Juno Recommends Disco: June 2024

Review: Micky More & Andy Tee's remixes of 'Gypsy Woman' and 'Special Love' by Montefiori Cocktail and Jestofunk respectively are jazz-infused delights that bring new life to these classic tracks. On the A-side, 'Gypsy Woman' exudes Latin disco flair, with infectious rhythms, a stunning horn section and uplifting strings that create an irresistible dancefloor vibe. Meanwhile, the flip features the iconic vocals of Jocelyn Brown on 'Special Love,' seamlessly blending disco and house elements for a soulful and energetic experience. The live instrumentation, including bass and horns, adds depth and authenticity to both remixes, enhancing their appeal to DJs and listeners alike. These remixes are sure to light up any dancefloor with their timeless appeal.

Review: Parkway presents a fresh eight-track compilation full of weirdo new beat and janky Balearic, the WPKY Jams. Fashioned after the fictional metonymous radio station of the same name, this one opens with a confident DJ drop -""entertainment that works!" - after which a nostalgi-comic foray into the uncanny, retroistic world of revivalist disco funk and new beat is explored through the lilting grooves of Charley Kelley, T Kutt and Parkway Rhythm. Each track is well-emulated and nicely compressed, working in classic samples and motifs from each sound.

Review: Two perfect party starters from the world of funky disco. Moar is behind the classy edits on the 45 Loves label and first up is the low-slung and steamy funky sleaze of 'O' with its neat guitar riffs and hip-swinging claps. The buttery smooth vocal is the perfect icing on the cake. Flip it over and you will find a stone cold classic that is pure bait for dancers. 'OO' is a neat, tight and funky jam popularised by a classic ad from years gone by and it still sounds super fresh with its noodling bass and wet claps, hooky vocals and warm chords.

Review: Psychemagik's Undercover Lovers Vol 3 delivers a masterful reinterpretation of dance classics with a twist. On the A-side-, their rendition of Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love' transforms the high-energy anthem into a mesmerizing slow burner. With a low-slung groove and heavy synthesisers, Psychemagik crafts an epic version that wow's listeners with its depth and intensity. On Side-2, their take on Hall and Oates' 'I Can't Go For That' is equally exciting. Retaining the legendary groove while infusing it with melodic nuances, Psychemagik creates a unique jam that feels both familiar and fresh. The addition of Spanish lyrics adds an unexpected dimension, further enhancing the track's appeal. Undercover Lovers Vol 3 is a great example to Psychemagik's talent for reinventing classics into new gems for a new generation.

Review: Working with its sister label OST Recordings, Acid Jazz releases a new version of 'Family Tree' by Family Tree, on a smart-looking label based on the look of the original's Ananda label. For the first time since 1975, this new reissue comes with the Kevin Beamish Disco version and a shorter disco mix, as was initially compiled. Handcrafted by 'I Specialize In Love' hitmaker Sharon Brown and her group Family Tree, this eponymous disco-funk sheller is an unpolished study of musicianship above overproduction; the drums are dynamic and dry, lending ample space to Sharon's nostalgic familial reminiscences.

Review: GAMM makes a triumphant return with Moplen's grand disco rework, 'The Blackout Night,' a testament to the vibrant sound of urban New York City circa 1977. Presented in a full-colour 12" vintage sleeve and labels, both the music and artwork exude authentic disco vibes. The main extended version and the reprise mix (dub version) are drenched in lush strings, soulful vocals, and a pulsating disco backbeat. It's a track tailor-made for DJs and dancers alike, delivering a timeless groove that pays homage to the golden era of disco while igniting dancefloors with infectious energy.

Review: This officially licensed 12-inch vinyl presents a stellar remix by Mike Maurro, breathing new life into the timeless soul anthem 'Looking Up To You.' Originally released in 1982 and co-written by Leon Ware and Zane Grey, with production by Webster Lewis, the track has been a staple in modern soul music. Maurro's remix skillfully revitalizes the song, making it perfect for contemporary house music enthusiasts while retaining its early 80s soul essence. With its infectious groove and soulful vibes, this remix is sure to captivate dancefloors and delight fans of both eras.

Review: GW Edits returns with Volume 3, offering two electrifying tracks that breathe new life into disco classics. 'Mighty Cloud' kicks off with a disco rhythm and a heavy stomping house beat, enhanced by a captivating flute melody that adds a touch of funk and soul. Next up is 'Turnaround,' a remix of the iconic disco anthem 'Turn the Beat Around.' Greg Wilson's expert touch transforms this timeless track into a modern dancefloor gem, ensuring its place as a staple for both old-school disco lovers and contemporary club-goers. Teaming up with Che Wilson, GW Edits delivers another stellar release that promises to keep the dancefloor pumping all night long.

