2019

No deep dive into the Local Records back catalogue would be complete without a reissue of the prized jewel that is Jaye Williams ‘Let Me Be The One’.Electro tinged street soul from the N17 ends, with ever reliable label boss and in-house (literally, in his front room) producer John Collins working his magic once again. That sultry voice? Local singer, Jaye Williams blessing the mic with some of the most dynamite lyrics Local Records had to offer…“I can see that you’ve been looking, for a love that’s new. Well let me tell you I’ve got something cooking… I know you’re feeling hungry and I’ve got enough for two”.The flip houses the instrumental, bringing Tim Sanders on tenor sax and John Kpai on guitar to the DIY living room booth and adding another layer of sensuality to compliment that punchy synth bass oh so well. Think smokey, low lit bars, Cabernet Sauvignon flowing as easy as the conversation - this is one for the lovers and those that got away.Pushing £100 on Discogs ‘Let Me Be The One’ is A grade, rarefied street soul gear, long buried deep within the wantlists of many a collector, who never thought they’d see this glorious day.

An instantly recognisable intro that Daft Punk turned into one of their most well-known anthems, ‘Harder Better Faster Stronger’ - Edwin Birdsong’s ‘Cola Bottle Baby’ is straight up insatiable, late ‘70s funk fire.To think this was made nearly 40 years ago – it sounds as delicious as the day it was released and one of those classics that was way ahead of the game. It’d be hard to find anyone that doesn’t feel some level of nostalgia in those opening 15 seconds, but not many would be able to name the original behind the sample.A futuristic leaning jazz funk sound, in part created by the quacked-out bass synth and ringing ride cymbal but grounded in the grooving funk bass, twanging guitar and electrifying keys. An amalgamation of sounds from pop, disco and funk to jazz and electro, there’s no denying Birdsong’s talents - a flair that would lead him to collaborate with the mighty Roy Ayers.On the B side, ‘Freaky Deaky Sities’ ramps up the tempo but carries on that mix of the futuristic and the funk – an ode to all the disco dancers out there. Talkbox business married with Birdsong and his backing’s call and response, bongos and cowbells side by side with rock styled guitars, it’s a pure power play for the dancefloor.An underrated talent given a new lease of the life - officially, remastered and reissued for the first time on 12-inch vinyl for a fuller, louder pressing.

Rain&Shine continue the love for Steve Elliott’s self-produced music by giving his second LP ‘Completion Of A Miracle’ (1982) another lease of life.Remastered from the original reel-to-reel tapes. Includes dancefloor cut ‘Wake Up’. Another essential release from Rain&Shine, set to become a future collector’s item.

New to the Modern Boogie Scene, Funk’n’Sly seem to have come out of nowhere – from waiting in the wings, honing their production, until it was on point to delivering this bonafide early 80’s soul sound.This EP brings you 4 x original cuts with vocals from Ivanmore, Ty Gabriel, Emma Brammer and Ashleigh Jane.The pièce de résistance is the killer dub from Ron Basejam, taking you on a dubbed out dancefloor trip, like a late night ode Larry Levan and the heady days of the Paradise Garage.

OG Razor-N-Tape crew right here! Having graced the RNT hall of fame for only their third release back in 2013, Frank Booker returns in style for round two.Straight off the bat ‘Be Yourself’ takes you on a sensuous journey around the disco cosmos. Interplanetary echoes, stratospheric strings and a bass and brass beamed down directly from the outer galaxy are brought together with those heavenly vocals alluring any lost souls.‘More’ follows up – a hair raising, funk fuelled edit combining luscious vocals, a badass bassline and the kind of guitar riffs that will leave you straight up salivating for more. This is peak time, delectable disco with an added umph and rhythms that are kind to the discerning DJs out there.Closing out the EP Frank slows things down to galactic chugger territory, marshalling the funky starship to the underground with the pied piper of supercharged jazz flutes leading the dance. A raucous return from the masterful Frank Booker.

Prolific Spanish producer Rayko brings you four slices of synth-tastic nu-disco with a prog twist here. The title track is a lazy, hazy affair in which untold layers of analogue sound oscillate their way in and out of the picture. "Drive" sees him join forces with fellow Spaniard Landerground to deliver a wonderfully fluid, fluttering chunk of synth-heavy Balearica. The title is clearly a nod towards the famous movie of the same name, and many of the electronic sounds are reminiscent of the film's legendary soundtrack 'Autopower' is a tad funkier in feel and, with its sense of repressed energy, would make a great building track. But for some truly out-there thrills, head for 'Oopart', a guitar-led affair that comes on like Ripperton jamming with space rock diehards Ozric Tentacles.

Tipped for big things, Alex Virgo presents the first release for his brand new Label ‘Pomme Frite’. An imprint influenced by his love of Disco & his keen ear for sampling in House music.The title track ‘Let Me Through’ builds energy fluidly, effortlessly chopping & changing. Destined to make an impact on the dance floor.The B side features two more originals from Virgo. The first is a ruthless French house inspired bomb ‘Come On Baby’ and collab with new comer & long-time friend Benjamin Groove entitled ‘Private Caller’. A groovy house number with skippy drums & hypnotic sax sampling.

The mysterious Kayroy appears on his second Whiskey Disco record bringing the heat by way of sampladelic dancefloor collages packed with funk and a slight left-of-center aesthetic. Like Damn and the titular, Pavlova Casanova, are both hands-up, disco gaiety that will rip the heart of your chest.Sandy Shackles closes out the EP conjuring the disco dub vibes of editors like Idjut Boys or Ray Mang. Just who is Kayroy – and who was he on his first Whiskey Disco appearance?

Editorial venture to France for ED025 with four expertly edited, blissful gems from Parisian producer, Chevals.The A side hits with two hazy cuts of sun drenched disco house. ‘Left Behind’ swells with filtered tales of lost love radiating a bittersweet warmth. Rich bass melodies and clipped funk guitars shine through as thoughts drift away across glistening seas. ‘Eye Of Love’ is served up next, equally as impassioned with buzzing synths, basking Spanish guitars and joy-filled chords and congas give a sense of desert islands where day-to-day life is only a figment of the imagination.Flip it over and ‘The Line’ hits with a pumped up, soulful bassline that solos and sidewinds with brazen hats as its accomplice. Squelching keys and deft Rhodes touches add luscious harmonies to leave listeners lulled by its masterful flow.Last up, ‘Time’ takes a pensive, eyes closed trip - delicate vocals, summery synth lines and glimmering samples washing away the worries as they wander over the airwaves.