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ISM
Browse the latest digital releases on ISM
Played by: YAM WHO?
Review: The Drive is an interesting proposition. Unearthed by ISM boss Yam Who in London, their original tracks blend boogie, P-funk and synth-pop influences, analogue synths and live instrumentations, and vocals that sit somewhere between Prince and Plantlife. The two original tracks here, "Diamond In The Rough" and "Born Again", are both breezy and attractive, hinting at even greater things to come in future. Wisely, these radio-friendly originals are backed by a couple of solid remixes; a stomping, soulful nu-disco tweak of "Diamond in the Rough" by Yam Who, and a sparkling deep house-goes-nu-disco interpretation of "Born Again" by Autocycle.
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ISM 061X
21 Aug 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
21 Aug 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Dave Lee ZR, Joe Morris, Kraak & Smaak, Ourra, FINGERMAN, YAM WHO?, Andrew Clarke, Flash Atkins, Juno Recommends Disco, Neil Diablo, 80's Child, Kiwi, SITUATION, Charlie brown superstar, Tom Lown (Lucky Sun Recordings)
Review: With his love of rolling disco basslines, deep house-influenced Rhodes chords, chunky grooves and Balearic influences, Ilija Rudman is one of nu-disco's most consistently on-point productions. Further proof of his talents can be found on this third outing on ISM Records. Both the warm and breezy "Future Times" and faster "Dimensions" are classic Rudman, with the latter sounding like Prince jamming with the Idjut Boys. Crazy P man Chris 'Hot Toddy' Todd delivers a typically smooth, fluid and musically rich remix of "Future Times" in his deep house-meets-nu disco style, while Simon Tappenden dons his Ourra guise to deliver a wonderfully tactile, authentic sounding '80s boogie rework of the same track. It's this version that really steals the show.
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ISM 060X
14 Aug 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
14 Aug 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Nu-disco/house fusionist Richard Seaborne made waves last summer with a pair of impressive EPs on Paper Recordings. Here, he joins Yam Who's similarly inclined Paper Recordings imprint for more White Isle-friendly fun. Seaborne's original version of "He Said He Loved You" is a breezy, colourful beast, with bold pianos and hazy vocal lines riding a classic garage-influenced disco-house groove. The supporting remixes are generally strong, too, with De Fantastike To dropping a chunky, piano-heavy powder house rework and Yam Who impressing with a chunkier, electrofunk-tinged nu-disco interpretation. As if that wasn't enough to moisten the palette, Ronnie Turner also weighs in with a breezy, terrace-friendly Dub.
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ISM 059X
06 Jul 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
06 Jul 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Ourra, FINGERMAN, YAM WHO?, Ex-Friendly (Truth & Lies Music), Jay Ru, BRENDON P, 80's Child, Olivier (La Freund Recordings)
Review: Having previously released on sister label Midnight Riot, Bristol-based nu-disco sort Goldboy is given a chance to play his wares on ISM. He duly delivers a trio of original productions, from the spacey chords, woozy grooves and rich bass of "Stomach Funk", to the bold, Rhodes-laden deep house disco throb of "Demolish Disco", via the breezy, late night goodness of "Thru The Nite". Each track is accompanied by a suitably solid remix, with Ex Friendy's dense, post-punk influenced dub disco remake of "Demolish Disco" standing head and shoulders above the rest. That said, BG Baarregaard's deliciously Balearic revision of "Stomach Funk" is pretty darn tasty.
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ISMO 57X
25 May 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
25 May 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
Tony Disco feat Ramisax
Played by: YAM WHO?
Review: ISM chief Yam Who has long been a fan of Mexican disco, so it's little surprise to see him releasing this excellent single from local producer Tony Disco and horn player Ramisax. In its original form, "Papaya Surf" is something of a breezy delight; a warm, humid, languid saunter through deep house-tinged Balearic disco pastures full of live instrumentation. The remix package is rather excellent, too. Nelue goes further towards atmospheric nu-disco on his shuffling effort, while Colour Vision delivers a sun-kissed, samba-tinged take that turns the original into an eyes-closed anthem. Best of all, though, is Mazel Top's version, which laces those horns and a bold piano line over a bubbling backing track that sits somewhere between nu-disco and tech-house.