Review: DJ Nature, who was once a part of the earliest incarnation of the Massive Attack crew, is a master of rough and ready, slow and heavy grooves from the world of house, beatdown and disco. Now he shows off those skills once more on Until, a new 12" for Smoke & Mirrors. The title track kicks off with low slung and dusty kicks and scratchy hi hats that are topped with swirling, dreamy ambient synth puddles. A delicate vocals brings the soul in the midst of it all. 'Crockett's Theme' is an iconic early electronic track by Jan Hammer that gets reworked here with some fresh low ends but the same trance including synth sequence and warming, diffuse chords of the original. Superb.

Review: Disco Juice kicks off with some irresistibly sweet disco jams on this first volume on 12". Sonic Soul Orchestra get things underway with 'Good Inside' featuring the one and only Kathy Brown belting out some big hooks over strident drums. There are more rickety drums and loose-limbed funk workouts on Da Lukas's 'Drop The Funk' then Yam Who? & Rikky Disco's 'Set Me Free' brings big trumpet energy and withering pads next to lush strings. Last but not least, Guy Preston's 'Purple Heart' (feat Adrian Crutchfield) rounds out with a hip-swinging groove and call and response vocal to get hands in the air.

Review: Eastside Edits delivers another stellar release with two DJ-friendly versions of 1976 chart-toppers! DJ S, the talented Greek DJ/producer/remixer, brings his magic to the table with this 7th release from the label. 'Moves At Midnight' on Side-1 revitalises a disco favorite from the 70s with punchier drums and a steady, mixable groove. It retains all the essence of the original while eliminating the clumsiness of mixing a vintage 45, offering disco perfection. On Side-2, 'Lay Down That Boogie' injects new energy into a 70s funk/rock classic. This funky edit features a DJ-friendly intro, subtle arrangement tweaks and beefier drums, preserving the original feel while enhancing its dancefloor appeal. DJ S once again showcases his tasteful editing skills, making this release a great find for disco and funk enthusiasts.

Review: Disco E Cultura Volume 2 by Portuguese label Mad About Records is a fantastic collection and retrospect into the vibrant dance music landscape of Brazil during the 70s and 80s. Curated by Joaquim Paulo, this compilation delves deep into the soul, funk, disco, boogie, and jazz-funk sounds that defined the era. Featuring a diverse selection of tracks, the album offers a kaleidoscope of colorful, floor-friendly jams adorned with punchy horn lines, classy vocals, and irresistible grooves. Standout highlights include Lafayette's infectious 'Sol De Varao,' Franco's Barrio-funk groove, and Aloisio's jazz-funk gem 'Tema R,' which impresses with its hot-stepping breakbeats and strong synth solos. The second side of the compilation continues the more amazing music with tracks like 'Deixa Rodar' by Hanna, 'Manifesto' by Marilia Barbosa, and 'Fogo Sobre Terra' by Coral Som Livre, each contributing to the rich heritage of Brazilian dance music.

Review: Inner Life's 'I'm Caught Up (In A One Night Love Affair)' released in 1979 is a quintessential disco anthem that captures the exuberance and allure of the era. Jocelyn Brown's powerful vocals deliver a story of fleeting romance, seamlessly intertwining with lush orchestrations and a driving rhythm section that still get people up and dancing all these decades on. The track's infectious groove, memorable hooks, and lavish production epitomise the magic of late-70s dancefloors which is it why it is such a staple in both nostalgic disco sets and modern dance compilations. This reissue offers up four different versions by the great remix king John Morales.

Review: It's been two years since the 2022 release of Young Pulse & Natalie Nova's multi-mix single 'Free', across the digital version of which we were graced with five exclusive mixes. With the 'original' itself and in turn being a cover of the Ultra Nate song from 1997, Pulse and Nova's version is a jubilant, disco-strung version, abandoning Nate's garage house proclivity for an upped sense of swing. This new vinyl edition also brings a fresh mix to the table, totting up the versions to six; first, there's the OG aforementioned 'Disco Tribute mix', as well as a 'Disco Dub' version, the new and never-heard-before highlight.

Review: A warm welcome back to Bruno Hovart's Voilaaa project, traditionally a revivalist Afro-disco vehicle best known for 2015 dancefloor smash 'Spies Are Watching Me'. 'Fache', featuring Pat Kalla, explores similar sonic territory, with punchy Afrobeat horns, woozy chords and crunchy clavinet licks rising above a low-slung, hypnotic, dub disco-meets-Afro-boogie groove. It comes accompanied by a fine, effects-laden instrumental dub and a trio of similarly tasty bonus cuts: the warming, early garage-house and deep house influenced 'Trouble Travel' (featuring Jai-Nah), the languid, soulful and Latin-influenced 'Too Young To Die (featuring Olivia)' and the Afro-speckled disco-goes-jazz-funk loveliness of 'Trop Jeune Pour Sa'.

