Volume 26 of the 12" series Attack The Dancefloor features four already heavily rotated floor slayers available on vinyl for the first time. First up, it's a meeting of giants, as we're treated to the huge Michael Gray extended version of Dave & Maurissa's 'What About My Love', bumping up the tempo and taking the source parts into house territory, priming it for peak time and finally satisfying the 'when's it out on vinyl' crowd. Up next is the floor-filling, gospel tinged '(You Gotta) Give It Up' by Z Factor, still doing damage on the dancefloors since its recent digital release. On the flip, we have 'Down Down Down' by Raw Essence aka Dave Lee, his latest dose of discotheque dopamine. Feeling both familiar yet fresh, it's all about classic good times here backed up with ravishing Moog wizardy and irresistible vocals. To round off this essential slab of wax, Opolopo's standout 'Bebeccie's Theme' delivers muso boogie of the highest order, full of discreet chords and sophisticated string turnarounds, all backed up with deft synth touches from the keyboard magician.

TRACK LISTING

Dave & Maurissa - "What About My Love" (Michael Gray Extended Remix)
Z Factor - "(You Gotta) Give It Up" (Dave Lee’s Extended Club Mix)
Raw Essence - "Down Down Down" (Dave Lee Extended Mix)
Opolopo - "Bebeccie's Theme" (Original Mix)

Two of the most prolific remixers in the world of Disco, Dave Lee and John Morales have teamed up for one of their biggest projects to date - 'Mixed To The Maxxx'. After gaining access from the legendary original artists these two highly esteemed producers take the multi-track tapes of many classic Disco, Funk & Soul tracks and re-work them...to the Maxxx! Here we are treated to a 12" sampler of what is to come from the Album later this year.

First up, the Bass twanging floor filler version from Dave Lee of 'The Brothers Johnson - The Real Thing' which has already been causing a stir in his DJ sets of late, featuring lots of musical parts not audible in the original. Following up is Dave's Friday Night Fever Mix of Philly legends 'Bell & James - US chart hit "Livin' It Up (Friday Night)' where he beefs up and extends the original to re-step back out on the town, a masterclass in elevating something that is already great to start with.

On the second 12" we have John Morales taking on a biggie! Inner Life's - Aint No Mountain High Enough. Here John handles the prestigious parts with the respect due, re-shaping key moments in a new light and bringing the sonics up to par for modern dancefloors, an Anthem Mix indeed. To finish proceedings Morales takes on British Jazz-Funk band 'Light Of The World' with their mum loved classic 'London Town' bumping the tempo a touch and beefing up the funk.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Floor-filling commercial disco business from two of the biggest names in the game, reworking some of the biggest tracks in Christendom. We've got a little funk, a little soul and a whole heap of groove.

TRACK LISTING

The Brothers Johnson - "The Real Thing" (Dave Lee’s Thunderthumbs Mix)
Bell & James - "Livin' It Up (Friday Night)" (Dave Lee's Friday Night Fever Mix)
Inner Life - "Aint No Mountain High Enough" (John Morales M+M 2025 Anthem Mix)
Light Of The World - "London Town" (John Morales M+M Hyde Park Stroll Mix)

First out of the blocks is Prospect Park as they return with their boogietastic remake of Cheryl Lynn fave, updating the song and turning it into a peaktime Disoctatstic work out featuring live musicianship, string arrangements and soaring vocals.

Next up is the lush ‘On Time’ by London broken beat crew Wipe the Needle and featuring the super slick soulful vocals of Sacha Williamson. Packed with dreamy strings and glistening Fender Rhodes over a MAW style Jazz Funk house rhythm this will keep the dance floor moving to the early hours.

On the flip its back for some more peak time action courtesy of the Sunburst Band’s classic ‘Garden Of Love’ remixed by Dam Swindle. The dutch duo take a more soulful route adding live bass and Rhodes to the production.

Closing the procedures is some peak time, string heavy disco house from Mr Doug Willis in the shape of ‘Forever Dougless’.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Prospect Park - Shake It Up Tonight (Dave Lee's Disco Re-Shake)
A2. Wipe The Needle Feat. Sacha Williamson - On Time (WTN 4x4 Mix)
B1. The Sunburst Band - Garden Of Love (Dam Swindle Remix)
B2. Dave Lee & Horse Meat Disco Feat. Angela Johnson - Dancing Into

Z Records continues its commitment to unearthing the obscure and long forgotten tracks from the last 40 years through the ever-popular Under The Influence series. Following on from Red Greg, Paul Phillips, James Glass, Nick The Record, Sean P, Faze Action and Winston. It’s now the turn of one of the Italy’s most impressive collectors; Woody Bianchi.

