The Ghetto Disco

MIXTAPE

2011-02-22T13:25:00.005Z

A Disco mix -

Alan Parsons Project - The Voice - ARISTA (1977)
The Earons - Land Of Hunger (dub version) - ISLAND (1984)
Electric Mind - Zwei (dub version) - EMERGENCY (1983)
Plush - Free And Easy (instrumental) - RCA (1982)
Futura - Feelin' Hot - REELIN & ROCKIN (1982)
Baheeja - Action Speaks Louder Than Words - GOLD TRACK (1984)
Skyy - Disco Dancin' - SALSOUL (1979)
Al Hudson & The Soul Partners - How Do You Do - ABC (1978)
Pat Lundy- Work Song - PYRAMID (1977)
Chilly - For Your Love - POLYDOR (1978)
Rainbow Brown - Till You Surrender (instrumental) - VANGUARD (1981)
Demi Roussos - L.O.V.E Got A Hold Of Me - MERCURY (1978)
Queen Samantha - Take A Chance - T.K. DISCO (1979)
Letta Mbulu - Kilimanjaro (instrumental) - MJS (1981)
Karriem - I Love You - PASHLO (1979)

All Wax, All Originals.

Neither here nor there mix. by Mr. Smith

HENDERSON & WHITFIELD (EDIT)

2010-11-09T13:57:00.004Z

Not too much of an edit really, just a DJ friendly version. This is an amazing record but the vocal at the beginning of the original makes it a bit tricky in the mix. I first heard of this tune on BEAT ELECTRIC a while back... Follow the LINK for more info and the original.

Henderson & Whitfield - Dancin' to the beat (Mr Smith mixeasy edit) by Mr. Smith

TANTRA - WISHBONE

2010-10-22T05:32:00.003+01:00

Spaced out italo - I love it. I simply can't get enough of this record at the moment so I thought I'd share it. DISCOGS just told me that this was released on a number of different labels depending on where you were living back in '79 but the original was on Phillips in Italy. This is actually the DISCONET version so has been given a wee 'DJ only' rework from the original. If you are not sat at your computer 'digging' all the time and actually visit record stores, you will have noticed that some scumbag (rich coming from me?) has bootlegged some or maybe even all of the DISCONET back catalogue.

This is a great DJ record. Starts off with nice stripped down percussion that builds up nicely to mix and has a couple good breakdowns for you to take it somewhere else. It's also 15mins long so you have lots of time to play with it.

Tantra - Wishbone by Mr. Smith

DISCO LOVE (MR. SMITH EDIT)

2010-09-16T12:35:00.008+01:00

Here is an edit I did of Bombers - 'Pistolero' a while back. The original was featured on there AMAZING album - Bombers 2. I have already written a small bit about them which you can read HERE. I thought this needed a little edit to eradicate some suspect key changes, I tweaked a couple of bits and gave it a nice drawn out intro for you deejays out there. Mad props go out to experienced disc jockey and top fella Jimmy P for dropping this on the Faith Fanzine radio show which you can find on Ministry of Sound HERE.

Enjoy.

Disco Love (Mr. Smith edit) by Mr. Smith

Hello? Is anyone out there?

2010-09-11T19:14:00.002+01:00

You just read that my partner in crime has left the country, plus i've been working very hard recently (See above)so Blogging has been put on hold. Don't worry though, i've still got lot's of treats to share with you guys & if Mr.Smith is going to update all the way from Oz, then dammit i'll have to join in too.

Stay tuned!

MIXTAPE

2010-09-08T08:01:00.005+01:00

I stopped blogging earlier this year because life just got in the way. I have just relocated from London to Sydney and all my records are on a ship somewhere on there way here (eek!)... I will be bricking it til the day they get here safe and sound!!!

I have a few bits and pieces that I ripped I while back that I will be posting in the future but today I have for you a little mix I recorded a while back. I wasn't sure that I would ever post it because a couple of the mixes are a bit wayward... But I thought fuck it. So here it is for your aural pleasure -
All wax, all originals.

MIXTAPE 01107-3 by Mr. Smith

1. Weeks & Co. - Go With The Flow (instrumental) (1982)
2. West Phillips - (I'm Just A) Sucker For A Pretty Face (1983)
3. Pointer Sisters - Automatic (Special Remix) (1983)
4. Madonna - Everybody (Dub) - (1982)
5. K.I.D. - You Don't Like My Music ("Hupendi Muziki Wangu") (1981)
6. The Circle City Band - Magic (1983)
7. The Fresh Band - Come Back Lover (1984)
8. Maxine Singleton - Don't You Love It (instrumental) (1982)
9. Sparkle Tuhran & Friends - Handsome Man (1979)
10. Fat Larrys Band - Lookin' For Love Tonight (1979)
11. Sparque - Take Some Time (1984)
12. Richard T. Bear - Sunshine Hotel (1978)
13. Tempest Trio - Do You Like The Way That It Feels (1979)
14. Dr. York - Shake-N-Skate (1980)
15. Bombers - Let's Dance (1979)
16. The Doobie Brothers - What A Fool Believes (1979)

SOFT ROCKS - FIRMAMENT BERLIN MIXTAPE

2010-05-04T13:10:00.015+01:00

Here's a lovely mix from Brighton's original crew of left field Balearic Disco deviants SOFT ROCKS which was originally recorded for Berlin's deluxe street-wear store FIRMAMENT & then picked up by me for 50p at MVE.
I've had this mix on rotation for months now, it's been around for quite a while & it's a killer, Taking in everything from The Eurythmics B-Side "Monkey Monkey" & Shitans obscure "Disco Shitan" to the sounds of Voom-Voom's Henrik Schwarz remixed "Best Friend" with plenty of other tracks along the way expertly selected & blended for our listening pleasure.

Even though I just spent almost 2 weeks in Berlin I never made it to the FIRMAMENT shop, but from what I gather it's THE spot in the city to cop your STUSSY, SUPREME & VISVIM gear if that's your bag & apparently they even stock JUNIOR BOY'S OWN tees too!

Firmament Berlin.

