Thursday, 11 September 2025

The Disco Express train, now known as TDE 100 - London Exhibition has arrived at Platform Shoreditch "Celebrating The Art, Culture and Music of The Disco Express" and you don't want to miss this halt stop.




In a week that sees the release of Dirty Supercar's 'Get Down Boogie' that comes with the coup of a  John Morales Extended Remix (see review HERE), 2025 sees TDE from London to Paris, NYC, Amsterdam, Mexico City and beyond as the celebrations of #100 start to get into full swing/boiler box.

Starting with a landmark exhibition taking place at The Book Club in Shoreditch, this 4-day celebration will bring together our global community under one roof, running from Wednesday 17th September to Saturday 20th September 2025.
Upstairs at The Book Club, experience the warmth of vinyl each evening as DJs spin records from 5PM–10PM, followed by exclusive recorded club sets downstairs in the club room from our resident DJs from 9PM–12AM. These nightly soundscapes will set the tone for an unmissable week. This free exhibition will feature curated artwork from past events, vinyl releases, exclusive framed pieces, archival posters, and brand new merchandise available to purchase. Visitors can expect a dynamic visual and audio experience that celebrates The Disco Express' journey, from underground parties to global dance floors. The celebration will culminate in a blowout party at Metropolis on Saturday 20th September, reuniting our resident DJs from across the globe and bringing the TDE100 exhibition to an unforgetable close. Join us as we reflect, connect and keep the fire burning. And don't forget to check our interview with Tom Lilly of last year HERE.

P.S. If you're really stoked up for this, there's a one night only TDE at ADE as "a moving club train through the Netherlands, featuring three unique stages, a stacked international lineup, and a journey like no other".  It won't be run with an ex-BR Class 77 (withdrawn from the Netherlands in 1983) what a celebration: seven carriages, three stages, one moving train,
100 releases, 5 years, Infinite memories.


THE DISCO EXPRESS AT ADE: 23rd October 2025: TDE - Club Train by Night: Celebrating 100 Releases on The Disco Express at Amsterdam Central Station, Amsterdam · Tickets

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Artist: Dirty Supercar 
Title: Get Down Boogie / Body Slam EP
Release date: 12th September, 2025
Label : The Disco Express
Catalog Number : XPRESS94A1
Format:  Digital / Streaming / Bandcamp

If you're a fan of the label Best Works, you'll be a fan of Best Friends as the key partnership of DJ André Lodemann and A&R manager, promoter and radio host Daniel W Best put all their efforts into a mega remix package that Best Friends 'Keep On'.



Of course there's an element of sadness behind this as the Berlin links with New Zealand are ever present, particularly as Fat Freddy's Drop, Chris 'Mu' Faiumu sadly passed away on 17th July this year, RIP), which originally led to the  Louis Baker 'Keep On Remixes #1 (see review HERE).

So keen on this modern soul classic track, the team have gone extra miling with Larse (x4 - remix, extension, instrumental, extended instrumental), Deflonic (x3 - remix, extended remix and instrumental) and Gush Collective and (x4 - remix, dub,extended instrumental and dub): 16 remix version in total!

Now I know you'll be thinking that's all a bit more but wait to you here them all in a row; it's such a great track with such a great message.  It's more than fitting that Sumsuch's tribute to Alex Kentucky includes the Larse remix of the latest Colour & Pitch Sessions mix; our thoughts go out to Alex's family and friends, RIP. 

We know Delfonic from the reverent 'Roy Ayers Delfonic Reworked #1' EP on BBE and other jazzy edits.  This one's more discofied whilst Gush Collective get old skool Co-Op BRUK.

As much as you need Remixes #1, Part 2 metaphorically cleans up so keep on and stay strong with this.




Artist: Louis Baker
Title: Keep On Remixes #2 (Best's Friends Remixes w/ Larse, Delfonic and Gush Collective)
Release date: 12th September, 2025
Label :Best Works
Catalog Number  BSF021
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

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Whilst in the land of Milk & Honey, let's get outta here on the 12", 'The Milky Way'.



