Various Artists ‘The Men In The Glass Booth’ (BBE)

This 3CD/2x5LP compilation has got to be one of the best of the whole year and I say that knowing exactly that we have end of January right now. Compiled and selected by a living lexicon when it comes to Disco and Soulful Sounds, Al Kent, this collection reflects on legendary DJs and mixers/editors that made Disco fashionable in the US mid/end of the 70s. We are of course talking of people like Walter Gibbons, David Todd, Jellybean Benitez, Tom Moulton or Robert Ouimet who’s contribution to the music we all know today, can be seen in detail via a great 40 page booklet, which is added so punters and younger generations can learn a bit of Disco history. Needless to say the music on the comp is blinding, what we get are rare edits and sublime mixes from key acts like The Salsoul Orchestra, First Choice, Bunny Sigler, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Ruby Andrews, Hot Ice, Skip Mahoney and many more. On top of it all the very first 12” single ever, the superb Walter Gibbons mixed “Ten Per Cent” by Double Exposure is featured. It took the team around Al Kent six years to finish off this compilation. It has been worth the wait!

5 out of 5
Reviewed by MANNIX