SOUL OF SYDNEY #430: PHIL TOKE @ SYDNEY FESTIVAL at the SOUL OF SYDNEY showcase featuring OYOBI | Jan 2025.

This extended opening set starts with a special homage to our Lebanese roots, featuring the timeless voice of Fairouz opening up the venue before weaving into rare groove, soul, and slowly building the dancefloor with funk, disco, and a touch of hip hop goodness.

Recorded live on the beautiful wharf dancefloor at Moonshine, Walsh Bay, for Sydney Festival in January 2025, our own Lebanese soul brother Phil Toke sets the tone as people arrive slowly warming up the exposed timber dancefloor for the incredible Oyobi, who followed with their live showcase.

Much love and respect to the team at KATMA for inviting us to soundtrack the afterparty for their dance showcase.

We covered some musical ground for this one, check out the playlist below:

Track List |

1. Fairouz – Al Bint El Shalabiya

2. Jamiroquai – Corner of the Earth

3. Marvin Gaye – I Want You (John Morales Mix)

4. Terry Callier – Holdin’ On to Your Love

5. Al Johnson – I’m Back for More

6. Bionic Boogie – Hot Butterfly (Remix)

7. Average White Band – I’m the One

8. Hubert Laws – Family

9. Deodato – Pina Colada

10. Attic Tree – Voar

11. Sivuca – Ain’t No Sunshine

12. The Isley Brothers & Studio Rio – It’s Your Thing (Rework)

13. The Brides of Funkenstein – Disco to Go (Mothership Reconnection)

14. The J.B.’s & Fred Wesley – Funky & Some

15. The Honey Drippers – Impeach the President

16. Michael McDonald – I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)

17. Warren G & Nate Dogg – Regulate

18. Skee-Lo – I Wish

19. De La Soul – Breakadawn (Remix)

20. James Brown – The Payback Pt. 1

21. Maceo & the Macks – Cross the Tracks (We Better Go Back)

22. Fred Wesley – House Party

23. Edwin Starr – I Just Wanna Do My Thing

24. The Stone Roses – Fools Gold

Big LOVE.

PHIL TOKE @ SPIRIT OF HOUSE TRIBUTE Jul 2025 | 90's House & Garage Vibes | SOUL OF SYDNEY #429

PHIL TOKE – Spirit of House Tribute • July 2025

Soulful House Classics • 90s House • Garage Vibes

Longtime Soul of Sydney resident Phil Toke returns with a deep, uplifting mix packed full of soulful house gems, 90s house anthems, and garage grooves that defined an era. From warm vocal hooks and jazzy keys to classic NYC and UK club sounds, this set captures the spirit of house music at its most timeless and emotional.

Expect lush melodies, feel-good rhythms, and deep, dancefloor energy — a tribute to the golden years of house music, delivered with Phil’s signature flow and deep musical knowledge.

Perfect listening for lovers of classic Defected, Masters at Work, Grant Nelson, early Strictly Rhythm and Frankie Knuckles era sounds.

Stephen Allkins (Love Tattoo) Live at SPIRIT OF HOUSE Tribute July 6, 2025 | SOUL OF SYDNEY #428

Sydney legend in full effect! For fans of Feel-Good Funk, House, Garage & Disco, here’s a special live recording from Stephen Allkins—the original “Mr. Disco” and mastermind behind [Love] Tattoo. Clocking in at two hours, this set captures a deep dive into the soulful heart of Sydney dance culture, recorded live on the Greenwood dancefloor at our beloved SPIRIT OF HOUSE tribute.

A massive THANK YOU to everyone who came down to the SPIRIT OF HOUSE jam. This beautiful community is what makes these parties so special. We’re proud to share the first of our live recordings from the event—a set from a true Sydney original, Stephen Allkins, also known as Love Tattoo.

Stephen’s legacy is woven through decades of Australian club culture. Starting his journey in 1978, he played a crucial role in bringing disco—and later house music—to Sydney’s underground. Affectionately called “Mr. Disco,” his legendary record collection, adventurous selections, and pioneering sets broke new ground across the city’s gay clubs, warehouse parties, and iconic venues, inspiring generations of selectors and dancers alike.

