By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – Croydon, the South London borough often celebrated for its brutalist architecture and its pivotal role in the birth of dubstep, is currently at the center of a different kind of musical revival. In a story that bridges the gap between early 1980s independent spirit and modern-day crate-digging culture, Erol Alkan’s prestigious Phantasy Sound label has announced the official reissue of a long-lost disco masterpiece. The track, titled "Fools Are Friendly," was originally recorded by a local duo known as Xclusiv, and its journey from a family-run pyrotechnics shop to the global club stage is a testament to the enduring power of obscure musical gems.
The story begins in 1982, a year when the UK’s musical landscape was shifting from the raw energy of post-punk into the polished, synthesizer-heavy sounds of the New Romantic era and the burgeoning boogie scene. In Croydon, sisters Karen and Maxine Wilson were operating far outside the traditional machinery of the major record labels. The sisters, performing under the moniker Xclusiv, possessed a unique vision for a disco-inflected pop sound that was both sophisticated and DIY. However, without a traditional pathway to the charts, they took matters into their own hands.
Utilizing the infrastructure of their family’s business—Le Maitre Music, a label born out of a renowned pyrotechnics and special effects company—the Wilson sisters released "Fools Are Friendly." At the time, Le Maitre was primarily known for providing the literal sparks for rock concerts and theatrical productions rather than producing dance floor fillers. The release was a truly independent endeavor, distributed in small quantities and largely ignored by the mainstream British press of the early eighties. While the track managed to secure some radio play in West Germany, finding a modest audience among European listeners, it failed to ignite the charts in its home country. For decades, the record remained a footnote in the history of South London music, known only to a few dedicated collectors and the family who had pressed it.
The digital age, however, has a way of breathing life into forgotten artifacts. As the culture of "digging"—the practice of searching for rare and underappreciated vinyl—moved from dusty basement shops to online forums and video-sharing platforms, "Fools Are Friendly" began its slow ascent to cult status. An upload to YouTube several years ago served as the catalyst for its rediscovery. The track’s infectious groove, coupled with its distinctive 1982 production values and the Wilson sisters’ soulful harmonies, caught the ear of some of the world’s most discerning selectors.
Among those captivated by the sound was Erol Alkan. A titan of the UK electronic scene, Alkan has built a career on his ability to blend disparate genres, from his legendary Trash club nights to his meticulous production work. Alkan is no stranger to the "secret weapon"—those rare, obscure tracks that DJs use to transform a set from the predictable to the extraordinary. For years, "Fools Are Friendly" served as exactly that in Alkan’s repertoire. Recognizing the track’s brilliance as a "radio hit that somehow slipped through the cracks," Alkan decided to go beyond merely playing the record; he sought to give it the official platform it had been denied for forty years.
The process of bringing Xclusiv back to the forefront was an exercise in musical archaeology. Alkan embarked on a mission to track down the people behind the mysterious Le Maitre imprint. His search eventually led him back to the Wilson family’s pyrotechnics business, which remarkably is still in operation. The sisters were surprised to receive a call from one of the most influential figures in modern dance music, inquiring about a project they had moved on from four decades prior.
Upon establishing contact with Karen and Maxine Wilson, the collaboration began in earnest. Unlike many modern reissues that rely on digital rips of old vinyl—which often carry the pops and hisses of age—Alkan was determined to achieve the highest possible fidelity. The original master tapes were located, allowing for a comprehensive restoration process. The tracks were carefully remastered, ensuring that the punch of the bassline and the clarity of the vocals were preserved while being optimized for modern sound systems.
This release marks a significant milestone for Phantasy Sound. Since its inception, the label has been a primary vehicle for Alkan’s own productions and those of his close collaborators. "Fools Are Friendly" represents the first time the label has reissued a record in which Alkan had no original hand in the production. This shift highlights the label’s evolving mission to not only push the boundaries of contemporary electronic music but also to curate and preserve the history of independent dance music.
In his personal reflections on the project, shared via social media, Alkan expressed a deep reverence for the Wilson sisters’ work. He noted the bravery required to release music independently in 1982, especially for two women navigating a male-dominated industry. The fact that the record was tied to a "fireworks shop in Croydon" only adds to its mythos, painting a picture of a vibrant, eccentric, and fiercely creative suburban music scene that existed parallel to the glitz of the West End.
The reissue of "Fools Are Friendly" arrives at a time when the appetite for vintage dance music is at an all-time high. Modern audiences, perhaps fatigued by the hyper-quantized perfection of contemporary digital production, are increasingly drawn to the warmth and "human" imperfections of early 80s analog recordings. The track sits comfortably alongside the works of legendary boogie and post-disco artists, yet it retains a distinctly British sensibility—a certain grit and charm that is synonymous with the Croydon of that era.
Beyond the title track, the reissue offers a window into the creative output of Xclusiv during their brief tenure. It serves as a reminder that for every chart-topping success, there are dozens of brilliant artists whose work remains hidden due to timing, lack of promotion, or simply bad luck. The Wilson sisters’ story is one of vindication; though it took forty years, their music is finally receiving the professional mastering and global distribution it deserved upon its initial conception.
The cultural impact of this reissue also reflects the enduring legacy of Erol Alkan himself. Having recently celebrated the 18th anniversary of the closure of his seminal club night, TRASH, with the release of archival DJ sets, Alkan continues to act as a bridge between the past and the future. His work with Phantasy Sound ensures that the lineage of adventurous, independent music remains unbroken. By championing Xclusiv, he isn’t just releasing a dance record; he is telling a story about South London’s hidden history.
As of this week, "Fools Are Friendly" is available to a new generation of listeners through digital platforms and Bandcamp. The response from the DJ community has been immediate, with the track once again finding its way into sets at clubs and festivals worldwide. No longer a "secret weapon" shared by a handful of insiders, the song has been returned to the public domain, ready to be enjoyed as the pop hit it was always meant to be.
For the Wilson sisters, the revival of Xclusiv is a surreal full-circle moment. The pyrotechnics business they grew up around continues to light up skies, but now, thanks to a chance YouTube discovery and the dedication of a London DJ, their music is providing the sparks on dance floors across the globe. It is a powerful reminder that in the world of music, nothing is ever truly lost—it is simply waiting for the right person to find it and turn the volume up. "Fools Are Friendly" is no longer a forgotten relic; it is a vibrant, living piece of musical history, finally getting its moment in the sun.