Here is a great reissue brought to us by Egon and released by Now-Again Records. Originally released on Soul Track Records circa 1970 it features Leroy Hutson on tenor saxophone.

The Detroit Sex Machines - The Stretch

Here is a truly great artist, Norman Connors and the album, Slewfoot is one of his best. The album features vocals by Jean Carn and a band that contains many legends in the Jazz world including Reggie Lucas, Lonnie Liston Smith, Eddie Henderson, and Gary Bartz.

The track I chose was "Mother of the Future." It has a vibe all its own that would fit on any great Gilles Peterson compilation.

Norman Connors - Mother of the Future

U.K. vinyl distributor Amato filed for bankruptcy last week.  Amato was the distributor for labels such as ReKids, Crosstown Rebels, Good Looking, and Playhouse.This is an unfortunate thing. The record labels feel the crunch, having no distributor and their records stockpiled in a warehouse somewhere that is locked away until the paperwork from the administration goes through.  The labels are also not getting money on releases that were already sold. The reason for liquidation is unclear. Some say the company had been mismanaged for years and others blame the nature of the record industry. 

It is a sad state of affairs for the record business but even worse for the dance music industry. Gigantic US distributor Studio which distributed labels such as Clasic Music Company, Global Underground, and other dance record label giants went bust last year. It is a nice thing to have more access to music than ever before with the latest MP3's available on blogs and at digital music stores like Beatport but some of us still like to have the original vinyl.  And  a real store to buy the vinyl in.

Sorry for the delay in posting. I took a quick trip to NYC and I only had time for one record store. So I took a chance and went to a store that I had heard was a hidden gem. And it was, with a great selection of African, Brazilian, Disco, Funk, and Soul records at really reasonable prices for NYC standards. Gimme GImme also has a huge selection of New Wave 12" if that's your favorite genre.

Gimme Gimme Records - 325 E 5th St New York, NY 10003 (212) 475-2955 

 If you haven't seen this three part series produced by Channel 4 in the U.K. about the history of dance music then you need to check it out now. This documentary starts with Larry Levan at the Paradise Garage and covers the evolution of dance music up until the late 90s and UK Garage music. I particularly like the interview with Chip E when he talks about "jacking" at the Warehouse.

Pump the Volume Part 1

Pump Up the Volume Part 2

Pump Up the Volume Part 3

Awesome boogie tune from Frederick from his self titled album released in 1985 on Heat.

Frederick - Move On

 If re-edits are your thing, then Social Disco Club is the place for you. Social Disco Club is chalk full of re-edits created by Social DIsco Club blogger himself, Humberto Matias. Hailing from Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal, Humberto has created some pretty dope re-edits of George Duke's "I Want You for Myself" and Harvey Mason's "Groovin You."

Check out this interview with Mr. Scruff on YouTube. Its from the Contre-temps Festival in 2006. 

Tony Allen was the drummer and music director for Fela Kuti's band, Africa 70.  This double album is a great overview of Tony Allen's solo work. Included here are Tony's first four solo albums: Jealousy (1975), Progress (1976), No Accommodation for Lagos (1978), and No Discrimination (1979). The first three albums were produced by Fela himself.

Tony Allen had become obsseesed with the drums at an early age after hearing big-bands in African clubs. His role models were Art Blakey and the Ghanaian drummer Guy Warren aka Kofifi Ghanaba. In 1964 he auditioned to be the drummer in a band called Loola Lobitos, which was led by Fela Kuti. It was the beginning of a musically relationship that would influence the world of music and create rhythmic stylle of music that is still original to this day.

The legendary drummer has recently been working with Damon Albarn's new band the Good, the Bad, and the Queen along with Clash bass player Paul Simonon. For more information and to purchase the album go to the VampiSoul website.

David Mancuso comes to London on Dec. 9th to bring his NYC Loft Party. At the Light - 233 Shoreditch High Street in London. You can get ticketss through www.loftparty.org.