Melba

Soulful disco from Melba Moore, released on Epic in 1978. There are some killer instrumental breakdowns, and a nearly 2 minute instrumental intro for the loop heads. Melba's vocal performance is fantastic too.


Melba Moore - You Stepped Into My Life


Melba Moore on Discogs

Hand Jive

An unusual rock-n-roll meets Italo-tinged disco treat from Rinder and Lewis, released on AVI (check the 'Best of AVI Records' compilation, unmissable) in 1979. Complete with Moroder-esque arpeggiated bassline and some absolutely massive synth sweeps. Gotta love it.


Rinder and Lewis - Willie and the Hand Jive


Rinder and Lewis on Discogs

The Merriest Moog

You can't really beat this for a Christmas album sleeve design. No tunes today (more on the way soon, promise!!). Merry Christmas to all, thanks for the continuing support!

Get on Down

Gene Chandler's boogie-meets-disco jammer 'Get Down' from 1978 album of the same name, released on Chi Town.


Gene Chandler - Get Down (12" version)


Gene Chandler on Discogs

Tears For Fears

Dynamite yacht-pop edit from the mysterious Yuffle.


Yuffle - Rule the World


Yuffle on SoundCloud


Tears For Fears on Discogs

Inner Space

Ambient synth workout from Bobby Lyle, from the 1978 LP 'New Warrior', as sampled by Madlib for the intro to this beat on the Quasimoto album 'The Unseen'.


Bobby Lyle - Inner Space


Bobby Lyle on Discogs

High Noon

Stunning early house gem from the legendary Larry Heard, released on the 'Dance Tracs' EP in 1986 under the name Disco-D.


Disco-D - High Noon


Larry Heard on Discogs


Photograph by datadirt

The Mexican

Canadian disco group Bombers' explosive disco version of the b-boy classic 'The Mexican', released on West End in 1978. Insane drum breaks, definitely not to be missed.


Bombers - The Mexican


Bombers on Discogs

Sarr Band

Social Disco Club do a fine job editing this funky disco gem from the Sarr Band, released on Calendar Records in 1978.


Sarr Band - Double Action (SDC Edit)


Sarr Band on Discogs


Social Disco Club

Take Me to the River

Just great.


Talking Heads - Take Me to the River (The Noodleman Chopstick Dub)


Talking Heads on Discogs


The Noodleman on SoundCloud

Tubular Bells

Oft-sampled funky disco cover of Mike Oldfield's defining classic, released on French label Vogue in 1976. Huge drum break.


Champ's Boys Orchestra - Tubular Bells (Cosmic Mix)


Champ's Boys Orchestra on Discogs

Maserati

US Post-rock outfit Maserati is certainly not your run-of-the-mill guitar band. Their proggy, psychedelic instrumentals are laced with hypnotic melodies and creative percussion, all expertly produced. Here's the lead track from their 2007 LP 'Inventions for the New Season', released on Temporary Residence. For a more dancefloor-friendly reworking of this check the awesome 'Enjoy Your Prog' mix from Justin Van Der Volgen on the 'Inventions Remixes' 12", as championed by Norwegian disco king Prins Thomas.


Maserati - Inventions


Maserati on Discogs


Photograph by Yellow.Cat

Black Boots And Sine Waves

Daniel Wang's 'Black Boots And Sine Waves' from his 'Nocturnes' EP, released on Environ in 2001. Lush electronic disco from the man behind the legendary Balihu label, with an authentically retro quality.


Daniel Wang - Black Boots And Sine Waves


Daniel Wang on Discogs

Material

'Reduction' from the 1981 LP 'Temporary Music' by Bill Laswell's New York noise-funk outfit Material.


Material - Reduction


Material on Discogs

Under the Ice

Great chugged-out Italo-pop from Topo & Roby, 1984, released on Il Discotto. Here's the instrumental, at 256kbps.


Topo & Roby - Under the Ice (Instrumental)


Topo & Roby on Discogs


Photograph by rogscivid

Neu!

