All these underworld nyc 12s carry the legend "A Disco Classic" for reason - that's what they is! Gwen McRae's "Funky Sensation" is classic party starter along the lines of Taana Gardner's "Heartbeat." Both are early '80s dance classic that gets everyone from hip-hoppers to grown folks to the dancefloor. The opening moments break open the track with the party inspiring vocals leading into a funky piano and bassline workout. So infectious, Kenny Dope lifted some vocal lines for the classic party break "Get Up." The Staples Singers "I''ll Take You There" is a well known slab of '70s pop soul-funk, with the group's heavily gospel-inflected sound getting a great workout over reggae-fied backbeat. The song's sunny, hopeful lyrics about a place where there "ain't smilin' faces/lyin' to the races" still retain their power. Rounding things out is CJ&Co.'s "Devil's Gun", a heavy-duty disco workout from the same album as the B-boy classic "We Got Our Own Thing". "Devil's Gun" is definitely cut from the same cloth - thick as mud drums and bass drive. Excellent sound quality.

• music label: M&S / 1982

reviewed by Language 10/2005