Nu Disco 25 Items

Glenn Echo & Daniel Meinecke are back with their hotly anticipated follow-up of What Happened To Yesterday?! This one makes a hat trick on MotorCity Wine Recordings, and cranks up the heat in time for the summer.

Vol. 2 grabs from our favorite moments of both their debut "Partly Cloudy" and Vol. 1, perfectly synthesizing the heady and dubby with the cosmic dance flavors, while always eschewing a genre-box. As the opening invocation "World In My Head" says, "why should I repeat myself?", and the boys continue to push the envelope and find new boundaries. The A-side continues with muscular downtempo joints, with highlights including the Psychedelic Hip-Hop of “Explanation of The Funk” (feat. sultry trumpet from Dre King and cuts by DJ Stylus) and the Gogo-Afrobeat fusion of “Three-Season Crank” (featuring the brilliant Raja Kassis on guitar).

Over to the flip side, "Off The Rails" kicks it off with the most dance-floor oriented joint on the record. From there the album gets dubbier and more meditative, culminating with the blissed out "Black Bird Dub". It's the perfect come down after the earlier beatdown.

Glenn's multi-influenced production is as inspired as ever, while Mr. Meinecke continues to show us why he's earned his stripes as *the* seminal keyboard player in the scene. Whether it's drawing from 70's weed jazz, early 80's dancehall, 90's downtempo, or the most rippin' jazz fusion, Glenn Echo & Daniel Meinecke round out the "What Happened To Yesterday" series in fine singular style.

Housed in a beautiful matte finish picture sleeve with art from Michal Rafaj and pressed on deep translucent purple vinyl. TIP!

Hot 2 Sider from Alton, Illinois's shoestring label gets the Star Creature reissue treatment back on 45 for the first time. Here Star Creature selects two of the most stand out tracks from the mysterious Jimmie Greene for another well curated, floor filer of a 45.

The A Side is one of the most adventurous synthed out peak hour spiritual- level boogie rager. Flip Side is another psychedelic disco freak out stomper. Hasn't sold on Discogs in almost 15 years. Test presses co-signed by fellow Chicago disco Kingpins Mark Grusane and Darryn Jones.

When Jazz Meets Italo-Disco. Two Italian legends meet and deliver a unique contemporary jazz-house fusion! ''Stefano Cantini is a well-known saxophonist in the Italian and international jazz scene. In recent years he has focused on a project called Living Coltrane with Ares Tavolazzi, Francesco Maccianti and Piero Borri. Stefano and Maurizio Dami (Alexander Robotnick) had worked together for a while in the mid '80s and Stefano also played on GMM's album (''Love Supreme'' is the best known track). Since then, Stefano has focused totally on Jazz whilst Maurizio Dami produced World Music in the '90s and later on, under the artist name Alexander Robotnick, retrieved in 2000, turned to electronic music again, so the two musicians lost track of each other for 40 years. Robotnick says, ''In March 2023 I received a call from a club in Pisa, Cantiere San Bernardo. They asked me whether I could play live with Stefano ''Cocco'' Cantini on the occasion of a special event dedicated to Giovanotti Mondani Meccanici. I called him and he answered enthusiastically. Shortly before the concert we rehearsed at the Follonica Music School which he directs. He improvised with me on the bases of my live. We liked our rehearsal and a few days later, on June 2nd 2023, we played in Pisa with much success. So came the idea of doing something together. We decided to produce an EP featuring 3 tracks. On some of my bases Stefano created a harmonic texture to improvise on. I mainly took care of the arrangement and the production. But what we play is the result of improvisation, with hardly any editing. It's amazing how we managed to work together so smoothly after so many years, as if we had never stopped. We called this project 'Robocok'''. They are modal tracks with a techno approach and harmonically open. Almost a provocation to the staticity of contemporary dance. On ''Francocco'' and ''Frigiococco'' Stefano plays soprano sax whilst on ''Afrococco'' he plays alto. Guglielmo Bottin took the task of making a remix. He picked ''Francocco'' and skilfully turned it into a pure drums and piano groove. Perfect for the dancefloor.''

Hardway Bros teams up with Beth Cassidy on Rekids for a timeless ode to the legendary Murk Records The release includes a ‘coral way’ dub mix and a remix by Erol Alkan and Richard Norris’ Beyond The Wizards Sleeve.

Sean Johnston is the man behind Hardway Bros, an alias well known for wobbly, downtempo, and synth-laced disco jams which have appeared on the likes of Is it Balearic? Whiskey Pickle, and Throne of Blood over the last decade. On this single, which is a love letter to legendary early 90s label Murk Records, Johnston links with vocalist Beth Cassidy, known for her work as part of Manchester’s Sea Fever and Section 25.

Hardway Bros’ wonderful 'Murky' is deep and sensual house music. The vocal brings sultry charm, unfolding in soulful style over whimsical ambient pads and chunky drums. It oozes with character and harks back to actual songwriting of days gone by.

