Various Artists – Tropical Disco Records, Vol. 8

Tropical Disco have made a remarkable impression on contemporary disco, earning global notoriety with infectious edits and a distinctive, far-reaching sound that’s caught the ear of heavyweight selectors including Marshall Jefferson and Soul Clap. Their output hasn’t gone unnoticed: with Volume 7 hitting number 1 in sales at Deejay and two digital releases this year reaching Traxsource number one slot, and a string of consistently successful 2018 releases continuing to receive substantial airplay, 2019 is Tropical Disco’s year. Sartorial quickly generates an inexorable momentum with ‘Key Me Up’, a propulsive cut based around a highly infectious piano riff, offset by swirling synthesizers. Moodena swiftly follows with ‘Dumplings Over Flowers’, a fluid exhibition of studio mastery that’s driven by a gnarly bass guitar part, quickly joined by classy keys and epic saxophone. Each element blended with a glittering synergy, Moodena puts forward the most organic and effortless track on the record. ‘Vamos Baby’, from Mexican producer and label newcomer Sould Out, is a more than worthy addition to the Tropical Disco catalogue. An unruly bassline underpins a futuristic disco sound that arouses hedonistic sentiments, with the slick addition of classy vocal chops (‘come on, baby!’) sealing the deal. Peak-time at Barbarella’s, this would absolutely boot – enough said! Label heads Moodena and Sartorial team up for ‘Come Get It’, a certified DJ tool that’s anything but simple. Whispering vocals, flashy piano and a frenzied bassline make for a cerebral mix of tender-loving filth and swish sign off to the EP.