As a producer, Stephen’s releases as Love Tattoo pushed Australian dance music onto the international map. His single “History of Disco” was an instant classic, and “Bass Has Got Me Movin’” in 2001 earned ARIA nominations and global attention for its soulful, modern spin on house and disco. With a career spanning over 40 years, his contribution to the evolution of disco and house music in this city is unmatched.

This two-hour mix, recorded on the fly at Greenwood Hotel for the SPIRIT OF HOUSE tribute party, dives deep into early house, uplifting garage, and those soulful, grooving disco vibes that have come to define Sydney’s dancefloors.

Track Listing (incomplete):

1. Juliet Roberts – Caught in the Middle (David Morales Def Classic 12″ Mix), Cooltempo, 1994

2. Unknown – Never Giving Up on Love, Unknown Label, Unknown Year

3. Grace Jones – Feel Up (Danny Tenaglia Remix), Island Records, \~1994

4. Roxy – Love to Do It (Danny Tenaglia Mix), Unknown Label, Unknown Year

5. Inner City – Good Life (Steve “Silk” Hurley Remix), 10 Records/Virgin, 1988

6. Nicole McCloud – Rock the House, Oceana Records, 1989

7. A Guy Called Gerald – Voodoo Ray, Rham! Records, 1988

8. River Ocean feat. India – Love and Happiness (Yemaya y Ochun – 12″ Remix), Strictly Rhythm, 1994

9. Funky Green Dogs – Reach for Me, Murk/Tribal America, 1992

10. Unknown – Let There Be Love (In Your Life), Unknown Label, Unknown Year

11. Eileen Flores – Gotta Have Your Love (Remix), Sleeping Bag Records, 1987

12. Blaze – If You Should Need a Friend (Friendship Mix), Quark/Debut, 1987

13. The Absolute feat. Suzanne Palmer – There Will Come a Day (Epic Gospel Remix), Tribal America/UK, 1995

14. George Morel – This Is My Party (Bitch Get Out – Sound Factory Remix), Strictly Rhythm, 1994

15. MD X‑Spress – God Made Me Phunky, Hi-Life Recordings, 1994

16. Lorimer, Mijangos & Vision – What You Doing to Me, Cutting Records, 1996

17. Mariah Carey – Dreamlover (Def Club Mix), Columbia Records, 1993

18. Sunkids feat. Chance – Rise Up (Rework), Soundmen on Wax, 1999

19. The Two Tons – I Got the Feeling, Fantasy Records, 1980

20. George Morel – A Groove Thang, Groovilicious, 1996

21. Voices – Voices in My Mind (CJ Mackintosh Mix), Sound of Ministry, 1994

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Recorded at SPIRIT OF HOUSE TRIBUTE PARTY (A Celebration of 30+ Years of House Music & Its Disco Roots) \ Updates at the nex party > Info at www.soulofsydney.org/spiritofhouse

SOUL OF SYDNEY PODCAST #427: Our special guest playing the legendary Nudge Nudge Wink Wink parties up in Northern NSW near Byron Bay, dropping a dope selection of high-powered DISCO SOULFUL HOUSE vibes in the shed for the closing set in June 2019.

We would have loved to be there for this one, the parties are some of the finest in Australia, pure music heads hosted by our good friends at Cunning Stunts. Check out the page for upcoming parties if you are ever up in the region for a dope afternoon.

https://cunningstunts.com.au/

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While Stephen Allkins is in Sydney, we are lucky to be able to have him play the SPIRIT OF HOUSE tribute jam next month in July.

Check out the mix and come down and enjoy the vibe as we pay homage to 30+ years of house music with an afternoon of SOULFUL HOUSE classics, 90's House & a solid dose of DISCO ROOTS.

Sunday, July 6 @ 2pm at GREENWOOD HOTEL (North Sydney)

Info at www.soulofsydney.org/spiritofhouse

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About STEPHEN ALLKINS :

‘New York had Larry Levan, Chicago had Ron Hardy, Sydney has, Stephen Allkins..’

