Juno Recommends Disco: October 2024

Review: Monsieur Van Pratt is best known for being the head of the Mexican label Super Spicy and for several great tunes on various other imprints. Here he inaugurates the new vinyl outlet Illegal Disco with four more of his tried and tested disco workouts in the form of a series of surgical reworks and enhancements of classic cuts. 'Party' taps into original 70s magic with the hip-swinging grooves, big horns and diva vocals. 'Where The Fun Is' keeps the energy high with more funky guitar licks and cosmic synths, 'Hidding From The Boogie' brings a hint of boogie to the bassline while 'Dame Amor' shuts down with a Spanish language vocal.

Review: Moton delivers once again with a carefully curated three track EP that's been worth the wait for their loyal fanbase. Expertly edited by Ghosted Edits aka David Hill, this release offers something for every discerning selector. The A-side kicks off with an infectious 80s-style boogie disco track, designed to ignite the dancefloor. Flip it over, and you'll find a powerful gospel-infused vocal dancer, followed by a smooth soul 2-stepper with a hint of Balearic sunshine. A proper poolside gem, this EP promises to keep the vibes high.

Review: UK artist Risk Assessment is back once again with some potent sonic weaponry that is designed to make a big impact in the club. All four of the disco cuts are peak time sounds starting with 'Something New' which is awash with some crystalline synths and gloriously lush pads. 'Party People' is nice raw and live-sounding disco with lo-fi drums, slapping hits and a James Brown-style funk vocal. 'Like This Like That!' brings some funky little guitar motifs and a jumble of percussion while last of all, 'Girl At The Disco' shuts down with a more sensuous sound and slinky grooves that worm their way into your affections.

Review: Sgt Slick returns with Vol 3 of the Sgt Slick Recuts series, delivering a fresh batch of disco-infused tracks that are perfect for the dancefloor. On Side-1, 'Upton Upon Purple' blends disco, funk, and new wave into an energetic mix that evokes the vibes of Sheila E. and Prince, making it an ideal choice for high-energy club sessions. 'Missing You Is A Wish' follows with a spirited diva disco vibe, combining a driving beat and infectious rhythm that promises to keep dancers moving all night. Side-2 opens with 'No Cost To Run Youthful Hearts,' where sweeping strings create a lush late-night disco atmosphere. The groove is both sophisticated and hip, perfect for those peak hours. The closing track, 'Owned By Rhythm,' cleverly incorporates a sample from Grace Jones' 'Slave to the Rhythm,' offering a groove that's impossible to resist. Vol 3 is a great addition to Sgt Slick's catalog, offering a variety of danceable, disco-driven cuts that will elevate any DJ set.

Review: The small but already well-formed Stereo:type label has got a trip of new EPs all dropping this summer. UK producer Risk Assessment is behind them all and each one explores a classic disco sound with some modern dance floor weight. 'She's On The Floor' is a celebrity and feel-good jam with heart-swelling strings. 'Rhyme' cuts up a classic vocal sample and layers it over some house-leaning beats while 'Delicious' is a wig-out lead by its shimmering synth stabs. Last but not least is the breezy and sunny 'Let's Do It'.

Review: The magnificent Mukatsuku returns with another superb little package here on limited 12". It features the Afro disco sounds of Fred Fisher Atalobhor And His Ogiza Dance Band firstly on 'WTFS' which was originally released back in 1981. It's a booty-wiggling cut with myriad funky lines, squelchy synth motifs, lush chords and soul drenched vocals that bring the sunshine and party in equally playful measure. On the flip is 'Ebi Lolo' which is defined by its big brass section and loosey-goose guitar lines, bright chords and subtle funk. Two great gems once more from this on point label.

