Tags: Disco Not Disco

Review: Over the past few years, Johnny Rock has proved to be one of the shrewdest re-editors around, delivering must-check reworks of thoroughly obscure gems that tend towards the exotic and intoxicating. Further proof of his dusty-fingered, scalpel-wielding genius can be found on this Orange Tree Edits outing. Check first the rubbery, off-kilter '80s electro-flex of "Kat-Woman Do", before admiring the Mascara-sporting, New Romantic style synth-pop goodness of "Bitter Juice". Elsewhere, he offers up some skewed, percussion-rich late-night eccentricity (the delightfully weird "Hippie Jam") and successfully dances his way through some Communism-era Yugoslav post-punk heaviness ("Streets of Belgrade").

Review: Perhaps one of the most important bands to come out of Manchester ever. Up there with Joy Division, their funky post-punk is the very essence of that genre and possibly why a lot of bands like to call themselves post-punk. They're just wishing they sound as good as A Certain Ratio. For this latest release, the follow-up to their album It All Comes Down To This, they've reworked songs from said album - sensationally - and released a Christmas single. 'Now And Laughter' is described as an ode to "the unsung heroes that are on hand when the pressures of the festivities can become too much to bear." It's awash with sumptuous echoing guitar, a somber lead vocal which makes you want to raise your lighter and gently sway. There's a hint of David Bowie in there and the lyrics appear genuinely emotional and appreciative. This is a song of blissful poignance that can help remind us of what really matters in life as it captures a sense of vulnerability and awe in the magic of the moment.

Review: While he's used the NAD alias for numerous commissioned re-edits and reworks, it's been a decade since Idjut Boy and Record Mission co-founder Dan Tyler last released an EP under the alias. Given his track record as a dub delay and space echo living editor, this surprise outing in the excellent Duca Bianca imprint is a more than welcome development. He begins by dubbing out, extending and rearranging a Germanic new wave gem ('Dow Wordy', with its dead-eyed spoken word vocals), before showcasing a lower-tempo, French language obscurity on the Balearic-not-Balearic shuffle of 'Histoire De Cul'. 'Krapps Smack' sees the Oslo-based Brit add extra layers of echo-laden insanity to a low-slung, extra-percussive punk-funk number, while 'Release The Pigoen' is a spacey, slow-motion AOR gem drenched in effects and saucer-eyed intent.