The Rapture

Tapes is a treasure trove of rare grooves and cult classics spanning three decades, from the late 1970s to 2008. One key thread running through the mix is the evergreen sound of the New York underground, epitomised by classic tunes like Vaughan Mason and Crews 1980 disco-rap milestone Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll and the irresistible beat-pop ditty Im An Indian Too, recorded in 1979 by East Harlems Don Armando and his Second Avenue Rumba Band. NYCs latest clubland stars also make their mark, from Arcade Lover to hip-hop DJ Frogs dazzling robo-funk alter ego, Dances With White Girls.

Another 1980s classic is The Word by Washington DCs Junkyard Band, a funky-fresh blast of vintage Go-Go. Modern-day Chicago is in the mix too, from Get Get Down by DJ-producer Paul Johnson to the electro-soul anthem Say U Will by Cajmere. Mad Mike Banks of the Detroit's Underground Resistance also appears under his Galaxy 2 Galaxy alias, closing the album with a funky marathon of high-tech jazz, Afro Arps and Minimoogs.

Tapes features a selection of European talents too, from the cult 1970s French disco pioneers Martin Circus to modern-day Parisian DJ royalty, including Daft Punk's Thomas Bangaltar and fellow French deep-house icon Kiloo. Meanwhile, the Swedish duo Donk Boys deliver mashed-up sci-fi electronica, Germanys Alter Ego revive the spirit of classic acid-house, and Belgiums Kid Crème transform the 1970s trash-TV show The Six Million Dollar Man into a muscular techno stomp.

Southern soul legends The Bar-Kays are on here. So is the Woodstock veteran Richie Havens, performing an amazing funky-house version of the classic Odyssey hit Back To My Roots.

Alongside tracks by A-list DJ Armand Van Helden and hip-hop superstar Ghostface Killah, Tapes contains cutting-edge electronica from the rising stars of tomorrow. South Africas DJ Mujava and UK-based Maurice Fultons Syclops project provide two of the albums most left-field, progressive tunes.