Search results: Magic Beat

Review: The second of a two-part series of reissued trance classics celebrating the contributions of Belgian specialist-trance nightclub La Bush to the international scene. The La Bush Team Sampler hears the trialectic of producers at the heart of La Bush deliver a full-blown vinyl reissue of the hot selection of tracks they first issued on vinyl in 1998, to rip-roaring commercial success. Occupying this newly reissued PVC disc come additional pepperings from the contemporaneous CD edition also released at the time, which have never before heard a vinyl release. Rediscover such ex-stases as 'Renaissance' and 'Magic Hall', which nail trance's emotional synthetic formula and keep them going for the next-gens.

Review: For the last ten years Japan's reissue market has blossomed into one of the most fruitful for western listeners eager to explore very rare Japanese releases and artists from the 70s and 80s specifically. In no other genres has this been most displayed then in the new age, ambient, folk and synth realms. Alfa/Yen Records 1980-1987: Techno Pop & Other Electronic Adventures In Tokyo follows this fantastic era of passing on to a new generation. This compilation features many luminary figures in the Japanese scene with an extra emphasis of it honing in on Yellow Magic Orchestra and its members. After the popularity of similar compilations in the past five years, this looks to be one of the most successful reissues of Japanese electronic music in 2024!

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: Although Salsoul Records and West End Records are more widely associated with the original New York Disco story, SAM Records - founded by Romania-born Sam Weiss in 1975 - also released a wealth of killer material during that era. This three-disc retrospective, which comes accompanied by detailed liner notes by the Guardian's Alexis Petridis, tells the story of the label via a mix of genuine disco anthems, early boogie gems, key 12" versions mixed by the likes of Shep Pettibone, John Jellybean' Benitez and Jonathan Fearing, and lesser-celebrated cult classics. All the label's key artists (think John Davis & The Monster Orchestra, K.I.D, Gary's Gang and Rhyze) are present, along with noted 'one-hit wonders' such as David McPherson, Mike & Brenda Sutton, Vicky D and Lucy Hawkins. A must-have for disco heads old and new!

Review: For the next installment of Argentinian label Music Broker's tribute series, they have selected some of seminal Parisian duo Daft Punk's finest works and remixes, spanning the last two decades, along with some of the music that inspired them. The Many Faces Of Daft Punk: A Journey Through The Inner World Of Daft Punk features disco royalty such as Niles Rodgers, Giorgio Moroder and Cerrone, while more contemporary producers from the house music spectrum feature also, such as Detroit's Scott Grooves (featuring Parliament/Funkadelic), The Micronauts and Versatile's I:Cube receive de Homem-Christo and Bangalter's midas touch. the latter's 'Disco Cubizm" from '96 being a particular highlight on the remix side of things. Not to mention their roaring rework of indie-pop darlings Franz Ferdinand's classic 'Take Me Out'.

Review: Soul Jazz Records' Boombox series is back with another crucial instalment, this time focussing on the early days of hip-hop, electro and disco rap. These multi-cultural scenes have their roots in community centres, block parties and street jams that were appearing back in the Bronx. It's another fine and fulsome collection across six sides of vinyl and features some of the many innovative names from between 1979 and 1983. All of them are rare, classic and obscure tracks that come with stunning photography from Sophie Bramly who got rare access to document the early days of this scene in New York.

Review: The latest volume in Soul Jazz's Boombox series, which focuses on the formative years of hip-hop culture, delivers a notably deep dig into some of the innovative and inspired disco-rap, electro and proto-hip-hop records released by independent labels, mostly based in New York City, between 1979 and 1983. It's a genuinely eye-opening affair that boasts a mixture of little-known debut singles from now legendary acts (Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Funky Four Plus One More), inspired obscurities (see 'Get Live '83', a rare recording by a Chicagoan high school band), bona-fide dancefloor gems (Mike T, Sangria, the electrofunk-rap of Silver Star), and deliciously deep cuts. Throw in Soul Jazz's usual exhaustive, expansive liner notes, and you have another essential collection from the quality compilation specialists.

Review: Hardened music nerds may roll their eyes at the thought of the Now That's What I Call Music series turning its attention to disco, but this quintuple LP compilation does provides a great starting point for those dipping their toes into the sound for the first time or looking to grow their disco collection. A few needless pop hits aside, the set contains a wealth of sing-along party favourites ('Car Wash' by Rose Royce, Diana Ross's 'Upside Down', Lipps Inc's throbbing 'Funky Town' etc.) and genuine disco anthems that still get regular airings on club dancefloors today (Thelma Houston's 'Don't Leave Me This Way', Candi Staton's 'Nights On Broadway', Cheryl Lynn's 'Got To Be Real' and Sylvester's 'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)' included).