Discovering Disco

Like most people I imagine, my understanding of disco went as far as Saturday Night Fever. In fact, even worse than that, somewhere in my mind I probably linked it with the film Grease just because that had John Travolta in it as well, and Grease was of course rock and roll (and crap rock and roll at that). Hey - what do I know. Disco was just an excuse for a shit party, or to stumble into one of the many ironed on night-club cum-disco-pub’s like Boogie Nights and such that fester out across the nation. Think Disco, think The Bee Gees, The Jacksons, Chic, I Believe in Miracles, I Will Survive, D.I.S.C.O, YMCA (surely the ultimate disco record *cough*), Stayin Alive, The Hustle and millions of other tracks, artists and groups that appear on every “Best Disco Album Ever”, ever. Its safe to say that disco couldn’t have been further from what I considered dance music, even though it more often than not made people dance. These people were the enemy of music, as far as I was concerned.

In around about the year 2003, as my days of djing were drawing to a close (through a combination of the impending arrival of my first little girl and what I thought was a simmering down of the passion I once held for the music), I started to look at other tracks and genres that had always interested me but id never really found the time to explore, and undertook a 4 year journey that completely rewrote everything I knew and understood about dance music, and specifically my cheesy friend Disco. For the 7 or 8 years previous, I had done nothing but buy one kind of music really in order to better understand and appreciate, and for that reason listening to music had started to become a chore rather than the pleasurable experience it should have been. It was time to find the passion again.

I had already read a couple of books that had been of some interest on the broader spectrum of dance music. The first was Last Night a DJ Saved My Life, by Frank and Bill. This armed me with a knowledge of the progression of the sound, but not necessarily the commitment to research further into it. Whilst it was a great book (and one I have since re-read), I was just happy with the fact that I had a more rounded understanding. I also read at the time books about the spectrum of dance music I already knew about having lived through it - Simon Reynolds Energy Flash and Altered State by Matthew Colin which were both pretty formulaic and forgettable (in my opinion, of course). People from Blackburn took ecstasy? Really? Astonishing.

What happened to me musically as I started to dig deep, is probably no different to anyone who is aware that disco is not all for four year olds. Its amazing though, how many people say things like “do you wear platforms when you DJ” or other such bollocks…so with this in mind I wanted to write down, as best as I could, the things that helped me to discover that Disco far from sucks. Call it a starting place to discover more about dance music if you will, something to help a newcomer (not an experienced old cynic) what direction they might have to take. The directions are numerous, and I probably cant remember them all (Cd’s, documentaries, books, films, people, places - some that aren’t directly about disco), but this should be a good start, if nothing else.

Love Saves The Day

Nothing could prepare me for the change in my life when it was suggested to me by THP from Cosmic Disco that I read and understand a masterpiece. Love Saves the Day is a book by Tim Lawrence that defines the rise of dance music in America during the seventies and describes how foundations were laid. The idea of how a party should take place evolved over the course of the decade until it reached a climax with The Paradise Garage and Larry Levan. This book introduced me to so many names that I remembered from Last Night a DJ Saved My Life, but as it concentrated on a much shorter period it allowed a far greater depth to each. Francis Grasso, David Mancuso, Nicky Siano, Arthur Russel, Mel Cheren, Larry Levan, Francois Kevorkian, Frankie Knuckles, Bobby Guttaro, Danny Krivit, The Gallery, The Saint, The Loft, The Garage. If you don’t know much about how these are connected to disco, read this book. See how the complex relationships between all intertwined to create one of the most vibrant, creative and hedonistic times of modern day. This is still the best factual book have ever read, and I have read numerous. I am just about to give it a third read in 2 years.

Mel Cheren - My Life and the Paradise Garage

Mel Cheren is considered by many as the godfather of disco. I’m not sure I agree with that moniker but he was certainly a hugely important figure in the development of the sound. As the head of West End Records, Mel presided over the release of many tracks that are timeless classics, and still move dance-floors today. Indeed, one of my favourite tracks of all time comes from the West End label of this era – Brenda Taylor, You Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat it Too. The book itself chronicles Mel’s life up to the late nineties, and shows the creation of West End records, the development of the super-elite gay community on Fire Island, the birth of the Paradise Garage and The Saint (two seminal New York gay disco’s), drug dependency, and the tragic hangover from years of guilt free partying. This book isn’t just about disco, but it puts disco into perspective from the person (and people) who helped to put it on the map. Understanding the time itself helps to understand the music. A warning though - if you are sensitive about reading about issues and descriptions that are not necessarily about your particular sexual persuasion, then read at your own risk.

