Delishcast 006

Sorry for all the neglect lately folks but I've got a pretty spicy Delishcast to make up for it. Real happy with this one, plenty of jazz and funk flying around. Kicking off with a Doobies track played at the wrong speed which I totally reckon sounds like it's been covered by MJ. Also some Herbie - saw him at the Opera House last week and he's been hogging my dreams since so I can't really leave him out. Have a laugh with the Hackney Colliery Band's Toto cover which is actually pretty brilliant. Also I've been waiting to work out if I did the Idjuts latest remix on Leng but until that's solved, the flip side of the record with the Tuff City Kids mix is pretty ace.

Delishcast 006 / Subscribe in iTunes / RSS Feed

1. The Doobie Brothers - You're Made That Way (45rpm) [buy]
2. Herbie Hancock - Just Around the Corner [buy]
3. Bugge Wesseltoft - Oh Ye [buy]
4. Black Cow - Brother Sil [buy]
5. Visioneers - Shaft In Africa [buy]
6. Welcome Stranger (aka Thomas Bullock) - Brolene [buy]
7. Hackney Colliery Band - Africa [buy]
8. Boohgaloo Zoo - Come To This [buy]
9. Super Value - Untitled [buy]
10. Mountaineer - Always Coming Home (Tuff City Kids Mix) [buy]
11. Phreek Plus One - New York Dolls [buy]

Direct link to mp3

Hope everyone on this side of the world is surviving the cold - I'm not!

Bye Spicy Mud

Hot damn, someone please tell me who did the original of this! Amazing tune, what you might call a country disco narrative from down south, right up there with Penicillin Penny. Plenty of dancefloor sleaze with some legit harmonica, crooning lead guitar, funky keys and bluesy bass - and I'm pretty sure every member of the band was wearing some kind of hat. So addictive. Gimmie some spottage! Cheers Skylevel.

Skylevel - Missus Hudu [buy]

Reliable. Dependable. Assured. Solid. Guaranteed. You can NEVER go wrong with Super Value, it's just impossible. Their 15th Special Edits record and by now you really don't need to think about it. It's a simple four-step method: pull out money, take record home, play record for people, become globally loved and respected DJ. If you owned nothing but the Super Value catalogue you would still have a LOT of friends.

LTJ - Get Cha [buy]

Digging this version of Apache by Visioneers. Sticking with the Incredible Bongo Band vibe, it's all big brass, geeetars and percussion. In fact it's quite similar, just lacking that sorta hip-hop-ish element - instead it's more of a live-on-stage kinda vibe. A bit more gentle I guess. Change is always good! The B-side 'Shaft In Africa' is rockin too.

Visioneers - Apache [buy]

This Psychemagik mix for Test Pressing is easily the best new mix I've heard so far this year. On par with Time To Noodle, the cruisy intergalactic psychedelic vibes flow like a river of rainbows. Extra props for ending with Dire Straits. Absolutely essential.

Psychemagik - Celestial Love

G'night.

Honk Honk

Waiting impatiently for a bunch of incredible records to arrive - thanks to Monsieur Volcano for the delay. In the meantime check out this amazing new Sidwho? track edited by Jamie Paton (of Cage & Aviary) with a runtime of approximately 1 week. Naturally you can expect some astonishingly funky Swiss bassline action and a more clubby approach to the construction of the track than you'd hear from the band. There's a lovely long Azari & III remix on this 12" too, which I think is out in a couple of weeks on Future Classic. Can't wait to get a proper copy of this burner!

Sidwho? - Pay For Love (Jamie Paton Edit)

Another strange release from this overly complicated web of make-believe labels somehow tied to Jordan Fields and Loft Records. I still can't work out what the deal is with everything (take a look at Jordan's Junodownload chart for a snippet) and I'm still not sure if these are all just DJ tools. I'm really confusing myself here... Anyway I've done lots of rummaging and finally come up with another track I did. Way heavy on the looping as usual, but this edit by Jacques Bonhomme is really bright and groovy and totally danceable. Big summer disco jam!

Avec Plaisir - Oasis Dub (Jacques Bonhomme Re-Edit) [buy]

Time to dig into the reserves. The B-side to my favourite edit of 2009 by the Super Value crew: this edit of Hit and Run by Loleatta Holloway is a real beauty. Nice light disco with plenty of soulful wailing and beautiful warm vibraphone. And despite bongos being done to death in just about every disco song ever, they really stand out here and make me sit at my screen clapping like an idiot. Super Value Classics is easily one of my most cherished, well-loved records.