Beyond The Wizard's Sleeve is an alias of dance music pioneers Erol Alkan and Richard Norris. It was established to bring psyched-out, acid touches to the dance floor and has resulted in a critically acclaimed album on Alkan’s Phantasy Sound and much more. Their excellent Re-Animation is eight minutes of drawn-out disco chug, loose grooves and masterful chord work. Up last is a Coral Way dub that strips things back to the beats, layers in plenty of cosmic FX, and lets your imagination run wild on the tripped-out synth leads that pan between the stars.

The LA-based Ashrr outfit is back with more of their superbly warm and soul-infused sounds here with 'Different Kind of Life'. Their own Ashrr Soundsystem version of the original is a gloriously upbeat and funky bit of space disco with lavish synth lines and chugging drums that lock you in. Berlin electronic mainstay Massimiliano Pagliara, who has landed on the likes of Ostgut Ton, Cocktail d'Amore and more, then brings his own two remixes. The first has some nice indie vocals and dazzling chord work, while the second is a deep dub that pairs things back. All three of these are swaggering and uplifting disco cuts with a difference.

DJ Cat comes through on Scruniversal here as the young label continues to go from strength to strength early in its existence. This time he serves up some re-edits and reworks of old and rare records from Scru's friends' collections. Up first is 'Roots & Culture' which is a languid funk workout with Prince style vocals bring some libidinous vibes up top while sci-fi synths and raw claps and perc all flesh out the groove. 'Possibelle' then cuts loose on a much more laid back and steamy summer vibe with the sort of chords that have you laying back in the park and staring up at a cloudless sky.

Belgian DJ and producer Gratts have joined forces with London-based vocalist Mr. Beale to follow up on to success of their well-received 'Sun Circles' release last year. Here, on the sublime 'Submerge Me', they are in fine form once more with a brooding sound that features the uniquely mesmerising mantras of Beale and plenty of raw, compelling and percussive grooves that full lock you in and get you going. Versatile Records' own Gilb'r then steps up on the flip and manages to take things even deeper with some fine liquid dub excursions to complete a top 7"

"Rock Steady" was from the first album with Jahari, recorded with Needa on vocals and the first time using machines in the mix. During that session we had another song called "One Night Stand" that didn't make it on the album, but it should have looking back now. PPU Records fixed the instrumental for "Rock Steady". We didn't even know it was on the old tapes, we put it here as a bonus track. We will have copies of the 7" inches done in May. Today we have a white label for Record Store Day available, but not that many.

Back again.. The funkiest band from Oklahoma you have now probably heard of.. Glass Pyramid released four 7" inch singles over the span of 1979-1986. When we originally re-released their music in 2008, we were told by the band this song "Better By The Minute" was never pressed on vinyl.. Years later with the help of our fans we learn it does exist! So here is what we call.."Better" Better By The Minute + "Stop It" another unreleased track taken from the same 1986 Studio 7 Oklahoma City session.

Verrazzano continues with the second issue in our summer EP series! This time Type-303 is really ”Lost In Paradise” with this four-track EP to suit all sophisticated tastes. The first track hitting your nerves is ”Acid Disco Time”. Have you ever wondered how it feels to go to a disco with a slight ”acidy” taste in your mouth and realize that something is familiar, but at the same time, somehow… out of place? You hear a Seinfeld bass slapping a classic groove, then a bubbling energy starts rising under the surface and now your armpits sweat in your blazer! Add some glitter dust shimmering in smoke, and the whole thing goes off to a spacey gallop! Is this now so-called ”Cosmic-Business” dance music? The story continues with ”Lost In Paradise”, and takes us to the deep end of turquoise-colored waters. If you found a seashell from the beach and listened to its stories carefully, could you handle the tempting whispers of mermaids, and resist the melodies from those happy days of ancient Minoan Paradise? To get a taste of such delights, this track delivers a glimpse! How do our ancestors teach us lessons long after their earthly existence? By roaming the Earth in cosmic fashion, of course! ”Spirit Dance”, with its ethereal flute and otherworldly harmonies puts the listener in a place where one is the question mark and the answer too… Deep? It should be. When the spirits have done their hypnotic dance and the dizziness has vanished, it is time to wander on a field and look at some beautiful ”Wild Horses”. Basking in the evening dawn, you appreciate that some energies are not fully tamed, but are glorious as wild beings and should be kept as such. It’s the same with music, nurture the wild sides of sounds and energies!

J & M Music Co US welcomes LeBaron James for another standout four-tracker that brings raw house and smooth disco together on one EP. Up first is 'Always Be True' is a deceptively simple sound that brings straight-up dancefloor beats with hooky pads. 'House Party' then has more heavy kicks and wild percussive patterns to liven up any party and 'One' then brings a more cool and laid-back disco groove that has a slick modern twist. Last but not least is 'Sugar And Spice' which brings a touch of sophisticated and chic instrumental vibes. It's a fourth different sound on a versatile EP.