The story behind U.T.I is this, being a seasoned record collector Z label boss Dave Lee (Joey Negro) has made the acquaintance of many of the worlds other vinyl junkies. People that may be unknown to the general public but are hardcore enthusiasts who have built some of the best collections of soul, funk and disco on the planet. The idea of UTI isn't about big name djs but is to give a musical platform to those who have the knowledge to put together a track listing of killer tunes.

Woody Bianchi is a prolific DJ, producer, remixer and record collector. His International collaborations with Bob Sinclar,Todd Terry, Arthur Baker, Full Intention, Eric Kupper, Jocelyn Brown, Marshall Jefferson and many others have created an remarkable profile for him. He has released over 300 productions worldwide and has toured side by side with many of the scenes greatest names. Here we get the pleasure of delving into his vast collection and plucking some of the rarest records out there, with many of the tracks costing hundreds if you were able to find the originals.

As always with ZR compilations a lot of time and effort has been spent on creating these masters from the original vinyl, cleaning them up, removing all the clicks and pops resulting in the cleanest sounding copy possible.

STAFF COMMENTS

Patrick says: For the eighth instalment of their Under The Influence series, Z Records hand the controls to Italian record obsessive Woody Bianchi, who showcases an impressive set of disco rarities from his personal collection.

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
1. Original Just Us - "You're My Latest Inspiration" (6:20)
2. Coco York & Serge Ermoll Ensemble - "Come On Everybody" (8:32)
3. Ciecle - "Disco Break" (Woody Bianchi Edit) (5:19)

Side 2
1. GC Cameron - "If I Love You" (3:24)
2. Rev Jerry Burns & The Youth Ensemble - "Rapture" (6:43)
3. Sunny Gayle - "I Wanna Know" (6:01)
4. The Magic City Band - "Hot Flashes" (3:37)

Side 3
1. Arlana - "Springtime" (6:00)
2. Jay Player - "Love Is The Answer" (5:47)
3. Razz Ma Tazz - "Sugar Sugar Sugar" (7:26)

Side 4
1. Rideout - "Someone Special" (4:24)
2. Formula One - "Can You Feel It" (6:11)
3. Ipanema Brothers - "Rio De Janeiro" (Woody Bianchi Edit) (6:06)
4. The Variations - "I Know Why You're Here" (3:26)

Z Records tap Nick The Record for their fourth volume of the 'Under The Influence' series. Packed to the brim with disco, boogie, electro-funk and tropical gems, it's another essential offering from Z.

"My whole life has revolved around records. I was buying hip hop and house in the 80s as it was released and I got heavily into tracing the steps back through breaks and sample sources that were used in hip hop records. I also joined the dots between disco and modern club and house music and spread my music explorations from rare groove to rare disco. There were very few people interested in this vein of music history at the time and even fewer as obsessed as me so when the reemergence of disco exploded I was well ahead of the curve, not only in collecting but historical knowledge. The best thing about record collecting is it never ends and after 35 years of buying, after 25 years of selling and playing records there is still old stuff to discover and new releases to endeavour to keep up with. So as something of an expert in all things disco I get quite a few offers to release compilations but as a record obsessive my natural hoarding mentality makes me cautious to give up the goods. I feel this 'Under The Influence' series offers the chance to put together a more personal comp, which reflects the many different flavours of my taste and my collection and gives you a feel of my DJ style at the same time." - Nick The Record

TRACK LISTING

CD1
01. Boogsie - Can't You See Me
02. The Family Tree - 150th Psalm
03. Proton Plus - Pay Up (Remixed Rhythm Track)
04. Jean Adebambo - Say That You Love Me (DJ Nick The Record Re-edit)
05. Bill Campbell - Boogie All Night
06. Katunga - Palo Bonito (DJ Nick The Record Re-edit)
07. Wild Fire - Try Making Love
08. MC And His Great Googa-Moogas - Keep Your Shoes On! (Stuck In The Groove) (DJ Nick The Record Concise Edit)
09. MC Roscoe - Feel The Beat (Instrumental) (DJ Nick The Record Minor Tweek Edit)
10. Leston Paul - What A Surprise

CD 2
01. Sugar & Spice - The Beast (Instrumental)
02. Santth - Do You Want Me Baby, Like I Want You Re-united Re-Edit)
03. KL Hamilton - I'm Trying
04. Skye - Ain't No Need (DJ Nick The Record Part 1 & 2)
05. Betty & Beverly Prudhomme - Tut Tut Twins (DJ Nick The Record Re-edit)
06. Shelbra Deane - You Move Me
07. Ronnie Jones - Video Games
08. Charlie Mike Sierra - On The Moon
09. Victor Vick – Rescue
10. State Of Grace - Touching The Times (Instrumental)
11. Blackway & Helene - Music For Us (Instrumental)