Harmonious Thelonious – Abel [VER117]

August 28, 2017July 4, 2023 hipodromearabic, disco, experimental, harmonious thelonious, house, stefan schwander, versatile recordsLeave a comment

Stefan Schwander aka Harmonious Thelonious is definitely not a newcomer. He has been around for a long time and has already released lots of amazingly varied music on labels such as Emotional Response, Italic, Meakusma and Diskant. He’s also an integral part of the infamous Duesseldorf / Salon Des Amateurs axis that is an obvious hotbed of talent. He describes his style as “American minimalism vs. African drumming vs. European sequencing”, a heady mixture which is clearly evident on this EP though with a definite Middle Eastern twist. Here at Versatile HQ we were introduced to this clutch of tracks by one of the members of Acid Arab and we were totally blown away. Stefan has a very unique production style, fusing all of the above elements with a hint of Gamelan, a dash of tweaked FM synthesis type sounds with a dose of warm ambience and finally his own singular touch on the mix. We are very happy to present you these 4 tracks to you, an essential EP from one of European music’s true originals.

Mekine U Teksi – Postanatolische Hybride: Die Steppenroboter LP [TFGC013]

August 24, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromealbum, arabic, disco, house, irfan derin, mekine u teksi, murat goktas, outernational, themes for great citiesLeave a comment

Themes From Great Cities’ latest chunk of inspired, hard-to-define goodness comes from Mekine U Teksi, a fresh outfit formed by Murat Goktas and Irfan Derin. Dedicated to legendary, currently closed Dusseldorf venue Salon Des Amateurs, the mini-album – the duo’s debut release – is shot through not only with the arpeggio-driven pulse of vintage ’80s new wave, but also the chugging attitude of psychedelic nu-disco and the exotic, intoxicating melodies of traditional Arabic music. Of course, there are other influences that make their presence felt throughout – krautrock, dark Italo-disco, punk funk and dub disco – but these merely serve to enhance the duo’s core sound, which is rarely less than enthralling.

Delusion Men – Stuck On The Border [FN007]

August 22, 2017August 27, 2025 hipodromealbum, camil, delusion men, disco, electro, future nuggets, house, ion dumitrescu, p-balans, romanian, the holy fix, utopusLeave a comment

The founders of Future Nuggets are delivering their debut full LP as Delusion Men, marking the peak of almost a decade long conspiracy. Ion D (Utopus) and Camil Dumitrescu (aka The Holy Fix) have amassed on this album tracks and bits spreading over many years, raw gems and shiny nuggets resulted from intensive electronica fusions. After the smash EP of Delusion Men in collaboration with Khidja (on P-Balans sub-label), this LP comes as another irrefutable proof of Bucharest’s already mature -partially under the radar- scene of electronic psychedelic hybrids, fittingly represented by Future Nuggets and P-Balans.

K.Bytes – I Adore Commodore: Computer Music Flash [MGLP104]

August 22, 2017February 21, 2022 hipodromealbum, cinedelic records, disco, k.bytes, marcello giombini, mondo grooveLeave a comment

K BYTES - I Adore Commodore: Computer Music Flash

After the creation of Computer Disco, Marcello Giombini produces the year after I Adore Commodore – Computer Music Flash, which was mainly made with a Commodore 64. Giombini was a veteran of music applications with personal computer, started with an Apple II Europlus and then converted to the Commodore 64 thanks to the presence of 3 independent music generators that allowed him to make more elaborate music easier. The record was inspired by the VideoGames of the time, so that the titles of the 10 tracks are inspired by the names of famous games. The music was created using four to eleven Commodore 64 programmed and synchronized with an external audio interface. At the time, Giombini, in his studio in a basement just a few steps from Nomentana, Rome, had organized a small school with courses of basic and computer music. The graphic is the same of original LP with inner-sleeve dedicated to Commodore 64.

