Eskimo Belgium At Juno Download

Review: Some would argue that Aeroplane's productions have not been the same since Vito De Luca and Stephen Fasano went their separate ways. While Fasano is rebuilding his career as The Magician, De Luca has been left to carry on producing and DJing as Aeroplane alone. Here he brushes aside criticism of his debut album with a debut mix set. It's actually rather good, offering a typically accessible and synth-heavy mix of groovy contemporary disco (Cosmonauts, Drop out Orchestra, Poolside), unreleased exclusives (his own, auto-tune heavy "Save Me Now") and forgotten gems (Stars On 33) that touches on curious Balearica, Italo and punk-disco. This digi version is available in its intended mixed form, but you can also buy the tracks featured individually!

Review: Blende has been on the London scene for a few years now, building up a following for his classic electro-disco productions. Now he's got a new EP on esteemed Belgian synth-pop label Eskimo, and he's clearly settled right at home. "Fake Love" is excellently produced electro-pop, not unlike a much more polite Uffie, and with some subtle Chic style chords and a big juicy chorus. Villa chop up and re-skewer the original in their remix, and the humorously titled Chordashians provide a pulsating, arpeggiated and melodic version. The Living Islands supply two versions of their Tropical Doom mix (one's a dub), which isn't that doomy but is a pretty lovely Italo-disco excursion.

Review: The Belgian purveyors of esteemed discoteria known as Eskimo revisit Bottin's fine contribution to their recent output - calling in some excellent producers to add their own slant to "Discocracy" and "August". Creme Organisation's Bangkok Impakt commences proceedings with the playful Italo techno reflex of "August" which melds the original's soaring elements with some devilish analogue arpeggios, whilst Relish Recordings' resident unpronounceable Finns Hannulelauri give "Discocracy" a gentle electro rerub. Gomma boss Munk tackles the same track, adding a live yacht rock sensation which slowly transforms into a mid tempo analogue freakout - a most pleasing remix. Bottin himself offers a Coup D'etat rerub of "Discocracy" that is all about those expansive drum pounds! This shiny digital release also comes with a second Bangkok Impact remix of "August" that didn't grace the vinyl version.

Review: Previously, Mullet faves Casio Social Club have largely delivered sprightly, tongue-in-cheek revisions of '80s electrofunk and synth disco. Here, they pop up on Eskimo with arguably their strongest release to date - a bass-heavy blend of Italo, deep house and tactile Balearic pop that simply twinkles with dancefloor intent. It also features some wonderful piano stabs, too, making it more E'd-up than your average Shoom punter circa 1989. Djuma Soundsystem & Kolombo's "Cherimoya", meanwhile, slows the pace for a similarly touchy-feely blend of sparse nu-disco and eyes-wide-shut electronic soul. Arguably Eskimo's best for some time, and definitely worth investigating.

Review: Eskimo Recordings revisit one of their smash hits from last decade and bring in new blood Claptone to drop a pair of remixes like it ain't no thing. This is camp, disco-strutting business of the most unashamed order, with chic guitar licks and crisp layers of percussion unfurling around the central vocal turn, while the core drums keep the track relevant for a club set. The dub version keeps faithful to the first remix, substituting some of the raw vocals for vocoder moments, but otherwise letting the groove do the talking in all its slick, funking glory.