Tags: Cosmic Disco

Review: The star-studded Sai Galaxy project returns, bringing together West African legends Steve Monite and Rob with multi-instrumentalist Simon Durrington, guitar maestro Alfred Bannerman, and Egypt 80 trumpet player Bade, for a second EP of vital Afro-disco and soul. Following up 2020's 'Get It As You Move' EP, the likes of 'Sometimes It Rains', the homonymous 'Okere', the truth-to-power 'Rich Man, Poor Man', and the live and swinging coda 'Hold Me Tonight' paint a multifaceted picture of a trio, equally as concerned with groove delivery as they are with narrative storytelling. Most emblematic of Sai Galaxy's approach is their inspiration by analog production techniques of similar Afro-soul albums from the 1970s and 80s, adding a modern touch informed by Simon Durrington's Digital Afrika project.

Review: After 3 months holed up in the studio Blair French has emerged to bring you Genes / Space Conductor 7" in support of his forthcoming album The Art Of Us on Rocksteady Disco. The A-side holds the "Loose Fit" mix of "Genes", where Blair channels his inner Tony Allen for an expertly executed modern psychedelic Afrobeat cut featuring a heavyweight cast of Detroit characters including Todd Modes, John Arnold, and Paul Randolph. On the flip is "Space Conductor", a cosmic afro broken beat joint with heavy drums, a huge bassline, kora, and Blair's vocals, exclusively available on this 7" only. Housed in a full color jacket, cut loud to lacquer, and pressed heavy with pride at Archer on Detroit's east side.

Review: Approach Release have done more than just approach release; they've actually sealed the deal on releasing - all while managing to work in a great deal of inhalatory EBM tension too - what with this new tenth addition to Talking Drums' Drum Chums vinyl series. Here the pair steer the brazy train through heady style-blends over four shapeshifter tracks; 'So Wrong' sallies forth with snarling synths and rigid drum patterns before a ghostly vocal twist pulls the whole thing into a haunting Italo dreamscape. The mood lifts with 'LuvLuvLuv', where slo-mo soul meets glistering psychedelia - equal parts groove and wooze, the track's as suited to sunrises as slow dances. Flip over to 'E-Killa' for an inflammable powder trail of Afro-disco and fizzing tropicalia, built to move a room from the waist down. Fade cut 'Lou Cee', finally, is a heartfelt Balearic blear; a finale that's as sentimental as it is stylish.

Review: The seventh volume of Cosmic Discotheque continues its exploration of 1970s disco with aplomb. This series is all about uncovering rare and overlooked gems from the era and in particular, this edition spans Afro-disco, funk, space disco and Middle Eastern-inspired dance music. The label does a fine job of bringing forgotten singles back to life here and saves you the (albeit pleasurably) effort of digging through flea markets for hidden treasures. With classic disco elements all featuring like drum breaks, soaring violins and vintage synths this collection delivers an authentic sound perfect for any party and full of the thrill of discovery.