Tags: Psychedelic Disco

Review: Asha Puthli's triumphant return to the stage after 44 years is marked by tour dates across the US, Australia, and Europe, including iconic performances at Glastonbury and We Out Here. To celebrate this milestone, Mr Bongo has repressed her legendary 1976 album, The Devil Is Loose, on gold vinyl. This album, featuring the psychedelic disco-funk classic 'Space Talk,' exemplifies Puthli's eclectic career spanning 60s psyche, free-jazz, pop, rock and disco. Each track on The Devil Is Loose highlights Puthli's celestial style and sumptuous vocal range, supported by orchestral-infused, disco-enhanced instrumentation. The album transitions seamlessly from the infectious funk of 'Flying Fish' to the cosmic transcendence of the title track, and the choir-channelling 'Say Yes.' Puthli's majestic vocals cast a unique spell, making the album cinematic and captivating throughout. Whether replacing a worn-out original copy or discovering Asha Puthli for the first time, this quintessential slice of her world promises to enchant and inspire.

Review: American splatter horror director Eli Roth curates a spicy and seductive collection of Italian soundtrack gems, offering a deep dive into the rich and often scandalous world of Italian softcore and sexy comedies from the 70s and 80s. With tracks spanning disco, funk, bossa nova, and psych, Roth draws upon the compositions of iconic Italian film composers like Stelvio Cipriani, Bruno Nicolai, and Riz Ortolani. Highlights include Cipriani's infectious 'Nude Odeon (Ritmico Funk)' and Ferrio's sultry 'Quando Vuoi Con Chi Vuoi.' The collection, which also features rare and previously unreleased tracks, pulses with a heady mix of erotic tension and playful grooves. 'Amori Stellari' from Don Powell, with its cheeky synth-laden intro, adds a spacey touch, while Gianni Ferrio's 'La Musica E' effortlessly evokes the seductive atmosphere of 70s Italian cinema. Whether it's the funky disco beats of 'Avere Vent'anni (Disco)' or the dark allure of 'Il Sesso Del Diavolo,' each track feels like an invitation into an intimate, forbidden world. It's a soundtrack for lovers of cult cinema, irresistibly bold and full of character.

Review: Following on from two previous EPs here in 2019 and 2022, Peter Matson now serves up a wonderful full-length on the storied Bastard Jazz. Hotel PM is a psychedelic exploration of disco and modern electronica from the Brooklyn-based musician and co-leader of Underground System. His signature attention to detail, songwriting and world-class musicianship all shine through next to collaborations with the likes of Pahua, Kendra Morris, Toribio, Phenomenal Handclap Band, Sly5thAve and members of The Rapture, Ibibio Sound Machine and Poolside. Between them, they delve into themes of time, memory and disenchantment with modern technology with a mix of lush strings, tight brass and analogue synth basslines. It's a journey of dance floor delight and more introspective moments with plenty of catchy hooks and retro-future charms.

Review: Has any band undergone such a radical musical evolution as Martin Circus? The French band, formed in 1969, initially explored psychedelia, heavy rhythm and blues and formative progressive rock, before pivoting to Cerrone style disco, new wave and eventually, synth-pop. Evolution Francaise 1969-85 does a great job in charting this sonic journey on one action-packed compilation, chronologically serving up such heady musical highs as 'Annie, Christine ou Partricia' (a heavy rock-meets-The Rolling Stones workout), 'Les Indiens De Demier Matin' (psychedelic disco-rock), 'Mon Premier Hold Up' (their most Cerrone-esque number), 'Disco Circus' (their most famous cut, here re-edited by Francous Kevorkian) and 'J'Tai Vu Dans Le Canoe?' (quirky synth-pop).

Review: Known as much for their outlandish costumes as their constant musical evolution, Martin Circus were one of France's most intriguing bands of the 1970s and 80s. Originally formed in 1969 as a psychedelics-inspired progressive rock combo, they later successfully turned their hand to wonderfully camp, over-the-top disco and synth-sporting new wave. Evolution Francaise 1969-1985 does a brilliant job of charting that remarkable musical evolution, dashing between tail end of the 60s prog sounds ('Tout Tremblant De Fievre', 'Facon de Parler'), early Black Sabbath-esque heavy rock ('Annie, Christine ou Partricia'), gritty, Rolling Stones style rhythm and blues ('A Bas Tous Le Privileges'), psychedelic disco-rock ('Les Indiens Du Demier Matin'), Cerrone-ish throb-jobs ('Mon Premier Hold Up', Francois K re-editing 'Disco Circus') and synth-pop ('J'tai Vu Dans Le Canoe?').

Review: Future Rootz has collaborated with Canal Sounds and EGREM for a gem of a reissue here that goes all the way back to 1977 when producer and bassist Jorge Soler stepped out as Grupo Yoyi for Yoyi, an album that marked his only known solo project. The record now sits up there as one of the rarest and most desirable albums from the Cuban musical canon as it is such a sublime fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz, funk and disco. The musicianship throughout is exceptional with mesmeric synths and evocative horn solos all tethered to the sort of grooves that will either chill you out or heat you up depending on the setting.