SOFT ROCK's output is always worth checking if you like things a little more oddball, slower & more left field. DJ wise they always dig a bit deeper & spin a healthy selection of weird & wonderful records alongside disco obscurities & killer underground House grooves, On top of that they've put out a slew of quality releases since 2003 & I can't recommend them enough with "Midnight Drive" & their latest 12" "In the house" being personal favourites. Take a look at their releases page HERE. I've also included a Youtube clip of "Midnight drive" for your enjoyment which sounds like some amazing, lost 80's action movie end title:

Now, on to the music...

Grab the mix below, Click on the arrow on the right to D/L.
SOFT ROCKS - FIRMAMENT BERLIN MIXTAPE by Bobby Hands

BTW - If anyone can fully track-list this mix, Please, Get in touch!

ESSENTIAL VIEWING

2010-04-21T21:26:00.006+01:00

I'm stranded in Berlin thanks to the seemingly endless volcano madness. I was meant to be back in London last Saturday, now i'm not going to be back in the Big Smoke until next Monday!!
Fortunately i've managed to squeeze in quite a bit of quality time in a LOT of record stores, fleamarkets & thrift stores around this beautiful city (And a big, big SHOUT goes out to my AMAZING & patient girlfriend Zoe & to 'Cheers Chris' & Fil too)

So, during my time here, I came across this taster for what looks like one amazing documentary that i'm sure all you readers of TGD will no doubt enjoy.. check it..

See you guys on the other side...

DJ REGAL - THE BRONX IS BURNING

2010-04-12T13:29:00.006+01:00

Here we have killer mix from DJ, Beat-maker & former BRONX DOG & WISEGUY - DJ Regal.

"The Bronx is burning" is a journey through the sounds of inner city NYC spanning from the early 70's to the paranoid, murderous citywide blackout of the "Summer of Sam" in the late 70's. The mix taking it's name from the 1972 FDNY documentary of the same name is a mini-soundtrack to what Regal says were "5 tumultuous years in Bronx History, which spawned so much, from so little..."

If you're a Beat-head, a B-Boy, a Disco fiend or a lover of Ruff Ghetto Soul then this mix is definitely for you!! Expertly programmed & mixed by someone with an unhealthy obsession of all things BX.
If all this 1970's New York stuff floats your boat then you should really wrap your eyeballs round this documentary from VH1 called "NY77 - The coolest year in Hell" which looks utterly AMAZING if this trailer is anything to go by:

Impressive, huh? Anyways, big up to DJ Regal for letting us post this killer of a mix & big up to you guys for reading, TGD may be a little quiet for the next week or 2 as i'm off to Berlin ransacking for records & Mr.Smith is STILL sunning himself in New Zealand!! But we'll be back soon - Stay tuned.

THE BRONX IS BURNING
1973-79

1) LEROY HUTSON – “THE GHETTO ‘74” (1974)
2) 20TH CENTURY STEEL BAND – “HEAVEN & HELL” (JOHN PEEL SESSION ‘75)
3) BUMBLEBEE UNLIMITED – “LADY BUG” (1978)
4) HIDDEN STRENGTH – “HUSTLE ON UP (DO THE BUMP)” (1975)
5) JOE SIMON – “COME GET TO THIS” (1976)
6) JIMMY CASTOR BUNCH – “DON’T DO THAT!” (1979)
7) KOOL & THE GANG – “RATED X” (1973)
8) EARTH WIND & FIRE – “DREAMS” (1974) PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
9) THE BLACKBYRDS – “THE BABY” (1974)
10) HERBIE MANN – “RHYTHMATISM” (1977) REGAL RE-EDIT
11) LOVE UNLIMITED ORCHESTRA – “KING KONG” (1976) REGAL RE-EDIT
12) SALSOUL ORCHESTRA – “212 N. 12TH” (1979)

Click arrow on right for D/L.
DJ REGAL - THE BRONX IS BURNING by theghettodisco

A REGAL JOINT
APRIL 2010

(DEDICATED TO: THE UNBREAKABLE CREW, ALL FBV, SEAN P, RICHARD SEN, GPA,
MR GLASS, FRENZIE, EDSEVEN, LIZ, MALACHI, G-MAN, MICKI, SUN & JENNY D.)

OLD SCHOOL RULES

2010-04-07T23:28:00.001+01:00

We DIG DJ MURO over here.

PEANUT BUTTER WOLF - UN-AIRED RADIO MIX

2010-04-06T18:34:00.011+01:00

....Of course, I could be wrong.

This lil' beauty landed in my lap a couple of years ago & has since sat on my top shelf gathering dust along with 100's of other CD-R's here at TGDHQ...

Until now!!

An old friend who had an old friend who happened to host a prime-time radio show here in London on one of the 'big' stations (I'm not at liberty to say...Oh OK, XFM!) obtained & handed me this non-descript CD-R a couple of summers ago, telling me who it was by & that I should 'Check it out...'
I got around to checking it out eventually, a bit perplexed on the first few go's, thinking 'Damn, this isn't even mixed!' but gradually started enjoying the loose mixing & pretty bugged-out selection which make it an interesting listen.
I was informed at the time that this mix had been pre-recorded for said radio station for the 'guest DJ' section of the show but then it never got aired, thus making it a little bit of an exclusive gem... My sources tell me it was available for a short time as a Stones Throw Podcast so here it is again...

I'm pretty much 99% certain that anyone reading this Blog is familiar with PEANUT BUTTER WOLF or his record label STONES THROW & all the amazing artists, releases & music they're responsible for, so i'm not going to bother writing an extensive discography this time, check the links!!

Having revisited the mix this afternoon I can tell you there's a bit of something for everyone on here, One of my favourite records EVER, some insane Disco-Rap in the shape of 'The Grandmaster Lover', Electro, JazzFunk, Breaks, HipHop, Psych, high school anti-drugs raps & even THE CURE live, covering THE DOORS 'Hello, I love you' taken, amazingly, from The Jonathan Ross show on BBC.

Check it out.

Click arrow on right for D/L.
Un-aired Peanut Butter Wolf Radio mix. by Bobbyhands

PEOPLES POTENTIAL UNLIMITED

2010-04-01T21:35:00.006+01:00

I LOVE this label.

