1. CRO MAGNON – CRO MAGNON – Jazzy Sport (Japanese only)
Excellent leftfield disco tune from the Jazzy Sport label. The drums have a raw live feel that are just slamming. There is a vibe of the new wave on this tune with it’s weird dubby guitars and electronica. This 12″ also featues a funk mix which is very reminiscent of James Brown. Now you can’t really get much funkier than that can you.
2. The CJ and O Band – J Ouvert (Electric Souls)
Great re edit downtempo – boogie tunes. This is a classic example of disco/boogie at it’s dirtiest. Great hooky old skool slap bass, spanky guitars and uplifting horns. The vocal hook has that Salsoul disco vibe and as for the percussion… well that is how to intensify a great groove. There is sometimes a misconception that disco is fast music but this is very much disco at a sexy tempo. Get on down with the jam band.
3. Yam Who – Do You Wanna Ride (CDR)
Awsome jazzy boogie tune, kind of P Funk meets West End, nice party tune. The vocal was written by Yam Who himself (he’s no sloucher this one) and the lyrics are right on the money. The vocal was delivered by Jazzy Soulster Norman Anderson who is destined for great things. Yam Who hasn’t released this one yet but I’m sure it will be coming out sometime this year. We can but hope.
4. Another Station – Another Station
Very nice european uptempo disco with great chords I think this is the New Lindstrom twelve. It has a very European sound to it which reminds me of old producers such as Cerrone. The moog melody is perfectly languid whilst the groove just keeps the floor moving. It has those great old arpeggiator sounds in it as well. You can’t beat the old ones can you.
5. Azymuth – Roda Piao (mark robertson spiritual south mix) (Far Out Recordings)
Future broken house classic, a very versatile tune. Mark Robertson has chopped up the vocals and created a great funky monster of a broken beat tune. It is one of those great moments when the old skool meats the new skool to great effect. This one certainly has the funk and will hopefully get played but lots of different types of DJ’s.
6. Bunny Mack – Supafrico (RCA)
Afro Disco at its best. This one is a “Keep the floor just there” kind of tune. The bass line just keeps you wanting to move to it, it’s infectious. With tight vocal harmonies and an uplifting turn around as well you can choose from the dub version or the original. I like the dub but that’s just me. It’s a very versatile tune because it has just the right amount of Disco, High Life and Funk.
7. Bakura Album Sampler – Especial Japan (Especial)
Excellent jazz boogie from Bakura. “Play the game” is the cut for me off this 12″. Again, dance music doesn’t have to be fast to get the dance floor moving. I’m not sure who the featured vocalist is on this one but it has the right elements. It’s very simple with only a few simple lyrics in it … but it works all the same. Funky bass and clav with a Jazzy turn around in it. High quality is always to be expected from labels such as Especial.
8. ZZZUS 120004 – Frontera ep Nature reverso 68 mix (Music For Dreams America)
Excellent downtempo euro boogie tune, very atmospheric. This instrumental has the vibe of old classics such as Rinder and Lewis’ “Lust” from the Seven Deadly Sins album. It features beautiful Strings and Harp. The melody doesn’t hit you between the eyes but adds color to the whole arrangement. This tune also features a a fantastic “break it down” section with percussion bubbling away whilst the Rhodes dubs off.
Faze Action Presents Orto Feat. Vanessa Freeman – Waiting Is Over is out February 27th on Papa Records.