Maestro

Maestro by Josell Ramos chronicles the rise of clubs like The Loft, The Paradise Garage and The Gallery by people who either witnessed or helped to shape the disco, and ultimately, the house scene. Focusing heavily on New York and Chicago, interviews with Mancuso, Tee Scott, Grasso, Siano and many of the dancers and party goers of the time give a brilliant insight that really compliments the vibe created by a book like Love Saves the Day. Some people would say that its hurriedly put together, and maybe lacking in chronological flow but I like that about it - and its only hurriedly put together if you are already an expert on the subject. Its the interviews with Grasso that I found most interesting, as he really was the DJ that laid the foundations in New York. Sadly, he passed away in 2001, but watching the footage of him in this film there is no doubt of his impact on later generations, including the likes of Ron Hardy (a hero of mine), Knuckles, et al. The documentary goes on to cover the emergence of House and Garage music from the disco scene, and puts things into context perfectly. Find out more from an interview with the director, or one of the many clips on youtube.

DJ History Forum

Even though its populated with far too many southern Manchester United fans for my liking, the DJ History forum is an invaluable resource. Everyone (almost everyone) who lives on it knows loads, about everything. Any track you don’t know, someone will. And not only that, they will know the year it came out, the label it came out on, what other mixes were with it, where you can buy it, and what your grandads dog was called. Couple this with posts from scene leaders such as Francios K, Greg Wilson, Todd Terje, Bill Brewster (who owns and runs the site) and so on, and also mixes from almost every disco DJ in the country (with track listings) - you are talking serious musical knowledge. Even if you don’t post much, you can browse, read, learn, buy and conquer.

Salsoul Compilations

Salsoul, oh Salsoul. A label that most people know of, even those not riding the disco merry-go-round. I wont lavish you with the details of why Salsoul were so instrumental (along with other labels such as Prelude and West End Records), but I would suggest that you take a listen to the compilations that came out on Suss’d around 2003/2004 and onwards. Disco Divas and Soulful Sista Flavas, Walter Gibbons Anthology, Essential Boogie Flavas, Latin Funk Flavas, DIsco Trance and Cosmic Flavas…the list goes on and on for great compilations of timeless disco from this label. A real insight to music being created around the end of the seventies / beginning of the eighties. Greg Wilson was asked to put together a compilation of disco electronica for the Suss’d Salsoul compilations - it was to be entitled Electrophonic Beats, Dubby Mixes & Black Underground Flavas. Sadly, It never came out, but we decided to document the story about it regardless.

Music Blogs

There are absolutely millions of music blogs. Some give away free tracks for you to download, which is mildly naughty. Some inform you of edits that are coming available, some review older tracks, some have interviews with cool people. Some, like this one, just post up mixes and talk shit. Never underestimate the power and the knowledge of the people in the musical blogging world. Some of these people bleed cowbell if you cut them, and they should be feared, revered and respected for the knowledge and wisdom they possess. Or something like that. I am not going to list every blog I visit here, I don’t see the point when DJ History has pretty much the most difinitive list of music blogs I have ever seen (and the largest sidebar to boot). Just look under the Blogs We Like section on the right. A special mention must go here to Cosmic Disco as well, as I have said in the past, without that site this one would not exist.

Discogs

I think some of the people on the aforementioned DJ History forum are actually hard wired into the database of this website. I, however, knew next to nothing when I started to use it for finding out about labels, tracks, producers, compilations - everything. Its a database so vast and precise that I bet even the people who made the tracks themselves didn’t know half the stuff about their own music. If you want to see what the engineer for a track has worked on, no problem - click his name and off you go. There is also the added bonus of the discogs marketplace, where you can buy the track you have searched for as long as someone has it for sale (or even sell it, if you have it). Better than buying off eBay were you invariably get completely ripped off, as I found to my detriment.

