House News

Caserta’s favourite era of house was when the line between hip hop and house was really only made visible by the tempo of the songs. An art mastered by legends like Kenny Dope, Armand Van Helden and DJ Sneak to name a few.

FF to 2023, Caserta returns to that form with Joe’s Boutique. An obvious nod to the craftwork of the seminal album Paul’s Boutique by the Beastie Boy’s. Caserta fired up the samplers and sliced and diced his way to his first EP in years. With swinging drums, heavy basslines, chopped up vocals and music you might think you stumbled across a lost Strictly Rhythm acetate but mixed and mastered to year 2728 by the man himself.

Complete with vocal interludes segueing from track to track this truly is a listening experience as well as a dance floor filler all in one.

There is nothing quite like an evening under the rhythmic spell of the legendary David Morales. Stepping on the dancefloor while he's behind the decks requires full trust and surrender. You agree to hand the reins of your mind, body, and spirit to his intuition and ability to guide you to where you need to be at all times. It will occasionally be cathartic and intense. It will often make the hairs on your body stand on end, and make you sweat more than you ever have before. The endorphin release will be powerful. You will feel like you can touch joy and euphoria it in the air around you. As he gently brings you back down to reality, you will feel renewed and ready for anything life brings your way. This is more than a night of dancing. This is an experience at the hands of a magical maestro of music. How is this possible from a night on the dancefloor? Well, it begins with the brilliant mind of an artist at the peak of his creative power, imbued with the empathy necessary to connect with what has become a global legion of fans. "If there is any secret, it's really simple: I love what I do with all of my heart," Morales says. "I'm a DJ first. I thrive on human interaction. I am always adjusting my sets based on what the people in the room need. Each night, we form an emotional connection that inspires the music as it comes."

For Morales, "working in the studio is important, but it exists as a way of supporting the DJing experience. It's all to inform how it will work on the dancefloor."

To that end, you're reading these words as you dive into a new collection of Morales classics. Ever the collaborator, he has enlisted the input of a wide range of voices and talent. There is the diva power of fellow legend Ultra Nate, who brings her signature sass to "I Can Dream," while Michele Perera's explosive chemistry with David is all over the inspiring "Life is a Song" and "Never Give Up", as well as the impassioned "Addicted."

Morales reminds the listener of his ever-evolving musical scope in collaborations with blondewearingblack ("What Can I Do"), Lea Lorien ("Never Looking Back"), and Blakkat ("Can't Get Enough"). There's the clubland supergroup of David with Mr. V, Scotty P. and DJ Rae on "The Feels." Rounding out the set is a reunion with longtime muses Elle Cato ("I Feel Love") and British soul icon Joe Roberts ("Easy"). Just be sure to listen closely, because there's bound to be a surprise tucked between these grooves to tickle your ears and move your body.

The beauty of this sparkling new foray into electronic music is the heightened intimacy between Morales and the music. What you are hearing here is almost exclusively from the man's own fingertips. "The technology has evolved in the most extraordinary and liberating ways," he says, adding that he is now able to be far more directly hands-on during the building of each track. "Back in the '90s, I had to have more people involved, With the changes and growth in technology, I can now do it, myself. I don't even have to be in the studio anymore. It's smart, financially, but it's also way more fun and creative."

David adds, "I don't have to wait to manifest an idea anymore. I can just build my ideas as they come to me." In fact, he reveals that many of these new tracks were born in unique places, like planes, cars, his bedroom, and a host of other settings. "Music is always spinning around my mind. I no longer worry about losing an idea."

Surviving the highs and lows of an ever-changing world has also brought Morales back to the basic essentials of life and music. "The pandemic has brought things full circle for me," he says. "I love what I do and I still have the passion of a kid who is just getting started"

Yet, we know that Morales has been in the game for longer than a minute. He's a Grammy award-winning producer, remixer, and songwriter. He has lent his skill to countless of records by icons that include Mariah Carey, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer, Seal, and Jamiroquai. As a turntable artist originally from New York City, he earned his bones of credibility back in the '80s and '90s in clubs like the Paradise Garage, Red Zone, Tunnel, and Club USA. He initiated the concept of DJs touring beyond their hometowns with countless, wildly successful treks that have taken him the farthest-reaching corners of the world. As electronic music thrives on pop radium, David tops the list of every young artist and DJ as a primary influence.