Apologies for the recent quiet patch, got some special new bits to post over the next few days. Let's start here. Beautiful track from legendary Krautrock outfit Neu!, from the 1975 LP 'Neu! '75'. Serene cosmic drone-rock instrumental with some huge Moog sweeps.


Neu! - Seeland


Neu! on Discogs


Photograph by außerirdische sind gesund

Roboterwerke

A nice minimal edit courtesy of Loud-E of German disco-krauters Roboterwerke's 'We Never Come Down' off the 'Futurist' LP, released on RCA in 1981.


Loud-E - Roboterwerke (Futurist Edit 1)


Roboterwerke on Discogs


Photograph by Felipe Rocha

Poyson

It's not often that boogie edits come as imaginatively dubbed out as this. Brighton's BlackLodge aka Motion XL aka Rob Fahay flips Gwen McCrae's 'Poyson' (originally released on the '81 LP 'Gwen McCrae') into a loopy, dubby chugger, tastefully building the percussive groove and holding back on the boogie goods until you're completely hooked.

Check Rob's website for more of his fine edits. He also hosts the weekly Sunday morning show on upfrontdance.net all across Brighton featuring a sure fire mix of boogie, disco and funk for anyone up early having their breakfast or still going from the previous night. And, if you're in the Brighton area (or even if you're not), you catch him down the Fishbowl Bowl Bar on the third Friday of every month playing an eclectic mix of soul, funk, disco, boogie, rare underground 60s/70s classics, the finest re-edits and some other stuff you won't be expecting, all deliciously left of centre.


Gwen McCrae - Poyson (BlackLodge Refix)


Gwen McCrae on Discogs


BlackLodgeMusic

Freakin' Time

Funky disco from Asphalt Jungle, released on TEC in '79, complete with perhaps the least subtle drugs/not drugs themed lyrics ever - hence the photograph. Nice briefcase.


Asphalt Jungle - Freakin' Time (Steve Moss re-edit)


Asphalt Jungle on Discogs

Jack's Back

Early Chicago house from Krush - not the bearded Japanese minimal hip-hopper, this is the Krush who bought us the classic 'House Arrest' on Mercury/Club in '87. I'm posting B-side track 'Jack's Back'. The classic jackin' 909 groove set off against Balearic/cosmic synths and a pitched choral hit make this one a winner for me.


Krush - Jack's Back


Krush on Discogs

Paradise Theme

Fantastic edit from Space-Kudu of Paradise Frame's 'Paradise Theme'. Off their 1978 self-titled LP. Extremely rare Canadian cosmic vocoder goodness. Be sure to check Space-Kudu's blog for plenty more top quality edits.


Paradise Frame - Paradise Theme (Space-Kudu long edit)


Paradise Frame on Discogs


Space-Kudu

Drilla

Mooqee masterfully flips the break from Jacko's monster classic into a deep, chugging disco edit gem.


Mooqee - Drilla


Mooqee on MySpace

They Came At Night

As promised, my edit of Patrick Cowley's 'They Came At Night', released on Rams Horn in 1983. Enjoy!


Patrick Cowley - They Came At Night (Kid Who Edit)


Patrick Cowley on Discogs

Space Patrol

David Keaton's 'Space Patrol', released on Roulette/Disques in 1983.


David Keaton - Space Patrol


David Keaton on Discogs

Skinny Slo Mo Mix

Alpha Neil kindly passed this over to me the other day. Slow-motion disco edits and beatdown house is the order of the day on this excellent mix from The Revenge (Instruments of Rapture), courtesy of Skinny Mag.


The Revenge - Skinny Slo Mo Mix - link fixed!


