June: 6 disco releases you need to hear this month

Cultural Vibe 'Ma Foom Bey' (BBE)

Brazilian legend DJ Marky brought a much-needed new perspective to the global d’n’b scene in the late 90’s. Like any true pioneer, he steps up again with ‘Influences Vol 2’, guiding us through Brazilian disco, acid jazz, house and d’n’b on a new compilation for BBE. This slice of early proto-house from Cultural Vibe, ‘Ma Foom Bey’, still sounds just as modern as it did when it was first released in 1986.

10/10

Mind Fair 'Steppin’ Out' (Rogue Cat Sounds)

Joe Jackson’s 1982 earworm gets a crafty Balearic makeover from Mind Fair boys Dean and Ben, with bassist Derek Holt supplying a super-tight live groove to go with the tropical beats and sunshine synths. It’s all accompanied by a euphoric vocal which is far removed from the 80s party vibe of the original. ‘Steppin Out’ will be released as a two-part split on 7” vinyl – just like we used to see on many extended disco releases before digital was a thing – with a more vocal part one on the A-side and a sublimely dubbed out part two for DJs on the flip. Without doubt, this will make its way on to many a vinyl purist’s must-have list in the future and will be going for dirty money on Discogs soon after its release, so make sure you grab one while you’ve still got the chance.

8/10

Earthboogie 'Route Ten To Interzone' (lENG)

Yet more Afro-disco action hits the dancefloor – this time from Earthboogie, who’ve entrusted their stunning debut release to the trusty hands of the team over at Leng. The label is known for the exceptional quality of its releases, and this one doesn’t fall short of the bar. Izaak Gray and Nicola Robinson turn this one out over an ever-rolling rhythm spliced with male and female chants that interchange between synth progressions. Heavily influenced by the late, great William Onyeabor, it sounds like a rocket heading out to the stars from Lagos.

9/10

James Hadfield 'Love And Affection' (Rack & Ruin)

This dirty old boogie edit from James Hadfield has one of the most infectious basslines you’re gonna hear out on the floor this summer. The source for the rolling samples are raw, heavy and authentic, cut with big hypnotic keys and enhanced by a continuously rolling baseline. A breezy vocal is layered on top and adds just enough spice to the arrangement before the final break, where those keys fill out the track again.

8/10

Drop Out Orchestra 'Holding On' (Riot Gear)

This will rock your ears. The Drop Out Orchestra are the world heavyweights when it comes to cover versions. Actually, they don’t just ‘cover’ a track; they literally tear songs apart and make them their own. Here, they take us into unknown territory that very few producers are capable of as they rework The Rolling Stones’ ‘Miss You’. ‘Holding On’ is a stone-cold groover with strung-out guitars, a driving electric bassline, touches of the original sample and (wait for it)... a saxophone solo.

9/10

Qwestlife feat Jacqui George 'Give Me A Minute' (Glitterbox Recordings)

‘Give Me A Minute’, featuring the powerful soulful voice of Birmingham’s Jacqui George, has all the DNA of a Larry Levan production – but Qwestlife are still clearly taking us into the future. The intro has a touch of Ashford & Simpson about it, before the synth bassline drops like a funk bomb over a slamming groove. Glitterbox isn’t messing around this year: with this new signing (it’ll also release Qwestlife’s boogie-tastic forthcoming album), the label’s going from strength to strength. Fraser Boyes

10/10