UK disco authority Dave Lee reimagines TJ Swann’s 1981 rap gem with two floor-ready, groove-heavy interpretations.
There’s something fitting about Dave Lee digging into a slice of early rap history and reframing it through a disco lens. T.J. Swann’s Get Fly already carries that crossover DNA, sitting in that sweet spot where post-disco, funk and proto-rap all collide. Here, it gets a fresh coat of dancefloor polish without losing its original swagger.
The Rock The Message Mix is the one aimed squarely at peak-time. Built around that unmistakable MFSB-style backbone, Lee leans into lush strings, tight rhythm guitar chops and a rolling groove that feels both classic and immediate. It’s got that Philly soul richness but engineered with modern clarity, letting TJ’s laid-back but confident flow glide effortlessly over the top. The balance is key. Nothing feels overworked. It’s respectful, but it knocks.
Flip it over and the Uptown Lowdown Mix takes a different route entirely. Slower, deeper, and dripping in that yacht rock funk aesthetic, this one stretches out into a more sun-drenched, late-night vibe. The bass sits lower, the groove breathes more, and that synth solo adds just the right amount of flash without tipping into excess. It complements the vocal perfectly, giving it space to ride rather than pushing it forward.
What really lands here is the intent. This isn’t just a nostalgia trip. It’s a smart recontextualisation of an era where disco hadn’t quite let go and hip hop was still finding its feet. Z Records continues to champion that crossover sound, and this release fits neatly into that vision.
For DJs, you’ve got options. One for the floor, one for the groove. For listeners, it’s a reminder that some records don’t age, they just evolve.
A classy, considered package that does exactly what it needs to do without overreaching. Buy it here.