1. Ron Basejam - No Jose (Part 1) - CDR
2. Will Powers - Adventures In Success (Dub) - Island
3. 6th Borough Project - Do It To The Max - Instruments Of Rapture
4. Bob A Rela - Money (The Revenge Edit) - CDR
5. Alex Wilson - Ain't Nobody (The Revenge Edit) - CDR
6. Theo Parrish - The Rink - Sound Signature
7. Pete Herbert - Wally Dub - Redux
8. Michael Wycoff - Looking Up To You (The Revenge Rework) - L.E.S.S.
9. Kenneth Bager - Fragment One (The Revenge Remix) - Music For Dreams
10. Body 2 Body - Let's Get Intimate (DJ Harri Edit) - CDR
11. Rainer Trueby & Danilo Pesslow - Ayers Rock - CDR
12. Capracara - King Of The Witches (Rub N' Tug Remix) - DFA
13. The Revenge - Forever In Their Debt (Pitched Down House Mix) - Home Taping Is Killing Music
14. Franz Ferdinand - Ulysses (Beyond The Wizard's Sleeve Re-Animation) - Domino
15. Carol Williams - Can't Get Away - Vanguard


The Revenge on Discogs

The Revenge on MySpace

Rainbow Socks

I've just finished a remix for Brazilian label Rainbow Socks, based in São Paulo, for an upcoming EP from 3am (label owner and producer Pejota) which will be seeing a digital release in the near future. The EP will include two 3am originals with remixes, one remix from me and the other from Rio based producer Pedro Zopelar, who was kind enough to send me a bunch of tracks this morning. I've already been dropping his massive 3am remix for several weeks now (be sure to check it when the EP drops) and his other edits and productions do not disappoint. Here he flips a Jorje Ben record into a percussive house workout with an old shcool feel. Also check his original productions on Mister Mistery.


Zopelar - Umbabaraumba


Zopelar on MySpace


Rainbow Socks Records on MySpace

Grand Prix

'Cruisin' from the 1983 album 'Mach 1' by obscure French space disco/Italo outfit Grand Prix, released on Savoir Faire/Carrere.


Grand Prix - Cruisin


Grand Prix on Discogs


Image is a still from the 1966 film 'Grand Prix' directed by John Frankenheimer.

Mister Game

Kitsch cosmic Italo from Klapto, released on TELDEC in 1983. Here's the 9 minute maxi version. I've included the instrumental for the disco dub heads.


Klapto - Mister Game (Maxi Version)


Klapto - Mister Game (Instrumental)


Klapto on Discogs

The Analog Session II

I was especially pleased to find this video earlier. The Analog Session aka Alexander Robotnick and Ludus Pinsky are back with their second all-out vintage synth jam. If you missed their last video outing with 'Fun Fare', you can check it out here. Apparently both tracks will see a release later this month on This Is Music LTD. I for one will be keeping an eye out for that.


Alexander Robotnick on Discogs


Ludus Pinsky on Discogs

Megatron Man Megapost

Here's a treat... a few selections from the back catalogue of American electro-disco producer Patrick Cowley. After being scouted for his band by disco legend and gay icon Sylvester in the late 70s, Cowley produced a string of disco and hi-nrg classics. Sadly his career was cut short by his untimely death in 1982, caused by AIDS, aged only 32. He released 3 albums throughout '81 and '82, 'Menergy', 'Megatron Man' and 'Mind Warp', whilst also finding the time to engineer some killer remixes of the highest order, including his massive edit of Tantra's 'Hills of Katmandu', a personal favourite. He is perhaps most widely known for his transformation of Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love', turning Moroder's anthemic disco classic into a drugged-up, progressive 15 minute arpeggiathon, which I've posted below. I'm also including the awesome 'Sea Hunt' from the 'Megatron Man' LP and two pieces from the 'Mind Warp' album, the driving title cut and cosmic slow-burner 'Mutant Man'. Listening through tracks like these, its no surprise Cowley is considered an integral pioneer of electronic dance music.


Donna Summer - I Feel Love (Patrick Cowley Remix)


Patrick Cowley - Sea Hunt


Patrick Cowley - Mind Warp


Patrick Cowley - Mutant Man



Be sure to look out for my exclusive Halloween-themed (!) Cowley edit at the end of the month.


