Nestled under Peter Brown's iconic P&P Records, Queen Constance Records remains a cult favorite in the underground dance appreciation community. High Fidelity's sole self-titled LP is a coveted release from the legendary Harlem imprint, and for the first time ever, the record has been officially licensed, remastered and reissued. Although not much is known about the group, the 6 tracks on here speak volumes about how it got down when recording & performing "street-level NYC disco." The record opens with "Life Time," a slow burner characterized by brilliant lead vocals, outstanding harmonies, and "back-street feel" production. "Dedicated" follow, providing a glimpse of High Fidelity's mastery of funk-driven compositions. The uptempo numbers are punctuated by soulful, sweet ballads like "Destiny," and the raw, energetic "Magic Carpet" closes out the album on a high note. This is a a super rare slice of the "Sound of N.Y.," add to your collection now.

• music label: Queen Constance Records 2018

reviewed by rei kwondo 08/18