Milk & Honey are the duo of producers Saint-James and Tour-Maubourg so a 5-track has winner written all over it. What with the galatic theme 'Deeper & Deeper' is funky out there with the space synths whilst there the peak-time lazer heaters 'Back In the Hood', 'Lost And Found' and 'Sour' (Ed. not yesterday's milk on the doorstep?).

Whilst out in space, 'Venus Effect' and 'City Stabs' makes up the EP.  Get your pre-orders in now before everyone gets home from their summer holidays.




Artist: Milk & Honey 
Title:  The Milky Way
Release date: 12th September, 2025
Label : Chuwanaga
Catalog Number : CHUWANAGA016,
Format:  Limited 12" / Digital / Bandcamp 



Wednesday, 10 September 2025

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The disco express train has picked up a couple of special passengers with mix/edit legend John Morales and Caio Cenci both providing extened remixes that'll get the boogies on the suiper carriage body slamming your disco destinaton.



Dirty Supercar aer disco obsessives based in the depths of London's Soho that know a Daniel Wang when they see one on the dancefloor.

'Get Down Boogie' comes as an original version and the even better John Morales Extended Remix; now if you don't know you're M+M remix from your M&Ms, this is a great place to start (and if you've got a lot of catching up to do, check out BBE's extensive back catalogue).

And then there's 3 versions of 'Body Slam'; and extended mix, an instrumental and a Caio Cenci extended remix.  Caio Cenci debuted on the label earlier this year with his 'Business Of Love' EP earlier this year and this is just as slammin'.

After the Bustin' Loose 'Château d'Amour' EP (see review HERE) and La Felix's 'Bassline Jump' EP of a coule of weeks earlier (review review HERE) the Disco Express is fast approaching its 100th release: what disco station have they got planned you may well ask?

For more on Bustin' Loose, check our interview with Tom Lilly of last year HERE.

BUY LINK / Pre-Order: https://go.protonradio.com


Artist: Dirty Supercar 
Title: Get Down Boogie / Body Slam EP
Release date: 12th September, 2025
Label : The Disco Express
Catalog Number : XPRESS94A1
Format:  Digital / Streaming / Bandcamp

Tuesday, 9 September 2025

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Is it me or does the phrase 'Claptrap' seem out of place for trendy NYC label Razor-N-Tape? It's the type of word you'd hear t'up North or at least not south of Birmingham?  So how'd it get in the Fania dancefloors of New York? 


MOTEL PHANTASMA is actually a mystery duo (I wonder who that could be?) and they've got a double A-sided 7" that'll get you all the attention a DJ would need.

Side A is hot as 'Claptrap' warped Baile Funk with early Kraftwerk circa-pocket calculator; "that's Claptrap" I hear you say (and you'd be right) but try not to clap you're way onto the dancefloor in a perverted flamenco synth wave way.
 
But that's nothing compared to Afro-boogie Zamrock disco of 'Noude' featuring the vocals of Kaleta as 70s 'Shaft In Africa' cool hits NYC.

This is a heavyweight and totally different to label boss' JKriv recent collaboration with Megatronic and their 'Out Of Time' release (see review HERE) but both are equally necessary and fun. 

 

Artist: MOTEL PHANTASMA
Title: Out Of Time
Release date: 12th September, 2025
Label : Razor-N-Tape.
Catalog Number : RNTD125
Format :  7" - 2 track vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Monday, 8 September 2025

Blimey, it's been a year since Ramrock Red Records introduced us to New King and their return features Noah of vocals, Ruben Campos on Spanish guitar and D.Foe on the remix, you'll agree, 'Life Is Good' after listening to this one!


Remembering the 'Summer Sun' from last year (see review HERE) and the equally fantastic Stefano De Santis Remix (see review HERE) they're back with some ambient Spanish guitar beachwear that's that's more than perked up by the D.Foe (aka Mark Daniels and also New King, 45 Dip, Marden Hill and Sugarman) and Rob Clydesdale (also New King).

