Search dance music

Review: The expansive box set celebrating The Salsoul Orchestra's groundbreaking albums, meticulously curated and remastered, is a must-have for any disco aficionado. Boasting 103 tracks across six albums, including collaborations with icons like Carol Williams and Charo, it encapsulates the essence of the legendary Salsoul sound. Led by Vincent Montana Jr, the orchestra delivers floorfillers like 'Salsoul Hustle,' 'Magic Bird of Fire,' and 'Run Away' featuring Loleatta Holloway, showcasing the signature Philly soul sound with vibrant brass, infectious rhythms and lush strings. The inclusion of rare tracks from The Salsoul Strings and remixes by esteemed producers adds depth and variety to the collection, ensuring there's something for every disco lover. The deluxe booklet, featuring comprehensive notes by Joe Marchese, provides valuable insights into the albums and the era, making it a treasure trove of musical history. With its stellar lineup of musicians and timeless grooves, this box set truly embodies the spirit of Salsoul and proves once again that disco is indeed good for the soul.

Review: Fierce, fabulous and more than a little fancy, Box Of Sin takes an exhaustive look at 80s gay nightlife as the driver for the evolution of dance music. Spread over five CDs, we're taken on a sweat-slicked thrill ride through hi-nrg, disco, proto house and synth-pop taking in seminal classics and deep cuts alike. There are plenty of perennial favourites contained within, from The Pointer Sisters' 'Jump (For My Love)' and Soft Cell's 'Memorabilia' through to S'Express' massive chart dance banger 'Theme From S'Express', and you can be sure the compilers have taken care to source the real deal 12" mixes that bring out the best in a track. With plenty of lesser known surprises and a frankly head-spinning amount of knockout tracks, this is an essential document of the outsized impact queer club culture had on electronic music in the 80s and early 90s.

Review: Scottish funk and r&b group The Average White Band had a fine series of disco and soul hits back in their heyday in the 1970s. As well as originals like their best known smash hit 'Pick Up the Pieces' they also served up superb covers like 'Let's Go Round Again.' AWB is their most successful album and it now turns a full half a centre old so gets a special reissue on Edsel across no fewer than 15 CDs. The album was number two for three weeks to Elton John's Greatest Hits upon release in 1974 and will no doubt do big numbers again all these years later.