Disco | Boogie 309 Items

Worthy re-issue of Robert Cotter's second late 70's soul album! Comprising five songs, with four of them being quite lengthy and well-structured for the dance floor, was entirely recorded in the United States by top-notch American musicians. "Timeless", a fresh and lively expression of late 70s soul music, was recorded at the Sundragon Studio in New York. This studio was home to legendary bands such as Talking Heads and Ramones, as well as a few 'disco studio groups' like Andrea True Connection, Tony Valor Sound Orchestra, and Camouflage, who recorded songs that later became considerable hits. For this reason, it's believed that the positive outcome of the album can be partially attributed to Ned Liben, an eclectic New York musician and co-founder of the studio in the Flatiron district of Manhattan, served as an exhaustive interlocutor for any artistic and technical needs. He was also the arranger of "Rock Me With Your Love", the most significant song on the album. Ned's successful mission was to capture the maximum timbral fidelity of Robert Cotter's voice using appropriate recording techniques, assisted by Michael George Ewing, a talented engineer who had previously worked on similar projects with well-known artists like Carol Williams, Maryann Farra & Satin Soul, Touch and Tony Valor. In fact, the piece features original and melodious lines, coupled with an excellent steady rhythm, spanning approximately 8 minutes and 30 seconds - in short, "a delightful sound for every beat." This ensured that the performance of the young singer-songwriter from New Jersey was faithfully reproduced without neglecting the overall musical landscape. The other four songs, arranged by Ben Lazzaroni with the same musicians as the first piece, are no exception. Best Record also delivered on the promise to Robert's older brother, Karl Potter, a powerful percussionist transplanted to Rome, for whom the roman label produced "Sweet & Salty Cha-Cha-Cha" (12", 1986). Robert Cotter, an artist about whom almost nothing has been written, is poised to gain recognition once word spreads about his album, which has been entirely remastered by Dom Scuteri and features a more congenial tracklist. This album is destined to be truly 'timeless', ready to captivate audiences around the world. Even the new cover artwork, created by Nerina Fernandez, pays homage to an artist who, despite expressing himself with elegance and simplicity, radiates energy and exudes love. "Timeless" is an inevitable revelation for anyone who missed it at the time, and for the next 40-plus years, it will remain an absolute must-listen for Robert Cotter's many fans, leaving them all in awe. In addition to the reissue on the classic glossy black vinyl, a strictly limited edition on red vinyl will be released exclusively by Clone Distribution.

The long awaited official reissue of ‘She Wants’, one of the first UK Street Soul singles originally released in 1985 by The NM Band.

The NM Band was an alias for UK Lovers Rock band Natural Mystic, responsible for a number of hits in the late 70’s and early 80’s most notably ‘Runaway Love’ and ‘Groove Rocking’. They released a string of acclaimed reggae LPs and toured extensively throughout the UK, but by 1985 wanted to try something away from their trademark roots reggae sound. Influenced by the availability of affordable hardware the band set about fusing Reggae and Soul using an Akai Drum machine, Yamaha DX7 and Roland sound module. ‘She Wants’ is one of the forebearers of UK Street Soul, raw machine drums paired with an incredibly soulful vocal from Ashley Sommers. The band created their own imprint ‘Mixdown’ to release the single, but it slipped under the radar, despite strong radio play from Choice FM and the then pirate station Kiss. The 12” is backed with Dub Version ‘She Wants’ (More).

A 140gram pressing in 3mm spine black disco sleeve with metallic sticker designed by Bradley Pinkerton.

Mother’s I’d Like To Funk are back with another sizzling hot re-issue, this time straight from Denmark. Danish pop group “Boulevard” released an obscure LP back in 1981, called “American Dream”. This official re-issue features the street funk anthem “Ready For Your Love” on the A Side, with a special “Synthphonic” Dub version on the B Side (previously only available on the album) This special 7’ version is guaranteed to light up any dance floor.

It's not because one might have worked with people like Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin and Rod Stewart throughout their career that Italo-Disco wouldn't get the best of your work. A great example of the Italian phenomenon's infectiously widespread grip is British rock keyboardist Brian Auger's path, when he found himself in a Milanese recording studio during the mid 80's and recorded his last known release in that decade. Powerfully fusing decades of rock and jazz education with the synthetic hysteria of the time (and culture), the result is a classic downtempo number that has found its way into some of our favorite DJ sets for a while now. Vocal and instrumental are featured on the A-side and in addition the B-side offers a new remix where things take somewhat of a catastrophic turn into what sounds like Brian getting on the wrong train to a K-hole, probably not for most dance floors. Meticulously remastered at manmade mastering in Berlin.

A favourite of some of the biggest DJs out there, including the likes of Floating Points and Theo Parrish, Queen Yahna - Ain't It Time is a slice of P&P gold that’s been crying out for an official reissue. Succulent soul-soaked vocals with that top shelf disco production that effortlessly marries peaking strings with glorious horns and a conga-led percussion section. Smiles for miles - this is feel-good business right here with the instrumental nestled on the flip.

After being highly sought after by collectors, we are proud to release this definitive reissue, produced in close collaboration with Dan Bazzy, singer, songwriter, and founder of The New Dawn. Also included on a download are three previously unreleased 1971 New Dawn demos and a live track from a 2008 band reunion.

