Grotto – Wait… No Hurry [LIVST004]

December 10, 2017January 10, 2025 hipodromeafrican, album, disco, funk, grotto, odion livingstone, re-release, reissue, temitope kogbe, uchenna ikkoneLeave a comment

First official reissue of Nigerian Boogie Disco Grail LP produced by Grotto for EMI Nigeria and originally released in 1978. Contains dance classic’Bad city Girl’. Liner notes by Nigerian Music expert Uchenna Ikkone, include previously unpublished photos and extensive interviews by Temitope Kogbe. It contains more examples of disco-era dancefloor heat, with the band utilizing Moog synthesizers alongside their usual instrumentation. While naturally rooted in Afro-funk, the set contains some of the earliest examples of Afro-boogie while also touching on jazz-funk, psychedelic funk and undulating Afrobeat/Afro-disco fusion.

VA – Africa Airways Four: Disco Funk Touchdown 1976-1983 [ASVN040]

November 28, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrica seven records, african, charly kingson, compilation, disco, eko, funk, jake sollo, kemayo, manu dibango, outernational, pierre didy tchakounte, tala a.m.Leave a comment

To date, each volume in Africa Seven’s thrilling Africa Airways compilation series has been little less than essential. It goes without saying that this fourth installment is also exceptionally good. Whereas previous volumes have focused on Afro-funk and “Afro-psych” (think Sly Stone, Nigerian style), this set drills down into African disco-funk released between 1976 and ’83. Highlights come thick and fast throughout, from the solo-laden, slap bass-boasting bounce of Tala AM’s “Get Up Tchamassi” and Charly Kingson’s squelchy, synth-laden Blaxploitation number “Nimele Bolo”, to the righteous, piano-driven thrills of Kemayo and K-System’s brilliant “Biram” and the superior boogie business of Jake Sollo’s “Tinini Yasana”.

Younger Rebinds – Retro7 EP [RB067]

November 22, 2017June 24, 2019 hipodromebenny rodrigues, disco, house, running back, younger rebindsLeave a comment

Younger Rebinds is a new project and imaginary band by the inimitable and unstoppable Benny Rodrigues. Maybe best-known for his Rod moniker and releases on Klockworks, Rodrigues embodies and keeps the candour, spirit and curiosity that made techno music stand out in its start-up years – and that’s exactly what we have here. The “Retro 7 Ep” makes the most of the classic 707 drum machine, gnarly synths, ambient soundscapes, pianos and organs. Done in a way that is as much new wave, as it is electronic disco. Spread out over a double-pack with eight tracks (8!, get it), the Younger Rebinds hit the sweet spot between vintage DJ Hell aesthetics, Sterac Electronics and Trevor Jackson’s Metal Dance dogma, if its choir would be muted. Loud pressing and hypnotic artwork included. Please don’t look at it for more than 5 minutes.

Massimiliano Pagliara – Devoid Of Dimension Pt.1 [PLAYRJC048]

November 22, 2017March 11, 2020 hipodromedisco, house, live at robert johnson, massimiliano pagliaraLeave a comment

Massimiliano Pagliara returns to Live At Robert Johnson with a double release titled Devoid Of Dimension.

VA – RDY #42 (Ron Hardy Edits) [RDY042]

November 22, 2017September 29, 2025 hipodromechicago, deep cuts, disco, edits, funk, mass production, ron hardy, willie hutchLeave a comment

More edits from Ron Hardy. Mass production – Welcome to Our World (Of Merry Music), Cosmic Lady, Willie Hutch – Foxy Lady.

Burnin Beat – Its Hot [AFS034]

November 22, 2017October 13, 2022 hipodromeafrosynth records, burnin beat, disco, olive masinga, re-release, reissueLeave a comment

In demand massive South African disco banger from 1979. Now reissued for the first time on the AfroSynth imprint.

