John Davis & The Monster Orchestra ‘Up Jumped The Devil’ (Louie Vega Remixes) (NERVOUS)

Originally released in 1977 on Sam Records, ‘Up Jumped The Devil’ featured music performances from some of Philly’s finest musicians, many of whom also featured on albums by the Salsoul Orchestra. Among them were Michael “Sugar Bear” Foreman on bass, drummer Charles Collins and guitarist Dennis Harris. Percussion came from Larry Washington, whilst Don Renaldo provided the strings and horns. With a rugged and rough rhythm section and blazing horn parts, the track was an absolute bomb amongst disco DJs at the time and continues to shine as a gem today. Fast forward 40 years, Michael Weiss – son of Sam Records president and founder Sam Weiss – sends the track’s digitized elements to close friend and associate Louie Vega, whose timeless body of work includes trendsetting productions both as a solo artist and with his Elements of Life band and the more recent Soulfrito Project: That aside, the New York native has always possessed a great knowledge and respect for R&B and Disco that laid the foundation of the current nightlife soundtrack. Last year saw Vega produce the smash remix of John Davis & The Monster Orchestra’s ‘Bourgie, Bourgie’, which was Traxsource’s No. 6 biggest selling download of 2016. He now returns, adding his unique production skills to another John Davis & Monster Orchestra classic from the Sam Records discography by remixing seminal disco-funk jam ‘Up Jumped The Devil’ in a way only Louie can. He trusts the outstanding Original with much faith and love and touches some right knobs here and there, turning the record into a soulful disco driven House track. Added is a superb Dub for some instrumental heaven. Verdict: All hail Louie Vega, he did it again!

5 out of 5
Reviewed by MANNIX