Review: The second taste of what is to come from the Dave & Maurissa album, 'What About My Love' is a modern slightly boogiefied take on the Johnnie Taylor classic. Here Maurissa shines with a heartfelt soulful vocal performance over Chic styled guitars, hip-cracking bass guitar and squelchy leads. On the flip is Disco Sparks's 'Keep Your Eye On The Sparrow' (feat Christine Wiltshire & The DS Orchestra) which is another life-affirming, lush disco/soul cut with funk drenched basslines, epic brass sections and standout vocal turns. Both specially edited for 7", this is an absolute must-buy for disco lovers.

Review: The Orange Place' is one of those underground gems from the 2010s that leaves you wondering about Apiento's weekday rituals. Created by Paul Byrne back in 2013 in a tucked-away East London studio, the track was inspired by dimly lit clubs, hence its evocative name. As Byrne puts it, "you know what it is from the first conga hits." Known for captivating crowds in places like Ibiza's Pikes with DJ Harvey, it's a timeless blend of chugging rhythms and cosmic grooves. Now back with a fresh afro-cosmic remix by Castro, don't miss this reissue.

Review: Late Night Tuff Guy has long since proven his credentials as a master of the cheeky edit. He now mints his own new label Tuff Cuts with a first EP of what will surely be many. It features two reworks hand picked by the man himself and then pressed on 12". The first is a dancefloor ready rework of the Bill Withers classic 'Lovely Day' with a nice rolling groove and plenty of the original's charm still in tact. Things get more sultry and seductive on the soul drench and more slow motion sounds of 'Love About' on the flip. It's a real beauty for the end of the night moments when love is in the air.

Review: Sol Power Sound's latest must-check EP takes us back to the discotheques of Trinidad in the late 1970s and early 80s, where the productions of local legend Richard 'Nappy' Myers dominated dancefloors. The label has managed to license two killer - and extremely hard to find - Myers' productions. Side A is all about Nadie La Fond's Myers-produced Caribbean disco delight 'Three Way Situation', with the low-slung, deliciously swing original mix (A2) being joined by an extended and subtly tooled up 'Disco Special' re-edit by Bosq. Turn to the B-side for Myers' own celebrated sing-along 'Let Yourself Go', a synth-splattered, horn-heavy slab of hot-stepping tropical disco joy that's given a spellbinding club makeover by Sol Power All Stars. In a word: essential!

Review: Soundway Records deliver a new compilation, delving deep into the many obscure and experimental disco cuts laid to record in 70s and 80s Southeast Asia. Here Soundway's longtime general manager Alice Whittington (aka. DJ Norsicaa) steps into the limelight, embracing her Malaysian heritage and selecting music from her heavy collection of Asian records. Taking its namesake from the Indonesian phrase for "let's go to the disco", Ayo Ke Disco spans ten rare slices of disco-funk, psychedelic funk, synth, city pop and Hindustani-Arabic rhythms, all painstaking licensed from the local labels whose efforts still often persist some forty years on.

Review: Two more French touch classics from Electric Mojo, who've been active since 2019 and continue to do the resuscitatory work of reliving the legacies of 80s, 90s and 00s classics most adjacent to French house and beyond. First came reissues of Cybotron, Freestyle and Jive Rhythm Trax - these were shortly followed by Daft Punk, Stardust and Together in another trivium - and now we've volume 7, which exhume two of Parisian duo Cassius's most samplerific romps to ever grace the international charts: '1999' and 'Feeling For You'. '1999' first appeared, magically, in 1998, nailing a pre-millennial hubbub in a single slice of discoised glamour, further spiced by cutup voxes and soul-sampled percs; 'Feeling For You' is an oddball too minimal for chart favour by comparison, though the heads'll think it just as infectious.

Review: 'Music & Time, 1983-1985' by Take Three brings together the soulful sounds of former South London vocal harmony group Alpha, fronted by sisters Jackie & Jean Heron and Marlene Richardson. This compilation, produced by the trio S.H.E. (Steve Sinclair, Peter Hinds, and Kevin Ellis), showcases their work during the mid-'80s, including both released and previously unreleased tracks. From the infectious groove of 'Tonight's the Night' to the reggae-infused 'Can't Get Enough (Nice Up Reggae Mix)', this collection captures a rich blend of UK soul, funk and dance, spotlighting an era of underground brilliance.

