Disco Icon Sylvester’s Long-Lost ‘Step II’ Album Returns: Glittering Vinyl Reissue and New Remix Celebrate LGBTQ+ Legacy

More than four decades since its original release, Sylvester’s iconic album ‘Step II’ is set to glitter once again on dancefloors and turntables around the world. Long out of print, the legendary 1978 record will be reissued on October 10, 2025, in a special edition featuring “Disco Ball Clear Glitter” vinyl, alongside a deluxe bonus CD packed with classic and new remixes—including a fresh take on “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” by acclaimed artist Bright Light Bright Light .

Sylvester, born Sylvester James Jr., was a trailblazing singer, songwriter, and openly gay Black artist whose flamboyant style, soaring falsetto, and unapologetic authenticity made him a beacon of hope and joy for LGBTQ+ communities, especially during an era when queer identities were still criminalized in many places . Raised in Los Angeles’ Watts neighborhood and trained in the Pentecostal church, Sylvester left home as a teenager to forge his own path, living openly and challenging gender norms at a time when such visibility came with significant risk.

Released in 1978, ‘Step II’ is widely considered Sylvester’s magnum opus, featuring exuberant dancefloor staples such as “Dance (Disco Heat)” and the enduring queer anthem “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)”—songs that became lifelines for LGBTQ+ people seeking community and liberation in disco’s golden era . The album’s impact on club culture, Black queer artistry, and mainstream pop cannot be overstated. As the late 1970s New York City club scene blossomed, ‘Step II’ provided a soundtrack for both celebration and resistance, fusing gospel, dance, and personal testimony into a sound that was as radical as it was joyful .

The 2025 reissue, spearheaded by Craft Recordings, offers a fitting tribute to Sylvester’s dazzling legacy. Pressed on exclusive clear glitter vinyl designed to evoke the spirit of disco’s shimmering dancefloors, the package also includes a deluxe CD/digital edition with seven bonus remixes. Among these is a never-before-heard “Space Funk” Club Mix of “Dance (Disco Heat)” by Tonic Funk, and—most notably—a brand new remix of “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” by Bright Light Bright Light, a contemporary queer artist known for blending vintage dancefloor energy with modern LGBTQ+ storytelling . The remix is available to stream in advance, introducing Sylvester’s timeless message of self-love and pride to new generations.

Accompanying the music is fresh commentary from Joshua Gamson, author of ‘The Fabulous Sylvester: The Legend, the Music, the Seventies in San Francisco’ (Picador, 2005), providing historical context and personal insights into Sylvester’s influence as both an artist and an advocate .

The return of ‘Step II’ speaks not just to nostalgia for disco’s heyday, but to the ongoing importance of visibility and celebration within LGBTQ+ communities. Sylvester’s music remains a rallying cry for authenticity and inclusion, inspiring new generations of queer artists and allies across the world. His androgynous image, open sexuality, and refusal to conform challenged the norms of the music industry and society at large—paving the way for greater acceptance and representation .

The reissue arrives at a time when LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream music is growing, yet reminders of the movement’s pioneers are essential. For many, “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” is more than a disco hit; it’s an anthem of empowerment and a celebration of chosen family, echoing across Pride events and queer spaces worldwide .

With the album’s physical and digital formats available for pre-order now and an official release on October 10, 2025, fans old and new can experience, perhaps for the first time, the electrifying artistry of Sylvester. The release is more than a tribute to an individual: it is a celebration of queer resilience, creative freedom, and the power of music to unite and uplift.

For LGBTQ+ listeners and allies alike, this reissue is both a historical milestone and a reason to dance—just as Sylvester would have wanted.