UNDER THE INFLUENCE VOLUME 4-COMPILED BY NICK THE RECORD.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE VOLUME 4-COMPILED BY NICK THE RECORD.
Over the last few years, ZR Records Under The Influence compilation series has become one of the most eagerly awaited releases. The first volume of Under The Influence first hit the shops back in October 2011. Under The Influence Volume 1 was compiled by Red Gregg. Featuring a plethora of soul, funk and disco, Under The Influence Volume 1 was one of the most popular compilations of soul, funk and disco released during 2011. Record buyers eagerly awaited Volume 2.
When Under The Influence Volume 2 was released in 2012, there was a change of compiler. This time Paul Phillips was responsible for what was billed “a collection of rare soul and disco.” It actually went further. There was everything from soul, funk, disco and 80s club boogie. When I reviewed Under The Influence Volume 2, I remarked that it wasn’t as good as Volume One. Cue the soul mafia sharpening their knives. The equivalent of emails written in green pencil came my way. However, I speak as I find. That was the case with Under The Influence Volume 3.
Under The Influence Volume 3 was released in 2013. Again, there was another change of compiler. I was pleased by this. A change of compiler ensures a compilation doesn’t became stale. James Glass was responsible for this latest “collection of rare soul and disco.” The change of compiler worked well and The Influence series was back on track. Luckily for me, the soul mafia didn’t need to draw arms this time round. There were neither threatening letters nor fatwas. Everything was rosy in the Under The Influence garden. However, will that be the case with Under The Influence Volume 4?
For Under The Influence Volume 4, there is a a new compiler. Nick The Record takes over compiling duties on Under The Influence Volume 4. Nick is responsible for compiling the latest in the Under The Influence series. That’s to give it its full title Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record.
I was going to say that Nick The Record has been busy. That’s an understatement. He has been on a crate digging expedition extraordinaire. Nick has been in search of hidden gems. Digging deep into his crates, Nick has come up with some of the rarest disco, funk and boogie. Over the two discs on Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record, the listener is introduced to a platter of musical delights.
The delighted awaiting discovery on Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record included Boogsie, The Family Tree, Jean Adebambo, Wild Fire, Leston Paul, Santth, Shelbra Deane, Ronnie Jones, Charlie Mike Sierra and State Of Grace. There’s many more awaiting discovery on Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record. You’ll realise that when I pick the highlights of Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record. Before that, I’ll briefly tell you about Nick The Record.
Like many people within music, Nick The Records music has been consumed by music. He caught the music bug early in his life and it has never left him. During his life, his musical tastes have changed and evolved.
During the eighties, Nick was listening to hip hop and house. Then Nick decided to trace the origins of the music used in hip hop. This lead him to soul, funk, rare groove and rare disco. Before long Nick was discovering musical history. For him, this was a voyage of discovery. It also lead to Nick making his living out of music.
For the last thirty-five years Nick has been buying records. This lead to Nick selling records for twenty-five years. This allows to continue to search for that elusive piece of vinyl. After all, record collecting is all about the search for that elusive record, especially disco. Nick The Record is an expert in all things’s disco. That’s reflected on Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record. However, there’s more to Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record that disco.
Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record is a compilation that reflects Nick’s record collection and his musical taste. The twenty tracks are also a reflection of one of Nick The Record’s DJ sets. These twenty tracks feature a mixture of familiar faces and hidden gems. I’ll now pick my ten highlights of Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record.
Boogsie’s Can’t You See Me opens disc one of Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record. Can’t You See Me is a track from Boogsie’s 1979 album Phase2. Released in Trinidad and Tobago by Sharc Productions, Phase2 was Boogsie’s only album. Featuring soul and funk with a Latin twist, one of Phase2’s highlights was Can’t You See Me.
