Review: We're used to Al Kent offering up epic, ten-minute plus re-edits of obscure, barely-known disco gems. Even so, his latest two-track scalpel missive is particularly sizeable, featuring as it does two near 12-minute excursions capable of creating pandemonium anywhere they're played. Virtual A-side "Fist of Fury" is particularly potent. We're not sure of the origin of the original, buts its mazy Moog solos, jaunty bassline, jammed-out electric piano lines and string-laden orchestration is heady, intoxicating and surprisingly spacey. In contrast, "Erotic Queen" is a low-down disco-funk grunter in which razor-sharp disco strings largely play second fiddle to dense drums, funky Clavinet lines and aggressive funk guitars. It switches focus several times and includes a few extended drum sections that really raise the temperature. In other words, it's a masterful edit.
Review: After a long and dark winter, SMBD thought we all could do with some uplifting and soulful Spring music. He's back with his third seasonal EP on GAMM and this bunch of jams have been his personal DJ weapons over recent years. They're now given a sweet edit for your dancing pleasure. From the uplifting gospel vibes on Dorothy Norwood's "He's A Friend" (SMBD '79 edit), the boogie down vibe of William Bros "Never Could Have Made It" (SMBD '81 edit) and finally it is the Mighty Clouds Of Joy's "Glow Love" (SMBD '79 edit) that is a disco-fied soul explosion and sure to burn up the dancefloor anytime.
Review: Hot on the heels of his fittingly titled "So Good" EP on G.A.M.M earlier this year Al Kent returns with a very neat double-A that ticks all the right disco boxes. "Vince" pays respect to Montana with a total dance fantasy, polished and weighted perfectly for today's floors. "Esther" pays equally emphatic dues to the good lady Phillips with a thumping, unabashed twist on "Boy, I Really I Tied One On". Homages don't come with much more respect and craft than these.
Review: Hot on the heels of his fittingly titled "So Good" EP on G.A.M.M earlier this year Al Kent returns with a very neat double-A that ticks all the right disco boxes. "Vince" pays respect to Montana with a total dance fantasy, polished and weighted perfectly for today's floors. "Esther" pays equally emphatic dues to the good lady Phillips with a thumping, unabashed twist on "Boy, I Really I Tied One On". Homages don't come with much more respect and craft than these.
Review: Simbad Stanislas has appeared on GAMM under numerous aliases over the years, including Marathon Men and SMBD. It's the latter he turns to for this follow-up to May's much-loved Summer EP. Like its' predecessor, Autumn boasts a trio of tracks that blur the boundaries between re-edits, mash-ups and original productions. The Gilles Peterson favourite kicks things off with "Supreme Flava", a chunky and bass-heavy bounce through jazzy deep house pastures that boasts sneaky samples from Craig Mack's "Flava in Your Ear", before charging into dusty peak-time disco territory via a fine rearrangement of JKD's "Dream Machine". Finally, he rounds things off with arguably the EP's standout moment - a wonderfully evocative and musically rich re-edit of Kleer disco classic "I Love To Dance".
Review: Simbad Stanislas has appeared on GAMM under numerous aliases over the years, including Marathon Men and SMBD. It's the latter he turns to for this follow-up to May's much-loved Summer EP. Like its' predecessor, Autumn boasts a trio of tracks that blur the boundaries between re-edits, mash-ups and original productions. The Gilles Peterson favourite kicks things off with "Supreme Flava", a chunky and bass-heavy bounce through jazzy deep house pastures that boasts sneaky samples from Craig Mack's "Flava in Your Ear", before charging into dusty peak-time disco territory via a fine rearrangement of JKD's "Dream Machine". Finally, he rounds things off with arguably the EP's standout moment - a wonderfully evocative and musically rich re-edit of Kleer disco classic "I Love To Dance".
Review: The latest missive from Sweden's GAMM label is an all-Sheffield affair, with Shadeleaf boss Thatmanmonkz teaming up with fellow Steel City resident Simba for a four-track serving of slick and soulful fare. There's naturally much to enjoy, from the deep and groovy, Q-Tip sporting hip-house of "Gettin' Hold", to the Latin-tinged deep house beats and cut-up phone tones of sumptuous lead cut "Don't Use My Cell". Elsewhere, they brilliantly join the dots between warm, disco-sampling deep house, hip-hop and intergalactic electronics on the sublime "Rozecranz" and make merry with what sounds like sneaky samples from a long forgotten early Switch cut on the thrusting soulful deep house bounce of "Fantastisch".
Review: The latest missive from Sweden's GAMM label is an all-Sheffield affair, with Shadeleaf boss Thatmanmonkz teaming up with fellow Steel City resident Simba for a four-track serving of slick and soulful fare. There's naturally much to enjoy, from the deep and groovy, Q-Tip sporting hip-house of "Gettin' Hold", to the Latin-tinged deep house beats and cut-up phone tones of sumptuous lead cut "Don't Use My Cell". Elsewhere, they brilliantly join the dots between warm, disco-sampling deep house, hip-hop and intergalactic electronics on the sublime "Rozecranz" and make merry with what sounds like sneaky samples from a long forgotten early Switch cut on the thrusting soulful deep house bounce of "Fantastisch".
