Disco | Boogie 363 Items

Exclusive edition on golden vinyl limited to 100 copies worldwide. Only available through hhv.de

Killer disco-boogie-funk from 1982! Featuring Italo-Disco legend SANGY (Firefly) and co-produced by Tony Valor.
Originally released in the US on the Chaz Ro label with generic sleeve, here’s the first ever vinyl reissue with new artwork.

Armed Gand was a project created in Vicenza by famous Italo-disco producer/musician Maurizio Sangineto “Sangy” (Firefly, Creatures, etc), featuring keyboard wizard Flavio Botta plus three black american vocalists: Kenny Claiborne, Joe Beach and James Otis White Jr, who were army soldiers destined in Italy at the time (hence the “Armed Gang” name).
Their sole album was released in 1983 in Italy and Brazil on Sangy’s own label, Musix, and is now heavily sought-after by collectors and DJs.
“Offering an overdose of street funk - catchy and foxy - Armed Gang were going against the current trends that dominated the Italian disco scene at that time. Moving away from the crescent influence of British synth-pop as well as from the ubiquitous shadow of the Nile Rodgers sound – both essential to Italo Disco – they opted for a sound closer to boogie, a genre that was getting bigger & bigger in the USA. This formula crystallized in several unique gems that will always be part of the history of European black music, like “Funky Fever” (a P-Funk ode to cannabis) and delicious disco anthems (“Are You Ready” or “You”), that, without any doubt, should have deserved more recognition from radio stations and European audiences at the time.” – Gonzalo Oya

Limited to 500 numbered copies. Originally released in 1982.

This release comes on 140g vinyl. The word masterpiece gets bandied about a lot. Not least by us. But here is a release that truly befits such a lofty title. In 1980, Randy Muller’s Skyy dropped the monumental “Here’s To You”, comfortably one of the greatest dance singles of all time. Released on Salsoul, “Here’s To You” is now exceptionally hard to find in its original form. On this special Be With double-header, we present the sought-after 12″ mix and back it up with the strutting “You Got Me Up”, which has never been on a 12″ before. Naturally, both are cut loud and bumping for devastating dance floor power. A sure-fire classic of the NYC club scene and a true block party rocker, “Here’s To You” beautifully combines sweeping synth-strings, loose cymbal hits and swaggering lyrics delivered with enviable style. But the real hero is *that* bassline. Oh, wait, no, actually, it’s *that* synth refrain halfway through. Harnessing the Oberheim Matrix 12 to emulate a horn section has provided goosebumps on discerning dance floors ever since. As Muller expressed in his 2007 Red Bull Music Academy lecture, “It’s a very special record, it’s positive and has that spontaneous, life-giving spirit in the groove. Everything locks, just pure chemistry.” Like we said, it’s a masterpiece. If that wasn’t enough, over on the B-side is “You Got Me Up”, a real hidden gem from Skyy’s Skyway LP. Also released in 1980, the track is a wonderful showcase of the group’s airtight rhythm section and Muller’s uncanny ear for a groove and a melody.

Recorded in 1980, four years after the seminal ‘Open Your Heart’, Ishola Muhammad recorded what he describes as “The funkiest, most exciting session I had done, and the drummer, a white guy whose name I don’t recall either, was “the best””.
The idea that, "responsibility is what freedom means", came from a speech given by, the late, Imam W.D. Mohammed, leader of the, then, American Muslim Mission. “Subsequently, I chose to use the pseudonym, A.M. Muhammad, which was a play on the American Muslim Mission acronym, AMM. Since the speech was heralded and echoed throughout the community and around the country, I hoped the song would catch on, but it didn't.
40 years later, and “What Freedom Means” is now hot in demand with spins by top DJs across the globe.
Support from Tone B. Nimble.

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.

Enhanced, remastered & recut having never officially been on 12 Inch before.
Two huge Teddy Pendergrass disco anthems from the Philly International vaults get an official reissue destined to light up dancefloors once again.
'You Can't Hide From Yourself' and 'The More I Get, the More I Want' are certified classics that have traversed the years sounding as heavy as they did when they first dropped in '77.

