Nu Disco | Disco Edits | Cosmic Vinyl 28 Items

Synth pioneer and musical polymath, Wally Badarou is a genius. But you know that already. A vinyl version of his majestic Colors Of Silence has been craved by the Balearic cognoscenti ever since its low-key 2001 release. Indeed, when we first started work on Be With, we asked some pals with exquisite taste what their dream release would be. We asked Balearic legend Moonboots and, without hesitation, he said Colors Of Silence by Wally Badarou. We didn't know Wally had made this album. And most still don't. But that's about to change.

Colors Of Silence is ostensibly a new age album. As ever though, Wally's sophisticated synth textures and expressive keyboard runs are so full of character, so full of life, that this work of art transcends any easy genre categorisation. It's simply stunning, throughout. It sounds like A.r.t. Wilson or Suzanne Kraft, with traces of Cfcf and Jonny Nash. But it was made a good decade earlier than the work of these modern giants. Sometimes, it doesn't seem far from some Larry Heard albums.

Island Records founder Chris Blackwell's friend Nathalie Delon asked Wally to provide music for the yoga DVD she was to release. Lack of time on both sides made them agree on using "quality demos" Wally had in his ideas bank. It's understandable why Colors Of Silence remains somewhat of a lost gem. As Wally explains: "Total lack of promotion made it an 'intimate' release, which was exactly what I was looking for: just a buzz-maker and time-buyer that would allow me to concentrate on the real thing as soon as I'd have time, which could also turn into a rare collecting item later, once the final versions made their way to success. You never know."

Over the years, Colors Of Silence has become a true cult record for the ambient/Balearic heads.

The beguiling but brief "Dance In The Dust" is the shuffling, hyper-percussive, hypnotic opener. It gives way to the deep serenity of "Amber Whispers". It's a gliding, divine, mini melodic masterpiece. It'll make you swoon in its extreme beauty. The bright and breezy "Where Were We" follows, a tropical, reggae-tinged bounce through the islands.

The uptempo groove is maintained on the keys-drizzled soca-funk of "The Lights Of Kinshasa" before Side A is rounded out with "Pictures Of You". It starts with stately, melancholic, unadorned piano and this alone would make for a beautiful song. But Wally always gives us that bit extra and he effortlessly introduces warm, dreamy pads and minimal, slo-mo percussion to augment a frankly stunning piece of work.

Ushering in Side B, Wally's mesmeric piano playing is to the fore again, in the intro to uber-chilled "Serendipity For Two". The playing becomes more mellifluous as the track progresses and adds warmth through exotic percussion, woodwind, sweeping synths and digi-drums. It has echoes of, er, Echoes. It segues seamlessly into the more propulsive, wavy "Smiles By The Millions". If you're not nodding and grinning along widely to the gently throbbing bassline underpinning this, we can't help you. The meditative "Higher Still" follows, cinematic in feel and ever so slightly sinister with the strings. It sounds particularly Badalamenti-esque, if you ask us.

That unmistakable, almost peculiar Badarou funk - so lyrical, so texturally rich and so rhythmically spacious - is all over "Oriental". Next up, "Days To Wonder" brings the serenity back, insistent yet melodic keys, as if played in a place of worship, coupled with birdsong, conjure a kind of instant nostalgia for halcyon days of youth. The contemplative "Dawn Of Europa" is a sombre, beatless, ambient journey whilst the glorious, too-brief "Crystal Falls" features soft percussion and sparkle before fully glistening with some gentle head-nod beats. Wally brings this incredible collection to a mellow, tender close with the graceful "Purple Lines".

There can be few artists more under-appreciated given their vast influence than Wally Badarou. His solo work practically defined the sound of the Balearic DJs of the 1980s, and thus the more sophisticated sound of dance culture thereafter. A synth specialist, Badarou was the long-time associate of Level 42. He was one of the Compass Point All Stars (with Sly and Robbie, Barry Reynolds, Mikey Chung and Uziah "Sticky" Thompson), the in-house recording team of Compass Point Studios responsible for a series of albums in the 1980s recorded by Grace Jones, Tom Tom Club, Mick Jagger, Black Uhuru, Gwen Guthrie, Jimmy Cliff and Gregory Isaacs. Badarou's keyboard playing could also be heard on albums by Robert Palmer, Marianne Faithfull, Herbie Hancock, M (Pop Muzik), Talking Heads, Manu Dibango and Miriam Makeba. He also produced Fela Kuti. Phew!

