Just what we need, another 4 cuts of essential mayhem that only reinforce what a wonderful world we have. This time we get the official beatdown from one of the best to do it. Front to back & something for all ages! Another limited run of bliss, please be swift!
For the second AOTN 12" this month we got another smasher,when we landed the united Spirtual Singers over lockdown we were lucky enough to get multitracks so East Coast Love Affair and love time friend of the label Tom Noble got to work
Side A - We decided to go full on front room Sylvester vibes on this, what initially seemed to be an easy job turned into months of work, session musicians when we were allowed and arguments over vocal timings, but nothing good is easy won and we are proud of this. On the flip our good friend Tom Noble calmed the situation down a bit with a tasty New York version of the track, and big up to him for doing this while fighting through his shop flooding and a new opening of his superiorelevation.com shop in Brooklyn.
a1 A Minute Too Late (feat. United Spiritual Singers)
London’s very own groove master Demi Riquisimo brings forth 005 for his relentlessly class ‘Semi Delicious’ label. A various artist compilation with, alongside an absolute weapon from Demi himself, superb disco-ready rhythms from Jive Talk, Kassian and Vhyce.
Alongside the rolling drum kit samples, Demi layers cosmic lasers, 70’s clavinet and bucket loads of rolling basslines with this Afro re-edit! Vhyce’s disco chops meet retro 80’s synth arpeggios and huge filtering drops that will bring a slice of retro euphoria to your record bag.
On the flip, ‘Midnight District Line’ from Kassian takes a ride through the city with a rolling filter house workout. No unnecessary bits in this stripped back club weapon. Funky Rhodes and bright NY style 909 loops make this one primed for any time of the night. Jive Talk bring ‘UK Gary’, a re- edit teeming with expression from its live jazz drum sampling and sassy female vocals. Developing through the seven minutes with classic house sounds including THAT 90’s Korg organ sound!
Demi Riquísimo returns to his Semi Delicious hand-stamped white label with another four impeccable disco fusion party tracks. Guitar lead ‘Shameless Progression’ follows skittering disco hats across a scape of lasers, a pulsing bassline and Italo synth business. ‘Encona’ is a summery re-edit of a foreign disco classic you'll no doubt recognise (shh..), Demi has added his naughty robotic FM bassline and some proper drum chunk to the mix, a tasteful re-hash right until the end.
‘Second Element’ is a progressive disco tech crossover. Leading with a fat kick drum, trance- inducing chord patterns, acid flutters and topped off with 70’s soul edged vocal slices. ‘Spice Rack’ delves deep into the world of synthesis, an acoustic drum kit keeps pace while soft ambient chord progressions float delicately over with a hooky synth lead to top it off. A diverse collection of contrasting tracks, all with Demi’s superb signature across them.
If you have any of these Insanely rare tracks then a nod of the hat to you. This LP includes tracks from the 2 70s soul 45s and the best tracks from the schizophrenic and wonderful self titled super rare LP from Melvin miller and Finley Martin's band known as Premonition and Premonitions. Deefunk, Deepsoul, Disco and More. A seriously excellent listen end to end.
This 3 vinyl compilation showcases the entire Italo Hiits output to date. 6 Hi-NRG tracks across 3 plates; the quintessential soundtrack for the home (or dance-floor!) workout.
Hammer - I Wanna Be Like You / Wakeup Call [12" Orange Vinyl]
Hammer - Think About Me / Paraiso Tan [10" Yellow Vinyl]
One of the bangers of Dave Haffners amazing disco with a feeling comp on 45, one of San Diego's finest independent disco 45s. Make sure and check the LP on the incredible Cordial Records, with unreleased tracks.
HUGE 45!! after last months Memphis 7" (the same band) we have here 2 unreleased Homegrown Syndrome trakcs rescued from an acetate in Jerry Jones attic . Double sided Disco funk burners all the way.
