The DISCO Era! Come On, You Know You Liked It!

[marv2]

Folks, now that Chic has issued a box set. I was thinking that it should be ok now to finally discuss the music of the Disco Era that was roughly 1974-80. For years people would not admit that they liked some of the music, but there really was some good and memorable recordings to come out of all of that self indugence and debauchery......... LOL! Let's discuss. One of my favorites from the era was

Peter Brown's "Do You Wanna Get Funky With Me - 1977
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS22W4zwZ1w

[marv2]

Here's another one that had us dancing and trying be cool.....hehehehe.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8vwwjXX6Rg&feature=related

[soulster]

Are you kidding? It's always been cool to discuss disco in my world! It's nothing but another musical style. Some good, some bad.

But, those two examples are what I call FUNK! To me, disco is more like Silver Convention's "Fly Robin Fly" or YMCA by Village People. Still, it's all good.

[jillfoster]

Exactly... Vicki Sue Robinson used to say that she felt the '"Disco sucks" movement was just thinly veiled racism and homophobia. And I agree. And of course, the mainline rockers were seeing their market share decline, and they had expensive cocaine habits to support! But Disco never died, it just changed it's name to dance.. then house... etc... like any genre, there's good and there's bad. Here's some good:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFBFUJ6Qf3s&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCSvNZWpXaM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4VTz7gSHds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6b4z563yW4

[marv2]

Soulster, "Fly Robin,Fly" by Silver Convention was one my Dad use to like. I can remember coming home from high school and hearing blasting coming up from basement LOL!

The two I started this thread off with were considered "dance records" aka disco where I lived , Detroit and Toledo.


Here's one that was also very popular : Johnnie Taylor's "Disco Lady"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3JkEoQ0Cz8

[marv2]

I'm mean everybody was doing it! hehehehe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMAaBlcNy74

[marv2]

Jill you picked 3 great ones!

[marv2]

Here we are in 1978 at the height of the Disco Era and we have Karen Young out of Philly doing "Hot Shot"!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0bPyCR9Kwc

[jillfoster]

I HATE Silver convention. Their two biggest songs had a grand total of less than 10 words for lyrics. Boring as hell. another good one I like:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egUpTka-dZQ&feature=related

[splanky]

I don't care if it was called the "Disco Era". 1974- 1980 and beyond I was into Funk. I don't mean to tell people what they
should listen to and I had a lot of respect for Vickie Sue Robinson but alhthough I know there may have been some truth
to her statement as far as a lot of rockers were concerned, I felt and still feel for the most part, Disco sucked. Big time.
Of course there were exceptions and some artists tried to work creatively in the genre but even many of those felt it was
not their best work or what they really wanted to be doing. They really just wanted to keep working and getting paid.
Disco is by far my least favorite of all of the predominately black music genres, the only thing I care less for is anything
produced by Ian Levine...

[marv2]

I don't care if it was called the "Disco Era". 1974- 1980 and beyond I was into Funk. I don't mean to tell people what they
should listen to and I had a lot of respect for Vickie Sue Robinson but alhthough I know there may have been some truth
to her statement as far as a lot of rockers were concerned, I felt and still feel for the most part, Disco sucked. Big time.
Of course there were exceptions and some artists tried to work creatively in the genre but even many of those felt it was
not their best work or what they really wanted to be doing. They really just wanted to keep working and getting paid.
Disco is by far my least favorite of all of the predominately black music genres, the only thing I care less for is anything
produced by Ian Levine...


Splanky, let's talk about the exceptions. Was there one record that you liked between the years 1974 and 1980 that was classified as "Disco"?

I did not like Ian Levine's productions either. But those were from the 90's for the most part.

[marv2]

Anyway, this was a popular record in late '77 and I am sure you can imagine why: Remember?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p79iJmZCSPs

[marv2]

I always just thought that people that hated "disco music" and disco nightclubs were ones that couldn't dance; didn 't know how to dance! LOL!

[marv2]

From the Summer of 1974, George McCrae with "Rock Your Baby"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qpyn-OsZ0A&feature=related

[soulster]

Here's one that was also very popular : Johnnie Taylor's "Disco Lady"



...except that Johnnie Taylor himself had said that the song isn't disco. It's R&B.

[arrr&bee]

Disco is cool with me,alot of folks got upset but hey folks were still singing and dancing and alot of the songs were cool as a matter of fact one that should've been a disco hit but was recorded just before disco was ironically the marvelettes cover of the supremes classic[a breathtaking guy]now before ya'll jump on me for being on the hooch[haven't had a drop honest]just take a listen to the beat and then tell me it couldn't have been a disco hit...disco was cool!!!

[blueskies]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHe7ErAbLOI

Always loved this group....though, they didn't last too long. I always thought Alton had a Jean Terrell-ish quality to her voice. The best party music! Where's my platform shoes?

[arrr&bee]

Disco was happy music no matter what you might think of it,the crap thats out today is some of the gloomiest stuff ever..down wit da man put em down yadda,yadda,yadda...give me disco anyday over this crap.

[soulster]

Exactly... Vicki Sue Robinson used to say that she felt the '"Disco sucks" movement was just thinly veiled racism and homophobia. The "disco sucks" movement was thinly veiled racism, sexism, and homophobia, all the things that straight, white males saw as a threat to the dominance of white-boy guitar-based rock. And they use all kinds of flimsy excuses like the discos promote hedonism, while conveniently forgetting all of the excesses of the rock world. It's just like when they complain against rap. It's usually thinly-veiled racism. Compare it to the tea-baggers today...again, thinly-veiled racism.

[marv2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHe7ErAbLOI

Always loved this group....though, they didn't last too long. I always thought Alton had a Jean Terrell-ish quality to her voice. The best party music! Where's my platform shoes?

Yeah, they were a good group. Did you know that in 1977 Alton McClain was one of the singers that was discussed as being a possible replacement for Mary Wilson in the Supremes?

[marv2]

The "disco sucks" movement was thinly veiled racism, sexism, and homophobia, all the things that straight, white males saw as a threat to the dominance of white-boy guitar-based rock. And they use all kinds of flimsy excuses like the discos promote hedonism, while conveniently forgetting all of the excesses of the rock world. It's just like when they complain against rap. It's usually thinly-veiled racism. Compare it to the tea-baggers today...again, thinly-veiled racism.

Wow! Soulster preach on! I was thinking last night that it kind of reminded of the Tea Party movement. It's like " Since I don't like it........you're not going to get to enjoy it either!"

[marv2]

Disco was happy music no matter what you might think of it,the crap thats out today is some of the gloomiest stuff ever..down wit da man put em down yadda,yadda,yadda...give me disco anyday over this crap.

JAI, I agree. Man , we just had lot of fun in those days. I know tastes change as time goes on, but like you, I can't even listen to 80% of the music out there today. It is depressing and not very uplifting.

[marv2]

I liked this song, man did I like this song from 1978: Bell & James "Living It Up on Friday Night!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_WO7ZuCGcs&feature=related

[blueskies]

Yeah, they were a good group. Did you know that in 1977 Alton McClain was one of the singers that was discussed as being a possible replacement for Mary Wilson in the Supremes?

No, I didn't know that. Could have been interesting.

[tsull1]

I liked disco -- not all of it. Of course I don't like all rock or even all soul. But disco had a lot of great tunes and artists. I like the Bee Gees a lot [[I know they're not an SDF favorite, oh well), Tavares, the Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack, Vickie Sue Robinson, and others.

My favorite of that era was K.C. and the Sunshine Band, whom I just saw in a great concert a month ago.

I also agree that the disco bashing was definitely racist and homophobic, no question about it. Let's not forget, there was some awful rock and guitar rock at the same time.

[gordy_hunk]

Up until the emergence of disco, I thought Motown was everything I ever wanted. Then I heard George McCrae.... the Ritchie Family... and disco was well and truly born. Motown went out of the window, and I yearned for anything disco.

When I was a student in Oxford, I went to disco almost every night until they closed at 2am. How I ever passed my degree is amazing! But by this time, Donna Summer had arrived, and Motown was something in the dim and distant past.

Oh, give me disco any day. Luckily we have BBR now issuing many of these records [[such as the first two major Gloria Gaynor disco albums) and once more [[for me) Motown is pushed aside. In my life [[and my world) disco is very much alive, kicking, thrusting and being what I love listening to when I'm in the gym, the car, doing housework or even trying to sleep!

[randy_russi]

I actually loved the era because it got everybody dancing. I didn't like some the later music that went on and on forever,
but I did love stuff like KC & the Sunshine Band, Vicki Sue Robinson, Shirley & Co., etc.
I actually danced in '78 on American Bandstand too! I think we did six shows with guests including Evelyn Champagne King,
Rick James, High Inergy, Love & Kisses, etc. It was a fun era!

[soulster]

Gordy, what did you think about the Philadelphia sounds from the PIR stable, Spinners, and the Stylistics? And, how about Stax during the early 70s? Now, Stax didn't go near disco, but the producers from Philly were at the forefront of the disco sound at a time when Motown was still trying to find it's way out of the 60s.

[skooldem1]

I also love it. Like with anything, there is good and bad.

[marv2]

Everyone loves Bettye LaVette it seems NOW. Well I loved her even way back when she was doing Disco! LOL! From the Fall of 1978, here's Bettye and "Doin The Best That I Can" still a great record:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP8mZKOFsbk&feature=related

[blueskies]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq9BZuIT0iQ

Oh boy....you got me going now....yep! I really liked this group and just wanted to share another one. Where ARE those damn platform shoes????

[marv2]

A few artifacts.......

[marv2]

One of the best, baddest records to come out during the era, Evelyn "Champagne" King and now classic. From the Summer of 1978, " SHAME" , you know Mama just don't understand...... LOL!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXD43jjG0jQ

[moe]

OK Marv, ya got me!! LOVED that stuff, LOVED going out to the clubs and dancing my behind off!! I didn't even mind dancing in those platform shoes. My favorite? SYLVESTER!!!!!!!!

[pshark]

And of course, the mainline rockers were seeing their market share decline, and they had expensive cocaine habits to support!
And guess who were supplying their coke habit? Studio 54.
http://guestofaguest.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/studio54moon.jpg

As for Silver Convention, I liked their music. The band reminds me of MFSB. I just don't get why there's so much emphasis on the singers and not much on the band. This is the first time seeing these SC vids. Talk about cheese

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM72iWami9M

Does Get down & boogie have a different meaning in German? Like "stay there and don't make a sound!" This is hilarious:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUG79S1YHmM&NR=1

[marv2]

OK Marv, ya got me!! LOVED that stuff, LOVED going out to the clubs and dancing my behind off!! I didn't even mind dancing in those platform shoes. My favorite? SYLVESTER!!!!!!!!

Well Get On Down Moe, wit yo bad self! LOL! People kill me with the "I didn't like Disco" or "Disco Sucked". We were having so much fun on the weekends that we didn't realize how much until it was all over......!

I had the platforms and then morphed into the pointy toe "roach killers" around sometime in 1978. We'll put up some Sylvester for you.

[blueskies]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86l93B7TBRA&p=1DBF8F9BB04330AA&playnext=1&index=6

For Moe.

[jillfoster]

Does Get down & boogie have a different meaning in German? Like "stay there and don't make a sound!" This is hilarious:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUG79S1YHmM&NR=1

Disco71...et al [[by this time it was disco77) is a show that has a tough audience sometimes. sometimes acts got a cool reception unless the song was a hit already and everyone really liked the song. But other times, the audience is much more responsive [[and if they REALLY like you, they give you roses while your'e signing)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isBST-6JrNU&feature=related

[pshark]

You do realize that Silver Convention was a German group

[soulster]

Yup. Brainchild of German producer Michael Kunze. Great music, too!

In fact, Munich, Germany is the birthplace of Eurodisco. It's also where Donna Summer got her start as an actor[[ress), where her producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte recorded her first albums.

[marv2]

And guess who were supplying their coke habit? Studio 54.
http://guestofaguest.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/studio54moon.jpg

As for Silver Convention, I liked their music. The band reminds me of MFSB. I just don't get why there's so much emphasis on the singers and not much on the band. This is the first time seeing these SC vids. Talk about cheese

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM72iWami9M

Does Get down & boogie have a different meaning in German? Like "stay there and don't make a sound!" This is hilarious:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUG79S1YHmM&NR=1

Pshark! You are killing me here! LOL!!!!!!

[marv2]

You do realize that Silver Convention was a German group

I knew they were out of Germany. As were "Boney M"! Claudja Barry and I believe that is where Ladonna Gaines of Boston aka Donna Sommers got her start.

[marv2]

Yup. Brainchild of German producer Michael Kunze. Great music, too!

In fact, Munich, Germany is the birthplace of Eurodisco. It's also where Donna Summer got her start as an actor[[ress), where her producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte recorded her first albums.

Soulster I did not see your post before I posted something similiar. Sorry

[marv2]

Since we're speaking "German", let's get down with some Kraftwerk and "Trans Europe Express"... 1978!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6221XuMGFk

[jillfoster]

Yup. Brainchild of German producer Michael Kunze. Great music, too!

In fact, Munich, Germany is the birthplace of Eurodisco. It's also where Donna Summer got her start as an actor[[ress), where her producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte recorded her first albums.

And to show what a small world it is, the gentelman in the clip I posted co-starred with Donna in the original German production of Hair in 1970.

[pshark]

I knew they were out of Germany. As were "Boney M"! Claudja Barry and I believe that is where Ladonna Gaines of Boston aka Donna Sommers got her start.Yeah that was a response to Jill's response to the "Get Down & Boogie" clip before she edited her post. She wrote something like "the act usually got a cool reception unless they were German or already had a hit".
************************************************** ******************
Ok disco was cool in the early part of the 70's. Then around 78 it started to get more formulated and repetitive. Live musicians were becoming extinct. And whatever live bands were left were getting watered down. The disco era was the beginning of the end. Yeah racism also played a part in the anti disco movement. But not always. There were some non racist Whites along with Blacks who hated it for the reasons I already mentioned.
Now here's Jerome Brailey [[ex P-Funk drummer & original drummer on 5 Stairsteps "Ooh Child") w/ his band Mutiny singing about his feeling on disco

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FuCqvdGCog

[soulster]

George Clinton was very vocal about his hatred of disco.

Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers hated disco, and only used it to get to rock music.

I loved funk more than disco, but they were both good. What pisses me off is how a lot of people confuse the two.

[marv2]

Yeah that was a response to Jill's response to the "Get Down & Boogie" clip before she edited her post. She wrote something like "the act usually got a cool reception unless they were German or already had a hit".
************************************************** ******************
Ok disco was cool in the early part of the 70's. Then around 78 it started to get more formulated and repetitive. Live musicians were becoming extinct. And whatever live bands were left were getting watered down. The disco era was the beginning of the end. Yeah racism also played a part in the anti disco movement. But not always. There were some non racist Whites along with Blacks who hated it for the reasons I already mentioned.
Now here's Jerome Brailey [[ex P-Funk drummer & original drummer on 5 Stairsteps "Ooh Child") w/ his band Mutiny singing about his feeling on disco


That's interesting regarding Jerome.

The other members of the Five Stairsteps became The Invisible Man's Band was made up of the Burke brothers [[Clarence Jr., Dennis, James, and Keni). All former members of the Five Stairsteps, best known for their 1970 million seller "O-o-h Child." The Burkes' highest-charting single under this moniker was the chugging dance single "All Night Thing"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbrhSssjuGg

[marv2]

George Clinton was very vocal about his hatred of disco.

Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers hated disco, and only used it to get to rock music.

I loved funk more than disco, but they were both good. What pisses me off is how a lot of people confuse the two.


It is funny to hear this because George and Chic saw their greatest successes during this period and they were with records that most people danced to. Regardless how they labled their music, people danced to "Aqua Boogie" and "Le Freak" in 1978 LOL!

It did get to a point where it got too commercial and formulated as I recall and I did not like it. By the time you had disco records by Ethel Merman, the Bradys and the Chipmunks, it had gone way too commerical. When the record companies started including "BPM or Beats Per Minute" on the packaging, is when "Disco" started loosing it's soul and began relying on a formula and that wasn't something I cared for.

[gordy_hunk]

Gordy, what did you think about the Philadelphia sounds from the PIR stable, Spinners, and the Stylistics? And, how about Stax during the early 70s? Now, Stax didn't go near disco, but the producers from Philly were at the forefront of the disco sound at a time when Motown was still trying to find it's way out of the 60s.

I always thought that PIR should and could so easily have overtaken Motown. I loved the Stylistics - they were just sensational. Generally, most things from PIR were good releases [[Three Degrees of course has just been issued on CD). However Stax.... probably not so keen.

I guess by the time Donna Summer was making her mark all over Europe, Sylvester had come into my life, as had Karen Young with her Hot Shot, and yet to arrive were Lime, Carol Jiani, France Gall, Yvonne Elliman with Love Pains, Sharon Redd, Odyssey, Dynasty, Imagination, Shalamar, Change, Divine.... oh yes, the amazing Divine!

Now those were the days of endless happiness!

[soulster]

It is funny to hear this because George and Chic saw their greatest successes during this period and they were with records that most people danced to. Regardless how they labled their music, people danced to "Aqua Boogie" and "Le Freak" in 1978 LOL!


Well, "Aqua Boogie [[A Psycoalphadiscobetbioaquadooloop)" wasn't disco, but Nile & 'Nard have gone on record saying they hated disco when they started out, and only used it to get famous. They just happened to be good at it. After all, they started out as rockers. I'm sure that, at some point along the line, they took a liking to it, but notice that starting around 1981, Chic abandoned disco for straight R&B. The "Take It Off" album has to be my second favorite Chic album. Too bad it basically bombed, compared to what the band was used to selling. And, of course, it would have to come at the time when R&B was blacklisted for it's close association with disco. But, notice how Nile 'Nard moved toward rock in the 80s? Robert Palmer, David Bowie, INXS, Rod Stewart? They never left the dance scene, though. They produced tons of dance records on their own with Madonna, Sister Sledge, Missing Persons, their own solo albums, and Duran Duran.

[jillfoster]

Yeah that was a response to Jill's response to the "Get Down & Boogie" clip before she edited her post. She wrote something like "the act usually got a cool reception unless they were German or already had a hit".
************************************************** ******************
Ok disco was cool in the early part of the 70's. Then around 78 it started to get more formulated and repetitive. Live musicians were becoming extinct. And whatever live bands were left were getting watered down. The disco era was the beginning of the end. Yeah racism also played a part in the anti disco movement. But not always. There were some non racist Whites along with Blacks who hated it for the reasons I already mentioned.
Now here's Jerome Brailey [[ex P-Funk drummer & original drummer on 5 Stairsteps "Ooh Child") w/ his band Mutiny singing about his feeling on disco


Yeah....I edited my post, I was having a brain fart at the time. I was thinking of the Kiki Dee Performance on that same show where nobody MOVED in the audience the whole time she was singing, and then forgot that Silver Convention was German. So I drew a conclusion, and then realized it must have been wrong.