Matasuna Records presents another treat with its latest release: an official reissue with two songs of the US funk band "Calender". Both tracks are available on a 12" Maxi-Single for the first time. In addition to the mastered original versions, this EP features great reworks by two of our favorite producers: Mexican disco edit king "Hotmood" and the highly acclaimed Matasuna artist "Voodoocuts".
The band "Calender" from New Jersey was founded in the 70s by Paul Kyser. Besides his activities as songwriter, arranger and producer he set up his label Pi Kappa Records. The band's only album "It's a Monster" was released on this label in 1976 and has grown into a legendary status over the years and is appreciated by fans and collectors alike.
The opener "Hypertension" is a disco banger par excellence. Kyser's sophisticated arrangements merge thrilling grooves, elegant strings, varied funk elements and soulful vocals to a great and unique joint for every dancefloor. It's very pleasing that the song doesn't get overloaded or cheesy, as it's often the case in disco music.
Hotmood transfers the track, which was created more than 3 decades ago, into the present time. His great disco edit focuses on the instrumental parts of the original. Thanks to his clever arrangement, a tension curve is constantly built up without seeming repetitive.
On the flipside, "Ritmo Latino" takes a different musical direction. As the name suggests, there are all kinds of Latin American influences to be heard: the brass section, rhythm parts, piano sounds and the grooving bass line, which goes straight into the veins. Nevertheless, the song is also strongly rooted in funk & jazz and inspires its listeners with its unique character.
Voodoocuts rework comes up with a monster broken beat and gives the song a dancefloor friendly structure with its new arrangement. Especially the killer break part in the middle of the song will not only make B-Boy hearts beat faster! Additional instruments, samples and effects give the rework an individual and autark touch and prove once again impressively that Voodoocuts is setting the bar higher and higher with his productions.

Cosmic disco classic played regularly by Baldelli, Lodola and in the underground scene, produced by John Kongos in 1981and released on 7 inch, containing only the short vocal version. Now remastered and reissued by Best Italy on 12" containing the full vocal original version plus the instrumental version on the flip.

Three 1982 disco classics from boogie trio Plush formed under the guidance of Angela Winbush, René Moore and Bobby Watson get the official, remastered reissue treatment from the original tapes.
Opening up the EP, an Angela & Rene original ‘Free & Easy’ is taken on by the Plush troupe, with the legendary Tee Scott providing a trademark extended mix. It kicks off with cosmic synths that dissipate into heavy funk, electric bass riffs, whilst scorching top lines and choice guitar licks trade off over the top. Scott’s magic is clear to see in the composition of this extended mix. A man who clearly knew how to work a dancefloor, his use of breakdowns especially, extending the anticipation and power the track commands on its dancers. From the bass breaks that weave in modulated synths, to those that utilise the glorious sustained piano chords, cutting to just vocals and percussion before everything is added back in for ultimate dancefloor elation.
First up on the B side, ‘We Got The Love’, a more soulful, slowed down tip where staccato guitar plucks and chunky slap bass marries with warm Rhodes chords, and lush vocal harmonies blend with the power of Siedah Garrett commanding the lead vocals. A passion ingrained in their voices that cannot be taught, hanging in the air, as they hang onto their phrases.
Lastly, ‘Livin For Your Love’ a boogie-based serenade written by Herman Chainey and Tony L. Phillips, intertwines Phillips’ deep dulcet tones with Plush’s backing. Add in a dose of pure ‘80s bass synth, twanging funk flashes and juicy bass guitar ripples and you’ve got a recipe sure to woo any wandering hearts out there.

Sinnamon’s ’83 NYC boogie scorcher ‘I Need You Now’ gets the official remastered, reissue treatment - complete with the ‘Fierce Reprise’ dub mix alongside the accapella, providing essential sampling material.

