Various Artists - Our Disco Vol. 1 (Discobox Records)

One year after Discobox Records' debut release, the label is proud to present its first compilation: Our Disco Vol. 1. As the name suggests, Our Disco will be a series presenting fresh music from the label’s already established roster in addition to new faces joining the cast.

Opening the pack is De Pin Up Club, an artist known for work that stands as a testament to his musical inspirations, quoting its history, but always adding in new ideas. The feel good disco of "New York Groove" draws from the Paradise Garage … and ever-so-tastefully. Rhythmic guitar and chic vocals combine with old school synths for a spin underneath the disco ball.

Dansoul, the production alter ego of DJ Daniel D, explores nu-disco influenced by '90s house rhythms on "Get Down". He uses Moog synths and a resonating bass line with hip-house vocals for plenty of bounce per ounce.

Next, two very well known names in the Brazilian music scene join the label. Alvinho L. Noise and Nytron drench piano chords in filters on "Say What", a superb work that lays down an infectious bass groove and a punchy beat accentuated by cowbell hits.

Zister is another well known talent from Brazil. With its bass line on overdrive, funky, wailing electric key riff, and hard hitting percussive groove, "Rise For Love" is a dance floor force to be reckoned with.

Rounding the package out is DJ Juliano Maia’s Funk4Mass project. A track characterized by broken beat electro-funk with booty bass, "Shake" is full of fat sounds. The accompanying vocals are primitive and straight to the point.

From disco to house, blending nu-disco, tech-house, and classic old school electro sounds, this is what Discobox is all about. Get into the groove!

Sunshine Jones (Dubtribe) - “Wonderful … right on time.”
Tensnake - “I like ‘New York Groove.’”
Chris Todd (Crazy P / Hot Toddy) - “Really feeling the much more off-the-wall ‘Shake’ … good stuff.”
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - “My pick is ‘New York Groove,’ but ‘Shake’ is great too.”
Danny Ward (Moodymanc / Dubble D) - “Nice grooves here … Zister’s Rise For Love' doing it for me on first listen, thanks.”
Dave Mayer (Strictly Rhythm / Hardsoul) - “‘New York Groove’ is perfect for my beach residency!”
Distant People (SSRadio / Foliage) - “Spaced-out hypnotic vibe on Alvinho L. Noise & Nytron’s ’Say What,’ a wicked, dark back room track … I can imagine the room all moving in time to this one.”
Flash Atkins (Paper Recordings / Into The Valley) - “’New York Groove’ for me baby.”
Lorenzo al Dino (7th District) - “Perfect package of tracks! I specifically like Dansoul’s ‘Get Down.’”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House Web Zine) - “The uplifting, old school infused ‘New York Groove’ is a sure-fire floor weapon.”
Booker T. (Kings Of Soul / Liquid Sessions) - “Nice soulful disco vibes on ‘New York Groove.’”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM 95, Greece) - “‘Rise For Love’ by Zister, the most energetic of the release, is a killer and the Italo synth magic of Dansoul’s ‘Get Down’ moves me too.”
DJ Jazzy L (Jazzy Lounge Radio) - "'New York Groove' is an ear-grabber, head-nodder, and butt-mover. Sweet!"
Marcia Carr (Mi-Soul Radio / Ladyz) - “Old school vibes on the real house tip on 'Say What' -- which is fab -- and 'Shake' is a delightful electro funk gem.”
Myxzlplix (Subdivisions Global Radio Show, San Diego) - “This is nu-disco done right … so much goodness to play out here.”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.

Mohear - Gadgets (Electunes)

The Italo-inspired electro-disco-rock combo Mohear are known to craft a catchy song that captures retro styles and updates them for a new sound that’s relevant today. “Gadgets” is their new single for Austria’s Electunes label, and is taken from the band’s recently release album Baby. It’s driven by characterfully cool vocals from Miss Sophie lamenting how attached we have become as digital captives living in a world overrun by electronic devices. Echoing pads, synths, and a bass line travel straight to funky-town with crescendoing electric organs and guitars taking control of the breakdown.