The original versions' gentle breeze of Noah's vocals and genuine Granadan gypsy flamenco guitar from Mr. Campos makes this a winner for the summer sunshine and when added to the deeper trip-hop Balearics of the remix it's a must play back-2-back combination.

When the sun is out, this is more than hard to resist, especially if you like a bit of Lonnie Liston Smith cosmic echoes.

Talking of jazz-funk legends, there's rumours of more remix action for 'Life Is Good' by that's man Stefano De Santis so stay tuned.


Artist: New King ft Noah + Ruben Campos  
Title: Life is Good (Original Mix / D.Foe Remix)
Release date: 8th September, 2025
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR089
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

After the recrent Atjazz tour to South Africa, everyone's at it and for very good reason when you hear Logo Alloy & Zam T's 'Love Odyssey' EP.



Both Logo Alloy and Zam T have been working as producer/DJs on numerous local label's having a love of house of the Master at Work, DJ Spinna, Terry Hunter and the like.  So it's of no great surprise that Vibe Me To The Moon's DJ Nightsteppaz was so quick to sign this one up.

On a four track EP, 'Care For Me' with a soulful vocal, the instrumental 'Goin Nowhere', the stompin' 'Let's Go' that's got killer organ and some dubby space rotation on the grove and finishing up with jazz-funky vibes of 'Don Go Stay'.  All are that bit different from each other but then they all are as much New York, Chicago, Detroit as they are Jo'Berg, Cape, Bloemfonteinetc.  

what an addition to Vibe Me To The Moon Records after recent releases with well known names like Demarkus Lewis ('Love Still Lives' EP - see review HERE) and Franck Roger (on the remix - see reveiw HERE) but if your missing unofficial Roy Ayers remixes, you'll need 'Don Go Stay' in your collection.

All four tracks will be ready for club or beach as the summer warms up for the best part(y) of the year.



Artist: Logo Alloy & Zam T 
Title:  Love Odyssey EP
Release date: 12th September, 2025
Label : Vibe Me To The Moon Records
Catalog Number : TBC
Format:  Digital  
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Chicago based Blue Earth Sound is the place to explore 'Cicero Nights' - not as a Roman consulate rave up or as a town in North-East Illinois!



We already know from Tomorrow's Yearning (see review HERE) that the guys at Root Records love jazz OST beats a la KPM/de Wolfe/Creed Taylor along with Dilla/Madlib beats but James Weir's Blue Earth Sound project diggs even deeper into Chicago's jazz history.

Developed with the help of Dave Vettraino, the in-house engineer for International Anthem who, as a label, has recently been blessed by compilation madness as 'Gilles Peterson Presents International Anthem' with underground fee-jazz-soul-experimental gold like Carlos Niño, Damon Locks, Makaya McCraven, Jaimie Branch (RIP) and many more: far removed from Weir's rock-post punk band background.

So even more impressive that, even as a multi-instrumentalist, he's got such a cool jazz-focused album together with a little help from guests, notably Eamonn Prizy on flute/saxophone and particularly on 'Lovers Rock' and 'Half & Half'.

The single, 'Mariposa' and 'On The Court' have that downtempo feel that so fits his inspiration of, "I just wanted to make tunes that a DJ could pay at a Chicago bar like 'Danny's' at 8:30pm that would set a good vibe"; (Ed. perfect for the Futuristica Music Sessions on a Wednesday at 60MPC of old).

Don't be surprised to see these guys on one of Peterson's many projects.

