The ever-dependable BBE has delivered another brilliant release courtesy of everyone’s favourite Frenchman, the inimitable Dimitri From Paris. In what is his fifth compilation with the powerhouse London label, Get Down With The Philly Sound sees Dimitri in his element. He’s compiled a two-disc collection of some of his essential disco-era tracks – all originating from Philadelphia – that created and defined the sound of disco.

Disc one sees ‘The Originals’ by the likes of Teddy Pendergrass, Carl Bean, John Davis & The Monster Orchestra and Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes take pride of place, while on disc two – ‘The Reworks’ – Dimitri demonstrates his enduring talent for the subtle edit. He re-works five of the original multi-track tapes of revered Philly production duo Gamble and Huff with a further four being edited from the original two-track stereo masters.

Admirers of American remix pioneer Tom Moulton will love this compilation. Indeed, Dimitri has admitted Moulton is the reason the whole project got off the ground. Throughout the 1970s, Moulton was responsible for mixing down some of the biggest hits of the disco era including those by Melba Moore, The O’Jays, First Choice and Loleatta Holloway, in doing so coining the term ‘A Tom Moulton Mix’. Here on ‘Get Down With The Philly Sound’, his influence is hard to miss, with Philly Devotions’ ‘Hurt So Bad’ a notable standout.

Standouts are somewhat difficult to pinpoint, however, on what is an altogether fantastic release from the Barely Breaking Even stable. The Jacksons’ Living Together embodies the spirit of the ‘70s, a time when the likes of The Salsoul Orchestra and The Trammps delivered hit after hit. Dimitri From Paris’s track selection is as much an acknowledgment of the enduring quality of this special music as it is a reminder of how much it continues to influence contemporary music today.

In an age of nameless WAV files, BBE are one of a shrinking number of independent labels still putting significant effort into making the CD a tangible experience. The 32-page booklet accompanying this compilation includes an intro from Dimitri From Paris (where he interestingly begins with the words ‘I used to really hate disco’) in addition to a brief history of disco courtesy of Million Dollar Disco owner and fellow contemporary disco interpreter Al Kent. Fantastic photographs dating back to the late 1960s are also included as well as select quotes from the likes of Sigma Sound Studios founder and owner Joe Tarsia.

Get Down With The Philly Sound will please disco devotees and novices alike. Perhaps most important, however, is the fact BBE and Dimitri From Paris have ensured ‘The Sound Of Philadelphia’ will continue to be heard by a new generation of music lovers. Five stars.

Get Down With The Philly Sound is out now on BBE through Inertia.