Review: Paradisco for Palestine (Fundraising Compilation)
Bristol’s active stance on worsening conditions in Gaza and the West Bank has recently been elevated in the local music industry thanks to the illustrious disco heads, Paradisco.
They’ve gathered friends & family from the last 10 years of events - 18 artists from near & far, all pitching in to raise funds towards MAP (@medicalaidpal) in the face of an ever-increasing genocide.
The proceeds of the compilation will be donated regularly to offer full transparency. The organisation of choice, Medical Aid Palestine, have workers on the ground supporting medical care, distributing clean water and food, offering mental health support and rebuilding infrastructure (electrical generators, neonatal care units, maternity departments).
Though the compilation boasts some of the South West’s finest disco producers, the contributions have also come from afar, exercising the collective’s strong, caring and passionate network.
Previous guests CC:Disco, PBR Streetgang, Bill Brewster, DJ October, JKriv and The Reflex have contributed previously unheard gems and fresh new edits, alongside music from local favourites Meggy Mac, Owain K, Awon (Bedmo Disco) and residents Brad Bradley & Burly Chassis.
The 18 tracks cover a range of moods and flavours, circumnavigating the disco-sphere, showcasing the varied energies you’d find on their dancefloors in Bristol.
An apt opening track, the renowned edit-king J-Kriv puts his spin on Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf’s ‘Dami Falastini’. Prins Thomas, October, The Reflex and the PBR boys provide deep and dubbed out acid disco, Sarah Bate brings the Balearic downtempo and proto house anthems are added in from CC:Disco and Meggy Mac.
On the elated hi-NRG side we see renowned names in Elleganza, Moving Still and Dream Teem, as well as high-octane gurus Jordan Nocturne, Awon, K-Tel and Bill Brewster. In what seems like an appropriate end to the compilation, Paradisco’s own Burly Chassis and Brad Bradley finish on a snare fuelled synth disco edit and a winding desert disco take.
Solidarity has never sounded so good, the compilation is available online here.
Written by Brandon Purmessur
Brandon is a music journalist in Bristol who enjoys writing as well as hosting radio shows and video interviews. Beyond music, he enjoys working with the community and learning about other cultures.
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