Review: A few years back Leonidas DeeJay launched the Alien Disco Sugar project with a flurry of releases, many of which were roundly praised on these very pages. He's been rather quiet of late though, with this EP marking the Greek DJ/producer's first release under the alias for over two years. We'd recommend first checking the extended version of "Deepa Luv", which laces the powerful, diva style vocals from C+C Music Factory's "Pride (A Deeper Love)" atop a fresh house groove rich in memorable chords, clipped disco guitars and a smooth groove. The Chic-ish guitar riffs and sustained organ chords come to the fore on the "Deepa Dub" mix, while the "Radio Edit" is perfect for those who simply want a quick fix of goodtime grooves and sing-along vocals.
Review: French producer Chevals touches on a range of musical styles on this EP for Midnight Riot. Of the four cuts featured, 'Mindbuster' itself is that which sits most comfortably under the 'nu disco' umbrella, while 'I Wanna Be Next To You' fuses elements of disco, funk and house into a languid, sundown-friendly groove. 'Thank You For The Ride' has an 80s-ish feel - and more specifically, a distinct Janet Jackson-esque flava - and finally 'Can't Keep On Lovin' You' is very similar in spirit to the R&B-tinged deep/soulful house that Om used to specialise in, with hints of Daft Punk in the bassline.
Review: UK-based Bad Barbie teams up with Chewy Rubs to deliver more of her disco re-edits here on the 'Locked In' EP, with forays into funk, house and reggae. She's known for her radio show on Kane FM, where her love of music and lively personality get a chance to shine, not to mention maintaining a rather curious Instagram account. Partner in crime Chewy Rubs is no stranger to the scene either, and heads up this very label: Bandolier Records. Get utterly hypnotised by the funked-up disco loops of "Breakout" which is sure to turn up the heat on the dancefloor, while the deeper and more low-slung groove attack of "Normalism" is reminiscent of the Chicken Lips/Bearfunk style - perfect boogie down vibes to play at sunset!
Review: If you're going to launch a label, it helps if the imprint's debut release is a doozy. Hot Gorilla have therefore smashed it out of the park with "The Goodnight EP", which comes courtesy of Arcade 82 member Mark Pickup under his increasingly familiar Conan The Selector alias. "Goodnight" is an infectious slab of good-time nu-disco rich in crunchy house drums, funky bass, life-affirming horns, Chic style guitars and ear-pleasing lead vocals from guest singer Sherie. Andy Buchan provides the first remix, beefing up the bottom end whilst giving greater prominence to Pickup's heady horns, before Cuz Electric brilliantly re-imagine the track as a synth-laden slab of 1980s NYC freestyle/mid-tempo electrofunk fusion.
Review: DJ Mark Brickman arrived in South Beach in late 2000 and has been gracing the ears of house music fans ever since. As a DJ, producer and the current head of Miami's RaMBunktious Records, this veteran of the underground house music scene shows no signs of slowing down - and this new one for Midnight Riot is testament to that. There's a very familiar hook on the funked-up boogie down antics of "A Fifth Of Disco", followed similarly by the sultry, vocal-driven groove of "My Spirit" which is very much reminiscent of a classic. Finally, get stoned into the groove with the low slung "Keep On" which is derived from another oldie - but a goody!