Limited remastered edition of one of the early elektro undergroud italian releases that became a classic in the Chicago house movement, conceived by the italian duo from Florence : R.E.M. formed by Paolo Alfani & Nicola Serena. They experimented for the first time in 1983 the use of a modified Speak & Spell electronic toy by Mattel for the vocal parts instead of the classic vocoder. Plus the heavy use of fierce electronic drums by Roland TR-808 mixed with acid basslines makes this cut a real milestone!

Ohio's O'Jays were a hugely popular part of Philadelphia's PIR stable throughout the 1970's and 80's. They cut numerous sides for the label aided by the incredible production and arrangements of the infamous Gamble and Huff hit machine.

Official reissue of the only full-length LP from Brit-funk masters, Atmosfear. Love for Atmosfear was born out of the underground UK dance scene of the early 1980s; from nightclubs, pirate radio shows and soul weekenders. A localised scene that went on to have a global influence. The band’s most notable track ‘Dancing in Outer Space’ – included here on the CD version as a bonus – is a certified classic. It was a chart hit in the UK and was also championed Stateside in clubs such as the mythic ‘Paradise Garage’ and 'The Loft' by the likes of Larry Levan and David Mancuso. An instantly recognisable anthem that is just as fresh today as it was when it was first released. Originally released in 1981 via Elite / MCA records, ‘En Trance’ is a joyous album that arguably represents the pinnacle of the Brit-funk sound. The band consisted of bassist, and keyboardist Lester J. Batchelor, drummer Ray Johnson, guitarist Andy Sojka, saxophonist Stewart Cawthorne, singer and guitarist Tony Antonio and producer Jerry Pike. The album captures the excitement of these
exceptional players demonstrating utmost originality in the studio. More Atmosfear and Elite Records reissues are available/coming soon on Mr Bongo, including ‘Xtra Special’ and ‘Dancing In Outer Space’ on 12”.
Official Mr Bongo reissue. Licensed from Chemical Discs.
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Originally released in 1983 Stop Bajon (Primavera) became a favourite in Rimini Discotheques, Balearic Islands and even Chicago during the early house days. It was an anthem on what went on to become the Italo Disco movement. The vocal mix is still revered and played to this day by DJ's such as DJ Harvey at his Mercury Rising night at Pikes, Ibiza. This special limited edition release from Best Record Italy features for the first time the original acapellas (tracked down during tape restoration) plus the song Stadera that was available only on the first italian pressing and of course the original extended club vocal and instrumental.

12" De-Luxe. Italo-Disco masterpiece produced from Franco Paolini (aka Pasta DJ) & Alessandro Novaga very influential on the early Chicago house movement becaming at that time a massive dancefloor classic in Chicago House.

Born in Cameroon, Vicky began banging the drums at the age of 9. By 13 he had moved onto bass and within a couple of years he was playing every night from 10pm to 5am in the Castel Douala Cabaret. At the age of 19 Vicky moved to Paris to study Banking and Commerce and cram in even more music. He took classes at Épinay-sur-Seine Conservatoire music school and it was here that he met Bandmates of his Dikalo project.

Word spreads and he soon becomes one of the most sought after bass players in the Afro arena. His session work features on many scenes stars, Manu Dibango, Eko Tala AM, Kemayo, Sammy Massamba, Toto Guillaume and many more. A chance meeting with the Gibson brothers also see him play on two of their hit albums. In the 80's Vicky moved to the US for spell and excels as a session bassist and touring musician.

We pick up the story in 1981. With his stature as a musician and bass player riding high he takes a detour to Nigeria to record with the Afrodisia label in Lagos. The "Thank U Mamma" album is the result. It is repressed for the first time, here in 2018 on the revitalised Afrodisia label.