Proton Plus released Pay Up back in 1981. This was their sophomore single. Released on the Yew Wood label, Proton Plus is best described as post disco with a soulful side. Essentially, it’s boogie, the genre that filled the void left by disco. Rather than the original version of Proton Plus, Nick The Record has flicked over to the B-Side and given the Remixed Rhythm Track a welcome airing.
Bill Campbell is a UK based singer, songwriter and producer. He released Boogie All Night as a single in 1980. Released on Union Records, Bill was part of the first wave of British boogie. Boogie All Night is funky, soulful and dance-floor friendly. So much so, that you’ll Boogie All Night.
Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record is a bit like a magical musical mystery tour. Wild Fire were a Barbados based group. They released Try Making Love as a single on WIRL in 1977. The twelve inch version of Try Making Love was released on Strakers Recordings. It’s a real fusion of includes and genres. Disco, funk, soul and even a hint of psychedelia shine through on Try Making Love.
Leston Paul’s What A Surprise is a track from his 1983 debut album The Arrival. Released on the Barbados based Ibiris Records, The Arrival was a genre melting album. There’s everything from elements of electronica, funk and soul. Hailed as innovative upon its release, The Arrival sunk without trace. Three decades later, The Arrival is a prized possession among record collectors. One of The Arrival’s highlights and delights is What A Surprise.
Disc Two.
Sugar and Spice’s The Beast opens disc two of Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record. The Beast was released as a single on the much missed Philly Town Records in 1982. This was three years after Sugar and Spice released the hugely underrated You’re My Sugar, You’re My Spice on West End Records. Music had changed in three intervening years. Boogie replaced disco as the music of choice amongst DJs and dancers. Despite this, Sugar and Spice had kept their finger on the musical pulse. Whilst there’s elements of disco during the instrumental version The Beast, boogie shines through. As a result, the instrumental version of The Beast is one of the highlights of Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record.
Skye released Ain’t No Need as single way back in 1976. Released on Anada Records, it’s a track that’s been ripe for a remix since the day it came out. Sadly, that’s never happened to this glorious melange of funk, soul and disco. The closes thing is the DJ Nick The Record part and & 2 Re-united Re-Edit. Both the original and long version on the B-Side are transformed into something mightier than the individual parts.
Shelbra Deane released You Move Me as a promo on Muscle Shoals Sound Records. It was produced by Muscle Shoals legend Roger Hawkins and also Gino Soccio. They had the Midas Touch. You Move Me was then picked up by T.K. Disco. A driving, slice of funky, soulful music from Muscle Shoals.
The futuristic, proto boogie of Charlie Mike Sierra came to the attention of discerning music lovers back in 1977. His debut and only album, On The Moon was like nothing around. Especially the title-track. It’s an irresistible hidden gem. Futuristic, with sci-fi sounds and a pulsating beat, you’ll find yourself pressing play time and again.
My final choice from Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record is Blackway and Helene’s Music For Us. This slice of Italo Disco is the perfect way to close Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record. Released on Moon Records International in 1982, the version chosen is the iInstrumental version. It’s a memorable reminder of the heyday of Italo Disco from some of its finest exponents.
That’s the story of the latest addition to the Under The Influence series. Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record is, without doubt, the best of the four volumes. There’s no filler whatsoever. Instead, Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record is chock full of quality music.
As one great song finishes, another begins. Just when you think you’ve heard the highlight of Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record, you’re forced to think again. Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record is an eclectic selection of floor-fillers. Some of them are familiar faces, others hidden gems. Boogie, disco, electronica, funk, Italo Disco and soul can all be found on Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record. They sit happily side-by-side on Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record, the latest on ZR Records Under The Influence series.
Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record will be out on 8th October 2014. For anyone who likes their music funky, soulful and dance-floor friendly, then Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record is a must have. Don’t just take it from me, pick up a copy of Under The Influence Volume 4-Compiled By Nick The Record. You won’t regret it.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE VOLUME 4-COMPILED BY NICK THE RECORD.
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