[soulster]

I always thought that PIR should and could so easily have overtaken Motown. I loved the Stylistics - they were just sensational. Generally, most things from PIR were good releases [[Three Degrees of course has just been issued on CD). However Stax.... probably not so keen.

I guess by the time Donna Summer was making her mark all over Europe, Sylvester had come into my life, as had Karen Young with her Hot Shot, and yet to arrive were Lime, Carol Jiani, France Gall, Yvonne Elliman with Love Pains, Sharon Redd, Odyssey, Dynasty, Imagination, Shalamar, Change, Divine.... oh yes, the amazing Divine!

Now those were the days of endless happiness!

What planet were you on in the early 70? PIR did take over Motown! For a good time, PIR could do no wrong! The O'Jays, Three degrees, Billy Paul, Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes, and let's not forget MFSB! They had perhaps the best and best-known instrumental of the 70s, and that track was the theme from Soul Train for it's 1974 season! The best Motown could do is the occasional hit from Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, or The Temptations. PIR fizzled out after 1975, with only tew or three hits after that because of internal friction between the writers and Gamble & Huff. Overall, the Philly sound was still quite alive. MFSB could still be heard on hits by Stylistics, Spinners, Salsoul Orchestra, and The Ritchie Family.

Stax? Bad business moves killed them off. Their loss, Columbia's gain: The Emotions and Johnnie Taylor.

[waldo]

Stephanie Mills - You Can Get Over

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hrz_n3uA1Wc

RULES!

[waldo]

Geraldine Hunt - Can't Fake The Feeling

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69C48-RASH8

[stephanie]

I liked the one hit wonders of disco! I know Donna Summer [[who I love) and the BeeGees and KC dominated but I have a heart for Alicia Bridges - I love the Nightlife. Carl Carlton - Everlasting Love [[I know he was not a one hit wonder before anyone jumps) but I would have to say my two favorites are Miss Vicki Sue - Turn the Beat Around and Disco Tex and the Sexolettes - Get Dancin. As a matter of fact I went ape over Stars on 45 and the Beatles medley.

[stephanie]

Miss Knock on Wood Ami Stewart looks great now! I forgot to add her to the mix.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR7jkguoifU&feature=related

[nomis]

I LOVED disco some of my picks are -
Boogie Oogie Taste Of Honey
Try Me I Know We Can Make It Donna Summer
Dance Across The Floor Jimmy 'Bo' Horne
Three Degrees Givin up,Givin In
Chic Le Freak
Born To Be Alive Patrick Hernandez
Shake Shake Shake KC and The Sunshine
Native New Yorker Odyssey
Hes The Greatest Dancer Sister Sledge
Boogie Nights Heatwave
Lets All Chant Micheal Zager Band
Dance Little Lady Dance Tina Charles
Black is Black Belle Epoque
Voulez Vous Abba
Spacer Shelia & B Devotion
Ring My Bell Anita Ward

[muzicmuse44]

I remember a song during the disco era around 1976 and have been trying to figure out the name of the song and artist. Anyone remember a song sung by a group [[ I think) with a male lead singing the words, "Everbody in Hollywood is gettin' down to the afro sound [[yea); accross the land from Jamaica to Japan they're partying down...?

[marv2]

Stephanie Mills - You Can Get Over

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hrz_n3uA1Wc

RULES!

Oh you know Stephanie got down...that's my girl!

[marv2]

It was October 31, 1978 and I was at a party in the dorm's recreation room when I heard this for the very first time!Mais Qui? C'est Chic!!!! LOL!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqupk71a-O0

[marv2]

I remember a song during the disco era around 1976 and have been trying to figure out the name of the song and artist. Anyone remember a song sung by a group [[ I think) with a male lead singing the words, "Everbody in Hollywood is gettin' down to the afro sound [[yea); accross the land from Jamaica to Japan they're partying down...?

That's a good one. I'm going to have to work on that one and get back to you.

[marv2]

I cannot believe that Tom Moulton has not joined this thread yet! He is after all the inventor of the Disco Mix! How heavy is that? Tom, where are you?

[marv2]

Here are the Top 500 Disco Songs Of All Time as chosen by the visitors of DiscoMusic.com



1 - Souvenirs - Voyage

2 - Cocomotion - El Coco

3 - Get On The Funk Train - Munich Machine

4 - From East To West - Voyage

5 - Risky Changes - Gregg Diamond / Bionic Boogie

6 - You Make Me Feel [[Mighty Real) - Sylvester

7 - I Feel Love - Donna Summer

8 - The Break - Katmandu

9 - Relight My Fire - Dan Hartman

10 - There But For The Grace Of God Go I - Machine

11 - Hot Shot - Karen Young

12 - Come To Me - France Joli

13 - Good Times - Chic

14 - Romeo And Juliet - Alec R. Costandinos

15 - Super Disco - Rimshots, The

16 - San Francisco - Village People

17 - From Here To Eternity - Giorgio Moroder

18 - Love In C Minor - Cerrone

19 - Let's All Chant - Michael Zager Band

20 - Dancer - Gino Soccio

21 - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - Santa Esmeralda

22 - Last Dance - Donna Summer

23 - Native New Yorker - Odyssey

24 - Disco Inferno - Trammps

25 - Ain't No Stopping Us Now - McFadden & Whitehead

26 - Lovin' Is Really My Game - Brainstorm

27 - Supernature - Cerrone

28 - Turn The Beat Around - Vicki Sue Robinson

29 - Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston

30 - Shame - Evelyn "Champagne" King

31 - Dance, Dance, Dance - Chic

32 - Instant Replay - Dan Hartman

33 - I Found Love [[Now That I Have Found You) - Love and Kisses [[Alec Costandinos)

34 - The Beat Goes On - Ripple

35 - He's The Greatest Dancer - Sister Sledge

36 - Le Freak - Chic

37 - Contact - Edwin Starr

38 - I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

39 - Born To Be Alive - Patrick Hernandez

40 - More, More, More - Andrea True Connection

41 - MacArthur Park Suite - Donna Summer

42 - Love Is The Message - M.F.S.B. [[M. F. S. B. / MFSB)

43 - Boogie Ooogie Oogie - A Taste of Honey

44 - The Best Disco In Town - Ritchie Family

45 - I'm A Man - Macho - Vinyl

46 - Love Insurance - Front Page [[Sharon Redd)

47 - Moonboots - ORS [[Orlando Riva Sound)

48 - Never Give You Up - Sharon Redd

49 - Dance [Disco Heat) - Sylvester

50 - This Time Baby - Jackie Moore

51 - Devil's Gun - CJ and Co [[Company)

52 - Ten Percent - Double Exposure

53 - Doctor Love - First Choice

54 - Rumor Has It - Donna Summer

55 - Come On And Do It - Poussez

56 - Ain't That Enough For You - John Davis & The Monster Orchestra

57 - Spring Rain - Silvetti

58 - Boogie Wonderland - Earth, Wind and Fire

59 - Salsoul Hustle - Salsoul Orchestra

60 - Spring Affair - Donna Summer

61 - I'm Ready - Kano

62 - Lay All Your Love On Me [[Disconet remix) - Abba

63 - We Are Family - Sister Sledge

64 - Hit N' Run Lover - Carol Jiani

65 - Dreaming A Dream - Crown Heights Affair

66 - Star Love - Cheryl Lynn

67 - The Chase - Giorgio Moroder

68 - Everybody Dance - Chic

69 - That's The Meaning - Beautiful Bend

70 - Ain't Nothing Gonna Keep Me From You - Teri DeSario

71 - Runaway - Loleatta Holloway

72 - Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel - Tavares

73 - Young Hearts Run Free - Candi Staton

74 - How Much, How Much I Love You - Love and Kisses [[Alec Costandinos)

75 - If My Friends Could See Me Now - Linda Clifford

76 - Got To Have Loving - Don Ray

77 - Cherchez La Femme - Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band

78 - Underwater - Harry Thumann - Vinyl

79 - The Hustle - Van McCoy

80 - Hold Your Horses - First Choice

81 - I Love The Nitelife - Alicia Bridges

82 - Let's Start The Dance - [[Hamilton) Bohannon

83 - Do You Wanna Funk - Sylvester

84 - The Boss - Diana Ross

85 - Move On Up, Up, Up - Destination

86 - Dancin' - Crown Heights Affair

87 - Disco Circus - Martin Circus

88 - Never Can Say Goodbye - Gloria Gaynor

89 - Love To Love You, Baby - Donna Summer

90 - Come Into My Heart - USA European Connection

91 - Give Me Love - Cerrone

92 - Love's Theme [[Long Version) - [[Barry White's) Love Unlimited Orchestra

93 - Disco [[That's Where The Happy People Go) - Trammps

94 - Do What You Wanna Do - T Connection

95 - Funkytown - Lipps Inc.

96 - In The Bush - Musique

97 - Boogie Woogie Dancing Shoes - Claudja Barry

98 - Double Cross - First Choice

99 - If There's Love - Amant


100 - Get Up And Boogie - Silver Convention

101 - Take Your Time [[Do It Right) - S. O. S. Band

102 - Let's Get It Together - El Coco

103 - Spanish Hustle - Fatback Band

104 - I Got My Mind Made Up - Instant Funk

105 - All Night Thing - Invisible Man's Band

106 - Midnight Love Affair - Carol Douglas

107 - Keep On Jumpin' - Musique

108 - Don't You Want My Love - Debbie Jacobs

109 - Uptown Festival - Shalamar

110 - Love And Desire - Arpeggio

111 - Walking On Sunshine - Rockers Revenge

112 - I Need A Man - Grace Jones

113 - I Caught Your Act - Hues Corporation

114 - Down To Love Town - Originals, The

115 - Pipeline - Bruce Johnston

116 - Running Away - Roy Ayers Ubiquity

117 - No Romance / Keep On Dancin - Theo Vaness

118 - Lost In Music - Sister Sledge

119 - Mandolay - La Flavour

120 - Hit And Run [[Remix) - Loleatta Holloway

121 - Feel The Need - Detroit Emeralds

122 - Harmony - Suzi Lane

123 - Do You Want To Get Funky With Me - Peter Brown

124 - Bad Girls - Donna Summer

125 - Try Me - Donna Summer

126 - Was That All It Was - Jean Carn

127 - I Want Your Love - Chic

128 - Magic Bird Of Fire - Salsoul Orchestra

129 - Zing, Went The Strings Of My Heart - Trammps

130 - Mondo Disco - El Coco

131 - Feed The Flame - Lorraine Johnson

132 - Brazil - Ritchie Family

133 - I Love America - Patrick Juvet

134 - Feels Like I'm In Love - Kelly Marie

135 - My Claim To Fame -James Wells

136 - Turn On To Love - Jumbo

137 - Pow Wow - Cory Daye

138 - Got To Be Real - Cheryl Lynn

139 - Panic - French Kiss

140 - Savage Lover - The Ring

141 - Dancin' The Night Away - Voggue

142 - War Dance - Kebekelektrik

143 - Give Me A Break - Vivien Vee

144 - Think It Over - Cissy Houston

145 - Good Things Don't Last Forever - Ecstasy, Passion, And Pain

146 - Rough Diamond - Madleen Kane

147 - Sun, Sun, Sun - Jakki

148 - Date With The Rain - Eddie Kendricks

149 - Nice And Slow - Jesse Green

150 - Dance Lady Dance - Crown Heights Affair

[marv2]

151 - On The Beat - B. B. & Q. Band

152 - Dancing Queen - Abba

153 - You Gave Me Love - Crown Heights Affair

154 - Follow Me - Amanda Lear

155 - Knock On Wood - Ami Stewart

156 - You're The One For Me - D Train

157 - Ring My Bell - Anita Ward

158 - My Baby's Baby - Liquid Gold

159 - Boogie Nights - Heatwave

160 - Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry

161 - Y. M. C. A. - Village People

162 - Hills Of Katmandu - Tantra

163 - Love Is In You - Nightlife Unlimited

164 - My Sweet Summer Suite - Love Unlimited

165 - Get Off - Foxy

166 - Get Up And Boogie - Freddie James

167 - H. A. P. P. Y. Radio - Edwin Starr

168 - Le Spank - Le Pamplemousse

169 - Night Fever - Bee Gees

170 - Tale Of Three Cities - Salsoul Orchestra

171 - Your Love - Lime

172 - Get Down Tonight - KC & The Sunshine Band

173 - High On Mad Mountain - Mike Theodore

174 - Jungle DJ - Kikrokos

175 - Menergy - Patrick Cowley

176 - Sinner Man - Sarah Dash

177 - Love Is In The Air - John Paul Young

178 - Forbidden Love - Madleen Kane

179 - Love Injection - Trussell

180 - Standing In The Rain - Don Ray

181 - Rock The Boat - Hues Corporation

182 - Mainline - Black Ivory

183 - I'll Always Love My Mama - Intruders

184 - September - Earth, Wind and Fire

185 - Dance And Shake Your Tambourine - Universal Robot Band

186 - Love Attack - Ferrara

187 - Mellow Lovin' - Judy Cheeks

188 - Beat The Clock - Sparks

189 - Music - Montreal Sound

190 - One More Minute - Saint Tropez [[St. Tropez)

191 - Soul Makossa - Manu Dibango

192 - Lady America - Voyage

193 - Staying Alive - Bee Gees

194 - Love's Coming/Baby Love - USA European Connection

195 - In The Forrest - Baby O

195 - Spank - Jimmy "Bo" Horne

197 - Up Jumped The Devil - John Davis & The Monster Orchestra

198 - Love Disco Style - Erotic Drum Band

199 - Cassanova Brown - Gloria Gaynor

200 - Overture - D. C. LaRue

201 - Stomp - Brothers Johnson

202 - Doctor's Orders - Carol Douglas

203 - My Love Is Free - Double Exposure

204 - Star Wars Theme - Meco

205 - Standing Right Here - Melba Moore

206 - The Bull - Mike Theodore Orchestra

207 - Touch Me In The Morning - Marlena Shaw

208 - Dancing Fever - Claudja Barry

209 - Pleasure Island - Paul Jabara

210 - The Runner - Three Degrees

211 - Let Me Take You Dancing - Bryan Adams

212 - Love Is The Ultimate - Ultimate

213 - Dance Little Dreamer - Gregg Diamond / Bionic Boogie

214 - Rock With You - Michael Jackson

215 - Shake Your Groove Thing - Peaches & Herb

216 - Your My First, My Last, My Everything - Barry White

217 - One, Two, three [[Counting On Love) - Peter Jacques Band

218 - Groove Me - Fern Kinney

219 - Dance Yourself Dizzy - ]Liquid Gold

220 - Deputy Of Love - Don Armando's Second Avenue Rhumba Band

221 - Pick Me Up, I'll Dance - Melba Moore

222 - Free Man - South Shore Commission

223 - Come On Dance Dance - Saturday Night Band

224 - Can't Fake The Feeling - Geraldine Hunt

225 - Dazz - Brick

226 - Two Hot For Love - THP Orchestra

227 - Haven't You Heard - Patrice Rushen

228 - If You Could Read My Mind - Viola Wills

229 - Boogie Motion - Beautiful Bend

230 - Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Festival

231 - Could It Be Magic - Donna Summer

232 - T. S. O. P. - M.F.S.B. [[M. F. S. B. / MFSB)

233 - You Should Be Dancing - Bee Gees

234 - Makin' It - David Naughton

235 - A Lover's Holiday - Change

236 - Fell In Love For The First Time Today - Carol Douglas

237 - Heaven Must Have Sent You - Bonnie Pointer

238 - Motown Review - Philly Cream

239 - Music Is My Way Of Life - Patti Labelle

240 - Symphony Of Love - Miquel Brown

241 - Ain't No Mountain High Enough [[Original Larry Levan 12" Mix) - Inner Life

242 - I'm Ok, You're Ok - American Gypsy

243 - Melodies - Made In USA

244 - The Love I Lost - Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes

245 - Sunset People - Donna Summer

246 - Thank God It's Friday - Love and Kisses

247 - Caf? - D. D. Sound

248 - It's A Better Than Good Time [[Walter Gibbons Remix) - Gladys Knight And The Pips

249 - Moskow Diskow - Telex

250 - Caught Up [[In A One Night Love Affair) - Inner Life



251 - Ite Missa Est - Martin Circus

252 - Shine On Silver Moon - Marilyn Mccoo & Billy Davis Jr.

253 - I Love You - Donna Summer

254 - Moonlight Lovin' - Isaac Hayes

255 - Family Affair - M. F. S. B.

256 - Hijack - Herbie Mann - Vinyl

257 - Celebration - Kool And The Gang

258 - Perfect Love Affair - Constellation Orchestra

259 - Saturday Night, Sunday Morning - Thelma Houston

260 - Quiet Village - Ritchie Family

261 - Spacer - Sheila B. Devotion

262 - Copacobana [[En El Copa) - Barry Manilow

263 - Shake Your Body Down To The Ground - The jacksons

264 - A Night To Remember - Shalamar

265 - Do Your Dance - Rose Royce

266 - In The Raw - Whispers

267 - [[Everybody) Get Dancin' - Bombers

268 - Macho Man - Village People

269 - Open Sesame - Kool And The Gang

270 - Rock Your Baby - George McRae

271 - Touch And Go - Ecstasy, Passion & Pain

272 - Atmospheric Strut - Cloud One

273 - Foot Stompin' Music - [[Hamilton) Bohannon

274 - Paradise - Change

275 - Magic Fly - Kebekelektrik

276 - Don't Take Away The Music - Tavares

277 - It Only Takes A Minute Girl - Tavares

278 - Fly, Robin, Fly - Silver Convention

279 - Keep Your Body Working - Kleeer

280 - Found A Cure - Ashford And Simpson

281 - Hot Butterfly - Gregg Diamond / Bionic Boogie

282 - It's Ecstasy When You... - Barry White

283 - After Dark - Patti Brooks

284 - Put Your Feet To The Beat - Ritchie Family

285 - Dreamin' - Loleatta Holloway

Call Me - Blondie

287 - Hold On To My Love - Jimmy Ruffin

288 - Boogie Down - Blackwell

289 - Bye Love - 5000 Volts - Vinyl

290 - Shoot Your Best Shot - Linda Clifford

291 - Sweet Dynamite - Claudja Barry

292 - Another Cha Cha - Santa Esmeralda

293 - Plato's Retreat - Joe Thomas

294 - African Queens - Ritchie Family

295 - At Midnight - T Connection

296 - I'm In Love - Evelyn "Champagne" King

297 - Woman - Barrabas

298 - Lady Night - Patrick Juvet

299 - It's Alright - Gino Soccio

300 - Shake It Up Tonight - Cheryl Lynn

[marv2]

301 - Que Tal America - Two Man Sound

302 - Accidental Lover - Love and Kisses

303 - Body Music - Strikers, The

304 - Here Comes That Sound Again - Love De-Luxe

305 - Let The Music Play - Arpeggio

306 - Party - KC And The Sunshine Band

307 - Rock It - Lipps Inc.