Review: Razor-N-Tape throw it over to Lex Wolf here for some homemade and high impact edits from the disco world. The artist is already well known for some red hot recent releases on the Make-A-Dance crew's MAD Edits series and now brings more big samples and bigger beats to some main stage bangers. The opener layers up raw drum machines, r&b vocal hooks and withering melodies. 'Russle Love' then plays with filtered and screw about with some synths to make for a prickly bit of body music with what sounds like an Arthur Russel vocal lost in the middle. 'Warmer' is another energetic and twisted fusion of disparate sounds and 'Sendsome' then shuts down with a little extra soul.

Review: Since starting out as a studio engineer in his native Essex back in the late 1990s, Michael Gray has been one of British house music's most prolific producers. In recent years he's spent much of his time reworking and tooling up old disco and boogie hits. He's on that tip again here, putting his spin on Raw Silk's 1982 boogie classic 'Do It To The Music'. Gray delivers three versions, each of which combine familiar elements of the original - the duo's vocals, the squelchy bassline, the swirly effects and colourful synth sounds - with rolling house beats and subtle new musical flourishes. The 'Extended Mix' and radio edit style 'Reprise' both make the most of the catchy vocals, while the 'Extended Dub Mix' includes a fantastically dubbed-out, stretched-out breakdown for added dancefloor excitement.

Review: Late Nite Tuff Guy's Soul Cut #04 offers three expertly crafted edits that breathe new life into classic 70s tracks, blending disco, jazz, funk, and pop into a seamless listening experience. On Side-1, 'Beijo' sets the tone with a smooth, disco-infused reimagining of Earth, Wind & Fire's classic interlude. The track has a light funk undercurrent, creating a vibe that's perfect for dancing all night, with a Balearic twist that adds a fresh touch to the original. Side-2 kicks off with 'Sunshine,' a tasteful edit of Roy Ayers' iconic 'Everyone Loves the Sunshine.' Late Nite Tuff Guy maintains the soulful essence of the original while adding his own groove, making it a perfect summer anthem. The EP closes with 'U Got It Bad,' a rendition of Stevie Wonder's 'You've Got It Bad Girl,' reworked into a smooth, jazzy track that's both nostalgic and timeless. An excellent 12" for fans of classic disco, funk and jazz, with a modern twist.

Review: While an independent disco classic in its own right, Rare Pleasure's 1976 gem 'Let Me Down Easy' is probably best-known for providing David Morales with the famous piano riff that was such a big part of his 1998 dancefloor smash 'Needin' You'. Here the sensational disco classic gets the reissue treatment courtesy of South Street Disco. Pressed to a rather eye-catching dinked, red-vinyl "45", you get two takes: the near three-minute seven-inch version, and the superior 'Long Version' - a five-minute exercise in Philadelphia style disco perfection rich in swooping strings, loved-up female vocals, classic disco instrumentation and the infamous piano riff. If 'Let Me Down Easy' isn't already in your disco collection, grab one of these while they're still available!

Review: Admin's 'Mystical Circles 02' delivers two vibrant tracks that embody the essence of dancefloor-ready disco and funk. On Side-1, 'Three Eight Four' kicks off with infectious tribal drum fills and funky bass licks, accentuated by a commanding saxophone that invites listeners to groove. Its lively energy makes it a standout choice for any party. Flipping to Side 2, 'Ionosphere' continues the momentum with wicked bass notes and a stunning groove, complemented by powerful horn arrangements that elevate the track's dynamic feel. This release perfectly blends disco house with jazz funk elements, making it an essential addition to any DJ's set. Mystical Circles 02 is a celebration of sound that is sure to get everyone on their feet.

