Review: Various Artists - Partyfine Volume VII - Universalismo (Partyfine)

Yuksek's reputation means that he's got easy access to loads of dancefloor favourites that want to be a part of the most up-to-date Partyfine compilation series and No. 7 has a bumper collection so why not call it 'Universalismo'?

What fantastic artwork to accompli this 13 track compilation (Ed. is that you and Mrs Hectic?) that includes some of our favourites like Tigerbalm (remember 'Profunda Alma' - see review HERE), Partyfine's own Chilam Balam (see review HERE) and, of course, Yuksek himself (check out that video below!)

Yuksek is now known for being a bit of a maverik who loves anything from acid, disco, house, indie, house, Latin, leftfield, synth-pop, world and more.  You certainly get a taste of that in the first three tracks with Tigerbalm's 'Cumbia Calypso' featuring Jimena Angel, 'Ceasy' by Alex Blex and Claap!'s 'Caracas'. 

It's been 20-ish years since Yuksef started out and I remember thinking that his electro based releases on the flamboyant Relish Records were a bit different so you're in for a 'surprise' when he and Chilam Balam get on a Klub mix of Bertand Burgalat's 'Nuit Bleue' that's so 70s disco (with a bit of 'Ring My Bell'n'dub): this is dance music of the Lacey Lady, Room At The Top, Goldmine and Maison Royale 'Nite Club' all rolled into one.

Yuksek also features on the Juveniles' 'Roll With That', his track 'Hyprasesorial' featuring Voyou & Paula as remixed by Bellaire; well it is his label after all.

That said, if you ever get over 'Nuit Bleue', Weekend Affair's 'Promenons-Nous' (Klub Mix) is another Saturday night space boogie banger, like a Wang Chung protege.

The Mang Dynasty remix of Chilam Balam's 'Yaxuma' is a previously unreleased track (and it's black hole heavy!) and there's even time for some more Latin coolness with Invigo's 'Otxie Otxia', Jimena Ángel's 'Llegó La Luz' before finishing on more Claap! (and Destiino) 'Viiens' (set your phazers to 'Acid' and your "ga-ga" to "gou-gou") and chill out to 'Noix De Coco' by Tchiki Boum.

 

An "outstanding collection of tasty disco sounds" indeed but so much more, if you want to impress your friends at a party, fine - if you want to impress yourself, even better.

BUY LINK:: https://partyfine.bfan.link/partyfinevol7

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Partyfine Volume VII - Universalismo

Release date: 21st March, 2025

Label: Partyfine

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Tigerbalm - Profunda Alma (Razor-N-Tape)

This isn't the pain relief that you get in jars to relieve itching, this is 'the' Tigerbalm in total 'Profunda Alma' featuring Joy Tyson.

Razor-N-Tape got all tropical before Xmas with this 5-tracker where Tigerbalm (aka Nicola Robinson) indulges her Afro-Latin obession (as you may guess from the cover artwork).

Renewing the 'International Love Affair' association with Joy Tyson, 'Profunda Alma' is the Rio beach Night Club tension set to the colour abandom of New Year Fireworks; at the disco of course, with cuíca.

Tigerbalm's 'International Love Affair' album attracted some name remixers like Chico Mann, Daniele Baldelli, Emperor Machine and Bustin' Loose (aka Tom Lilly at the Disco Express - see interview HERE) this release is going to get the Make-A-Dance duo, London based Ben Lewis and Josh Ludlow, top of many lists for tripped out dubs.

With the groovey Make-A-Dance Tribal Dub and a Make-A-Dance Acid Mix, this is great 12" for many an occassion.

Not only that, to mis-quote SNL, "More cuíca!"  And that we get with 'Vem Cá' featuring João Selva; with added bonus of a Yuksek remix.  The original sounds like it could have been on the 'new' Brasil of a 'SIM, SIM, SIM' (see review HERE) whilst Yuksek takes it up to the jazzy mainroom and he's the hot name at the moment after the Chilam Balam release last year (see reviw HERE).  Not exact Azymuth/Airto/etc for 'more cuíca!' but it's getting there.

Remember this is the Tigerbalm to take away any new year dancing pain and it's going to last long into the night/year. 

Artist: Tigerbalm

Title: Profunda Alma
Release date: 4th December, 2024
Label : Razor-N-Tape.
Catalog Number : RNTR074
Format :  Digital / Bandcamp LINK https://razor-n-tape.lnk.to/ProfundaAlmaEP