Disco Funk

Started out as a reggae, lovers rock band in the late 70's, The Cool Notes consolidated their reputation in the 80s, after turning towards more soulful sounds and have signed different hits, all finished straight into the upper parts of the charts. "I Wanna Dance" and "Blown It" released for the Sour Grape label owned by Patrick Mulpeter and Danny Ryan, both former member of the band Gold, are two gems inexplicably left in the shadows, but as often happens, later appreciated as essential spins, in the selection of various DJs

Three timeless gems composed by Mr. Lester J. Batchelor - founder of the band Atmosfear; classy British jazz funk !

Crown Ruler Records returns with a slab of unreleased disco-funk from Miami musician, Aaron Broomfield. HEAVY tune, in two mixes.“Boomerang” was first recorded in 1979, when the Broomfield Corporate Jam leader was attempting to plot a solo career. It was the first cut Aaron Broomfield recorded under his own name – Initially, at the family band’s home studio, Kilimanjaro, and later at professional studios in L.A and Miami – but it was never released.“I always wanted to be able to share ‘Boomerang’ with my fans some day – I didn’t release it back then because I thought the time wasn’t right,” Broomfield explains. “It was so different to what was considered commercial then and felt ahead of its time.”Before deciding against releasing it, Broomfield had two test pressings made. It was the accidental discovery of the one remaining record by digger Arun Brown (the other perished when Broomfield’s Kilimanjaro studio was damaged by a fire in 1996) that set in motion the chain of events that finally led to its release.The jacket boasts a written essay by Broomfield himself, telling the remarkable story behind the song. The wax features the two versions of Boomerang, of which both were meticulously restored and re-mastered by celebrated Australian sound engineer, Dan Elleson.Head to side A for the “test press” version, a cosmic, starry-eyed chunk of elastic Miami disco-funk where the Broomfield family’s killer instrumentation – all rubbery bass, deep space synths and crunchy Clavinet motifs – arcs around the sound space like a boomerang in flight. The vocal arrangement, in which Aaron Broomfield’s conscious lyrics come through loud and clear, brings it home. On the flipside, you’ll hear how dynamic the band was through the “Demo Version” - a relaxed, loose and spacey groover that sounds as ahead of its time in 2018 as it would have when it was recorded in 1979.

Invisible City Editions is proud to officially re-release the sublime extended 12” version of “Praise Jah” with soaring vocals and wild electronics.Oluko Imo was a Trinidadian born multi-instrumentalist, founder of the legendary spiritual afro jazz groups Mansa Musa and the Black Truth Rhythm Band. He moved to New York City in the 80s and divided his time between teaching music there and touring Africa with Fela Kuti as both his manager and part of the band.Praise Jah is Imo’s crowning achievement. An elevated electronic mantra that perfectly fuses synthy soca disco with his spiritual afro-Trinidadian leanings. It’s a timeless piece of music that sounds as visionary today as it did when it emerged from the aether back in 1979.Limited pressing with embossed sleeve, designed by Zeitype.

Kalita are delighted to announce their next release, Steel City Connection's 1978 single 'Steel City Disco', accompanied by extensive interview-based liner notes and never-before-seen photos.Originally privately released on Pittsburgh's Jeree Records, ‘Steel City Disco' is one of the most sought-after disco records in existence, searched for by most yet the treasured possession of but only a few fortunate DJs and collectors. A grail in the truest sense of the word, this is a masterpiece in disco form, guaranteed to set any modern discerning dance floor alight.Featuring an evolving line-up of various Pittsburgh-based students from the band's inception in 1975, Steel City Connection featured a multi-race make-up of musicians, led by bassist Keith Stewart. They rehearsed religiously in their parents' basements, and quickly developed into a well-trained group, performing at top venues across the city such as The Crazy Quilt and Pinball Wizard, accompanied by their manager and even their own roadies.In 1978, with their hard-earned money secured from previous gigs, they paid to record and manufacture the single at Pittsburgh's most popular studio, Jeree, who then released it on their own label. However, upon its release the record sadly failed to make the headway that it deserved, mostly due to their manager's failing ill health and the band's inexperience in promoting music in the record industry. Although it received airtime on a few Pittburgh-based radio stations, it was soon lost into distant memory. 'Steel City Disco' has since become highly sought-after as arguably one of the best privately pressed disco releases ever put to wax, lifting its status from a mere 'rarity' to a true grail for many collectors and DJs. It is our honour to officially offer it here for the first time once more, backed with an unreleased extended version of 'Dansation', sourced from the original master tapes.- One of the most sought-after disco records in existence, with original copies known to command eye-wateringly high prices- Accompanied by extensive interview-based liner notes and never before seen photos- Backed with an unreleased extended version of ‘Dansation’, sourced from the original analogue master tapes

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.