Review: Belgian future funk and soul producer Krewcial joins forces with the ever ready sounds of Swedish label Gamm for a four track disco bonanza. This release is as classic as it can get as we start with 'Lose My Mind' which has been designed to kick off the party with it's funky riffs and grooves. The elegant jazzy solos of 'Cindy' are up next, followed by the expansive sound design of 'Dancing', another fantastic piece of work equipped with soulful vocals and crunchy drum patterns. We round the EP off with the slow dance that comes with 'When He Comes'. The classy string harmonies and crunchy bass riffs on this one proceed to bring the project to a satisfying close.
Review: Belgian future funk and soul producer Krewcial joins forces with the ever ready sounds of Swedish label Gamm for a four track disco bonanza. This release is as classic as it can get as we start with 'Lose My Mind' which has been designed to kick off the party with it's funky riffs and grooves. The elegant jazzy solos of 'Cindy' are up next, followed by the expansive sound design of 'Dancing', another fantastic piece of work equipped with soulful vocals and crunchy drum patterns. We round the EP off with the slow dance that comes with 'When He Comes'. The classy string harmonies and crunchy bass riffs on this one proceed to bring the project to a satisfying close.
Review: Pumping disco funk from decorated digger Nick The Record. "Lifeforce Theme" pays homage to the Japanese party collective he's been with since the early 90s (and played at Japan's first ever outdoor rave with, no less) Loose and rugged but primed with a lavish sense of piano luxury, there's a deep drive and firm uplift that instantly grabs attention. "Recordnition" is a much more heads-down in its nature and focus as we're pulled in by the hypnotic percussion, worming wah wahs and sharp blasts of flutes. As always with Nick, the floor is the foremost focus.
Review: Pumping disco funk from decorated digger Nick The Record. "Lifeforce Theme" pays homage to the Japanese party collective he's been with since the early 90s (and played at Japan's first ever outdoor rave with, no less) Loose and rugged but primed with a lavish sense of piano luxury, there's a deep drive and firm uplift that instantly grabs attention. "Recordnition" is a much more heads-down in its nature and focus as we're pulled in by the hypnotic percussion, worming wah wahs and sharp blasts of flutes. As always with Nick, the floor is the foremost focus.
Review: Following his "Unbreakable" EP on Local Talk, Milan's coolest-named DJ Turbojazz returns to his spiritual home at G.A.M.M with two more fiery Latin house jams. "Bara Bara" is a carnival-primed, horn-led jacker pimped by a Chi-town drum energy. Meanwhile, "The Road Is Hard" flexes back on a classic Brazilian harmony while filtering the dynamic down to its bare bones before building it back up again. Warm as toast.
Review: Following his "Unbreakable" EP on Local Talk, Milan's coolest-named DJ Turbojazz returns to his spiritual home at G.A.M.M with two more fiery Latin house jams. "Bara Bara" is a carnival-primed, horn-led jacker pimped by a Chi-town drum energy. Meanwhile, "The Road Is Hard" flexes back on a classic Brazilian harmony while filtering the dynamic down to its bare bones before building it back up again. Warm as toast.
Review: Long-running rework imprint GAMM has pulled off something of a coup here, persuading the legendary DJ Spinna to offer up two of his most cherished, off-the-books remixes. He's in full-on house mode, serving up interpretations that layer soulful vocals over tactile grooves. He begins with "Don't You Blow", where mazy, high register synth solos wrap themselves around skipping beats and a killer analogue bassline. It's this mind-altering combination, as much as the quality of the all-female vocals, that make the cut such a hit. There's a slightly more "classic soulful house" feel to Spinna's version of "So You Say", with impeccable vocals and snaking sax parts riding a rich, warm and evocative groove built around bouncy drum machine beats and disco style bass guitar.
Review: Aroop Roy returns to his "Brazil Breakdown" series for the first time in over two years. Not even taking a whole slew of singles on the likes of Basic Fingers, DOC, Kampana and House Of Disco into account, he's more than made up for lost time. "Flecha De Fogo" is a heavy sunset soul piece that works around a Nazare Pereira samba with woozy chords, layered percussion and an alluring vocal. "Todo Mundo Tem Amor" takes us deeper into Aroop's dancefloor psyche with a much more driving beat. Golden.
Review: Also known as Jamie 3Too6, this badass Chicago dude knows his disco and delivers it in devastating quantities he does, with relish. "Blessin'" is an uplifting slice of live, drivin' funk, the kind that slayed the Garage of an evening. Digital B-side "Whole Lotta Love (Back To The Box Edit)" sounds like NOIA covering Led Zeppelin - all dirty electronic riffs and 4/4 beats that slowly escalate over the course of 14 minutes!
Review: SMBD aka Simbad is back on GAMM again after a longer break and said to be planning a few EPs with seasonal themes for the label. The first EP as you might expect delivers three tasteful season influenced reworks and remixes which the label claims will 'be your perfect DJ weapons over the Summer months.' If the Afro broken beat groove of Bootsy's "Rather Be With You" (Alphabets Heaven X SMBD remix) won't do it for you, or the super soulful Colonel Abrams tribute "Table 42" (SMBD Tribute) does not grab your attention, guaranteed that the stunning 4/4 rework with Mike Lowrey of Jazzy Jeff's Summer classic "Summertime" has the potential to be a huge tune in the coming months.
