Symphology

I'm back, muh'fuggahs!


It takes something a bit special for me to pop my head out of my hidey-hole these days and DJ History's new release is just that. As disco and house show signs of converging once again these days, especially with the likes of Toby Tobias, Still Going and Trus'me to name but three, it's probably the optimum time to delve back into the 90s London house scene. Street Corner Symphony, alongside Heller & Farley's Fire Island and Black Science Orchestra (Ashley Beedle, Rob Mello & co.), were one of the main purveyors of disco-laced house music from that London of that decade.

SCS were Pete Z (Idjut Boys, Das Etwas) and Glen Gunner (Block 16) and they were ace. In fact, their music sounds more contemporary now than it did way back when. Tracks like 'Slow Blow' and 'Memories Of Aphrodite' have more in tune with the thriving nu-disco scene (or whatever the fuck it's called these days) than anything emanating from anywhere back then. Great time for a retrospective then.

So that's exactly what the DJ History guys have put together. You can buy it here - with a special super-sized version here with extra tracks - and while you're over there, you might as well treat yourselves to their recent Tele Music remix compilation, 'Le Disco Remixed' too. It's worth it for Toby Tobias' spacey take on 'Monkey Star' and Leo Zero's lairy re-do of 'Baby's Band' alone.

Here's a little taster of what to expect from the Street Corner Symphony album...

Street Corner Symphony - Street Corner Symphony (mp3)

While I'm here too, I might as well pimp this mix I did to promote last month's Dig For Victory! too. It's a bit charming (read sloppy) in places but it's pretty fun all the same, I think...

DFV's Fruity And Frivolous Promo Mix For July

Bits & Pieces - Don't Stop The Music (Island)
Q-Tip - Gettin' Up (Universal Motown)
Lauryn Hill - Everything Is Everything (Ruffhouse)
Codek - Tim Toum (Island)
Agneta Faltskog - Wrap Your Arms Around Me (Villa Diva Edit) (Mindless Boogie)
Raggio Di Luna - Comanchero (Il Discotto)
Taggy Matcher - Shimmy Shimmy Ya (Stix)
Lancelot Layne - Yo Tink It Sorf? (Strut)
Metro Area - Disco Reaction (Environ)
Shirley Lites - Heat You Up (Melt You Down) (Instrumental) (West End)
The B.B. & Q. Band - On The Beat (Capitol)
T-Coy - Carino (Deconstruction)
Hercules & Love Affair - True False Fake Real (DFA)
Super Furry Animals - Cardiff In The Sun (Rough Trade)
Caetano Veloso - Lady Madonna (Philips)
Steel An' Skin - Reggae Is Here Once Again (Honest Jon's)
J.J. Cale - Cocaine (Mercury)
The Science Fiction Corporation - The Whistling Astronaut (Finders Keepers)
The Shadows - Scotch On The Socks (EMI Columbia)
Elton John - Bennie & The Jets (MCA)

And also, if you like, you can check out this Spotify playlist what I did. It took about five minutes to put together. It's the thought that counts...

JMx