Meticulously remastered and cut by both Simon Francis and Cicely Balston respectively, it has been pressed to the highest possibly quality at Record Industry in Holland. Special thanks must go to Apiento from Test Pressing who first introduced us to Wally and facilitated all those early zoom meetings. It couldn't have happened without his help. Not least on pulling the art together, too, which features striking original photography by Mads Perch. Benji Roebuck of Roebuck Press did his thing brilliantly in art working the whole package to completion. All in all: essential.

Without doubt a balearic anthem, sounding so familiar yet at the same time maybe never heard before on too many contemporary dance floors. This track checks all the boxes: generous synthetic low end bass lines, catchy piano/string riffs, Spanish vocals, Flamenco guitar accents, dreamy synth chords, early synthesized flutes. Play this on any outdoor festival dance floor this summer and see for yourself, sunset or sunrise this will establish a moment of truth on the floor. Comes with 3 different remixes to choose from, all great, no fluff. Seriously remastered with new highly suggestive full color artwork.

incl. remixes Radioclit and Micachu

A welcome repress from Partial Records with the legendary Max Romeo, best known for hits like `War in a Babylon’, `Chase the Devil’ (aka `Iron Shirt’ as sampled by The Prodigy), `One Step Forward’, Wet `Dream’ and so on.

Originally released in 2004, this is a collaboration with producer Daniel Boyle from Rolling Lion studios who was nominated for a Grammy Award for the album he produced with Lee Perry: `Back on the Controls’.

This crisp musical biscuit features the vocal cut, a horns piece from Hornsman Coyote plus a dub version.

From the catlogue of Italy's charismatic Interactive Test label, helmed by the Falsini brothers, Sound Metaphors Records compiles a selection from the two volume "How To Use The World" series. A collection of raw, experimental proto sounding house numbers composed and played by Marco Calderoni with help on production and writing by Giacomo Brunetti. Originally released in 1991, these releases have since then become deeply craved items amongst collectors and specialists of Italo House. With a sound so unmistakably unique, these productions will be hard to forget, from a time when house music wasn't even concretely established as a genre, these experimental proto nuances in club oriented sound played a defining role in Italy's emerging club sound. Thoroughly remastered at manmade mastering in Berlin, same sound new body.

5 track downtempo Balearic house EP by Ex Spiral tribe member Lol Hammond's studio project Wah Wah Planet from 1990 along side Russell Crone featuring female vocals by Lucy Sian. Serving as a pioneering early example of UK Street Soul. A side explores the romantic theme brought to the table by the lyrics in a more pop/radio edit oriented manner whereas the B-side takes things down a more leftfield route with 3 different excursions in early 90's smooth Balearics ranging from early breaky/triphop nuances to elements borrowing from dancehall music. Including a previously unreleased mix found deep in Lol's master tapes.

12 tracks to bang your 'ed to ! and Uffie is ready to uff on this one, too ...

Although one could imagine that by 1993 any Italo Disco nuances would have been vanquished from sophisticated Italian production setups of the time, it is hard to ignore its presence in this particular work of Italian DJ and producer Gianpiero Pacetti. Much more so than in the work of his contemporaries at the time who would have shifted into full on early progressive trance in pursuit of novelty. Resulting in a refreshingly playful exploration of melodic themes, an aesthetic only to be heard again more than 10 years later with Dutch works like Alden Tyrell. With exception of Alvorada which distinguished itself as completely detached from any of the previously mentioned influences, diving deep into percussive samba elements adjoined by alluring arpeggios and other subtle melodic ornaments characteristic of early progressive trancey movements of the time. Includes new remix of “Alvorada” by Berlin's E-Talking. Remastered with new artwork.

Top tier tackle from Heels & Souls Recordings for their fourth reissue as they let loose a much anticipated double header, Gold In The Shade’s 'Over You' backed with 'Shining Through'. Rough, tough, straight-from-the-heart ‘90s street soul, coming courtesy of TSR bossman Robert Roper and the Gold In The Shade ladies Arletta Davis and Sonia Johnson. One of the most sought-after cuts of this scene, it encompasses much of what made street soul special - heavy bass, gritty breaks, emotive chords and off-kilter vocals, marrying together to form a snapshot of a raw DIY scene with optimism at its heart.

