Album Review: Bay Area Disco – Compilation 001
Album Review: Bay Area Disco – Compilation 001
November 23, 2021
Amelia Helland
Amelia Helland reviews the first compilation album by the Bay Area Disco label: “While documenting a dope subset of current Bay Area music producers, this collection of underground dance jams offers crate-digging partiers eclectic inspirations for a night out, as each song is enjoyable and has many sample-worthy elements.”
A compilation by contemporary Bay Area Disco artists was released at the beginning of August this year. Despite being full of independent nu-disco gems that prove promising for the local DJing scene, the album itself is not arranged as an ideal playlist because it fails to provide a fluid acoustic journey between tracks. Nevertheless, this album is surely worth recommending to anyone who likes to collect, consume, or curate disco vinyls, and to anyone who likes to stream or purchase music online (these options are all available on the label’s Bandcamp page).
While documenting a dope subset of current Bay Area music producers, this collection of underground dance jams offers crate-digging partiers eclectic inspirations for a night out, as each song is enjoyable and has many sample-worthy elements. There is impressive attention to detail in the mixing of each song, and they all sound fairly good on a range of speakers, though a handful of songs seem to be more sensitive to changes in speaker quality, for better or worse.
Straightforward disco productions and predictable hits from this album include “Love is All (We Need)” by King Most and “Free” by Switchvilla. “Shock Me” by Disco E has particularly satisfying lyrics and lofi effects, making the song feel deliciously steamy and dynamically spacious; of the bunch, this one is a personal favorite. Steeped in some fresh, funky elements, another likely crowd favorite is “When In Doubt, Funk It Out” by Jazzy Ginger and Matt the Katt, although Soul Drip’s “Do You Wanna Dance” creates the most rich clubhouse ambiance with a well-balanced fusion of Afro-Cuban and blues influences. That said, 3kelves nails a different blues fusion style in “As You Like It” by laying fast Latin keys and soulful vocals over killer guitar riffs, which may be preferred by some. Maratta’s “Giving Up on Love” has mildly poignant lyrics over layers of trippy synth and glittering percussion, while “Get Away” by Taylor Aye, “Stay Cool” by Time Zones, and “Take This Chance” by Brothers in Arms are chill, though potentially less captivating.
With many high points throughout the record, any song could be somebody’s new favorite, and there is most likely something in there for everyone. Overall, the album is interesting and unique, and demonstrates a great breadth of contemporary Bay Area disco sounds. To support Bay Area Disco, show them some love on Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, or IG.
Amelia is a nonbinary fashionista and multidisciplinary artist known for her loving spirit, prescient wisdom, and dry epigrammatic humor. When she isn't working as a data scientist or bonding with cats/community, she enjoys dancing, singing, drumming, drawing, writing, enjoying nature, doing yoga, playing piano, and listening to records.