308 - Touch Me Baby - Ultimate

309 - Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe - Barry White

310 - Give Your Body Up - Billy Nichols

311 - Going Back To My Roots - Odyssey

312 - Is It All Over My Face - Loose Joints

313 - Looking For Love - Fat Larry's Band

314 - The End - Change

315 - The Visitors - Abba

316 - Get Your Chic Together - Class

317 - Let Me Down Easy/Good Morning Midnight / Great Expectations [[Suite) - First Choice

318 - My Forbidden Lover - Chic

319 - Take Me Home - Cher

320 - Tango Hustle - Kay Gees

321 - Bad Company - Ullanda McCullough

322 - Brick House - Commodores

323 - Cream Always Rises To The Top - Bionic Boogie / Gregg Diamond

324 - Don't Stop Till You Get Enough - Michael Jackson

325 - Jingo - Candido

326 - You And I - Delagation

327 - I Love To Love - Tina Charles

328 - Never Knew Love Like This Before - Stephanie Mills

329 - One Love - Celi Bee

330 - Anybody Wanna Party? - Gloria Gaynor

331 - It's A War - Kano

332 - Time Is Running Out - The Tymes

333 - Come Let Me Love You - Jeanette "Lady" Day

334 - Dance With Me - Peter Brown

335 - I Don't Know What I'd Do - Sweet Cream

336 - Six Million Steps - Rhani Harris.

337 - Theme From S.W.A.T. - Rhythm Heritage

338 - When The Fuel Runs Out - Executive Suite

339 - All American Girls - Sister Sledge

340 - Just Be Good To Me - S. O. S. Band

341 - Kjee - M.F.S.B. [[M. F. S. B. / MFSB)

342 - Love Sensation - Loleatta Holloway

343 - Lucky - Donna Summer

344 - Make That Feeling Come Again - Beautiful Bend

345 - Never Gonna Say Goodbye - Poussez

346 - Why Can't We Live Together - Timmy Thomas

347 - Can You Handle It? - Sharon Redd

348 - Don't Let Go - Isaac Hayes

349 - Get Dancing - Disco Tex And The Sex-o-lettes

350 - I Can't Stand The Rain - Eruption

351 - Let No Man Put Asunder - First Choice

352 - Never Gonna Be The Same - Ruth Waters

353 - This Beat Is Mine - Vicki D

354 - Ask Me - Ecstasy, Passion, & Pain

355 - Dance To Dance - Gino Soccio

356 - La Vie En Rose - Grace Jones

357 - Sure Shot - Tracy Weber

358 - Trans Europe Express - Kraftwerk

359 - Upside Down - Diana Ross

360 - Cathedrals - D. C. LaRue

361 - Dancin' At The Disco - L. A. X.

362 - I Don't Want To Be A Freak - Dynasty

363 - I Was Born This Way [[Tom Moulton Remix) - Carl Bean

364 - Law And Order - Love Committee

365 - Lust - Rinder & Lewis

366 - Machine Gun - Commodores

367 - Undercover Lover - Debbie Jacobs

368 - You + Me = Love - Undisputed Truth

369 - Dirty Ol' Man - Three Degrees

370 - Manhattan Love Song - King Errisson

371 - Suite Seventeen - Marlena Shaw

372 - This Will Be A Night To Remember - Eddie Holman

373 - Tonight [[I'm Alright) - Narada Michael Walden

374 - What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin' - Stephanie Mills

375 - You Can Get Over - Stephanie Mills

376 - It's Raining Men - Weather Girls

377 - One Nation - Funkadelic

378 - Sunny - Yambu

379 - Weekend - Phreek

380 - Get Down - Voyage

381 - Infatuation - Upfront

382 - I Don't Know If It's Right - Evelyn King

383 - I Love N. Y. - Metropolis

384 - Love Hangover - Diana Ross

385 - Rio De Janeiro - Gary Criss

386 - Saturday - Norma Jean

387 - Take Off - Harlow - Vinyl

388 - The Visitors - Gino Soccio

389 - In The Bottle - Joe Bataan

390 - Miss You - Rolling Stones

391 - Which Way Is Up - Stargard

392 - Without Your Love - Cut Glass

393 - You're All I Have - Poussez

394 - Lady Bump - Penny McLean

395 - Magnifique - Magnifique

396 - Sexy - M. F. S. B.

397 - Twilight Zone - Manhattan Transfer

398 - Cuba - Gibson Brothers

399 - Dancin Johnson - Bill Saluga

400 - Let The Music Play - Shannon

401 - Livin' It Up - Bell and James

402 - Nice And Nasty - Salsoul Orchestra

403 - Daddy Cool - Boney M

404 - Earth Can Be Just Like Heaven [[Remix) - Two Tons O Fun

405 - Love Pains - Yvonne Elliman

406 - Do Or Die - Grace Jones

407 - Love Magic - John Davis & The Monster Orchestra

408 - Mr. DJ You No How To Make Me Dance - The Glass Family

409 - Superstar - Bob McGilpin

410 - Back Together Again [[Remix) - Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway

411 - Beyond The Clouds - Quartz

412 - Enough Is Enough [[No More Tears) - Donna Summer with Barbra Streisand

413 - We're On The Right Track - South Shore Commission

414 - Bounce, Rock, Roll, Skate - Vaughn Mason And Crew

415 - Flashdance - Irene Cara

416 - I Specialize In Love - Sharon Brown

417 - Over & Over - [Sylvester

418 - Sentimentally It's You - Theo Vaness

419 - Can't Live Without Your Love - Tamiko Jones - >Buy CD OR Vinyl

420 - Fascinated - Company B

421 - Feel Like Dancing - France Joli

422 - Soul - Frankie Valli

423 - Starchild - Level 42

424 - Stars - Sylvester

425 - Tangerine - Salsoul Orchestra

426 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 Blow Your Whistle - Gary Toms

427 - Fancy Dancer - Gregg Diamond's Star Cruiser Band

428 - Heart Of Glass - Blondie

429 - Is This The Future? - Fatback

430 - Searching - Change

431 - Lets Go Round Again - Average White Band

432 - Love X Love - George Benson

433 - One More Shot - C-Bank

434 - Crank It Up - Peter Brown

435 - Fantasy - Bruni Pagan

436 - Love Rollercoaster - Ohio Players

437 - Mercy - Carol Jiani

438 - Armed And Extremely Dangerous - First Choice

439 - Jump To The Beat - Stacy Lattisaw

440 - It Must Be Love - Alton McClain And Destiny

441 - Lipstick - Michel Polnareff

442 - Make Me Believe In You [[Tom Moulton Remix) - Patti Jo

443 - No One Gets The Prize/The Boss [[12" Remix) - Diana Ross

444 - Ritzy Mambo - Salsoul Orchestra

445 - What A Difference A Day Makes - Esther Phillips

446 - You Stepped Into My Life - Melba Moore

447 - Dance - Paradise Express

448 - Do You Love Me - Patti Austin

449 - Heaven Is A Disco [[Medley) - Paul Jabara

450 - Heavy Vibes - Montana Sextet

451 - I Wanna Dance - Asha

452 - Jump Shout [[Remix) - Lisa

453 - Let's Mend What's Been Broken - Gloria Gaynor

454 - Love Rescue - Project

455 - Malaguena - Pico

456 - Babe Were Gonna Love Tonight - Lime

457 - Sea Hunt - Patrick Cowley

458 - Slide - Slave

459 - Strut Your Funky Stuff - Frantique

460 - Summer Of '42 - Biddu Orchestra

461 - That's The Trouble - Grace Jones

462 - The Very Best In You - Change

463 - Trocadero Suite - Alec R. Costandinos

464 - Angel Eyes - Lime

465 - Beat Box - Art of Noise

466 - California Strut - Walter Murphy

467 - Can We Try Again - Technique

468 - Dance With You - Carrie Lucas

469 - Dancing In Paradise - El Coco

470 - Feelin' Lucky Lately - High Fashion

471 - Forbidden Lover - Tapps

472 - In Private - Dusty Springfield

473 - Judas Iscariot - Sphinx [[Alec Costandinos)

474 - Just Be Yourself - Nightlife Unlimited

475 - Just Begun - Jimmy Castor Bunch

476 - Koka - American Eagles

477 - Let My Heart Do The Walking - Supremes

478 - Look Me Up - Blue Magic

479 - My Baby's Got E. S. P - Four Below Zero

480 - Plug Me To Death - Erotic Drum Band

481 - The Player - First Choice

482 - You Set My Heart On Fire - Tina Charles

483 - Your Disco - Transvolta

484 - Your Move - Change

485 - Arabian Nights Medley - The Ritchie Family

486 - Don't Stop The Music - Yarborough & Peoples

487 - Hang Together - Odyssey

488 - Heaven Knows - Donna Summer

489 - Here's To You - Skyy

490 - I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten - The Simon Orchestra

491 - I Get Lifted - Jimmy "Bo" Horne

492 - I'll Do My Best [[For You Baby) - Ritchie Family

493 - Keep It Up - Olympic Runners

494 - Let's Clean Up The Ghetto - Philadelphia International All Stars

495 - Love Don't Go Thru No Changes On Me - Sister Sledge

496 - On The Radio - Donna Summer

497 - Ooh I Love It - Salsoul Orchestra

498 - Party Line - Andrea True Connection

499 - Remember Me/Ain't No Mountain - Boystown Gang

500 - Spin It - Sunbelt

[marv2]

For the record, pardon the pun, I do not wholly agree with the above list and the selections. Too much good stuff was left off and some very obscure garbage was included. See what you think.

[honest opinions]

For the record, pardon the pun, I do not wholly agree with the above list and the selections. Too much good stuff was left off and some very obscure garbage was included. See what you think.

I agree good stuff was left off. This is only 500 songs. You are BOUND to leave stuff off.

I disagree about obscure garbage. Just because you and I may not know a song- that's actually reasonable. We didnt live everywhere, listen to every radio station and go to every club.
But the list was compiled by everybody who did.
What's unreasonable [[and a bit presumptuous) is the "I dont know it/or I dont like it- therefore it must be garbage" conclusion.

That list was put together was a long time ago. I'll bet [[as a member/visitor of DM.C) that if the subject was brought up in 2010- the list would look very different. As different as a Motown top 500 list would look [[as an example) if you did it a decade apart?

I live in NYC. I am surprised sometimes when records we took for granted- ROCKED some club in Canada or San Francisco. But it happened. And just because it didnt happen in NYC dosnt make it less valid. Big world out there.....

You know how many records came out of the Chicago Disco scene that I STILL have never heard that people revere and pay HUGE money for when the 12" comes up on eBay?

[soulster]

I LOVED disco some of my picks are -
Boogie Oogie Taste Of Honey
Try Me I Know We Can Make It Donna Summer
Dance Across The Floor Jimmy 'Bo' Horne
Three Degrees Givin up,Givin In
Chic Le Freak
Born To Be Alive Patrick Hernandez
Shake Shake Shake KC and The Sunshine
Native New Yorker Odyssey
Hes The Greatest Dancer Sister Sledge
Boogie Nights Heatwave
Lets All Chant Micheal Zager Band
Dance Little Lady Dance Tina Charles
Black is Black Belle Epoque
Voulez Vous Abba
Spacer Shelia & B Devotion
Ring My Bell Anita Ward

Except for the last five, that's a damn good list!

Some of my favorites are also pop, or lean funk:

The Hustle - Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony
*The Groove Line - Heatwave*
I Love You - Donna Summer
Lady Marmalade - Labelle
Swearin' To God - Frankie Valli
Brazil - The Ritchie Family
Get Up And Boogie [[That's Right!) - Silver Convention
Party Line - Andrea True Connection
Sky High - Jigsaw
Get Dancin' - Disco Tex & His Sex-O-Lets
Sexy - MFSB
Satin Soul - Barry White Orchestra
Get Down Tonight - K.C. & The Sunshine Band
No More Love At Your Convenience - Alice Cooper
New York, You've Got Me Dancin' - Andrea True Connection
Disco Nights [[Rock-Freak) - GQ

More to come...

[jillfoster]

Ever hear disco sung in Hebrew? [[It's a great song)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SuzW1T_8-E

[marv2]

I agree good stuff was left off. This is only 500 songs. You are BOUND to leave stuff off.

I disagree about obscure garbage. Just because you and I may not know a song- that's actually reasonable. We didnt live everywhere, listen to every radio station and go to every club.
But the list was compiled by everybody who did.
What's unreasonable [[and a bit presumptuous) is the "I dont know it/or I dont like it- therefore it must be garbage" conclusion.

That list was put together was a long time ago. I'll bet [[as a member/visitor of DM.C) that if the subject was brought up in 2010- the list would look very different. As different as a Motown top 500 list would look [[as an example) if you did it a decade apart?

I live in NYC. I am surprised sometimes when records we took for granted- ROCKED some club in Canada or San Francisco. But it happened. And just because it didnt happen in NYC dosnt make it less valid. Big world out there.....

You know how many records came out of the Chicago Disco scene that I STILL have never heard that people revere and pay HUGE money for when the 12" comes up on eBay?

Great points Honest Opinions. I too am in NYC, but at the time of the Disco Era I was mostly in Detroit, Denver,Toledo,Philly and Canada and partied in NYC. There were songs that you had to have to have a party in Detroit that are not on this list. I know they had different favorites over in Europe and elsewhere.

[thommg]

Three of my favorite disco songs are not very well known - but should be remembered.

1. I Got The Next Dance With You - Denise Williams
2. Star Love - Cheryl Lynn
3. Dance - Paul Jabara

All 3 of them filled the dance floor down in Washington DC during the day. Now you have to search for them since they are hard to come by.

[soulster]

Three of my favorite disco songs are not very well known - but should be remembered.

1. I Got The Next Dance With You - Denise Williams
2. Star Love - Cheryl Lynn


These two songs are very well-known, at least in the R&B world...

[marv2]

These two songs are very well-known, at least in the R&B world...


Oh yeah, those got a lot of play when they first hit.

[moe]

Blueskies...................THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sylvester was a character!!

[daddyacey]

I have to state first ,that I got a big problem with the label of "Disco" being applied to a good portion of the tracks listed above.
A good 90% of them are just plain old danceable R&B/Funk music. A good portion of them are complex ,multi layered compositions that reflect the infuence of Jazz ,Soul ,R&B and Classical elements ,when you "Really" listen to them. The designation of "Disco" to me ,is a generalized ,commercial term for music that ,only but for the fact that they were played in the clubs, they were put into that label or designation. " Swearin' To God - Frankie Valli", while not a "Funky" track ,is in fact a big band track with jazz influence in its full form. An aural ass kicker. Jimmy Bo Horns ,"Is it In" for example ,is just pure nasty ass Funk ,yet it is considered "Disco". The Petrus/Malvasi ,Gregg Diamond and Georgio M tracks were as in sync to the U.S. market as the Italian "western movies" were with Eastwood etc. They are pure Funk/ R&B with a little classical sweetening. Just listen to the layers of those tracks ,they kick ass equal to the tracks coming out of Philly and L.A.'s Solar product on the heels of Philly's G&H and B.H.Y. Yet they are classified as "Disco" ,alongside bullshit as "Disco Lucy" ,"Disco Duck" ,etc. Disco , is a bad word to me ,and mind you ,I admit to having 90% of all those in the posted list ,so I agree with what you said Marv.
"heartbeat" and "Over Like A Fat Rat" ,for example are just to Funky to be considered "Disco" , by any means.
And lets not even consider what is coined ,"Pre-Disco".
And....as far as the "T.M. mix was concerned , he was like the gourmet butcher ,that trimmed the choice fat and presented the choice parts of the meat for the chefs,who were the Dj's ,and enabled them to serve to the public ,the choice parts of each selection. I don't believe what is considered "Disco" in its popular term ,is not what he intended it to be. I think it goes deeper than that ,and thats why I think he has been silent about this:D.

[soulster]

Amen daddyacey! Few things annoy me more than when R&B/funk songs are lumped together as disco. And, it's usually either by people who hate disco and don't know shit about it, or by people who love it, but also do not make any distinction between it and R&B/funk.

Oh, but Some of that stuff you say is bullshit, like Disco Lucy, was just fun. No reason all music has to be serious all the time.

[marv2]

Following up on a point Honest Opinion made earlier, here's one that was VERY popular locally [[Detroit-Toledo) but did not make the Top 500 list, Morris Jefferson and " Spank Your Blank Blank" :


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jRDWF5dTa0

[marv2]

A smash hit from 1976! Ms Vicki Sue Robinson of NJ!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44pYL9-XOW0

[marv2]

The original .....Shirley & Co. "Shame, Shame, Shame" from 1975
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x20hyz_70s-shirley-company-shame-shame-sha_music

[marv2]

Now how cool is this? IAM "Je Danse le Mia" :


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmadh6-mmTM

[gordy_hunk]

Three of my favorite disco songs are not very well known - but should be remembered.

1. I Got The Next Dance With You - Denise Williams
2. Star Love - Cheryl Lynn
3. Dance - Paul Jabara

All 3 of them filled the dance floor down in Washington DC during the day. Now you have to search for them since they are hard to come by.

The album "When love comes calling" by Deniece Williams, was issued this week on CD. It contains the single mix, album mix and the 12" disco mix of "I've got the next dance".

Star love is available as a download from Amazon [[the 7 minutes + version) and there is also a version on the newly released CD "The best of" [[the CD was issued August 30). Don't know the length of the track on that CD though.

The track 'Dance' by Paul Jabara from his first album "Shut Out" isn't yet available on CD. It is hoped that the CD will be issued before too long.

Hope this helps.