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ISM 055X
11 May 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
11 May 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Cork-based nine-piece The Cosmic Funk Band are well known to funk enthusiasts, having toured the UK (and beyond) extensively over the last decade. Here, they make their debut for Yam Who's ISM Records with an EP of remixes of tracks previously featured on self-released singles. Jay-Ru provides two impressive remixes; a warm, baggy, organic deep house interpretation of "Dynamite", and a super-smooth, impeccably deep take on "Our Time". Elsewhere, Yam Who and Goldboy each provide a version of "House of Sand". The later's take is woozy and evocative, sitting somewhere between acid-flecked deep house and chiming nu-disco. Predictably, it's the label boss who steals the show, turning the same track into a grandiose chunk of warm, immersive and richly musical electrofunk.
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ISM 056X
27 Apr 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
27 Apr 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
Various
Review: Yam Who is a man who is on a mission to uncover the coolest cult re-edit guys around and make sure the public hear them. This is usually through his own ISM imprint and it's also usually via the medium of the EP. Here, though he's gone all out to present this huge compilation album, bursting with party goodness, and boasting 24 tracks. Highlights include the '80s Child's rework of power-snare soul anthem "Let Me Be The One", the neon glow of arpeggiated synth boogie gem "Jeckermich" and Ron Basejam's deep and sensuous take on the sultry electro-soul of "Changes".
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ISM 054X
30 Mar 15
Funky/Club House
30 Mar 15
Funky/Club House
Played by: Valique, Casio Social Club, YAM WHO?, Juno Recommends Funky House, Alien Disco Sugar (Leonidas DeeJay), 80's Child
Review: The ISM label has been known to bring out new talent and deliver the goods each and every time they drop an EP, and from disco edits to nu jazz, these guys constantly put out quality output. This time it's The Hinge Project who come through with "Brand New Day", a soulful future jazz piece featuring the vocal talents of Mandel Turner. You also get a housier Deep Dub Mix for all you DJ in the place, and a handsome remix roster in the form of Joe Black and Yam Who. Top notch stuff, really.
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ISM52X
23 Mar 15
Funky/Club House
23 Mar 15
Funky/Club House
Review: Slovenian photographer-turned-producer Ichisan enjoyed his most prolific year to date in 2014, with releases appearing on Internasjonal, Catune and Danny Was A Drag King. Here he pops up on Yam Who's ISM label with more bouncy, synth-laden nu-disco fare. That's arguably best represented by the jammed out keys and rich chords of bubbling bonus cut "Veg Out", though there's more of a shamelessly Adriatic vibe about the cascading melodies and laidback disco shuffle of "Bela Ljubljana". That track gets treated to a pair of remixes; a chunkier, analogue-heavy dub disco interpretation from Yam Who, and an acid-flecked, pleasingly trippy take from Kalidasa.
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ISM 053X
16 Mar 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
16 Mar 15
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: YAM WHO?
Review: For their latest release, Yam Who's ISM label has turned to Stockholm's Rang Tang crew. Jonathan Ryno is the man at the controls, though he's assisted by a variety of extended Rang Tang family members, including singers Vanilla Stillefors and Gustav Nystrom, and pianist Maija. The resultant tracks blend elements of sunny deep house and hazy nu-disco with jazz and soul influences. Lead cut "Dreamer" - available in swinging original and chunkier Rang Tang Remix form - is probably the pick, though the low-slung, hip-hop soul jam "Cha-Em's Teapot" (complete with excellent jazz breaks) and loose house cut "Stay" run it close.