I bought their "Family Album" CD comp & "Ball Players" 7 inch last week & was getting ready to be underwhelmed.. I don't know why, maybe it's because there's been a real lack of quality stuff coming out recently, I feel a lil' uninspired, I expected yet another comp of lackluster tunes passing themselves off as "Disco" or "Boogie" or i'd had a couple of record buying trips that yielded some pretty pony stuff & was just down generally... either way, when I got home & listened to them both they blew my fuckin' socks off, pure quality.

Now i'm going to make an effort & support PPU wherever I see it.

I mean, this video is DOPE, right? What's not to like? & It's obvious to me these guys really love what they're doing & their hearts are in it & they are re-releasing killer obscure records that truly deserve a re-release, which is rare in today's world of records where everyone's mother is doing re-edits, re-issues & spinning "Disco-Boogie-Synth-psych-funk" & wheeling out any old tosh... all that and the artwork is cool too.

Nuff said.

Check out their online record store HERE too.

SILVER, PLATINUM & GOLD - DANCE WITH ME

2010-04-01T20:15:00.005+01:00

Here we have a sublime piece of uptempo Disco-Soul from Hollywood's Silver, Platinum & Gold. I can't seem to find out much about this group & it seems they only released 1 single & 2 albums in their short career - 1976's self titled debut on FARR Records & 1981's "Hollywood" on Neptune which seems to have only reached the promo stage with no official release, it's from the latter "Dance with me" comes & it certainly does not disappoint.

Having already shown up on Dimitri From Paris & DJ Muro's amazing "Super Disco Friends" mix in re-edited form I thought I'd post the OG version which is just as effective! I picked this LP up at a well known South London vinyl haunt where the staff need a serious attitude-check, and for the mere sum of £3 it seems they needs some schooling too! One man's loss, eh?
The other killer cut on this album is the synth heavy sleaze of "Silver, Platinum & Gold theme" which seems very current & in line with the output of a certain Mr.Dam-Funk & all of this recent interest in "Boogie", if you dig this sound, you need this track, simple as.

Another of the group's tracks taken from their 1st LP ended up on Dimitri's "Disco Forever" comp, "I got a thing" was the number & as usual it got the chopping block treatment, I've included a Youtube clip of it here too for y'all.

Enjoy!

"I got a thing" (Dimitri from Paris re-edit).

Click arrow on right for D/L.
Dancewithme by Bobbyhands

KINKY BUS STOPS & THREESOMES

2010-03-31T16:08:00.011+01:00

I was checking out DJ MURO's colossal 'King's of digging' CD on London's own BBE imprint (Alongside Kon & Amir) when this killer piece of sleazy funk came out of nowhere, the mix is pretty much straight BBOY material from beginning to end & slap bang in the middle of all the breaks is this ode to the Menage A Trois by the Bob Crewe Generation which made me pay attention.. not because it was a song about 3some's (Filthy!) but because i recognised it as being the OG of DEEP FUZZ's "Kinky bus stop" a dubbed out dancefloor monster BBOY edit that came out on DISCFUNCTION that has been getting alot of airtime at Casa Hands & wherever i'm DJing recently... Now the hunt is on for the OG 45!

So I thought i'd treat you guys to a little break to the beat excursion, Personally? I dig 'em both :

OG.

Click arrow on right for D/L.
07 Kinky Busstop by Bobbyhands

THANX SEAN.

2010-03-31T15:54:00.000+01:00

J-ROCC MIXTAPE FOR SUPREME LA - "TAKE TWO"

2010-03-31T14:45:00.012+01:00

OK folks, what the hell has been going on at The Ghetto Disco I hear you say, well, truth be told, myself & Joe's text message gigolo service didn't really pan out how we had hoped. Fortunately for us the judge was lenient enough to let us off what with it being our first offence n'all ...

Looks like we are back in the saddle.

Big up the folks at SUPREME LA for hooking this up, it has been doing the rounds recently but I only got around to copping it yesterday, as with all of J-ROCC's mixtapes it's a killer so I thought i'd share it with you.
By far one of my favourite DJ's, he lays another plethora of expertly mixed & doubled BREAKS on us, running through tracks like : The Jimi Ently Sound's 'Charlie's Theme', Les Baxter's 'Hoagin machine', The Heath Bros. 'Smilin Billy suite' & some lesser known joints. You may already have heard this mix (Or the other one he did for SUPREME) or you may not, either way, it's well worth a listen & if you dig what J is throwing down you should really check his blog HERE.

Click HERE for download link.

DJ J-ROCC BONUS BEAT:

WHAM! - WHAM! (1978)

2010-01-13T00:36:00.007Z

I just picked up this album. Look at the artwork, its a drawing of a naked girl riding a giant fist. Amazing. Its almost a bit Spinal tap!

Don't know much about these fella's but I know that its NOT George Michael. For me the stand out tracks are 'Lovemaker', 'Superslick' and of course the mid tempo groover you can listen to and download below. The former two were released on a 12" and the 12" versions were mixed by Jim Burgess. At the time of writing this you could own the 12" for 75 bones, but I see on popsike that one went for 50US only two months ago.

Anyway, the album is great. Its kind of a 'disco rock funk' crossover affair and is well worth picking up.

Wham! - Prison of Love by Mr. Smith

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME ...

2009-12-19T17:40:00.003Z

...Since I posted, I'm sorry, what with the holidays & starting a new job I just don't have time!! But I'll be back on track after Xmas, big up Joe for keeping it moving ...

Anyway, check this amazing clip, I'm not sure if the lady in this clip realises how lucky she is to get a DJ lesson from Zulu king DJ Jazzy Jay & "Master of records" Afrika Bambataa but she sure looks like she's having fun ...

And remember, leave your dad's Ray Coniff LP's alone!!