The trio’s first single from 1990, ‘Shining Through’ is a no nonsense, bassbin-rattling love song from the underground, seeing long-term friends Sonia and Arletta pulling on the heartstrings from the mic as Robert works his magic behind the studio controls.

Lovingly remastered from the DAT by Cicely Balston, if only ‘Over You’ had been so easy. Two years of endless searching for the tape and subsequently a clean copy of the record, Heels & Souls even went to the lengths of having the multitracks restored so that Robert could attempt to recreate the original mixdown in the studio – but the magic of ‘91, unfortunately, can’t simply be conjured at the drop of a hi-hat.

After all but losing hope, Sean P (by way of Backatcha’s Aiden Leacy), came to the rescue with a mint condition copy of the record that he had from running in the same circles as Robert and Duval back in the day, ripping and restoring it with a precision he’s rightly famed for. And so (finally!) here it is: distorted samples, low-fi hits, speaker rumbling bassweight and all. Raw to the core, but that’s the point – pure, unbridled emotion from the depths of North West London.

Fully licensed from Robert Roper, 20% of profits from Heels & Souls Recordings and Prime Direct Distribution will be donated to Lives Not Knives, a youth-led London-based charity, working to prevent knife crime, serious youth violence and school exclusions.

Magic Ritmo returns with their second release, a highly demanded reissue of ‘G.F.X. - Eternal’ originally released in 1990.

Shrouded in mystery, the record has gained cult status among veteran ravers, record collectors and those who are allured by the spiritual and ethereal quality the record embodies. Magic Ritmo is delighted to lift the cloak and share the story of the record and artist through a fully licensed and remastered release.

G.F.X. is the alias of Geoff Waterston, a musician, producer and engineer from the coastal town of Whitley Bay, North East England. G.F.X. was born from a youth spent tampering with electronics, taping drum beats off the radio and resourcefully discovering his creativity. Performing originally locally, G.F.X. quickly became a name spotted on the line up of many acid house nights that were popping up across the North east, as the area began to receive their first transfusion of acid house.

Often hidden away from the archives documenting this time, the North East of England was a pivotal and culturally rich scene amongst the acid house movement. Most prominently, and fondly spoken of, was Middlesbrough’s ‘Butter Loggie’, a bizarre sounding party that grew to crowds as big 10,000 youths partying at the Herlingshaw Centre in Eston, a community centre by day and place of pilgrimage by night for those eager to experience the beginning of acid house. G.F.X. performed regularly at the Butter Loggie and recalls the impact and ferality of the event, a wild and loose party where the soundsystem shook through your bones. These early experiences provided Geoff with his first glimpses of spirituality, which provided much of the inspiration behind the EP’s title track ‘Eternal’.

The story and legacy of ‘Eternal’ lives on, remastered and reimagined through the lens of Magic Ritmo. Limited 500 copies. 180g vinyl including inserts.

We would like to thank Geoff and Zara for their trust in us and allowing us the honour of putting this important piece of culture back into the world.

"Eternal was a snapshot of a time when an opening up of alternative lifestyles, spirituality, political activism and music were creating an overall sense of freedom and separation from mainstream society. And for the first time in my life, I felt a sense of peace and belonging that I had never experienced before and that's where eternal emerged from"

Picture Disc incl. Download Code!

One of Fake Blood’s most seminal hits, the 2009 nu-disco / electro powerhouse ‘I Think I Like It’, gets a much-deserved reissue for RSD 2023. This instantly recognizable, high energy dancefloor destroyer comes backed with Fake Blood’s debut single ‘Mars’, also reissued here for the first time since initial 2008 release. With copies of the original Fix Your Accent EP that ‘I Think I Like It’ was first housed on, having sold for over £100 on Discogs, it will be a welcome sight for many to see this available for the first time on red 7” vinyl nestled in a fresh picture sleeve.

Emotional Rescue finally gets around to reissuing some House music with the start of a 3 x 12" series from Miami's Dancefloor Records. Covering House and Freestyle, this is music as worthy as any other explored to date.

