Klubb Disko

This past month, Norway's Rune Lindbæk released one of the most unique and best album's of the year enititled, Klubb Kebabb. This nine track LP was released off of Idjut Boy's Noid Records, and contains a collection of re-edits from old disco gems to modern radio pop songs. For instance, one of the standout tracks is a re-edited version of Toto's "Africa", which never sounded so good as it does on this album. Even though it's safe to say this record is "all over the place" as far as sound and orginal tracks choosen, their is no doubt that this is one of the best releases of the year, shedding a new light on disco.

Rune Lindbæk - Africa
Rune Lindbæk - Soper Star
Rune Lindbæk - Franz Tranz

Nummer Delight

The past few years, Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas collaboratly have been blessing us with some really amazing releases off of Eskimo Recordings including last years Mighty Girl 12" and Boney M Down 12". This year the cosmic Norweigen duo is back with another 12-inch off of Eskimo, I believe entitled Reinterpretations. This single includes the 21 minute self-titled track along with the B-side track "Nummer Fire To". Both are amazing songs, that take the listener on long epic voyages through space. The songs would definately be nice additions to a sci-fi movie soundtrack. Just sit back, close your eyes and enjoy.

Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas - Nummer Fire To

Balihu Boogie

Today I thought I would feature some classic releases from one of my favorite artists among the disco house scene. In 1991, Daniel Wang started the legendary (in my opinion) Balihu Records. The first release, The Look Ma No Drum Machine EP became a cult success. After that, Wang released two more incredibale records, 1995's Aphroasiatechnubian which features the classic song "Unhouse", and 1996's The Morning Kids EP which features the early disco house gem "Free Lovin' (Housedream)", and my personal favorite "Rooftop Boogie". Daniel has gone on to release music with Environ, Oxygen Music Works, Eskimo, Playhouse, along with many others. His Balihu label has also put out music by Ilya Santana, Brennan Green, and Block 16 to name a few. No matter how you look at it, these three releases along with Balihu Records have been very influential on the growing disco house scene. Daniel Wang, we salute you.

Daniel Wang - Rooftop Boogie
Daniel Wang - Free Lovin' (Housedream)
Daniel Wang - Unhouse


Check out Daniel Wang on his brief North American tour, dates as follows:

sat june 2nd - detroit @ the caid with Relaxer

tues june 5th - nyc @ apt with Brennan Green

thurs june 7th - san frandisco @ tba

sat june 9th - toronto @ crosstown with Will Munro and Jaime Sin

Disco Woman of the World

I aplogize for the short post, however I don't have alot of time today. Therefore, I'll keep this short and sweet. Here are two different version's of Double's 1986 disco gem "Woman of The World". First is Tangoterje's edit that was released in 2004 off of Supreme Records. Second is a new instrumental mix released by Permanent Vacation on a mix comp back in May of 2006. This EP was the label's first release and Double's addition was one of the standout tracks. Some good downtempo disco funk.

Double - Woman of the World (Tangoterje edit)
Double - Woman of the World (Instrumental mix)

Violent Disco

With Lindstrom & Sole releasing their new heavy disco dub 12" Let's Practice (Which you can hear on the BiBaBiDi blog), which is mighty fine I must add, I thought I would take this time to highlight one of my favorite Lindstrom releases (That definately doesn't get enough due.). In 2005, Tokyo based record label Outergaze released Lindstrom's 10" single Violent Group which also appears on Another Side of Lindstrom LP. This 10" record consisted of two songs, "Violent Group", and my personal favorite, the quirky and jazzy "Violent Group (Disco Version)". In my opinion this single is right up there with his other classics Another Station and I Feel Space. You decide for yourself.