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ISM 051X
09 Feb 15
Deep House
09 Feb 15
Deep House
Review: South Wales duo Somerville and Wilson are well loved in the deep disco scene (that's slower, more expansive nu-disco for newcomers). Given their status, it's no surprise to see them popping up on Yam Who's ISM imprint to celebrate the label's 50th release. The two original tracks here are typical of their style, with glassy-eyed synths and ear-catching melodies riding chugging, arpeggio basslines. "Sun Speciale" sounds like slowed-down deep trance (in a similar way to some of the productions on Prins Thomas' Full Pupp imprint), while there's a Balearic bagginess to "Cenobite" that's consistently infectious. Remix-wise, Chris Massey ups the tempo and turns "Sun Speciale" into a new-Italo slammer, while Rayko adds some sunshine disco sparkle to "Cenobite".
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ISM 050X
15 Dec 14
Deep House
15 Dec 14
Deep House
Played by: Chris Massey, JimmyTheTwin, Valique, Casio Social Club, Sleazy McQueen, FINGERMAN, YAM WHO?, Dr Packer, Juno Recommends Funky House, Tonbe, Weedyman, HWah, MR ABSOLUTT, DJ P-SOL, Ziggy Phunk, BRENDON P, 80's Child, South Beach Recycling, Wonkar, Somerville & Wilson, The Silver Rider (Whiskey Disco), Buggin' Out
Review: Here's a devilishly simple but nevertheless inspired idea from Yam Who's ISM label: a 21st-centrury update of Imagination's legendary 1983 remix album Night Dubbing. While this version is nowhere near as dub-influenced as the original (which, after all, contained contributions from Larry Levan), it does contain some rather sublime new interpretations of Imagination's greatest hits. Highlights include an epic version of "Just An Illusion" from John Morales, an anthem-like version of "Flashback" from Kon, a deliciously atmospheric reinterpretation of "Music & Lights" from Sleazy McQueen and a typically deep, warm and synth-heavy re-shape of "Burning Up" from Soul Clap. Best of all, though, is J Kriv's nu jack swing-influenced remix of "Body Talk", which simply oozes the authentic feel of late '80s electro.
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ISM040X
27 Oct 14
Funky/Club House
27 Oct 14
Funky/Club House
Review: ISM has high hopes for this debut EP from male model-turned-DJ Leebo Freeman. It's not hard to see why. The Salford-based producer's trademark sound sits somewhere between cloudy and dreamy, with chugging, chunky grooves and looped up disco and boogie samples mixed with heady chords and warming, sun-kissed melodies. It's a blend that regularly produces playable material, from the hazy, slo-mo bump of "Sunset 'N' Swang" and instrumental Balearic pop of "Midnight Cap", to the deliciously bright and immersive "Cocktail Haze", and cut-up disco fluidity of "Hot Ways". His debut album, due soon on On The Fruit Records, should be worth checking.
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ISM 048X
20 Oct 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
20 Oct 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: YAM WHO?
Review: In the UK at least, the name Pollard is probably forever associated with good old Su. However we doubt Hi-De-Hi ever reached the sunkissed beaches of Australia from where Thomas Pollard (aka North Pollard) hails. Anyway this EP conjures up the kind of dreamy, blissed out holidays you'd actually want to have (and very far from a Yellowcoat nightmare). "Dream For Me" features crowd chants, hysterical, escalating synths and a deep tropical sunset vibe, whilst "Flight" is all comatose stoner R&B (Tom Day tweaks this into fragile synth bliss)- taken even further on the footwork heavy "Relax Ken".
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ISM 047X
06 Oct 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
06 Oct 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Melbourne's Benny Badge proved himself to be something of a master of synth-laden, soul-flecked boogie revivalism some years ago. Confirmation of his mastery of the genre came earlier this year, with the release of the Seal The Deal album earlier this year. Here, a selection of cuts from that inspired set get the remix treatment. There's much to admire, from the sharp synths and rolling electrofunk grooves of Ruf Dug's reinterpretation of "Midnight Rise", to the Boogie Cartel's superb NYC synth dub style rework of the same track. Badge himself provides a superb deep Dub of "Living a Lie", while label boss Yam Who steals the show with a fantastic, Loose Ends style tweak of "Something Else On Your Mind".
