House News

NYC's Disco powerhouse West End Records should need no intro. The home of too-numerous-to-list club classics for over 30+ years is still impacting today on what we know to be club culture. The label started by one Mel Cheren (RIP) with assistance from Larry Levan and more way back in 1976 is still held in such high regard today with it's catalogue constantly being played, rediscovered, reinterpreted and loved by waves and waves of new fans and admirers.
'The West End story Vol. 4' is an essential overview of this most iconic of labels and some of it's more 'under the radar' output, following on it's from it's predecessor the quality bar is obviously set extremely high, one only has to look over the tracklist to see the names and titles that are included! Rare and overlooked cuts from Taana Gardner, Sparque, Forrrce, Inez Brooks and more make up 4 joyous sides of essential forward looking post Disco classics - We're talking late 70's, early 80's, synths, mega overdubs, left-field arrangements and anything and everything in-between. A truly golden era of dance music history, names like Tom Moulton, Francois K, Tee Scott and more make up some of the talent featured on this flawless selection of goodies. Oh, and for the record (no pun intended) these are all the extended mixes, 12" versions and special cuts, all killer - no filler! All tracks featured re-mastered, re-pressed and re-released with the permission of and in conjunction with West End Records, New York City / BMG.

On Hans-Peter Lindstrøm's latest album, those northern disco lights are twinkling once more. Over the continuous stream of nine interlocked tracks on It's Alright Between Us As It Is, he's refined his love of arpeggiated synths, warm and steamy analogue bubble baths and earworm melodies into his most rounded and complete statement to date.

A Norwegian based in Oslo, Lindstrøm has always made a virtue of his obsessive work ethic, turning his city centre studio (where his neighbours include friends and collaborators Prins Thomas, Todd Terje and Andre Bratten) into a factory floor for churning out monster tracks, then punching out regularly and going home to his family. This is about music being woven seamlessly into the fabric of life.

The album's title is a direct quote from one of Lindstrøm's favourite movies, Ingmar Bergman's Wild Strawberries. This Swedish arthouse classic is about looking for meaning and finding closure at the end of a long life. About reaching the special place you've waited for all your life. A professor asks his longtime housemaid if they could become more familiar, starting with her brushing his teeth for him. She replies they shouldn't become too intimate: 'it's all right between us as it is.'

The album aggregates all the best elements from his long and varied career: the Balearic free-disco excursions of his two albums with Prins Thomas, experimental cosmic voyages in the vein of Six Cups of Rebel and 2015's collaboration with the stellar Todd Rundgren, Runddans, shimmering electronic pop featuring vocals by American singer Grace Hall ('Shinin') and Sweden's Frida Sundemo ('But Isn't It'). 'Bungl (Like a Ghost)' features a stream of conscious poem by transgressive Norwegian vocalist Jenny Hval. Most of all it reveals him as a masterful mood sculptor, with heart-stopping chord changes rolling over his relentlessly uplifting beats.

Conceived as a continuous flow, each side of the vinyl version will play as one track, while the CD and streaming versions will be timestamped. But in any case, once you're strapped into Lindstrøm's driverless vehicle, you won't want to get out. It's alright as it is. In fact, it's more than alright: it's almost nearly perfect.

Casino Times continue on their crusade into the speakers of Earth's hottest dancing spots with the fourth edition of the Casino Edits series.

For the A-Side, the duo encapsulate the energy that has made the previous records in the series so memorable, this time by taking the cosmic sounds of a Space Disco favourite and reconstructing it into a punchy, euphoric, electronic symphony.

The B-Side sees the BPM's drop and the concepts become more left-of-centre.
The B1, a cut-up UK Grunge head nodder, features gritty guitars, a sludgy bassline and a pulsating synth lead.
Whilst on the B2, a well-loved Italo essential is reincarnated as a dramatic piece of sequenced bliss..

Musica Altra is a brand new label exploring the underground scene of World Music. Musica Altra's first release is this Ep by the (great) jazz saxophone improviser and experimenter Gianni Denitto, who's been travelling the globe performing and recording sounds in every State he visited. Here is a preview of his upcoming album including a remix by the superb producer and music lover Japan Blues. Close your eyes and let your journey begin.

The "must have" status of Joey Negro's "Remixed With Love" series has been firmly cemented with both DJ and home listening disco lovers since the release of the first two Volumes. Since the last release JN has been working hard on sourcing more disco multitrack tapes and producing new remixes while the ZR team have been equally dedicated to clearing and licensing these new versions.

The enduringly popular Mtume/Lucas produced Phyllis Hyman soul classic "You Know How To Love Me" gets a new makeover that reworks the original elements into a more dramatic version with many peaks and troughs, stretching it out to over 10 minutes. Even for those love the original this new mix gives a favourite song a fresh new perspective and reason to be played again.