The remixes for “Gadgets” are many and varied, with something here for most DJs of wide-reaching tastes. With previous releases on Compost, Russian producer Sportloto turns in the first version, starting off with an arpeggiated synth straight out of the Chicago house’s most raw days, before introducing an organ bass riff and later spiraling into acid trippy-ness. The percussion is perfect with plenty of shuffling hats, drum flares, stacked claps, and a xylophone castanet combo that mimics the sequencing of the main synth. The Garage Remix from Mohear member DJ Enne follows with a fidgety bass sound, soulful keys, and plenty of percussive groove. The Irregular Disco Workers, made up of Italian producers Gregorio Assandri and Andrea Frittella, use plenty of guitar foreplay to warm things up before escalating into an all-enveloping rave bass line with a definite Chi warehouse feel. They also incorporate subtle acid sparks for the extra touch of heat to their remix. Viennese trio Struboskop tease out the vocals more than the other remixes, even pitching them down for some interesting interplay. They provide a more low slung and cosmic atmosphere with most of the instruments combining for a rhythmically layered track. As if the bongos on the Nu Gadget Remix don’t give it right away, Dansoul is a Brazilian house producer, but with sleazy nu-disco temperament as evidenced by the ’80s synths and very structured kick snare exchange. In a refreshing change of tempo, Berliner Sebastian Zangar, aka Databoy78, goes ‘dub’ with deep, echoing pad and stabs. Even with its many short, staccato notes, Zangar’s effects create a wondrous atmosphere.

DJ Rocca (Ajello / Supersonic Lovers) - “Great original track and superb remix collection … every remix is great. Full support!”
Space Ranger (Lovemonk / Grande Buffo) - “The Sportloto Acid Gadgets Mix is very cool. Reminds me a little bit of ‘Baby Wants To Ride.’”
Saulty (Downtown Party Network) - “The Sportloto remix is sick! I like the Irregular Disco Workers as well.”
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - “The Dansoul Nu Gadget Remix is a pretty fun track. I like the original, too.”
Tensnake - “Great pack!”
Johnwaynes (cecille/ Compost) - “The Databoy78 remix is the one for me.”
Sean Johnston (Hardway Bros / A Love From Outer Space) - “Once again, Electunes, great stuff!”
Andreas Kinzl (Aromabar / INFRACom!) - “A very useful bundle of remixes.”
Markus Schneider (The Robot Scientists / Emerald and Doreen) - “Love the driving bass lines … a very good package!”
Stereo 77 (Plimsoll Records) - “The Irregular Disco Workers and Struboskop versions will work very well in my sets.”
Ulysses (Neurotic Drum Band) - “The Sportloto Acid Gadgets Mix is epic, but I also really like the Databoy78 mix.”
Christos Kedras (Kapa Music / Beat Philosophy Radio Show) - “The Dansoul remix does it for me … glitchy nu-disco vibe with nice bounce on the groove.”
DJ Sabo (Sol*Selectas / Mo’Glo’ Radio Show) - “That Databoy78 is so deep!”
Jamie Topham (CDPool) - “An eclectic batch of mixes on offer for this. Enne’s Garage Remix is my personal fave. I also like the acidic sound of the Irregular Disco Workers and Dansoul’s funky nu-disco rub.”
Velanche (Velanche’s Playtime Radio Show) - “Plenty of good remixes here … I dig it.”
Leri Ahel (Mutant Disco Radio Show) - “The Irregular Disco Workers always deliver. Great remix.”
Andrew Duke (Andrew Duke In The Mix Radio Show) - “The first three remixes (Sportloto, Enne, and Irregular Disco Workers) are superb. It’s going to be a challenge deciding which version to play out first.”

Available now from Juno Download and iTunes.