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ISM 046X
08 Sep 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
08 Sep 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: The latest release on Yam Who?'s ISM label is a debut from the shady Robot84, comprising two original works that reveal some serious production muscle. "Lookin 4 Luv" is a long and proggy slice of slo-mo disco - all throbbing analogue bass and layers of dreamy synth washes, not unlike Juan Maclean on his trippier days. Mark E slows things down even further for his deep and evocative Balearic mix. But if, after all that, you still need more, bonus track "Yo Yo Dance" is a slinky disco-trance odyssey of the highest order.
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ISM 045X
01 Sep 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
01 Sep 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Casio Social Club, FINGERMAN, YAM WHO?, Irregular Disco Workers, Juno Recommends Disco, Tonbe, Trujillo, Ziggy Phunk, 80's Child, South Beach Recycling
Review: Alena is a London boogie singer who has found a kindred creative spirit in ISM labelboss Yam Who?. Following the success of Changes, they're back with more original material, with "U Used To Hold Me" being a beautifully authentic slice of mid '80s Brit-synth-funk: crisp, digital and very, very catchy. Inkswel mischievously warps the tune into twisted dysfunctional punk-funk, but '80s Child goes a bit more commercial with his take on the already poppy "Let Me The One".
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ISM 044X
14 Jul 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
14 Jul 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Following the success of their recent cross-generational collaboration, disco edit hero Yam Who? is back producing these seminal 70s/80s disco pop giants. Odyssey now feature the soulful golden tones of Steven Collazo, son of the original singer, and here they tackle the Cheryl Lynn-esque "Together" (written with Nile Rodgers!), the smooth vintage funk of "He's Coming Back", the deep electro soul of "Sooner Or Later" (featuring Artful Dodger's Romina Johnson) and the mighty disco staple "Back To My Roots".
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ISM 042X
07 Jul 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
07 Jul 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
Soopaman Inc feat Andre Espeut
Played by: George Kelly, FINGERMAN, YAM WHO?, Irregular Disco Workers, Shota Tanaka (Beaten Space Probe), Weedyman, Get Down Edits, South Beach Recycling
Review: Yam Who's Ism records is going places, and come to think of it, so the label boss! Soopaman Inc is a 'celebrity trio' comprising Ashley Beedle, Yam Who and Moodymanc. Boasting the vocals talents of Andre Espeut, "One Thing" is a deep groove nugget, with spacey fender rhodes jazz keys and overflowing with soul. The 303-flecked Acid Boogie mix does what it says on the tin, whilst Yam Who takes it down a nu-disco alley, Master Boogie goes for a more sparse harsher VIP mix and we end on classic looped disco courtesy of Get Down Edits.
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ISM041X
28 Apr 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
28 Apr 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: YAM WHO?
Review: Perspective is a fascinating thing. Being positioned on the other side of the world can make the strangest things seem glamorous. Aussie producer Benny Badge (Freekwency) clearly finds the sound of Walford's E20 nightclub circa 1983 the most amazing thing ever, and frankly, who can blame him? Essex soul boy grooves dripping in glistening white-socks-synths and dry ice beats are the order of the day with highlights including the sleazy grind of "Friend Or Freek", the suggestively-titled "Midnight Rise" and the simply sublime "Just For Two". Dope.
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ISM 038X
14 Apr 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
14 Apr 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Despite sounding like a long lost '80s buddy movie, the Baker Brothers are a veteran live funk and soul collective from London. In anticipation of the band's forthcoming new album "Hear No Evil", ISM have delivered this remix package and it's a winner. "Love's Atonement" is turned into laid back poolside disco funk by 78 Edits, whilst the poppy Jamiroquai-isms of "Hill Climb" are tweaked twice by Yambee, first being into accelerated cosmic funk and secondly dubbed into a fizzy, hi-hat driven headnodder.