BORIS MIDNEY - D-D-D-DANCE

2009-12-13T15:34:00.004Z

I came across THIS fantastic article on DISCONET recently so thought I'd share this with you. 'D-D-D-Dance' was originally released in 1983 on 'MI', a label I know nothing about. The only other release on the label was another Boris Midney tune under the name 'U.S.A. - European Connection', so I think we can assume he put the records out himself. My copy of this however is on Disconet, its volume 5, program 12, side A of the Disconet series and I guess you would call it 'euro disco'.

Boris is still working today and has rekindled his classical roots, you can visit his site HERE.

BORIS MIDNEY - D-D-D-DANCE by Mr. Smith

The image above is not of Boris Midney but Disconet's founder Mike 'captain' Wilkinson... Dope photo.

FINGERS INC. - MYSTERY OF LOVE (instrumental)

2009-12-09T00:52:00.005Z

This is what DISCOGS has written about Larry Heard. I couldn't have written it any better so without any shame, I have cut and paste...

"Larry Heard's musical influence can be heard in the songs of countless artists. For those who appreciate warm and passionate compositions, Larry's music is pure magic. He has been blessed with a unique gift that sends listeners into a blissful euphoric state.

One of his first releases in 1986 was a collaboration with singer Robert Owens, released under the group name Fingers Inc. The song 'Mystery of Love' instantly became a classic hit rising to #10 on the Billboard Dance charts. 1988 saw the release of the beautiful and groundbreaking double album set 'Another Side', showcasing the unstoppable talents of Larry, Robert and vocalist Ron Wilson.

Since then, he has released several dance/R&B/ambient albums that have kept fans satisfied while gaining waves of new listeners. For us who have heard his voice and music, we wouldn't have it any other way, he is already a legend"

If I try to think of the perfect late night house record - words like deep and hypnotic spring to mind, I don't know if you can get much deeper than this. I also think this supports the theory that its no coincidence the rise of house music coincided with the rise in ecstasy use. Anyone who has taken a 'disco biscuit' in a club will know what I am on about.

Fingers Inc. - Mystery of Love by Mr. Smith

ECHO PARTY

2009-11-29T22:46:00.000Z

Inspirational.

HENDERSON & WHITFIELD (edit)

2009-11-26T12:24:00.012Z

I first heard this record back in March of this year through reading a post on the irrepressible BEAT ELECTRIC. They have given me the heads up on many a tune since I first stumbled upon the world of blogging so a big thank you goes out to them. The vocal version isn't an easy one to mix and the instrumental needs a bit more going on to keep the dancefloor happy - so have given it a little edit. I initially wanted to combine the vocal and instrumental versions and keep chopping and changing between the two but wasn't really able to do this due to some reverb on one of the tracks in the vocal. You will here the change when the guitar comes in.

Henderson & Whitfield - Dancin' to the beat (Mr Smith mixeasy edit) by Mr. Smith

PRINCE - HEAD

2009-11-20T01:03:00.008Z

Apparently this caused a bit of a stir when it came out. It's about some bride to be sucking the cock of a man that is not her future husband. Definitely controversial in my book, and probably in Prince's book too - he just didn't give a fuck. This is one of the greatest boogie tracks ever written and is by one of the pioneers of the sound.

Prince is a musical genius.

Prince - Head by Mr. Smith

THINK ABOUT IT ...

2009-11-18T15:26:00.001Z

Classic Baxter rediscovered.

DJ DUANE'S "AFTER THE DANCE" GUEST MIX.

2009-11-18T12:33:00.013Z

We're pleased to bring you this first installment of what is to be a regular slot here on The Ghetto Disco - our special guest DJ mix, where we host some selections & mixes from our friends & people whose music, tastes & styles we really dig here at HQ.
We thought we'd kick it off in fine style with a killer "40 mins of after-hours comedown femme fatale disco-soul" mix supplied by Brooklyn, NYC based DJ Duane - one half of devastating Disco edit duo - "Bim Marx" (Along with Jorge Velez a.k.a Professor Genius).

Duane has been a fixture in NYC's DJ scene for many years & has had a hand in many jams in the city during that time, most notably the Negroclash parties at APT in the early 00's (Alongside Prince Language & DJ Lindsey, guest DJ's included : Juan Atkins,Mr Fingers, Afrika Bambaataa, Red Alert, Maurice Fulton, Freddie Fresh, DJ Spinna and DJ Technics) & his current regular "Energy 2 burn" sessions at Brooklyn's Trophy bar as well as being a familiar face & buyer behind the counter at East 14th St's music emporium Other Music, on top of all that there's been a guest slot on Tim Sweeney's Beats in Space radio show & 2 EP's of Bim Marx edits on Chicago's mysterious STILOVE4MUSIC imprint which have found their way into DJ's bags & charts on both sides of the Atlantic, in Duane's words :

"The Bim Marx is a fun re-edit project Jorge and I do. We're both huge fans of the early productions of Armando, Danny Krivit, Kerri Chandler and those dirty Chicago edits of the late, great Hardy. We kinda felt like the human, jackin' aspects of that sound has all but disappeared, and we wanted to do something that tapped into that urban, dirty, off-kiltered sound."

As well as the re-edit projects Duane & Jorge have been remixing too, their remix of The Phenomonal Handclap Band's "15 to 20" is out now and you can grab it HERE & HERE & make sure you check out their 2 EP's on STILOVE4MUSIC - "Together" & "Lend a hand" for some serious dancefloor Disco edit action, they've both been in my bag for months now & trust me ... they work :

From the "Lend a hand" EP.

Now, on to Duane's mix, the tracklist looks a little something like this :

1.Tramaine - "Child of the king (12 dub mix)".
2.Faze-O - "Ridin' High (Waajeed remix feat. Tiombe Lockhart)".
3.Niteflyte - "If you want it".
4.Angela Bofil - "Tropical love".
5.Phillis Hyman - "Kiss you all over".
6.Deedee Bridgewater - "Lonely Disco dancer".
7.Vivian Reed - "Don't start something you can't finish".
8.Millie Jackson - "This is it".

Duane Harriott - "After the dance" by theghettodisco

Just want to say a big thanx to Duane for the dope mix & you can also check Bim Marx's guest slot on Beats in Space HERE.

