Fantasy US Vinyl & CDs

Review: While nowhere near his most celebrated work, 'I Need You' is undoubtedly one of sadly departed San Francisco disco star Sylvester's most potent dancefloor workouts - a typically driving mood-enhancing cover that transformed a gospel song into a soaring, surging, tops-off hymn to sexual desire. This reissue pairs the Harvey Fuqua-produced original 12" version (1980) with what appears to be a previously unreleased re-edit by Chicago house originator Ron Hardy. The latter's take is more rhythmically sturdy and lightly percussive, with vocal and full instrumental sections (often drenched in effects) sitting side by side with extended drum workouts. It's a fine alternative take of a disco record that should be in everyone's record collection.