Review: UV & Nenor have been on a hot streak of late with great outings on the likes of the Fossils label and now they keep it up with a red hot new drop on the brand new Ma Ze label. This tidy 7" packs a punch with two jams that will work the floor. The first is a slow motion but irresistible dub-disco fusion with squelchy bass and nice colourful, warm, gooey chords with vocals from Ranking Levy. On the flip is 'Tookey', a futuristic electro vocoder jam that comes to life with vivid synths circling round the mix and an unusual sense of swing. From laid back session at home to steamy club use, both of these are useful jams.

Review: Gledd brings a great mix of funk, disco, Afro and plenty of extra special magic to this hot new 12" on Saint Wax. It opens with 'Papa Bel' which is a steamy cut with florid melodic leads and tribal percussion. 'Tanda' then brings wailing vocals and more organic and jumbled grooves that ooze summer heat. The Afro rhythms continue through 'Rewild' which has a lively broken beat that rides stiff drums and last of all is the most intense of the lot - 'Guado Loop' is heavily layered with drums and perc, vocals, congas and background chants that will get any dancefloor in a sweat.

Review: 'Love To The World', a sumptuously opulent and heavily orchestrated disco-soul number, transformed the fortunes of L.T.D - and their freshly appointed lead vocalist, Jeffrey Osborne - on its initial release in 1976. Here the full-length version of the track gets the reissue treatment for the first time in a while, with the band's gorgeous original mix (produced by none other than Larry and Fonce Mizzell) being backed by a fresh rub by house master turned disco king Dave Lee. The Z Records founder makes the most of the band's original vocals and instrumentation (admittedly with the addition of splashes of reverb and delay) on a seemingly re-constructed 'Mizzell Magic Mix' that brilliantly stretches out the cut by stripping back the orchestration and other musical elements at key points. It's a genuinely brilliant rework.

Review: Andy Meecham's forthcoming ninth album as the Emperor Machine, Island Boogie, is a genuine treat - a wonderfully colourful and effects-laden trip into what the former Bizarre Inc and Chicken Lips man calls 'electronic cosmic disco-boogie'. To get us all in the Mood, Leng have served up this EP of dubs and remixes. In the latter category you'll find a superb, piano solo-laden proto-house rework of 'Devoilez-Vous' by fellow Stafford act T Kutt, and a typically warm, languid Balearic disco interpretation of 'Island Boogie' by Leng co-founder Mudd. Meecham delivers two wonderfully skeletal, wayward and trippy instrumental dubs, lightly transforming 'Devoilez-Vous' and 'La Cassette' in turn. In a word: essential.

Review: J & M Music Co US welcomes LeBaron James for another standout four-tracker that brings raw house and smooth disco together on one EP. Up first is 'Always Be True' is a deceptively simple sound that brings straight-up dancefloor beats with hooky pads. 'House Party' then has more heavy kicks and wild percussive patterns to liven up any party and 'One' then brings a more cool and laid-back disco groove that has a slick modern twist. Last but not least is 'Sugar And Spice' which brings a touch of sophisticated and chic instrumental vibes. It's a fourth different sound on a versatile EP.

Review: First released in 2022, Rheinzand's Atlantis Atlantis updated the Belgian disco-house collective's sound for the utmost present, laying down a thickly layered collection of uncanny dark disco via post punk across thirteen tracks. Now two years on from the original release, Netherlands producer Pete Blaker has teamed up with the band to rework the album tracks; however, in the words of the label and Blaker themselves, this is by no means your bog-standard 'remix' album! Unlike most, this one hears Blaker go the extra mile, sonically refurbishing the tracks with entirely new instrumental layers and vocal takes, personally commissioning the band to do so himself. Formatively emerging after being asked to do just one remix for the band in 2021, this is a rare case of divine inspiration striking in an unexpectedly extended fashion - not to be missed.

Review: Berlin's Jack Tennis is back and knocking it out of the park once more with a quartet of funky and floor-filling tunes. He's already impressed with his work on the likes of Midnight Riot and Too Slow To Disco and now steps out on his owner label Art Groupie. 'Astrud Got It All' kicks off with hefty drums and raw horns as well as some bright strings and a seductive vocal, while 'Hey Gwen' is more carefree, slow, sun kissed and sublime with its lazy horns and mid-tempo grooves. Then comes an edit 'California, Shake It' which is loose-limbed and free-flowing, and closer 'Believe in You' is an upbeat stomper with nice flute leads and old school soul vocal goodness.