Lemonade – Dancer On The Shore [AU005]

August 22, 2017January 3, 2023 hipodromealliance upholstery, bryan mette, disco, house, jex opolis, justin strauss, lemonade, whatever/whateverLeave a comment

Since 2009, New York three-piece Lemonade has released a string of fine records, between woozy Balearic synth-pop and leisurely downtempo grooves. “Dancer on the Shore”, their first release for three years, inhabits similar sonic territory, offering a fusion of Peaking Lights style dubbed-out synth-pop grooves, glassy-eyed vocals, tumbling acoustic guitar flourishes and humid steel drum melodies. Fellow NYC resident Jex Opolis provides two stellar remixes: a chunky, rolling, acid-flecked nu-disco dub and a drowsier vocal interpretation that’s as ear pleasing as they come. The other interpretation comes from Justin Strauss and Bryan Mette under the Whatever/Whatever alias and strays further towards acid-driven Italo-disco/deep house fusion territory.

Khidja – XLR8R Mix August 2017

August 11, 2017August 9, 2017 hipodromeandrei rusu, disco, electro, experimental, florentin tudor, interview, khidja, podcast, romanian, xlr8rLeave a comment

Soft Rocks – Thru Wit Waitin EP [PTP009]

August 5, 2017August 3, 2017 hipodromeandy sims, christopher calloway, disco, edits, funk, passport to paradise, piers harrison, robert coulman, soft rocksLeave a comment

The Passport To Paradise gang are in fine form as they serve up four more tripped-out disco edits for the globally-minded savant. We take sail with the excellent ‘Thru Wit’ Waitin”, a beefed-up guitar chugger reminiscent of 70’s AOR in its steady percussive work and misty sax solo. It’s the guitar line that really shines here, lifting the tune into funk transcendence in the bridge. ‘Anybody Out There’ reaches out to the disco trippers with its northern Italian cosmic kitsch feel: starry-eyed synth pads float above reverb-soaked guitar musings and playful French vocal samples. A particular highlight. On the flip, Passport To Paradise take things south with a soulful West African shuffler guaranteed to elicit some arresting footwork. The EP leaves us with resounding vibrations from the Far East: ‘JP Wave’ explores ethereal planes, building up a dense rhythmic fabric punctuated by bass stabs and ornamental chimes. This is a clever bunch of edits for the more discerning selectors and enthusiasts out there- act fast.

Les Yeux Orange – Togosava [G+003]

August 5, 2017August 29, 2023 hipodromeafrican, afrobeat, disco, good plus, les yeux orangeLeave a comment

Parisian party starters Les Yeux Orange continue to develop their Good Plus body of work with three more obscure digs. A predominant Afro theme presides throughout as we’re massaged by the kwaito smoothness of “Avidiyo” where synth marimbas ignite instant Balearic feels, Yanga Mbiwaa struts with much more of direct Nigerian disco funk feel with its big sing-along chorus and strong sense of drive. Finally “Autoradio” provides a more contemporary almost Italo-like take on Afrofunk with some expert trippiness buried deep in the synths and arrangement.

Kadeejah Streets – Part of the Winter Never Dies (HNYPOT231)

August 2, 2017August 2, 2017 hipodromedisco, honey soundsystem, house, kadeejah streets, podcast, technoLeave a comment

Black Bones – Black Bones 2 [BLACKBONES002]

August 2, 2017May 31, 2023 hipodromeafrican, black bones, disco, edits, funk, houseLeave a comment

The Black Bones boys have more than one trick up their sleeves, as another back-breaking digging session has unearthed some sacred remains, ready for modern scientific re-animation. ‘Sonny’ retools a Highlife classic into a splendidly sun-soaked Summer beauty. On the flip ‘XTC’ takes a more Cosmic route to dancefloor abandon, while ‘Roller’ is a barn-storming Discoid jam that wraps up another damn fine EP.

Sneaker – BAH037 [BAH037]

August 2, 2017August 26, 2021 hipodromebahnsteig 23, disco, edits, sneakerLeave a comment

SNEAKER - BAH037

Sneaker; not just a cool sounding name… Edits as strong, rigorous and mind blowing as his require comfortable footwear. Lavish synth funk leads with a eastern allure on the infectious “Goddess”, “Watumba” is tom tom tamping funk beast that you could imagine every DJ from Harvey to Hell spinning while “Magic Fly” takes us on a slightly less obscure but thrilling orchestral cosmic sojourn. “Do It” rings the final bell with kitsch staccato synth effect and playground vocal calls to action. Tighten up your laces and do the robot.