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ISM 039X
31 Mar 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
31 Mar 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
DJ Raw Sugar feat Milly James
Review: Raw Sugar is a seasoned veteran of the nu-disco/edit circuit, having released gems on a whole host of the most happening labels in this field including Editorial, Gazeebo and Chopshop. Now he arrives on ISM with this seriously impressive three-tracker. "Tell Me" is all glistening retro synth soul remixed with a cool '80s Danceteria style vibe by Yam Who, whilst Barrientos takes it in a '90s shuffley house-pop direction. "Sunroof Top" keeps it '90s with retro organ stabs, but it's the moody electro disco of "You Need This" that's got us pulling serious shapes on the dancefloor.
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ISM 037X
17 Mar 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
17 Mar 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Chris Massey, DAVE GERRARD, Keep Schtum, FINGERMAN, YAM WHO?, JAMES ROD, PHILLY VANILLI (We Mean Disco!!), Somerville & Wilson, Downunder Disco
Review: Who exactly runs nu-disco label extraordinaire, ISM? Yam Who? - that's who! Here it's quite clearly all about the '80s Dynasty shoulderpad disco and quite frankly every club needs more ladies dressed like this on their dancefloors. "Girl Down" is a slow-burning saucy Italo-disco jam that evokes memories of The Flirts, which is taken things back to the Loveboat in a funky house version by the aforementioned label boss. "Humid Disko" is a deliriously epic electro-disco bomb, laced with a smidgeon of acid that gets stripped down into a cosmic/NRG EP highlight by El Diablos.
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ISM 036X
10 Mar 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
10 Mar 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Gazeebo, FINGERMAN, YAM WHO?, Irregular Disco Workers, G&D, Dynamicron (Los Grandes/Our Nights), DJ P-SOL, Marathon Edits, Cyclist
Review: Yam Who's ISM label has high expectations of this bold and brassy EP of soaring nu-disco jams from Romanian rising stars Gemini Brothers. It's not hard to see why. While "Jeckermich" - an unflinchingly positive and rush-inducing fusion of traditional disco elements and nu-disco synths - is good, it's Pete Herbert's two gargantuan remixes that really excite. They're the sort of thing that will have even normally shy dancers grasping for the lasers as if their lives depend on it. There's a touch of leftfield disco/cosmic rock madness in the shape of Electric Brother collaboration "Blues Ventura" - all twiddly synths, jazz drums, wonky electronics and fiddly guitar solos - which comes backed by a fantastic Idjut Boys style dub disco remix from The Pushamann.
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ISM 035X
09 Dec 13
Disco/Nu-Disco
09 Dec 13
Disco/Nu-Disco
Various
Played by: B-Jam, Buzz Compass, FINGERMAN, YAM WHO?, Superbreak, Dynamicron (Los Grandes/Our Nights), Wonkar
Review: Yam Who? tirelessly releases the finest electronic disco through his own label ISM. Sometimes it's in the form of compilations and sometimes its stuff by the likes of Sleazy McQueen or Spektrum. Now and then he even gets time to release his own work. This is such a case and it's an impressive collection of all his official reworks of other artists. Highlights over the 12 tracks include his souped-up version of an '80s cover by Natasha Watts, the slick electro boogie rework of a Bobby Electro tune and the soulful retro house of his Erik Rico re-rub.
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ISM 033X
02 Sep 13
Disco/Nu-Disco
02 Sep 13
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Swiss-Italian studio boffin Bobby Eclecto is a bit of a crate digger, by all accounts, and on "Party Animals" you can tell. The original version comes laden with vintage electrofunk synths, audible nods to tongue-in-cheek '80s Italo and the sort of drum machine work that used to be the hallmark of Shep Pettibone. Remix wise, there are three alternate cuts to enjoy; a synthy, nu-disco influenced dose of contemporary powder house from Rubinskee, a blast of new wave revivalism from Chris Massey, and a superb synth wig-out - blessed, of course, with more musicality than you can shake a stick at - from label bosses Yam Who?
