Sam UK Vinyl & CDs

Review: Danny Krivit's fine re-edit of Gary's Gang classic "Let's Lovedance Tonight" first surfaced on Nervous Records back in 2007, and has been something of an in-demand item with disco DJs ever since. This, then, is a more than welcome reissue. The genius of Krivit's scalpel job is that it merely emphasizes the sections of the original that dancefloors want to hear; specifically, the acoustic guitar and organ-heavy groove, killer drum breaks and winding saxophone lines. It's simple but devilishly effective. For those seeking the full vocal experience, the original 1979 12" version is included on the flip.

Review: Gary's Gang - 'Let's Lovedance Tonight' originally came in 1979 and is the source of a well known, international dance music hit. It's a gloriously upbeat bit of disco that got an edit from the master that is Danny Krivt back in 207. He took that monster break, and cleverly extended and looped it for nearly six superb minutes, and the result is infectious as the organic perc and rumbling drums constantly make you move. Here reissued on translucent red wax, it is a surefire party starter with cosmic rays of disco brilliance shooting through it for above.

Review: Moroder affiliates K.I.D stormed the disco scene in 1980 with their debut long player Don't Stop on New York imprint Sam. This was the second single to come from the album in 1981 and "Don't Stop" has had the Dickens sampled out of it ever since; the big trancy arpeggio still sounding obese and the big chorus funk still wholly infectious 35 years later. Flip for "Do It Again" for a more upbeat disco dynamic.

Review: KID was an American disco group front by Geoff Bastow, a producer and songwriter who was part of Giorgio Moroder's studio team. They had a fine run from 1980 up to the mid-nineties and this package reignites their 1981 gem 'Don't Stop.' It's a groove way ahead of it time, with silky electronic sounds next to nice rhythm sections and big shiny strings. The vocal harmonies are buttery smooth and some vocoder voices add that retro-future flourish. 'Do It Again' is more of a stomper, with low slung bass riffs and a firmer four to the floor that sweeps you up and kept you locked.

Review: Alongside Salsoul and West End, SAM Records - established by Sam Weiss in NYC in 1975 - was one of the definitive labels of the original disco era. This indispensable double-vinyl retrospective showcases the most significant and successful releases in the label's killer catalogue, moving between breathlessly brilliant and over-the-top 'proper disco' (think John Davis & Monster Orchestra's 'I Can't Stop', K.I.D's sensational 'Happendi Muzik Wangu? (You Don't Like My Music)' and Gary's Gang's 'Keep On Dancin' and 'Lets Lovedance Tonight'), boogie-era brilliance (Vicky D's electrofunk stable 'This Beat Is Mine', Glen Adams Affair's 'Just a Groove', Koniko's synth-heavy 'Feel Alright'), and lesser-celebrated all-time anthems (Conversion's 'Let's Do It', Steve Shielto's 'Don't You Give Your Love Away'). The epitome of 'all killer, no filler').

Review: Stone cold disco boogie classic from 1981 with arguably the finest slap bass solo Sam Records ever pressed to wax gets the five star treatment from premier league editor Kon. Arresting our attention in all the right places on both the clean cut edit and the dubbier "Caserta Can Have It" version, once again Kon reminds us of his matchless craft. Also included are the original 12", instrumental and acapella. What a package... This beat is yours.