Funkier Sounds August 2024

Hey, how are you? Enjoying the summer?

This month:

• Let's go disco, shall we?

• Some label releases too…

• Are you ready for some Summer Sizzlers?

• Funkier Sounds with Tatiana

• Gem of the Month

Let’s Go Disco, shall we?

Next up in my monthly free edit series is an updated version of a forgotten gem - Let's Go by Bileo, B-side to the underground classic You Can Win. This one didn't need a whole lot doing to it but I rearranged things a little, gave it a spruce up and emphasised that lovely loopy bass. It shouldn't come as any surprise that you can have this one on me - just hit the button below and enjoy!

Some label releases too…

After a quiet few months of releases, like London buses I’ve got a few turning up around the same time. First up, I'm thrilled to be back on one of the best labels out there, Tropical Disco. My track's called Strange Hap'nins and it's another one based on a dusty forgotten gem. Then also out today I've remixed a wonderful jazz funk track called Neon Pulse by DJ E9/ E9 Allstars. I'm dead pleased with how I managed to completely transform this one into what I suppose is a bit of a lofi retro house kind of thing.

Are you ready for some Summer Sizzlers?

I help run a label called Discography Lessons, and we've put together a compilation called Summer Sizzlers. It features some big names in the nu-disco scene like C Da Afro, JB Boogie and Ben Jamin, as well as tracks from all three of us involved in the label - Ben Banjo Field, Mark Whites and myself. It's out today, and as usual 10% of all label profits go to mental health charities. I’m obviously biased but I really do think it’s very good, and if you happen to be in Cardiff tomorrow they’re putting on a launch party (I can’t make it sadly). Oh, and I’ve put together a minimix featuring all 15 tracks squeezed into 26 minutes… starting with my track that I’m very pleased with, Sax on the Beach!

Funkier Sounds with Tatiana

I started my latest radio show in a bit of a grumpy mood because rekordbox/ Mac issues meant that all of latest downloads that I was so looking forward to playing all remained trapped on my Mac and not my USB. But I soon cheered up as I picked out some choice cuts from the 8,000 or so tracks that were on the stick. A mixed bag as always but keeping things more on the disco side of things for a lot of it… and for good reason, as my guest this time was none other than Tatiana - part of The Disco Express. TDE are one of my favourite labels, and they should be one of your favourite labels too. And Tatiana is an expert selector, who put together a superb mix for your listening pleasure.

Gem of the Month

I didn’t realise the interesting back story to this track - A Step Ahead by 9th Creation - until writing this… apparently the studio owners were drug dealers and the masters for this album were confiscated during a raid, and the tracks only finally got released in 2019! This one’s upbeat with a lovely squidgy synth line and some joyous horns, but it’s the magic vocal that’s the star of the show for me. I love the synth so much that I actually tried to edit this one a couple of years ago, but concluded that the original is just fine as it is. Can’t believe this track was nearly lost forever!

Thanks for reading, I appreciate you!

Tom xx