Even with such a staggering legacy, Morales never looks over his shoulder.

"That is how you stumble and fall," he says. "If you get all caught up in the past, you're going to lose sight of what is right in front of you. You lose the excitement of discovery. That is what gets me off; taking what I know and combining it with what I don't know as I learn it. There is nothing better than experiencing how it all comes together. It's different every time."

And that is the ultimate secret to that extraordinary spell that David Morales casts over us all every single time.

First Word Records is very proud to welcome Eye Of The High to the label, with this vinyl-only double-dose of Brit Funk magic - 'Seismic Shift' and 'Elevate'.

Eye Of The High is a collaborative project headed by Femi Fem and Glen Scott.

Femi Fem is a DJ and producer, perhaps best known as being a member of Young Disciples, the iconic '90s band on the Talkin' Loud stable, whose seminal classic album 'Road To Freedom' was shortlisted for a Mercury Music Award. An iconic LP in the canon of UK soul music, this was a huge inspiration for First Word as a label. As a group, the YD's also worked with Loose Ends, Des'ree, IG Culture and many more.

A longtime international player on the DJ scene, Femi hosts a weekly Sunday night show on Mi-Soul Radio, runs MOBO Award-winning night 'Rotation' at Ladbroke Grove's Subteranea, and has performed at events for Prince, Janet Jackson, Stella McCartney, Jade Jagger and Gucci, additionally to providing music for shows by fashion designers like Ozwald Boateng and Katherine Hamnett.

Glen Scott is an award-winner producer, multi-instrumentalist and longtime collaborator with Femi since the mid nineties. Together they've worked on productions and remixes for the likes of Mary J Blige, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, D'Influence and The Pasadenas. Meanwhile, Glen's long list of additional productions and accomplished engineer roles include work with artists like Beverley Knight, Craig David, Luis Fonsi and Eric Bibb.

The duo's passion for all things soulful brought them together as a songwriting and production team initially, and forms the basis of their current incarnation, Eye of the High, now a collective of international musicians. Aiming to cater to the mind, body and soul, their sound comes from the cultural foundations of their Jamaican and Sierra Leone backgrounds, fused into the melting pot of London's many flavours. Their sonic influences are worn on their sleeves, with the classical ethics and sensibilities of funk, disco, r&b, jazz and street soul shining through, while presented in a contemporary style and pattern for today's dances, exuding passion, experience and feel-good vibes.

So to the sophomore single offering from the band. 'Seismic Shift' is a brand new uptempo track that encompasses all the wonder and power of this new wave of Brit Funk. Tough bassline, smooth vocals, jazzy licks, sweet keys and a heavy disco groove, with a little vocoder action thrown in for good measure. There's no doubt this one will cause a seismic shift when dropped in any dance.

Flipside 'Elevate' was previously released digitally-only last Spring, through their own Higher Grade imprint. Four minutes of sheer upliftment, it received love from Gilles Peterson, Lauren Laverne, Trevor Nelson, Jeff Young, Tony Minvielle, Patrick Forge, Grant Nelson, Ross Allen, DJ Spoony, Ashley Beedle, Gordon Mac, Seamus Haji, Ronnie Herel, Dez Parkes, Mickey D, Roy The Roach and numerous other key selectors, subsequently being played across BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 2, NTS, Mi-Soul, Jazz FM and many others. This is the first time the original track has been released on vinyl.

In Eye of the High's words "living in the midst of cataclysmic upheaval in the world provoked the Eye of the High team to create differently. Emerging out of this process, 'Seismic Shift' is about making great change. It feels appropriate for us to align with First Word Records to release 'Seismic Shift' as a vinyl single, with the ever popular dancers fave 'Elevate'. In the video and artwork, we reference the imagery of WW2 African American soldiers whom, on their return to the USA, sparked the fires of a seismic shift in civil rights activism. We are part of a new tide in positivity."

One that's absolutely vital for your crates, this limited double AA side 7" single is released via First Word Records on October 28th 2022.

