London-based Midnight Riot was founded in 2012 by DJ and producer Yam Who?. With sparkling releases from the likes of Soul Clap, Rayko, Alan Dixon, Dr Packer, Chewy Rubs, AMP Fiddler, 80s Child and Joutro Mundo, Midnight Riot have an extensive collection of album compilations and EPs centred around starlight nu-boogie, disco and house. ISM Records is Midnight Riot’s parent label, together with sub-labels Black Riot and Riot Records.
Review: Through his releases on Midnight Riot and sister label ISM, Danny Kane has proved time and again that he's one of the British nu-disco scene's greatest funk-soul-disco fusionists. We Come In Peace, his debut album, further confirms the Birmingham producer's rising star status via a mix of previously released singles, unheard workouts and a handful of fine remixes from such talented producers as J Kriv, Qwestlife and Art of Tones. Our picks of an extremely strong bunch include disco-funk/boogie fusion number 'We Come in Peace', revivalist '80s soul gem 'Do It Right', dreamy boogie-house roller 'Octopussy', future disco scene anthem 'Good Love' and his swirling, all-action disco-house collaboration with Natasha Kitty Katt, 'Ascend to Love'.
Review: Young Society/Society 3.0 boss Andy Bach comes to Midnight Riot with a three-track EP which sits somewhere between disco house, nu-disco and soulful house. 'I Need You' features a sultry female "I need you baby... I want you baby" vocal that's placed atop a bed of fluttering disco guitars and assorted synth wibbles, 'Back On' treads a slightly tuffer, struttier path and has something of a Junior Jack-ish, filter disco kinda feel, before finally 'Dimitri's House' itself takes things a little deeper with its lower tempo, jazz-funk overtones, near-bruk beats and hints of bubblin' acid.
Review: The title here pretty much says it all, as Midnight Riot serve up a 20-track 'best of' collection that's replete with quality disco- and boogie-inspired house nuggets. There's no room here to go into all the tracks one-by-one, but highlights for this reviewer include Danny Kane's 'Pop Goes The Cherry', which bites Ruby Turner's 90s classic 'Never Ever Gonna Give You Up', and 'Sheroes' by the heavy-hitting Manc double-act of Massey & Paulette - think Daft Punk's 'Teachers' but for people with two X chromosomes. Now dive in and find your own favourites - with cuts from the likes of Amp Fiddler, Paris Grey, Dylan Debut and Jet Boot Jack to choose from, it shouldn't be difficult!