Motown Sounds Philly style instrumental "Bad Mouthin" was an underground hit on dance floors in New York, London and Chicago from the late 70's onwards. It was also famously sampled in Bob Sinclar's no 1 "Gym Tonic". The original is a pretty dense, everything in all the way through style production, whereas the JN mix opens things up in a bit with more room for the individual parts to be heard. The end result is an extremely energetic bassline
driven disco cut that works super well on the dancefloor.

Some songs comes along that you seem to know the moment you hear it, even though it's for the first time. In the case of Spark The Universe it had exactly that impact. A mixture of late-60s psychedelic homage, early 80s new wave, white boy soul, plus a good dose of dub, all wrapped around a killer hook and super tight production and a hit was surely made.
The fact there are many deserving records that don't become a hit doesn't mean some are better than others and in fact, the joy in collecting and reissuing is finding amazing songs and bringing them back.
Increasingly heard in the sets of the more discerning DJs, Spark The Universe has become a cult play and with second hand prices now in three figures, a reissue is timely. As the label oft says, no one owns this music other than the writers, musicians and producers and their craft deserves to be appreciated.
Before going on to carve a successful career in 'electronica' project, Euphoria, Toronto's Ken Ramm had shown his considerable writing and playing ability with the 1981 debut LP Dragon and this 1983 follow up, known simply as Ramm.

Coming together through a meeting with a then relatively unknown producer, Daniel Lanois, via a mutual interest in tape loops and dubbing, it was the suggestion to bring in local vocalist Lorraine Segato that Ramm formed.
Recording at Lanois' Grant Avenue Studios, his interest in mixing past and present technology, with multiple digital delay units, harmonizers and other effect processors allowed Ramm and Lanois to explore using the studio as an instrument alongside real musicianship.

Backwards guitars, tremolo bar dives and guitar harmonics are incorporated with the vocals and percussion to perfection. With a 'Dance' and alternative 'Dub', the song's hypnotic and dreamy feel superimposed over beats pin-pointed to the later Euphoria project and with the addition of a latter day 'Discomix', from the labels' own Chuggy, Spark The Universe deserves it's place on contemporary dancefloors.

Edit King, Alkalino delivers Wall Of Fame's First Solo release with 4 tasteful reworks.

Kolour LTD #20 comes courtesy of Closed Paradise. Having released on Sleazy Beats offshoot Fools & Fables and releases lined up on Whiskey Disco, Vinyl Addicted, and of course ours - there's plenty to be excited about in Paradise.

As an added bonus we've invited in a duo that we've been real big fans of as of late for some remix action.

Fresh off the heels of their blinding EP on Detroit Swindle's Heist Recordings - we're proud to welcome Brame & Hamo to the family!

Contemporary producer E. Myers has self released four limited edition white label 12's since 2015, whilst managing to remain low profile. Whoever they are, we guess they're huge fans of late 1980s Chicago House, Shep Pettibone, Colourbox and most of our reissues. So much that they asked us to re-release their second 12' 'Hate / Love' from 2016 backed with new remix of Hate' made for DarkEntries. Love' kicks off the A-side beats out a wood-cut tattoo of tuff drums rubbed with balloon-squeak synths to sound like Gesloten Cirkel meets Helena Hauff,' said Boomkat. Hate' is a dreamy house number that ultilzes a Roland TR-707 drum machine with a rounded bassline, horns and strings that lift it into the stratosphere. For the new remix of Hate' Myers subtly shifts the pace and deepens the groove, stretching out the song to over 7 minutes of dubbed out New Beat phantasia. All songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The 12' is housed in a die cut disco jacket that features an original design by Eloise Leigh.

Second Edits Ep from Mick Wills on Vielspass/Prego with courtesy of Alain Seghir. «The lights» is a New Wave anthemn carried out by one of the most talented and obscure french band of the eighties : Martin Dupont. Deeply romantic «the light goes through my mouth» and «He saw the Light» are enhanced by the Dx7 amazing synths atmospheres, both tracks shaped into Mick Wills stunning club versions. This release is inspired by Natalie Ann's love for Martin Dupont's «The Light Goes Through My Mouth», helped by the magic touch of Isabella Venis associated to Knappy Kaiserknappy for the design / Artwork and thanks to Isolator for the Mastering. Future Classic.Cult, mythical, legendary... these few adjectives qualify well Martin Dupont, the 'electric-new-wave-with-clarinet' trio. They were formed at the dawn of the eighties in Marseille. The mystery that surrounded the group (started with it's name) founded by two girls Catherine Loy who was quickly replaced by the english clarinet/synthesiser player, Beverley Crew, by Brigitte Balian (guitariste/synthesiser) and also by the brilliant bass player (and synthesiser!) Alain Seghir, went on to create the french New Order. It must be said, that the enigmatic album covers of the label Facteurs d'Ambiance, signed Yves Cheynet, played a large part in the aura that surrounded Martin Dupont.
The success was immediate, and after the band members separated in 1989, leaving behind a mini and two fantastique albums, everything was set for Martin Dupont to become a true myth. Their luminous, modest and on edge music was very innovative coming out of the beaten tracks of new wave from back in the day. We can confirm that 30 years later: It has never been equaled. How many musicians today from all borders can talk about their veneration and respect for Martin Dupont It is a whole generation of electro artists (but not only) inspired by the sweet madness of Alain, tempered by the imagination and sensitivity of Brigitte, Catherine and Beverley. And of course all those who visited them in the studio and who were invited to participate in a spirit of openness and freshness, uncommon in this environnement. Repressed, remixed and redistributed in 2017, is only justice as Martin Dupont remains eternal and modern. Listen to it, you will not forget them.'