It is safe to say that Stephen Allkins aka [love] tattoo could rightly claim the trademark of “Mr.Disco”, his extensive record collection & his infamous sets over the years.

Stephen Allkins—aka [Love] Tattoo—is an undisputed icon of Australian dance music. A DJ, producer, and pioneer, he has been shaping the sound of disco and house music in Australia since the late 1970s, laying the foundations for the vibrant club culture that followed. From the earliest disco nights in Sydney’s gay clubs to underground warehouse parties and mainroom raves, Stephen’s sound has consistently pushed boundaries and inspired generations.

Affectionately known as “Mr. Disco,” Stephen began DJing in 1978, spinning vinyl in a scene still forming its identity. He was among the first in Sydney to champion disco and later house music, earning a reputation as the “DJ’s DJ” for his impeccable selections, deep crates, and intuitive ability to work a dancefloor. His sets were spiritual experiences, blending deep disco grooves, vocal house, and electronic soul with an effortless mastery that helped define the sound of a city.

As [Love] Tattoo, Stephen stepped into the studio and brought his musical vision to life with a series of genre-defining releases that bridged the golden era of disco with the pulse of modern house. His breakout single “History of Disco” (2001)—a lush, soulful tribute co-produced with Paul Mac—was quickly signed by Pete Tong to Essential Records and released on the legendary UK label ffrr. The track resonated internationally and marked Allkins as not just a DJ, but a gifted producer with a reverence for dance music’s roots.

Today, Stephen Allkins stands as one of the most important figures in Australia’s dance music history. His influence is felt in every corner of the scene—from crate-digging selectors and disco revivalists to mainstage house DJs and producers. With over four decades of contributions behind him, his legacy continues to inspire the next wave of artists and dancers alike.

We are honoured to welcome him back to play the SPIRIT OF HOUSE tribute parties again at one of the seminal homes of the sound through the 90s.

About the SPIRIT OF HOUSE:

Spirit of House is a tribute party paying homage to an era of house that sits close to our hearts, a platform to get down to SOULFUL HOUSE sounds of 90s & 2000’s & 90’s House classics & of course the disco roots that form the foundation of that sound.

Sydney house ICON DJ STEPHEN ALLKINS playing the closing M

A 3+ hour excusion of deeper vocal and soulful house vibes, tribal and disco light to close out MY HOUSE IS YOUR HOUSE

at Mullumbimby Leageues Club back in May 2018.

Sharing some of the amazing sets from an icon of HOUSE & DISCO in Sydney ahead of his party set this Sunday at SPIRIT OF HOUSE.

Catch STEPHEN ALLKINS @ SPIRIT OF HOUSE TRIBUTE PARTY / Sunday Jul 6 @ Greenwood Hotel.

An afternoon of 90's House / Souful House Classics & Disco Roots Hosted by SOUL OF SYDNEY DJ's & Fallen Disco DJ's.

Music by STEPHEN ALLKINS [Love Tattoo], Phil Toke, Adrian Benedek, RSF, + Paulie & Harris (Club Azucar)

Hosted by Mike Champion

Tix and info at www.soulofsydney.org/spiritofhouse

Stone cold tribal stomper that was massive around the world, from our special guest STEPHEN ALLKINS aka LOVE TATTOO.

Catch him at SPIRIT OF HOUSE Tribute Party, Sunday July 6 2025 playting at GREENWOOD HOTEl.

Info at www.soulofsydney.org/spiritofhouse

SOUL OF SYDNEY PODCAST #425: Our special guest playing the legendary Nudge Nudge Wink Wink parties up in Northern NSW near Byron Bay, dropping a dope selection of high-powered DISCO SOULFUL HOUSE vibes in the shed.

We would have loved to be there for this one, the parties are some of the finest in Australia, pure music heads hosted by our good friends at Cunning Stunts. Check out the page for upcoming parties if you are ever up in the region for a dope afternoon.

https://cunningstunts.com.au/

-

While Stephen Allkins is in Sydney, we are lucky to be able to have him play the SPIRIT OF HOUSE tribute jam next month in July.