Disco Tracks

You might notice that until now, I really haven’t actually mentioned any individual tracks or labels (apart from the Salsoul Compilations). Bit stupid that, you are probably thinking - as disco isn’t theory - its music. The reason is that its not really up to me to dictate what you should listen to when you delve into the world of disco. I can, however, list some tracks that I like (love, in fact) and some that show that disco isn’t all high pitched Mancunian’s and Italian Americans. Here are some great tracks, with relevant information bits. You don’t have to like them all but I think its a reasonable spread, and although many of them fit into other sub-genres, they are all disco to me. Note - these might not be obscure oddities or treats, but then that would kind of defeat the idea of writing an article about “Discovering Disco”. Walking before running, I think the expression is. Note 2 - It took me hours to think about what to include or not include, so I know I have missed out a million things, and yes, it hurts. Note 3 - I toyed around with adding soundclips with each track, but you know - as this article is all about discovering it for yourself - maybe it would mean more if you tracked them down yourself.

Aquarian Dream / Phoenix
http://www.discogs.com/release/1064027

This crossed over into Northern Soul clubs (especially The Mecca in Blackpool - it was a Levine favourite). Great up tempo early disco track, easy to find on loads of disco / northern soul compilations.

Al Hudson / Spread Love
http://www.discogs.com/release/579578

A track I know as it was re-made as a drum and bass track by nu:tone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPCcnlEaRxc). Another uplifting slice of early disco funk.

Eumir Deodato / Space Dust - Sherlock
http://www.discogs.com/release/502967

Straight dance-floor stuff from Eumir Deodato - a superb musician who has released many great tracks over the years (and still does).

Disco Drum - The Cats ‘N’ Jammer Kids
http://www.discogs.com/release/312985

The only more obscure one here - even a search of GOD doesn’t show me much about who Cats N Jammer Kids are. Great slower percussion heavy disco track.

Five Letters / Tha Kee Tha Tha
http://www.discogs.com/release/1221494

Italo Disco - recently released on the Italo Disco compilation. I wont go into the whole sub genre of italo disco here, but this track could be a good starter for you.

Jean Carn / Was That All It Was
http://www.discogs.com/release/790602

Paradise Garage classic - very camp (IMO), brilliant - great structure. Really good disco and relatively easy to find on compilations (CD or vinyl).

Love Unlimited Orchestra / Strange Games & Things
http://www.discogs.com/release/472823

Barry whites backing orchestra (40 piece orchestra according to discog’s) go solo on quite a few albums and this one is a real good bubbling disco, very laid back, showing another string.

Liquid Liquid / Optimo
http://www.discogs.com/release/95988

Disco not Disco - sub genre alert - this doesn’t probably sound like disco per say, and that’s because it isn’t. But it was played in the disco clubs of the time, and still is today - disco influenced, if nothing else.

Montana Sextet / Heavy Vibes
http://www.discogs.com/release/196601

A masterpiece. Vince Montana had his hand in everything. No words I could put here could sum it up, so just have a listen yourself.

Tata Vega / Get It Up for Love
http://www.discogs.com/release/361477

Great up tempo disco track released on Motown records. Dancefloor stuff again, great lyrics.

The Salsoul Orchestra / Magic Bird of Fire
http://www.discogs.com/release/7329

Salsoul - inspirational. This might not be the best of the Salsoul, or Salsoul Orchetra tracks, but its certainly individual and shows disco’s live roots in a great light.

Womack & Womack / Baby I’m Scared of You
http://www.discogs.com/release/865095

Another Paradise Garage classic. Another hands in the air, camp anthem.

And…

Well - I am still learning at a reasonable pace. I have just finished a book by Peter Shapiro called “Turn the Beat Around” which I didn’t enjoy one bit sadly, and would struggle to recommend. I also recently finished a few other books about hip hop which has really interesting links to disco culture as one helped to progress the other (and vice-versa). Really though, the only way to learn more about the music is to keep searching, and keep listening. And I intend to do that until I shuffle from this coil. At the risk of sounding cliche’d, I am still discovering what disco is every time I read something new about it, or hear a new track.

Actually that sounded really, really cliche’d. Great ending.