Lindstrom - Violent Group(Disco Version)
Lindstrom - Violent Group
Lindstrom & Solale - Let's Practise(Dub Version)

I Need The Sunlight

Today, I've definately been in a Arthur Russell mood, so thought I would share some obscure or "hard-to-find" songs that I've been enjoying as of late. First is one of the B-side tracks on 1984's 12-inch disco single Tiger Stripes by Felix (Arthur Russell & Nicky Siano), entitled "You Can't Hold Me Down". This Killer Whale (Arthur Russell) re-edit of the self-titled track "Tiger Stripes" features a new arrangement to the original along, including more of a funk guitar and percussion pressence. Second, is Arthur Russell's collaboration with jazz musician Peter Gordon on Gordon's 1986 LP Innocent. The song entitled, "That Hat" includes vocals by Arthur himself, while Peter Gordon lays down a nasty saxophone solo. Finally, I also included the dub version of Lola's (Lola Blank, Bob Blank, & Arthur Russell) of "Wax The Van", off of it's 1987 Jump Street Records release. This is a more instrumental stripped down version of the orginal that we all love so much. For any Arthur Russell fan, these songs are definately worht having.

Felix - You can't hold me down (long version)
Arthur Russell & Peter Gordon - That Hat
Lola - Wax the Van (Jon's Dub)

Beach Boys

Just as summer is approaching us all, swedish duo Studio are starting us off right with their new 12-inch release off of Information Records. Titled, Life's A Beach!, features two high profiled remixes by Todd Terje and Prins Thomas. Phonica called it "New Release of the Week", while buzz about the release has been starting to surface throughout the internet the past few weeks. Both remixes on this record are very solid, however creating a very different mood. Prins Thomas' edit is more of a slow disco stomper, while Todd Terje's cosmic remix is a bit more friendly for the dancefloor. The feature I like about both remixes, is the atmospheric sounds of the ocean in the background. This is a must in anybody's record collection. Go pick it up, find a beach, a few drinks, and...well you get the point. Summer can now begin.

Studio - Life's a Beach(Todd Terje Remix)
Studio - Life's a Beach(Prins Thomas Remix)

More of Our Song

Back in early '05, Rong Music released the debut offering from Lee Douglas entitled Same Changes 12". This was a solid record that included two very good cosmic disco gems, "Same Changes" and "Our Song". Other than a solid Woolfy remix in '06 we didn't hear much from Douglas until recently. This past month, the Rong Music "disco factory" released a limited edition (400 copies) 12" of the orginal 12 minute version of "Our Song". The new one-sided 12-inch entitled Our Song 99 seems to be moving fast online, so I recommend picking up a copy sooner than later. Hear is the '05 edited version of "Our Song", which is also amazing.

Lee Douglas - Our Song

Disco Diamond

London's Kathy Diamond first appeared on the music map with 2003's Sunshine 12", off of Idjut Boys' Cottage label. The title track to the record, "Sunshine", also appeared on Idjut Boys' excellent DJ-mix compilation, Press Play in '05. Since then, Kathy Diamond has released a couple of singles, All Woman and Over off of Munich label Permanent Vacation. Both singles were produced by Maurice Fulton and consisted a good mixture of disco, soul, and funk. Diamond's most recent single Over 12" is definately in the running for best 12" single of the year (In my opinion, of course). On April 27th, Permanent Vacation will release Diamond's first Full-Length album entitled, Miss Diamond To You. I definately have mixed feelings about the full-length record, however I highly recommend picking up all three of her singles.

Kathy Diamond - Over
Kathy Diamond - All Woman

Disco Devil Dub Club

On May 14th, Lo Recordings will release a new Black Devil Disco Club LP entitled, Devil In Dub. This full-length album will include "dub" versions of songs off of Black Devil Disco Club's debut record, 28 After. This album will also include remixes by In Flagranti, Elitetechnique, Quiet Village, Unit 4, Black Mustang, and the hottest producer this side of venus Prins Thomas. Black Devil Disco Club, aka Bernard Fevre, half of legendary French disco act Black Devil, reincarnated Black Devil's sound with last year's solid LP 28 After, and tries to take it a step further with Devil In Dub. If Prins Thomas's edit of "On Just Foot" is any indication of what the rest of Devil In Dub will sound like, then we are all definately in for a treat.

Black Devil Disco Club - On Just Foot (Prins Thomas edit)