Check out the mix and come down and enjoy the vibe as we pay homage to 30+ years of house music with an afternoon of SOULFUL HOUSE classics, 90's House & a solid dose of DISCO ROOTS.

Sunday, July 6 @ 2pm at GREENWOOD HOTEL (North Sydney)

Info at www.soulofsydney.org/spiritofhouse

-

About STEPHEN ALLKINS :

‘New York had Larry Levan, Chicago had Ron Hardy, Sydney has, Stephen Allkins..’

It is safe to say that Stephen Allkins aka [love] tattoo could rightly claim the trademark of “Mr.Disco”, his extensive record collection & his infamous sets over the years.

Stephen Allkins—aka [Love] Tattoo—is an undisputed icon of Australian dance music. A DJ, producer, and pioneer, he has been shaping the sound of disco and house music in Australia since the late 1970s, laying the foundations for the vibrant club culture that followed. From the earliest disco nights in Sydney’s gay clubs to underground warehouse parties and mainroom raves, Stephen’s sound has consistently pushed boundaries and inspired generations.

Affectionately known as “Mr. Disco,” Stephen began DJing in 1978, spinning vinyl in a scene still forming its identity. He was among the first in Sydney to champion disco and later house music, earning a reputation as the “DJ’s DJ” for his impeccable selections, deep crates, and intuitive ability to work a dancefloor. His sets were spiritual experiences, blending deep disco grooves, vocal house, and electronic soul with an effortless mastery that helped define the sound of a city.

As [Love] Tattoo, Stephen stepped into the studio and brought his musical vision to life with a series of genre-defining releases that bridged the golden era of disco with the pulse of modern house. His breakout single “History of Disco” (2001)—a lush, soulful tribute co-produced with Paul Mac—was quickly signed by Pete Tong to Essential Records and released on the legendary UK label ffrr. The track resonated internationally and marked Allkins as not just a DJ, but a gifted producer with a reverence for dance music’s roots.

Today, Stephen Allkins stands as one of the most important figures in Australia’s dance music history. His influence is felt in every corner of the scene—from crate-digging selectors and disco revivalists to mainstage house DJs and producers. With over four decades of contributions behind him, his legacy continues to inspire the next wave of artists and dancers alike.

We are honoured to welcome him back to play the SPIRIT OF HOUSE tribute parties again at one of the seminal homes of the sound through the 90s.

About the SPIRIT OF HOUSE:

Spirit of House is a tribute party paying homage to an era of house that sits close to our hearts, a platform to get down to SOULFUL HOUSE sounds of 90s & 2000’s & 90’s House classics & of course the disco roots that form the foundation of that sound.

Licensed To – EMI Music Australia

Distributed By – EMI Music Group Australasia

Manufactured By – EMI Music Group Australasia

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Hussle Recordings

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Whatever productions

Pressed By – Digital Audio Technologies Australia

Published By – Universal Music Publishing

Published By – Copyright Control

Published By – Mushroom Music

Recorded At – Festival Studios

Mastered At – dB Mastering

Arranged By – Stephen Allkins

Artwork – One Of A Kind (2)

Mastered By [Initial Mastering] – Kathy Naunton

Photography By – Harold David

Programmed By, Keyboards – Justin Shave

Written-By – Macainsh* (tracks: 3), Shave*, Allkins*

A rare Stephen Allkins edit of REN WOOD's - Everybody Get Up (1979) is a stone cold disco stomper we have been playing for years.

We are excited to welcome SYDNEY DISCO ICON, STEPHEN ALLKINS to the next SPIRIT OF HOUSE Tribute Party on Jul 6 at Greenwood Hotel.

Join us at www.soulofsydney.org/spiritofhouse

Love Tattoo* – History Of Disco Pt 2 a release from Sydney DISCO ICON STEPHEN ALLKINS aka [Love] Tattoo out on Tape to Tape in 1999.

https://www.discogs.com/release/1630864-Love-Tattoo-History-Of-Disco-Pt-2

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Catch Stephen Allkins at SPIRIT OF HOUSE tribute party Sunday July 6 @ Greenwood Hotel. Info at www.soulofsydney.org/spiritofhouse

#stephenallkins