March: 6 disco releases you need to hear this month

Bosq feat Megan Doherty 'Can’t Seem To Hide' (Ubiquity)

Fresh from his recent appearance on the fierce BBE ‘Kon & The Gang’ compilation, Bosq returns to Ubiquity with this straight-up disco rocker. ‘Can’t Seem To Hide’ will be a bona fide classic of 2017 thanks to its combination of a party-time keyboard line over a relentless groove and Megan Doherty’s hypnotic vocal. Nicole Willis can do no wrong, either, as she steps up to deliver further damage on the flip.

10/10

Northern Souls 'I’m Coming Back' (Black Riot)

The dynamic duo Yogi Haughton (Scorpio) & Alan Watson (Aquarius) deliver their first four-track EP for Black Riot. The go-to joint here, ‘I’m Coming Back’, is based around an obscure female vocal sample, with a crisp electronic bassline keeping us locked until one of the most extreme half-time breakdowns you’ll ever hear finally drops. Afte teasing us for what seems like an eternity, the beat comes slamming back in for a euphoric finale.

10/10

Sylvester 'I Need You' (Dimitri From Paris’ Sunday morning mix) (Razor N Tape)

When the legendary disco diva Sylvester passed away in 1988, he left us with a huge catalogue of dancefloor anthems. Originally, this remix was part of Soul Source’s Japan-only ‘Remixed Boogies’ releases from 2004. Featuring vocals from Two Tons Of Fun (aka Martha Wash and Izora Armstead), this version recently appeared on Defected’s ‘In The House Of Love’ compilation. Prolific DJ, remixer and producer Dimitri From Paris is killing it at the moment, and he doesn’t disappoint us here with a trademark mix that comes complete with an extended killer intro which pushes the thumping beats even further, leaving you screaming out for more by the end.

9/10

Francis Inferno Orchestra 'Mating Rituals In The Eastern Suburbs' (Superconscious Records)

Melbourne’s Francis Inferno Orchestra completed a relentless 2016 with DJ sets at the likes of Glastonbury, Farr Festival and beyond. The new year sees him going from strength to strength, adding to his growing discography with another killer release, ‘Mating Rituals In The Eastern Suburbs’. Always finding favour in the record bags of DJ Harvey, Daniel Wang and Rub N Tug, FIO knows a thing or two about joining the dots between 80s funk, Italo and oddball house. ‘Mating Rituals’ is relentless disco madness from the off; it’s reminiscent of Tantra’s ‘Hills Of Katmandu’ but, with its clean, mechanical production, yet it also feels totally unpredictable. Undoubtedly one of his most adventurous releases to date.

9/10

Livy Ekemezie 'Get It Down' (Odion)

New, Lagos-based label Odion presents its debut release from Livy Ekemezie, the Nigerian disco-funk don. Ekemezie’s debut album ‘Get it Down’ was one of those albums that was rarely seen and largely unheard until now; it’s a cratedigger’s fantasy and one that should stay firmly inside your record box. One of the album’s highlights, the incredible ‘Get It Down’ combines local rhythms, percussive mayhem and synth craziness.

8/10

Glow In The Dark '1987' (Sonar Kollektiv)

Sonar Kollektiv bring us this new fantastic full-length from Harry Miller, aka Glow In The Dark, who masterfully layers various samples in a broken beat hip hop fashion that should appeal to chillwave kids and hip hop heads alike. Standout track ‘1987’ is more of a neon-funk party banger: it’s a futuristic r’n’b number featuring glitchy vocals, synthpop textures and stuttering drums.

8/10