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RILY: Young Disciples, STR4TA, Freeez, Beggar and Co, Hi-Tension, Incognito, Central Line, Loose Ends, Omar, EWF, Funkadelic, Acid Jazz, Talkin' Loud, Rare Groove

Orange Tree bossman Jimmy Rouge gets his shears out for another round of evergreen edits from deep in the depths. Soundsystem crunchin new wave and synth pop sounds, sit side by side with mind expanding downtempo melters for this all hitters, no critters four tracker.

The dynamic collaboration showcases a twist on the typical Purple Disco Machine sound - this time leaning into electronic indie pop with shimmering synth textures, a bubbling electro bassline, and Nothing But Thieves’ unmistakeable vocals. The unique blend of genres from both artists is further enhanced by the dynamic production of the band’s vocals by Dom Craik and the co-production of the backing track by chart topping producer Duke Dumont, who has a friendship with Purple Disco Machine borne out of playing shows together over the years, and a mutual respect for each other's work.

With its shimmering synth-stabs, 'Something On My Mind' wastes no time in captivating the listener with its irresistible groove. Supported by a pulsating electro bassline, each verse builds anticipation, paving the way for a euphoric chorus where Conor Mason's vocals soar to his iconic falsetto disco-bliss heights. Clocking in at a blistering three and a half minutes, this indie dance anthem is poised to win over a fresh wave of admirers for both Purple Disco Machine and Nothing But Thieves, flawlessly melding their distinct sounds into an exhilarating musical fusion.

Die dynamische Kollaboration zeigt einen Twist auf den typischen Purple Disco Machine-Sound - dieses Mal in Richtung elektronischer Indie-Pop mit schimmernden Synthesizer-Texturen, einer blubbernden Elektro-Bassline und Nothing But Thieves' unverwechselbarem Gesang. Die einzigartige Mischung aus den Genres beider Künstler wird durch die dynamische Produktion des Gesangs der Band durch Dom Craik und die Co-Produktion des Backing-Tracks durch den Chartstürmer Duke Dumont noch verstärkt, mit dem Purple Disco Machine eine Freundschaft verbindet, die durch gemeinsame Auftritte über die Jahre hinweg und den gegenseitigen Respekt vor der Arbeit des anderen entstanden ist.

Mit seinen flirrenden Synthie-Stabs verschwendet »Something On My Mind« keine Zeit damit, den Hörer mit seinem unwiderstehlichen Groove zu fesseln. Unterstützt von einer pulsierenden Elektro-Bassline, baut jede Strophe die Vorfreude auf und ebnet den Weg für einen euphorischen Refrain, in dem Conor Masons Gesang in seine ikonischen Falsett-Disco-Höhen aufsteigt. Die dreieinhalbminütige Indie-Dance-Hymne wird sowohl Purple Disco Machine als auch Nothing But Thieves eine neue Welle von Bewunderern bescheren, da sie ihre unterschiedlichen Sounds perfekt zu einer aufregenden musikalischen Fusion verschmelzen.

For his first outing on RNT, Parisian soul-slinger Reverend P brings his signature reverent touch to a tasty edit 4 pack. The A-side comes in hot with the well-worn but ever-funky "Feel The Heat" then finishes sweet with "Strong Enuff," reworking an often overlooked soul burner. On the flip we have the crooning and swooning late-nite vibes of "The Way You Get Me" followed by "Soul Fire," a clever bit of edit cheekiness that's sure to turn some heads and move them bootays!

Soichi Terada & Masalo team up to produce club mixes of tracks from Soichi's 'Asakusa Light' on Rush Hour. TIP!

Debut release for the brand new mediterranean label ‘R&C Records’ based on just “benessere” (well-being).

It opens with ‘Eram’ a nice italo-balearic flavoured fusion between Carella’s sounds & sea winds, ruffled by drums of “Soul”.

On the flip-side ‘Key Mon’ is a splash of psycho roller drums on Peter’s magical voice. Shock !!

Disco is back! From Paris to Melbourne, Berlin or Athens, a new blend of 70s inspired disco sound is currently taking the dancefloors by storm with artists like Monika, L'Impératrice or LeonxLeon, creating a stir on the international scene. Paying their dues to the pure form of Disco, these new artists, far from mimicking the clichés, are adding an unmistakable millennium twist to the genre. This is Disco 2.0

Summer is coming, and it's coming hot ! As if Happiness Therapy's year wasn't shiny enough - with banging releases from Harrison BDP, Jesse Bru, Matthieu Faubourg, Black Loops, Vitess and Popka - label head Crowd Control brings out 4 disco house weapons to the dancefloors. Get ready to spend some funky holidays !

