Strut’s been livening up 2008 a treat with its astute compilations which take a genre and present the cream, along with informative narrative [here it’s Bill Brewster]. Italo disco is huge right now so they’ve made straight for the testicles and roped in Chicken Lips’ Steve Kotey, who thrusts forth many gems on CD for the first time while re-editing a few himself. Tracks like Five Letters’ ‘The Kee Tha Tha’ and Valentine’s epic, NY-flavoured ‘Tina Are You Ready’ take the classic elements of dominant bass, cool brass and the odd exhortation to keep the throb pulsing, stamp their personalities on its bottom and make for masterly representations of the genre. Meanwhile, Kasso as Easy Going turns in a gorgeous Chic replication, complete with sultry vocal and strings. Other highlights include Red Dragon Band’s ‘Let Me Be Your Radio’, the breathy disco drift of Number One Ensemble’s ‘Flor De Coca’ and the juddering Moroderisms of Kano’s ‘Now Baby Now’ [edited to further heights by Kotey]. And check that Norman Whitfield bassline on Freddy The Flying Dutchman & The Sistina Band’s ‘Wojtyla Disco Dance’! Firefly’s ‘Love [Is Gonna Be On Your Side]’ is sheer bliss, again touched by the finger of Chic [although D.D. Sound’s ‘Burning Love’ starys a little into Boney M territory!]. The set isn’t afraid of pure disco heaven either with Revanche’s ‘1979 It’s Dancing Time’ jerking memories of club abandon for us old-timers. I could go on but this garden of unearthly delights can’t be recommended highly enough.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs
