Thankfully the cinematic rule that sequels suck hard doesn’t also apply to the field of compilations of underground disco rarities. Horse Meat Disco, the long running Sunday night of cowbell carnage in deep South London, return to the Strut imprint with a superlative follow up to last years critically acclaimed compilation and DJ mix. Since then, residents James Hillard, Jim Stanton, Severino and Filthy Luka have continued to lead the way with their packed residencies throughout Europe and appearances at festivals across the globe.

Horse Meat Disco Volume 2 sees the quartet drop another selection of late 70s and early 80s obscure Italo, Loft club classics and lesser known boogie peculiarities presented here in digital format as separate tracks for the discerning digital disco DJs. Lenore O’Malley’s 1980 track “First To Be A Woman” is every bit as much a disco diva classic as “I Will Survive” (Gloria Gaynor later covered this O’Malley track). Further sultry diva action comes from Madleen Kane’s “Cherchez Pas” a real dancefloor burner with the Swedish model turned singer teaching Alison Goldfrapp how to ride horn stabs, handclaps and octave bass lines with aplomb.

Fans of epic extended dubbed out grooves will be all over the MiX-X-X-tend version of Scherrie Payne’s “Girl, You’re In Love / I’m Not In Love” which clocks in at nearly 10 minutes and is little more than simple percussion with various vocals, hooks and melodies expertly brought in and out of the mix. Bravo’s “Touch Me” bridges the gap between odd Italo and searing disco boogie and shares billing of album highlight with “Hot To Trot”, a consumate Hi NRG burner from Lourett Russell Grant which is reminiscent of In Flagranti at their filthiest.

Review: Tony Poland