Denis Mpunga & Paul K – Criola Remixed [MFM023]

July 29, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, dazion, denis mpunga, disco, interstellar funk, music from memory, outernational, paul k, prins emanuel, tolouse low traxLeave a comment

MPUNGA, Denis/PAUL K - Criola Remixed

Having thrilled dusty-fingered crate diggers with a reissue of Denis Mpunga and Paul K’s impossible-to-find mid-’80s cassette album Criola – an unusual but rather fine combination of post-punk and traditional Congolese music – Music from Memory has decided to give some of the tracks the remix treatment. As you’d expect, there’s many more hits than misses. Dutch rising star Dazion delivers a wonderfully cosmic revision of “Intermezzo B” full of fluttering new age synth lines and drum machine polyrhythms, while Tolouse Low Trax turns “Veronika” into a woozy and dreamy chunk of dub-flecked, loved-up downtempo bliss. Late night dancefloor thrills are provided by Interstellar Funk’s intergalactic tribal techno take on “Intermezzo 2” and Prins Emmanuel’s tactile take on “KWEI!”, which sits somewhere between dub disco, boogie and proto-house.

Same Speed Edits – Same Speed Sambas 2 [SASP002]

July 29, 2017July 27, 2017 hipodromedisco, edits, jazz, same speed editsLeave a comment

Same Speed Sambas are back to celebrate the sound of the summer in 2017 in their very own unique way.S earching out for more obscure uses of Brasilian rhythms and coming up with two dance floor delights – one from Denmark and another from right here in the UK – giving them once again, that unique Same Speed re-touch. Samba Operator takes a rare live recording of one of the UK’s finest soul acts of the 80s’ biggest hits and re-works it into a mostrous tropical club anthem; while Numero Dois goes down the Samba-Not-Samba route taking a Danish 70s girl band and giving them some very warm disco treatment. The result is something very contemporary sounding that’ll fire up the dance every time.

Bézier – Primes [DE171]

July 28, 2017July 17, 2024 hipodromebezier, dark entries records, disco, doc sleep, electro, nicole ginelli, robert yang, synth waveLeave a comment

Dark Entries presents the latest offering from Bézier, a 3-track EP titled ‘Primes’. Bézier is the moniker of San Francisco based musician Robert Yang, who is also part of the Honey Soundsystem crew. ‘Primes’ represents the theme of primordial origins and creation with three tracks that explore disparate, sonic environments in each song. The title track flows and ebbs like currents in an oil slick. Out of something messy (like primordial ooze) arises organized chaos. ‘Stranger’ is a moody dark electro/wave track for a sweaty night cruising on the west coast of Holland. Set against an underwater sound canvas the song features seductive guest vocals and lyrics by Nicole Ginelli. Doc Sleep of Jacktone Records provides additional production duties. The final track, ‘Imperial Tranz Am’, is an airy, ethereal slow burner clocking in at over 13 minutes.

Old Coroner – Inside Us LP [W03]

July 23, 2017December 13, 2023 hipodromealbum, disco, electro, house, old coroner, waste editionsLeave a comment

Terrific 12inch purple vinyl and as Waste Editions crew are really into emotive and personal sounds ,on this occasion this new release ‘Inside us’ by Old Coroner can’t be otherwise. We can’t talk about a trend since the producer from Barcelona Victor Safont ,who is the man behind this project ,started producing synthwave music in 2003. Yes siree! Powerful beats ,dark textures and touching melodies which are perfect for a diabolic dance floor or a meeting at a lodge.