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ISM 032X
12 Aug 13
Disco/Nu-Disco
12 Aug 13
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: A characterful - if a little motley - collective, Spektrum remain one of the most quirkiest, intriguing bands the UK electro movement gave us nearly ten years ago. With each member on different projects (including Filthy Dukes and Gabriel Prokofiev's many art-based adventures) Spektrum releases are hardly prolific, but when they drop they need serious attention. Like this ESG-meets-Prince-meets-B52s funk-up. Spiked with big eastern strings, a lolloping disco bassline and Lola's purring vocals, it's a sonic tonic that rings with instant warm familiarity. Like it beefier with slinkier bassline? Check Kiwi's remix. Need more disco drama? Check Yam Who's remix. Like a wee dram of dub with your disco? Check Maurice & Crittz remix. Job done.
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ISM 027X
22 Apr 13
Funky/Club House
22 Apr 13
Funky/Club House
Review: Whiskey Disco head honcho Sleazy drops out of the edit game for a second to serve up a shimmering nu-disco original. With far-away rushy vocals, slinky bassline and raw positivity dripping off the synths, this has potential to waterproof the summer in its groove juice. The remixes are pretty remarkable, too; Chris Massey gets heavy on the bass in a house-bound UKG way, Anthony Mansfield darkens things up with heady doses of psychedelia and acid in a way that's not dissimilar to a certain Andrew Weatherall. St Petersburg Disco Spin Club end the party with a series of classic house motifs processed with heaps of reverb and slinky breakbeats.
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ISM 028X
15 Apr 13
Funky/Club House
15 Apr 13
Funky/Club House
Various
Played by: B-Jam, Dave Lee ZR, Dicky Trisco, Tronik Youth, Keep Schtum, Sleazy McQueen, YAM WHO?, Superbreak, SW, Maurice Aymard, Al Kent, Moonoton, Benny Badge, Peza, Dynamicron (Los Grandes/Our Nights), Lovewithme, Reed & Radley, Thomass Jackson - August Chart
Review: ISM Records' two Futurism EPs have proved so popular that label boss Yam Who has decided to use them as the inspiration for an expansive compilation of previously unreleased gems. Unlike the label's other popular strand, Midnight Riot, there's always been a bit more of an open-minded, eclectic feel about the Futurism releases. This is no different. Whilst rooted in nu-disco and deep house, Futurism: Shades of Space also touches on 21st century jazz-funk (Manmademusic), bongo-laden spiritual house (Nu Ak's "Fly Away"), fluid garage (Nega Tiv's excellent "Liquid Call"), woozy Balearica (Ben La Desh and Plan DAqua), block party boogie (Questlife feat Wildstyle, Freekwency) and nu-jazz (Hamish Balfour). More importantly, the quality threshold remains high throughout.
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ISM 026X
25 Mar 13
Disco/Nu-Disco
25 Mar 13
Disco/Nu-Disco
Various
Played by: B-Jam, Homegroove Project, Gazeebo, Discomendments, Sleazy McQueen, Stan Tropic, YAM WHO?, Marbeya Sound, Shota Tanaka (Beaten Space Probe), Sequencers, JUAN SOTO, Djs: Most Charted - Deep House, LA ROYALE, Bufi, Dynamicron (Los Grandes/Our Nights), Thomass Jackson, Salon Acapulco, Jona Saucedo, MOON RUNNER, Richmed, Andre VII, Modulaire
Review: It seems that we're not the only ones to have noticed the recent rise of Mexican disco-not-disco, and more specifically the anything-goes fusion antics of the Electrique Musique label. ISM head honcho Yam Who has been paying close attention, and here compiles a showcase featuring tracks the label and related Mexican artists. There's much to admire, from the wide-eyed Balearic disco shuffle of Zombies in Miami and the head-nodding, toe-tapping house shuffle of Mr Jones, to the post-punk electrofunk of Avanti and dayglo Prince grooves of Thomass Jackson. Listing all the highlights is near impossible, so just dive in - you won't be disappointed.