Super Value - Untitled [buy]

We're having a Death Strobe partie this ANZAC Sunday at Bondi Social - come come come!

Speakeasy

This Einfach bootleg is so fantastic. Found this through watching Rub 'N' Tug youtube vids, nearly fell off my chair when the Riders On The Storm melody came in. So basically this is a very simple, deep housey, slightly jackin Doors booty which must be seriously devastating in a club. There don't seem to be many copies of this record left, I got mine from Phonica and they still seem to have some in stock so I highly recommend doing the same!

Unknown Artist - Mister Speaker [buy]

The latest Mindless Boogie release by Lovelock (aka Gianni Rossi aka Steeve Moore) has this really nice edit that both grooves really deeply and soars high with uplifting major chords and glittery instrumentation. Much like the other Lovelock stuff I've heard, it's brimming with positivity. By the final section you're just about prepped for the cheesy and overly triumphant 'yesss we did it!!' kinda ending. Oldfield & Moore is a great combo.

Lovelock - Totally Tubular [buy]

Chilly are way way way too good. 32 years on and their debut record only continues to age better. Best thing the Germans ever did :)

Chilly - Dance With Me [buy]

Another Super Value Edits by LTJ who also did #7. And another success. The loops are like standing waves, never tiring out or losing energy, just perfect cycles. This track on the B side is a great balance of old vocal+string disco and laid back funk. The Super Value crew certainly do what they do well.

LTJ - Untitled [buy]

Have a fab weekend my friends! Oh and can someone please give me a sweet music job? Thanks :)

Disco Delicious' Top 10 Delicacies of 2009

What a wonderful year. I don't know quite how to sum it up, it's just been so completely packed full of astoundingly good music. I'm really happy with the direction everything's gone in terms of this blog and the kind of music I've been digging, and I really really appreciate all you groovy people dropping by and lapping it up. I hope it's been a help to the artists and labels behind the music too, it's so important to support and encourage the people who are responsible for all the beautiful sounds that have been floating around in 2009. It was pretty tough putting this together and I'm sure a couple of fists will be shaking at some (perhaps) obvious omissions but overall it's just all the stuff that's really hit the bullseye for me. Massive thanks to everybody who had some part in the music below, it's made my year extra extra special! Here goes...

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#10 Super Value Classics

Let's kick things off with a truly spectacular edits record from the Italian Super Value crew. Earlier in the year I felt a lot of the Super Value edits sounded a little bit dated and drab; however, this 12" showed me I'd completely misjudged them. Both tracks on this 'Classics' record are superbly snipped and arranged funky numbers. This one in particular, a snippet of a Gabor Szabo tune called Keep Smiling, is everything a disco edit should be. In a time when so many edits are being made 'just for the sake of it', this is both thoughtful and necessary chopping of mediocre song which turns it into a summer deck chair masterpiece. Bravo!

Super Value - Untitled [buy]

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#9 Prins Thomas - Mammut

The Prins has been on fire this year, that's no lie. Full Pupp has been churning out quality releases, as has sub-label Internasjonal, and this is without a doubt my favourite release on 'Pupp by the man himself. Mammut is a stunning deep plodding jam which features PT really cutting loose on the percussion - or at least cutting as loose as an extreme Norwegian chiller like himself can. Every aspect of the song just feels completely free; part of what makes it so great is how relaxed the groove is. This is seriously stress free music! Hats off to the Prins, he's had a great year.

Prins Thomas - Mammut [buy]

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#8 RuF DuG - Dirty

Wow, this was a massive record to kick off the Popular People's Front sub-label PPF Special Ops. Ruf Dug, also known as Some Freak, really made something special with this track. It's raw, tribal, primitive, a bit animal and, dare i say it, dirty. The tumbling drums have such a massive impact and overall it's the fundamental pounding rhythms that make this such a fantastic song to dance to. Instinctive and essential. It's a bonus that the three remixes on the 12" are all spectacular too. A must have record!