Home Grown Funk was also known as "Homegrown Syndrome," a controversial name bestowed to them. Before heading to LA they gigged all over Memphis. Some of the members were from an earlier 70s group called "Brothers Unlimited" and had earlier ties during the 60s with the "Memphis Invaders" (a peaceful civil rights activist group).
With aspirations of pushing Homegrown further, a few members including Jerry Jones made the move out west. It was LA 1977 when they were introduced to Ike Tuner through a mutual friend "Ricky G". It was a casual meetup. Then one night Ike had his son Ike Jr. go check them out while performing at the Soul Train hangout spot "Maverick Flats". Ike Jr. praised their performance to Ike and he had them come out to his Inglewood studio. The group walked into the studio with a funky track already playing and that's when Jerry Jones improvised this opportunity and started singing. Ike then turned and said… "Who is that singing?" Jerry said, "Thats me." Then Ike replied " YOU BIG MUTHAF***A! You could be my new Tina." From that point the group cut bunch of tracks with Ike over the years up until they're feature on his 1980 album "The Edge."
In 1981 Perry Kibble (Keyboardist for Taste Of Honey) was at "Concerts In The Park" and heard Home Grown Funk performing. He linked up with the group and got them a deal with Arista. During this time they recorded their hit track " Confrontation." Perry suggested that the group change their name because he didn't want another group with the work "Funk" in it and hence "Homegrown Syndrome." They also use the Arista studio to cut an unreleased acetate with tracks "Got the love" and "Party Vibes" which we have here.
Edinburgh-based dance imprint Fresh Take Records launches their vinyl series Fresh Wax with a five-track VA including tracks from Easy Peelers, THEOS & Berzingue, Mr. Sosa, Aymeric and Bernado Mota.
Their first release of 2022 comes with the launch of their new vinyl series with Fresh Wax 001: a varied and classic collection of tracks, many of which come from artists who have been involved with the label since day one.
Yse Saint Laur'ant is the alias of Hong Kong-based Ant Plate, who heads up the Vinyl Only imprint (its 14th release here) in addition to some great ones for other fine purveyors of the disco edit such as Whisky Disco and Editorial. The Tomorrow EP features six generous servings of vintage inspired goodness: from the urban beats of "Grifter" leading intro the sultry and low-slung grooves of 'Now I Am God' and 'Look Who's Here' respectively. On the B side, check out the hypnotic steel drum action of "Flight Of Eros" and the dreamy beatless excursion "Never Got To Say Goodbye".
A tasty pair of chunky, beefed and dubbed up disco delights courtesy of the Cardiology label and every bit as likely to get the heart rate pumping as the name would suggest. The Owl's 'Groove Engine' steps up to the breach on the A-side, the slightly slower of the pair but blessed with a thumping framework of four-to- the-floor sturdiness on which funky keys and an almost Afro vibe are tastfully and decoratively hung. Flip track 'I'm Gonna' by C Da Afro is constructed from more archetypically traditional old skool disco ingredients, from the Sister Sledge-esque female vocals to the shooting, strings. There's a nice amount of dub behaviour via the desk, enough to elevate it into orbit but not so much that the song elements of the track are obscured. Nice work all round.
Another mysterious release with 4 tracks of afro sleaze low slung chugging prog love. We think grabbing 2 copies of this if you can would be in everyone's best interest. Pressed for maximum loudness, no repress & coming to a Juicy Street near you!
Timely re issue of an Arthur Russell classic on West End Records that puts his unique avant-garde spin on disco. The success of this track led to Larry Levan remixing the song for club play at Paradise Garage. The song has been remastered from original analog tape for 2014 and repressed in conjunction with the rights holders, BMG.
