Album Review: Purple Disco Machine – Soulmatic (2017 LP)

German producer Purple Disco Machine has released his debut studio album Soulmatic and it’s as full of funk and soul as can be. After working with Jamiroquai and Gorillaz, the influences are clear.

The 13-track album starts with “Music in You” featuring Lorenz Rhode and is packed full of vintage disco vibes and that 70’s funk soul. The next track, “Body Funk” continues the funk and disco vibe. This track is the first single from the album and was the #1 most played track on BBC 1 back in May. It has a real Ibiza feel about it.

Purple Disco Machine has collaborated with a wide range of artists on Soulmatic, which gives a good variety of sounds under the disco banner. “Devil in Me” with Joe Killington and Duane Harden is a strong track with dance beats and guitar licks sneaking in. There is a change of pace back to the smooth soul classics with Crush Club featuring on “Take it Easy”. This is an instrumental burner that builds intensity and one is transported to the world of disco lights and glitter balls.

Other collaborators include Faithless, Kool Keith, Bag Raiders and Karen Harding. Baxter whips up a satisfying track appropriately called “Encore” that sums up the feeling of the whole album.

For those that are itching to get their flares, big glasses and oversized medallions and bust some moves on the dance floor this is the perfect treat. Unashamedly schmaltzy without being pretentious, this takes you back to the world of funk and soul.

Review Score: 7 out of 10.

Soulmatic is out now.

Image by Jamie Raeburn.

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