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ISMCD 006
24 Sep 12
Disco/Nu-Disco
24 Sep 12
Disco/Nu-Disco
Various
Played by: George Kelly, Dicky Trisco, Sleazy McQueen, FINGERMAN, YAM WHO?, Drop Out Orchestra, Shota Tanaka (Beaten Space Probe), TURNTILL
Review: This sampler for the second volume of ISM's Futurism series is packed with synth-laden boogie-house treats. PBR Streetgang man Bonar Bradberry impresses with opener "Stop & Look", a classic chunk of synth-laden house goodness that has "festival banger" written all over it. There's also a rather tasty DRMC rework of "This Way Up", which offers a surprisingly deep and sparse vibe. Even better is Damir K Ragina's "Funk Divine", a driving chunk of electrofunk revivalism that seemingly storms through its six-minute duration. As if that wasn't enough to get the juices flowing, there's also a tasty Free School rework of "Set It Free" that's worth the admission price alone.
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ISM 022X
27 Aug 12
Disco/Nu-Disco
27 Aug 12
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Previously, vocalist Natasha Watts has largely appeared on a range of soulful house cuts, working with the likes of Aaron Ross and Richard Earnshaw. Here, she flips the script and delivers an EP revivalist boogie jams for Yam Who's ISM imprint. It's a smart move. Opener "Rock With U Tonight" sets the tone, delivering a dubbed-out mix of spacey synths, rubbery bass and Larry Levan levels of delay. "Giving It All To Me" continues on a similar theme, sounding so authentic that it could have been released on Prelude or Vanguard in the Spring of 1983. Best of all, though, is "Touch Me (All Night Long)", a brilliant, strung-out cover of the Fonda Rae club classic of the same name.
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ISM 025X
15 Aug 12
Disco/Nu-Disco
15 Aug 12
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Straightoffthefloors.com, Gazeebo, YAM WHO?, In Flagranti, Sccucci Manucci, Sean Innit, The Legendary 1979 Orchestra, LA ROYALE, Dynamicron (Los Grandes/Our Nights), ERIK RUG
Review: Since recording all new versions of their classic hits with producer Yam Who, Odyssey seem to have enjoyed a new lease of life. Here, they cover disco classic "Weekend" with a little help from original New York mix-master John Morales (who, as part of M+M, remixed the Class Action version). Morales provides four versions; a full vocal mix that sounds like a cross between the Phreek and Class Action versions, a delightfully cowbell-heavy Vocal Dub, and two instrumentals. Good as these mixes are, they're put in the shade by Ashley Beedle's version, which opts for a more swinging groove and some brilliant piano solo action. There's also an excellent bonus in the shape of Crispin J Glover's tough but groovy Boogie Dub of "Inside Out".
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ISM 023X
09 Jul 12
Disco/Nu-Disco
09 Jul 12
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: 4T4, Guy Williams/D.R.W (Dan Williams), Slow It Down, YAM WHO?, Kid Who, Juno Recommends Disco, Al Kent, Bryan Gerrard, Martin Brodin, Sean Innit, Guess Disco, Psychemagik
Review: For disco heads, this Odyssey remix set should be an exciting prospect. Admittedly, the tracks being remixed are their 2011 re-recordings (originally seen on last summer's Legacy album) rather than the 70s and 80s originals, but don't let that put you off - especially as some of the reworks are superb. There's plenty of delightfully floor-friendly fodder on show, from Ray Mang's guitar-flecked re-invention of "Use It Up & Wear It Out" and Flash Atkins' Shaft-goes-dub-disco take on "Don't Tell Me Tell Her" to the everything-but-the-kitchen sink antics of Faze Action and DJD. While not every mix hits the spot, there's more than enough to warrant further investigation.