Patrick Cowley on Discogs

Lunar Jam

'Over and Over' from the Leeds-based label Lunar Jam's second release. Absolutely killer psychy midtempo edit business. Word on the grapevine is they've got another 12" in the works, so keep an eye out for that...


Lunar Jam - Over and Over


Lunar Jam on MySpace

Discofil

Obscure Czech loungey disco instrumental from Petr & Pavel Orm, from the 1979 LP 'Discofil' released on Panton.


Petr & Pavel Orm - Vikend (Weekend)


Petr & Pavel Orm on Discogs

Laser Cowboys

Madrid based producer Nelue was kind enough to send me a whole bunch of his own exclusive edits the other day. You may have heard his awesome 'No Strings Attached' on Eskimo's Cosmic Balearic Beats vol. 2 (vinyl/digital). His edits are seriously good: no simple loops or extended intros here, its all about layers and effects, totally reworking the source track. He's allowed me to post one up here, and although the choice was tough I had to go for this one. It's massive. Spaghetti Western guitars, big piano chords and a huge arpeggiated bassline. What more do you need?


Laser Cowboys - Ultra Warp (Nelue edit) (192kbps)


Laser Cowboys on Discogs

Nelue on MySpace


Photograph by tonystl

Lean To

Kiss summer goodbye with this beachy gem from Australian group Inverto, taken from the 'Time to Jack' EP on M Division, released in '08.


Inverto - Lean To


Inverto on Discogs


Photograph by the talented amalia chimera

Ultimate Warlord

High energy cosmic Italo on an epic scale from The Immortals, first released on RCA in 1979. I first heard this at 4am in Fabric earlier this year played by none other than Full Pupp/Internasjonal head honcho Prins Thomas, and believe me, it works a treat on a big system. Yes, it's ridiculously over-the-top and perhaps more comic than cosmic, but you can't deny the certain 70s sci-fi charm of this monster of a tune. Turn it up loud and wait for the soaring vocal hook to launch you into outer space before being obliterated by the immense pipe organ chords.


The Immortals - The Ultimate Warlord


The Immortals on Discogs

Futuristic Journey

Coyote smashes it with this cosmic midtempo treat, an edit of Biddu Orchestra's 'Futuristic Journey', off the 1979 LP of the same name. It's even been left nice and dusty too.


Biddu Orchestra - Futuristic Journey (Coyote Edit)


Biddu Orchestra on Discogs


Illustration by Dan McPharlin

Take a Break

Maurice Fulton's huge remix of Rollmottle's 'Take a Break', released on Sentrall in 2006.


Rollmottle - Take a Break (Maurice Fulton Remix)


Rollmottle on Discogs

I'm Gonna Love You

Spaced-out early house groove from Italian outfit Jestofunk, released in '91 on BCM. And whatever your opinion on the vocals (and for that matter, saxophone), I think they date it beautifully.


Jestofunk - I'm Gonna Love You


Jestofunk on Discogs

Black Lab

The Discossession remix of Naum Gabo's 'Black Lab', released on Endless Flight a couple weeks ago, at a respectable 128kbps. Grab the 12 here for the awesome original mix and massive 110bpm cosmic chugger 'Torus' on the flip.


Naum Gabo - Black Lab (Discossession Remix)


Naum Gabo on Discogs

Slo Jam

If you're about in London on Sunday this weekend make sure you come along to Slo Jam at the Roadtrip Bar, 243 Old St where at 4pm I will be opening proceedings for Alex Rajkovic and Red Rackem. The brief is simple: nothing above 120bpm, and I couldn't be happier! Expect a lazy afternoon of slow-motion disco and monged out house.

Be sure to check out the Red Rackem podcast over at Smugglers Inn Radio.

Red Rackem on MySpace

Sample D

'Sample D' from Front 242's 1983 EP 'Endless Riddance'.


Front 242 - Sample D


Front 242 on Discogs


Pic by OBNX MUTE

Strategi Gul

This track is ridiculously good, Grannens Förflutna's 'Strategi Gul' - and unfortunately it's also ridiculously rare. Even GEMM and Musicstack failed me on this one. If anybody knows of a copy be it vinyl or mp3 get in touch!