Review: Fresh from a fine contribution to Local Talk's fifth anniversary compilation, Sameed Rezayan makes his first appearance on G.A.M.M. It sees him exploring similar sonic territory - think jazzy, loop-based, soul-flecked deep house stompers - while serving up two tried and tested dancefloor treats. First up is "Bun", a bouncy and rolling house revision of a groovy chunk of harmonica and saxophone-laden soul-jazz goodness. It's really rather good, though lacks the sheer weightiness of the EP's other track, "Chao". This is, if anything, even loopier, with Sameed building the pressure throughout via darting electric piano keys, simmering strings and a stomping jazz-house groove.
Review: Here we have a real meeting of minds with the esteemed re-edit label Gamm recruiting Glasgow's very own nu-disco veteran Al Kent to serve up some more of his fine work for our listening pleasure. There are just two cuts featured here, but who needs quantity when you can have quality, eh? "So Good" sees a sultry seductress heavily breathe her words over a smouldering Love Hangover-style twanging groove. "Victorious" meanwhile incorporates 70s disco rock, over-excited clavinets and bongos galore. Heavy-duty boogie vibes!
Review: Like The Reflex before him, Moplen has made his name by crafting authentic, Tom Moulton style remixes and re-edits. Whether or not he has access to the original master tapes is a point of debate, but it certainly sounds like he did this time round, at the very least. He begins with an epic revision of Philadelphia soul classic "The Love I Lost", slowly building up the pressure via instrumental passages, a spine-tingling vocal breakdown, and a sweaty, groove-based finale. On the virtual flipside, he takes a leaf out of the Reflex's book by tinkering with a lesser-known classic. The "Crosseyed & Painless" revision is thrillingly loose, emphasizing the original's crunchy guitars, jazzy solos, wild vocals and Afro-influenced percussion.
Review: G.A.M.M's man in Paris, Young Pulse, is a talented chap. His periodic re-edit releases on the long-serving Swedish label have been amongst the most impressive rework-heavy EPs of recent years. Volume 4 is a little less expansive than usual, boasting just two cuts; happily, though, both are superb. "Everybody, Free Your Body" is a soaring, spiraling rearrangement and extension of The Dells largely overlooked 1977 album cut "Get On Down", which sounds like the stuff memorable midnight moments are made of. On the virtual flipside you'll find the similarly soulful and funk-fuelled "Don't YouKnow, Baby", a superb straightening out and subtle beef-up of L.T.D's 1980 jam "Don'tcha Know".
Review: There will no doubt be much debate about the identity of the "hyped" editor behind GAMM's latest missive - the 'L' in his or her new moniker is, apparently, a clue - but it's the quality of the edits on show that matters most. Opener "Not Easy", a dubbed-out, chopped-up chunk of disco-funk sweetness full of meandering horn lines, rubber electric bass and woozy synths, is arguably the pick of the bunch, though the loopy, dewy-eyed soul-jazz attack that is "Dues Paid Fast/How I Like" is also rather good. Those looking for jazzier dancefloor flavours should also check "Jazz in Italics", a high-octane jazz-dance re-edit full of fluttering flute lines, sweaty drumming and fluid piano solos.
Review: The Rev's back! Parisian edit magician serves up four revised soul excursions for modern audiences to experience the second time around and in true style. On the first side he takes the knife to a couple of Gladys Knight classics, namely the feel-good "Don't Make Me Run Away" and the uplifting "Love Gives You The Power". On the flip it's George Duke's turn, "Say That You Will" is you all know is a sultry deep soul number for lovers while "Party Down" is definitely for night people; this one is pitched up for optimum dancefloor effectiveness too!
Review: Stockholm-based Seegweed has been part of the extended GAMM family for some time, having delivered the first of three white-hot re-edit releases way back in 2011. Even so, this latest batch of tasty reworks marks his first material for two years. As usual, he hits the spot from the word go, delivering a scorching, floor-friendly extension of Aretha Franklin's high octane soul killer "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" that's notable for its' reverential treatment of the original source material. There's a little more soft house hustle about the smoldering, electric-piano heavy soul-jazz strut of "Save My Love", while closer "Make Love To Your Mind" turns a Bill Withers standard into a sweet, heart-felt anthem that brilliantly increases in intensity midway through via some heavy additional percussion.
Review: Parisian Young Pulse is back with some killer edits on Paris Edits Vol. 3. First up he takes the razor to Earth Wind & Fire on "I Love You So (I Cant Let You Go)" making an effective but ergonomic edit out of this classic. There's some Lamont Dozier also; "Shout (About It)" get's a makeover, but still retains the full impact of this boogie classic. Lastly Italian legend Claudio Simonetti aka Kasso's "Dig It (It's Time") from 1982 gets a fresh revamp for modern dancefloors; more upbeat than the original but works rather well!