RuF DuG - Dirty [buy]

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#7 Leo Zero

Leo, you legend. Until picking up Glory's 02 early on this year I wasn't aware of this great man and his unique productions. Also on the headphones for A Mountain of One and a contributor to the elusive Popular People's Front camp, he's got many fingers in many delicious pies. From Bowie to Outkast, from Bob Marley to The Clash, one certainly can't say Leo is narrow minded in his music. His edit of Bonny by Prefab Sprout has been a staple in my car for months, and with summer about to properly begin it's looking at continuing its long residency.

Leo Zero - Bon Bon [buy]

Tele Music - Baby's Band (Leo Zero Edit) [buy]

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#6 Shit Robot - Simple Things

An obvious pick here, this was surely one of the highlights of many DJs and dance fans this year. For me I have to say Todd's mix comes out on top. The dark semi-brooding Shit Robot original and deep-and-classic Santiago remix are both stunning tunes in their own but Mr. Terje's version is sitting up a couple of rungs higher on its own plane of existence. It's certainly proof that simple electronic music can still be extremely effective if the producer really knows what they're doing. The steady and powerful build makes sure everybody is totally primed and ready to detonate as soon as those party-as-fuck rock out drums belt their way in, resulting in an orgasmic climax that encompasses everything that makes you feel good on the dance floor. In summary, GOOD TIMES.

Shit Robot - Simple Things (Todd Terje Remix) [buy]

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#5 Lindstrom & Prins Thomas - II

The masters of space cruising made a triumphant full length return this year; old mates Lindstrom and Prins Thomas exceeded expectations with II and really did put together one of this year's finest releases. I picture this being the soundtrack to relaxing on a beach somewhere in space, sipping on moon juice and soaking up some supernova rays. You really can't get a much better partnership than these two fellas. Prins bopping away having a grand old time on the drums whilst Lindstrom plays around with delicate synths and fluffy pads. It's classic yet forward thinking music for the whole fam to dig.

Lindstrom & Prins Thomas - Cisco [buy]

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#4 Clap Rules

With so much happening in the edits scene it seems to be getting harder to find 100% original 'dance' music, so this latest live project headed by saucy Italian Fabrizio Mammarella gets a couple of bonus points for being so original. Old Sequencer in particular was surely one of my favourite 12s of 2009, delivering a really broad scope of music in just 3 tracks. The title track in particular drives me crazy. Absolutely rocking sequenced bassline, aggressively hip drum programming, grimy guitar throwing in little comments throughout. I'm still desperate to see these guys bash their sounds out live, I'm told it's quite an experience. Super excited to see where Clap Rules go next year!

Clap Rules - Old Sequencer [buy]

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#3 Dirty French Psychedelics

Now here we have what IS my number one album of '09. You'd be able to tell by looking at how worn out my poor overworked record is how many times i've taken an hour out to sit on the couch and listen to this without distractions from start to finish. Whilst all the songs are each very beautiful in their own way, it's how the album flows and grows that really makes this such a special record. Dirty seriously know how to put together a compilation that sounds stunningly organic, as though the individual tracks were made specifically to slot right into their respective positions. This exquisite release is absolutely vital for those who enjoy a late night aural journey.

Nino Ferrer - Looking For You [buy]

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#2 In Flagranti

Massive massive year for my favourite disco-sleaze 70s porno pimps In Flagranti: Two albums - one of originals one of edits - two more twelves, a huge string of amazing remixes and plenty of touring in between. It's quite incredible that possibly two of the most over-productive musicians about are also maintaining such a high standard of quality. They just can't be stopped! Brash & Vulgar featured some, uh, quite vulgar sounds with drums bashing and crashing all over the place and dirty humour flowing out in copious amounts. Sounds Superb was an assembly of some of the freshest and finest edits of this year, despite many being made years ago (a couple feature on A Decade of Hero Worship.) I don't think anybody can argue that they are easily the best at what they do, whatever that might be.