Founded by British ex-pat Jeffery Collins in 1983, Dancefloor Records was the culmination of a music industry journeyman's long career from swinging sixties London to bohemian seventies NYC before relocating to the sunnier climbs of Miami.

Taking in the City's unique mix of American, Latin and Caribbean sounds, Dancefloors early success came via a long association with reggae turned disco star King Sporty. While his legacy will be looked at in future, this series concentrates on Dancefloor's shift to the growing club sounds emanating from Chicago and NYC.

First is the little is known Eighth Ray. As often the case, a project by a group of musician friends who went on to release under various pseudonyms. From the opening spoken word intro of Axis Of Love, the spaced-out 4/4 and spiritual, pulsing arps, this could be mistaken for the then in-vogue 'Italian House'. With Rimini in its sights, the vocals are the journey, underpinned by simple, up'n'back bass and Mateo and Matos style keys, pure 6am sunrise.

Backed with the deeper 8th Ray, the EP eschews the bumpin' House then coming from NYC and looks to the sound system vibes out across the Atlantic. Deep House before the term had grabbed hold, been twisted and contorted and donned head-to-toe in black. Simply, real House music.

Thought is the essence of where you are now.

Composed in an era where people weren't concerned with music labels but just wanted to hear fresh new sounds and go out to clubs religiously, “Digital Imagination - The Essence of Thought” is a sci-fi inspired mixture of House, full- speed Trance and Trip Hop coming from a young Ted Heinz falling in love with electronic music in the thriving early 90s Boston rave scene. Originally release by Concept Records in 1993 and with original copies now hard to get ahold of, Sunny Crypt is happy to give this record a full reissue treatment with audio restored from the original DAT tape and a new graphic design.

Label Text "When one of South Africa’s most sought after trumpet players steps forward after a career alongside the very best in the International jazz scene, you know it’s going to be a special record. Dennis Mpale was one of South Africa's heavyweights. You’ll find his name springing up on every important South African jazz record and billing since the 1960’s. Chris McGregor’s iconic Jazz/The African Sound LP, Abdullah Ibrahim’s Dollar Brand, Barney Rachabane in the highly influential ensemble Roots, and early work in house bands appearing alongside Nick Moyake in The Soul jazz Men to name just a few. His trumpet playing had character, an extension of the body and amplifier of that great South African sound. Leaving South Africa during Apartheid as a strong supporter and member of the ANC, Dennis made London his home, joining the newly established SA Jazz scene and standing in solidarity against the oppressions back in Africa. Moving between London and South Africa during the 70’s and 80’s It wasn’t till the early 1990’s when Dennis finally settled again to make his biggest transition to solo artist, redefining his Jazz past and putting a heavy kwaito infused house slammer on the agenda. 1994s ‘Paying My Bills’ (a title maybe more appropriate now than it ever has been) is a mighty jazz kwaito house effort: From the heavy synth beat and

Gorgeous floating solo opener of ‘Paying My Bills’, to the highly infectious vocal phrasing on thumping house anthem ‘Take My Time’. Paying My Bills takes the sensibilities of a jazz maestro and pairs it with one of South Africa’s biggest producers Peter ‘Hitman’ Moticoe, creating the perfect recipe for a certified summer slammer.

Having previously only ever been released on CD, this is the first ever vinyl pressing of the album (hazy early test pressings lurk on a small number of lucky shelves). Vinyl mastering is handled by The Carvery’s very own Frank Merritt here in London, with the resulting tracks generously split over 2 discs to fully appreciate the swampy heavy dub bass drolls for full dancefloor effect. It’s loud and punchy and makes space for those glorious trumpet improvisations while keeping the synth refrains and heavy bass thumping. Early plays include resident NTS DJ’s and a feature on Palms Trax Radio 1 residency with surely more support to follow. "

2020 edition of this total bomb from 93. Re-remastered from the original DAT tapes and fresh new labels to boot. A Sampling masterclass from a DJ in tune & head over heels in love with his favorite records. This was the first record on Wang's own Balihu label, that went on to release classic after classic well into the next decade. Huge TIP!

community Theros by Coti K.