Review: Bongo Joe and Sofa Records' third instalment of the Maghreb K7 Club Disco Single series dives deep into Algeria's vibrant 1980s scene, offering four tracks that shine a light on the region's overlooked gems. The A-side is led by two irresistible pop-boogie-funk tracks from Khaled Barkat: 'Galouli Enshara' and 'Zourini'. Self-taught and self-produced in 1983, Barkat's music was a hit at the time but got overshadowed by the rising tide of rai. His dynamic collaboration with Yazid Fentazi, Redouane Ayoub, and Mhenni Benlala resulted in a sound that blends infectious grooves with local flair. Now, for the first time, these tracks are on vinyl, offering fresh ears the chance to rediscover a key player in Algeria's pop history. Cheb Tati takes over on the B-side with 'Dub El Hammam', a heavyweight dub number that showcases his range as a rai vocalist. Tati was flown to London in 1989 to work with dub pioneer Denis Bovell, and this track is a standout from their sessions, merging the pulsating rhythms of reggae with a distinctly North African flavour. Closing out the release is the Kabyle band Asif, whose only known recording, 'Tafsut', serves as a fitting finale. Formed by three brothers in Lille during the late 70s, this beautifully crafted pop-boogie track captures the band's unique sound, bringing a sense of nostalgia and triumph to the collection.

Review: Chicago's Mike Dunn is well loved for his raw-as-you-like take on house music, often with plenty of attitude borrowed from hip hop also thrown into the mix. He's got tons of seminal tunes to his name and can also bang out edits and more disco gems. This first volume of his Seeds Sticks & Stems series on the label of the same name is backed with quality tools. The opener is a darker number with marching drums and funky bass, 'Track 2' is a rework of a Talking Heads classic and 'Track 3' brings some feel-good disco vibrations.

Review: Reel People Music expands the fizzing dynamic between highly accomplished label associates Opolopo (AKA Peter Major) and Angela Johnson with the release of their brand new album Best of Both Worlds. The nine-track record is an impressive merging of soulful souls, building on the pair's previous 'track-by-track' collaborative approach, and calling on influences from Quincy Jones to The Isley Brothers. From the twizzling decrescendos of Buffalo, which hears the pair summon the bruk maestro Kaidi Tatham on recording and co-prod duties, to the sparkly, sparky whetstone electro-disco track 'The Ones You Love', we really do get the best of both worlds here; we get nine worlds, in fact.

Review: The ever shadowy Explorations label - background info about whose releases are notoriously difficult to find - follow up their recent unknown artist remix of George Duke's 'Brazilian Love Affair' with a second remix from Chicago house music legend Jordan Fields. As far as we can tell, Fields is the first named artist to appear on the label, lending the whole outing an extra-musty shroud of cool. We're not sure what song exactly 'As Always' is a remix of - it's not a take on Stevie Wonder, nor is it a version of 'I'll Be Loving You' by 1993 one-hit-wonder freestyle act Collage - so we're sad to say we're stumped on the chain of ideas behind this one, unlike the Benson rerub. We will say, however, that this is a wicked dub disco lick, with Fields' generous use of phrase-stop dub delays lending the track a real cool enjambment. Oh, and it comes to an ultra-limited randomly splatter coloured 100-record run; just like the intermittence of Explorations' releases, you can't be sure which colour you'll receive.

Review: Be With Records' latest reissue takes us back to the mid 1980s and the wonderfully loved-up world of Surface, a trio founded in the boogie era went on to notch up a string of hot '80s soul hits. The record boasts two of the American outfit's finest moments. On the A-side you'll find 1983 debut single 'Falling In Love', a near perfect fusion of sweet, loved-up vocals, metronomic synth bass and breezy melodic motifs that has long been considered a classic (and with good reason). Arguably more exciting for the heads is the flipside 'Love Mix' of 'Happy', a sparse, stripped-back and 'reconstructed' Loose Ends style slow jam from 1987 with added dub-wise intent and echoing drum machine percussion.