VA – Pantsula! The Rise Of Electronic Dance Music In South Africa, 1988-90 [RHMC003]

November 12, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, antal, ayobayo band, chaka, compilation, disco, dj okapi, funk, jazino, jivaro, kakappa, music team, outernational, rush hour, s.y.b., scotch band, spirro, the hard workersLeave a comment

Late 80s South African dance floor winners only. Selected by DJ Okapi and Antal, the compilation holds tracks by Jivaro, The Hard Workers, Ayobayo Band, S.Y.B. & many more. This is the sharp electronic music that fuelled the local Pantsula dances during the 80s and 90s . A must have for fans of Bubblegum and Kwaito music. The 12 tracks selected for Pantsula! come from a very unique, very different time and place. They represent the birth of electronic dance music in South Africa, through the songs of one particular independent label from the time: Music Team. The sound represents the culmination of the bubblegum era, when South Africa’s disco artists outgrew their American influences and forged an increasingly electronic and ‘local’ pop sound. Evolving over time since long before the 80s, the distinctly South African subculture of Pantsula is more closely associated with an attitude, a style and a signature dance, rather than any specific sound. In the late 1980s and early 90s, Pantsula was also the name given to a new type of dance music taking over the streets of South Africa, influenced by earlier bubblegum and the rise of Shangaan Disco, but with a far broader appeal and a harder, purely electronic sound.

Biosis Now / Afro Train – Independent Bahamas V’s Ivory Coast Afro Funk [MUKAT053]

November 12, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrobeat, afron train, biosis now, caribbean, disco, edits, funk, mukatsuku records, nik weston, outernationalLeave a comment

Few years ago label manager Nik played in France and the promoter pulled out a Biosis now 45 that he never knew existed up till then and was generally thought to be a long album track only. An extensive search revealed nothing online including popsike/discogs/ebay except a tropical seller who’d just bought a huge caribbean collection with the record included saying he’d never seen it before either and he was keeping it…Failing to secure a copy themselves the label licensed it instead and created their own 45 edit which retains all the funk & soul of the elongated album version into a 7 inch friendly format. On the flipside and 1973 Tumba Safari from Afro Train get’s a funky afrobeat re touch for peak time club play that would save you several hundred pounds on an original if you could actually find a copy!

Trancesonic – New Crime LP [DE175]

November 9, 2017November 9, 2017 hipodromealbum, boris blank, carlos peron, dark entries records, disco, electro, synth wave, trancesonicLeave a comment

Tranceonic is the duo of Carlos Perón and Boris Blank of Yello who met in 1971 in their hometown of Zürich. From 1973 to 1976 they played in the New Wave group Urland. After the split of the group Perón founded the Tranceonic studio with his equipment in his private flat. Carlos invited Boris over to his studio and a concentrated work began. The idea was to make experimental new music with the hopes of having a hit in the United States. Everybody at this time was into punk, but Tranceonic loved industrial and electronic sounds. Their foresight and innovation created new ideas. Perón and Blank made electronic avant-garde music informed by the Berlin and Cologne schools. By 1978 the two had enough material to record an album and made a trip to San Francisco to visit Ralph Records. The Residents promised to release the music if the duo removed all the tape hiss, which never materialized. ‘New Crime’ is the first ever vinyl compilation of material produced, recorded, performed and mixed at Tranceonic Studio between 1976-1979.

VA – XXX666 [XXX666]

November 9, 2017December 9, 2021 hipodromedisco, house, il est vilaine, jmii, marvin & guy, shmlss, xxx the labelLeave a comment

The first part of the limited edit series. Four obscure electronic edits pressed on a 12inch plus a digital bonus track.

Mr. Eff – The Parallel LP [GD028]

November 6, 2017November 6, 2017 hipodromealbum, ambient, disco, electro, giallo disco records, mr. effLeave a comment

Introducing Mr. Eff. Part myth, part man. Dragging by the arm to safety through digital swamps and haunted houses, The Parallel stands as a singular vision of Miltonian proportions. Small vignettes and passing scenes give way to grandiose and beautiful moments, from the wave-sleaze of Midnight Predator to the pre-credits Suicide-tribute of H E A R T T H R O B, The Parallel works as much for drive time as it does for drifting off to a far off land that is both wonderful and strange.