DJ NUTS - BRAZIL

2009-11-13T14:32:00.002Z

I stumbled upon Brazilian DJ Nuts' blog the other day & thought i'd recommend it to you guys, this guy is a killer DJ with an insane amount of records & skills to boot & he's pretty much the top Brazilian turntablist, he's appeared in B+'s "Brasilintime" documentary alongside Madlib, Egon & Cut Chemist as well as Soul, Funk, Jazz & Disco drumming legends James Gadson, Derf Reklaw, Wilson das Neves & Mamao.

Not only is DJ Nuts dope, but he's also VERY generous as he's upped all his "Cultura copia" & "Disco e cultura" mix CD's onto his blog for us all to download for FREE, these mixes are killer, some seriously rare Brazilian joints cut up & mixed by the man himself, get on these HERE!!

Also, here's a little bonus beat - Nuts in action at his house :

Enjoy!

ISAAC HAYES - I AIN'T NEVER

2009-11-13T13:35:00.006Z

Isaac Hayes is an artist who needs no introduction, he is one of the most "sampled" artists ever, he's been behind some of the biggest soul records of the last 30 years, his career spanned decades & his contribution to music was huge, Isaac was a superstar, he was "Black Moses".
I've been a big fan of "Ike" for many years & have collected alot of his LP's & often play them at home & enjoy them immensley. Having played the Tom Moulton mix of his killer track "Moonlight lovin' (Menage a trois)" to death for ages imagine my surprise when I came across this gem from 1980...

Clocking in at just over 10 minutes & mixed by legendary NYC Disco mixer & Saint resident Jim Burgess this is truely a monster cut.
Of course Isaac is in his usual smooth mood but the music is frantic, driving & funky & having played this one out myself in clubs numerous times I can tell you ... it's workin'! On the flip is another Burgess mix - "Shaft 2" which upon reading the various DJ's charts in Vince Aletti's Disco bible "The Disco files" (Buy it HERE) seems to have been a big club hit in the Discotheques, although this is a killer track too "I ain't never" wins hands down in my opinion ... a total dancefloor devastator!

"I get high on watching you..."

Isaac Hayes - I ain't never (Jim Burgess mix) by theghettodisco

BOMBERS - LETS DANCE

2009-11-12T14:21:00.008Z

If you like your disco DEEP (or any music for that matter) and you haven't heard Bombers before, maybe you should sit down.

Bombers were a late 70's Canadian outfit. They released two albums and a string of 12"s in their short lived recording career and you could almost label them fusion rather than disco. The 'rocky' guitar you hear in a lot of their tracks, along with the overall psychedelic feel makes the lines a wee bit hazy. This record though is certainly disco, the string section and the octave bass line during the male vocal make sure of that. What I love about this joint (aside from the driving guitar) is where they take it in the second half, the percussion kicks in, they up the bass and take it down to 80,000 leagues with that 'Doctor Who like synth'. All I can think of (and it consumes me) is 'imagine what it would have been like to see these guys live?' ...15 minute versions of tripped out bliss!!!

This was on their second album entitled 'Bombers 2'. It had a few releases on different labels depending on what country you were living in in 1979. You can actually buy Bombers 2 HERE from itunes. Great for the ipod, but for all the vinyl head's and audiophile's out there you NEED the 12" or the L.P.

Bombers - Lets Dance by Mr. Smith

HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY SESAME STREET!

2009-11-06T12:27:00.008Z

THE greatest kids TV show of our generation?

Today we have some classic Sesame Street clips courtesy of The Pointer Sisters (The Pinball Theme) & the mighty Stevie Wonder (Nice with the Vocoder) :

Sesame Street - this TV show has had so much influence on pop culture it's unbelieveable, as well as that it's a happy reminder of when we were all off school for a day feigning illness so we could catch up with The Count, Big Bird, Cookie Monster & crew as they embarked on yet another alpha-numerical adventure around the show's NYC Brownstone setting. Basically, this street is responsible for some cool shit. Start from the clips posted above where we have The Pointer Sisters funky jam backed with some psychedelic pinball landscapes & Stevie Wonder (who would've been at the height of his fame by this stage & taking time out of a very hectic Motown recording schedule to get down with the kids!) rocking out with full band & vocoder. Then we've got Paradise Garage DJ deity Larry Levan getting his first ever remix job on vinyl in the shape of Cookie Monsters Disco effort "C is for Cookie" (Which was also backed with a Roy Thode mix & later re-edited on the infamous "Black Cock" series by DJ Harvey in the mid 90's. You can also grab the reissue 12" complete with pinball theme re-edit by Strictly Kev & DJ Food HERE), many years later, 1992 to be exact, the UK get's in on the act with it's own "Dance" version of some Sesame Street goodness on the back of "Rave" musics considerable commercial success ... Although i'm sure many folk would be trying quite hard to forget this one and the many other cheesey "kids" themed rave records it inspired! In short, Sesame Street made me the man I am today & the picture at the top of this post isn't just a collection of images showing the cast of the street, it's a collection of friendly, familiar faces who'll always be around. Bring on the next 40 years ...

HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY SESAME STREET!

BEYOND BALEARIC.

2009-11-06T12:04:00.001Z

How my afternoon sounded yesterday.

READY OR NOT?

2009-11-06T11:58:00.003Z

Herbie makes it look EASY while Quincy looks on.

HYPNOSIS - END TITLE (BLADERUNNER)

2009-11-06T11:26:00.001Z

Finally got around to doing some vinyl rips from my record collection.
Those of you who know me know i'm a serious undercover Electro lover & have been for many years (Ever since I first heard Streetsounds "New York beats VS. LA beats" cassette when I was a youngster - still one of the best mixes ever & LA's mix trounces NY's in my opinion) ... so I though i'd kick things off with a personal Electro favourite of mine from the crates - Hypnosis' Vangelis cover version "End title (Bladerunner)".

Everyone is familiar with the classic soundtrack to Ridley Scott's bleak 1982 Sci-fi masterpiece which was originally composed & performed by Vangelis, and over the years the score has been inspiration for sample hungry Hip Hop heads, Motor City Techno futurists, London Drum & Bass pioneers & in this case Italian Electro outfits ...