Review: Jeroboam serves up the tongue-in-cheek title 'Brexit Funk' on Chuwanaga and is sure to get you moving as a result. There is some serious sunshine and Brit-funk loveliness to the title track. It is lit up with vibes keys and irresistible funk basslines that all brim with good-time fun. 'Peckham Night' is a more sultry and steamy sound for when the sun is setting thanks to its lazy drums and splashy cymbals all topped with some smoky trumpet soul. A dub mix rounds out with even deeper-cut grooves and romantic melodies. Three grown-up delights for sure.

Review: Dimitri From Paris returns with a fresh installment of his celebrated DFP Vaults series, highlighting deep cuts that reinforce his status as a top-tier remixer, DJ, and a true connoisseur of dance music's hidden gems. This release holds particular significance for Dimitri, as it pays homage to the legendary James Brown, a figure whose influence in music is beyond measure. The release features Dimitri's 'Special Version' of 'Funky Men,' a track from James Brown's Soul Syndrome. Originally overlooked by Dimitri in 1981, it now shines with a unique disco beat that he's reimagined using both vintage and modern editing techniques. The track has already proven its power on the dance floor. On the flip side, Dimitri revisits 'Just Wanna Make You Dance' by The J.B.'s, featuring Maxxi. This rare disco track, with its Caribbean flair, gets Dimitri's expert touch, enhancing its dancefloor appeal. DFP Vaults, the sister label to Le-Edits Records, presents this release with meticulous attention to detail, featuring state-of-the-art mastering and vintage-inspired packaging.

Review: Dark Entries has assembled a superb collection of covers celebrating 60s garage and soul music by the one and only Patrick Cowley. This LP showcases another side of the great producer's diverse influences, in particular his psychedelic San Francisco roots which can be heard in most tracks. They were mostly written between 1980 and 1982 when he was in prolific form and highlight his virtuosity while paying respects to the music that shaped him. The collection features a reimagined version of Loverde's 'Iko Iko,' a hi-NRG cover of The Doors' '20th Century Fox,' and a haunting take on The Who's "Shakin' All Over." It concludes with a swinging rendition of the Four Tops' 'Baby I Need Your Loving' and is another essential one for the collection.

Review: Magic In Threes are back with a mind-mending, strings-laden disco masterpiece, 'Liquid Star Duster'. A nimble modern disco cut whose no-more, no-less agility would fail to charm few discothes, we can vouch for this one's function on the dancefloor. Drop it in your next set and neither you nor your crowd will be displeased. Towards its latter end, 'Liquid Star Duster' even comes peppered by sprung electric finger-plucks of the most talented type, an unusual feature for a disco tune of its kind. B-sider 'Sippin' After Midnight' lowers things to a beanbag pace, posing with its hands behind its head as wah-wah exploitation funk licks and a swung peak synth line, dually lead the charge with pomp and panache.

Review: There are arguably two re-editors whose scalpel works are a cut above the rest: the mighty Danny Krivit AKA Mr K, and Chicago veteran Rahaan. Both are prolific rearrangers, with Rahaan releasing some of his greatest work on Newcastle-based Hot Biscuit Recordings. He's back on that imprint here with two more tried-and-tested revisions. Opener 'One Man' is prime Rahaan re-edit action: an obscure, eccentric, horn-heavy, soul-fired, heavily orchestrated disco jam extended, cut and tweaked in all the right places, with EQs and soul levels lightly modified to ensure maximum pleasure when played over 21st century dancefloors. Arguably even better is 'No Luck', a terrific, lightly stretched-out revision of a slap bass-powered slab of early 80s disco-boogie fusion fronted by a strong and sassy female vocalist.

Review: Dutch label, party and record shop Rush Hour has long been a bastion of quality and their Store Jams imprint is always worth checking. Next up on it is Daniel Monaco who returns with another disco outing featuring Afro-tinged vocals from TK daMonza. 'Mamela' kicks off with feel good energy, streaming pads and a funky bassline that gets you going and brings the love, while the flipside joint 'Kalam Kalam' slows things down with funky twangs and sensors vocals bringing a more playful sound.