Last August’s Philly Re-Grooved set stood above most dance-oriented compilations because, rather than just rope together old tunes, the original master tapes were given to 12” single pioneer Tom Moulton to work further magic, like he’s done on over 5,000 tracks over the last 40 years. Refraining from adding new parts, Moulton brought up original elements, stretched middle eights and boosted the glittering orchestral skyscrapers and celestial melodies of 70s Philly Groove classics, rewarded with a specialist hit album for his trouble.
Studio geniuses originally at work on the equally fabulous follow-up’s selection include Reid Whitelaw, Thom Bell, Norman Harris, Stan Watson, Bobby Eli, Touch Of Class and Alan Felder. Minor revelations abound, such as the luscious new intro to First Choice’s immortal Smarty Pants; an electric piano excursion invading The Quickest Way Out’s Who Am I; or a previously-buried break propelled to the forefront of Ultra-High Frequency’s Incompatible. Terry Collins’ ultra-scarce Action Speaks Louder Than Words is hotwired to triple its previous length to emerge like a sparkling new funky-soul anthem.
Perfectly complemented by veteran Disco935 DJ Jay Negron’s sleevenotes, this gorgeous project provides a scintillatingly fresh slant on dance compilations, showing one of the original trailblazers from that immortal era not losing – but still using – his magic touch.