City life isn’t always easy or pleasant, but whether you call it home or you're just out for a visit, there’s an undeniable energy that envelopes you. Danger becomes excitement, speed becomes the regular pace, and exhaustion morphs into an urge to rally, to not miss a beat of what these myriad concrete jungles have to offer. And after a while, you learn to settle into it. You relax, you walk with a little more ease, and, eventually, you become yourself at your most slick. Hiatt dB’s
City Slick celebrates that carnality of the city, while simultaneously asking the one question burning in every city dweller’s mind - why am I even here?? Rat races, dumpster res, endless injustice, outrageous prices, conquered green spaces... an innite array of inhumanity hurled in your face on a daily basis; Is it really worth it? But we all know why
we're here, and it’s not something you can verbalize. It’s the feeling you get when the hellscape precipitates that which life is all about: real, serendipitous, life-arming experience.

Still, even on its best days, the City can be unkind. So if you need some tunes to help you push on, Hiatt’s cooked up the perfect soundtrack for your pavement-pounding steps

Josh Milan has been recording music professionally for over 30 years.He's played every role from artist to engineer in the studio.This project, Honeysweet, focuses on his production and musicianship.Utilizing only one musician on sax, Josh plays every instrument and sings every note on this project. His songs are packed with soulful dance floor grooves inspired by iconic, soulful groups like Brian Auger, Cymande, Pleasure, Africano, Santana and others.

"I wanted to do music that made me and my family feel good when I was growing up. It's the kind of music that families dance to at gatherings with a record player and no DJ”, says Josh. “Intros, Accents, Breakdowns, Bridges, and endings were all part of the music.” This music will transport Josh's audience to a place of musical freedom. This is music with, seemingly, no rules.

Josh Milan describes each track on the Honeysweet EP “Exodus” in his own words :

"Last Night Changed It All featuring Lawrence Clark on sax is the kind of groove that keeps its dance floor value while holding up the banner of true musicianship. This song was written after hearing a DJ set,where the DJ didn’t seem to be concern about staying within a musical box. He played all sorts of music in one set. I knew then that I’d branch out musically when recording.Rhodes, picked bass guitar, rhythm guitar and drum kit is all that's needed on this one.”

"Exodus the manipulation of major and minor chords in this groove make it complex and interesting. The listener is lead by the organ solo featured here. The song is a mental escape. A mental exodus complete with bongo section.”"Being Free is a message that captures the point of this entire project. Musical freedom and expression is where this project gets its
fuel. Horns, are included on this production. A true expression of soulful music. Being free should be all the time I'm your mind all the time.”

“Cranberries and Cream is my tribute to funk grooves as they were featured on records in 70’s. I’m a fan of that sound and I like to play by own funk grooves when I’m alone. This is one of the tracks on the ep I prefer to rock.”

“And So She Waits has eerie sounding pads in the background. They linger throughout the track. Popping in and out, as though they’re waiting for something. You will hear the change in mood once she is no longer waiting. The groove returns to it’s original state. Only she is no longer waiting, he is.”

“Crazy is me bringing the funk to dirty house music. Complete with house piano in the mix. The chords are unsettling. They are, in fact,Crazy. I though adding a horn arrangement to a house track like this would sound interesting and different.”Honeysweet “Exodus” out at all digital outlets and double pack vinyl set.

John Barera (Allergy Season, Dolly, Sorry Records) joins the roster of Will Buck’s Off Track Recordings this September with his four-track ‘Message In The Air’ EP. New York based producer, DJ and Cross Street Music label boss John Barera has long been a highly acclaimed artist in the world of underground House and Techno. In 2022, he scored his rst lm as well, Marc17 in the House. His material has graced many taste making labels, while his DJ sets have taken him
to hotspots like Panorama Bar, Fabric, Smart Bar, Razzmatazz, Floyd, Video Club, Tangent Gallery and many more. Here we see Barera, a prolic collaborator who drops solo albums as well, delivering his rst solo ep in six years via the edgling Off Track Recordings. On this record, Barera steps up with his trademark raw house, now infused with live instruments or even a vocal across four soul drenched house
cuts.

