In rotation

Disco Not Disco Post Punk, Electro & Leftfield Disco Classics 1974–1986

Compiling the mutant disco genre has been done before; that downtown gallery punk-funk of early ’80s New York and London has been covered. Here, on a third volume in the series, Strut reveals more of the breadth of the post-punk disco explosion with a combination of rarities and cornerstone cuts. Skronk-dance classic “Contort Yourself” need not be included here—even in an August Darnell remix form. It’s the unsung acts who are more interesting. Jazz fusionists Isotope (not the Chicago dudes) deliver “Crunch Cake” and seminal Belgian act Liaisons Dangereuses gets its due. Underrated Gang of Four spin-off Shriekback is here, but unfortunately so is the plodding A Number of Names. It’s good dance-punk background and it doesn’t get more relevant.

Gilles Peterson: In the House

With his boundless love for all things funky, jazzy and life-affirming, Gilles Peterson—the man who brought us the acid-jazz revival—commands a worldwide radio audience. On previous mixes, Peterson has gone a bit light with lots of curious side dishes and paltry main courses. Not the case on this three-disc set, as Peterson rips into the jazzy funk of Mass Production, disco of Cerrone and boogie from Heatwave. Elsewhere, he shows his house-savvy persona with the Afro-house of Deetron, choice tunes from Wahoo along with Phlash and Friends. It’s deep, but overflows with Peterson’s signature optimistic energy. Plus, he does Chicago proud with Mike Dunn’s “This Here Is House Muzik.”

Maiden Voyage

The jazzy and soulful side of Germany’s electronic-dance scene can trace some of its midperiod Blue Note worship to Maiden Voyage, a long-running, influential club night that’s been grooving in Munich since 1993. Members of Jazzanova have, of course, passed through and Rainer Trüby is one of the party’s current residents. Jazz, soul and Brazilian beats join boogie and downbeat disco on the playlist. The light R&B selections on this premiere comp are simply devastating. Laid-back, easygoing vibes predominate over funk bass, heavy strings on tracks from Diana Ross with Nile Rodgers, Cameo and boogie master James Mason. And yes, that is the same Toto easing us along on “Georgy Porgy.”

The Sound of the Eighth Season

Few DJs, German or otherwise, can claim the influence of Sven Väth, founder of Harthouse and big dog at Ibiza’s Cocoon club. On two discs, Väth checks in with off-kilter, next-wave minimal, melodic techno and techno-house to commemorate the eighth season of Ibizan madness. It plays like a State of the Union for the techno underworld. He’s got those summer hits—remixes from Claude Von Stroke, Jonas Kopp, Isolée and Carl Craig—and tracks from Jamie Jones and Alter Ego. Ironically, the “Freak” disc isn’t as weird as the “Show” disc.