Review

The Best Of Disco Demands: Compiled By Al Kent (BBE)

BBE have released a whopping great 5 cd set of rare disco an incredible 45 tracks of the stuff and for proper disco lovers too! Compiler Al Kent has delivered big time here and is to be congratulated, there's some blinding stuff here for the connoisseur.

Take for instance Executive Suite's "Why In The World Do They Keep On (Funk'in With Me)," with it's classic disco bass and funky wah guitar guaranteed to get any party in full swing mode. Also the Disco Warriors "Cumbaya Disco," like wise with it's fantastic percussion filled extravaganza. A little cheesy granted but hey! Have a cracker with it!

This compilation gets to the true heart of the genre without having to resort to well known artists. That what makes it so special, because these tunes easily run side by side with the familiar stuff. What an education you will be having if you purchase this one and the grooves just keep coming...... The fantastically named Sandpebbles of Barbados keep the thing swinging with their grooveathon like "Suntan"- full of squiggly analogue synths and metronomic drums, plus that hallmark disco bass-octaves rule daddio!

My stand out track on CD1 is without doubt TC & Company's "Let's Go Disco," this jumps out at you like a rabid dog! With impossibly fast clavinet keys flying out at you - with breakbeat disco drums and crazy slap bass and incredible groove, plus a blinding production. I've never heard this gem before and the perfect antidote to disco demolition night… Wow what a BAPTISM OF FIRE I'm having!! This music just goes to show that the old adage 'form is temporary class is permanent' is true!

The party carries on with top drawer stuff too with the string arranged loveliness of Silver, Platinum & Gold's. Just Friends vying up next to the horn heavy "Funkathone" by The Peoples' Workshop, where funk and disco get together and have the dirtiest weekend possible. I can't sing the praises of this sterling collection enough, there's definitely no restrictions on my mind listening to this undoubted gem.

Disco comes in many forms and guises with a myriad of influences and Bobby Sanders & Magic's "Strung Out" has a northern soul influence - weird, but it works! The jazz funk blessedness of Sylvano Santorio's "We've Got It" will plain rock your soul! Rhodes, flutes and that rich orchestral arrangement - Just bathe in it's beauty! BBE have produced a first rate product hear a formidable body of work that's a must have for discerning lovers everywhere. No Scrapping of the barrel appears here just top quality and sheer unadulterated escapism for such troubled times. I've said it before and I'l l say it again 'a knockout delight,' credit where credit's due!
Words Emrys Baird