Russian producer Rambal Cochet aka Volta Cab, an artist very much influenced by Goa Trance brings three new tracks with a sound that captivates us to that time, adding New Beat and EBM waves close to ‘Valencia Sound’ and its legendary ‘Ruta Destroy’. The record includes an absolute banger: a Kris Baha remix to burn the dancefloor, as usual.

Frappé is set for a powerful finish of the year, welcoming the great S3A as a very special guest on its 6th Various Artist EP « The Godbanger », to be released on December 10th. Alastair Lane, one of the hottest young talents to emerge from Paris in recent years co-stars the EP with the French funky House music don, pursuing Frappé’s tradition to bring together well-established producers and futur stars of the French scene. For the party to be complete, the two guests are joined by the label co-founders Ten Fingerz and Basile the Suresnes, with the 4 artists placing « The Godbanger » under the sign of funk and disco, for a 5 track EP that will have you booty-shaking all night.

Compiling the follow-up to a very successful first album is always a tricky task, but just 12 months since the release of volume one in the 'With Love' series, miche has excelled himself once again with another glorious, deep dive into the world of rare soul. 15 tracks of independently released music, created by magnificent artists with stories to tell and primed for rediscovery.

The ambition to celebrate under-the-radar artists has remained, but instead of a facsimile of volume one, what we have here is a selection shaped by life changes. Volume two is for the dancers; still soulful, still ultra-rare and slept-on records from the USA, Chile, Brazil and beyond, but the dynamics of the collection have shifted slightly. It represents a move from being immersed in a week in week out environment of beautiful, soulful music in a cosy, dimly lit hi-fi bar to playing livelier, more energetic, dancefloor-focused music in nightclubs. This volume will get you on your feet, make you move and unleash whatever it is that makes you get down.

One of the jewels in the crown of this compilation is a joyous, anthemic gospel version of Stevie Wonder's 'As' by The Family Tree (a project produced by the fantastic Julius Brockington). We are also treated to a rare and sought-after Pennsylvanian funk / AOR bomb by Maxwell, a stunning modern soul tune 'High On You' by Freedom, and self-released Brazilian 45s by Banda 22 and Zé Da Lata. P.J. City's 'Straight Forward (Non-Stop)' is gospel-disco perfection, and we also have 'Dame Solamente Amor’, a sublime, soul beauty from Chile by Rogers Mitchell. Many of these artists featured in this compilation aren't household names, but they deserve their moment to shine, to be heard, loved and appreciated for their artistry.

As Miche says it, “I hope this compilation helps in some way to keep this glorious music alive and play a part in connecting generations of music lovers from the worldwide soul family. As always, it has been made ‘With Love’.”

Warehouse Find!

Zepp001 returns to Delusions for our first release of 2011 and what a way to start the new year! The Seattle based disco obsessive has been holed up in his recently completed studio in Delphia (a city located on Antarctica's southern shore) and its easy to hear the influence this strange and otherworldly place has had on the two original tracks here on this release.

Truly epic, saucy disco powerhouse, produced by Gregg Diamond and drenched in effortless sexuality from Andrea True. A clear classic of that era encapsulating everything the '70s was about.

Tom Moulton on the mix for this naughty 12 Inch reissue.

B2 Recordings hits release number 13 with DJ Rocca and Lex combing on a trio of fresh house cuts that blend elements of disco, Latin and soul. Up first is the glorious 'Solid Street' which has loose and percussive disco-house grooves overlaid with big synth energy and steamy vocals. 'Solar System' is slower and deeper, with a more rugged bassline and low slung sense of funk that never lets up. 'Last of all, 'Rose Tree' is a ramshackle house arrangement with whistles, Rhodes keys, tin-pot percussion, florid flutes and plenty of sunny energy all making it a real standout. A timeless EP packed with musicality.

Auke Riemersma (aka Aux Tha Masterfader). Erio Simonini and Gilberto Caleffi (aka Disco Doubles). Together this partnership from The Netherlands and Italy form Light Cycles, a trio raised on sci-fi sound tracks and smouldering synth anthems. These influences are omnipresent in the group's debut 12': Flowing. Addictively catchy hooks and clean beats are central to the Light Cycles' sound with their dazzling melodies glimmering across the 12'. Elements of disco are folded into these spirited compositions as this forward-looking triumvirate marry past inspirations with a hope-filled future. Seamless radiance. Simply put, Flowing.

