Category Archives: Boogie

SWEAT BAND-SWEAT BAND.

SWEAT BAND-SWEAT BAND. After George Clinton and his manager Archie Ivy formed Uncle Jam Records, the nascent label’s first release was the debut album from Bootsy Collins newly formed P-Funk supergroup Sweat Band. Formed out of the ashes of Bootsy’s Rubber Band, Sweat Band was a short-lived P-Funk group, who released just one album in 1980. …

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SKYY-SKYY LINE.

SKYY-SKYY LINE. By the time Skyy released their fourth album for Salsoul Records, Skyy Line, which was recently rereleased by BBR Records, Salsoul, and indeed music, had changed dramatically. Between 1975 and 1979, Salsoul Records had established a reputation as disco’s premier label. Salsoul Records gained a reputation as an innovative and influential label, who …

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OVERDOSE OF THE HOLY GHOST-COMPILED BY DAVID HILL.

OVERDOSE OF THE HOLY GHOST-COMPILED BY DAVID HILL Sometimes, compilations can be anodyne affairs, with record labels and compilers scared to release compilations of innovative, leftfield music. This results in labels playing it safe and releasing compilations that although not innovative, will pay the bills. Thankfully, there are some labels out their willing to release …

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SALSOUL PRESENTS: THE DEFINITIVE 12” MASTERS VOLUME 2.

SALSOUL PRESENTS: THE DEFINITIVE 12” MASTERS VOLUME 2. Recently, I was asked by a friend to recommend a Salsoul Records compilation. They’d heard a couple of songs from Salsoul’s illustrious back-catalogue, and decided they wanted to dig deeper. Realizing that I was huge fan of all things disco, and especially Salsoul, they asked if i …

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SALSOUL PRESENTS: THE DEFINITIVE 12” MASTERS VOLUME 1.

SALSOUL PRESENTS: THE DEFINITIVE 12” MASTERS VOLUME 1. With so many Salsoul compilations having been released over the past twenty years, any newcomer to Salsoul Records is spoiled for choice. Indeed, anyone looking to discover disco’s premier label, will be confused by the sheer variety of Salsoul compilations on offer. Sadly, Salsoul compilations fall into …

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THE WEST END RECORDS STORY.

THE WEST END RECORDS STORY. When Ed Kushins and Mel Cherin founded West End Records in 1976, they had no idea that their newly founded label would become one of the most important, influential and innovative labels of the disco era. Now nearly four decades later, West End Records is held in the same esteem …

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DISCO LOVE VOLUME 3-EVEN MORE RARE DISCO AND SOUL UNCOVERED (COMPILED BY AL KENT)

DISCO LOVE VOLUME 3-EVEN MORE RARE DISCO AND SOUL UNCOVERED (COMPILED BY AL KENT). Glasgow’s disco don Al Kent is back, and he’s been crate-digging again. Digging deep. Way deeper than he’s ever dug before. The result is his new compilation Disco Love 3, which will be released on BBE Music on 18th February 2013. …

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THE BEST REISSUES OF 2012-PART 1.

THE BEST REISSUES OF 2012-PART 1. It’s that time of year when reviewers look back on the best releases of the year. So far, I’ve picked the best box sets and compilations of 2012. Now, it’s time to turn my attention the best reissues of 2012. Given who many albums are reissued on a weekly …

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TWELVE OF THE BEST COMPILATIONS OF 2012 PART ONE-JANUARY TO JUNE.

TWELVE OF THE BEST COMPILATIONS OF 2012 PART ONE-JANUARY TO JUNE. Having recently picked what I regard as the six box sets from 2012, it’s now time for me to pick twelve of my favorite compilations of 2012. To do this, I’ve had to listen to literally a mountain of music. There’s been so many …

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BEST COMPILATIONS OF 2012 PART TWO-JUNE TO DECEMBER.

