Fresh out of the UK, London's Danced Til Midnight made their debut last year on the Thylacine Sounds imprint. The Sun Bleach EP 12" netted support from purveyors of disco like Tensnake, Miguel Campbell, and Severino, and received a solid 5-out-of-5 from noted dance music authority The Ransom Note. Now this funky project is back on the scene with a follow-up, "More of Love", backed with the equally wonderful "No Way Back".
Producer and DJ Andy Anderson, who cut his teeth around Southend's growing alternative music scene, met Wigan-born vocalist and The Dunes' front woman Carmelle on East London's soul club circuit. Inspired by a mutual love of all things funky, the duo embarked on a musical partnership to create something truly unique; electronic sun-drenched grooves with clear undertones of eras gone past. Collaborating with a range of artists including brass collective The Killer Horns (from Bonobo's touring band) and Boiler Room regular Tall Black Guy, their uplifting yet emotional blend of old and new school funk and disco continues to attract all the right attention.
"More of Love" is a sensually charged slice of 'nu soul' that aims to get the floor bumping and grinding, no matter the hour. Its slinky live rhythm track – featuring a filtered bass line to make Bootsy proud – quickly sets the tone, and the cool guitar riffs, synth melodies, and Carmelle's exquisite vocal performance combine into a potential modern funk classic. "No Way Back" offers an addictive sax hook from The Killer Horns and a driving bass groove accompanied by Hendrix-style floating guitar from Andy Anderson and jazz aficionado Daniel Parker. Again, Carmelle is on point with a vocal harking back to the best moments of British soul.
The first remix comes from the notorious disco doyens Faze Action who turn "More of Love" into a supercharged dance floor bomb. These groovy brothers showcase their renowned production acumen with a sonically abundant treatment that doesn't sacrifice the winning elements of the original one bit. Meanwhile, Glasgow's heady beat champion The Revenge takes "No Way Out" and creates a pulsating builder that owns the deeper shades of Balearic beach house. The vocals float elegantly above the remix's mesmerizing rhythm construction and when those horns come in … bam!
This is one release that transports you effortlessly to the poolside, the musical embodiment of the longest, hottest, and most mischievous summer.
Quentin Harris - "The Revenge mix for me."
Ursula 1000 - "Hot."
Fort Knox Five - "Digging the late night classic soul-funk of the original but the Faze Action remix is also a super funky disco tune!"
Rainer Trueby - "The Revenge remix is damn cool."
Johnwaynes (Cécille Records / Compost) - "Excellent. It's good to know soul, funk, and disco type stuff is still healthy with these proper releases."
Nick Holder - "I'm digging all these mixes."
Tensnake - "That Revenge remix is nice."
Sleazy McQueen - "Perfect remix compliments!"
Larry Tee - "Tasty!"
Hard Ton (Toy Tonics / Luv Shack) - "I soooo love this. The remixes are dope, and the originals are very cool, too."
Abicah Soul - "Nice!"
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - "Yes … this is great!"
Al Mackenzie (Great Outdoors / Brassneck) - "Ace. Both remixes are excellent."
Rayko (Rare Wiri / Eskimo) - "Nice release. I've loving the Faze Action remix."
Alkalino - "I really like the vibe of The Revenge's mix."
Available now from Juno Download and Traxsource.