Review: Sharon Brown's iconic disco anthem 'I Specialize in Love' has been given a fresh lease on life by legendary remixer Ben Liebrand. The Classic Rework Version is an energetic and groovy reinterpretation that infuses the original with a funky disco flair. On Side 2, Liebrand's DJ Mix takes a more extended approach to the remix. While it retains the original's energy, it adds new elements and transitions to create a cohesive and captivating dancefloor experience. By skillfully blending the old and the new, Liebrand has breathed new life into this timeless classic, ensuring that it continues to resonate with dance music enthusiasts for years to come.

Review: At first, we thought Jack's only residence was 'the house'. It was only 'the house' that we assumed to be the place of Jack's groove; never did we guess that our mythical friend ever set foot into the discotheque for the odd wonkier shakedown now and then. So too do Jackin' Disco prove us wrong with two new Jackin' Disco edits; here of Basement Jaxx's 'Red Alert' and Locksmith's 'Far Beyond', both of which bringing a bangingly driven flair to an otherwise skeletal yet latent-potent pair of OGs.

Review: So far in his career, Dr Packer has mostly delivered remixes and re-edits, breathing new life into disco classics old and new. Here he tries something new, namely covering Candi Staton's 'You've Got The Love' - a track that famously became a hit via a bootleg remix that added her vocals to a house track based on Frankie Knuckles' 'Your Love'. Packer's version is an organic-sounding disco treat - all rubbery bass guitar, cut-glass strings and rolling drums - that sneakily replicates the breakdown from a classic electrofunk number midway through. The Aussie producer also delivers instrumental and acapella versions, while rising star St Croix re-imagines it as a rushing, bouncy, mid-90s style piano house anthem. A summer hit and then some.

Review: Daniele Baldelli's name still holds enough currency in disco circles to get real heads excited whoever they see it. The legendary DJ and forefather of the cosmic scene still knows how to lay down the jams as he proves with his new remix alongside Dionigi for Mushroom Pillow. It finds them flipping Elkin & Nelson's 'Jibaro' two ways. The first is a guitar-laced, jangling and loose groove with slow-motion drum chug and plenty of effects. The second is a dub version that is more spaced out and late-night. Both are superb.

Review: The Barefoot Beats crew return with outing number 14 and once more it is music for sunny climates. Aroop Roy takes care of the A-side of this 10" with 'Fankiando Taniador', the Latin flavoured deep cut disco and funk roller with 80s horn stabs and rumbling bass all topped with a red hot vocal full of flair. It's pure Brazilian heat that is perfect for outdoor dancing and Bernardo Pinheiro's 'Expresso Amor' then brings more sunshine goodness with its slinky disco house beats and swinging hand claps all irresistible to anyone with a heart.

Review: The latest of several new releases to top up the Funky French League repertoire, this latest sultry boogie strut from phallic philophonist Monsieur Willy is a real delight. The Parisian DJ and producer brings a distinct Afro-boogie update to an original song, 'A.I.E. A Mwana', which was originally recorded in 2003 and became an international sleeper hit. Now Monsieur Willy brings us three new interpretations, all carrying with them a message of love and peace.

Review: For our money, Hot Biscuit Recordings is currently the most on-point edit imprint around, with the Newcastle-based stable choosing to showcase killer rubs of largely lesser-known or overlooked tracks, by established producers noted for the deepness of their record collections. The imprint's latest recruit is long-serving Chicagoan Jordan Fields, who serves to two terrific tweaks based on nothing more than expert rearrangement and well-chosen effects. A-side 'Let Me Dub You' offers a largely vocal-free take on a killer Afrobeat/Afro-disco workout that wisely showcase the source material's mazy, seemingly epic synth solos and killer groove, while 'Bongo Dub' is a high-octane, pleasingly percussive disco jam tailor-made for peak-time freak-outs.

Review: Simple Symmetry are back on Calypso for a second offering but this time around it's in a different format. They've enlisted remixes of tracks from their Sorry We Did Something Wrong album which first landed back in 2021 as a self-released project, which won over many fans with a sound that went way beyond the club and now gets repurposed for the dancefloor with extended and club versions. The Horsemen Of Housing & Commercial Services rework of 'Che Che' is a dark disco classic, Smaghhe & Cross rework 'Rounded With A Sleep' into something taught and trippy and INigo Vontier layers in plenty of darkness, grit and grime to his take on 'I Must Not Fear'.