HAEX-HRLL – North of Warren EP [GD027]

November 6, 2017November 6, 2017 hipodromeantoni maiovvi, disco, dj overdose, electro, giallo disco records, haex-hrll, vercetti technicolorLeave a comment

An addendum horrificata to the fantastic LP, Haex-Hrll AKA DJ Overdose returns from the nether regions of space with a louder dancefloor cut of sleeper hit ‘North Of Warren’ accompanied by witchy and dread filled extras. Remixes are provided by label heads Antoni Maiovvi who takes Test Tube Babies from the ‘Further From The Truth’ LP into tripped out waters and Vercetti Technicolor, who reimagines ‘North Of Warren’ for blood-soaked 90s Hollywood vampires.

Playgroup – Previously Unreleased Volume 2 [YW002X]

November 5, 2017November 3, 2017 hipodromealbum, disco, experimental, house, playgroup, trevor jackson, yes waveLeave a comment

Following the success of last years Playgroup ‘Previously Unreleased’ album and its critically-acclaimed run of nine weekly 12′ vinyl EPs, Trevor Jackson has compiled a second volume of 20 tracks (11 unheard and 9 previously vinyl only) released as a Limited Edition Double CD and 6 track vinyl sampler on Nov 3rd via Yes Wave records. The music featured is a collection of reworked demos and unreleased recordings. A hedonistic mix of raw Disco, Dub, Funk, Dancehall. Electro, New Wave & Post Punk that all still sound as relevant today as they did when initially recorded for the debut PLAYGROUP album during 1997 – 2001.

vinyl sampler / CD

VA – Italian Dance Wave Sei [SLOMO033]

November 5, 2017November 3, 2017 hipodromealien alien, disco, house, kassiel, lerosa, slow motion records, stoned immaculateLeave a comment

Four slow-burning bombs that perfectly encapsulate how far that Slow Motion, slo-mo sound can be stretched. Featuring artists old as Alien Alien (Rodion & Hugo Sanchez) and Lerosa and new as Stoned Immaculate (Leo Mas & Fabrice) and Kassiel, Slow Motion drop the energy down a notch or two but not the emotion. Just as suitable for an early morning run as they are for a Balearic sunset, this four tracker has got essential written all over it.

VA – Italian Dance Wave Cinque [SLOMO032]

November 5, 2017November 3, 2017 hipodrome2000, disco, franz scala, house, ma spaventi, sauvage world, slow motion recordsLeave a comment

First part in a brace of new chapter of Italian Dance Wave Compilation Serie. Ma Spaventi, Sauvage World, 2000 and the hardest working man in disco, Slow Motion label head Franz Scala. A trippy selection of proper after hours jams, to keep feet moving and heads spinning till the sun comes up.

Funkadelic – Reworked By Detroiters [SEW3158]

October 29, 2017October 27, 2017 hipodromealbum, alton miller, amp fiddler, andres, anthony shake shakir, bmg, claude young, detroit, disco, ectomorph, funk, funkadelic, gay marvine, kenny dixon jr., marcellus pittman, moodymann, mophono, recloose, t. dance, the dirtbombs, the fantasy, tom thump, underground resistanceLeave a comment

Funkadelic have created an enduring legacy, and the power of their impact is visceral in Detroit. Their records not only played with genre, but possessed a diabolical sense of humour that led to music domination by the late 70s with Parliament, Funkadelic, Parlet, Bootsy’s Rubber Band and the Brides Of Funkenstein all releasing albums the same year for two years in a row. The music itself is beyond stereotype, but equally huge is that they were a black band not allowing themselves to be limited by anyone else’s notions of who they could be, having a massive impact on the next generation of Detroit music, Detroit Techno. But more than just Techno, it is a freedom of thinking that extends beyond boxes, so we included all sorts of today’s generation of Detroit musicians and producers to show the wide range of music that was Funkadelic and how these ideas are still contemporary, they endure and inspire.