Strut present the first ever new international studio album by one of the all-time great African big bands. Orchestre Les Mangelepa. Comprising Congolese musicians who settled in Kenya. Les Mangelepa helped drive the East African evolutionary spur of one of the greatest musical art forms, African rumba during the 1970'a.

Whomadewho drummer/producer and electronic-pop stalwart Tomas Barfod arrives on Friends of Friends this November with his third album as a solo artist and his second for the Los Angeles label.

Berlin's resident Electroid funkmeister Vertical67 is the latest release from the Magic Waves label with a 4 track EP of 'Positive Vibes' to get your summer into gear with. Vocodered electro builder 'Clacid' opens proceedings before we're hit with the summery anthemic and futuristic Italo sounds of 'Back In The Groove', while on the flip 'Let's Dance' continues that feeling before we're whisked off 'Into The Night' with the closing track in pure aquatic Detroit styled bliss. Copies are limited and pressed on stunning transparent red vinyl!

A new group strut their way down the Bordello boardwalk. The chameleon outfit of Yellocat, emblazoned with colour, arrive with Dans La Boutique and are true to their debut 12' title. A deep wardrobe of styles has been raided for this four track EP. First comes the latin funk of 'Mi Hermano', a lust laden duet of sweet chords and dancefloor desires, before the lounge romance of 'Tout A` Moi.' Language is played with, Spanish shimmies into French before English takes over the flip. 'Rivals of Mars' is brash interplanetary battle. Synthlines glisten against vocoder lyrics in an epic struggle between our world and theirs. The pop-scented warmth of 'Chasing the Light' leads the 12' out, a ballad of late night excess amidst the glass and steel of the city.

Higher Moment / Amnesia is the follow up to Paradise / In Love An Arc, AMOR's debut 12", which surfaced in May 2017. Culled from the same sessions at Chem 19 and The Green Door in Glasgow, these two tracks elevate the ecstatic, transcendent aesthetic Richard Youngs, Luke Fowler, Michael Francis Duch and Paul Thomson introduced with their previous release. AMOR is collectivism in the servitude to trance, a master class in ensemble playing, an avant-disco one-mind.

The legendary Beppe Loda delivers four Italian cuts to heat up the dance floors!

DJ Support: Andrew Weatherall, Horse Meat Disco, Soul Clap, Psychemagik, Greg Wilson

Die Begegnung zwischen den Produzenten, Musikern und langjährigen Freunden Nicola Conte und Gianluca Petrella bringt uns eine 12" EP mit Einflüssen aus Detroit, Afro Spiritual Jazz und zeitgenössischer Disco-Atmosphäre. Der A-Side Track "African Spirit" ist ein spirituelles Mantra, ein einfacher Dancefloor-Groove, der ein ekstatisches Gefühl erzeugen kann. Der "New World Shuffle" auf der anderen Seite ist auf dem gleichen Element aufgebaut und wird durch die Vocals von Bridgette Amofah ergänzt, was eine tolle Tribal-Stimmung erzeugt.

Initially released in 1984 on legendary Discomagic Records, the first record of Otto Mix (Ottorino Menardi) - Sahara Sand - returns.
Attic Salt Discs brings you an official remastered reissue of this hybrid italo classic. Features George Aaron on vocals and the Visnadi brothers on the keyboard and drum machines. Written by Renzo Zennaro.A fine downtempo cut that has withstood the test of time and remains in the current DJ mixes!

Respectful edits from NYC's finest JKriv (Razor N Tape)

Limited Edition (300 copies only) 12"inch remastered reissue of the Italo disco classic "Stop Your Lies" from Middle Ages a Studio Project from 1984.

Tropical Jam is a new project from a producer from Ukraine and a collector from Australia, who wanted to share some special pieces with like-minded DJ's. The emphasis is on world music but also with an intention for the dancefloor.

