February: 6 disco releases you need to hear this month

Karizma 'Work It Out' (Lumberjacks In Hell)

The big K has been one of the most respected producers on the scene since forever. A mild-mannered gentleman in person but a wild beast as a DJ and producer, he dips his fingers in to the gospel vaults here. A few carefully selected loops and some meticulous programming provide the building blocks before he fuses the elements and polishes the production, to bring us yet another Karizma bomb.

10/10

Doc L Jnr 'Barracuda' (Paper Recordings)

Doc L Jnr, aka Kolbjørn Lyslo, is a former member of the electronic group Aedena Cycle, who also counted Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge among their number before they left to form Röyksopp. Lyslo’s own music specialises in the same kind of flawless Norwegian programming his old bandmates have become synonymous with, too, as he proves with ‘Barracuda’. The track starts with some delicately programmed percussion over a simple digital bass set high in the mix, which leaves plenty of space for grand strings and Rhodes with a jazz-funk flavour. There’s also some delicate use of soulful vocals and understated harmonica, both of which add extra depth to a production that’ll have you floating like a David Mancuso balloon.

8/10

His Dirty Secrets 'Fantom' (Masterworks Music)

It seems like everyone’s off to Lagos at the moment in order to pick up Afro-disco acts
to edit, and His Dirty Secrets’ Fantom is a fine example of how to take the old, add some new elements and produce a sound that sits somewhere in between.

By adding percussion samples, classic drum machine sounds and what seems to be a synth emulation of a balafon over the original Afro-funk track, we get a touch of the bubblegum flavour that emerged in South Africa as disco merged into pop.

7/10

James Rod & Chris Massey 'Spanglish' (Sprechen Music)

The Manchester-based Sprechen label released some delightful bubblers throughout the course of 2016. Now, the aptly titled ‘Spanglish’ is set to raise the bar even higher. A dual production from Spandiard James Rod and label boss Chris Massey, this deadly
midtempo chugger holds its own with a relentless arpeggio bass synth, crispy beats and a menancing synth line that will gain kudos from both the ALFOS brigade and Electric Chair fanatics thanks to its dancefloor appeal.

8/10

Kool DJ Dust 'Return Of Koolius' (Passport To Paradise)

Swedish producer Daniel Savio, aka Kool DJ Dust, is a serious cratedigger and sample king whose 2008 album ‘The Disco Opera’ brought him widespread acclaim nearly a decade ago. As one would expect from such an esteemed producer, his new release for Leeds-based label Passport To Paradise is one dope jam: ‘Return Of Koolius’ features ‘Superfly’-style horn stabs and Dolemite-esque licks over pulsating Euro-synths and some dream drops.

9/10

Aroop Roy 'Talking Bout Life' (House Of Disco)

Aroop Roy has previously released a string of killer EPs on labels such as GAMM & Basic Fingers. Here, he teams up with the frequently hot House Of Disco label for something fresh. ‘Talkin Bout Life’ is a loose and funky disco workout, and one of the best edits to come out this year: the arrangement builds into a series of intense breakdowns which bang right back in every time. This will undoubtedly become a go-to tune for fans of the likes of DJ Spen, Kon & LNTG.

9/10