Rayko At Juno Download

Review: Spanish edit maestro Rayko pops up on Ruben & Ra's Retrospective imprint with a clutch of synth-heavy electrofunk re-rubs. As the title suggests, the lead track is a heavyweight cut-up of The Whispers' 1984 Reggie Calloway-produced synth-funk jam "Contagious". Like the rest of the edits here (particularly the lush "Whip"), it strikes a neat balance between thick instrumental grooves and the original's simple vocal hooks. There are two versions of twinkling 80s soul groover "Love Come Down" - a smart edit from Rayko and a remix from Ruben & Ra that sounds like a breezier version of Tiger & Woods.

Review: Given how many re-edit releases he's had over the last few years, you have to wonder whether Rayko will soon run out of fresh scalpel material. Thankfully, he's not reached the 'barrel-scraping' stage, as this breezy two-tracker proves. "Enjoy Your Life" is the epitome of summery disco-soul, all shuffling beats, addictive vocals, darting strings and wiggly funk guitars; it's the sort of thing that should be booming out of a boat party soundsystem somewhere in the Adriatic. "Emotion", meanwhile, sees Rayki return to his love of electrofunk drums, turning a synth bass-laden disco jam into a touchy-feely instrumental delight.

Review: With this, his latest release, Rayko makes the leap from disco/funk re-edit man to bona fide producer. Serving as a taster for his upcoming long player, "The Cave" is a classy seven-minute 80s synth-disco odyssey straight out of Miami Vice. Cold, glistening pads wash around a pulsating arpeggiated bassline like a crisp white sport scar against an azure sky. Ohm Fat's 'Transcended' mix, stays on similar territory but with a more urgent bassline, however if it proves too urgent for you, you can always opt for the extra dub mix which suitably chills the whole thing out.

Review: Barely a week goes by without the release of another 12" or digital single for perpetual re-edit don Rayko. Luckily, this synth-heavy selection box of house-friendly electrofunk dubs is probably one of his strongest releases of recent times. Arguably the strongest cut is "People", which is available in two versions; a tidy 7-minute Rayko 12 mix, and an extended, Tiger & Woods style builder that stretches out for 11 synth-laden minutes. Elsewhere, check the Prince-ish "Revue", sweet "Searching To Find The One" and "Heads Together", a sprightly dub of an '80s O'Jays fave.

Review: Serial re-edit fiend Rayko enjoyed a busy 2012, releasing countless well-regarded EPs of floor-friendly electrofunk and disco rubs. Here he kicks off 2013 with a first solo outing on Chopshop. Like previous outings, it provides a quartet of synth heavy re-dubs and the odd peaktime re-cut (see the mostly instrumental take on The Whispers' "And The Beat Goes On"). Opener "Shake Your Body" is probably the standout, building a formidable electrofunk groove around thickset synths and heavy low-end. "Put The Freez On" ups the tempo and laces chunks of vocal over a particularly sweet and soul-flecked synth groove, while "Superman" rolls along on a Roger Troutman flex - all heavy P-funk synths and fancy talkbox vocals.

Review: Spanish re-edit hero Rayko had a productive 2011, releasing some of the best cut-ups and disco reworks of the year. Here he begins 2011 in similar fashion, delivering four more tried and tested slabs of dancefloor funk. Opener "My Lady" does a terrific job at re-modelling a Prince-era, slap-bass heavy 80s jam, removing all but snatches of the vocal in favour of more instrumental groovery. "After The After" continues on a similar theme, going deeper into slow dance territory, while "Turn Me On Again" builds brilliantly over six delightfully sensual minutes. "This Is It", meanwhile, adds some head-nodding house flavours to a simmering 80s soul jam. Solid.