Kiss Klassics US Vinyl & CDs

Review: Kiss Klassics have been producing some high-quality promo double singles for a while now, this double headliner of Nelly and Fat Joe being the eighth instalment in their archival series. Side A was the runaway standout from New York rap legend Fat Joe's 2001 titanic-sized album 'Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.)', 'Whats Luv' with the one and only Ashanti. This marked Ashanti's debut year as an artist, the Tina Turner sample hook becoming the soundtrack of the block party and becoming one of the biggest songs of 2002. Side B needs no introduction. "It's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes". No matter what you think of Nelly, 'Hot in Herre' continues to have the world in a chokehold over 20 years later.

Review: It's difficult to imagine an entire genre of music taking revenge, not least since it begs the question as to what object or upon whom vengeance is being taken. Confusingly but endearingly still, Gusto's 'Disco's Revenge' from 1995 is actually more caught between UK funky house and speed garage than anything resembling disco. But we could happily entertain the idea that the former two genres are simply more strident variations on the many-faced humours of 4x4 dance music. It makes sense, since it's hard to imagine any essential disco song soundtracking a brawl or secret vindictive plot. First released on Bumble Beats Records, 'Disco's Revenge' was funky enough to attract multiple reworks even back then, and this is apparently still going strong, with Kiss Klassics' new reissue apposing the original revenge plot with one rework and one original from producer Sam Tweaks. Whatever kind of revenge Gusto initially hoped to enact, we can say with certainty that it's not the best, cold kind; since both renditions by Tweaks are hot as hell.

Review: Rising duo LF System is a Scottish production duo consisting of Conor Larkman and Sean Finnigan. They provided the definitive funky house summer anthem last year called 'Afraid To Feel' which samples the 1979 song from American funk group Silk, 'I Can't Stop' (Turning You On). This version is a much appreciated extended mix with a DJ friendly intro. Over on the flip, they pay credit to the original with the MM edit of this absolutely sensual number, that still holds its own to this day some 43 years on.

Review: Kiss Klassics is keeping all you party DJs supplied with the best tackle once more here as this time they spotlight a trio of standout tracks from Montero Lamar Hill aka Lil Nas X's debut LP. Montero came back in 2021 and these cuts haven't been available on wax before now. There is the celebratory pomp and hefty distorted low end of 'Industry Baby' as well as the more deep sounds of 'Montero' with its strings, finger clicks and Afro-tinged beats, then the high-speed party pomp of 'That's What I Want' with its epic chorus and summer festival feel.

Review: The Kiss Klassics label is offering up some wonderfully nostalgic doses of millennial RnB edits at present, and they're back at it with a re-working of Mya's 2000 slammer 'Case Of The Ex', which sounds as punchy and addictive as it did when it first hit the airwaves. On the flip we get a new twist on Mario's low down and nasty 'Boom', and you can be sure anyone who came of age during this golden era will be straight on the floor when one of these gems gets dropped.

Review: Grammy award-winner Tyla broke the internet with her viral track 'Water', becoming the first South African artist in over 55 years to enter the Billboard Hot 100 - as well as the youngest South African of all time ever to do so. The 'Water' challenge swept the internet, earning her top ten placements in multiple countries and nominations for various awards - rightly so, her voice is sultry, the beat is smooth and the hook is infectious. On the other side of the 7" coin is Nigerian Afrobeat sensation Rema with his career-defining breakout hit 'Calm Down', his vocal talent shining through the minimal instrumentation. It's easy to see why the world was entranced, bolstered massively by a remix featuring Selena Gomez that has since led the track to be nominated for several Billboard and MTV awards, as well as holding a long list of world records: Most streamed Afrobeat song on Spotify, Longest charting African song on Billboard, most watched Nigerian music video... we could go on.

Review: American superstar The Weeknd really went big with the guests on 'Popular', his dynamic r&b and pop hit from 2011, by enlisting none other than Madonna and Playboy Carti. As a breakout hit from his mixtape era, it showcases his seductive charm and magnetic presence, drawing listeners into his world of late-night escapades and hedonistic pleasures with infectious beats and smooth vocals that exude confidence and swagger and set the stage for his meteoric rise to fame and influence in the years to come. Flip it over and on the back of this Kiss Classics 7" you will find the equally effective 'Starboy' featuring Daft Punk.