BBE christen 2012 with one of those old school groove-driven compilations that they do so well. This time Johnny ‘D’ DeMairo (of Henry Street Music house label fame) does the honours.
Continued reservations aside about referring to this kind of up-tempo 80s soul as Disco (post-Disco is a more accurate term, surely?) ‘…Jamms Volume 1’ is a fun and jaunty way to battle the winter blues. Up Front’s furiously catchy ‘Infatuation’ is a solid choice on Johnny’s part to get the collection underway followed by Spencer Jones’ ‘How to Win Your Love’ which has all the hallmarks of what made 80s soul production so special. Gated drums? Check. Lyrical synth bass? Check. Whimsical wind chime-style synths? Check. Anthemic chorus? Check. Some call it cheesy but what do they know?
Lafleur’s ‘Dub Til We Drop’ brings together Latin rhythms with the electric boogaloo, sounding like a harbinger for what came to be known as House. Things get treacherous on Skyy’s ‘Call Me’ as a friend makes a play for her best friend’s man. Lesser known classics from titans such as Ashford & Simpson and The O’Jays litter ‘Disco Jamms’ and The System’s ‘It’s Passion’ is worthy of note for similar reasons as Jones’ ‘How to Win…’ However DJ Johnny saves the bona fide goodies for last. Mahogany’s remixed ‘Ride on the Rhythm’ featuring Bernice Watkins tantalises the listener with smatterings of instrumentation before letting loose on the irresistibly danceable chorus. The strings on Ultra High Frequency’s super-upbeat ‘We’re on the Right Track’ are indicative of the epic quality of 70s soul arrangements and all the more loveable for it. Sass’ ‘Much Too Much’ (the Gap Band’s ‘Outstanding’ anyone?), completes the soulful hat trick, finishing things off with a flourish.
'Johnny D presents: Disco Jamms Volume 1' is out now on BBE Records.
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