Paraphrasing the Soul Sonic Force and sorting through today`s releases for tunes that could have graced Alfie & Leo’s Amnesia dance-floor…

Balearische Grammophon III / Have A Nice Day

Barry White has some serious Balearic Beat history. His track It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me was famously part of Danny Rampling’s warm-up set at Shoom, and as a consequence has earned a spot in a many a Second Summer Of Love raver’s heart. Love’s Theme, by Barry’s Love Unlimited Orchestra, has been a spin for everyone from Jose Padilla to The Chemical Brothers. Have A Nice Day now turn their attention to Barry’s 1974 hit, Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe. According to the press release the 3 mixes on this 12 arrived anonymously in a duffel bag, and are demos from the original sessions. I’m gonna take that with a pinch of salt, but nonetheless the versions here do the business. The one on the A-side toys with the track’s instrumentation, building it up and breaking it down. Beginning with just piano and strings, waiting 4 minutes before bringing in the brass and rhythm section. Vocals and congas drop into, dissolve in echo. It’s the sort of radical reconstruction that you might find on Moton or Ashley Beedle’s Heavy Disco. Another take singles out the groove, but it’s the “Pianoapella” that really does it for me. Lush, loved-up, it’s a lights on end-of-the-night anthem perfect for a moment of chemically-enhanced club-wide unity.

Frede / Cobini / Music For Dreams

Frede is working on an album for Music For Dreams. As a teaser the label has promo’d a trio of tracks. Cobini is the one doing it for me. A moment of mellow, muted Afro-house, its kick is big, but not banging. Instead warm and fuzzy. With a great, emotive vocal the song mixes deep dance floor contemplation with spirit-stirring piano.

Digby Jones & Chris Coco / Mañana / DSPPR

Digby Jones and Chris Coco combine forces on Mañana, a laidback Bahia bossa nova groove. Brazilian-flavoured fusion with a birdsong breakdown, wah-wah guitar and a Nuyorican boogaloo piano solo. Bongos care of George Solar. Jones fetching up some fine Bob James-esque Fender Rhodes, while Coco’s melodica mimics tropical accordion tones.

The Perpetual Singers / Father Father / Rush Hour

Niels Nieuborg of Arp Frique produced this debut release by Amsterdam-based gospel group, The Perpetual Singers. A brilliant live bass-led bit of boogie, spoken vocals call for heavenly help, while the lead takes flight and soars. Both backed by a church choir chorus, funky rhythm guitar and complex keys – flares, fanfares, electro squeaks and squeals.