[jsmith]

We've had a few lists on this thread .... so I thought I would add another .......
here are just some of the sessions that one great singer contributed to in the disco era .....
........... IT'S A LONG LIST ................
..Get Dancin.... - Disco Tex & The Sexolettes Chelsea 1974
..I Wanna Dance ..With You.. - Disco Tex & The Sexolettes Chelsea 1975
..Disco Tex & The Sexolettes Review.. LP - Disco Tex & The Sexolettes Chelsea 1975
..Zulema.. LP - Zulema RCA 1975
..The Real McCoy.. LP - Van McCoy H&L 1976
..Luther.. LP - Luther Vandross Cottillion 1976
..Got You Dancin.... - Karisma feat Jocelyn Brown SOTU 1976
..Glorious.. LP - Gloria Gaynor MGM 1977
..Laso.. LP - Laso MCA 1977
..We Belong Together.. LP - John Blair CTI 1977
..Let..s Make A Deal.. LP - Z.Z. Hill Columbia 1978
..Change.. - Zulema London 1978
..Star Cruiser.. - Greg Diamond Marlin 1978
..Superman.. LP - Herbie Mann Atlantic 1978
..All Things Beautiful.. LP - Jimmy Ponder LRC 1978
..In The Wind.. LP - Joe Thomas TK 1978
..Plato..s Retreat.. - Joe Thomas TK 1978
..Patrick Adams Presents Phreek.. LP - Phreek Prelude 1978
..Keep On Jumpin.... LP - Musique Prelude 1978
..In The Bush.. - Musique Prelude 1978
..Keep On Jumpin.... - Musique Prelude 1978
..Hardware.. LP - Greg Diamond Mercury 1979
..Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway.. LP - Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway Atlantic 1979
..Midnight Energy.. LP - Mantus SMI 1979
..Soiree.. LP - Soiree Roadshow 1979
..Walk Before You Run.. - Dazzle De-Lite 1979
..Experience.. LP - Joel Diamond Casablanca 1979
..I..m Caught Up [[In A One Night Love Affair).. LP - Inner Life Prelude 1979
..I..m Caught Up [[In A One Night Love Affair).. - Inner Life Prelude 1979
..B. Baker Chocolate Company.. LP - B. Baker Chocolate Company LRC 1979
..Candi..s Funk.. LP - Candido Salsoul 1979
..Tiger Tiger.. LP - Greg Diamond Bionic Boogie Polydor 1979
..[[Dance It) Freestyle Rhythm.. - Mantus SMI 1979
..Love Is A Natural Thing.. - Mantus SMI 1979
..Music Man.. LP - Revanche RSO 1979
..Gone Clear.. LP - Manu Dibango Mango 1980
..Boogie To The Top.. - Mantus SMI 1980
..Step Aside For A Lady.. LP - Cissy Houston Private Stock 1980
..Feel Good Party Time.. - J.R. Funk & The Party Machine Brass 1980
..Change.. LP - Change RFC/Warners 1980
..A Lover..s Holiday.. - Change RFC/Warners 1980
..It..s A Girl..s Affair.. - Change RFC/Warners 1980
..Angel In My Pocket.. - Change RFC/Warners 1980
..Sadie [[She Smokes).. - Joe Bataan Salsoul 1980
..Give Me The Night.. - George Benson Warner Bros 1980
..Rock Away.. LP - Phoebe Snow Mirage 1981
..Take It Off.. LP - Chic Atlantic 1981
..Christmas Jollies 2.. LP - The Salsoul Orchestra Salsoul 1981
..Inner Life.. LP - Inner Life Salsoul 1981
..Ain..t Mountain High Enough.. - Inner Life Salsoul 1981
..Knockout [[Let..s Go Another Round).. - Inner Life Salsoul 1981
..Too Through.. - The Bad Girls BC 1981
..Jingo.. - Candido Salsoul 1982
..Sharing Your Love.. LP - Change Atlantic 1982
..Tongue In Chic.. LP - Chic Atlantic 1982
..Soup For One.. - Chic Atlantic 1982
..Take Some Time Out For Love.. - The Salsoul Orchestra Salsoul 1982
..Inner Life 2.. LP - Inner Life Salsoul 1982
..Moment Of My Life.. - Inner Life Salsoul 1982
..I Like It Like That.. - Inner Life Salsoul 1983
..Leader.. LP - Fonzi Thornton RCA 1983
..Glad To Be Here.. LP - Bernard Edwards Atlantic 1983

The singer in question being Jocelyn Brown .......
& she's still going strong [[here in the UK) today !!!!

[the_classic_master]

i love this thread, way to go marv! you know i have a 70's show and i represent the disco and the funk to the fullest! men i can't stand when ppl. who claim they didn't like disco. like it was only blacks, gays and europeans listening and buying this music! there's no way no man could tell me they wasn't chasing women up in the disco club, the ladies were always there and they love to dance and dance sexy too! i wish i was a adult at that time[[ooo the fine women i would be getting!)LOL. anyway, i was just a kid and i used to go to the jams in the park here in new york. we even had a little disco for kids ages 10-15 and i had a ball in 1978. and my all time favorite song, they used to shut the party down with[[and played it twice was
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB_h0_-FFjc
and don't u dare short change me and play that corny 45 version! anybody feel like doing the rock? lol.

[the_classic_master]

here are a few of my favs:
my 2nd crush was this lady in 1976
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEFgWzfmbVU
nobody sang ooh and send a chill up my spine the way this woman did. she just oozes sex and i was only 8 when this song came out!

another gem fom 1979
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXvY1PHKd3M


one of the best baseline of 1977



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAOJR-Hhb8Y


one of my all time favs form 1975


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WaN_KoP-F0


and i still run to the dance floor as soon as i hear the intro, 30 years later!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XgCU4bRzdQ

[soulster]

Gordy,

I've been seeing "When Love Comes Calling" on CD for months now on another label. Which label, I can't recall.

Another song I really love is the long version of Phyllis Hyman's "You Know How To Love Me".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxk5tcuzWT4&feature=fvsr

[topdiva1]

This Era was a very special time in music history - and made many singers STARS.

[gordy_hunk]

[QUOTE=soulster;15947]Gordy,

I've been seeing "When Love Comes Calling" on CD for months now on another label. Which label, I can't recall.

The label is BBR, and generally sells for £7.99 [[try Amazon for it).

They have issued some excellent CD so far this year, such as Gloria Gaynor's "Never can say goodbye" and "Experience" as well as the Three Degrees two albums on Philadephia and also the 'New Dimensions" album. Interestingly, the latest release from the Three Degrees contains a couple of tracks they sang in Japanese.

[soulster]

I was mostly impressed by the Heatwave reissue of "Current". The only thing is that they compressed it too much.

[pshark]

What the hell was James brown thinking?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHQJDbeT1lM
Here's some funk acts that did it right

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48ffWejVvJo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxCXlVWxeRw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeeOPR8bxac

[marv2]

i love this thread, way to go marv! you know i have a 70's show and i represent the disco and the funk to the fullest! men i can't stand when ppl. who claim they didn't like disco. like it was only blacks, gays and europeans listening and buying this music! there's no way no man could tell me they wasn't chasing women up in the disco club, the ladies were always there and they love to dance and dance sexy too! i wish i was a adult at that time[[ooo the fine women i would be getting!)LOL. anyway, i was just a kid and i used to go to the jams in the park here in new york. we even had a little disco for kids ages 10-15 and i had a ball in 1978. and my all time favorite song, they used to shut the party down with[[and played it twice was
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB_h0_-FFjc
and don't u dare short change me and play that corny 45 version! anybody feel like doing the rock? lol.

Hey thanks Classic Master. I was an adult[[just barely mind you) during this time in our musical, social history and let me tell you.......I had a ball! LOL! I can remember the night I went along with some older college friends to the late football great Lyle Alzado's club called Red Parrot [[then later "Alzado's") in Denver Colorado. He stopped me at the door and I was sweating bullets because you had to be 21 to get in and I was just 18. He gave me the once over and let me in then and everytime I went back LOL! Oh the ladies we be there in packs, dressed and READY FREDDY! LOL!

[the_classic_master]

i hope u caught that 70's show i had up there, i took it down a couple of hours ago. i have the 80's and 90's up!

[marv2]

i hope u caught that 70's show i had up there, i took it down a couple of hours ago. i have the 80's and 90's up!

I missed it. Was out most of the day. I will check out the 80's /90's though. Thanks buddy

[daddyacey]

jsmith, I love your posts ,and there is always that 2 or 3 facts I didn't know of in them.
Ms. Brown is a talent IMO ,that is too good to be ,"commercially" exploited. That is ,why she is one of the many ladies ,that have not recieved broader recognizition . She is a Divas Diva. She the voice behind the commercial image of a singer in the 80's -90's period. That's the reason why she left here for the U.K.. The woman is an awesome talent.

classicmaster : I was rolling from your thread. I am just as guilty as you.

[thommg]

The album "When love comes calling" by Deniece Williams, was issued this week on CD. It contains the single mix, album mix and the 12" disco mix of "I've got the next dance".

Star love is available as a download from Amazon [[the 7 minutes + version) and there is also a version on the newly released CD "The best of" [[the CD was issued August 30). Don't know the length of the track on that CD though.

The track 'Dance' by Paul Jabara from his first album "Shut Out" isn't yet available on CD. It is hoped that the CD will be issued before too long.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for this info. I actually have all three tracks but am excited to find that Denise Williams When Love Comes Calling is now out on cd. I really enjoyed that one and will definitely pick that cd up. I Got The Next Dance was featured on a cd compilation called Let's Dance which I'm sure is now OOP. The Cheryl Lynn track was on her first album which was released on cd many, many years ago. Paul Jabara had a compilation cd that contained tracks from all of this albums and contains Dance. Again, long out of print.

Also, I would love to find the Melba Moore cd This Is It. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED that album. I heard it was released on cd but have never been able to find it. This Is It was a great dance floor piece.

[marv2]

Melba Moore, "You Stepped Into My Life " -1978:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIxlqhdXrLs

[ginomons]

And underated, always underated in the US - THE THREE DEGREES ! Shame, shame, shame !!! :rolleyes:

DISCO ? Well, here's a couple of their amazing tunes OHHH yezzz, LIVE!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=807ye3HKmHY&hd=1


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IcPH566KO4&hd=1

[nomis]

Rhino used to put out disco compilations in the early 90s,I think they were called "The Disco Years" they had a good cross section of songs Rhino seemed to always put so much care into their releases.
I worked on a New Zealand disco compilation called "Absolute Disco" which was fun,Pre You Tube original disco video clips were quite hard to come by as they hadnt really been serviced to tv stations as there wasnt really a demand to see them..I had good quality clips of Kool and The Gang,The Jacksons etc..the "Knock On Wood' video was fun with Ami in her headpiece..I cant remember which tracks Warners remastered from my collection for the cd but there was a few..I love Niles clear perspex guitar in the "Le Freak" video to....

[soulster]

The only thing I hated about Rhino comps is that, while Bill Inglot would master the sound pretty well [[even though he was a treble whore), he would consitieantly put on the wrong single versions.

[gordy_hunk]

ginomons comments that the Three Degrees were underrated in the US. That's their loss, but for the rest of us, we loved the Three Degrees, and they were very successful and welcomed.

Sheila Ferguson used to live very close to me until relatively recently, and hope one day she'll return here. Her style and vocal leads were excellent for disco - as the live recordings demonstrate. Thanks ginomons for posting them.

From the PIR days to Ariola, the Three Degrees were very much in demand, sold records, and were often to be heard on the radio. Their Giorgio Moroder albums of course have now been issued in Japan, although this year has seen the first of these, New Dimensions, released on CD with bonus tracks in the UK. 3D hasn't yet been issued in the UK, but is still available in Japan.

[jsmith]

If you're into disco & boogie tracks, check out the recent UK CD releases from Backbeats ......
.... loads of great compilations at cheap prices .....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/BoogieS-Gonna-Getcha-York-Boogie/dp/B0034A8ABY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1288603629&sr=1-2
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philly-Disco-Dance-Anthems-Brotherly/dp/B0031XXXHU/ref=pd_sim_m_h__4
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soul-Steppin-80S-Steppers/dp/B0031XXXJI/ref=pd_sim_m_h__1

[jsmith]

AND there are more great compilation CD's available from Backbeats associate label Harmless .....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Disco-Discharge-Boogie-Various-Artists/dp/B003DW64N4/ref=pd_sim_m_h__5
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Disco-Discharge-Classic-Various-Artists/dp/B002I639QQ/ref=pd_sim_m_h__4
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Disco-Discharge-Ladies-Various-Artists/dp/B002ICGQEW/ref=pd_sim_m_h__1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Disco-Discharge-Diggin-Various-Artists/dp/B003905M4W/ref=pd_sim_m_h__4

[KevLo]

Hi this is Kev-Lo

Here's A Disco Masterpiece that they Still tear up parties
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnNYCV5gJbE

[luke]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5KodTR21OI Alright now--get down to one of the great ones-and move it! Ms Gerladine Hunt Cant Fake the Feeling on Solid Gold.

[marv2]

Here's one that many people think of when they here the word "Disco". It was on the radio all time in the Winter of 1977-78 and one of my favorites The Bee Gees and "Night Fever"! :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ihs-vT9T3Q&ob=av2e

[nomis]

I preferred "Nights On Broadway " and "Nights On Broadway" to Night fever,But If Im in the dj Booth I'd go with Nightfever for the crowd,[[mainly 18 -25) would know it over my 2 favs...

[tom_moulton]

I am here.Just reading about others thoughts on it and what it meant to them. I don't have to tell you what it meant to me. You can hear it in the Music.

[marv2]

Tom, we were wondering where you were! Your work and input is ESSENTIAL to this discussion. I personally am interested in knowing what your approach is when creating an extended mix of say a 3:00 minute single cut?

[soulster]

I preferred "Nights On Broadway " and "Nights On Broadway" to Night fever,But If Im in the dj Booth I'd go with Nightfever for the crowd,[[mainly 18 -25) would know it over my 2 favs...

I prefer the original studio hit version of "You Should be Dancing".

[gordy_hunk]

you must be absolutely thrilled that your work on Gloria Gaynor has been issued on CD. The album "never can say goodbye" totally changed my life - as it did many others. To be so creative and talented and have a legacy that you were such an influential figure within the music world... I'm envious!

[soulster]

Not being insulting, but how can an album change a person's life? Just curious.

I can't think of any one song or album that has ever made a huge impact in a life-changing way.

[timmyfunk]

...except that Johnnie Taylor himself had said that the song isn't disco. It's R&B.

Considering that musical backing for Disco Lady came from various P-Funk alumni, that song could be labeled Funk.

[soulster]

Considering that musical backing for Disco Lady came from various P-Funk alumni, that song could be labeled Funk.

That's exactly what it is! Funk. call it funk, R&B, but it's not disco.

[gordy_hunk]

Not being insulting, but how can an album change a person's life? Just curious.

I can't think of any one song or album that has ever made a huge impact in a life-changing way.


I'll briefly explain. Until the disco era, and in particular the Gloria Gaynor album [[plus George McCrae's 'Rock your baby' and also Barry White's 'Can't get enough') I was a good student, and most of my time was spent studying, reading, and listening to music. That music was primarily Motown or classical. I was a solitary person, and had no idea what the inside of a nightclub was like, and probably only went into a pub about once or twice a year. Gloria's album came out, and when I played it, I just found it so very hard to keep still. I wanted to get up, to dance, to go out, studying suffered, music was played very loud, went out, slept with women. When I was getting ready to go out, I often would play this album very loud [[and I do mean loud) and I would become extremely excited about where I was going to go, where I would end up, who I would meet, and so on. For me, the first side of this album was about 19 minutes of sheer fantastic music, designed to stimulate, motivate and make me feel that the night was mine for the taking. That's enough for now ... :-)

[soulster]

Well, that interesting.

I have never heard the entire album, so I looked to see if I could download it and found in on Amazon. I sampled it and it sounded bad. Then, I looked around and found out why:
http://www.discomusic.com/forums/showthread.php/35519-Just-received-my-remastered-CD-from-Big-Break-Records-but...?p=169636#post169636

I'll just look for the vinyl LP.

[gordy_hunk]

[QUOTE=soulster;17074]Well, that interesting.

I have never heard the entire album, so I looked to see if I could download it and found in on Amazon. I sampled it and it sounded bad. Then, I looked around and found out why:
http://www.discomusic.com/forums/showthread.php/35519-Just-received-my-remastered-CD-from-Big-Break-Records-but...?p=169636#post169636

I'm sure you also read the reply from the label manager Wayne Dickson, which I am copying here. If Tom Moulton is happy with the finished product, then I most definitely am:

"Gentlemen,
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Wayne Dickson. I am label manager for Big Break Records here in the UK. Tom Moulton alerted me to this thread and I felt I should drop a note to you all here.

First of all, the facts.

We take the sound quality of all of our releases very seriously indeed. Personally, there is nothing that disappoints me more than bad sound quality on a CD so when we were fortunate enough to obtain the rights to release the first two Gloria Gaynor, we set about making sure that we did the best job possible. The original tapes were sourced from Universal in New York and were then restored and remastered by Kevin Reeves, who we requested personally. I supervised the mastering and made sure the end results were to my satisfaction. Tracks 9 & 10 [[The Columbia Singles) were only available from copy masters that were in bad condition. It was my decision to include them despite their limitations and I am very glad I did.

As some of you may know, music recorded during this period was often produced and mixed to fit the vinyl format. This means that the sound on the actual master tape does not always reflect the producer's aim for how the music would sound on vinyl. Further compression techniques would be implemented at the pressing stage. Our aim here was to provide a fitting representation of these classic albums in a digital format.

Now, opinions.

We are very happy with the finished results and are glad to report that almost all of the feedback we have received though our email address and Facebook site, as well as an email from Tom Moulton himself, backs our own opinions up. We do realise that everyone is entitled to their view and are very happy for them to express it. My only problem is when Audiophiles start to present their opinions as fact. I would invite anyone who is interested in this music to make up their own mind and not be influenced or dictated to by others.

Please make sure when any of you send out a "warning" to other potential buyers that may lead to them avoiding a product that you include another "warning" about the demise of CD sales that makes it more likely that there will be less future releases for them to listen to and make up their own mind about. I would also like to add that suggesting that Tom Moulton's masterpieces be remixed would result in a remix album rather than the original. Surely this should not be our aim. I appreciate the positive comments made on the mastering of our other releases. These opinions are also noted and appreciated.

I hope this clears up any questions anyone still may have on the product. Please be in no doubt that we always aim to deliver the best product.

Thank you,
Wayne A. Dickson,
Label Manager, BBR [[Big Break Records)".

[soulster]

Very anti-audiophile.

As an audiophile, I just want the music to represent more of what's on the tape. That's not usually a problem, as Kevin reeves is a terrific engineer, and I have corresponded with him. I like his work.

The problem comes when the mastering engineer boosts the volume several decibels with limiting and/or compression just to make it louder. ANYONE who works with audio knows what this does to the sound. I little bit can sound tasty, but too much can make mush out of the sound. Unfortunately, that all too often happens with CD remasters. That is what audiophiles are against.

I have another remaster from BBR, and, while s the sound is quite good, they compressed it to make it louder. In this day and age, with the Abbey Road Team redefining what good taste is in remastering by showing restraint with the limiting/compressing, there is no reason to boost the level 5-6 db. The recent Beatles and John Lennon remasters sets the new standard in remastering. There is no need to go crazy with the compressor. period.

[daddyacey]

Gwen Guthrie , another Diva's Diva. "Padlock" ,"7'th Heaven" ,"It Should've Been You" ,"Nothing Going On But The Rent", "Outside In The Rain" , on their own are classics , transformed by Re-mixes by Larry Levan ,and made into Mega Classics ,are undisputed classics. Larry and Joycelyn and Gwen ,were by destiny ,meant to work together. The stars were in the right place for all of the tracks made in this period to be together and it will be a long time before something like that will ever happen again. I mean that from the heart , If you don't know then you really need to research and listen and check it out. WORD.

[the_chicks_call_me__slick]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPH34mn_Fbg

I'm not such a fan of disco, I much prefer funk, but I'll post some of my favourite disco tracks,

[the_chicks_call_me__slick]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQfnFO4MLMI

Superb disco funk, from the amazing Norman Whitfield.

