Search dance music

Review: The arrival of the Acapellas Anonymous series in the mid/late '80s was a massive gamechanger, giving immediate access to DJs and producers to hundreds of vocal samples that would have taken a fortune (and a lifetime) to collect. Edit king Mr K has rebuilt, remastered, and carefully portioned them onto a five disc set of 7-inch singles, "including all the classic vocal bits that became iconic samples," and more than a few new additions to bring things up to date. You'll know more than a few of these on first listen, others you may have never even realised were samples, but no-one will underestimate the power of a great vocal sample dropping in the right way in the right mix. An absolute essential.

Review: Shrine Records, though a commercial failure in its time, has risen from obscurity to become a holy grail for collectors of rare soul music. Founded in 1964 by Eddie Singleton and Raynoma Gordy, the label's lack of commercial success belied its treasure trove of musical talent. Despite minimal sales, Shrine's twenty singles became highly coveted among collectors, spurred on by their discovery on the Northern Soul scene in the 70s and 80s. The recent resurgence of interest in Shrine Records has led to the rediscovery of hidden gems from artists like the Cautions, Cairos, and Les Chansonettes. Thanks to the efforts of individuals like Eddie Singleton and Ady Croasdell, original master tapes have been retrieved, revealing previously unreleased tracks from artists such as the Prophets and Tippie & the Wisemen. The "Shrine Northern - The 60s Rarest Dance Label" Kent LP, KENT 526, released last year, celebrated the label's legacy. Now, with the release of a 7x7" box set, Shrine's revival continues. Featuring another 14 sides worthy of single releases, this box set is a testament to the enduring allure of Shrine Records and its contribution to the soul music landscape.

Review: It may come with an eyebrow-raising price tag, but what's on offer here is undeniably alluring: a box set of 10 seven-inch singles containing all of the songs from Louie Vega's brilliant Expansions In The NYC album - an all-star affair in which the Masters at Work man celebrated his love of New York disco, boogie and house. The album itself is incredible, with fantastic musicianship, arrangements and vocals, while the cast list - which includes original electrofunk outfit Unlimited Touch, Peech Boys main man Bernard Fowler, Honey Dijon, Cindy Mazelle, Moodymann, Kerri Chandler and his son Nico - is similarly impressive. It's a great product, packed with brilliant music: a fitting finale to this portion of the ongping 'Expansions NYC' project.

Review: DIIV formed back in 2011 and made big impressions within the blog world and then the real world after debut single 'Sometime' picked up plenty of attention. It was follow up with two further singles as well as a cover of a Kurt Cobain tune 'Bambi Slaughter' and to mark the 10 year anniversary all of their debut album all of these 7"s re pulled together on vinyl and serve as a great reminder of where the band has come from. They scream DIY and are very indicated of the Brooklyn scene out of which they were born with songs that muse on love in all its many different ways.

Review: A Window & A Mirror offers a deep dive into the evolution of Joan of Arc, capturing the band's early phase through Tim Kinsella's personal archives. This 132-page hardbound book, unearthed from Kinsella's grandmother's basement, features his journals, photos, and essays written in real time as the band's albums came together. It also includes the rare "Red Blue Yellow" 7", a significant artifact from a pivotal moment when Joan of Arc emerged from the ashes of Kinsella's previous band, Cap'n'Jazz. The collection provides access to the "Joan of Archive," a digital trove of over 200 demo tapes, live recordings, and musical experiments. This archive meticulously catalogs the band's development, showcasing their dedication to reinvention and collaboration with radical artists from Chicago's underground music scene. A Window & A Mirror reveals the band's journey of shape-shifting creativity, highlighting how each contributor influenced Joan of Arc's direction. It's an essential collection for fans, offering a comprehensive look at the band's intricate and evolving soundscape, ensuring that their legacy of innovative music-making is preserved and celebrated.

Review: We Take No Prisoners is a definitive collection of the band's singles from 1995 to 2006, presented as a nine 7" single box set, and expanded double CD and digital editions. Spanning tracks like the relentless 'Sacrifice', their distinctive cover of the Sex Pistols' 'God Save The Queen', and the semi-acoustic 'Whorehouse Blues', the compilation highlights the band's enduring songwriting talent. The set also includes rare live and radio edits, along with a previously unreleased promo interview with Lemmy and Mikkey Dee from 2004. This collection captures the essence of an era and the songs that fuelled the success of the albums they came from.

Review: This boxset offers a gold mine of southern soul, funk and r&b, showcasing previously unreleased gems from the iconic Memphis label Goldwax. Kicking off with James Carr's 1969 funk groove, 'Your Love Made A U-Turn', it sets the stage for a collection of tracks that blend gritty southern charm with soulful ballads. The Ovations' 'I Miss You' stands out as a Motor City classic, finally issued on vinyl, while the flip side, 'What Did I Do Wrong'. with its harmonica-driven stomp, is a crowd-pleaser. Goldwax stalwart Barbara Perry contributes a country-soul ballad, 'Welcome Home Baby', a grower that contrasts nicely with her fiery 'A Man Is A Mean Thing'. Willie Walker's early, brass-filled version of 'Lucky Loser' is a highlight, offering a raw southern groove two years before his funked-up Chess recording. The album also features a thrilling mix of soul vocals, including the Lyrics and Vel-Tones' sublime harmonies, and a mysterious track, 'It's Really Alright', that adds an enigmatic touch. Closing with Phillip & The Faithfuls' dramatic ballad and Lee "Shot" Williams' southern rave-up, this collection is robust and enjoyable.