Share / Embed Wishlist supported by ike thumbnail Martin Simonis thumbnail Yonaton Aronoff thumbnail jenniferaslett thumbnail Nicholas Callaghan thumbnail Theros 00:00 / 04:01 Digital Album Streaming + Download Pre-order of Theros. You get 1 track now (streaming via the free Bandcamp app and also available as a high-quality download in MP3, Flac and more), plus the complete album the moment it’s released. releases April 5, 2024 Pre-order Digital Album $7 USD or more Send as Gift Vinyl EP + Digital Download Record/Vinyl + Digital Album package image Vinyl Format with Digital Download

Includes digital pre-order of Theros. You get 1 track now (streaming via the free Bandcamp app and also available as a high-quality download in MP3, Flac and more), plus the complete album the moment it’s released. shipping out on or around April 5, 2024 Pre-order Record/Vinyl $14 USD or more Send as Gift 1. Theros 04:01 2. Blue 3. Argonauts 4. Shoal 5. Notte Estiva about Coti K. brings 5 tracks of Balearic-ambient sweetness to Dark Entries. Italian-Greek musician Costantino Luca Rolando Kiriakos has been a pioneering force in the Athens electronic music scene since the mid-80’s, wearing hats as diverse as composer, sound engineer, and installation artist. His countless projects and collaborators include Tuxedomoon, Stereo Nova, In Trance 95, and RAW (previously reissued by Dark Entries). 1994’s Theros, Kiriakos’s first release as Coti K., was comprised of three tracks of breezy downtempo beats, brimming with smooth breaks, boomy 808’s, and cosmically chill pads & pianos. In tune with the global vibes of the emerging ambient electronica movement, Coti K. brings a dose of his Hellenic heritage with tracks titles like “Argonauts” and “Theros.” The title track includes spoken word contributions from Konstantinos Bhta of Stereo Nova and is built off of a drum loop from Greek goth outfit Flowers of Romance. The sauntering “Blue” features vocals by Christina Moraki which were captured on a portable tape recorder, while the instrumental “Argonauts” is bolstered by cello from Nikos Veliotis. This reissue also includes two tracks from Coti’s 1997 debut LP - “Shoal” and “Notte Estiva” - which have never before appeared on vinyl, and show Coti experimenting with ambient and IDM styles. The cover art for Theros is a photo of the ocean by Giannis Papaioannou of RAW featuring early digital processing done on a Macintosh LC. Coti’s Theros is a timely slice of 90’s nostalgia with a uniquely Mediterranean twist.

Bianca Binky only ever made a handful of records, the majority of which have long been forgotten by all but the most dedicated fans of late-‘80s European synth-pop and crossover house. ‘Tabu’, her final solo single from 1990, is different: a gorgeous, tactile chunk of piano-sporting Balearic house from the time when dancing under the stars at Amnesia was a rite of passage for clubbers from all over Europe, has undoubtedly stood the test of time. Something of a sought-after classic, with keen collectors willing to spend hundreds of Euros on an original 12” single, ‘Tabu’ remains a loved-up, life-affirming dance-floor gem.

It also happens to be a firm favourite of NuNorthern Soul founder Phil Cooper, who has gone to great lengths to produce a deluxe reissue of the hard-to-find Balearic anthem. Original producer Felix B Mangione, head of Blanco Y Negro Records, had long since lost the original master tapes, so Cooper flew from Ibiza to Barcelona to pick up one of the only mint copies still available, before forwarding high-quality digital transfers on to Robin Lee for remastering.

The results speak for themselves. The original mix, a breezy, sun-soaked fusion of synthesised marimba melodies, spine-tingling piano riffs, dreamy chords, Chicago-style Tb-303 bass and Binky’s sensual spoken word vocals, naturally opens proceedings, and is joined on the A-side of the 12” by the original, alternative ‘House Mix’ - more club friendly version that beefs up the beats, emphasises the undulating bassline and offers occasional blasts of spacey synth.

This reissue edition also includes an exclusive, never-before-heard re-edit of the legendary ‘Caribbean Dub’ – first featured on the flip-side of the original release - from Manchester’s finest, Ruf Dug. Tough, effects-laden, bass-heavy and positively epic, Ruffy’s version is arguably the ultimate version of a piano-laden, Tb-303 driven Balearic house classic: ten minutes of rising and falling, saucer-eyed dance-floor bliss that’s surely destined to be one of the most-played tracks of summer 2022.

/ Ed Royal & DJ Enne remix / shapeshifter / South City Allstars remix