Super selections and wonderful words by our favourite-four-to-the-floor expert, The Insider.

79.5 / RAZOR-N-TAPE

Kate Mattison founded 79.5 over a decade ago. Named after an imaginary radio station, in 2016 the NYC outfit had a huge underground hit with the single, Terrorize My Heart, which found its way across the pond and into the playlists of  Gilles Peterson. They’ve now released their sophomore album on Razor-N-Tape. Kate continues to dazzle with her sugary sweet vocals, and heartfelt keys, while long-term collaborator Izaak Mills is on sax, flute and percussion. Midnight Magic’s Andrew Rapuso provides bass, Caito Sanchez is on drums. Rapper Lola Adana joined the band in 2019, and contributes to the Jones Girls-esque honeyed harmonies. The album cover is inspired by glamourous `70s disco, and sometimes music follows suit. An ode to love, with its roots resting deep in the sound of Studio 54, plus a dance step or two in pop, it’s also very moving and melancholic in parts. Soulful, psychedelic,  warm, weighty, and incredibly nostalgic. 8/10

ZEITGEIST FREEDOM ENERGY EXCHANGE / KREUZEBERG KIX / SECRETSUNDAZE

London party starters Secretsundaze release Part 2 of Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange’s Kreuzberg Kix. Headed up by Ziggy Zeitgeist, of Melbourne-based, future jazz collective, 30/70, ZFEX was born out of jam sessions, with a constantly evolving line up. This freeform approach travelled with the outfit from Australia to Berlin, where the warm house affair of Take Your Time was written. Together with Ziggy, the recordings feature Spirit of Sundaze Ensemble’s Lewis Moody and Mathew Hayes, plus the Berlin-based artist, WAYNE SNOW – whose ethereal vocal takes the title track out of this world and on to the next. Ziggy showcases his dynamite drum work on Bleached, which also receives a rocking remix from East Village mainstay, and long time Secretsundaze fave, Jenifa Mayanja – adding a toughness to the already upbeat instrumental.  9/10

YUKSEK / DANCE ‘O’DROME / PARTYFINE

Yuksek has been drip-feeding, teasing us with tracks from his much-anticipated album since January. Having found big fans in Bill Brewster and Pete Herbert, the set will soon see a full release on the Reims-based imprint, Partyfine. Yuksek – real name, Pierre Alexandre Busson – has music pumping through his veins. A composer for film and TV, host of Radio Nova’s primetime Saturday night slot, globetrotting DJ, and in demand remixer, he has it all going on. On this kaleidoscopic collection the Frenchman parades his passion for Latin beats, plus a host of other global flavours – majestically combining them on Dance ‘O’ Drome. Designed with a dynamite disco core, punk-funk punches are pitched against irresistible Italo riffs, while paying homage to the filtered house sounds of Roulé – and plenty of other references in between. Balancing Metro Area-like moments with Balearic moods. Highlights include the opener, Fantasia – which floats seductive Italo sequences over perfect poolside instrumentation – Overly Human – with string-heavy swells, care of Diogo Strausz – and The Night – assisted by M.I.L.K – with its new wave-ish vocal and thick acid lines. Under normal circumstances, a 16-track album could be off putting and prone to filler, but Dance ‘O’ Drome is ALL killer. It’s wildly expansive yet powerfully coherent, and nothing short of an artistic triumph, destined to liven-up dance-floors throughout ‘23 and beyond. 10/10

THIRD ATTEMPT / SOUL LIFTING / BEATSERVICE

The Soul Lifting E.P. contains yet more breathtaking work from Torje Fagertun Spilde, aka  Third Attempt. Vividly displaying the very essence of his signature sound and sure to enhance his already glowing reputation. The Norwegian artist and effervescent showman works his compositional magic across four compelling new tracks. Turning heads since 2018, he`s proven himself to be one of the most inspired artists to emerge from Norway’s rich, disco / dance lineage in recent times. Effortlessly gliding through genres, his distinctive productions expertly blend nu-disco, funk, trip-hop, and house. The opener, Love Star, finds Torje in typically inspired form, as he elegantly layers atmospheric vocals, which unfold over a broken rhythm. Keep Your Head Up demonstrates his flair for sampling hip-hop, while This Love sees a soaring voice floating out over a life-affirming melody. Closer, Believe, combines harmonies and disco guitar licks, while crisp house drums power the track home. 8/10

LOVEBIRDS & URI GINCEL / FLY AWAY / TEARDROP

The mighty Lovebirds joins forces with Uri Gincel for the next offering on his Teardrop imprint. Gincel has been in Berlin for a decade, since leaving Tel Aviv, and is well known in the city for his Tuesday Jam Session at Zig Zag, and his live shows with Jazzanova. The Fly Away E.P. is the first club-oriented material that Lovebirds and Gincel have created together, and it’s a heady trip, which continues to develop and go up a gear throughout. On the title track deep pads play over a delightful disco groove, dropping into a Rhodes breakdown, followed by a rave-fuelled electronic patch. All of this then lands in a field of Italo synths. Anthem alert! The more traditional house of Playing Games is built around a Rhodes riff, brilliant bassline, some TR808 trickery, and a big boogie bounce, a combination that turns this into a proper weapon on the floor. Closing out is Tuna Melts My Heart, a beatless, atmospheric number, recorded in just one take. It’s a melancholic, cinematic score styled beauty. Teamed up with Uri Gincel, this is Lovebirds at his very best. 10/10