VA - Red Greg: The Sounds Of Gregory Carmichael (2007)

Gregory Carmichael was a key behind-the-scenes player in the underground disco scene of the '70s as a producer, arranger, instrumentalist and label owner. This double disc set brings together some of the key tracks Carmichael had been involved with. The first disc opens with a trio of cuts by the Universal Robot Band, the outfit Carmichael worked on alongside Patrick Adams. These tracks embody the cosmic disco sound currently revisited by Lindstrom, Prins Thomas et al, and with 'Freak With Me', Carmichael achieves a pretty magical production. The final three pieces on the disc are by Tony Aiken and Future 2000, whose funk manoeuvres are bolstered by some nifty jazz chops. The second disc proves to be a more varied affair taking in the soulful string-led sounds of The Invitations, the whimsical 'Bust That Nut' by the unnervingly monikered Poopee and The NY Squirrels and the helium-enhanced vocals of Bumblebee Unlimited's 'Lady Bug'. A fine retrospective covering some of the defining works by one of disco's unsung heroes.