Pleasure Model – Update 1.1 [DD006]

October 27, 2017February 17, 2019 hipodromeantoni maiovvi, dalmata daniel, disco, electro, heinrich dressel, house, pleasure modelLeave a comment

Dalmata Daniel’s next up is a collaboration with the Bristol-born – weirdo disco guy’ Antoni Maiovvi and also a contribution of Heinrich Dressel who is an unavoidable column of Rome’s electronic music scene. Maiovvi’s Pleasure Model project is all about youth – replaced by Blade Runner-esque replicas. It aimed for presenting a persuasive world of fiber optic paranoia and technoid effacement. The tracks are driven by the characteristic haggard drum machine’s sound on side A with a melancholic or dark synth themes what becomes a dreamy melody in the – Prism Riot’ on side B. The remix by Heinrich Dressel is a turn back directly into the darkness, but it is faster and more like a film soundtrack with his own characteristics, of course. The whole EP has a strong vintage mood and sound.

Virginia – Blue Pyramid [DE181/ERC054]

October 24, 2017November 1, 2017 hipodromebezier, dark entries records, disco, emotional rescue, emotional response recordings, house, khidja, mark pistel, psychic tv, virginiaLeave a comment

Dark Entries and Emotional Rescue team up to further explore Psychic TV’s Acid House years. Psychic TV was formed by Genesis P-Orridge and Peter Christopherson of Throbbing Gristle with Alex Fergusson of Alternative TV in 1981. After various line up changes, the band shifted direction to dance oriented songs influenced by the House and Techno scenes of Detroit and Chicago. By 1988 the group included Dave Ball of Soft Cell, Fred Giannelli of Turning Shrines and Matthew Best of Carcrash International. During the summer of 1988 the group recorded a batch of songs at Time Square Studios in London that would appear under the guise of various artists compilations Jack The Tab’ and ‘Tekno Acid Beat’. The idea behind these ‘compilations’ of imaginary artists was creating a sense that a healthy acid house scene existed in the UK.

Patrick Cowley – Afternooners [DE185]

October 17, 2017February 5, 2025 hipodromealbum, dark entries records, disco, electro, honey soundsystem, patrick cowley, synth popLeave a comment

Dark Entries and Honey Soundsystem Records have teamed up once more to release the final volume of gay porn soundtracks by San Francisco-based musician and producer, Patrick Cowley. One of the most revolutionary and influential figures in the canon of disco, Cowley created his own brand of Hi-NRG dance music, “The San Francisco Sound.” Born in Buffalo, NY on October 19, 1950, Patrick moved to San Francisco in 1971 to study at the City College of San Francisco. He founded the Electronic Music Lab at the school, where he would make experimental soundtracks by blending various types of music and adapting them to the synthesizer. Featuring 70 minutes of music never before released on vinyl.

Bionda e Lupo – Die Kinder Aus Dem Park [CHAR12]

October 17, 2017September 17, 2025 hipodromebionda e lupo, charlois records, disco, electro, pinkman records, sane, sneaker, synth popLeave a comment

Bionda e Lupo are like little you’ll have heard before, a boy/girl band like no other. Synth wave is fed a line of modern alienation, delusory disco to a disdainful drum beat, house emptied and ridiculed. Rhythms are stark, melodies are as mechanical as the lyrics. “Zug Der Vogel” is sparse, vocals intertwine in an empty embrace whilst bars sparkle. “Twoi Glasza” is more playful. Bright words shimmer against sweeping strings. The past is parodied across the EP but nowhere more so than in “Die Kinder Aus Dem Park.” A former classic dug out before being peppered by machine gun percussion. The stilted rhyme of “Eckstein” closes, a ballad of bittersweet images and lost hopes.