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ISM 019X
12 Dec 11
Disco/Nu-Disco
12 Dec 11
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: ROTCIV, YAM WHO?, Andrew Clarke, Romanto (YSR / DISCO MACHINE), Patrick alavi, Saison, Juno Recommends Disco, Juno Recommends Deep House, Husky, JKriv (Razor-N-Tape), Marbeya Sound, Marvin Zeyss, Deadly Sins
Review: After releasing his debut full-length on Bear Funk earlier this year, Croatian synth-disco specialist Ilija Rudman returns to ISM with two of his most interesting productions to date. "Crazy With You" - available in original, dub and lively Yam Who remix flavours - is arguably Rudman's most polished production yet, coming on like classic NYC boogie stripped back to its bare bones (think slap bass, Fairlight stabs, cowbells and a great vocal). "Let This Dream Be Real" continues on the same path, this time pushing a mid-80s soul vibe. It's similarly well produced and comes backed with a delicious nu-disco meets vaguely Balearic deep house remix from Disco Dirtbox.
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ISM 016X
26 Jul 11
Disco/Nu-Disco
26 Jul 11
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Here, original 1970s jazz-funk/disco-soul combo Odyssey have been tempted out of retirement to re-record some of their best-known hits and fan favourites in the company of London producer Yam Who. They're lucky in some regards that they're in the company of a talented and sympathetic producer, because in the wrong hands "Legacy" could have been a dog's dinner. As it is, it works brilliantly, with now familiar favourites like "Use It Up & Wear It Out" and "Inside Out" given tasteful but distinctly different updates that should appeal to die-hard fans and newcomers alike.
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ISMCD 004X
20 Jun 11
Disco/Nu-Disco
20 Jun 11
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: ROTCIV, DJ Luiz Pareto, Sleazy McQueen, YAM WHO?, Faze Action, Andrew Clarke, Juno Recommends Disco, Rayko, Sisterhood, Sean Innit, Limpodisco, LA ROYALE
Review: Yam Who?'s ISM label come through with a four track slice of disco centric Futurism, featuring the man Yam himself alongside PBR Streetgang and Ron Basejam. It's the latter who takes the lead with a remix of Alena's "Changes" that sees her sultry vocal teased by a most excellent of analogue synth leads that splurges brilliantly across the crisp mid tempo chug. Yam Who? teams up with vocalist Natasha Watts for the similarly bottom heavy bump of "I'm In Love" which has a certain warehouse appeal to it. Up next, PBR pay respect to the godfather of soul James Brown with the gritty flex of "J2thaB" with the sadly departed Mr Brown strangely sounding at times like he wants to go to Tesco. We always took him for a Waitrose man, but regardless this is probably the track you'll reach for most! Finally Brothers Young do their thing to a Trammps classic, with little more than the bassline retained. Big tip!
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ISM 011X
16 May 11
Disco/Nu-Disco
16 May 11
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: What was perhaps most thrilling about the early work of Off Key Hat pairing Leon Mayes and Darren Morris was its strange, oddball nature. Since leaving the now defunct Dissident imprint a few years back, they've progressively moved further towards a brand of oddball synth-pop that references Italo, electrofunk and acid just as much as early 80s new wave and alternative pop. Dangerous Machine, their debut album, completes that journey. With regular vocalist Michelle Manetti in fine voice, it features 10 powerful, leftfield synth-pop moments that veer from the wobbly and wonky ("Night Of The Off Key Hat") and sweet and funky ("Super Sound Single", "Emergency Calling") to the downright dirty (the Goldfrapp-ish "Lairy Lil' Junkie").
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ISMCD 003
09 May 11
Disco/Nu-Disco
09 May 11
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Containing the combined talents of members of Faze Action and Yam Who, Killer Whale might just be the super group of the nu disco genre. On their debut EP King Of New York they pay tribute to legendary NYC porducer Arthur Russell with cover versions of two of Russell's most famous Loose Joints tracks. Neither of Killer Whale's versions of "Tell You (Today)" or "Is It All Over My Face" deviate very far from the original tracks and instead are very faithful recreations with the sort of expert musicianship you'd expect from the people involved. Of the three remixers, edit don Leo Zero wins out with his percussion heavy extended club dub "Tell You (Today)" with the piano riff floating atop the submerged sax and vocals.
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ISM 005X
10 Jun 10
Disco/Nu-Disco
10 Jun 10
Disco/Nu-Disco