Old, lost, obscure and forgotten gems and a boundless focus on the new balearic scene for a wider audience of collectors, djs and music lovers. all releases are limited edition.

This release is 350 copies limited edition 7" (50 on Transparent Marbled Pink vinyl and 300 on black vinyl) with the Original Version + Pellegrino "I Feel Glow" Rework. Artwork by Maurizio Schirò.
Neapolitan sound.

The fledgling Stereo:type label is back with a sizzling second release and it is the UK's Risk Assessment at the buttons. Once again here his sophomore vinyl outing is all about soul drenched and peak time disco cuts with plenty of passion and character. 'Welcome' has all the funky loops and neat keys you need to get you going, 'I Hear Music' is a real stomper with freaky guitar riffs and '5 O'Clock In The Morning' brings some big diva vocals and plenty of lush strings. Last of all is the steamy hot disco funker 'Disco Night' with its slick filter work and rich bass. Another delicious EP, then.

An Italo Disco rarity from 1987 now available again on colored
12“ Maxi Single

Mallorcan mastermind Joan Bibiloni gets two key works from his esteemed catalogue officially licensed via Gouranga Music and edited by the remix maestro Ray Mang.

On the A side the boogie brilliance of the aptly named ‘The Boogie’, extended and echoed in all the right places to form a true dancefloor winner. On the flip, Mang turns this classic Balearic Bibiloni gem ‘Val, I Vuw Ya’ that has an acoustic guitar and chromonica spinning around each other from the three and a half minute original into a hypnotic six minute wonder.
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The handsome “Manzo Edit” calf jumps the fence and lands at the records stores with four club-ready juicy cuts. From the peak-time belter to the laid-back groover, there is something for every taste.
“Brazil” is a dark and dreamy synth-pop track, perfect for elevating any set to the next emotional level. “Dial 166” pays tribute to the origins of breaking culture with a slapping drum-centric flip. “Ray Sings To The Hop” is a slow chugger blending a fist- class groove with a rewarding acid bassline. Finally, “Jupiter Love” closes the record with a hard-hitting disco house re-edit guaranteed to bring all the kids to the dancefloor.

Reissue of this italo disco classic from 1984. Comes with Flemming Dalum remix.

Dive into the timeless groove of "Jibaro" by Elkin & Nelson, rejuvenated with an electrifying version and dub by the dynamic duo Daniele Baldelli & Dionigi. Known for their partnership in crafting the legendary Cosmic Sound, Baldelli and Dionigi bring their signature magic to this Balearic classic.

Transport yourself to the iconic era of The Haçienda, as Baldelli's innovative approach to DJing and production infuses "Jibaro" with an irresistible late-night twist. Picture the indie rave vibe pulsating through the dance floor, as the duo's dubbed-out sound breathes new life into this track while retaining its Balearic essence.

As pioneer of the Italian disco scene, Baldelli alongside Dionigi continue to push boundaries with their eclectic, tribal aesthetic. From their own label Pedivelle Records to collaborations with Eskimo Recordings remixing renowned artists like Holger Czukay and Torch Song, their influence spans continents and genres.

Embrace the fusion of past and present as Daniele Baldelli & Dionigi's reimagination of "Jibaro" takes listeners on a journey through time and space. With its irresistible blend of nostalgia and innovation, this track is destined to captivate audiences on digital streaming platforms worldwide. Don't miss out on the cosmic experience – add "Jibaro" to your playlists today.

Two tracks of dancefloor heat from Melbourne underachievers - Inverto! Spaghetti Western meets Zorro on Peyote with Gunslinger, plus a laid-back version of Metro Area's super hit Miura.

It's time for a new match on Waxmania, Lello Di Franco aka L.D.F. vs the Dutch icon Orlando Voorn for the super Challenge EP!

Disco Segreta is happy to introduce you the official reissue of one of the most sought after italo disco records ever!

Born in London, Karen Louise Freeman experienced vast popularity in Italy in 1982-83, where she appeared on Sunday’s most popular TV program of the era, Domenica In, where she sang the show opening and end tracks: “Wow Mamma Mia” and “Play the music”.

