You may have noticed that the site has been a little quietly recently, that’s because I was on my hols dear readers! I’m still in the shorts and flip flop mood (as I’m sure the rest of you are) so bear with me as I try to get things back to normal. To help me along the way has been Domino Records’ latest signing Washed Out and his new single Eyes Be Closed.

The Chillwave genre that is normally associated with Washed Out’s Ernest Greene, is far too trendy and current for me to be involved in, but the impressive array of remixes that accompanies this release has made me stop and “chill” for a bit. Or something like that.

The LoveLock (not to be confused with our mates LockLockandLoad) remix is my pick of the bunch with its sun-kissed Balearic vibes and warm synths, it gently reminds you of the summer.

And besides, it sounds like the music from the Gloria Huniford presented 90s TV show Holiday, which is totally a good thing. Yeah and that’s a bit of unexpected television nostalgia for you right there.

Here’s some links

http://soundcloud.com/weirdworldrecordco/washed-out-eyes-be-closed-1

http://www.dominorecordco.com/uk/albums/07-06-11/within-and-without/

Described by their label as being one of the finest purveyors of “bunga bunga funk”, Italy’s disco luminaries Phreek Plus One are back with a new album due for release next week. Hurrah!

Phreek Party features tracks off their classic Compost Black Label EPs, including “Bikini”, “Astro Boogie”, “The Model” and a few other corkers.

Anyway, you can have a hear glimpse of the album with today’s track, “Sottocosto”. With some nice ‘n’ heavy synth keys and a deep disco bassline, the track shimmers with a Balearic glow which is just perfect with today’s sunshine and all.

As I mentioned earlier, the LP is out next week, so make sure you try and track it down!

Phreek Plus One Myspace

Compost Black Label

The lovely Jonny Nash (Sombero Galaxy/Discosession) has dropped off six of the fruitiest early-morning sleaze tracks over at Days Are Numbers Towers. Jonny has expertly provided us with a glistening early-sunrise playlist that perfectly captures that raw and downright primal feeling that you only get after-hours, if ya know what I mean.

Jonny is DJing  at The Dalston Superstore tomorrow evening alongside dazzling Lovefingers, so pop along (see flyer below). If you can’t reach the darkest depths of  East London, Mr. Nash recorded a fabulous mix over at Beats In Space last week which I urge to check out here. Fellow Sleaze merchants Feel My Bicep had a nice chat with the Discosession head honcho which you can read over here.

Put your shades on and your drink down and get ready to sleaze along with this after hour special…

EXILE – KISS YOU ALL OVER

“First heard this on the Mark Seven Salute mix, a total sleazy classic”.

RUINS – SEXUAL DESIRE

“Recently re-released on Minimal Rome I think.. this is some super nice italo-wave business…”

KYLYN – I’LL BE THERE

“Great late night jam from YMO collaborator and all round great guitarist Kazumi Watanabi.”

EDWIN STARR – GET UP WHIRLPOOL

“Nice chugging slow sleazy disco number…”

GEPY AND GEPY – BODY TO BODY

“Possibly the most sleazy record cover ever?”

FRANK DANA – SEXY LADY

“Great bit of dirty old man vocal disco.”

Phwoar!! Kosmische legend Manuel Gottsching in dirty Balearic shocker!! Taken from Ashra’s 1979 album Correlations, Phantasus is a sunset blend of prog rock and soft rock grooves. With a filthy bassline and a soaring guitar solo, this is a stunning slice of Sleaze. Oh Manuel! I didn’t know you had it in you! Even the artwork is rude!

Ashra – Phantasus

As the snow falls around us, how about we get warm and cosy with everybody’s favourite Belgian anti-pop star Plastic Bertrand and his cover of 1983 new wave/Balearic classic? Oh, go on then! It’s too cold to argue.

Covering Nacht Und Nebel’s glorious leftfield classic ‘Beats of Love’, Bertrand croons in French on this slightly melancholic pop oddity.  Probably the best cover of Patrick Nebel’s most famous song, this alongside ‘Stop Ou Encore’ is probably the best thing the new wave prankster ever did (yes, that includes the ad man’s favourite).

That crazy Plastic Bertrand! He’s probably building a nice snowman outside as we speak…

Plastic Bertrand – Gueule D’Amour

Everybody’s favourite cuddly bear (well, he’s certainly mine and Alan’s) Demis Roussos’  ‘Let It Happen’ is a thundering cover of a Vangelis classic. Featured on his 1977 album Magic (which I highly recommend you try and track down just for the AMAZING inlay portrait of the lovely Demis), this hazy and blissful Balearic disco number from Greece’s number one musical export is as irresistible as his other disco cut, ‘I Dig U’(which is also from the same album). So let the big bear give you a big hug with this cosmic cult groove.

Demis Roussos – Let It Happen

A DJ Harvey favourite, this sleazy bad boy of a Balearic tune was released in 1978 and as you can tell from the sexy cover (arf!) is rather wonderful.  Taken from Amadeo’s album Real Magic, Memories was featured on the aforementioned DJ Harvey’s seminal Sarcastic Disco mix. A debauched pop-infused, slo-mo disco number, it’ll have you recalling “memories” of “Paris” and “San Francisco” (It’ll make sense once you’ve heard the song). Ahh, memories!!!

Amadeo – Memories

A nice and sleazy cover of a Pink Floyd classic from 1977 for ya this morning, what else do you need to know??? Well, it’s a balearic favourite due it’s dirty bassline and fruity vocals. Taken from an album comprising of Pink Floyd classics recorded by French session musicians , this is probably the pick of the bunch. It’s the grooviest tribute to Roger Waters and co that I’ve ever heard but if you know of any more please let me know, because I dig that sort of thing.

Rosebud – Money

A cult mutant disco favourite, George Kranz released his oddball anthem Trommeltanz (Din Daa Daa) back in 1984. Quite possibly the most sampled and referenced song of the past twenty amongst the house and hip scene due to its famous and infectious ‘Din Daa Daa’ refrain, the song still sounds incredibly futuristic this day.  With trendy bastards like Friendly Fires including it on their forthcoming Bugged Out! compilation, now is a good time to reminisce about how good this track is before it’s too late. You know what I mean.

George Kranz – Trommeltanz (Special Din Daa Daa mix)

This superb re-edit of Cluadja Barry’s slinky ballad ‘Love For The Sake Of Love’ is lovingly reconstructed by the fantastic Pete Herbert.  By simply extending the famous, much sampled intro (and sexy speaking bit), Herbert manages to create a mellow Balearic disco ballad. Nice and cosy!

You can get your hands on this re-edit and more fantastic cuts by buying the recently released ‘PH Edits: Collection 1’ from Juno and other good record stores. So go and buy it!!

Claudja Barry – Love For The Sake Of Love (Pete Herbert re-edit)