In Flagranti - A Brag Mount [buy]

In Flagranti - Svelte Blonde [buy]

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(What would have been) #1 House of House - Rushing To Paradise

Well the recent reissuing of this has softened my negative feelings about this track, or rather its distribution, once again making way for pure love and affection. I just think it's criminal that the BEST track of the year should be for elitist collectors only, those who were lucky enough to get their hands on a ridiculously priced copy of the original Whatever We Want release. I don't mind the idea of these boutique labels but making great music only to deprive people of it is just wrong - it shouldn't be an exclusive thing, y'know? Thank god this injustice is being overturned and the House of House guys are releasing the record, along with a mouthwatering Harvey mix, independently and limitlessly. Although I've been hearing the pressing is totally shit which just rubs salt in the wound. Sigh. To get onto the song itself... There's not a whole lot that needs to be said, except that it's one of the most perfect house music compositions ever made. Carefully calculated yet free flowing, every part of this song fits together flawlessly resulting in a euphoric 13 minute dance floor anthem. I couldn't get permission to post a low quality version but the record is as essential as it gets.

House of House - Rushing To Paradise (Walking These Streets) [buy]

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#1 Faux Pas - Rose's Lament

So technically this came out in late December last year but I was overseas so I'm counting it in this year's running. Upon first listening this song completely knocked my head off; each listen after that somehow managed to deliver an even deeper impact. I still get goosebumps every time I sit down and blast this on my stereo. I'm not really sure how you'd describe the track musically... Maybe you'd find it in the 'psychedelic tribal folk' section of your local CD store. The density of emotion packed into this song, helped a great deal by haunting intermission clips of an old Bread track 'Look At Me', pushes this song over the finish line in first place for the last 12 months. There's no doubt that I've developed a really personal adoration for it which is one of the reasons it's right at the top, but at the end of the day it's an absurdly well produced song that I feel has a timeless quality that will preserve it for many years to come. Thanks, Faux Pas.

Faux Pas - Rose's Lament [buy]

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Honourable Mentions:

Golf Channel - Fantastic boutique edits, obviously some fierce crate digging is responsible for these great releases. Thanks Justin Vandervolgen!

Lars Von Trier's Antichrist - Simply the best piece of film making in recent times. Spectacular.

Dishonourable Mentions:

Steve Aoki feat. Zuper Blahq - I'm In The House - Are you fucking kidding me? It was released 6 months either side of April Fools Day so I have to assume this is a legitimate release. Nice one Steve...

People saying 'FML' and 'fail' every second sentence - Please please please just stop. Please.

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So there you go. I strongly urge everyone to buy this music if you really like it and help all these rad artists out. Would love feedback of course, and would certainly love to hear other people's top 10 lists - go comment crazy and give your 2 cents. Next year is looking to be even more exciting, particularly with our little label Death Strobe on the verge of launching. We've got some really cool music lined up which we have a lot of faith in so keep an eye out for more details as the months roll on. Thanks again y'all, much love! Have a really nice Christmas/silly season, stay cool and tell some strangers about how good disco music is. Spread the love! xxx

The Rat Is In The Trap

Sorry folks have had a busy few days. Will race through this for the sake of getting it done. All this music is awesome. Including this Disconet remix of a golden Hamilton Bohannon tune which many may recognise as being manically reworked in Oizo's Gay Dentists. Funky stuff. As I've said before, the most recent Disconet greatest hits releases have been right on the money - there's an amazing Imagination megamix sort of thing on this one too.

Bohannon - Let's Start the Dance (Disconet Remix) [buy]

Cool sorta electroboogie tune off 40 Thieves' Beats In Space EP which is a burner. Don't know why I put off buying the record for so long but very glad it's in my basket now. Grand!

40 Thieves - Love To Shake It Baby [buy]

I tend to find that some of the edit series, like Super Value, tend to sound a bit dated. This Super Value Classics record is an absolute stand out for me, I've been listening to this track sooo much and there's no chance of it getting tired any time soon. Simply gorgeous sunday slowmo jazzy disco.

Super Value - Untitled [buy]

Ha, this edit of Love Shack is really good fun. I'm not sure where the other elements are taken from or which parts are actually original but it's a kind of cruisy pool party version of the B-52s classic. Plenty of rampant percussion jamming and people screaming. Love the Situation stuff!

Situation - Goblins in the Bikini Shack (Naughty Hellfire Club Edit) [buy]

Fantastic new Soft Rocks single, I'm so in love with this. I didn't realise they got this deep. Such a thick groove down low with a bit of a back seat strutty guitar thing going on and a bit of floaty spaciness happening up high. All these elements come together to make a seriously rad song. So cool!

Soft Rocks - Leave Your Earth Behind [buy]

Goodnight.