Manzel - Space Funk / Jump Street

Two great, break-fuelled funky sides.
'Space Funk'

'Jump Street'

Eugene Record - Overdose of Joy

So they find this man, he's collapsed in the middle of the room. Robbery is quickly ruled out as the motive because "... on his arm he wears a watch, on his hand he wears a ring and ..." (the clincher) "... around his neck he wears a costly piece of jewellery". A doctor on the scene, sensing the presence of a lady, quickly announces a diagnosis ... yes, "This man is suffering from an overdose of joy". Pure, soulful genius.

Mach - On and On

A cut 'n' paste classic. Originally released in 1980 on the b-side of a bootleg put together by a Miami DJ it features excerpts from Lipps Inc 'Funky Town', Donna Summers 'Bad Girls', Playback 'Space invaders' and Munich Machine 'Get on the Funk Train'. By the mid-1980's, pioneering house DJs had made this an underground club smash in Chicago.



If you haven't seen this amazing DJ Rahaan youtube clip, watch all the way through to see this track smashing the dancefloor 20 years on. And on (beep beep!).

Keep Love Alive Mix - Far Beyond

For everyone that came to party Above the Clouds with us on Friday and all lovers of spaced-out electronic grooves here is a mix to ease you gently down to earth. Containing recent classics from Joey Negro, Larry Heard and Woolfy as well more distant classics from The Rah Band, Francois K and Slam Mode. Switch to autopilot.

Asha Puthli - Space Walk

Mellow cosmic funk from this 1970s Indian film star and disco chanteuse. Popularised by Gilles Peterson towards the end of the 1980's acid jazz scene at Dingwalls, more on him later.

Mos Eisley Bar Scene from Star Wars

Chilling out with the Star Wars box set, love this scene ... Obie-Wan Kinobe says "You'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy" ... looks like the coolest bar in the galaxy!

David Keaton - Space Control

Keeping it electronic, cosmic and camp this one from David Keaton was released in France in 1983 and in the US on Roulette Records.

The Cosmic Sound Orchestra - Fly Some Funk Up To The Moon

The last in a cosmic disco 'Baia Sound' trilogy this week, this originated from Germany in 1978. Slightly bonkers, trippy in parts and apparently another Baldelli play. Hey it's Friday, lets fly some funk right up to the moon!

John Forde - Stardance

This release on Sidewalk records from 1977 seems to be prized for the tracks 'Woman' and 'Don't You You Know Who Did It?' (which is excellent). Both were apparently played by the 'father of comsic disco' Daniele Baldelli and his fans have payed big bucks for the record since. This is the third track on the EP and a lovely spacey disco groove it is too. Much easier to track down on a 7" and you get the bonus of some quite sexy options on sleeve art depending on which release you go for:

Italian ...


... or French?

Enjoy the music.

Ganymed - It Takes You Higher

Ganymed was an Austrian space disco outfit who took their name from an asteroid that looks suspiciously like a huge disco ball. Like a lot of European disco, their music has an electronic feel with camp tendencies. This one from the album 'Takes You Higher' is no exception but it works for me as I hope it does for you. The asteroid is pretty cool too, check it out.

Travis Biggs - Fly Like An Eagle

The Steve Miller Band original of 'Fly Like An Eagle' is a top tune and needs no improvement, although jazz violinist Travis Biggs here takes it in a more funky, cosmic direction and it is a worthy excursion. If you dig this then check the rest of the album, which has been reissued by Soul Jazz, here . It contains a great version of Stevie Wonder's 'I Wish' and a killer groove called 'Tibetan Sirenity'. With thanks to Chas.

War - Flying Machine

Flute-led, jazz dance goodness from War.

Chris Farlowe - Air Travel

Chris Farlowe with a Brit R&B mod fave extolling the virtues of planes and stuff, presumably because in the sixties they had air stewardesses like the ones pictured above. No "Squeezy Jet" either.

DJ Premier - Above The Clouds (instrumental)

Only 6 sleeps to go till take-off for the Keep Love Alive 'Above the Clouds' party so each day we'll post a tune that deals with the party's theme - air travel, space exploration and cosmic love. First up, a good groove from king of the Big Apple beat makers, DJ Premier

Keep Love Alive Mix - Lost Horizons

Another old mix, this one from 2008 that starts with the "David Mancuso Loft classic" Instant House 'Lost Horizons' and meanders through some more recent deep house and/ or 'cosmic' bits and bobs. Hope you enjoy.

Kellee Patterson - I'm Gonna Love You (Just a Little More)

Sexy, funky soul version of the Barry White classic by the delectable Kellee Patterson from the album 'Kellee'



And for good measure another picture, a promo shot from the film 'Demolition Man' courtesy of The Bodega. "Oh baby, you're outta sight!"

Keep Love Alive - Party Time

Its a private affair so email for guest list

Sound Dimension - Granny Scratch Scratch

Obscure funky reggae tunes were popular on the London boogie and rare groove scene in the mid 1980's and the big find was the monster 'Greedy G' on Studio One instrumentals album 'Better Dub'. Shortly afterwards came the discovery of this from the 'Roots Dub' album, recorded by Studio One house band Sound Dimension. Caned by Westwood, amongst others, on his radio show at the time.

Queen Yahna - Ain't It Time

Excellent, conscious 70's disco-soul courtesy of Peter Brown's P&P label.

Melba Moore - Magic Touch

Brilliant northern soul stomper from a young Melba Moore recorded in 1966 although not at first released. In fact The Bobby Fuller Four released a pop version although this pales in comparison with Melba's version. This is a later release (re-issue?) thanks to Chas!

The JB's - My Brother

For my brother, respect.

The Gospelaires of Dayton, O. - God Helps Those Who Help Themselves

Thanks to Sean P for this one.

Keep Love Alive Mix - Go That Deep

Here's a mix from 2008 with the Shara Nelson tune named in the title, Henrik Schwarz of course, Aeroplane and some deep house goodies.

Vince Aletti - The Disco Files

This just arrived and it's a great read. Reports from the disco front line as it was formed on the underground dancefloors of New York and beyond and a must for dance music lovers. Buy it at DJHistory.com here

William Shatner - Rocket Man

Mad version of Elton John's ode to getting high, recorded live on TV by William Shatner

Wendy Rene - Bar-B-Q

Nothing beats a barbie in the sunshine

Milton Wright - Keep It Up

Ooh ooh baby now, keep it up, keep it up ...

The Isley Brothers - Work To Do

A tune also recorded by Main Ingredient and The Average White Band. Brilliant, soulful lyrics for all working men of the world:

I'm taking care of business, woman can't you see
I gotta make it for you, and I gotta make it for me
Sometimes it may seem girl I'm neglecting you
I'd love to spend more time
But I got so many things to do

Oh I'm out here trying to make it, woman can't you see
It takes a lot of money to make it, let's talk truthfully
So keep your love light burning
And a little food hot in my plate
You might as well get used to me coming home a little late, oh

Ooh, I got work to do, I got work baby
I got a job, yeah I got work to do
I got work to do, everybody's got work to do

Arts & Craft - I've Been Searching

It took more than a decade of searching to track this one down, what a tune!

Deniece Williams - Cause You Love Me Baby

Two-step boogie favourite