[the_chicks_call_me__slick]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yff4h50Bv60

[the_chicks_call_me__slick]

Is Keep On Truckin' disco, funk, or disco funk? I'm not too good on categories. One thing I do know, it's a superb piece of music.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgAtvJNIdrU

[the_chicks_call_me__slick]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMC2Q9n5zB8

[the_chicks_call_me__slick]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IvuHidjrMQ&feature=related

[daddyacey]

Truckin ,is considered "pre-Disco" , mainly because it was out before the "Disco" commercial designation came into existence.
Tracks like Truckin ,were played in urban clubs ,households and house parties/social events from the time when they came out. Disco ,being a multi cultural "genre" ,combined dancable Pop and thru the older DJ's ,dancable R&B. Later ,when the mixing of tracks allowed there to be extended versions ,the fact that it was a dancefloor hit ,made it a prime track for a remix or extended mix. It is in fact though ,Funk.

[marv2]

Is Keep On Truckin' disco, funk, or disco funk? I'm not too good on categories. One thing I do know, it's a superb piece of music.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgAtvJNIdrU

Well, it depends on who you ask. It was classified as early disco as far as I know.

[marv2]

Truckin ,is considered "pre-Disco" , mainly because it was out before the "Disco" commercial designation came into existence.
Tracks like Truckin ,were played in urban clubs ,households and house parties/social events from the time when they came out. Disco ,being a multi cultural "genre" ,combined dancable Pop and thru the older DJ's ,dancable R&B. Later ,when the mixing of tracks allowed there to be extended versions ,the fact that it was a dancefloor hit ,made it a prime track for a remix or extended mix. It is in fact though ,Funk.

That's it Daddyacey, you got it! You see, Eddie Kendricks' "Girl You Need A Change of Mind" has been called the record that unofficially started the "Disco Age or Era". It became a very popular dance record in New York City in the early 70's.

[soulster]

Well, it depends on who you ask. It was classified as early disco as far as I know.

I never heard it called disco. Maybe in NY...

[gordy_hunk]

certainly George McCrae's single 'Rock your baby' has always been known as the record that started the disco era.

I was too young to go to nightclubs when Eddie's 'keep on truckin' was released, but I've never known it to be a disco track - perhaps the older guys from London [[the velvelettes man for example) may know more than me about it.

[soulster]

Actually, Rock The Boat by Hues Corporation is the song that is acknowledged as the first disco record. The thing is, it's not even disco.

[pshark]

Is there a real definition on how disco music is suppose to sound like? Some say that Soul Mokassa was the first.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3qz4k_manu-dibango-soul-makossa_music
But it goes even further than that. In the 60's Go Go clubs were popular. Go Go was just another name for Discotheque.
Smokey & The Miracles' "Going To A Go Go" can be classified as early disco.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJt-NhCbZ_o

http://www.jahsonic.com/Discotheque.html
http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/history-of-discotheque-6702.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discoth%C3%A8que#History

[daddyacey]

For what it is worth ,from my opinion as a student of Social Science in college ,and an observer of and life expierienced person of world and American ,Pop culture, through the 50's ,60's ,70's and 80's and the term Disco is a no frills generalized term ,who's sole purpose was to make Danceable, Soul and R&B music and anything comparable, acceptable to a Mass audience, of a music of a specific group of people , so that people that were not of that core group that created it ,but liked it, would not feel alienated in doing so. It's the same thing basically that happened with R&B / Blues and the creation of "Rock and Roll. Truthfully , WTF is Rock & Roll ? The Blues with another name. They used to call it "race music". "Covers" made it Rock and Roll. It's the same game with another name. If "Disco" is dead , where the f... did it go????????? Is DISCO just the 118-120 to 130 beat that was prevalent to the70's -80's era. Is it just referring to music played in an era when you went out dancing ,and was provided by "RECORDED MEDIA" ,instead of a "LIVE BAND and VOCALIST"? "Disco" is derived from the French term ,"Discotheque" ,in which the music was provided from records mainly. Can you say that because of that , and technology ,that that is one of the reasons that Music Theory and the playing and teaching/instruction of the art of playing an instrument ,is not a major part of the education process in the school system today?
It's now 2010 going on 2011 ,and there still exists "clubs" where people go to "Dance". What is that music played in those clubs called today???? Is that or can that be called Disco?????
Or...............because I raise these questions , make me an old crazy ,lost in the past , azzhole ,that needs to shut up!
I'm o.k with being an azzhole , I got 50 yrs worth of music to keep me warm.
"A rose by any other name would still be a rose" :D :D :D But I digress , forgive me.......................

[marv2]

For what it is worth ,from my opinion as a student of Social Science in college ,and an observer of and life expierienced person of world and American ,Pop culture, through the 50's ,60's ,70's and 80's and the term Disco is a no frills generalized term ,who's sole purpose was to make Danceable, Soul and R&B music and anything comparable, acceptable to a Mass audience, of a music of a specific group of people , so that people that were not of that core group that created it ,but liked it, would not feel alienated in doing so. It's the same thing basically that happened with R&B / Blues and the creation of "Rock and Roll. Truthfully , WTF is Rock & Roll ? The Blues with another name. They used to call it "race music". "Covers" made it Rock and Roll. It's the same game with another name. If "Disco" is dead , where the f... did it go????????? Is DISCO just the 118-120 to 130 beat that was prevalent to the70's -80's era. Is it just referring to music played in an era when you went out dancing ,and was provided by "RECORDED MEDIA" ,instead of a "LIVE BAND and VOCALIST"? "Disco" is derived from the French term ,"Discotheque" ,in which the music was provided from records mainly. Can you say that because of that , and technology ,that that is one of the reasons that Music Theory and the playing and teaching/instruction of the art of playing an instrument ,is not a major part of the education process in the school system today?
It's now 2010 going on 2011 ,and there still exists "clubs" where people go to "Dance". What is that music played in those clubs called today???? Is that or can that be called Disco?????
Or...............because I raise these questions , make me an old crazy ,lost in the past , azzhole ,that needs to shut up!
I'm o.k with being an azzhole , I got 50 yrs worth of music to keep me warm.
"A rose by any other name would still be a rose" :D :D :D But I digress , forgive me.......................


Great, wonderful post Daddy, I was having similar thoughts. What is it that defined "Disco".

[splanky]

I can't believe in 2010 that there are still people who don't know the difference between funk and disco, don't know that
there were placed called discotheques before the emergence of the genre known as disco just as they were sometimes
referred to as Go Gos long before there was a genre of that same name, let alone people who don't know that there was
dance music, dance clubs and dance styles before disco came on the scene... Wow!...
And Pshark, no offense, dude but Smokey Robinson's Going To A Go Go as early disco?!?!...I couldn't buy that for a penny...
I actually was shocked to see the notion coming from a fan of the Funk...There are some very well written histories and
definitions of the genre in print and on the web [[at wikipedia, fyi) and though I can see how arguments are formed some
others make me laugh. Soul Makossa as the 1st disco record? Well, it was played in discothques and it was Manu Dibango's
1st international hit so if I'm a hit and miss search engine like microsoft's Bing, I've got the tags 1ST in there and DISCO, so...Bam! Correct! It was!....But the reality is as much as folks liked it [[me included) and as big as a hit it became, it
wasn't disco. Shit, it wasn't even Makossa. Manu himself admitted that...

[gordy_hunk]

Actually, Rock The Boat by Hues Corporation is the song that is acknowledged as the first disco record. The thing is, it's not even disco.

That's the first I've ever heard of that. And you're right, it's not disco, so whoever believes it's acknowledged as a disco record has fallen out of his tree and hit his head causing it to malfunction.

[soulster]

That's the first I've ever heard of that. And you're right, it's not disco, so whoever believes it's acknowledged as a disco record has fallen out of his tree and hit his head causing it to malfunction.

I don't know about the U.K., but it has always been widely regarded in the states as the first bona-fide disco hit. While not disco, the song is famous for ushering in a dance called the Latin hustle, later popularized by Van McCoy's "The Hustle" one year later.

There are a LOT of people who have no clue as to what a disco record really is, and they tend to label any Black artist from the 70s, and just anything dancable as disco. Rockers tend to be notorious about this.

[marv2]

I don't know about the U.K., but it has always been widely regarded in the states as the first bona-fide disco hit. While not disco, the song is famous for ushering in a dance called the Latin hustle, later popularized by Van McCoy's "The Hustle" one year later.

There are a LOT of people who have no clue as to what a disco record really is, and they tend to label any Black artist from the 70s, and just anything dancable as disco. Rockers tend to be notorious about this.

I agree with you about Van McCoy's record "The Hustle". The first time I heard it ,I had just woke up to get ready for school [[I was in High School). It came on CKLW and I didn't pay it much attention to it as I thought it was a commercial. Later on, I heard it again and again. Nice record. I am Black and I hate stereotypes.

Still, can anyone explain what ingredients made a record "Disco"? Was it BPM[[ Beats Per Minute) or something else? I know it had nothing to do with the ethnicity of the artist because a wide variety of people and record companies released "Disco" records between 1974 and 1980. The Sugar Hill Gangs hit "Rappers Delight" was released nationally in 1979 using Chic's "Good Times" as it's backdrop, still that record was called a "Rap Record" but the music was classified as Disco.

[marv2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IvuHidjrMQ&feature=related

Now this was a jam and a definite floor filler!

[soulster]

I agree with you about Van McCoy's record "The Hustle". The first time I heard it ,I had just woke up to get ready for school [[I was in High School). It came on CKLW and I didn't pay it much attention to it as I thought it was a commercial. Later on, I heard it again and again. Nice record. I am Black and I hate stereotypes.

Still, can anyone explain what ingredients made a record "Disco"? Was it BPM[[ Beats Per Minute) or something else? I know it had nothing to do with the ethnicity of the artist because a wide variety of people and record companies released "Disco" records between 1974 and 1980. The Sugar Hill Gangs hit "Rappers Delight" was released nationally in 1979 using Chic's "Good Times" as it's backdrop, still that record was called a "Rap Record" but the music was classified as Disco.


I'm Black and I hate stereotypes too...except there are certain cases where I think they apply, like with conservatives/republicans! Hahah!

What constitutes a disco record is a question that will never be agreed on. All I know from experience is that those who hate it tend to lump all R&B/funk in as disco. And, i'm sorry if it offends anyone, but I often find that some people who do this are bigots and racists, and may not even realize it.

[jillfoster]

I can't believe in 2010 that there are still people who don't know the difference between funk and disco, don't know that
there were placed called discotheques before the emergence of the genre known as disco

How right you ARE. Exhibit A, Discoteque and disco dancing talked about in this show from 1970:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmyiDes-ICw&feature=related

[juicefree20]

Hi Everyone.

I'm finally getting a chance to stop through. Ironically enough, both Rock The Boat AND Rock Your Baby were commonly regarded as the "first" Disco records & let's not forget Love's Theme & The Hustle [[which I absolutely HATED!!!). But when you REALLY think about the sound of Disco, how can one ignore The Trammps Zing Went The Strings?

When I think back on those days, there were several songs that were the precursors to Disco.

One, which should be most obvious is "Date With The Rain" by Eddie Kendricks. The problem with that song was that is was so damn short. But if you listen to the rhythm & the arangement, you'll recognize that this song was perfect for hustling years before the hustle existed. I also believe that Keep On Trucking was a song the presaged the Disco era with it's seemingly endless percussion breakdowns, but for Disco purposes, was a bit too slow in tempo to be regarded as what became the "typical" Disco arrangement.

I see several songs which were mentioned above which ARE NOT Disco & could in no way be classified as such. Many of them are nothing more than hard-nosed R&B that we danced to [[or in my case), played in clubs. As far as the question "What is Disco"?, I'll attempt to answer based on what I remember those days to have been like...

To begin with, Disco was nothing more than DANCEABLE R&B. Nothing less & nothing more. And there was absolutely nothing wrong with that formula. Unfortunately, just as with the music of today, one of the things that changed it forever were those whom believed that all that they had to do was to follow a formula & they'd have hits.

NOT!!!

Anyway, their formula went something like this...

1. Thou MUST have a "four-on-the-floor" beat!!! No syncopation which requires a little deftness of foot. Just a damn metronomic BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM, so that NO ONE could possibly miss the beat.

2. Thou MUST clock in at 120 BPM, preferably higher

3. Thou MUST reference sex, or shaking your booty at least 7 times in the first 2 verses!

4. Thou MUST add strings...EVERYWHERE

5. Thou needeth NOT worry about lyrical content, nor any pretense of making any grandiose social commentary, that is anything other than "Do a little dance...make a little love...get down tonight...baby...come with me I wish you would...baby it feels so good, a-ha, ha-ha-ha"!

6. Thou MUST pose scantily scad MODELS on the cover so as to fool people into believing that those girls & not the session musicians are the actual group singing & playing on the record.

7. Thou MUST make this music palatable for the mainstream, therefore...

8. Thou MUST find voices which are stripped of anything resembling soulfulness & milquetoast doesn't hurt. After all, we're selling a lifestyle, the music & not necessarily great vocalists. Were there great vocalists? YES! But that wasn't the MAINSTREAM Disco formula, the one which would record frogs croaking to a 4/4 beat & some strings. Remember Sesame Street Disco???

9. Thou MUST throw in some drum breaks & lots of "OOOHS" which leads to a musical "climax", or at least we HOPE so.

10. Thou MUST promote the fairer sex over all of the great soulful MALE singers, whom will be left off of the Disco train. Ever notice that most of the individuals whom are most canonized in the Disco genre just happen to be female. Yes, some of the brothers get through, but while women such as Vickie Sue, etc. names roll easily off of the lips of most, how many even know the name Jimmy Ellis who had more Disco hits than most of the "One-Hit Wonders" whom are still remembered fondly?

11. Thou may record ANYONE singing, even if they CANNOT sing a lick! Hell, you can even quack like a duck, say the word Disco & people will buy it. Hey, that's what the beat is for! Besides, everyone will be too high to know the difference, that is until they sober up & play back a $3.98 lp worth of pure dreck that only a high person could appreciate to begin with.

For me, that was the beginning of the end, but what REALLY drove the final nails into the coffin was when Disco went mainstream & became commercial. That's when every Ethel, Ann & Pat Boone decided to hop on the Disco Train & not the one driven by Jerry Rix. The next thing you knew, Disco was everywhere...commercials, with Captain Stubing, Julie & Gopher on The Love Boat.

As long as Disco remained "underground" as it were, all was copasetic. But once we got into all of that "life imitating art" crap, Disco as WE knew jumped the shark. I've met Denny Terrio & he seemed to be a very nice guy, but that show represented no slice of Disco life that I'd ever seen. Shows like "Dance Fever' made Disco look like a pathetic joke. I used to see that show & get totally pissed-off, wondering what Disco they were hanging out at, because it didn't represent even ONE club that I knew of. And seriously, when you have Greg Brady trying to shake his Disco groove thing on the tube, you've just gotta know that you're courting disaster & social irrelevance.

I might add that the movie "Saturday Night Fever" did nothing to help, with it's unrealistic view of the lifestyle. I know of NO MAN who could've bogarted an entire dance floor with all of that Russian cossack bullshit & not gotten an immediate beat-down & don't get me started on "Looking For Mr. Goodbar".

Disco was killed by a bunch of Johnny-Come-Latelys, who weren't really there at the beginning, they just latched onto the latest fad. That served to bring out the greed in the record companies & other corporations whom believed that they had found a golden goose whom would endlessly lay golden eggs.

They laid plenty of eggs alright, unfortunately the only thing golden about them were the rotten yolks inside.

Disco would've remained beter served had it remained undergound with the people who nurtured it, understood it & were faithful & true to it.

Unfortunately, the corporates pimped Disco like she was a $2 crack ho & unfairly covered a lot of great artists & an entire movement with the stench of THEIR perversion of it.

Wasn't a damn thing wrong with Disco until THEY gave it a label. WE didn't do that, no saw any need to do so. But then again, we weren't trying to market it, we were too busy living it & having one hell of a great time while doing so. Until they got their grubby hands on it.

Just one man's backward glance into the Disco mirror ball!

[soulster]

I have always said that what ruined disco was the introduction of Eurodisco, or the European-flavored dance music that is more closely associated with disco, and what is most often cited as the worst of disco.

And as the early examples of disco is concerned, The O'Jay's "Love Train" fits the bill. That was 1972! You can make all the arguments about how it's straight up R&B, but strip away the vocal tracks and what do you have? No, Gamble & Huff didn't set out to make a disco record any more than the drummer on "The Love I Lost" [[Bernard Purdie?) invented the syncopotated drum pattern with the open/closed hi-hat.

[juicefree20]

I would argue further that one of the primary things which killed AMERICAN Disco as we knew it were the electronic Dancemeisters who placed the emphasis on the metronomic beat, the overabundance of swirling strings & that confounded "four-on-the-floor" beat which helped to suck the life & soul out of the original Disco/Dance music flavor.

They helped to oversimplify the music & if you listen to some of their music, some of it tended to damn-near snobbery & European classical themes. I can think of several songs & entire LPs which followed this theme, which could be one of the reasons why so many artists of the Soul era were dying on the vine.

The most ironic thing is that 1979, the year of "Disco Sucks" which culminated in the disasterous protest at Cominsky Park, was a year that gave us some of the greatest Disco Music ever! Here's a list & while technically speaking, not all of it is "Disco", but these songs were played big-time in the clubs in my area. I'll begin with two of the biggest Dance classics not to chart & how they didn't, I'll never know...

Black Ivory - Mainline [[I can't tell you just how huge this song was in the N.Y. area & these 31 years later [[wow, has it really been THAT LONG?!?!), it still gets a great response!

First Choice - Love Thang & Double Crossed [[DJ Bobby Guttadaro Mix) - As I recall it, Love Thang was issued as a B-Side, but most of we brothers flipped it

Here's another sleeper...Tyrone Davis - You Know What to Do

Then there were...

George Duke - I Want You For Myself [[Simply MARVELOUS!!!)
Five Special - Why Leave Us Alone [[You MUST HAVE the LONG version of this one!!!)
Chic - I Want Your Love [[from the end of 1978), My Forbidden Lover & Good Times
Sister Sledge - We Are Family & He's The Greatest Dancer
Positive Force - We Got The Funk [[End of 1979) Absolutely wonderful!!!
Kleeer - Keeep Your Body Workin'
Trussel - Love Injection [[End of '79)
Diana Ross - The Boss & No One Gets The Prize [[There is absolutely NO FRONTIN' on No One Gets The Prize & that break..."Backoff"
Narada Michael Walden - Tonight I'm Alright & I Shoulda Loved Ya
Freedom - Get Up & Dance
Inner Life - Caught Up [[In A One Night Love Affair) [[End of 1979)
McFadden & Whitehead - Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
GQ - Disco Nights & This Happy Feeling
Bohannon - Me & The Gang [[end of '78)
Slave - Just A Touch Of Love & Are You Ready For Love
Cameo - I Just Want To Be
Prince - Sexy Dancer & I Wanna Be Your Lover
Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Til & Rock With You
Jacksons - Shake Your Body Down [[end of '78)
Stephanie Mills - What'cha Gonna Do & Put Your Body In It
Kool & The Gang - Ladies Night & Hangin' Out [[end of '79)
Cheryl Lynn - Got To Be Real [[from end of '78)
Archie Bell & The Drells - Strategy & Show Me How To Dance
The Jones Girls - You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else
One Way - You Can Do It
Instant Funk - I Got My Mind Made Up [[from the end of 1978) & Slap, Slap Lickedy Lap [[aka Mind Made Up Pt. 2)
Roy Ayers - Don't Stop The Feeling
Chuck Brown - Bustin Loose [[end of '78)
Phreeek - Weekend [[from end of '78) The LP VERSION!
Brass Construction - Music Makes You Feel Like Dancin'
Candi Staton - Rock & When You Wake Up Tomorrow [[BADDD AZZZZ BREAKS!!)
Stargard - Wear It Out
Machine - There But For The Grace Of God Go I
Dee Dee Bridgewater - Bad For Me
Jackie Moore - This Time Baby
Gino Soccio - Dancer
Deniece Williams - I've Got The Next Dance
Carrie Lucas - Dance With You
Linda Clifford - Don't Give It Up
The Gibson Brothers - Oooh, What A Life
Gary's Gang - Keep On Dancing [[end of '78)
T-Connection - A Midnight, Saturday Night & Groove To Get Down [[from end of '78)
Herman Kelly & Life - Dance to The Drummers Beat [[from end of '78)
Tasha Thomas - Shoot Me With Your Love [[from end of '78 - what an intro!)
Grey & Hanks - Dancin' & You Fooled Me [[from end of '78)
Phyllis Hyman - You Know How To Love Me
Harvey Mason - Groovin' You
Anita Ward - Ring My Bell
Bill Summers - Straight To The Bank
Norma Jean - High Society

Gloria Gaynor - Anybody Wanna Party [[I LOVED this one as much as I HATED Survive) On the other hand, the "Survive" mix which mixed "Survive" with At Midnight by T-Connection was alright with me, as were all of the Disco Spectacular & Bits & Pieces mixes.

Honorable Mentions - Jungle & Erucu plates by Sunshine Distributors

Shalamar - The Second Time Around
Brainstorm - Hot For You
7th Wonder - Do It With Your Body
Skyy - First Time Around
Atlantic Starr - Let's Rock & Roll
Sergio Mendez & Brazil '88 - I'll Tell You
Bunny Sigler - [[I Knew It Was You) By The Way You Dance
Rufus Fea. Chaka Khan - Do You Love What You Feel
Donna Summer - Bad Girls [[Frankie Crocker used to rock this one to death!)
Splendor - Take Me To Your Disco
Wardell Piper - Super Sweet
Billy Nichols - Give Your Body Up
Don Armando - Deputy Of Love
Alma Faye - It's Over [[a.k.a. Victim Pt. 2) & Don't Fall In Love
Taana Gardner - Work Your Body
Debbie Jacobs - Don't You Want My Love
Cognac - How High
FLB - Boogie Town
Dynasty - I Don't Want To Be A Freak
The Spinners - Body Language
Cher - Take Me Home
Queen Samantha - Take A Chance
The Bombers - Let's Dance
THP Orchestra - Weekend Two-Step
War - Good, Good Feelin'
Marsha Hunt - The Other Side Of Midnight [[depending on where you were, you got this one in late '78 or '79)
Celi Bee - Fly Me On The Wings Of Love
Paul Lewis - Girl You Need A Change Of Mind
Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Reasons To Be Cheerful, Pt. 3
Ren Woods - Everybody Get Up
Chantal Curtis - Get Another Love
EW&F - September [[From the end of 1978) with The Emotions - Boogie Wonderland [[Yes, I know...not exactly a shining moment, but hey...that's the way it was!)
Rod Stewart - Do Ya Think I'm Sexy [[yeah, yeah...I know. It's popular to mock it today, but back then even my Brooklyn brothers were on this one!)
Wings - Goodnight Tonight [[Yeah, we used to jam this one too, especially the break)
Edwin Starr - Contact
LAX - Dancin' At The Disco
Ashford & Simpson - Stay Free
Herb Alpert - Rise
Bill Withers - You Got The Stuff [[THE 12", not the LP version. That LONNNNNNG break was special back then, but best suited for skating.)
Jean Carn - My Love Don't Come Easy & Was That All It Was
Tamiko Jones - Tamiko Letting It Flow [[A bit of a cheat as Let It Flow originally came out in 1976)
Evelyn "Champagne" King - Out There [[12'' version only - some sweet keys on the intro break)
Esther Williams - Last Night Changed It All
Double Exposure - I Got The Hots For Ya
Candido - Dancin' & Prancin'
Melba Moore - Miss Thing & Pick Me Up I'll Dance
Patti LaBelle - It's Alright With Me
Keith Barrow - Turn Me Up
Blondie - Heart Of Glass [[yeah, yeah...I know, but a lot of us played it!)

And the Ian Levine produced Eastbound Expressway - Never Let Go [[Part of the appeal was likely due to it's similarity to Roy Ayers Running Away)

In the interest of full disclosure, I have to tell you that my cut-off point was usually in the mid 120's, with VERY few exceptions along the way. 130 & all of that was just a little too hyped for me & my crowd who leaned more toward R&B or Disco Funk. While we could swing with a little Love Symphony Orchestra, THP Orchestra [[Two Hot For Love) or even Perfect Love Affair & Come On, Dance Dance, that was the upper limit for us & our music didn't tend to reside in that frenzied stratosphere.

This is just some of what was being played around these parts back in 1979 & there's some damn fine music on this list. And as noted, this represents the final year of what most consider to be the classic Disco era. By definition, following 1979, "Disco" as we knew it was rarely made. The electronic era which was embraced & pushed by Belotte, Midney, etc. turned Disco into something entirely different.

Dance music? Yes. Disco? HELL NO!!

[marv2]

Juice, I have the long version of Five Special - Why Leave Us Alone! Bought it the week it came out ! LOL!

[juicefree20]

Soulster:

I'd agree with that. There are other songs which fit the bill before the word "Disco" was used. As noted earlier, Date With The Rain & Zing Went The Strings were also from 1972 & if that's not the sound of Disco as we knew it, then I don't know what is. I'd also add "I'll Be Around" to that list, being more of a laid-back Disco sound.

The way that I see it, it was precisely those producers who took the emphasis off of the great vocals that we used to hear, ESPECIALLY the male Soul singers. They "Elvisized" the vocals [[sing-songy & soul-less, cloying unison vocals) & began to push their vision through various females, relegating many of the great male voices to the background, or out of the picture altogether.

A quick litmus test...name for me at least 20 songs that these folks produced between 1977 - 1979 that featured a ballsy, strong male lead vocal & I'll eat my copy of Munich Machine's "Whiter Shade Of Pale". The way that I see it is that they took our Dance music [[conveniently labelled "Disco") & through their particular point of view placed the emphasis on the female. As I said earlier, we can come up with a laundry list of great female Disco Divas, but how many great soulful Disco MALE voices can the majority of people name?

I find it funny that there are people who consider a group such a Lime to be a "great" Disco group & that cracks me up. I liked some of their music [[maybe 1 or 2 songs), but for anyone to attempt to put them up there with folks like The Trammps, First Choice, Tavares & the like is laughable & tantamount to cultural theft. They may have made Dance music, but with no disrespect intended I would never classify them as a "Great" Disco group, much less a Disco group...PERIOD.

Again, Disco was noting more than uptempo Soul music until it was co-opted & changed by others to fit into the neat little box that they created for it.

Ask Tom Moulton what TRUE Disco music was & I have a hunch that he won't think it was music with vocals that had no heart or soul, with a beat that sounded like a grandfather clock on steroids.

True Dance music a.k.a. "DISCO" music lived & breathed & damn near took on a life of its own. To be certain it had specific ingredients, but I believe that the musicians who created in were a little more spontaneous than some guy forcing his OWN vision of what that music should be on folks. For example, most of the musicians whom I've met from Philly International have always told me that while a Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff gave them a sketch or guideline, they were allowed, even encouraged to add their own thing to it.

Which is why trying to mix songs like Let No Man Put Asunder, My Love Is Free, Love Is the Message or Doctor Love requires a precise knowledge as to where to mix in, as well as when to mix out. Many of those songs, as well as many made by The Trammps went through so many tempo changes that your head could spin. Ain't no constant "four-on-the-floor" beats happening there.

In the final analysis, I've always noticed that the Eurodisco producers put a premium on TEMPO over RHYTHM.

And needless-to-say, there's a hell of a difference between the two!

Perhaps what's necessary is a differentiation between Disco & Eurodisco. As the various world wide opinions indicate, all "Disco" music IS NOT created equally, nor do they seem to consist of the same components or sensibilities.

[jillfoster]

Geez, Juice.... I agree with you after a fashion. I do think that all the people who jumped on the bandwagon killed it, as opposed to those who started it. And the big problem was the Bee Gees got caught in that backlash which was totally undeserved, because their music was NEVER bad. Their songs were never that monotanous, 4 on the floor type songs, even releasing ballads such as "Too Much Heaven", and "How Deep Is Your Love" in the middle of all that. The only thing I tired of was Barry's falsetto, I always preferred him singing in his regular voice, and the absence of Robin doing any leads during that period hurt the eccelecticism of their sound. But as far as disco goes... songs don't get much better than this, it's not this boring, methodical thump thump thump and limited lyrics *cough* silver convention *cough*.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JqzxY3NUNE

[juicefree20]

Marv:

Being a DJ, I bought 2 of them & those brothers sure were breaking it down on that break. And that's what I meant in my last few posts. Those brothers weren't joking around, they were blowing some serious Soul, which is something that I don't recall hearing on the majority of Eurodisco songs of that era.

I would imagine that it was easier for some producers to get voices that were indistinct so that they could pretty much plug in various singers as though they were tv tubes or sound modules. It also meant that should any paricular singer get a bit too haughty, they'd be much easier to replace for a younger & cheaper model.

But that Five Special joint was truly special.

But TRUE Disco died when they tried to strip it of its Soul, demonizing those who loved & created the culture.

Remember the beginnings of Rock & Roll [[i.e. uptempo R&B) when many bastardized an entire genre of music, all so that we could find out how much some damn doggy in a window cost.

SHEESH!!!

[juicefree20]

Jill:

If many of us are being honest, a WHOLE lot of us liked The Bee Gees back then.

While I liked Nights On Broadway, a whole lot of people in my neighborhood were feeling Jive Talking, You Should Be Dancing, Night Fever & Stayin' Alive. I'm telling you, I played in a club that was in the heart of East New York, bordered by Bed-Stuy & Brownsville & I can truthfully say that damn near EVERYONE was either listening to or dancing to J.T., Y.S.B.D., N.F. & S.A.

The backlash against The Bee Gees was somewhat belated & Y.S.B.D came out during 1976, more than a year before that movie came out. I can tell you that the folks in my neighborhood & school spent 1976 hustling to Y.S.B.D. Likely because of when the movie was actually filmed, most of the songs in that soundtrack were already old by the time the movie was released.

As for The Bee Gees, I liked some of their music since the days of I Started A Joke, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart & I've Gotta Get A Message To You. I also loved the other songs that I mentioned above. I think what made me absolutely sick & tired of them was that insipid More Than A Woman & Tragedy. I must admit that the movie did absolutely nothing to help.

What truly pissed me off about the movie was that even though the origins of Disco were well-known, they chose to anglocize it, stripping away several layers, very important layers of its origins & the whole experience. Admittedly, at the age of 16 or 17 [[1977), I had no idea about much of the lifestyle. I had no idea about the meaning of songs such as Fire Island or YMCA. To me, the YMCA was somewhere where we kids used to go after school to play ball. Most of us had no idea that those songs had a special meaning to anyone.

I learned pretty quickly though when I started out as a DJ & decided to go to see my cousin Winye' play. I went with my sister & his brother [[who already knew the deal) but when we stepped through those doors at The Continental Baths, it blew my mind. I thought that I was pretty much up on things, but in no way was my nearly 18 year-old mind prepared for anything that I saw that night.

I think that I'll leave it at that :)

[marv2]

Then of course there was my girl, Mary Wilson with the epic "Red Hot" aka Mary does James Brown!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKPvOlcqs40

[marv2]

Now if you want to see some real dancing, the way we got down Detroit style... forget "Saturday Night Fever" and check this out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brW7Wmxetgc

[soulster]

A quick litmus test...name for me at least 20 songs that these folks produced between 1977 - 1979 that featured a ballsy, strong male lead vocal & I'll eat my copy of Munich Machine's "Whiter Shade Of Pale".


Just for fun, i'll try:

Disco Inferno - The Trammps

The Groove Line - Heatwave

Well I don't know how ballsy he sounds, but there's Ray Simpson of G.Q. singing Disco Nights.

Man, you will go hungry tonight. I just can't come up with more than one!

I'm gonna get into a LOT of trouble here, but I think maybe a reason most European disco producers concentrated on the beat instead of the rhythm is because they are..uh..Anglo European. One exception I can think of is Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, and some of the early records they did for Donna Summer like "Love To Love You baby", and "Winter Melody". They had very strong bass lines.


Perhaps what's necessary is a differentiation between Disco & Eurodisco. As the various world wide opinions indicate, all "Disco" music IS NOT created equally, nor do they seem to consist of the same components or sensibilities.

I've been sating this for decades, but you can't tell it to the rock snobs.

[daddyacey]

Juice , allow me to take a few steps forward............:D............
some other scenes of the crimes in N.Y.C. ;
Alexanders ,Casablanca ,Better Days , Club My Way , The Loft ,Gatsbys ,Ipanema ,La Martinique ,Leviticus ,Nemos, Othellos ,Pippins ,Stardust Ballroom ,Jimmys ,the Gallery, 12 West ,Liquid Smoke ,Justines ,La Renaissance, The Headrest, Speakeasy..........,,,All were serious Dance Clubs/Discotheques before
"the corporates pimped Disco like she was a $2 crack ho & unfairly covered a lot of great artists & an entire movement with the stench of THEIR perversion of it." Well put homie :).

Some more awesome Dance tracks,
Frontline --Eddie Grant
Funky Nassau--Beginning Of The End
Bad Conditions--Lloyd Price
Do It Fluid-- Blackbyrds
Who Is He.....--Creative Source
Oh Wah Oh Hey [[Funky Song) , -- Ripple
Waterbed---LTG Exchange
Express--B.T. Express

And one other thought ,.......With the introduction of the further refinement of R&B by the Philly crew of writers and musicians ,which had been started by the Motown crew and taken to the next level by Gamble and Huff ,B.H.Y and the Cayre Bros [[Salsoul) in the mid 70's ,by tastfully adding orchestral arrangements and instruments to the Funk base ,they broadend the audience. The Funk was still there ,but not as raw as before because the added instrumentation and arrangements brought a little more depth to the Funk/Dance element ,but made it not so ...direct. Funk IS a very sensual thing, and it does believe it or not ,makes some folks not used to it ,edgey:). They made it .....paletable. Sort of like the difference between a straight up [[neat) liquor drink and a mixed drink/cocktail as an analogy for example. They took the edge off of it. That's why IMO ,classic P.I.R. tracks like ,for example "Love Train ","The Love I Lost" ,"Let's Groove" and Trammps tracks like "Promise Me" ,"Where Do We Go From Here" are called "Disco" , disregarding the quality musicianship and production of them. Take for a big example ,"Love Is The Message". A track played in and popular in the pre-"Disco" Clubs and parties.
The only airplay it had at that time was on urban F.M. radio and THAT was because of that exposure and the word of mouth in the community. In its original L.P. mix , it was a favorite dance track ,because it was so beautifully done. It struck me as a swinging big band type ,soulful track ,that echoed the feeling of the times, "Love is the message" ,and was danceable ,but too short and hard to extend ,in that mix. [[The way you really wanted it to). Then a year or so later ,this "Disco" thing starts to pop up all over and these new tracks have inst dubs and stuff you can mix with ,but that L.I.T.M. is a classic track that you always play and then ...BAM... T.M does this wicked "Disco" remix of the track. Tom's "Disco" mix of that track is better known than its original form ,which was a beautiful piece to begin with and conceptually not intended for a "Disco" market.
However, L.I.T.M. ,is considered one of the most popular "Disco" tracks. Toms remix gave the strings ,drums ,horns ,vocals [[and cheated on the keyboards), they own solos!!! You can dance to any of the mixes on the dance floor ,but to sit down and LISTEN to the original or the T.M. remix is an awesome thing. Something I don't associate with ,the white suit ,Boom Tsk,Boom ,Tsk ,Boom ,vision of "DISCO"
In the Clubs at the same time on the raw side , K.C.'s "I Get Lifted" is considered "Disco" ,but in fact it's just, just downright nasty ,FUNK.
Another standout is the first Dr Buzzard album. "They" call that "DISCO" ,but in fact ,it combines so many elements of American music culture ,that to me ,these 30 plus years later ,it defies categoration, other than being a mutant work of art.
It's that commercial "gimmick" association and point of view of the later 70's that bugs me about that word "Disco"

[jillfoster]

Jill:

If many of us are being honest, a WHOLE lot of us liked The Bee Gees back then.

While I liked Nights On Broadway, a whole lot of people in my neighborhood were feeling Jive Talking, You Should Be Dancing, Night Fever & Stayin' Alive. I'm telling you, I played in a club that was in the heart of East New York, bordered by Bed-Stuy & Brownsville & I can truthfully say that damn near EVERYONE was either listening to or dancing to J.T., Y.S.B.D., N.F. & S.A.

The backlash against The Bee Gees was somewhat belated & Y.S.B.D came out during 1976, more than a year before that movie came out. I can tell you that the folks in my neighborhood & school spent 1976 hustling to Y.S.B.D. Likely because of when the movie was actually filmed, most of the songs in that soundtrack were already old by the time the movie was released.

As for The Bee Gees, I liked some of their music since the days of I Started A Joke, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart & I've Gotta Get A Message To You. I also loved the other songs that I mentioned above. I think what made me absolutely sick & tired of them was that insipid More Than A Woman & Tragedy. I must admit that the movie did absolutely nothing to help.

What truly pissed me off about the movie was that even though the origins of Disco were well-known, they chose to anglocize it, stripping away several layers, very important layers of its origins & the whole experience. Admittedly, at the age of 16 or 17 [[1977), I had no idea about much of the lifestyle. I had no idea about the meaning of songs such as Fire Island or YMCA. To me, the YMCA was somewhere where we kids used to go after school to play ball. Most of us had no idea that those songs had a special meaning to anyone.

I learned pretty quickly though when I started out as a DJ & decided to go to see my cousin Winye' play. I went with my sister & his brother [[who already knew the deal) but when we stepped through those doors at The Continental Baths, it blew my mind. I thought that I was pretty much up on things, but in no way was my nearly 18 year-old mind prepared for anything that I saw that night.

I think that I'll leave it at that :)

Juice, You don't like Tragedy? I think it's one of their most interesting offerings. But lets keep this in perspective, I don't feel ANY of the Bee Gees disco songs are their best work, that opinion is reserved for "Words", "I Started A Joke", and "Run To Me". I do have to agree about "More than A woman".... and the song itself is fine, because Tavares' version KICKS ASS.

[soulster]

Juice, You don't like Tragedy? I think it's one of their most interesting offerings. But lets keep this in perspective, I don't feel ANY of the Bee Gees disco songs are their best work, that opinion is reserved for "Words", "I Started A Joke", and "Run To Me". I do have to agree about "More than A woman".... and the song itself is fine, because Tavares' version KICKS ASS.

The bee gees have repeatedly said that the music they did in the late 70s is not disco. It's R&B.

[jillfoster]

You know.. I agree about Eurodisco for the most part, but there were a few exceptions. This song is considered eurodisco by most, but it represents the BEST of that genre, IMO. And I can see the issue with disco going bad when it was stripped of it's soul.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32lnyQrCzco

[marv2]

I liked the Bee Gees. They started to really get my attention in 1975 with "Jive Talkin'" and they played a nice role in the soundtrack of my life between 1976-1979.

[soulster]

I liked the Bee Gees. They started to really get my attention in 1975 with "Jive Talkin'" and they played a nice role in the soundtrack of my life between 1976-1979.

same here! Started with "Jive Talkin'". Absolute fave is "You Should be Dancing" and "Fanny".

[marv2]

Juice , allow me to take a few steps forward............:D............
some other scenes of the crimes in N.Y.C. ;
Alexanders ,Casablanca ,Better Days , Club My Way , The Loft ,Gatsbys ,Ipanema ,La Martinique ,Leviticus ,Nemos, Othellos ,Pippins ,Stardust Ballroom ,Jimmys ,the Gallery, 12 West ,Liquid Smoke ,Justines ,La Renaissance, The Headrest, Speakeasy..........,,,All were serious Dance Clubs/Discotheques before
"the corporates pimped Disco like she was a $2 crack ho & unfairly covered a lot of great artists & an entire movement with the stench of THEIR perversion of it." Well put homie :).

Wow, Daddy I remember a lot of those clubs. The twin brothers that started Leviticus lived right out here on Long Island.
Juice that was a very accurate way of describing what happened to the "phenomenon" commonly known as disco. You all remember how the "Michael Jackson" look was co-oped and commericalized in the early to mid -80's with the pleather red jackets and the one white glove? This is the exact same thing that happened to dance music in the late 70's. I remember when discos became "elite" and you had to wait in line and be chosen to be admitted [[I was lucky enough to have to go through that, I had the right connections LOL!) but it, like everything else made people "want it" or want to get in that much more. After awhile, the mystique wore off. That whole attitude also helped to kill off disco. People for a while no longer dressed up to go out and wait behind the "rope" to party. They would dress down and head to the neighborhood bar to party.

[marv2]

same here! Started with "Jive Talkin'". Absolute fave is "You Should be Dancing" and "Fanny".

Oh sure. The Bee Gee's were one of THE groups during that era. Off the top of my head [[and excuse for repeating some that have already been mentioned) here were some of theirs and Andy Gibb songs that made an impact on the charts and on radio during that time:

Jive Talkin
Nights On Broadway
Fanny
Stayin Alive
You Should Be Dancin'
I Just Want to Be Your Everything [[A. Gibb)
Night Fever
How Deep Is Your Love
Tragedy
Shadow Dancing [[A. Gibb)
Love Is [[Thicker than Water)[[A. Gibb)

Not to mention top songs they wrote and produced for others such as "Emotion" by Samantha Sang in '78.

[marv2]

Euro-Disco or "mindless Disco" was horrible in my opinion. That list I posted earlier in this thread of the Top 500 Disco Records included some of it and again I say it was obscure garbage. Thump, thump, thump with no reason or rhyme and definitely with no SOUL!

[marv2]

But good Dance/Disco Music I loved and is a part of my collection.

[marv2]

Jill:

If many of us are being honest, a WHOLE lot of us liked The Bee Gees back then.

While I liked Nights On Broadway, a whole lot of people in my neighborhood were feeling Jive Talking, You Should Be Dancing, Night Fever & Stayin' Alive. I'm telling you, I played in a club that was in the heart of East New York, bordered by Bed-Stuy & Brownsville & I can truthfully say that damn near EVERYONE was either listening to or dancing to J.T., Y.S.B.D., N.F. & S.A.

The backlash against The Bee Gees was somewhat belated & Y.S.B.D came out during 1976, more than a year before that movie came out. I can tell you that the folks in my neighborhood & school spent 1976 hustling to Y.S.B.D. Likely because of when the movie was actually filmed, most of the songs in that soundtrack were already old by the time the movie was released.

As for The Bee Gees, I liked some of their music since the days of I Started A Joke, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart & I've Gotta Get A Message To You. I also loved the other songs that I mentioned above. I think what made me absolutely sick & tired of them was that insipid More Than A Woman & Tragedy. I must admit that the movie did absolutely nothing to help.

What truly pissed me off about the movie was that even though the origins of Disco were well-known, they chose to anglocize it, stripping away several layers, very important layers of its origins & the whole experience. Admittedly, at the age of 16 or 17 [[1977), I had no idea about much of the lifestyle. I had no idea about the meaning of songs such as Fire Island or YMCA. To me, the YMCA was somewhere where we kids used to go after school to play ball. Most of us had no idea that those songs had a special meaning to anyone.

I learned pretty quickly though when I started out as a DJ & decided to go to see my cousin Winye' play. I went with my sister & his brother [[who already knew the deal) but when we stepped through those doors at The Continental Baths, it blew my mind. I thought that I was pretty much up on things, but in no way was my nearly 18 year-old mind prepared for anything that I saw that night.

I think that I'll leave it at that :)

Juice! We are the same age! ssssshhhh....! LOL! I am finding all this incredible because you had the same mindset, experience and perspective on things that were going on at that time in music as we did over in Michigan and Ohio! When the film "Saturday Night Fever" came out [[ I think I first saw it in December 1977 or around there...) we were like cool, Vinny Barberino is in a new movie. Some of the clothes he wore, we were already wearing to high school so that was cool too. Now when it came to the club scenes, it was like we might as well be looking at the Cantina Scene from "Star Wars" LOL! We did not dance like that and no one we knew danced like that [[ the Russian Kosak moves, hehehehehe...) but still it was enjoyable. We could relate to the commaraderie and hanging with your buddies on the weekend. To us it was not an accurate portrayal of Urban music, dancing and club going.

[marv2]

Btw, Tavares had the better version of "More Than A Woman" in my opinion.

[the_chicks_call_me__slick]

Cheers Daddyacey.

Whatever the category, it's a tremendous piece of music.

[the_chicks_call_me__slick]

Now this was a jam and a definite floor filler!

It was vicious Marv,

If only there were music like that around today.

[soulster]

Juice! We are the same age! ssssshhhh....! LOL! I am finding all this incredible because you had the same mindset, experience and perspective on things that were going on at that time in music as we did over in Michigan and Ohio! When the film "Saturday Night Fever" came out [[ I think I first saw it in December 1977 or around there...) we were like cool, Vinny Barberino is in a new movie. Some of the clothes he wore, we were already wearing to high school so that was cool too. Now when it came to the club scenes, it was like we might as well be looking at the Cantina Scene from "Star Wars" LOL! We did not dance like that and no one we knew danced like that [[ the Russian Kosak moves, hehehehehe...) but still it was enjoyable. We could relate to the commaraderie and hanging with your buddies on the weekend. To us it was not an accurate portrayal of Urban music, dancing and club going.

Well sheeeit! Both of you are the same age as me. When SNF came out, I didn't think much of the movie at all beyond the music. When I went to the theater to see it, I was not impressed at all. Actually, my father went with my sister and I to see it. Had we know all the stuff that was going to be in it, that never would have happened. Imagine having to sit with your sister and father and having all that sex stuff on the screen. I was fifteen years old and I couldn't have been more embarrassed...except for my sister! And, my father wasn't too crazy about white people at that point in time.

[jillfoster]

What's your all opinions when people re-make a classic pop or soul song, or remix it into a disco/dance track?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3ItDvlXy4I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CDNF-_zjGM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s59gfRfrEyI

[daddyacey]

By the time S.N.F. came out ,the "Pop -Disco" label phenom had already begin to grow. Urban F.M. stations had began to play records that were popular in the "Dance Clubs". Here in NYC ,it was WKTU followed by WBLS and KISS. If you went to Clubs ,you knew of tracks that were not played on radio. All of a sudden some of these tracks are on these "Disco Mix" radio shows.
The Bee-Gees had concieved and recorded in fact an R&B album , but R&B had been lumped into this general [[Fad image of white suits, lighted dance floors and other extras) sale friendly catagory ,by entrepruners. Using the previously prooven sales generating method of pairing a soundtrack album and feature film , targeting a specific audience ,[[like back in the day with Mohagany ,Super-Fly ,Car Wash ,Sparkle ,Claudine etc), the "suits" put a visual picture of what "Disco" was to look like, and hooked true Dance/R&B sound to that stupid image, cause that was the "Thing" , but it was R&B ,regardless of what they called it.
Take for example The B.G.'s "You Should Be Dancin". A nasty Dance tune. So Funky ,people would dance to it the same way be it at a fancy lighted "Disco" Club or at a candle lit warehouse loft ,with a kick ass sound system.
That was the start ,it went slowly down hill from there.

[the_classic_master]

marv, this thread inspired me to play some of the classic disco cuts we were discussing here and yes marv, do u wanna get funky with me is on there! lol.:D

juice - u really broke it down on that classic peak of the disco era[[78-79) but u left out:

bell and james livin' it up
the isleys - it's a disco night
roy ayers - running away
barry white - your sweetness
hot shot - karen young
ring my bell - anita ward
relight my fire & instant replay - dan hartman

[nomis]

..you knew things had gone bad when Rick Dees did "Disco Duck" and Sarah Brightman had lost her heart to a starship trooper..lol at my gig at the local gay club last Thursday I threw in Stars On 45 - Abba Medley for a dare..and people liked it..!!!..an honorable mention in the cringe stakes to Ottowans "Hands Up" just spung to mind...

[jillfoster]

..you knew things had gone bad when Rick Dees did "Disco Duck" and Sarah Brightman had lost her heart to a starship trooper..lol at my gig at the local gay club last Thursday I threw in Stars On 45 - Abba Medley for a dare..and people liked it..!!!..an honorable mention in the cringe stakes to Ottowans "Hands Up" just spung to mind...

Stars on 45? Oh crap... is that one of those interminable medley mash-ups? There was an oldies DJ here who kept playing those a few years ago. But to be honest, Abba didn't really fit into disco, with the exception of "Gimme Gimme Gimme", and "Lay All Your Love On Me". I think "Dancing Queen" is too slow to be considered disco, and it's such a perfect song, anyway... how can you not like it. but you should be able to play Abba for these youngsters, Nomis... surely theyv'e at least seen advertizements for Mamma Mia. You want to see a reaction from a young crowd, I dare you to play Ian Dury's "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick". LOL

[nomis]

Hi Jill - Stars On 45 was a fast paced medley who sound alike singers -they scored big in the UK with The Beatles medley then the Abba medley hit the charts...Dont get me wrong I love Abba but its kitsch to hear all those songs glued together by one chorus of each..the other Abba disco hit that springs to mind is Voulez Vous [[a track I love _ i can see Soulster shaking his head in disaproval! he he)..I thought "Lay All Your Love On Me" was a first rate production but they definetley dabbled in disco to some extent...

[jillfoster]

Hi Jill - Stars On 45 was a fast paced medley who sound alike singers -they scored big in the UK with The Beatles medley then the Abba medley hit the charts...Dont get me wrong I love Abba but its kitsch to hear all those songs glued together by one chorus of each..the other Abba disco hit that springs to mind is Voulez Vous [[a track I love _ i can see Soulster shaking his head in disaproval! he he)..I thought "Lay All Your Love On Me" was a first rate production but they definetley dabbled in disco to some extent...


Yes... that's the one i'm thinking of, it's not actual Abba... but these sound alikes that remind one of "Up with People". I hated those with the heat of a thousand suns.

[soulster]

..you knew things had gone bad when Rick Dees did "Disco Duck" ....

Well, now wait..."Disco Duck" was on the charts at the same time "You Should be Dancing" by the Bee Gees was in 1976, so it wasn't bad yet. You know, people always cite songs like "Disco Duck" as the worst of disco, but forget that it was only a harmless little novelty song. And, as bad as some say disco got in the late 70s, they also forget that some of the best of it was also huge during that time. Chic dropped "Le Freak" in late 1978, and I consider that one record to be the best disco had to offer in the later period.

[soulster]

But to be honest, Abba didn't really fit into disco, with the exception of "Gimme Gimme Gimme", and "Lay All Your Love On Me". I think "Dancing Queen" is too slow to be considered disco, and it's such a perfect song, anyway...

Well, it was too lush for disco, but look at Chic's "I Want your Love", or many of Barry White's orchestral sides.

[nomis]

...I didnt realise Disco Duck was 76..I always thought it was later..sometimes its hard to say if something is disco or not..sometimes Blondie Heart Of Glass is considered disco to others its new wave..I heard taste Of Honeys Boogie Ooogie in a bar last friday and I had a good dance to that...

[daddyacey]

Well lets not leave out some other "Disco" tunes like "Miss You" by the Stones ,"When Love Is New" by Arthur Prysock ,"Disco Lucy" ,"Get Dancin" by Disco Tex and his Sex o Letts and "I Love N.Y." among others that were introduced into the existing "Dance/R&B" playlist ,and IMO created that start of the "Disco" influence in the dance music culture. The introduction of Popular and Rock and Roll artists into the predominately R&B /Dance genre is what created the craze component of Disco. The Pop artists like Cher ,Debbie Harry ,The Stones ,Frankie Valli ,Yes [[!!!) David Bowie, Elton Johns Philly sessions etc ,that were not in the R&B Dance music field originally ,were mixed with the R&B formula, and created a wider audience ,that may not have been in tune to the predominent R&B/Funk sound of "Party" music but now had names to identify with. Following S.N.F was T.G.I.F. ,[[oy vay!!).
I was into Yes ,as a Rock group ,but when "Owner Of A Lonley Heart" was released ,I was flabbergasted ,I mean you've got to be kidding me. Some novelty productions are fine ,but then IMO they have they place in the genre ,but true R&B/ Funk/Dance was still being made at that time such as ,Instant Funks "Got My Mind Made Up" ,Rhyze "Just How Sweet Is Your Love", Leroy Burgess "Lets Do It" and others that were played in the same clubs with those other "Disco" tracks and yet they were lumped into that "Disco" mindset ,although they were still truthfully straight up Dance oriented Funk/R&B tracks. Bunny Sigler's Instant Funk and Leroy Burgess ,just ain't "Disco". Funky is Funky ,Funky "like" is just what it is ,something that has Funk/Dance/R&B elements. Even lush productions like CHIC and Barry Whites , had specific parts that were lush and full in instrumentation ,but were written with parts that were intended to be stripped down to the basic Funky core.

[soulster]

Well lets not leave out some other "Disco" tunes like "Miss You" by the Stones ,"When Love Is New" by Arthur Prysock ,"Disco Lucy" ,"Get Dancin" by Disco Tex and his Sex o Letts and "I Love N.Y." among others that were introduced into the existing "Dance/R&B" playlist ,and IMO created that start of the "Disco" influence in the dance music culture. The introduction of Popular and Rock and Roll artists into the predominately R&B /Dance genre is what created the craze component of Disco. The Pop artists like Cher ,Debbie Harry ,The Stones ,Frankie Valli ,Yes [[!!!) David Bowie, Elton Johns Philly sessions etc ,that were not in the R&B Dance music field originally ,were mixed with the R&B formula, and created a wider audience ,that may not have been in tune to the predominent R&B/Funk sound of "Party" music but now had names to identify with. Following S.N.F was T.G.I.F. ,[[oy vay!!).
I was into Yes ,as a Rock group ,but when "Owner Of A Lonley Heart" was released ,I was flabbergasted ,I mean you've got to be kidding me. Some novelty productions are fine ,but then IMO they have they place in the genre ,but true R&B/ Funk/Dance was still being made at that time such as ,Instant Funks "Got My Mind Made Up" ,Rhyze "Just How Sweet Is Your Love", Leroy Burgess "Lets Do It" and others that were played in the same clubs with those other "Disco" tracks and yet they were lumped into that "Disco" mindset ,although they were still truthfully straight up Dance oriented Funk/R&B tracks. Bunny Sigler's Instant Funk and Leroy Burgess ,just ain't "Disco". Funky is Funky ,Funky "like" is just what it is ,something that has Funk/Dance/R&B elements. Even lush productions like CHIC and Barry Whites , had specific parts that were lush and full in instrumentation ,but were written with parts that were intended to be stripped down to the basic Funky core.


Daddyacey, the infusion of rock acts didn't start tghe craze. Bands like the Rolling Stones, Kiss, and Rod Stewart didn't create their hits until 1979, around disco's peak.

[marv2]

Daddyacey, the infusion of rock acts didn't start tghe craze. Bands like the Rolling Stones, Kiss, and Rod Stewart didn't create their hits until 1979, around disco's peak.

Well close. The Rolling Stones were pretty much a part of the mix at the right time, Summer of 1978 with "Miss You". The others, you're right got into the mix a little later in '79 and you can add Marvin Gaye, Cher, Mary Wilson etc, although not Rock Acts, but established acts that got in late in the "disco" craze.

[soulster]

Gotta remember, though, that many artists were forced by the record companies to do a disco song. It was even put into their contract to have at least one disco tune on an album. Few artists did it willingly. Many times, A&R people were around to make sure it happened. It hurt a lot of R&B artists.

[marv2]

Gotta remember, though, that many artists were forced by the record companies to do a disco song. It was even put into their contract to have at least one disco tune on an album. Few artists did it willingly. Many times, A&R people were around to make sure it happened. It hurt a lot of R&B artists.


That is exactly what happened. Some even bitched about it in public and in the media.

[jillfoster]

That is exactly what happened. Some even bitched about in public and in media.

So true, and Mary wilson had no business recording a primarily disco album. Red Hot is really BAD, IMO. If she would have been produced properly and positioned right in the the industry, she should have been a feamle Barry White, but alas, Motown was dumb, and Roberta Flack got her spot.

[marv2]

Yes... that's the one i'm thinking of, it's not actual Abba... but these sound alikes that remind one of "Up with People". I hated those with the heat of a thousand suns.

Jill, get outta here! "Up With the People", you remember them too? LOL! They use to come to perform at my school at least once a year even then we thought they were so corny and square!

[glencro]

Even gospel divas The Clark Sister got on the disco band wagon with this 1979 song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SlMMHUxfCs

[glencro]

if that one doesn't work...try this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m04-4I4XgRY&feature=related

[marv2]

Very nice Glencro. I love the Clark Sisters!

[marv2]

This jam here by Third World could be classified as Reggae. I bought the album and then the 12". It may or may not have been classified as "Disco" but I dare anyone to sit completely still when this one is on the wheels of steel! 32 years later and it still is awesome....."Now That We Found Love " everybody!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXeY74ttezU

[soulster]

So true, and Mary wilson had no business recording a primarily disco album. Red Hot is really BAD, IMO. If she would have been produced properly and positioned right in the the industry, she should have been a feamle Barry White, but alas, Motown was dumb, and Roberta Flack got her spot.

I figured someone would eventually try to work mary Wilson into this thread. I wonder how long it will be before someone turns it into a Diana Ross thread.

[REDHOT]

But THE SUPREMES, MARY CINDY SCHERRIE and SUSAYE had disco hits too, He's my man, Let my hart do the walking, Moving on,You're what's missing[[in my life)High energy,You are the heart of me, FREDA PAYNE, I'll do anything[[for you)THE ORIGINALS,Down to lovetown DAVID RUFFIN'S Walk away from love, SISTERS LOVE,Give me your love,THE JACKSON 5,Forever came today,THE TEMPTATIONS, HAPPY PEOPLE, I still love DISCO today.
Please stay positive

[waldo]

THE JACKSON 5,Forever came today

i've never liked this. Body Language [[Do The Love Dance) and Honey Love are much BETTER disco records from the J5. IMO.

[marv2]

i've never liked this. Body Language [[Do The Love Dance) and Honey Love are much BETTER disco records from the J5. IMO.

Interesting Waldo as I remember hearing Forever and Body Language, but not Honey Love. Was it an album cut?

[waldo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Tg1E54UR_0

yes an LP cut from Moving Violation

[marv2]

I just found this. Remember the film "Thank God It's Friday"? Here is the group "Love & Kisses" with the theme song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQkQIODsV8A

[marv2]

Thanks Waldo!

[marv2]

Was this "Retro Jam" "The Bomb- These Sounds...." from 1995 the LAST "Disco" record?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf2JP6k7b9U&feature=related

[jillfoster]

Nope, Marv... as far as "disco" in the classic sense, I feel this was the last one to be a big hit, from 1999:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGjC0wbUXzk

And another latter day true disco song that was a huge hit in the gay clubs was this gem from 1992:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVE5_qPTooM

[marv2]

Hey, I remember him, Jamiroquai. Whatever happened to him?

[marv2]

I didn't even know Chic was still recording as a unit past say 1982-83. I think the last song I remember by them was "Stage Fright". Thanks Jill.

[roger]

Hey, I remember him, Jamiroquai. Whatever happened to him?

Hey Marv2 .. I can tell by that statement that you can't possibly live in the U.K. .. :)

Here is the recent JAMIROQUAI single .. "Nothing But Blue Skies" ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afnPQCEE16o

Roger

[jillfoster]

Hey Marv2 .. I can tell by that statement that you can't possibly live in the U.K. .. :)

Here is the recent JAMIROQUAI single .. "Nothing But Blue Skies" ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afnPQCEE16o

Roger

Holy mother of CRAP! Someone has actually recorded some real music?
Pardon me while I pick up my teeth off the floor!

[soulster]

I like it!!!! I think i'll buy this! Thanks Roger!

[tom_moulton]

Hi Marv, I missed this post originally. I am not sure what I could have added except that Disco to me was Soul Music with a Groove you could move to. And Did We Move!!!!

[marv2]

Hi Marv, I missed this post originally. I am not sure what I could have added except that Disco to me was Soul Music with a Groove you could move to. And Did We Move!!!!


Yes we did! I don't recall many obese people back then either! LOL! Tom I wanted to know what methods or steps you took with a specific record to make the extended remix ? I mean how did you decide which parts to use?

[marv2]

Hey Marv2 .. I can tell by that statement that you can't possibly live in the U.K. .. :)

Here is the recent JAMIROQUAI single .. "Nothing But Blue Skies" ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afnPQCEE16o

Roger

That's right Roger. I live in New York. Thanks for this nice clip.

[glencro]

Hi Marv, I missed this post originally. I am not sure what I could have added except that Disco to me was Soul Music with a Groove you could move to. And Did We Move!!!!

I totally agree...and you made a great contribution to the movement

[blueskies]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHe7ErAbLOI&feature=related

A great disco song and I'm still wearing out the CD. Those were the days my friend!

[jillfoster]

And of course, Marv... disco is still being exploited commercially. I'm working this winter as interim manager of a floral shop, and we have for valentine's day... a PINK HIPPO in a pink satin TUTU, that is battery operated and shakes her hips to Donna Summer's "Hot Stuff". I kid you NOT.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAB46WAH8n4&feature=related

[marv2]

Too funny! LOL!!!

[ms_m]

the only thing I care less for is anything
produced by Ian Levine...

That comment made me laugh out loud. Splanky you seem to feel about the man's music the way I feel about the man himself, although I'm willing to bet the intensity of my feelings may be deeper than yours.

I'm not going to try and defend or flame Levine's productions. Although I admit to not being a big fan. [[with a few exceptions)

I will tell you that one of the problems with the music; many of the tracks released were demos and not finished/polished product. It would not surprise me if he disagreed but I've spoken to artists that were involved with some of his projects.

I will say this, because of many of those tracks, a lot of older artist were and are able to work in the UK. They are very popular on the Northern Soul scene. I guess you could say, there is a silver lining in every dark cloud. shrugs


Marv, as far as disco goes, I liked it during it's day and I don't dislike it now but I can't remember the last time I listened to a disco track. [[not even the ones posted....sorry) The only disco LP I can recall buying is Chic. If there were others I don't remember ....but we're talking the decadent 70's...I'll leave it at that.:eek:

[jillfoster]

so, which ones of you had a coke spoon necklace? [[grin)

[Penny]

Don't look at me!

[ms_m]

the coke spoon necklace was rather dorky to me JillFoster but I do know a lot of people running around trying to look cool in NikNiks with small burn holes...LOL

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/mmandmusic/shir2028.jpg

[glencro]

From the genius of Tom Moulton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNPH9ODQ8-k

[daddyacey]

I have been following this thread ,and was moved by Ms M's post.
"The only disco LP I can recall buying is Chic. If there were others I don't remember ....but we're talking the decadent 70's...I'll leave it at that."
Now I know you must have some Stephanie Mills ,"What You Gonna Do With My Lovin?" ,Luther Vandross, "Never Too Much" ,
Marvin Gaye ,"Got To Give It Up" , MFSB ,"Love Is The Message" ,George Benson ,"20/20" , The O'Jays ,"For The Love Of Money" , I could go on through the list of "Classic R&B" tracks that are basic knowledge [[101) for true Soul/R&B/Funk/Jazz fans. And the strange thing is that they are also considered or associated with the "Disco era".
All those tracks are real instruments ,excellently recorded ,mixed and '"Disco remixed" at some time. So what makes them R&B and "DISCO"?
Take MFSB's ,"Love Is The Message" ,a symfunknic masterpiece of writing, arranging and recording. It's a funky lush big band type jam. Each part ,strings ,horn ,rythum ,has a short solo. Tom's genius remix just fleshed out what was waiting to be assembled in the right way. Every part has an extended solo. The remix as ingenius as it is ,only serves to expose the fact that the musicians were playing they ass off and the quality of the writing. All 3 forces joined to make that classic R&B recording, also considered "Disco" ,the same as the others mentioned.
So the question remains ,what is "Disco" exactly? So far in the posts above there were reggae ,rock ,funk and latin based tracks ,mentioned in the same breath as "DISCO or DISCO ERA track. Is that what "Disco" is ,a sort of new crossover catagory? Does the fact that a Funk or Soul or other genre track that came out during this certain era time period and was played in the DICO/CLUBS of the time ,is considered ,"Disco"?

[soulster]

I felt the social stigma of disco where I lived, but that didn't stoip me from liking and buying it. At the end of the day, music is music, whatever it is, and if you like it, that's all that matters.

[ms_m]

You're right Daddyacey I do own most [[if not all) of the tracks you mentioned but I don't think of them as Disco. To me, it's a different sound and vibe. I don't know the words to describe it and I guess there is an academic explanation in terms of musicality or maybe not, but It's just something I feel when separating R&B from Disco.

[glencro]

Another song that is my life story
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xgkzr_sister-sledge-lost-in-music_music#from=embed&start=127

[glencro]

One of my all time favorite disco tracks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeIhYvbLtoY

[glencro]

Yes we did! I don't recall many obese people back then either! LOL! Tom I wanted to know what methods or steps you took with a specific record to make the extended remix ? I mean how did you decide which parts to use?

LOL @ not recalling obese people back then

[marv2]

LOL @ not recalling obese people back then

Well, whenever I look at personal photographs I don't see any overweight, obese people in them and the next time you get the chance to look at old American Bandstand, Soul Train or any classic dance shows........no obese people. Looking at photos in general from the 70's [[Google some!), you just don't see many if any at all! LOL!

[glencro]

Well, whenever I look at personal photographs I don't see any overweight, obese people in them and the next time you get the chance to look at old American Bandstand, Soul Train or any classic dance shows........no obese people. Looking at photos in general from the 70's [[Google some!), you just don't see many if any at all! LOL!

You are so right...Think I need to find a dance floor lol

[soulster]

Well, whenever I look at personal photographs I don't see any overweight, obese people in them and the next time you get the chance to look at old American Bandstand, Soul Train or any classic dance shows........no obese people. Looking at photos in general from the 70's [[Google some!), you just don't see many if any at all! LOL!

That's because everyone was doing lines of coke! :)

[nomis]

i find it funny that Bianca and Liza would have us believe they really didnt hang out at 54 when they were practically there every night..why deny it? its documented for heaven sake..Bianca went so far as to sue for every mention of her to be deleted from the Andy Warhol diaries..oh please..Theres plenty of photos of Michael Jackson at 54 so he was just a regular guy at one point who loved a disco that damn Thriller LP sent him to neverland..

[jillfoster]

When was Liza denying it?

[nomis]

she did an interview where she said it was a ghastly place and if you see a picture of her there shes always asking someone the way out..which is bull she had things like the NewYork NewYork party thrown for her there and Ive got a picture of her duetting with Diana after the big bust..Liza loved her coccaine and she loved Steve Rubell and 54..

[glencro]

From the genius of Tom Moulton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNPH9ODQ8-k

by the way this is LOOSE CHANGE "Straight From The Heart"

[luke]

OMG-Gloria, Thelma and Vickie Sue!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJnE54tQULs&playnext=1&list=PL5047A2C60DFA735F&index=25

[marv2]

i find it funny that Bianca and Liza would have us believe they really didnt hang out at 54 when they were practically there every night..why deny it? its documented for heaven sake..Bianca went so far as to sue for every mention of her to be deleted from the Andy Warhol diaries..oh please..Theres plenty of photos of Michael Jackson at 54 so he was just a regular guy at one point who loved a disco that damn Thriller LP sent him to neverland..

They are all lying.

[daddyacey]

glencro........
LOOSE CHANGE "Straight From The Heart"

Are them boy's ,"Humpin" in the last 60 seconds of this track!!!!!!!! ,or what!!!!!! This is one JUST ONE of T.M. produced tracks that have been "Shamelessly" overlooked or worse. An "aural asswhoppin" ,all around.
I asked Mr. Moulton at one time on the old board if he had any intention on doing a remix on it ,but at the time he was working on the Philly Groove project.
Maybe ????????????????? :D

[glencro]

Daddyacey, that entire track is slammin but yes I love that ending...I wish that Tom Moulton would release a box set of his mixes...teh man knew how to keep the party goin

[Motown_M_1056]

Harmony by Suzi Lane
Sinner Man by Sarah Dash
Two bonafide Disco classics I still spin and still like today.

[blueskies]

Harmony by Suzi Lane
Sinner Man by Sarah Dash
Two bonafide Disco classics I still spin and still like today.

OMG......forgot about the wonderful "Sinner Man" by Sarah Dash! Thanks for posting. Brings back lots of memories! Where are those platform shoes?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxHnXpfAr1I

[glencro]

Brainstorm's "Lovin Is Real In My Game"...Always a winner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaVSdj38inI

[catwoman55]

That's the one, glencro!

[arrr&bee]

I didn't read all the post,but i hope someone mentioned the very cool[shake your groovething-peaches n herb]!

[daddyacey]

I found some interesting deep reading material on this subject of the entity part of DISCO, Ms M , you may find them interesting, [[always a pleasure :D ),as well as anyone else. GOOGLE ,of course...................
"Disco play starts a hit" , Billboard ,10/26/74
"Discotheque club dialog" ,Billboard ,2/11/74
"Paaaaarty!!!" ,Rolling Stone ,9/13/73
www.timlawrence.info

glencrow...."Brainstorm's "Lovin Is Real In My Game"...Always a winner" , Sho u right bout that. As a matter of fact ,Stephanie and Timmyfunk had just commented on the fact that ,that track would not be the same on CD as it is on vinyl. And if you all notice ,every track you all have mentioned above was made in the pre digital age ,just about. I dont know if you all have knowledge of hearing them all in the original vinyl format ,but Dance Music/Disco ,does not transfer well to the Digital medium. It's something about the resonance of the vinyl and the tone arm that adds an important essence to the recording. That sterile quality that gives Classical music it's other worldly clarity in digital format ,don't work with the Funk and Classical mixture of the fully orchestrated Dance Music of the time. Funk is Thick ,Heavy.....Classical is not. The medium also plays a big part in the sound ,which is a big part of the DISCO phenom. Take for example a pre-Disco track of Jimmy Castor's ,"It's Just Begun", or B.T Express ,"Express". The vinyl versions still out shine any CD remaster. It's just like when you hear a recording from the 40's or 50's remastered to CD. They lose some of the character of the original ,even though the original quality may seem inferior to todays sound ,it really doesn't make them any "better".
Any way ,please check out those articles and sites. This is going to be one of those deep threads ,and we still haven't touched on the main characters involved in the "Disco" phenom ,which was the ..........................D.J.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!

[glencro]

TA TA VEGA is mostly known as the voice in the famed church scene of "The Color Purple" but she dropped this disco gem in 1979 "Get It Up For Love" ...ENJOY!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emBDrNMRJ-c

[marv2]

I think we have a bit more to discuss here.......

[daddyacey]

Like what ....?????

[soulster]

I moved this my post here from the Temptations "Masterpiece" thread because it's text is more appropriate here.

Kenneth, "The Hustle" came out in the summer of 1975, after disco was already a fad. Before that song came out, we had already had many disco hits, including one that many still consider the first disco hit, but wasn't really a disco hit at all: "Rock The Boat" by The Hues Corporation. Both songs incorporated what was called the Latin Hustle, both a dance and a musical style popularized by "Rock The Boat". Of course, before those, we had other claims to the first disco song:

Love Train - The O'Jays
Where Did Our Love Go - Donnie Ebert
Son Of My Father - Giorgio Moroder
The Love I Lost - Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes [In fact, the drummer [[Earl Young?) is credited for inventing the open-closed syncopotated hi-hat pattern.]
Armed And Extremely Dangerous - First Choice
..and anything by Barry White!

And, we had many disco hits before then, like "Doctor's Orders" by Gloria Gaynor, "Do It "Till You're Satisfied" by B.T. Express, "Boogie Down" by Eddie Kendricks, "Could It be I'm Falling In Love" by Spinners, "Attitude Dancing" by Carly Simon, "Swearin' To God" by Frankie Valli, "Rock Me Gently" by Andy Kim, and, again, just about anything by Barry White! But, by 1975, The Tempations had gotten nasty funky with "Shaky Ground"

I'd say that 1973 was the year that disco broke out, but not too many people called it that. I do recall that the above mentioned Spinners song was being played alongside their 1972 single "I'll be Around" on the radio in the late summer of 1972.

[daddyacey]

Doctors Order was by Carol Douglass in 1974

[ceasar]

I loved every minute of it.
Ceasar

[Jimi LaLumia]

hey everybody, I'm on TV!~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If6Ge9_5EHo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ly2FCSRt6Q&feature=related

[marv2]

hey everybody, I'm on TV!~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If6Ge9_5EHo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ly2FCSRt6Q&feature=related

Great clip Jim
!

[soulster]

This post is a continuation of the discussion that blossomed here: http://soulfuldetroit.com/showthread.php?3642-The-Temptations-The-Emperors-of.....Disco&p=66979#post66979



I can hardly claim to be an expert on what was going on in the U.S. at that time, living 3000 Miles away, but from my outside perspective .. reading "Blues & Soul" etc. it seems that sometime around 1972/3 "Discos" started to become established in parts of the U.S. and that overwhelmingly they were playing uptempo/midtempo R&B/Soul. So, sales of uptempo R&B/Soul started to pick up and some U.S. record companies [[Roulette, Scepter and P.I.R. come to mind) started to think about how their releases might sound in a nightclub. And some people started calling this music "Disco".

So, I think what actually makes a record a "Disco" record is it being recorded/produced with how it sounds when played in a nightclub being a major consideration.

I'm not sure about the exact first time that I first saw "Disco" in "Blues & Soul" being used to describe a variety of music rather than a venue but it would have had to have been some time late in 1973, especially with new Philadelphia recordings like "The Love I Lost"/"Look Me Up"/"Both Ends Against The Middle" ... certainly by mid 1974 the term was being used very liberally to describe new uptempo R&B/Soul .. "Rock The Boat"/T.S.O.P/"Rock Your Baby" etc. etc.


I'd say that's a pretty accurate assessment. Like I said, the term "disco" wasn't even used until late 1975 or even 1976 here in the states. To us, it was all R&B dance music. Disco seemed to come about right around the time the stuff from Europe started getting played here, like Donna Summer and Silver Convention.

As for the first disco record is concerned, I don't even care. The sound just seemed to come together from a variety of places. And, there are those who still go nuclear at the mere mention of the word, and those who argue that it's not music, that it destroyed R&B, rock, whatever. But, it's just a friggin' musical style, no more, no less. It's only the snobs and bigots that seem to have a problem with it.

[soulster]

Doctors Order was by Carol Douglass in 1974

My bad! I should know that.

[glencro]

Can't keep still listening to this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkYKU2PWs7I

[jive_turkey]

Disco happens to be my fav era as well and I'm only 35 yrs old :) Yet, I love how alot of the 78 disco joints evolved into "Disco House Music".
Some of my alltime fav Disco joints, too many to mention but here's a few:

Chic: Everybody Dance
Sylvester: Well pretty much all his hits
CJ & Company: We got our own thang
Carrie Lucas: Keep on Dancing
Sharon Redd: All her hits
Bohannon: "Me and the Gang", "Lets start the Dance"
Black Ivory: Mainline
Five Special: "Why leave us alone"
Cerrone: Love in C Minor
Chic: All the hits ofcourse
Tavares: "It only takes a Minute", other hits

[glencro]

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=my+first+mistake+chi+lites

[RichyP]

First time I've looked at this thread, quick scan [[boy there's a lot of text) and I can't find any mention of Thelma.

Apologies if there is


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa7YJ714OP4