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Just for you lucky guys, here are two sides of Giorgio's best works!
You already know that Mr. Moroder is the number one moustache-daddy of electronic disco, so it is no surprise that these are big classics. "I Wanna Rock You(1)"...
expand review is one of my absolute favorites of all time and always pleases the crowd. The funky arpeggiator melodies, vocoder, lasers, and fun playful chorus... "I WANNA ROCK YOOOOUU" Love, love, love it! "Evolution(2)" is a masterpiece from Moroder, taking all of the A-side and clocking in at 15+ minutes of pure space disco goodness. It is a real trip to the stars and galaxies if you let the sound take you away. So much synth and electric guitar - it's so beautiful and so epic! Did you know this was on the original Battlestar Galactica soundtrack? I recommend for sure! -Maurizio
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Duke Dumont, who previously remixed Debbie Deb on Turbo Recordings, gives the super-popular fidget imprint Dubsided a new angle to chew on. Dumont starts it off with "Prelude(1)" a direct page from Kanye's book with pitched up soul sample and boom bap...
expand review beats floated underneath. A bite, yes, but quite interesting in context. "Hoy(2)" sounds like Diplo track, crafting exotic samples into a future-now dance track. Cool as phuc if you ask me. B-side starts with more soul sample madness (Eddie Kendricks this time) on "Interlude(3)," then finally gets into the fidget with "Feltham(4)." The EP ends with "Postlude" a backwards version of "Interlude." Quite forward thinking and thematic for a white label style release. Highly recommended. -the mgmnt
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Originally a white label release from 2001, Peter Black re-releases one of his most in-demand remixes, complete with a new picture sleeve. The Purple Mix(1) of "Controversy" is a highly lauded rework, quite visionary for the time, considering the whole mash-remix-edit thing...
expand review didn't start until a few years later. But don't call it a mash-up, it's straight funky house. B-side collects another Peter Black Prince thing (originally featured on a separate 12"), his Metro Area style remix(2) of "Let's Work." Recommended. -the mgmnt
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La Boca kills another sleeve design and Andy Meecham (of Chicken Lips fame) delivers another packet of analog synth wizardry. Modern space disco dust at its finest: "What's In The Box(1), Box Dub(2), Non-Functioning Ape-Man(3)," and "Functioning Apewoman(4)." -the mgmnt
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If you've bought 12"s from Numero before you know that funk is their business. This time they give Jay Mitchell's version of Mustang Sally the vinyl treatment, featuring some of the juiciest funk and drum breaks around. The A-side gives you the...
expand review original version (go past halfway in and drool over that break!), but the Le Spam's Edit(2) on the B-side absolutely slays fools! All the "Mustang Sally" hooks are taken out so that you can hardly recognize it from the OG, and the breaks are formatted for maximum meanness. Shoes' "Ready To Ride(3)" mix samples the main jam and mixes it with a 4 on tha floor house rhythm for the dance floor. The vocals are mixed in dub effect with him singing "Sally! Sally!" It's so uplifting, it feels like "Glory Hallelujah!" -C'mish
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Yes, it's the king of freaky electro beats! This is definitely his "hit" album with all the classic joints like "Egypt, Egypt(1)," "Girls(2)," "And My Beat Goes Boom(3)," plus the track that asks the eternal question, "What Is A D.J. If He...
expand review Can't Scratch?(4)." Originally, most of these were released as monster 12"s back in '84, officially putting LA on the map for new electro sounds. Check all the classic 808 action, freaky lyrics, and sexually pumped up beats to rock the dancefloor. I actually got a chance to see him play at Studio B not too long ago. The whole time I was in awe as I watched him effortlessly rocking doubles in leather pants and shades without even breaking a sweat. All I got to say is, "Pretty fucking masterful!" It just proves the timelessness of his music. This is also in perfect timing with the Arabian Prince (who actually got his name from E. Lover) bringing the old school electro sound back to LA for Stones Throw. If you don't already have this, get hip to it bruh. If you like electro, I'd say this is essential. Recommended! -C'mish
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Third full length from Freddie Cruger aka Red Astaire. At this point in Lab history, you should know exactly what to expect from Freddie: throwback beathead productions and dj boogie jams, approached with Swedish cleanliness and efficiency (like that Ikea record...
expand review shelf you have at home). Checkout "Keep On Knockin(1), Psycho Cha Cha(2), Wind It Up(3), Jazzflow(4), What Ya Sayin(5)," and "I Got(6)." 13 tracks on double vinyl, recommended. -the mgmnt
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Not for nothing did "Move Your Body(1)" gain the subtitle of "The House Music Anthem" - its classic refrain of "gotta have house... music/ all night long" is one of the most memorable in all of dance music, familiar not just to...