But only the hardest italo diggers know that Louise made another single, “Aa Ee Oo Uu” b/w “Mirage”, which was released in 1983 with close to no success. Over the years, both “Aa Ee Oo Uu” and “Mirage” turned into absolute staples of a typical 1983 italo disco sound: dry, crispy drums, cold ice sweeping synths and melancholic vocals. Vastly overlooked at the time, this record slipped into oblivion, contributing to make the original 12” with extended longer versions to be highly sought after and expensive on the collectors market.

Oddly enough, Karen’s sister is singer Tracy Spencer, who would score a massive hit in Italy during the later years of the italo disco movement, with more pop oriented italo productions by Claudio Cecchetto such as “Run To Me”, which was the second best selling single in Italy in 1986.

As far as we know, Karen left the music industry and now runs a successful fitness and health business.

Warehouse Find!

The masterful, supergroup of Phreek lead by Patrick Adams, sees three of its sought-after masterpieces, two of which have never been on a 12 inch, officially reissued and remastered on a label that’s fast becoming a go-to for in demand reissues, South Street Disco.

A pure classic, ‘Weekend’, was born back in ‘78 written by Leroy Burgess and James Calloway and produced by Patrick Adams and Burgess, they lead an expertly curated troupe for this massive Paradise Garage staple and Larry Levan favourite. That late ‘70s sound where synthesisers rose to prominence, sees a combination of cosmic keys, freakish strings and power-play funk guitars, tied together with tight percussion, bold basslines and Christie Shire’s lead vocals, that whole heartedly captures the spirit of disco. Famously remade into a house anthem 10 years later by Todd Terry, ‘Weekend’ is a timeless slice of celestial magic.

In a similar fashion ‘Everybody Loves A Good Thing’ does another blast around the cosmos - a Universal Robot Band feel emanating from the buzzing synths and awe-inspiring vocal prowess of Leroy Burgess, coupled with ‘Shining’ star, Venus Dodson. As uplifting as it gets, complete with a killer piano breakdown to draw out every ounce of anticipation.

Flip it over and a whole side is devoted to the greatness of ‘I'm a Big Freak R*U*1*2’. A mesmerising, fast-paced, disco workout with sensuous groans, sleazed up, supernatural keys and a heavy bass that just goes and goes and goes! Favoured by the biggest and best out there, from Ron Hardy to Theo Parrish, it’s got the power and energy to light up even the most demanding of dancefloors.

Back In Stock!

repressed !

Trailblazing instrumental synth pop experiments created to soundtrack Japan’s booming 1980s cartoon and comic industries. The brightly futuristic instrumentals on this collection reflect the mindset of composers and musicians who believed in a technological future where everything was possible.

In the late 1980s Japan experienced a brief but heady period where societal changes combined with new-found wealth to open up a world of possibilities. A huge influx of cash - artificially created by slashed interest rates after an agreement with the US to weaken the dollar relative to the yen - resulted in the inflation of real estate and stock market at a rapid pace. While the economic bubble it created was unprecedented and impossible to sustain, for a while money was in plentiful supply.

The musical genre City Pop reflected the aspirations of the country’s booming leisure class. Video games flourished with Nintendo's 1983 launch of their Family Computer (or FamiCom). Studio Ghibli was founded 1985 to later became one of the most famous and respected animation studios in the world, and Anime and Manga were established as major forms of entertainment for all generations of the Japanese public.

Music was no mere footnote to the anime and manga boom: the two forms of media often went hand in hand, and not simply through the presence of background melodies. With generous budgets available, even two-dimensional static manga comics could be released with an accompanying soundtrack of original music known as an ‘Image Album’.

Composer and arranger Kazuhiko Izu was one such beneficiary of this open budget approach. Written to accompany artist Katsuhiro Otomo’s manga comic Domu, the composer and arranger took advantage of the world-leading (and wallet-busting) Japanese synthesiser technology available at King Records’ fully equipped studio. Featured on this compilation, A3: Act 2 Scene 26 reflected the story’s sci fi themes with a blazingly futuristic yet warmly funky slice of synth pop that presents a joyful celebration of synthesisers and their seemingly endless possibilities.

