Tags: Electrofunk

Review: DJ Scientist aka John Raincoatman is the German record collector behind the Outer Edge label. This time he welcomes Ghia for a second outing following the sold out and hugely desirable first one. This one comes in the form of a full length album featuring some previously unissued songs and lots of the group's signature downtempo synth pop sounds. They are soothing, lush and soulful, with delicate female vocals over sweet and innocent 80s keys and drum sounds. Perfectly steamy and sexy for slow dancing or lazy afternoons.

Review: Earlier this year, DJ Scientist stumbled upon another early Ghia composition tucked away in the depths of a master tape. It was a treasure too precious to remain unheard. Sadly, the original track couldn't see the light of day due to sound quality and issues with the original vocals. To make matters more disappointing, no instrumental version survived. Thus, the only way to share this catchy boogie funk track with the world was to recreate it from scratch. And so, the Ghia saga unfolds once more, but in this chapter, there's a new and unique twist. 'Out Of Luck' draws its roots from the aforementioned lost track, originally composed by the group in 1985. This time, however, the song has been expertly reworked by Marian Tone, with new vocals by Adriano Prestel. The outcome? Quite possibly one of the smoothest and most refreshing modern funk tunes you'll hear this year.

Review: The Outer Edge rounds off their series reworking tracks from the archive of lesser-known German 80s outfit Ghia. This time round, they're offering re-imaginations of an instrumental synth-funk track first featured on last year's Don't Look LP, 'Message From The Other Side'. This time round, the band has recruited vocalist Adrian Prestel and re-imagined it as colourful and authentic synth-number simply titled 'The Other Side'. As well as a solid instrumental take, we're also treated to a superb Marian Tone take which blends bits of the 1985 demo with elements of the 2023 re-recording. Elsewhere, there are also three takes on previous single 'Out of Luck': squelchy and crunchy neo-boogie vocal and instrumental versions courtesy of DJ Friction (the disco one, not the d&b producer of the same name) and a more low-slung, dub disco style instrumental revision by Soundrays.

Review: German artist Kunze delivers a tightly framed set of synth-pop tracks from the early 80s, structured around themes of nightlife, fleeting romance and personal agency. The production stays close to the conventions of the time - drum machines, analogue synths, dry vocal takes - but it's the writing that gives the material its edge. Tracks like 'Nachtcafe', 'Rendezvous' and 'Casanova' deal in flirtation and encounter, cutting between interior monologue and nightclub tableau without losing shape. 'Die Nacht ist noch jung' and 'Rotes Licht fur rote Liebe' are more rhythm-driven, layering sharp synth lines under declarative vocals. 'Motel d'amour' is one of the few moments that slows the pace, bringing the record's themes of independence and intimacy into clearer focus. Kunze's lyrics are direct but never diaristic - clear in intent, unflinching in delivery. The record doesn't hinge on innovation, but on tone and perspective. It holds up not by nostalgia, but by how clearly it defined its space.