TIMMY THOMAS 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Timmy Thomas' Why Can't We Live Together is a timeless soul classic that got some remix treatment in 1981. Originally released in 1972, the track's message of unity and love is still relevant today, and Liebrand's remixes gave it a modern disco edge that appealed to new listeners fans of dance music. The story, according to Ben Liebrand himself, goes: "This is a mashup/bootleg mix of Timmy Thomas and T-Connection's At Midnight made by yours truly. The Belgian record company 'took' this mix, had this Mike sing on top of it and released it as their own. When people started to realize the 'origins' of this mix, the company re-recorded everything, fed the new versions amongst the illegal versions, and thus conveniently obscured the amount of 'bootleg-versions' sold." If you're a fan of Timmy Thomas or Ben Liebrand, or if you're just looking for some rare disco and dance music, then you need to check out these mixes.

Review: Second time around for Late Nite Tuff Guy's popular rework of Timmy Thomas' anti-war classic, "Why Can't We Live Together", which first appeared in stores four years ago. This time round it's been issued on striking yellow vinyl, though the track listing remains the same. The Australian's revision is undeniably aimed at contemporary dancefloors, with Thomas' impassioned vocals and lo-fi organ motifs sitting atop a lolloping, pared-back disco-house groove. It's undeniably effective and done rather tastefully, though some listeners will still prefer Thomas' original version. Happily, that's been included on side A so you get the best of both worlds.

Review: It's been a while since Timmy Thomas's big stepping funk smash "Why Can't We Live Together" on TK Disco but the wait has been worth it. This new three tracker is a steamy and full flavour offering of afro tinged cosmic disco, gospel and more. "Africano" has bass to die for and tripped out guitar riffs that keep things freaky. "Funky Me" is a more lo-fi jam straight from the heart of a steamy jungle but the winning tune for us is the heartbreakingly bare and honest gospel lament of "Why Can't We Live Together". It's drenched in melancholy and is beautifully raw.

Review: Timmy Thomas, sometimes known as The Magician, frequently regarded as one of the most sampled men beyond the Brown franchise, he's been referenced by everyone from Drake to Dilla to MC Hammer. Here we find two of his most well known cuts, both taken from his 1972 album, Why Can't We Live Together. There's a wry cosmic sheen weaving and shimmering in the background of the soaking wet Afrofunk groove of "Africano" while the keys of "Why Can't We Live Together" instantly hit with a soul you've heard, felt and loved in so many contexts. Certified classic.

Review: Last year, legendary disco label T.K released a pair of 12" singles featuring fresh Todd Terje reworks of classic material from K.C & The Sunshine Band. It was such a success that they've decided to repeat the exercise, recruiting Aussie rework specialist Late Night Tough Guy to breathe new life into Timmy Thomas' impassioned anti-war record and the recent subject of sped-up sampling by Drake, "Why Can't We Live Together". Typically, his version is built around a lolloping, disco-friendly house groove, onto which the original record's killer organs and vocals sit. It's tastefully done and hugely playable, of course, though some disco DJs will still prefer to reach for Thomas' impeccable original. Handily, T.K has included that heartfelt slice of soul brilliance on the A-side.

Review: Newsflash: we can't handle Jerry Washington's love. But we sure can handle his fiery soul! Armed with just a touch of jazz on the fills and chorus, there's an upbeat, insistent energy to this Glades reissue that happened to be one of his last singles. Meanwhile on the B, fellow Glades alumni Timmy Thomas winds us right down with much more of a sensual soul ballad in the form of the swooning "What They Can't See". Two stunning sides of soul for two very different occasions; Suncut deliver the goods once again.