Hello from a hot and sunny London, and I've just celebrated taking our first steps out of lockdown by going up into the loft and digging out a box of 12" vinyl disco classics. I've chosen the lesser-played versions of these mega-hits: some from the original days of disco, and some which have been produced more recently. Overall I feel the set has quite a silky, orchestral feel to it, including Joey Negro's delicately balanced rendering of strings, pianos, vocal harmonies and loving breakdowns of the O'Jays "I love music", Bebu Silvetti's crazy keyboard skills and unrivaled disco percussion on his "Spring rain", and my personal set favourite, Dimitri from Paris' epic cinematic Super Disco Orchestra remix of Odyssey's "Native New Yorker". It's an amazing instrumental version, and I was tempted to drop in some of the vocals just for old times' sake, but - well what do you think? This track makes me so happy I just cry every time I hear it. Seriously, I've got a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes right now! Maybe because I was lucky enough to meet Odyssey when I was just a teenager. Somehow I had managed to persuade them to let me interview them for the hospital radio station where I volunteered. They'd done a gig at Nottingham's Rock City and I waited in the foyer of their hotel well into the early hours of the morning to meet them. I'm still so star-struck I've got no idea what I spoke to them about in the interview, but I recall they were charming. Thanks Billie, Lilian and Louisa. So, make some space, invite your five friends and dance, dance, dance, the two metre lock-down special. Thanks to the great DJs, editors and remixers who are also keeping the disco fire burning including Joey Negro, The Reflex, and Disco Purrfection aka DJ Disco Cat. Here's the full tracklist for this set: (1) Love Hangover (Extended Full Mix) DIANA ROSS; (2) Going back to my roots (Joey Negro Disco Blend) ODYSSEY; (3) Cuba (Disco Purrfection) THE GIBSON BROTHERS; (4) Daddy Cool BONEY M; (5) Heaven must be missing an angel (Sh*t Hot Sound System) TAVARES; (6) Funkytown (12" Extended MG Edit) LIPPS INC; (7) That's the way (I like it) (Loshmi Edit) K C & THE SUNSHINE BAND; (8) I love music (Joey Negro Sweet Music Mix) THE O' JAYS; (9) Native New Yorker (Dimitri From Paris' Super Disco Orchestra Remix) ODYSSEY; (10) I will survive (Groovefunkel New Disco Mix) GLORIA GAYNOR; (11) September (The Reflex/DJ S) EARTH WIND & FIRE; (12) Let's all chant (Butch Le Butch Rework) MICHAEL ZAGER BAND; (13) Rapper's Delight (Long Version) THE SUGARHILL GANG; (14) Good Times (Hangover Boss Remix/Original 12" Mix 2006 Remaster) CHIC; (15) Spring Rain (Disco Purrfection) SILVETTI; (16) Nice and Slow (Disco Purrfection) JESSE GREEN; (17) Disco Inferno (Time Capsule Version) THE TRAMMPS; (18) Boogie Wonderland (12" Version) EARTH WIND & FIRE; (19) Devil's Gun (Jayphie's Groove 2016) C J & CO +++++ Every morning during lock-down I've been listening to http://www.discostudio54.com/ which plays the best variety of disco tracks. Recommended! Audiophiles: if you want to enjoy this mix in higher quality 320kbps click through to https://www.mixcloud.com/fmonday/lockdown-disco-classics/ THANKS FOR DOWNLOADING! If you enjoy it, please leave a review on iTunes. And keep in touch at [email protected] Keep well, stay safe, and see you soon. X F*