TJE-001 is the first release on Tropical Jam, offering 3 different Edits. The A1 side is a peak time Afro Disco bomb with an infectious vocal. A2 is a mid-tempo Electro Boogie workout. B1 takes us to the Caribbean with a synthy slow burner, on the Reggae / Disco tip.

Before coming back in September for a new year of new releases, LDDLM gives you their current mood and state of affairs in the form of a sampler 12" GRIEVE NOT, BUT TRY AGAIN.
Luke Abbot's mix of EASTER's "Champagne" has been in our drawers since the very early days of the label but still shines as new. No dust gathered. Easter's "synth pop" is turned into a slow, yet nor chugging, futuristic r n'b number. This is our conception of sunrise music.
TOM OF ENGLAND grasps the metallic fury of Mutado Pintado's classic "Lazy boy" and chops it in a grinder. Decomposition / re-composition with of high industrial standard.
A SCENE FROM A FUTURE, a from-a-lost-tape edit by our underbuy MANFREDAS has been one of our biggest club tracks for the last year. Check his recent Boiler Room ending to know how warped yet strangely hit-like it is.
Finally, COWBOY RHYTHMBOX decided of their own accord to do a club edit of GOLDEN BUG's "Physical Disco". We liked it, we release it. Simple and effective. Jugular attack.

E. LIVE really set the tone for STAR CREATURE back in 2015 & now after nearly 2 years, he makes a proper return. His first 2 7" releases have been 2 of the hottest records in the modern funk/disco genre. He works his magic here with a dance floor filler on Side A and the instrumental 'MASTER BLASTER' on the flip.

The Vivien Vee project, an Italian singer discovered and produced by young duo Claudio Simonetti - Giancarlo Meo, has certainly been one of the first and best attempts to impose a clear European-style disco music. The first tracks, as well as the sequels, will be released from the banana records and the real big international success comes in 1983 with this album "with vivien vee", thanks in particular to the 2 strong singles "Higher" and "Blue Disease". This album, produced entirely by Giancarlo Meo, contains, in this rare special edition, 6 tracks in extended original versions, very rare to be found individually. Featuring a sound that is still up to date, it also meets the most demanding palates for the finest style of the best disc, all in one single vinyl: From the powerful and robust funky electronic to "Destiny" and "Wanna Feel" reminding of the best production of Change and Peter Jacques Band, still transmitted by milano international classic, "Gotta Go" in pure Imagination style, to the absolute pearls in "Higher" (cult of disco-disco) and "Blue Disease" explosive electro break synth-pop. Particularly important is that the texts are signed by the great Rossana Casale. Basically a vinyl that is unmissable for any collector or fan of the best Italian productions in the 80's.

One of our favourite records on PPU has just been repressed.
The clip is all the tracks in one file. Sorry for lack of individual clips but trust us as this record is a belter.

Let's face it, summer in New York City is sweltering. Even with all the windows open and fans on high, it is hard to find refuge in Alliance Upholstery's Chinatown offices. Today's sweat though, is due to the Dancer on the Shore' EP, the latest release by the Brooklyn based band, Lemonade (Cascine/True Panther Sounds). Dancer' is a subdued summertime collage of steel drums, buoyant electronic pads and windswept vocals. Joined by Dee Dee from Dum Dum Girls, it is a celebration of the space where humans and nature exist in harmony. Originally released digitally as a single on Cascine in 2015, the band created a DJ friendly extended mix for this release. If you have been to the Air A Dancer' party over the last few seasons, you have likely already heard it (sometimes twice in one night!). If that wasn't enough to pique your interest, the remixes put this one over the top. First, the Jex Opolis (Good Timin'/Running Back) Dub picks it up in his Cutlass Supreme (look at his Kingdom, look at his car) with a full day of activities planned. Top down, wind in your hair, cooler full of ice, spf a million, this is Eddie Grant approved dub at beach. Think California Style in Long Island. After sundown, the Whatever/Whatever (Justin Strauss and Bryan Mette) mix builds a bonfire in the dunes. Hard hitting drums and soaring synths make this mix perfect for dancing all night and howling at the moon. As the night gives way to morning, Jex's vocal remix wipes the sand off your feet, finds your lost t-shirt, and gets you ready for new day.Keep this one in your bag all summer. If you can't make it out to the Rockaways, this is about as close as you can get.

The 8th volume in the Riviera Disco series with Model Man and Kraver from The Netherlands, Iamnotarobot from Spain and Can Love Be Synth from Germany!

WONDER STORIES' head man AIMES drops his 1st 12" of 2017. A 13 min space disco jam with enough oomph for the dancefloor and enough weirdness for the headphones. Italian legend DJ ROCCA slows things down to a drugged out chugger while SF disco champ BEAT BROKER cranks it up into a house groover.