BEST COMPILATIONS OF 2012 PART TWO-JUNE TO DECEMBER. JOHNICK-YOU KNOW HOW WE DEW. One of the most eagerly awaited compilations of 2012, was JohNick’s You Know How We Dew, released by BBE Music in August 2012. You Know How We Dew was a double-album featuring twenty-two tracks from Johnick, Johnny D’s collaboration with Nicky Palermo. …

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SURINAM! BOOGIE AND DISCO FUNK FROM THE SURINAMESE DANCE FLOORS ’76-83.

SURINAM! BOOGIE AND DISCO FUNK FROM THE SURINAMESE DANCE FLOORS ’76-83. All too often, when compilers decide to compile an album of disco, boogie and funk, they stick to what I’d call tried and tested tracks. They’re hardly adventurous, and as a result, far too many compilations of predictable, if not boring compilations are released.Granted …

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INNER LIFE-INNER LIFE 2.

INNER LIFE-INNER LIFE 2. By 1982, when Inner Life released their their second album for Salsoul Records, Inner Life 2 not only was the changing of the guard complete, but Salsoul as a record label had been transformed. Nearly all of Salsoul’s founding father’s were gone and the legendary Salsoul Orchestra was a shadow of …

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UNDER THE INFLUENCE VOLUME 2-COMPILED BY PAUL PHILLIPS.

UNDER THE INFLUENCE VOLUME 2-COMPILED BY PAUL PHILLIPS. It doesn’t seem like a year since Red Greg compiled the first installment in the Under The Influence series. Time it seems, does go far too quickly. During that time, I’ve reviewed many compilations, but Red Greg’s was one of my favorites of 2011. Given how good …

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SADAR BAHAR PRESENTS SOUL IN THE HOLE.

SADAR BAHAR PRESENTS SOUL IN THE HOLE. Sometimes, record labels go through something of hot spells, where they release one great album after another. This has certainly been the case for BBE Music in 2012. It’s been one winner after another. BBE Music started 2012 with a bang, releasing Al Kent’s five disc disco Magnus …

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THE ORIGINAL MASTERS-DISCO VOLUME 8.

THE ORIGINAL MASTERS-DISCO VOLUME 8. As many regular readers of this blog will realize, I’m constantly on the lookout for new music to tell you about. With the lack of new releases from both the major and independent record companies, I’m having to dig even deeper looking for new music. That’s meant I’ve been checking …

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INNER LIFE-INNER LIFE I.

INNER LIFE-INNER LIFE I. In the last few articles I’ve written about Salsoul Records, I’ve mentioned how from 1978 onwards, things were changing at Salsoul. The Salsoul Orchestra played a huge part in Salsoul’s success. They were much more than musicians, with many of its members songwriters, arrangers and producers. This included the Baker, Harris, …

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SAM RECORDS EXTENDED PLAY-MIXED BY JACQUES RENAULT.

SAM RECORDS EXTENDED PLAY-MIXED BY JACQUES RENAULT. Sometimes, I wonder whether the music industry sets out to take advantage of loyal fans. Too often, the same albums are constantly rereleased, usually under the premise of remastering the album or celebrating the twentieth or thirtieth anniversary of its release. Come Christmas, Greatest Hits and Best of …

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SALSOUL ENCORE.

SALSOUL ENCORE. As regular readers of this blog will realized by now, I’m a huge fan of all things Salsoul and really pleased that soon, BBR Records will be releasing their first batch of rereleases of Salsoul’s back catalogue. In the lead up to Salsoul’s back-catalogue received its overdue rerelease, I’ve been revisiting several of …

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PRIVATE WAX.

PRIVATE WAX. When the Disco Sucks movement tried to kill disco back on 12th July 1979 at Comiskey Park, Chicago, disco never died, and take it from me, never, ever will die. Instead, disco went underground. Out of disco came boogie, before disco went on to play a huge part in the development of house …

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MIXOLOGY-SAM RECORDS EXTENDED PLAY.

MIXOLOGY-SAM RECORDS EXTENDED PLAY. Just over a year ago, in July 2011, Harmless Records released their first installment in their new Mixology series, releasing Mixology-The Definitive Salsoul Mixes. This triple album featured thirty-one tracks from disco’s premier label, Salsoul. Now the Mixology series will return on 20th August 2012, with Harmless Records turning their attention …

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