According to Discogs.com : "Hipnosis (on some records also named Hypnosis) was a successful Italian techno-disco band in the early '80s, born in Parma and founded by Stefano Cundari. It also featured Paul Sears and Ugo Solenghi. At the beginning of the year 1982 Angelo Bergamini from Kirlian Camera joined the band. Cundari had the idea of covering the song "Pulstar" by Vangelis for the label Memory Records. They recorded the song together with Anfrando Maiola from the group Koto. In the ensuing period all of the original members left the project and Bergamini turned down the proposition to stay as a composer and musician of the new line-up and decided to leave the sixty date world tour. At the same time as Hipnosis was developing, Paul Sears officially joined Kirlian Camera's new line-up. In 1987 Cundari released another 7"/12" ("Droid") under the Hipnosis banner. Soon after he passed away. At this point the official Hipnosis-Story ends."

Even with such scant information & really only a clutch of releases to their name Hypnosis' records still get played today & remain musically relevant to DJ's & music lovers around the world who are embracing the whole "Cosmic", "Italo" & "Space" Disco genres & i'm sure played in the right circles these tracks would induce a fierce poppin' & lockin' session too (That one was for all you BBoys out there)!!

I've also included a Youtube clip of Vangelis' original composition :

Below is the full 12" mix in high quality mp3 :

Hypnosis Blade Runner - End Theme by theghettodisco

A WORK OF GENIUS?

2009-11-04T15:53:00.010Z

Dedicated to Zoe.K!

Watch & learn.

K.I.D - YOU DON'T LIKE MY MUSIC

2009-11-04T14:05:00.006Z

K.I.D were a german outfit fronted and produced by keyboard player Geoff Bastow. The more widely known version of this is the instrumental due to its U.S release on SAM (which did not include the vocal version), whereas the original actually came out on Italian disco label BABY RECORDS. For some reason the instrumental was renamed 'Hupendi Muziki Wangu' which translates to 'You do not want my music' in Swahili, a language spoken in a number of different Central and East African countries. Why this was done I can only speculate. The lyrics are clearly aimed at a woman, perhaps one that spoke Swahili. I am sure that many of you out there that can relate to the lyrics in this tune, I know I can. My copy of this is the U.K release on EXCALIBER, I prefer the instrumental of this record but posted the vocal just because it's a bit more obscure. I am not sure what Geoff Bastow is up to now days, but everything I have heard by K.I.D. is KILLER. The instrumental was re issued recently the on the HMD compilation on Strut which you can pick up HERE.

K.I.D. - You don't like my music by theghettodisco

JAMES HILLARD (HORSE MEAT DISCO) - MIX FOR BERLIN RADIO

2009-11-03T10:51:00.001Z

I'm pleased to host this mix from one of our good friends & favourite DJ's here at The Ghetto Disco HQ - Horse Meat Disco head honcho mr James Hillard.
The mix was originally recorded for broadcast on Berlin radio from the summer & features a top shelf selection of the finest Disco nuggets with some new bits & pieces thrown in, unfortunately we (& he) couldn't remember which station it was on, but it's still hot to trot!!

Those of you familiar with James or the HMD crew will know that these guys are serious about their Disco & all manner of other great music, you only have to check their debut mix album on Strut as well as their killer re-edit 12"s to see that, in short, quality control is high!! James is one of the only DJ's we know who still goes out & "digs in the crates" for those elusive grooves you hear every Sunday at The Eagle here in London (And all over the world!!) so, respect to you sir!!

Here's how the tracklist looks:

1.Edwin Starr - Get up whirlpool.
2.Horse Meat Disco #3 - Iko Iko (Dub).
3.Stargard - Which way is up?.
4.Sparque - Take a little time.
5.Blancmange - The game above my head.
6.Al DiMeola - Sequencer.
7.Methusalem - Robotism.
8.Free life - Dance fantasy.
9.Still going - Spaghetti circus.
10.Vivian Vee - Remember.
11.Switch - Best beat in town.

Big thanx to James for the mix.

To get weekly email updates feat. special parties / news / offers - email James @ Horse Meat Disco: jhillard@btinternet.com

JAMES HILLARD (HORSE MEAT DISCO) - MIX FOR BERLIN RADIO by Bobbyhands

LINDSTROM & PRINS THOMAS - ESSENTIAL MIX - SUNDAY 6TH MAY 2007

2009-10-29T11:33:00.003Z

After a day or 2 of getting totally lost in the double disc version of Lindstrom's sprawling 2008 LP "Where you go, I go too" (Which I can't recommend enough) I thought it made perfect sense to post this monster essential mix by the man himself & his main partner in crime Prins Thomas.

Alot has been written, posted & said about these Norweigan purveyors of "Space Disco" , "New Balearic" , "Cosmic House" or whatever you want to call it with Prins Thomas' expert re-edits showing up in the record bags of all the top gun DJ's around the world, his labels Full Pupp & Internasjonal putting out a stream of amazing releases & with Lindstrom remixing everyone from The Boredoms to LCD Soundsystem I feel that the hype is justified ...

Below is the full tracklist :

1. Al Usher ‘Her Today’ (Misericord)
2. Aeroplane ‘Aeroplane’ (Eskimo)
3. Lindstrøm & Solale ‘Let It Happen’ (Azuli)
4. In Flagranti ‘Bipolar’ (Codek)
5. No Theory ‘Devils Dance’ (Sin&Soul)
6. Lindstrøm ‘Musikal Overtones’ (Feedelity)
7. Sneak Thief G-String Orchestra ‘My Sullen Mistress’ (Klakson)
8. Ytre Rymden Dansskola ‘Kjappfot(PT Edit)’ (Full Pupp)
9. Runaway ‘Shadows’ (Wurst)
10. Max Mohr ‘Assonja Swynja’ (Playhouse)
11. Dettman Vs.Moroder ‘Quicksand/Utopia Mash’ (White Label)
12. Faze Action ‘Stratus Energy’ (White Label)
13. M-D-Emm ‘Get Acidic’ (Transmat)
14. Centrific ‘Somebody Went To Detroit And All I Got Was The Itchy Hawtins’(Drop Bass Network)
15. Unknown
16. Fleetwood Mac ‘You Make Lovin' Fun (Trailmix)’ (White Label)
17. Mark E ‘Rnb Drunkie’ (Golf Channel)
18. Wild Rumpus ‘Musical Blaze Up (Rub & Tug Bitches Remix)’ (Bitches Brew)
19. Chairmen Of The Board ‘Party’ (Invictus)
20. (Interlude) Rare Earth ‘Get Ready(Live Version)’ (EMI/Motown)
21. Niagara ‘Sangandongo Part 1’ (White Label)
22. Solomun & Stimming ‘Eiszauber(Diynamic’ (White Label)
23. Still Going ‘Still Going Theme’ (DFA)
24. Lindstrøm ‘Contemporary Fix (Bjørn Torske Remix)’ (Smalltown Supersound)
25. Nick Chacona ‘Mariacha’ (Internasjonal)
26. Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas ‘Nummer Fire En’ (Short Edit)