With "Times Are Tight" we have the missing link of the "soul chain" where Neddy Smith, Steve Kahn & Co.,Touche', Maxine Singleton, Jagg ... have found a pinch of glory. The history began 40 years ago when S.P.Q.R. (sub-label of Best Record) released "Danceteria", a wonderful compilation with 10 disco-soul-funk songs produced in the States tra cui the fantastic tune written, arranged and performed by Jimmy Young, still relevant today, that during the summer 1983 was rocking half world's dancefloors. The vocal side of "Times Are Tight" is so good for vibe and sentiment, while the instrumental version is early 80's disco-funk perfection. Great groove with really interesting instrumentation and variation. Yes indeed! This is the classic funk anthem from the early 80's - the lyrics are so apt for the current economic situation "Don't give up, your day is coming!"

"Tonight" is a captivating, extraordinarily song written and arranged by Paolo Gianolio (one of Mauro Malavasi's most valid collaborators), who strongly wanted Ivana Spagna as a vocalist. In those very early 80s Spagna used to lend her refined voice.to successful productions using various pseudonyms: Mirage, Carol Kane and Yvonne Kay and precisely Barbara York The piece released in 1982 with Delirium Records was then released in 1983 on Smash One Music by Pino Toma who jealously preserved it making it one of the many rare gems of Italo-Disco. Now after 40 years here it is revived by Best Record in all four original versions, perfectly remastered by Dom Scuteri.

Official reissue with same original packaging of 1973 The neapolitan singer Gigi Pascal (real name Giancarlo D'Auria) had a long career as soloist in the melodic pop field, with some singles dating from the end of the sixties.
As many others he was attracted by the newly born rock groups of the early 70's, and assembled one with the odd name Pop Compagnia Meccanica. This group had a similar story to Fabio Celi & gli Infermieri, also from Naples, as they released an album in 1973 that sounds like it had been recorded three or four years earlier.
Only the first names are known of the other musicians playing with Pascal, the only known member was drummer Fulvio Marzocchella, that played with pop artists such as Umberto Bindi, Nico Fidenco, Patty Pravo and Orietta Berti. Debut is a very short album (eight songs for around 26 minutes) with the organ as main instrument and, where Fabio Celi's album had frantic vocals, this has a softer, more relaxed voice that owes much to the melodic Italian pop of the 60's, but always well mixed with the band's sound.
The music has some nice classical influences, like in the instrumental Fuga in Si minore, or Crescente and the long Un concerto with a very good and complex arrangement, but sometime the sixties' sound is more evident, like in the opening La tua voce.Gigi Pascal released two more singles in 1975, one of them still with the name of Pop Compagnia Meccanica. In the 80's he released singles and LP's under the nicknames Jaco D. and Jaco

Soundway reissues the vocal and instrumental versions of ‘If I Love You’, from G.C. Cameron, the lead singer of the legendary soul group The Spinners. The release also includes two unreleased recordings from the same session - ‘Live for Love’ and ‘Thank You Baby’.

Hailing from Mall Creek, Mississippi, G.C. Cameron rose to fame at 22 years of age, when he joined Motown Records to become lead singer of The Spinners. After a string of well received releases, including chartbuster ‘It’s A Shame’, co-written and produced by Stevie Wonder, Cameron left The Spinners to pursue a solo career.

It was a trip to Fantasy Studios, San Francisco in 1977, where Cameron teamed up with Harvey Faqua, Greg Crockett and Elgie Stover to realise what is arguably his finest work. A full album was recorded, but only two tracks saw the light of day, via the short-lived UK label, Flamingo.

Soundway’s Live for Love release comprises the two in-demand cuts previously released on Flamingo - the deep and dubby disco-workout ‘If I Love You (Instrumental)’ and soul drenched ballad ‘Live For Love’, coupled with two unreleased recordings rescued from the abyss after 45 years of collecting dust. The modern-soul-dancer ‘Thank You Baby’, backed by Jeanie Tracy and Martha Walsh, is a jewel that displays Cameron’s full range whilst the vocal to ‘If I Love You’ elevates the recording to dance-floor-ready.

Kalita are delighted to announce the first ever official reissue of Billy Evans" sought-after 1985 12" disco single "Prisoner Of My Weakness"! Over thirty-five years since initial release, and long acclaimed by collectors, DJs and dance music fans, the time is ripe to share Billy"s music once more. Originally privately released in a small run on Billy"s own label Tee Records, Kalita"s 12" reissue single features both the vocal and incredible dub mix versions of "Prisoner Of My Weakness", plus a brand-new phenomenal remix courtesy of Waxist, produced using the original multitrack analogue master tapes.

A reggae disco version of the Neil Young classic "Lotta Love," which was a big hit in 1978 sung by Nicolette Larson. The song features lively synth drums, an up-tempo four-beat rhythm, and Sheila's voice that gets the floor burning hot.

/ tonight

Proper boogie action by Carl Smith! The French Philippe Lecauchois, better known as "Phil Boogie Times" and Claudio Casalini, the factotum of the Italian label Best Record, have teamed up with the intention of carrying on their identical passion, being devoted to Boogie, Funk, Soul, and " Old School Disco". There couldn't have been a better choice to start this conjunction of passions and sharing of ideals: the first 12iinch, produced by Darryl Payne in 1983, sees two precious gems such as "What's the Deal" b/w "Have You for My Love" by the charming ex Salsoul artist, Carol Williams (btbs-12001). The other reissue of Phil and Claudio is 1984's "Come Back Lover" masterfully sung and arranged by Carl Smith (btbs-12002). Listening to these splendid 40-year-old productions again will do good to the hearts of all the followers and fans of true soul music made in the USA. Must have vinyl edition of this gem!