After hours grooving…
Ted Taylor – Honey Lou
Ronn Records
My parents once got my whole family a huge collection of 45 records sold in bulk at like a Woolworth’s or some such department store. This was one of them and my brother and I used to rock to this as kids (and still do today). The organ, drums, horns, bass and Ted’s soaring voice all combine into a soul stomping climax. I used to listen to this on my Close-N-Play. Know what that is? Google it.
The Rolling Stones – Dance Pt.1
Rolling Stone Records
This was during the period in the late 70’s when the Stones seemed to open every album with some loose and funky disco tune. This one is almost Arthur Russell-y in it’s wonky rhythm, growling vocals and fierce horn section. I love the Stones doing disco because they got it wrong yet came up with something fantastic.
Mandré – Keep Trying
Motown
I only just recently got into Mandré, the alien alter ego of prolific producer and musician Andre Lewis. Mandré released four albums (three on Motown) of electronics-based studio creations that were innovative and under recognized. He also presented himself as a masked interstellar robotic wizard, nearly 20 years before Daft Punk. This song, from his debut, has a lovely self-produced quality with uplifting lyrics.
Hon E. Man – Sheila E.
Paisley Park
Shelia E’s self-titled third album has some terrific moments. How much of Prince’s input on this song is disputable, but it does have Sign O’The Times-esque horns skipping around an insistent beat while Sheila tells her lover to “get off my satin sheets!” Awesome key change on the chorus and a truly bizarre beginning make for a great track.
George McCrae – I Ain’t Lyin’
Jay Boy
George McCrae is of course the voice behind disco mega-hit “Rock Your Baby” but he’s got many other worthy tunes of note like this one. Over a sweet lyric about trusting your lover, backing band KC and The Sunshine Band simply rock this track from the days when disco was all the way live. Ecstatic.
Deodato – Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)
CTI
Another highlight from the aforementioned 7inch collection. Deodato’s fusion revisit of Strauss is one of my favourite pieces of music ever. I’ll never forget DJing this in New York during Maceo Parker’s annual New Year’s Eve party in 2001 and how ballistic the crowd went. The musicianship on this track is insanely good and I look to the 7 inch version as the one that sent me on the path towards all sounds groovy.
Whispers – Keep On Loving Me
Solar
The releases on the 80’s from Solar (Sound Of Los Angeles Records) were so on point production-wise and this record is a prime example. Spearheading a revival in the career for this 60’s doo-wop group, this lusciously written and produced tune nails it with it’s perfect mix of deep synth electronics, a fat drum machine and slick smooth vocals. Always works, this one. Plus the video rules!
Hot Cold Sweat – Meet Me At The Go Go
D.E.T.T.
I was introduced to Go-Go music listening to it on the radio and pretty much everything I ever needed to know about funk is hidden in the grooves of this record. Written by band leader Darius Moss and produced by Trouble Funk, this record makes me nuts with it’s mad percussion, dry crisp beat and those vocals endlessly repeating the title like some psychedelic door bell. Find this record and like the song says, “now baby now get it.”
Sly & The Family Stone – Just Like A Baby
Epic
It’s hard to pick just one track from “There’s A Riot Going On” which is already the ultimate after-party record. This is one of the slowest grinds on there. Compressed sound, random vocals and bass, bass, BASS make for one sexy number, almost overshadowing the intriguing neurosis in the lyric.
The Stick – The Time
Warner Brothers
Now is where things get sleazy. From their first album (created, performed and written entirely by Prince), this is a slice of early Minneapolis funk that conjures up images of dirty pimps hanging on the corner with girls in camisoles. Lo-fi production, astounding keyboard work and a lyric about having to masturbate because your girlfriend cums too quick. What more do you want?
Snax
Up And Coming Children EP
(Random Records)
Random Records presents a long awaited new studio production from Snax – an EP of four sparkly new tracks plus equally diverse remixes from Hard Ton and Per QX and Elias Bravo. Snax – the Berlin based American singer, songwriter and keyboard talent who has released tracks on Mental Groove, Rebirth, Get Physical and more – dedicates this new release to the kids; those with a fresh attitude, new on the scene, ready to take over and push things forward… hence the EP’s title, Up And Coming Children. The title track opens the EP in some style; it’s a rickety house jam with loose-limbed percussion and live sounding drums. Shooting disco synths emanate from the core of the track and retro chords add another layer of authentic texture. The killer vocals sing the title’s refrain with tons of attitude and oodles of emotion as tight guitar riffs and paddy drums keep things lively.
Snax elaborates, “to be one of the Up And Coming Children means having the courage to buck up against oldschool snobbery, no matter what your age. The Children will be continuing to shake things up, forever on their way to the garden of delight. That’s the essence of being Up And Coming.” Also featured on this latest EP are three further new tracks that rock the floor in exciting ways. ‘150%’ is a soul stomper, espousing the joys of being a hot head over a hard beat. ‘Nothing To Yourself’ breaks it down to slower, but no less grinding, territory with soulful vocal coos, seductive melodies and plenty of Prince vibes throughout. Finally, ‘Phantom Voice’ recalls Snax’s earlier work, emerging from the sleazier corners of the world waving his p-funk flag high and proud as DIY percussion and 80s style Casio keys make for a perfect party atmosphere. Snax also has the pleasure of presenting remixes for ‘Children’ from two equally legendary sources. Hard Ton brings an ecstatic 90’s house vibe to the table with a shimmering bit of singing by larger than life vocalist Max. On the darker second remix from Per QX and Elias Bravo; the pair’s deep, shuffling garage house sound recalls London’s super party of the moment, Gutterslut, where Per is resident.
For lovers of vocal disco there will be few more genuine delights released this year than this effort from Snax and Random Records!
Up And Coming Children EP (Random Records) is out now
