crescendo that plays the track out. A spotters badge for anyone who can ID the tracks here! Look out for the slightly creepy message from Meneer Vandenberg which plays out the B Side.

Review: The third round of DC La Rue reworks arrives courtesy of the South London branch of the iconic 70s disco producer's fan club - with perhaps the strongest line-up of editors yet. Mixed Blood Cuts duo Richard Sen and Cazbee hog the A-Side with an extended treatment of "Do You Want The Real Thing" which remains true to the growing orchestral crescendo of the original but lays down nicely embellished percussive touches. On the flip, Social Disco Club adds some Portuguese shimmer to the uptempo strut of "Dancing With Strangers" whilst Runaway's Jacques Renault steals the show with the most imaginative edit - twisting "I Don't Want To Lose You" into the kind of freestyle leaning proto house basement jam he seems to excel at. It's worth investigating for the massive bliss-inducing drop into La Rue's original midway through!