Kan Ogasawara was another composer who made early mastery of the litany of synthesisers, drum machines and sequencers that had become available. Two tracks written to accompany the 1985 period manga Yume No Ishibumi are featured here; Honowo’s experimental electronic textures add spice to a jaunty electro pop melody that recalls the Rah band’s 1983 hit Messages From Stars; the jazz-tinged Utage rounds out Ogasawara’s shimmering synth textures with beautifully crafted backing from legendary musicians Yuji Toriyama (guitar), Pecker (percussion) and Jun Fukamachi (piano).

Before becoming one of the pioneers of Japanese Kankyo Ongaku (Ambient Music), Takashi Kokubo worked on the proto techno track Kiki (Jungle At Night). It was put together for the 1984 anime film Shonen Keniya (Kenya Boy) using some of the most expensive music technologies available at the time. This Africa-Inspired dance track offers a contemporary parallel to the early techno music that young Detroit based producers were then creating using cheap Japanese Roland drum machines and synthesisers.

This is the first compilation of Japanese anime and manga soundtracks curated by Kay Suzuki and Rintaro Sekizuka from Vinyl Delivery Service (a Tokyo based online record shop which also operates in East London's renowned wine and hifi shop Idle Moments). With a cover by artist Kazuki Takakura and two pages of liner notes, this vinyl only compilation of music never before released outside of Japan, captures a vital aural snapshot of an era whose forward-thinking sounds went hand in hand with cutting edge technology.

Disco Segreta resurrects an extraordinary chapter from the captivating world of late 1970s Italian disco music!

In this installment, we pay homage to Sicilian producer, Franco D’Accardi, hailing from Palermo.

Franco assumed the helm of the small record label ASA (Artisti Siciliani Associati), known for its diverse catalog, which included progressive rock, folk, and a sprinkling of disco. In 1978, Franco’s path crossed with that of American model Adrienne Edwards while in Sicily.

He enlisted her talents to contribute vocals to two tracks, “Mystic Night” and “Disco Dancing,” which were released in 1979 on a 45 RPM record limited to 1500 copies, exclusively distributed in the local area.

While “Disco Dancing” on the B-side offers a fantastic rendition of Stanley Turrentine’s disco classic, “Mystic Night” stands out as an electrifying, enigmatic, and seductive disco masterpiece. It’s a captivating fusion of drums, congas, snares, slap-bass, and mind-bending synthesizer work, where Adrienne’s voice harmonizes with a deep male voice, attempting to entice her.

In short, “Mystic Night” is an utterly unique and indispensable gem in the landscape of underground Italian disco, marking the twilight of the golden disco era.

After extensive efforts, Disco Segreta is reissuing these remarkable Italian disco treasures, fully remastered to meet contemporary standards.

GREETINGS returns with release numero five ‘Look Within’. Stepping up to the mic for the first time, his original vocals up the sauce factor with dreamy hooks that will have you singing along into your wildest dancefloor fantasy.

The EP kicks off with A1 ‘Look Within’ – an evocative tribute to the magic of discovering the dancefloor, with commanding lyrics centred around discovery and inhibition. A2 ‘Come and Go (Dirty Talk Mix)’ expresses the ecstasy of meeting someone on the dancefloor and finding passion among the grooves. To be played when the dancefloor is just right and ready (il bon tempo), consider it your next club serenade. B1 ‘Won’t You Believe’ weaves an epic acid bass line into a ground-shaking chugger, that will whip any crowd intona frenzy – to be used responsibly!

B2 ‘When I Dream at Night’ is a cosmic closer, taking you on a journey into forbidden nocturnal yearnings as GREETINGS dreams of a certain someone, unable to shake them from his mind, lost in a memory of melody.

Reissue of this italo disco rarity from 1987. Comes with Flemming Dalum and Hysteric remixes!

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CNPY007 marks a strong return to Canopy for Sam Redmore, on the second edition in the Alafia series where he impresses with two powerful and inspired re-imaginings of these tropical synth future-classics.

Tough afro-centric broken beats meet dirty fuzz basslines. Chic-esque guitars and icy synths swirl among horn crescendos and steel drums. Sam assembled a troupe of tight players who deliver slick performances which sincerely compliment the original arrangements, while he turns the electronic tropical funk factor to full - Inspired music reinvented for inspired dancefloors!