Review: Liquid Pegasus's synth-funk focused 2016 debut album "What I Actually Do" was so good that many expected him to become a major force in the growing nu-boogie scene. His career seems to have stalled since then, with this outing on Clandestine Boogie marking his first outing in almost two years. It's a vibrant, colourful and sun-kissed affair that regularly reaches rush-inducing levels of positivity. Check the meandering synth-bass, sparkling stabs and eyes-closed jazz guitar solos of "Makin' It Hot". "Sparkle" is deeper, more laidback and a touch more disco-fied, with Dave Allison upping the tempo a little while increasing the Balearic factor on his accompanying remix. Matt Hughes' tidy take on "Makin' It Hot" is arguably sturdier and more club-ready than Liquid Pegasus' original version.
Review: Strut's archival remit remains as international as ever, with their latest compilation squaring the focus on late '70s Hawaii on the delightful Aloha Got Soul: Soul AOR & Disco In Hawai'i 1979-1985. Across the backdrop of societal change on the island (statehood into America in '59 and the Vietnam War) Hawaiian youth found inspiration in the music of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and later Earth Wind & Fire leading to a truly vibrant scene by the mid-'70s. It's after this where Strut pick up the story, bringing together a glorious 16 track collection that spans the genres and suggests Hawaii to be a most fertile location for music during this era. Do take some time to check the detailed sleeve notes from Aloha Got Soul's Roger Bong which offer further context for the music!