Hope you enjoy this mix as much as I did, like I mentioned in an earlier post I'll mostly be posting mixes until I get round to doing some vinyl rips from my collection .. keep 'em peeled!!

"Let it happen"

Essential Mix - 2007-05-06 - LINDSTROM & PRINS THOMAS by Bobbyhands

SCANDEL - JUST LET ME DANCE

2009-10-28T12:14:00.012Z

As we have LEO ZERO coming down to play at SPECIAL NEEDS this Saturday I thought I'd post a record that he has edited, Scandel - 'Just let me dance'. I picked up this 12" a wee while back and its been on heavy rotation since. Now, when someone edits a track that I dig as much as this one I tend to turn my nose up a wee bit. But that is not the case here, LEO has dubbed this out in a way that only he can, his editing is stuttered yet seamless?. Have a listen to the creative cutting and looping, the way he combines the vox with the piano line around the 3 minute mark is simply magic.

The original was released on SAM, one of the greats as far as disco labels go. Over on discomusic.com they state that this could have been Jim Burgess' last work before he died. They also point out how it's almost a bridge between the 70's and 80's. It was in fact released in 1980 and the strings are certainly a sound more synonymous with the late 70's, while the rap during the break is definitely a taste of what was to come in the 80's. One thing that I have to mention is the production, this is Burgess at his best. Everything is on point, the string arrangements, the FULL team of vocalists, the guitar licks, the fender rhodes, THAT bass line.. They just don't make dance music like this anymore!

While doing some research for this post, I came across traxsource.com. Its a website dedicated to selling music in digital format, what I like about it is they give you the option of buying your track or 'file' in 192k, 320k or WAV format. DJ's reading this, if you are going to use Serato or CD's, please try to use WAV files.

SAM records was set up by the late Sam Weiss in 1976 and it was his son that eventually started Nervous records (yes, the hip hop label). It seems that Nervous are reissuing some of the back catalogue of SAM releases. HERE you can buy a WAV of 'Just let me dance' from traxsource for a measly $2.74US. To read more about SAM, one of the power houses in disco music click HERE.

Sorry peeps, low quality mp3 of this one...
Scandel - Just let me dance by Mr. Smith

You can buy the edit which came out this year on Glory's HERE from juno.
Just Dance (Leo Zero Rework) by Mr. Smith

DAVID BENDETH - FEEL THE REAL

2009-10-23T00:47:00.011+01:00

This little number's a stone cold classic that went all the way to No.1 on the U.K soul and dance charts in 1979. London born David Bendeth is a Guitarist and Producer that is still working today. He has done it all in the music industry really, from working in a record store as a teenager, to being a major label executive. If you would like to hear some of his more recent work as a producer CLICK. This tune oozes so much soul and I think thats what does it for me. That coupled with the amazing instrumentation, it kind of remind's me of Roy Ayers. I hope you like it as much as I do (and the British public of 1979 did!).

If your out and about this coming Saturday night be sure to come and check out Bobby Hands and I at SHIFT at the Horse & Groom in Shoreditch. Upstairs will be a very heavy night of all things DISCO. LINK.

David Bendeth - Feel the real by Mr. Smith

DANIELE BALDELLI - LIVE MIX NO.2

2009-10-21T15:24:00.001+01:00

As promised dear readers, here's the second live mix from Italian DJ deity Daniele Baldelli (I think it's late 70's / early 80's? If anyone has any info, please contact us).
Still more on a Disco tip than any of his "Cosmic" offerings but just as well mixed & executed as the NYE one i posted not long ago. This one is also a real treat..

Compared to the NYE mix this one is a bit more frenzied & Baldelli throws in some serious leftfield selections - Tony Silvester's porno-Disco killer "Pazuzu" & Davis Import's "I'm glad you're mine" alongside tracks like Silvetti's Salsoul classic "Spring rain" & LTD's "Back in love again" & tracks from tartan terrorists The Baycity Rollers (!) & an absolute killer from glam rockers The Sweet! As you can imagine there are lot's of other incredible records on there i'd give my right arm for!
This mix has all the exact same hallmarks & qualities as the NYE mix, & that's why i'm assuming they're from the same period .. bascally, this is essential old school Baldelli.

The same thing applies here too as last time, some people who are out there in DJ land could really do with listening to these mixes, I mean, they're inspirational, honestly, I've studied these mixes over & over again (I know, geek!) but as a DJ myself, i've learnt alot from them too .. that's what's missing these days, people don't study their art anymore .. it's all instant gratification & rubbish MP3 quality DJing .. people don't wanna go looking for records .. Anyways ..
OK. Enough grumbling, hope you guys enjoy this mix as much as you did the last installment.

ENJOY!

Daniele Baldelli - Live mix no.2 by Bobbyhands

PS - If anyone has any info on this mix please email us.
(BIG shout out to Xanthe Fuller on this one!)

DANIELE BALDELLI - LIVE NYE 1978

2009-10-15T19:12:00.001+01:00

It's almost the weekend folks, i'm sure you'll all be going out dancing at some stage over the next couple of days, I thought i'd drop another fine mix on you, a little "something for the weekend" to get you into the right frame of mind ...