Grammy Award winner Louie Vega has the unique ability to spotlight and highlight the most essential elements of classic dance tracks and remix and recreate them to create something just as powerful for today’s audiences. Currently in the midst of putting the finishing touches on his forthcoming album, Expansions In The NYC, Louie took some extra time to gather together the original members of the seminal New York – based disco funk band Unlimited Touch and collaborate with them at Log Cabin Studio in Manhattan and his own Daddy’s Workshop Studio in New Jersey to produce the 2020 edition of “I Hear Music In The Streets.”
Unlimited Touch consists of Audrey Wheeler (lead singer), Phil Hamilton, Tony Cintron, Sandy Anderson (RIP), Stephanie James and Lenny Underwood. “I Hear Music In The Streets” was originally released on legendary imprint Prelude Records in 1981.
Growing up in the Bronx, from an early age Louie had an affinity and love for all the various musical genres that were bubbling up in New York during that era defining creative period. It is that passion that has stayed with him during a career that has brought him Grammy’s, several worldwide hit records, and a status as one of the world’s most sought after DJs. It was especially fulfilling for Louie to work with the original members of Unlimited Touch, He quickly realized that their talents were still as strong as ever as they performed musical and vocal elements from the original song, and that they had the vision to see how the song could be re-energized by having Louie add his unique production elements to this seminal tune.
Louie is in the midst of an especially prolific and productive period. In 2016 he released the Grammy nominated Louie Vega Starring….XXVIII full length album; 2018 saw the release of the widely acclaimed and chart topping NYC Disco 2 X CD and 4 X vinyl album on Nervous Records. Known universally as “The Maestro” due to the standards of excellence he maintains in his productions, DJ Performances and live appearances with his Elements of Life Band, Louie Vega is now ready to unleash another gem to add to one of the music industry’s most remarkable body of work.
A. I Hear Music In The Streets (Touch Mix)
B1. I Hear Music In The Streets (Expansions NYC Dub)
B2. I Hear Music In The Streets (LV Classic Boogie Mix)
Promo's, edits, mega-mixes, the record pools, white labels, acetates, reel to reels.
All of the above were the weapons of choice for the disc jockey's of yesteryear, utilising these tools helped various luminaries pave the way for where we are today on the modern dance-floor. Those 'secret' mixes, 'private' versions and edits of the hottest Disco jams that only the select few had access to could make or break a DJ's reputation in the clubs and on the streets.
It is within this world that the For Discos Only label operates, sourcing the finest underground edits and mixes for the Discotheques. We carefully hand pick and dig for obscure or forgotten versions of the best tracks that may have been previously out of reach for the majority, inviting the hottest editors and mixers to open up their archives and share their secret weapons with us all via the medium of the 12" record.
Our second offering pulls together 2 of THE biggest edits from the last 20 or so years, so big in fact that they are regarded as classics of the genre. 2 absolute monsters that now fetch tidy sums in their original forms. That's right, we've asked the mighty Revenge to give us their versions of BOTH Hot Chocolate's 'Heaven's In The Back-Seat Of My Cadillac' AND Gwen McCrae's 'Keep The Fire Burning' and they agreed! We then cleared both of these versions to be released on FDO with the license owners and catalogue controllers, had them remastered and pressed onto a high quality 12" for your maximum playback, dancefloor pleasure. This is one essential 12" for any serious lovers of the Boogie, Funk, Soul and Disco underground, boasting 2 of the largest reworkings to ever come out of bonnie Scotland. Do not sleep on this!
These versions are designed to remind the dance-floor of where we came from musically in a respectful, modern fashion. Giving a nod to the pioneers who came before us in the DJ booth. Absolutely essential tracks for the late night dancers. All mixes are 100% legit, licensed and sanctioned. For Discos Only is a BOOTLEG FREE zone. Too legit to quit.
A1 Hot Chocolate - Heavens In The Backseat Of My Cadillac (The Revenge Edit)
B1 Gwen McRae - Keep The Fire Burning (The Revenge Edit)
Delfonic & Kapote start the year 2022 with the 6th issue of their jazzy - funk - disco reworks on Illegal Jazz. Proper soulful flavour for the dancefloor delight!
