Disco Funk

Born in 1950 near Constantine and raised on a parental diet of traditional Arabic music, Zohra quickly took up singing and playing the guitar and kept doing so after she and her family moved to the North of France. Playing gala events and receptions during her first years in France it took an encounter with multi-talented instrumentalist, composer, arranger and conductor Joël Hannier to take her into the world of recorded music. Joël Hannier’s experience in writing and interpreting music for ballets, television, orchestras and a vast array of French and international musicians made sure their collaboration – sung in a Berber dialect – was destined for success. The title track ‘Badala Zamana’ gets picked up by various radio stations, most notably in Arabic speaking countries. In France the song did not go unnoticed either, but until today - although championed by Habibi Funk among a few others – it remains relatively unearthed.

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.Marrying the old with the new, ‘I Need You Now’ is drenched in funk bass slickness and colourful chords, yet embraces a wealth of synthesized sounds from electro sequencers to synth-based strings, giving it that early ‘80s post disco, boogie feel. Bernard Fowler of Peech Boys fame steps up on guest vocals bringing a deep, R&B tone to proceedings, complimented by the all-female vocal prowess of Sinnamon adding their trademark feminine touch to the track.First up on the flip side, the six minute ‘Fierce Reprise’ mix. Reversed rides that suck back into the skull, tape delayed vocals and spacey synth echoes blend together, as elements are overlaid and dubbed out for maximum, heavyweight, proto house vibrations.Last up, a favourite and much used vocal accapella that’s been sampled by a whole host of early house, hardcore and garage producers from 808 State and Criminal House to Ray Keith and Paul Johnson.An essential bit of kit for anyone with a penchant for that early ‘80s boogie flavour.

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.

You may know of “Rude Movements”, an early dance music classic produced by SunPalace (Mike Collins and Keith O’Connell) back in 1983 that brought together proto-house, balearic beats and funky vibes. In 1984, the tune quickly became an anthem that could regularly be heard at David Mancuso’s “The Loft” or at Larry Levan’s “Paradise Garage” for example.Thanks to Mike Collins, the studio veteran still in the business after more than 35 years and currently busy perpetuating the legacy of SunPalace, more material from the archives has been ‘surfacing’ over the past few years on UK-based record labels. After a very productive meeting earlier this year, Parisian label Chuwanaga is really proud to present four unreleased songs produced between 1982 and 1984!Co-written by Mike Collins from SunPalace and Breeze McKrieth, a founder member of Britfunk bands Light Of The World and Beggar & Co, these Lost Songs are the almost forgotten result of this seminal collaboration, an exclusive musical rendez-vous between experienced studio music makers and funksters at the top of their game, including some of the finest Britfunk musicians. Bringing together eighties influences and futuristic sounds, the result covers a wide range of genres, from jazz-funk to new wave: it captured a unique moment in British musical history, a smooth transition to a more electronic sound. Definitely not one to be missed!

"I really felt that Uku led me to this music and what to play.. It happened straight when I got back home from his funeral" -Maryn. "LTA Fusion" featured on this album was one of their last co-writes. Maryn took what foundation her son played, and finished the song with him here.

Re-issue of this rare & collectable mid-80s boogie/funk double-sider, music created by the group Cybotron, comes complete with pic sleeve.Fantasy Love Records established as a label in 2018 with a focus on the obscure and danceable sounds of the 80s. The point of the label is to revive the sounds of private/small pressings as well as unreleased tracks from groups who recorded boogie/steppers/disco via carefully illustrated vinyl releases & via digital for both collectors & DJs.

Kalita Records are proud to announce the first ever official reissue of the four choice tracks from Randolph Baker's privately pressed elusive 1982 disco album " Reaching For The Stars"Kalita Records are proud and honoured to announce the first ever official reissue of the four choice tracks from Randolph Baker's privately pressed elusive 1982 disco album 'Reaching For The Stars', plus an unreleased instrumental take of 'Party Life' sourced from the original 24-track analogue master tapes.Originally recorded at Jim Morris and Rick Miller's Tampa-based Morrisound Studios, 'Getting Next To You' features a mixture of both local Florida talent plus jazz superstar Nat Adderley and bassist John Lamb at their finest. Originally pressed in a run of just one-thousand copies, with limited distribution, original copies have long been sought-after by both collectors and DJs alike, acknowledged as a true disco masterpiece and deservedly demanding extortionate figures to those lucky enough to find their own.Here, in collaboration with Randolph, Kalita Records offer the four in-demand tracks from the album: ‘Getting Next To You’, ‘Jazzman’, ‘Callin’ Me’ and ‘Party Life’. The former is an in-demand horn and chant-filled disco masterpiece, which, as Randolph explains, concerns unity and “everyone on the same level… in other words, everyone just loving life”. It is arguably the song that Randolph is most well-known for in the disco and funk scene and perfect for the modern discerning dance floor. ‘Jazzman’ is an instrumental track with prominent trumpet and saxophone solos working with funky basslines to produce a truly great jazz-funk groove. ‘Callin’ Me’ is a soulful disco number featuring the lead vocals of Laurie Erickson and is “about being on the road and ensuring loved ones that you will always come back home no matter what. It was like a promise to ensure loved ones they didn't have to worry”. Lastly, ‘Party Life’ is a joyous disco track with a strong funk bassline and horns. Here, with access to the 24-track master tapes we have been able to include the original version plus an unreleased instrumental take, allowing us to focus on the infectious bassline and make it even more ready for the modern dance floor.'Getting Next To You' is to be released in July 2018, accompanied by interview-based liner notes and never-before-seen photos.- First ever official reissue of the four choice tracks from Randolph Baker's sought-after 1982 disco album 'Reaching For The Stars'- Includes an unreleased instrumental version of 'Party Life' remixed from the original 24-track analogue master tapes- Accompanied by extensive interview-based liner notes and never-before-seen photos