expand review househeads but club-goers of every stripe. From the thundering piano vamps of the intro (used to great effect in the film 24 Hour Party People when they are entering the Hacienda club) to the keyboard stabs that drive the bulk of the song, "Move Your Body" is one of the most perfect encapsulations of the early Chicago house sound. Raw drum machines and gospel-influenced piano & vocals at their finest. If you're a house DJ, you have no excuse for not owning this; and if you're a civilian, come on in and join the party. Flip side doesn't let up either with Jamie Principle's electro-sexy speak "Baby Wants To Ride(2)" which sounds as relevant as ever. -the mgmnt
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If you have been checking our blog, you know we've been riding Egyptian Lover hard recently (no-homo); but it's totally justified. Dude has some of the best record covers ever, put out a big pocketful of electro classics, and is humble enough...
expand review to come DJ at our small east village shop. This is his greatest hits collection from 1989 (peep the benzo-coupe steez) and comfortably falls into the category of "fucking electro essential." Not only that, when Egyptian Lover put this together, he picked his favorite mixes from the singles, so you're getting full 12" mixes or 12" dub versions. Of course, you gotta have the 12" version of "Egypt Egypt(1)." The 12" dub mix(2) of "Freak-A-Holic" is a huge score, and by all accounts, this was track that brought the house down at his show at Studio B. The Dub Mix(3) of "Girls" is begging for a revival, I totally forgot about how dope this song was until EL played it at our store. You even get "Alezby Inn" (Remodeled Vocal Version)(4), one of EL's more pop-like moments. I could probably name-check ever song on here, but I'll just leave you with "My House On The Nile(5)" and you'll know why he's called The Egyptian Lover. 8 tracks on double vinyl. -the mgmnt
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Never heard this single from '94, but as usual the Lover delivers that good-good bass. "Bounce That Bootie(1)" is a slight diversion from the usual EL sound, with a bounce reminiscent of Uncle Luke Skywalker. It's kind of like the perfect cross...
expand review breed of LA electro and Miami booty bass. Kind of cool to see The Lover expand his style a little bit, but still keep the freakiness intact. Flipside features "Gotta Have Ya(2)" which is back to the Egyptian Lover sound we all know and love. Includes instrumental for "Bounce That." -snackmaster
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Essential electro 101. "Electric Kingdom" is right up there with "Planet Rock" as one the foundational building blocks of the electro scene, the only problem is that it's hard to come by (believe it or not, this is the first time we've...
expand review had it at the Lab). Every DJ needs this in their collection. Instrumental dub on the flip too. Highly recommended. -the mgmnt
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Baby Oliver pretty much came out of nowhere, and their last release on Environ rocked the entire office, even me, the guy that typically doesn't like this kind of stuff. As is a growing trend with things lately, pitched down, weird vocals...
expand review seem to be all the rage, and "Feelings 2(1)" does it up properly. The New Order-esque chorus fits in surprisingly well between the wacky verses, and those dirty drums really sell the track. "Shot Caller(2)," on the other hand, is a little more on the abstract tip. More DFA than Environ, this one is definitely a power track, but you definitely would have to use it sparingly. Don't drop this one in every set or you'll be pegged for a one-trick pony - that's just how different this track sounds. -minimal man
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Robert Owens vinyl always brings a smile to my face, and this volume of Jack Trax is dedicated to the beautiful soul cries of the early Chicago house icon. For fans like me, this is a godsend due to the rarity of...
expand review his records. Trust me - if you go looking for him at record stores or dollar bins, chances are you'll come home empty-handed. These records contain four of his best vocal performances, spanning from the late 80s to 2006, with each track taking up a whole side on 45, just how I like it. As you go down the tracklist, you'll see a dream team of producers. "A Walk In My Shoes(1)" was released in 2006 by Coldcut and remixed by Henrik Schwarz. It's a real emotional ride about judgmental society, with a perfectly epic backing by Henrik. "Bringing Down The Walls(2)" was produced in 1986 by Larry Heard when he and Owens formed the monumental Fingers Inc. and was one of the songs which set off Heard's career as a solo artist on 4th and Broadway. Classic Heard at his best (besides "I'm Strong," which isn't on here) with his signature warm jacking bass. "I Was Here Before(3)" rides more of a hype midnight house vibe and was produced in 1993 by Farley Jackmaster, Adonis and Farley Williams. Truly a rare combination of talent; originals fetch a minimum of $30 for just the single alone. The last track, "Your Heart Is My Home(4)," is grown love song from 1994 produced by Robert Owens himself for his label Musical Directions. It's actually "My Heart Is Your Home," but that's a minor detail. Honestly I would love to hear more of his productions with Larry Heard from the golden era of Chicago house, but with all singles on one comp, I'm just glad it's here. -C'mish
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Awww yeah. Another classic early 80s electro rap treat from your boy Ice-T. Long before Body Count and New Jack Hustler, Ice was rocking the leather straps and spikes on the mic like a freaky S&M pimp. You can't front though, cuz...
expand review his beats and flow are iceeeey smooth. Just check "Body Rock(1)" and witness Ice as he breaks down hip-hop culture to the non-believers all over a bad-ass electro b-boy beat. Flipside features "Killers(2)" which is on some proto-gangsta slump with a wicked synth bassline and laser shots. Kind of reminds me of a West Coast version of "The Message". Instrumentals included for both. (Side Note: These tracks were recorded by the Alien Wizard using the Bioegarag Audio Recording Process.) -snackmaster
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