12"

REPRESS !!!Melbourne synthesist Harvey Sutherland brings four stripped-back rhythm tracks to Echovolt Records for his debut 12”. Features a long edit of 'Q3' from last year’s limited cassette release, plus three new original cuts. Developed and refined from Sutherland’s improvised live show, the 'Edges E.P.' glides between the sparse melodic funk on ‘Sunday Flower’ to the tightly-wound house shuffle of ‘Speaking Your Language’. The title track rounds out the B-side - a long rollicking hardware jam, all Juno brass and marching band snares.

Since the release of his 2 first albums on Favorite Recordings, Lucas Arruda has quickly established himself as one of the most talented young artist and composer from Brazil. His music is filled with fusion style, mixing influences and elements from his Latin musical background, with his genuine admiration for Jazz, Soul and Funk music. In spring 2015, it was also not surprising to find Lucas Arruda back with a new LP called SOLAR, receiving great supports and feedbacks from international media and tastemakers. One of the highlight of the album was the song “Melt the Night”, on which Lucas asked legendary producer Leon Ware for his help, reminding his collaborations in the 80s with Marcos Valle, when they perfectly merged together the sophisticated Boogie and AOR touch from California, with the blazing sense of rhythm from Brazil. Today, Lucas Arruda and Favorite Recordings proudly present a brand new single, announcing the release of Lucas’ third efforts later this year. This new opus is pursuing the music direction set with SOLAR, mixing touch of Blue-Eyed-Soul, Pop, Soul and Brazilian styles together, and influenced by the path of legendary Brazilian producer Lincoln Olivetti, who recorded some of the biggest stars of Brazilian music (Marcos Valle, Jorge Ben, Tim Maia…). In Lucas words: “These two tracks represent the whole spirit of the new album. In this record I really wanted to honor Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti. They are the main influence on this record. We recorded the basic tracks for the album in the same studio that Lincoln Olivetti did his last works. So, this was very important to capture the true essence of Brazilian Funk/AOR tradition. Hope you guys enjoy it!”

Released in 1983, Guy Cuevas’ 12” Single "Obsession" is probably one of the ''best'' French Disco-Boogie records, enriched by Jean-Paul Goude's artwork for the cover. The A-side's Nassau mix by François K is a sensual and airy journey, while the B-side's London mix offers a more realistic approach that will please the more classic-listening disco enthusiasts.

Tonbe branches out from his Disco Fruit label to launch Hellcat Tunes with the instant heat of the Trade Off EP. "Ain't Nuthin' To It" is a perfect slice of disco house with all the right ingredients to set the dance alight, and likewise you'd be hard pressed to not start vibing off the dulcet tones of "Bon Dapp". "Sunday's Calling", as the name might suggest, takes a more laconic approach that feeds in a whisper of dub house influence and lots of beautifully filtered guitar. "Trade Off" then amps up the tempo and the horns for a peppy workout that bridges the gap between the lounge and dancefloor perfectly.

Best Italy continues to do a wonderful job of unearthing much-sought after gems and giving them the re-press they deserve. Lily Ann was a quintessential one hit wonder of Italo disco perfection that surfaced in 1984, and "Going Crazy" captures the mood of early 80s dance music perfectly. Adding value to the release beyond the fresh mastering job and high-end modern pressing, as well as the previously released vocal and instrumental we also get treated to a dub mix of "Going Crazy" to give you even more options for dropping this impeccable slice of Italian dance music history.

The latest dig from Best Record Italy's eternal mission to release the finest Roman musical manna features noted jazz man Pino Presti taking on Manu Dibango's eternal party jam "Soul Makossa". Presti's interpretation uses oodles of gleaming 80s synths in place of the original traditional instrumentation, but fear not as the iconic brass section remains a real-world force, and sounds mighty fresh with it. Following up that cover is a sumptuous version of "Ain't No Sunshine" which is aimed square at the heartstrings of the most Balearic cruisers. "I Call Your Name / Come Back To Me" gets even smoother, the vocals capturing Mediterranean getaway romance to perfection.

Once more scouring the annals of disco history for the hottest jams, Best look beyond Italy and snap up this much-vaunted slice of American funk from 1982. While second hand prices can get out of control, it's not hard to hear why this glittering prize from Jagg would be so coveted - it's got everything. Jazz-leaning slap bass, mean synthesizer chops and soaring vocals - "Take Time" is prime to set the party off, and no longer is it the preserve of wealthy collectors. Originally a single-sided affair, Best have done the right thing and filled the B-side up with an extended version to let that groove roll on even longer.