Released in 1984, Funk Deluxe self-titled record was one of the last long players album released on the legendary Salsoul imprint. Brainchild of former Brass Construction and Skyy musician Randy Muller, Funk Deluxe’s “This Time” is a timeless excursion into slick 80s boogie and funk.

Carrying shades of Sharon Redd’s “Beat The Street” with its elastic bassline and tough yet slightly shimmery vocals, this little gem should be as highly regarded as the aforementioned Redd classic.

Funk Deluxe – This Time (Original 12 inch Mix)

Sunshine glorious sunshine! Hope everyone had a great Easter and soaked up as many  groovy rays as possible. As I’m back from my hols (boo!), let’s keep the “vacation” spirit going with a bit of Bebu Silvetti.

Taken from Mr. Silvetti’s 1976 Salsoul LP, Worlds Without Words, ‘Silvia’s Picture’ is a simple yet sumptuous summer delight. Two and a bit minutes of mellow magic (as well being slightly cinematic), this should be consumed with a large glass of Chablis in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Now go and find yourself a sun lounger and put on some shades, I heard it’s gonna rain tomorrow…

Silvetti – Silvia’s Picture

Sorry for the lack of post action this month, my neck has been a right pain in the ne-…oh. Alongside the ice packs and chiropractor appointments, the sweet sounds of Curtis Mayfield’s forgotten disco track  Tell Me, Tell Me have been aiding my recovery rather nicely.

This rather rare track from The Gentle Genius was released in 1979 and was produced by Ron Tyson and Norman Harris. The former Salsoul and MFSB duo provide a soft funk backdrop to Mayfield’s easy and sumptuous vocals, wiping away any neck aches and worries. Ahhh… That’s the stuff.

Curtis Mayfield – Tell Me Tell Me (How Ya Like To Be Loved)

Our Christmas countdown wouldn’t be a Christmas countdown without at least one disco interpretation of a traditional English Christmas carol. This year’s effort comes from Mr. ‘Heavy Vibes’ himself, Vincent Montana and his Montana Sextet.

The prolific disco producer is probably best known for his work with MFSB and for being the founder of the Salsoul Orchestra. In fact, the Salsoul Orchestra recorded a 1976 Christmas album entitled ‘Christmas Jollies’ and included a version of ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ for their seasonal follow up, ‘Christmas Jollies II’.  But I much prefer this version.  With its laidback groove and effortless cool, this is one Xmas cracker you’ll be pulling out time and time again.

Although saying that, it does a sound a bit like some incidental music from a 70s cop show Christmas special. I can picture Cagney & Lacey staking out some no good punk with the funky vibraphones chiming subtly in the background.  But that just makes it cooler and besides I love Cagney and Lacey. Who doesn’t?

Vincent Montana Jr. & The Montana Sextet – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Sometimes you just need some good old fashioned disco to help you through a cold and bleak day and this little Salsoul rocket from 1978 should do the trick.

A perennial favourite of Lovefingers, this Richie Rivera mix is taken from Gaz’s self-titled album. Produced by three of Giorgio Moroder’s co-producers (Mats Bjoerklund, Keith Forsey & Thor Baldursson, just in case you were wondering who they were), ‘Synth He Sized Her’ has an unassuming cosmic quality about it. Aided by some deep and heavy percussion & FX, this is an excellent dancefloor distraction from the winter chills. Brrrrr!!!

Gaz – Synth He Sized Her (original Richie Rivera album mix)

I’ve decided to post this stupendous re-edit from Mr K himself after finding out that Strut (yes, those bad boys again) are going to release a follow up their 2003 Danny Krivit re-edit compilation, Edits By Mr. K.  with the simply titled Edits By Mr. K Vol.2. It has inspired me to dig through my record collection and find one of Danny’s finest re-edits just for you! Awww..

Krivit’s glorious nine minute expansion of Double Exposure’s 1976 Salsoul classic, resulted it in being one of the most sampled disco songs of all time (M&S sampled it for their handbag house anthem, ‘Salsoul Nugget’ in 2001). This simple and soulful interpretation is a sublime master class on the art of the re-edit. Bravo Mr. K!!!

Double Exposure – Everyman (Danny Krivit re-edit)

Strut released their magnificent Walter Gibbons compilation, Jungle Music, last week, so to celebrate the enigmatic talent of Gibbons, how about some stripped down disco from 1976? Yeah, go on then!

Anthony White’s ‘Block Party’ was one of the first mixes that Walter did for Salsoul, the instrumental version of White’s track Can’t Turn You Loose, Gibbons exercises what would soon become his trademark use of raw percussion and funk-fuelled horns and strings. Apparently appearing on New York radio commercials in the seventies, the song contains one of most famous horn breaks in disco history (you’ll know it when you hear it).

One of my favourite Gibbons mixes for Salsoul (he did quite a few, check out the comp, ‘Mixed with Love – The Walter Gibbons Salsoul Anthology), this is a glorious up-tempo track that should start any party with some sexy Salsoul style.

Make sure you pick up Strut’s fantastic comp here!

Anthony White – Block Party

Start your week with a grandiose slice of  disco from German synth pioneer Harry Thumann. Released in 1979, Underwater is a cult favourite amongst disco aficionados due to it’s bombastic and quite wacky nature. Huge Salsoul-style horns and strings blend seamlessly with the icy simplicity of Moroder-esque synths, resulting in a prime cinematic disco number (also, it also kinda sounds like all those Stars Wars disco songs that you can find in charity shops but better). With so many sounds seemingly coming from every disco sub-genre, Thumann maintains the song’s individuality and funkiness with genuine aplomb.

‘Arry’s liberal use of revolutionary synths and other crazy stuff (ahem), still makes this track, taken from his debut album American Express, sound remarkably fresh and perfectly demonstrates how flexible and experimental disco could be.

Harry Thumann – Underwater

It sure is Paul. It sure is.  Anyway….

I’m off to Berlin for a few days, so to soften the blow here’s a easy-listening disco song for ya from light-music composer/conductor Paul Mauriat .  

Best known for his version of Andre Popp’s ‘Love Is Blue’, this  is the 1973 ’disco’ version.  When Salsoul featured it on their ‘Salsoul Disco Boogie: Super Hits For Non-Stop Dancing’ in 1977, its place in disco history was kinda assured.  The long version is less cheesy than the original, with more emphasis on percussion and melody. Its easy to see why it became a favourite on the dancefloor.

Enjoy the sunshine folks and I’ll see you next week!

Paul Mauriat – Love Is Still Blue – long version

Paul Mauriat – Love Is Still Blue – long version

The Luv You Madly Orchestra was a special Duke Ellington disco tribute band put together by producer Stephen James. Their self-titled debut LP was released in 1978 on the legendary Salsoul, but today’s SOTD is all about Walter Gibbons’ exceptional mixing duties on the 12″ single ‘Moon Maiden’ and this, its b-side.

‘Rocket Rock’ is more conventional than ‘Moon Maiden’ but still has that weird and wonderful Gibbons’ touch. The cosmic strings and opulent percussion only show off a tiny part of Gibbons’ eccentric genius.

I could go on and on about Walter Gibbons today but I won’t, as the special guy deserves a much bigger feature than this. As one the unique talents of disco, Gibbons’ work through production to DJing has left an indelible mark on modern dance culture. As I mentioned before, a proper Walter feature (ho!) is probably in order. (I’ll start planning one asap). So go on, take a ride.

Luv You Madly Orchestra – Rocket Rock

Luv You Madly Orchestra – Rocket Rock