Demain, Le Jour

Cosmic manoeuvers from Joël Fajerman, from the '81 LP 'Azimuts'.


Joël Fajerman - Demain, Le Jour


Joël Fajerman on Discogs

Can you really dance to my beat?

Apologies for the recent absence, I've just started a new job and been away over the bank holiday, so found little time to post.

Here's a big track I used to play at Likwid in Bahrain years ago (my first DJ gig and residency!). I came across it via my good friend and sometime mentor Mr K who not only runs Likwid but is also a DJ with some serious skills and impeccable taste. More than that, he was arguably among the most fundamental heads to bring dance music to the Middle East, taking the first brave steps away from a strictly pop oriented scene and bringing top American and European DJs to play in Bahrain and Dubai. These days there is a strong dance music scene across the Gulf, with a new generation of Middle Eastern house and techno producers growing by the day. The killer Derrick Carter (pictured above) remix of Blaze's 'My Beat' from '99 instantly brings back memories of those early days for me, and I think it still works just as well today as it did back then.


Blaze - My Beat (Derrick Carter's Disco Circus Mix)


Blaze on Discogs

Thousand Finger Man

Legendary Cuban multi-percussionist Candido Camero's Latin/jazz/disco bomb 'Thousand Finger Man'. Classic Salsoul at its best.


Candido - Thousand Finger Man


Candido on Discogs

California Style

Reggae star Eddy Grant released 'California Style' in 1981 on Ice, an upbeat disco number with a corny Caribbean hook. Hidden in the last three minutes of the 12" version however is this monster break, with killer percussion and bass. This edit gets straight to the point, keeping just the break and discarding the rest of the tune.


Eddy Grant - California Style (edit)


Eddy Grant on Discogs

My Mine

Big Italo moves from My Mine, the instrumental version of 'Hypnotic Tango' from '83 on Progress.


My Mine - Hypnotic Tango (instrumental version)


My Mine on Discogs

Freshest Jam

A nice partybreak with an 80's disco flavour from the Southside Break Crew.


Southside Break Crew - Freshest Jam


Southside Break Crew on Discogs

Taste Like Honey

Cole Medina hits the mark with this stellar edit/remix of the Beegee's 'Love You Inside Out'. Pick up the 12" here to enjoy the equally brilliant Olivia Newton John edit on the flip.


Cole Medina - Cole Loves You Inside Out


Cole Medina on Discogs

Landshark

Looking through some old house bits and came across this awesome Chicken Lips remix of Landshark's 'Tie Me Up', from 2003, ripped at -6.


Landshark - Tie Me Up (Chicken Lips Trax Dub part 2) (Kid's -6 rip)


Landshark on Discogs
Chicken Lips on Discogs

New Music International

I'm on the hunt for 320 kbps mp3s of these two awesome tracks off the New Music International label, if anybody can help me out leave a comment and I'll get back to you!

Alpha Bits

After a very productive digging session in Edinburgh a couple weekends ago, Alpha Neil is back with two brand new killer edits. Cooltempo Unlimited Orchestra's 'K-Jee' is first to go under the knife, big early house grooves from 1990 with plenty of brass and a driving bouncey bassline. Second to receive the Alpha Neil treatment is obscure '78 Italo track 'Fly with the Wind' from the Peter Jacques Band, slowed, looped and dubbed into a hypnotic cosmic bomb. Quality work as usual from Mr Neil!


Cooltempo Unlimited Orchestra - K-Jee (Alpha Neil edit)


Peter Jacques Band - Fly with the Wind (Alpha Neil edit)


Cooltempo Unlimited Orchestra on Discogs
Peter Jacques Band on Discogs
Alpha Neil on MySpace

Fat Rat

An uncredited edit of Fonda Rae's 'Over Like A Fat Rat' with an extended DJ intro.


Fonda Rae - Over Like A Fat Rat (edit)


Fonda Rae on Discogs