Gledd brings a great mix of funk, disco, Afro and plenty of extra special magic to this hot new 12" on Saint Wax. It opens with 'Papa Bel' which is a steamy cut with florid melodic leads and tribal percussion. 'Tanda' then brings wailing vocals and more organic and jumbled grooves that ooze summer heat. The Afro rhythms continue through 'Rewild' which has a lively broken beat that rides stiff drums and last of all is the most intense of the lot - 'Guado Loop' is heavily layered with drums and perc, vocals, congas and background chants that will get any dance floor in a sweat.

Volksmusik returns after their last vinyl release in the year 2005 with 3 new unreleased tracks from the electro to post punk and new wave, sounds characteristic of the golden age of French electroclash plus 2 of his sought after tracks included in the EP "Glowing in the dark" released on the label Elektrofon, remixed and remastered from the original steams for a better sound and adaptation to the vinyl format to you don't have to delight the discogs sharks

Austin, Texas duo The Vapor Caves venture into ominous, mid-tempo magic on “Go My Own Way.” Oscillating between breezy nu-disco and beachy house, this effort feels like an evolution for the duo who explores the endless search for life’s meanings and a desire to be independent. The salsa-inspired, melancholic chording and tasty acoustic bassline set the stage for Yadira’s lead vocal here, pleading for her freedom, wrapped up in her impeccable ability to write muti-faceted harmonies and lyrics that can be re-interpreted endlessly. “Go My Own Way” marks The Vapor Caves’ first single on Italian label, Sleepers Recordz, which will release this on a 7” vinyl record mid-summer. An upcoming West Coast tour will celebrate the release and have VC sharing stages with modern funk greats XL Middleton & Moniquea, as well as Jonny Tobin & Maya Killtron. “Faith” is a syrupy, Zapp & Roger-inspired, modern funk ballad. A co-write with longtime friend, Aidan Kennedy (recent Neil Francis remixer), this tune evolved into the story of a fallen angel, lost somewhere between two worlds. Featured to close this soulful, yacht rock-sounding jam is nu-jazz phenom & Canadian composer Jonny Tobin, who delivers the synth solo of the decade, chock-full of arpeggios & unique chording. “Faith” anchors this two-song EP as a very vulnerable b-side, with a smooth change of pace, rarely heard from The Vapor Caves, but swiftly becoming a staple tempo in their catalog.

Austin, Texas duo The Vapor Caves venture into ominous, mid-tempo magic on “Go My Own Way.” Oscillating between breezy nu-disco and beachy house, this effort feels like an evolution for the duo who explores the endless search for life’s meanings and a desire to be independent. The salsa-inspired, melancholic chording and tasty acoustic bassline set the stage for Yadira’s lead vocal here, pleading for her freedom, wrapped up in her impeccable ability to write muti-faceted harmonies and lyrics that can be re-interpreted endlessly. “Go My Own Way” marks The Vapor Caves’ first single on Italian label, Sleepers Recordz, which will release this on a 7” vinyl record mid-summer. An upcoming West Coast tour will celebrate the release and have VC sharing stages with modern funk greats XL Middleton & Moniquea, as well as Jonny Tobin & Maya Killtron. “Faith” is a syrupy, Zapp & Roger-inspired, modern funk ballad. A co-write with longtime friend, Aidan Kennedy (recent Neil Francis remixer), this tune evolved into the story of a fallen angel, lost somewhere between two worlds. Featured to close this soulful, yacht rock-sounding jam is nu-jazz phenom & Canadian composer Jonny Tobin, who delivers the synth solo of the decade, chock-full of arpeggios & unique chording. “Faith” anchors this two-song EP as a very vulnerable b-side, with a smooth change of pace, rarely heard from The Vapor Caves, but swiftly becoming a staple tempo in their catalog.

Luca Trentini's 3rd release on Blessyou, further exploring and perfecting his disco sample-based recipe to dancefloor enhancement. A well put together club oriented tool kit put forth by a seasoned DJ himself, Luca shares his club secret weapons with us once again. Coming on strong on the A side at 124 BPM with a driving momentum splashed with acid nuances - peak time main room Cocktail D'Amore material. "So High!" drops down to 120 BPM with a more playful use of his sample pallets. Moving down to low 90s BPM on the B side with a downtempo chugger jungle flavoured cruise as he befriends a few animals with a lot to share, including what sounds like a Kookaburra and a few big cats. Something here for everyone.

"money, Money" feat. Pink Flamingo Rhythm Revue is a nu-disco club banger. YAM WHO's remix features a throbbing bassline alongside the catchy chorus. The two Robert PM remixes (vocal and instrumental) are much faster with a minimal techno feel that focuses on the drum beats. Custom label die cut sleeves with a sticker and full color labels. Out on Brooklyn's Toucan Sounds.

The popular Vinyl Only label hits release number 20 here with another sure-to-sell-out blend of funk, disco and soul. The brilliantly named Huge Disco Tits EP kicks off with a cheeky number that samples the greatest ginger-haired soul singer of all time. After that one shakes your limbs loose, 'Sock With Lube' brings swooning strings and raw, well-swung drums. 'Midnight Thing' is a percussive jam with funky bass guitar licks and 'Alright Thing' then shuts down with a vibrant blend of horns, strings and big licks. Party starting and loveable as always from this label.