On this record, Dimitri continues to get to the heart of why CHIC’s music remains so universally relevant, underlining the enduring cultural significance of dance music in its most unabashed form with his careful remixing of CHIC classics ‘My Forbidden Lover’ and ‘I Feel You Love Comin’ On’.
A1. CHIC - My Forbidden Lover (Dimitri From Paris 12" Version)
A2. CHIC - I Feel Your Love Comin' On (Dimitri From Paris Remix) (2018 Remaster)
B1. CHIC - My Forbidden Lover (Dimitri From Paris Instrumental)
B2. CHIC - I Feel Your Love Comin' On (Dimitri From Paris Instrumental) (2018 Remaster)
On this release we hear ‘He’s The Greatest Dancer’ get the Dimitri treatment that showcases unheard sections from the master tapes, followed by Norma Jean Wright’s life-affirming ‘Saturday’, remixed to cinematic proportions once again by Dimitri.
A1. Sister Sledge - He's The Greatest Dancer (Dimitri From Paris 12" Version)
A2. Norma Jean Wright - Saturday (Dimitri From Paris 12" Version)
B1. Sister Sledge - He's The Greatest Dancer (Dimitri From Paris Instrumental)
B2. Norma Jean Wright - Saturday (Dimitri From Paris Instrumental) (2018 Remaster)
Rarely does an artist pay homage to the classics like Dimitri From Paris. The Grammy nominated producer, remixer, composer and DJ has made every one of his repertoire of reworks sound effortless; no mean feat when the original tracks are by the likes of Disco’s greatest musicians. In 2018 he released his “lifetime achievement” on Glitterbox, with the strictly limited pressing of the ‘Dimitri From Paris presents Le Chic Remix’ boxset. Now the 12’s have their own separate outings, bringing greater focus onto the individual productions, as each vinyl features two of the incredible Dimitri remixes, along with their respective instrumentals on the B-Side. Dimitri opens with the unmistakeable CHIC staple ‘Le Freak’, Dimitri’s timeless remix making the exquisite instrumental harmonies shine like only Dimitri can before delving into Sister Sledge’s disco classic ‘Lost In Music’.
A1. CHIC - Le Freak (Dimitri From Paris 12" Version)
A2. Sister Sledge - Lost In Music (Dimitri From Paris 12" Version)
B1. CHIC - Le Freak (Dimitri From Paris Instrumental)
B2. Sister Sledge - Lost In Music (Dimitri From Paris Instrumental) (2018 Remaster)
Capping off a busy year as producer, DJ and label owner, Rory Hamilton provides a quick follow up to October's ‘Think About Me’ EP with the third release on his Italo Hiits imprint.
Once again arriving on coloured 10” vinyl, ’Strangeness’ takes the label's twisted disco sound into new territories that draws on both the genre’s darker hedonistic side and its more nostalgic leanings. The two-tracker will arrive on opaque green 10” vinyl & digital formats in November 2021.
"Pure energy is the mantra for Italo Hiits. The topline on Strangeness carries this task on its shoulders whiles keeps the sleaze level high. Fun and filthy.
"Ski Sunday is a full 80s throwback, a full array of synths make up the journey, all the while rolling down the alps on full power.”
Kon steps back up to the plate with a sumptuous 12" offering, digging into his stash of disco, funk and boogie to bring us more heat! 'Alright' kicks things off, a huge anthemic soulful piano led disco stomper that will undoubtedly be a real highlight in your DJ set. This is some peak time feel good music for the dancefloor, London even gets a shout-out! 'Stars' is our B-side, and it's beamed right in from the cosmos into our eardrums, it has it all from cosmic synth melodies to ultra heavy drums and beyond! Get lost in space to this one, you won't regret it. Both cuts here definitely bring it, and as always - they sound amazing. File under 'must cop'.