Carly Simon - Why? (Extended Version) (WEA, 1982)

Euphoric but philosophical disco gem from The Chic Organisation.

The variety of delicious covers of Chic songs prove that Messrs. Rodgers and Edwards were genius songwriters as well as masterful musicians and producers. Not least The Memory Band's rustic version of 'Why' but also Paul Weller's acoustic take on 'Thinking Of You'.

After creating hits for themselves through the late 70s, they became a production team for hire as the 70s turned into the 80s creating some amazing records - 'Spacer' by Sheila B. Devotion, Norma Jean's 'Saturday', Sister Sledge's 'Lost In Music', Diana Ross' 'My Old Piano' - as well as being a massive influence on the likes of New Order.

This one-off single was from a film soundtrack but the skeletal funk, silvery guitar lines, clattering drum sequences, delicious flow and that melody line work perfectly with Carly Simon's vocal. It's seven minutes of bliss.

Download Carly Simon 'Why? (Extended Version)' (Chic, funk, disco, genius, mp3) (Divshare)

The Rolling Stones - Miss You (Special Disco Version) (EMI, 1978)

Bandwagon-chasing pays off.

This Stones-Go-Disco hit is elongated with a prowling, lip-smacking breakdown and build-back-up. The rhythm section is taut and smooth and the feel is reminiscent of Blondie's 'Rapture (Special Disco Mix)'.

From 3'10", the track breaks down to Fender Rhodes, drums and bass. It's sleek like an oiled puma, Jagger whispering, whining and yelping like a constipated diva. It all builds back with some scathing guitar and expressive disco-popping bass and a harmonica solo.

Well syncopated.

Download  The Rolling Stones 'Miss You (Special Disco Version)' (rock-disco-interface) (Box)

Pleasure 'Joyous (DJ Harvey Re-Edit)' (Nuphonic, 2003)

Slinky, sinuous dancefloor jazz action, originally released in 1977. Acceptable sax interlude (skronk).

Is it Rare Groove? Dancefloor Jazz? Funk? Soul Jazz?

DJ Harvey loops and tightens Pleasure's supple 'Joyous' into a total masterpiece. Ten minutes of warm, tense, teasing soulful funk that sits nicely alongside Kenny Dope's 'Can U Handle It' or Polmo Polpo's strung-out version of Arthur Russell's 'Kiss Me Again And Again' via a tense Average White Band guitar.

Opening at breakneck pace, it breaks down into an urgent section section then expands into a vocal breakdown, smooth and soulful. Then it winds up via some unrestrained guitar soloing as the epic, Chic-style strings sweep in. Even the sax is acceptable, veering into a dirty, skronky realm that Ornette Coleman or Albert Ayler would appreciate.

It's a constantly evolving track. Genius.

Download Pleasure 'Joyous (DJ Harvey Re-Edit)' (rare groove, re-edit mp3) (Mediafire)

Polmo Polpo 'Kiss Me Again And Again (TRNWRD Edit)' (Intr.Version, 2005)

Seemingly never-ending alternative disco magic version of the Arthur Russell track.

Polmo Polpo were previously known - to me, anyway - as airy, post-rockers on the Constellation label. This heads-down, locked-groove homage to Arthur Russell is something of a mind-blower. It brings Can's Krautrock disco (mp3) sensibility to the proceedings.

'Kiss Me Again And Again' is akin to the subdued, exploratory disco of Chic's production work - see Shiela B. Devotion's 'Spacer' (mp3) or Loose Joints' 'Is It All Over My Face'. A disco inside your head.

Like all great long records, it shifts subtly, mutating imperceptibly but changing the emphasis. It features locked-in guitars, precise drums, tight bass and percussion with cello and drones moving in and out of focus over the course of the track. It is magical.

I've edited out the closing seven minutes for you here so as not to discourage you from buying the full, unadulterated twenty-one-and-a-half minute version which is still available to buy from Intr.Version or to download from Alien8.

Download Polmo Polpo 'Kiss Me Again And Again (TRNWRD Edit)' (alternative disco mp3 download) (Mediafire)