PS. Danny's, 6021 S. Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60638

 
Artist: Blue Earth Sound 
Title:  Cicero Nights
Release date: 12th September, 2025
Label : Root Records
Catalog Number : TBC
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp  

Produced by Blue Earth Sound
Recorded and Mixed at The International Anthem Warehouse by Dave Vettraino
Additional Recording in Little Village by Jason Balla
Additional Recording at the Mango Pit by Joshua Wells
String Production by Austin Lemoine in St. Louis
Mastered by David Allen
James Weir - Piano [1, 2, 3, 8], Rhodes [3, 4, 5, 7, 8], Organ [1, 3, 4, 7], Wurlitzer [2, 6], Guitar [4, 5, 6, 7], Bass [1- 8], Slide Guitar [2], Synth [2]
Patch Romanowski - Drums [1- 8], Triangle [4]
Eamonn Prizy - Flute [1, 3, 4], Saxophone [2, 3, 6, 7, 8]
Will Miller - Trumpet [1, 2, 3, 5]
Michael Wells - Guitar [1, 3, 8]
Jackson Ramsey - Strings [1, 5]Alex Aguero - Percussion [4, 6, 7]
Joshua Wells - Percussion [3, 4, 6, 7, 8]

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Sunday, 7 September 2025

Totally 'discombobulated' by the Aureum? Join the 'Disco Voador' club and get your dancefloor sorted.



Following on from Bruce Leroys' 'What Do You Want' featuring Lee Wilson earlier this year, the Aureum label has takend the question to the next leverl of soulful jazzy house to, "What more do yo want" as these 3-tracks have more than enough to keep you questioning your needs.

Just to make sure you are 'discombobulated', starting with Campos' mate, Rafael Cancian goes late '80s remix of the title track  as a tripped out dubby vibe with space synths; whilst 'Disco Voador' is a avant-jazz house shuffle that could work on a Hammer House of Horror soundtrack with fantastic gothic organ and trumpet.

The downtempo Latin-flava  'Areias de Ipanema' in the 'Disco Voador EP' sandwich gets full of sand of Ipanema Beach with more classy trumpet and sax.

Don't try and categorize this EP other than "necessary" and "fun".


ArtistBruce Leroys ft. Lee Wilson
Title: What Do You Want Disco Voador (Inc Rafael Cancian Remix)
Release date:  Beatport Exclusive for 1 Week 5th September, 2025 
                        General release:  12th September, 2025
Label: Aureum
Cat. No: AU0010
Format:  Digital 


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"A collision of cosmic soul, existenital dread and a desperate search for meaning in the static" of modern life you may add as Stven Bamidele breezes through the 'difficult' sophomore album, 'THE CRASH!' is a beautiful sound.

Leftfield downtempo soul fans have been shouting the name Steven Bamidele sometime now and this 12 track new album is not to be avoided if you like the sound of folk drum'n'bass above the sound of the hummingbirds. 

The Nigerian-born, London-based singer, songwriter, musician and producer has a very dream like quality to his lyrics, voice and character - can you imagine a combination of Cat Stevens, Beach Boys and Thundercat?  Neither can I but this isn't far from it as he laments of the loss of innocence ('Truman', as in the 'The Truman Show' film') with the now omnipresence of big media/state intrusions into our lives - wanted or not.  

Along with "Everyone wants to live a good life" ('Cookoo Goes The Clock', with British rapper Cam Thomas (Ed. a pop at Harry Lime?) and 'The Fool' (featuring Sly5thAve - he of 'Calfornia Love', see review HERE), this is a 30 year olds' world view as 'THE CRASH!' but is a positive way and not a crash to destruction.

He's joined on 'Nichiyoubi' by French-born singer, songwriter and guitarist Célia Tiab and is such a cool lounge-jazz warp of a love song on the day of relase, not that he'd know, DT decides to rename the Department of Defence! 'Take Cover' indeed.

In fact, 'Take Cover' is the closest to a dance track on here as this album would suit fans of Michael Kiwanuka, Frank Ocean, Jalen Ngonda - in fact, the soulful duet with Scarlett Fae on 'Withdrawn' is one of the many highlights on the album.

Mr Bamidele is super talented and Tru-thoughts have found yet another Worldwide winner here.



Artist: Steven Bamidele
Title:  THE CRASH! 
Release date: 5th September, 2025
Label : Tru-Thoughts Recordings
Catalog Number: TRUD468D
Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp