Sweaty Disco Balls
We're not just all about house and techno here at Tape. Over the past couple of years, more and more disco has been creeping into my listening agenda, and I thought that I'd share some classics of the genre with you. First up we’ve got the mother of all disco party-starters, the pretty self-explanatory ‘House Party’ by Fred Wesley in all of its low slung, swaggering original mix glory. There’s a bootleg of it that mixes it with Lady Sov’s ‘Random’ out on Bristol based ‘Rhythm & Booze’ label that’s absolutely killer (check the sample over at Phonica). Every time I’ve heard it played out it goes down a storm, and not without good reason. Everyone’s got room for a bit chav-disco their hearts.Download:
Fred Wesley - House Party // Custom Service
If you haven’t heard D Train’s classic hands-in-the air disco anthem ‘Keep On’, then you’re seriously missing out. That bridge alone elevates it into a class of its own. It’s so good, I don’t even have to witter on about its quality. I’ll use the space instead to plug the free magazine of the same name. All you lucky UK residents can pick it up from your record shop for free and it is house and disco heaven! Take the last issue for example; you’ve got articles on Todd Terje, Tom Moulton, Idjut Boys, Darondo, and boy, do they love their lists. Get over to their website to download some of the previous issues.Download:
D-Train - Keep On (Vocal) // Epic
Speaking of Tom Moulton, Soul Jazz have released a collection of his remixes on two double 12”s recently. Well worth getting your hands on if you love a bit of vintage gay disco. Tom seems to be having a bit of a resurgence recently, and it’s strange that Shep Pettibone isn’t mentioned as much. After all, he did put out great mixes of Loleatta Holloway’s ‘Love Sensation’, and First Choice’s ‘Let No Men Assunder’ amongst others. Later in his career, he produced Madonna's 'Erotica' LP, spawning the number one, 'Vogue'. One of favourite mixes that Shep's done is by Candido (pictured above). His remix of ‘Jingo’ is a booty-shaking, cowbell plinking, wonky-disco masterpiece, and if that description doesn’t want to make you listen to it, then I don’t know what will!Download:
Candido - Jingo (Shep Pettibone 12" Remix) // Salsoul
Download:
First Choice - Let No Man Put Assunder (Shep Pettibone 12" Remix) // Salsoul
Disco-legend Patrick Cowley was, along with Giorgio Moroder, one of the synth pioneers of the 70s and 80s. Often lauded as bridging the gap between disco and house with his e-funk epics, he stands as one of the main influences of pretty much anyone producing electronic disco today. One of his early fans was male-not-male disco diva Sylvester, who upon witnessing his technological prowess picked him to produce some tracks, most notably the Studio 54 classic, ‘Do You Wanna Funk’. He went on to produce some of his own material, which in my honest opinion, eclipses the Sylvester material he worked on. Every part of ‘Get A Little’ oozes pure class and is a real example of his synth mastery. To top it off, you’ve got the sleaziest, bounciest bassline that Cowley could muster – seriously, Chicken Lips would rape their grandmothers to even get close to something like this. He went on to remix both Tantra’s ‘Hills Of Kathmandu’ and Donna Summer’s ‘I Feel Love’ into their definitive 15 minute long edits, and produced some cracking solo material, not least ‘Sea Hunt’ and his biggest hit, ‘Megatron Man’. Sadly, Patrick died from AIDS back in 1982 (apparently the first major entertainer to do so) but his legacy, however short, will live on in the hearts of disco fans forever. RIP Patrick.Download:
Patrick Cowley - Get A Little // Megatone
Download:
Sylvester - Do Ya Wanna Funk (Patrick Cowley House Mix) // Megatone
Download:
Donna Summer - I Feel Love (Patrick Cowley Mix) // Casablanca
One man who’s definitely a massive fan of Mr Cowley is Norwegian disco editor extraordinaire, Todd Terje. I’m guessing that you’ll be familiar with his ‘Eurodans’ record that’s been doing the rounds the last few months, and, like me, be dying for a bit of new material from him. He’s back into old habits however, churning out a few more edits to keep the landlord at bay. First up we had ‘Get It On’ (which is great by the way), and now we’ve got his re-edit of Michael Jackson’s ‘I Can’t Help It’ in a subdued lounge-disco vein. Admittedly, I was a little reserved at first about this (I had heard that it had been championed by fucking Gilles Peterson, after all) but I can safely say that its top Terje! Also, here's his edit of Giorgio Moroder's future-wonk symphony, 'Utopia'.Download:
Michael Jackson - I Can't Help It (Tangoterje Re-edit) // White
Download:
Giorgio Moroder - Utopia (Todd Terje Edit) // White
posted by Richard Carnage at 9:59 PM
28 Comments:
the guy's name is fred wesLEY (not westy), btw...
great blog though... ;-)
Great tunes on here. Nice to hear your diverse interest, going to some disco from the techno stuff. Was wondering if you have heard the Thriller Loop by G-Rock. It's really great, but I have no idea who did it. I have it home if you want me to send it to you.
Yes! Of course I want you to send it to me! e-mail: richardcarnes@hotmail.co.uk
Cheers!
R x
hey! gilles peterson isn't ABSOLUTE scum
- he's done a lot for underground music, in his jazzy way. a bit too jazzy sometimes, mind...
Apparently he actually is total scum, but I get what you're saying. After all, he did put Darondo on his 'Gilles Peterson Digs America' compilation.
WHERE can I buy the Terje Moroder thing ? - need a higher res version of this - it's CLASSIC - damn this dude can edit
no idea myself - if i find out i'll leave a comment. rich might know
Great trax. Have you guys read Peter Shapiro's Turn the Beat Around: The Secret History of Disco? It's pretty worthwhile. If you get the chance, check it out.
i haven't, but i've frequently thumbed through it in bookstores debating whether or not to buy it - if you recommend, i might treat myself to it soon
Anon - Due to the dodgy legal ground that Todd stands on when putting out these edits, some of them are hard to find. I've never seen a copy of his 'Utopia' edit on wax kicking around, but maybe I haven't been looking hard enough. Apparently he's got a new disco edits 12" coming out soon as well, so make sure to check that out.
Chantilly - Not seen that before but after a little Google investigation it looks like quite a good read! Next time I see it I'll be sure to pick it up.
Can't help but think that The Guardian's Gary Lachman's a bit of a tool after reading what he has to say on the subject.
http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1502923,00.html
Gracious! I can't even believe that actually got published.
"There is, in fact, sometimes too much information about DJs, clubs, producers and records..." In a book about disco? Really? Gary Lachman was actually one of the founding members of Blondie, but after a little research I've found this little tidbit. ("His first book, Turn Off Your Mind - The Mystic Sixties and The Dark Side Of The Age Of Aquarius charts the popular growth of occultism followed by a descent into the violence and madness exemplified by Charles Manson and his Family.") Sounds like a real winner...
great music... but is houldnt even be here! ahh(panic)
Sorry to spam your marvelous post mr carnage... but im a stressed out lazy student with a couple of days left to do a dissertation.... so if anyone can please help!!!! do a good deed and simply complete this very short questionnaire
Thanks in advance. Ry
ry, i filled in one for ya. i know how you feel - i've got a dissertation due soon. good luck with it
any of you tape boys gonna be in london this weekend? if so, come to barden's boudoir tonight and the lock tavern tomorrow!
mate, i might make it down to lock tavern today, but can't be sure. either way, have a gd'n and thanks for letting us know
Love yer blog 2 bits !!!
Dusting through my cd collection this week I ran across Moroder's "From here to eternity"-DT remixes and gave it a spin just to realise how fuckn fresh it still sounds...DeLiCiOuS!
From disco to pop,have you guys heard 80's sirens Bananarama's "Venus" remixed by 80's siren Marc Almond yet?( Marc Almond's Hi NRG Showgirls Remix)
One word: kool.
Will send if you'd like...
Love & Glitches.
Where are you guys? Need more space disco.
um ... First Choice is amazing. thank you.
Sorry about leaving the blog untended. Unfortunately I've either been busy or ill, but that's no really a good enough excuse, is it? Hopefully I'll be back on it tonight with some records that I've been buying over the past few weeks, and maybe a bit of space disco for you! Cheers for checking back though. Tis much appreciated.
Some of the downloads are expired, so here are the ones that are still valid for all those interested:
First Choice - Let No Man Put Assunder (Shep Pettibone 12" Remix) // Salsoul
Sylvester - Do Ya Wanna Funk (Patrick Cowley House Mix) // Megatone
Donna Summer - I Feel Love (Patrick Cowley Mix) // Casablanca
Giorgio Moroder - Utopia (Todd Terje Edit) // White
Hey there! Greetings from France !! Your blog is soooooo good !! Hihi
May I suggest "Was not was - wheel me out"? Shaking even before hearing!!!
fantastic post. if they're all this good i'll be happy to wait.
he's done a lot for underground music, in his jazzy way. a bit too jazzy sometimes, mind
Thanks for the amazing compilation. I think that It will help me to throw parties.
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