Robotiko Rejekto – Rejekto [OT030]

July 23, 2017November 14, 2022 hipodromedisco, electro, house, jd twitch, optimo music, optimo trax, ra-hen, ralf henrich, robotiko rejekto, talla 2xlc, techno drome internationalLeave a comment

Optimo Trax 30 celebrates a double 30 year anniversary: the original release date of Rejekto’ and 30 years since Twitch started dj’ing. In 1987, Twitch, who wasn’t known as Twitch yet, picked up a copy of Rejekto’ at Glasgow’s then numero uno import shop, 23rd Precinct. Shortly after that he got his first ever dj gig and played Rejekto’ in his first ever dj set. Nobody danced to it. He kept playing it and still nobody danced to it. Eventually he gave up playing it, but never stopped loving it. A few years ago he felt the time was right to try playing it again, and this time, people danced to it. In fact, people loved it and would ask about it and shriek in delight when they heard it. From Germany, written and produced by Ra-Hen and Talla 2XLC, Robotiko Reject’s Rejekto’ was the inaugural release on the Techno Drome International label. With a powerful and seductive vocal sung in Romanian it has latterly been categorised as EBM/Techno but at the time didn’t really fit into any convenient genre. Twitch called it electrobeat.

Roy Comanchero – Mick [WE003]

July 23, 2017December 16, 2021 hipodromedisco, eddie c, roy comanchero, slow motion records, wrong eraLeave a comment

COMANCHERO, Roy - Mick

A one sided italo-balearic bomb from Japan via Roy Comanchero with a fantastic ‘Wedding Dub’ remix of ‘Mick’ by non other than Eddie C. Hands in the air, feet on the floor and lasers going who knows where… A chuggy electronic re-rub by one of Berlin’s disco masters.

Zu Dobson – Apple Knife [BS006]

July 18, 2017July 18, 2017 hipodromebird scarer records, disco, electro, zu dobsonLeave a comment

Fresh to Bird Scarer, fresh to us all; according to Weatherall all correspondence with this mystery new electroid sculptor has been done by letter (to a PO Box no less) and not even he knows who she is. Her music, however, speaks volumes: “Apple Knife” cuts with a crisp arpeggio before dropping into chunky, almost housey electro break. “Wisdom Of Rumi” softens the angularities a little with a break that’s not dissimilar to Tone Loc but awash with strange space-aged FX and numinous flourishes. According to Weatherall, he hopes there’s more to come from Zu…

VA – Pop Makossa: The Invasive Dance Beat Of Cameroon 1976-1984 [AACD083]

July 15, 2017August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, afrobeat, analog africa, bernard nton, bill loko, clement djimogne, compilation, disco, dream stars, eko, emmanuel kahe, funk, jeanette kemogne, makossa, olinga gaston, outernational, pasteur lappe, pat ndoyeLeave a comment

VARIOUS - Pop Makossa: The Invasive Dance Beat Of Cameroon 1976-1984

Now Analog Africa returns to put the record straight. Pop-Makossa shines a light on a glorious but largely overlooked period in the story of Cameroonian makossa, when local musicians began to replace funk and highlife influences with the rubbery bass of classic disco and the sparkling synth flourishes and drum machines of electrofunk. The resultant compilation, which apparently took eight years to produce, is packed full of brilliant cuts, from the heavily-electronic jauntiness of Pasteur Lappe’s “Sanaga Calypso” and horn-totin’ Highlife-disco of Emmaniel Kahe and Jeanette Kemogne’s “Ye Medjuie”, to the dense, organ-laden wig out that is Clement Djimogne’s “Africa”.

The Pop Makossa adventure started in 2009, when Analog Africa founder Samy Ben Redjeb first travelled to Cameroon to make an initial assessment of the country’s musical situation. He returned with enough tracks for an explosive compilation highlighting the period when funk and disco sounds began to infiltrate the Makossa style popular throughout Cameroon.

VA – Compilation 05 Sampler 1 [COR056]

July 14, 2017October 4, 2023 hipodromecorrespondant, disco, house, jonathan kusuma, kempes, khidja, marvin & guy, technoLeave a comment

Correspondant’s annual compilation dispatches have become calendar essentials for all connoisseurs of the barbed, darker, leftfield side of the dancefloor. This summer they hit ‘Correspondent Compilation 5’ with another future-bound 15 track opus from their label family and friends. This inaugural vinyl samplers is turbo-charged by some of the label’s newest friends as Khidja, Marvin & Guy and Kempes all make their Correspondant compilation debuts alongside established affiliate Jonathan Kusuma. Each artist drawing out some deliciously mystic sci-fi aesthetics to the collection, it’s a remarkable introduction to what is arguably one of the Jennifer Cardini’s label’s most comprehensive and explorative various artist albums to date.