Review: Based in Bangkok, Thailand, Cosmic Tiger began life as a magazine covering the dance music scene in Southeast Asia back in 2019, but now they've branched out and launched their own record label. Following a single release from label boss Patrizio Cavaliere (AKA Rocco Universal), this is their first V/A compilation and if your tastes tend to the dreamier, more Balearic end of the disco spectrum you'll find much to enjoy here, with highlights for this writer including the Dave Lee-esque space funk of Scott Hess's 'Elevator' and the squelch bass-tastic 'Royal Flush' from Rudy's Midnight Machine.
Forget About It (feat Hanlei - original mix) - (7:03) 115 BPM
Review: Last time we heard from Martin Denev back in 2017, he was successfully collaborating with Baleric nu-disco king Pete Herbert. He's in a collaborative frame of mind on this comeback single, joining forces with Hanlei and vocalist Sasha Zico for two perfectly pitched tracks. The latter features on "Perfectly Enough", a languid shuffle through deep broken house pastures laden with spacey synthesizer lines, twinkling electric piano solos and stylish, hip-house style vocals. That's given the remix treatment by Atjazz, who turns in vocal and dub versions reminiscent of the sparkling, melodious goodness featured on his 2001 album "Labfunk". Also worth a listen is Hanlei hook-up, "Forget About It", a luscious slice of swinging dancefloor positivity (track five) that's given a chunkier soulful broken beat makeover by Opolopo (track one).
Review: Given that Pete Herbert has done more than most to define the synth-heavy nu-disco sound, it's pleasing to see that he's finally got round to recording a debut solo album. Made in the Shade naturally encapsulates all that's good about Herbert's work - think colourful synthesizers, loved-up pianos, dreamy chords, rich analogue synth-bass, Italo-disco style arpeggio lines, disco cowbells and an saucer-eyed Balearic mindset - while delivering a string of tracks that sound as good slouched on the sofa at home as they do while dancing in the sunshine. Highlights come thick and fast, from the classic Italo-house surge of "Washed Up" and T-Coy-does-nu-disco cheeriness of "Night Boat", to the soul-flecked tingle of Robert Owens hook-up "Pass Me By" and groovy, acid-flecked deepness of proto-house shuffler "Time".
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