Musical proceedings open up with the heartfelt ode to his mother "Thank U Mamma", smooth pop meets afrobeat boogie. "Marina Drive" slows things down with its smoldering jazz. Side Two opens with "Its Not Serious" a catchy vocal number underpinned with funky guitars and striding basslines. "Stormy Rain" is lazy guitar jazz swansong. We close off the album with the ever so funky "You". Slick funk grooves powered along with a dose of slap bass. As a side note Vicky actually plays left handed but with a "upside down" right handed bass. This upside-down precursor making his effortless slap playing even more impressive.

Deadstock found from previous distributor of the official remastered edition released in 2015 on S.P.Q.R. of a rare 80s disco classic by Steve Watson, containing the rare and sought after original extended version of Born To Boogie and not the more common shorter single edit. Don't sleep!

When there's Rhythm people will move, and moving people was the fate for these two songs from Spanish Supergroup Barrabas. Originally released in 1972 on RCA Spain, 'Wild Safari' and 'Woman' would become underground hits among New York City disc jockeys at time when Discotheques preceded disco music. Over the years It has been well documented that the music from the Iberian Rockers and in particular their song 'Woman' found a home in both Nicky Siano's Gallery and in David Mancuso's Legendary Loft around 1973. Curiously but perhaps not surprising, a few years later 'Woman' would also become a breaker's anthem in a nascent hip-hop scene, where having obscure or 'ultimate' breaks would separate a Grandmaster from the rest of the flock.

The Story behind Barrabas is quite peculiar as well. With members from various Latin countries (Cuba, Philipines, Portugal and Spain), the band led by Fernando Arbex were accidental pioneers in a sense, blending Latin, African, and American influences into a package destined to move people across the globe. With a succesful debut album, Barrabas was one of the first international groups to leave its mark on the disco circuit with these two hit singles. 'Woman' and 'Wild Safari' charted well in various countries across Europe and the Americas, including the USA and Canada.

Although the group never followed up the success of their first LP, the legacy of tracks like 'Woman' and 'Wild Safari' is treasured by the DJs who have studied the histories of clubs like the Paradise Garage and The Loft. It's really not surprising to find a decade later in the 80s, 'High Energy' and 'Freestyle' covers of 'Woman' or the groove sampled into a House Music beat even to this day. There was indeed something about that Woman.

Recently, HBO's Show "Vinyl" paid homage to 'Wild Safari' in a scene that more than symbolically depicted the birth of the disco era as we would come to know it.

Part of the Get On Down Sound vinyl series with the aim to bring back their favorite Dance 12-Inches to a new generation of Vinyl-DJs. Re-mastered for optimal club use, these are official re-issues of some of Dance Music's most influential cuts.

It's always great to have access to quality masters from some of the world's greatest-ever artists and Gladys Knight hits that spot, especially via the original 12 inch version of Love Is Always On My Mind is another one of those impossibly rare Buddah 12 inches from the mid-70s.

This is really a 10 minute plus tour-de-force of relentless Disco with Gladys's impassioned vocals doing their usual superlative job. Mint 12 inch copies are reputedly worth £200 but the fact is that there's no mint original ones left anymore. Until now. Additionally we've cheated slightly by including one of Gladys Knight & The Pips in-demand Columbia recordings on the flip - the Ashford & Simpson penned classic Bourgie Bourgie on which Gladys laid down the definitive vocal to this club classic on the full 4.37 original 12 inch mix.

Two definitive dance-floor gems on one 12 inch pressing mastered from the original tapes. What more could you want ?

We are proud to present an official Sony reissue of 'Could Heaven Ever Be Like This', widely acknowledged as quite simply one of the greatest disco releases of all time.
On the flip are Idris Muhammad's two other bangers from that period, 'Turn This Mutha Out' and 'Tasty Cakes', thus making this release a trio of delights.
Taken from the original master tapes, and released on 180g vinyl, this release is a must have for your collection.

Limited edition remastered reissue of a killer italian boogie classic! And one of the most sought after release from the now defunct "Eyes Records". It contains the additional Dub version found during tape transfer.

Killer official reissue of this fabulous UK Boogie track produced by the great
Eric Matthew during 1986!! Limited to 300 copies only!