Funkmasters / Shining Star: Love Money / The Stranger 12"

Ahh, the deep shit... two perverted disco joints that should be required listening for anybody whose disco appreciation begins and ends with Saturday Night Fever. The early '80s UK rarity "Love Money" by the T.W. Funkmasters is a certified Garage classic (Larry Levan even jacked it for his own production "Love Honey"), and also a bit of a slept on b-boy joint (Crazy Legs once bugged out when I played this on some "I haven't heard this record in 20 years!" type shit). With no more than some squelchy synth squiggles and on-point Chic-style rhythm guitar for a melody, the Funkmasters crafted one of the greatest minimal dance records ever, and also a key transitional disco/electro track (early '80s RIP). An essential record - you need this in your life. On the B, "The Stranger" by (you guessed it) The Stranger, is an epic 10-minute+ Italo-disco odyssey down a very long, dark, and funky alley. Retarded drums & percussion (lots of open breaks too), piano drama, weird synth bidness, & a vaguely audible deep male voice (a la the Skatt Bros. "Walk The Night" - act like you know) mumbling lines like "come here baby... you're only 15?" Just a nasty, nasty track. The original 12's of these are both crazy rare, so good lookin out to Ballroom again.

• music label: Ballroom 2003

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