May I take this opportunity to welcome our very own Joe Smith back after his few weeks in Cyber limbo (see post below this) Nice to have you back Joe ...

Now, back to business ...

As far as DJ mixes go, I think this is one of the finest i've ever heard, really.
It's hard to believe this mix is from 1979, everything about it is heavy, from the selections to the mixing to the EQ'ing .. Baldelli kills it.

Everybody knows Baldelli these days from the whole "Cosmic Disco" revival that's been rammed down our throats over the last few years but there isn't ANYTHING "Cosmic" about this mix of his, this is straight up DISCO & to be honest, for me, it shits on alot of the so called "Cosmic" mixes i've heard (though there are some great ones out there, check out Beppe Loda).
This is the first 1 of 2 mixes by Baldelli in this style I will be posting, although i'm not totally sure where or when the second one is from it's just as good as this NYE mix (in fact a couple of the same tracks pop up) if not a little wilder & a tad more leftfield.

Like I mentioned earlier Baldelli has made something of a comeback in recent years playing at clubs like Horse Meat Disco here in the capital, having seen him play more than once I can tell you he is definitely worth checking out & his mixing skills & selections are second to none, I remember the dancefloor erupting to an insane re-edit of Paul McCartney's "Temporary secretary" & Torchsongs "P2E Remix" amongst other things on one particularly sweaty night .. but this mix we have here is more on the Disco tip, with tracks like El Coco's "Mondo Disco" & Bohannon's "Disco Symphony", listen & you'll see what I mean ..

I've recieved, listened to, played, loved & hated alot of mixes over the years, but this one does it for me every time, it really is almost flawless, I keep going back to it .. & YOU will too, I believe it puts alot of contemporary DJ's to shame - skills wise & selection wise, honestly, some heads could learn a thing or 2 by listening to this.

Oh, and if all that wasn't enough, GUESS what the last record on the mix is???

Daniele Baldelli - NYE 1978 by Bobbyhands

PS - Keep 'em peeled for the 2nd mix to be posted.
(BIG shout to James Hillard on this one!)

A'O'K - STYLE

2009-10-15T00:34:00.012+01:00

Its been a while... For a host of reasons I have been offline for a while, the main one being that my laptop died about 6 weeks ago (RIP). Yesterday I became the proud new owner of a brand new Macbook Pro. Now, this is a music blog so I don't want to harp on too much about Apple but this is one sexy machine and I can't recommend it highly enough to everyone out there, but I am sure you don't need me to tell you that.

I have for you today the aptly titled 'Style' by A'O'K off West End (1984). I can't tell you much about them, This was thier only release and I can only guess that they were one of a string of 'one hit' groups, that were made up of session players in and around New York in the early 80's . I heard this track a while back and kept an eye out for a copy to come available in the U.K so as I didn't have to fork out an arm and a leg for postage. It happens to be one of the few West End 12"s not to get U.K distribution so is a bit harder to find than some others. After about 6 months or so one popped up and I nabbed it. When it arrived in the mail I was delighted to see it had nine and a half minute instrumental on the flip (the vocal version is 5:40). It's a percussive led number with subtle yet hypnotic bass, and layers and layers of relentless synths. I can't decide if I prefer the vocal or the instrumental so I am going to post them both and you can decide for yourself. I would like to have heard a Scientist style dub that incorporated some more of the vox, but hey... we can't have it all can we!

A'O'K - Style by Mr. Smith

A'O'K - Style (instrumental) by Mr. Smith

P.S I have to shout out to Bobby Hands for keeping this blog alive over the last couple of months.. Nice one Bobby!

DJ RAHAAN - SO RIGHT

2009-10-13T21:47:00.006+01:00

DJ Rahaan - A name synonymous with quality .. anyone who has been lucky to hear a Rahaan mixtape or catch this Chicago DJ spin live will agree wholeheartedly with that statement .. I was lucky enough to be hit off with 4 or 5 of his mixes recently & believe me they've been on HEAVY rotation for weeks now .. what I dig personally about his mixes is that they're a nice balance of rare and not so rare Disco joints & styles & the selection & mixing are impeccable, on top of that he's put out some nice edits too on labels like KAT, JISCOMUSIC & (one of my faves right now) Chicago's STILOVE4MUSIC (I recommend his reworks of Timmy Thomas' "Why can't we live together?" & Loletta Holloway's amazing "Hit & Run").

Needless to say, after a few listens, i'm a believer ..

If, like me, you dig serious dancefloor Disco sounds, perfectly programmed, seamlessly mixed & EQ'ed to death in that old school, funky way we all love then you too will be a believer! (That is if you're not familiar with him of course .. if you are, then you know what i'm saying already) .. right now, for me personally it's ALL about Chicago DJ's, mixes by Sadar Bahar, Jerome Derradji , Bruce Ivery & of course Rahaan sit nicely beside my Ron Hardy, Frankie Knuckles & WBMX mixes ..

Out of all the mixes I was given "So right" has been getting the most spin, it's got some killer music on it, including a dope edit of 2Tons of fun's "Make someone feel happy today". Rahaan brings the mix to an amazing climax with the live version of Sylvester's "You make me feel (mighty real)" taken off the "Living proof" LP before finishing with a nice extended edit of Imagination's classic - "So good, So right", but they're just a couple of personal highlights .. the rest of the mix is KILLER too, tracklist please!!

I know this mix has been around for a while (I'll be posting the others I mentioned too)but as usual there is always somebody who may have missed out first time round (Shout out to our reader Nate over at deskjobblog.blogspot.com in Cali!), which is why i've posted it again here .. so EVERYBODY can enjoy it & remember! If Rahaan passes through your neighbourhood be sure to check him out & say Hi .. you won't be disappointed.

Spread the LOVE.

DJ Rahaan - So right. by Bobbyhands

SINE - CHIMI

2009-10-05T13:12:00.010+01:00

After a weekend of listening mainly to Patrick Adams & P&P related tracks I thought I would share one of my personal favourites from that stable with you - "Chimi" by Sine, taken from the LP "Happy is the only way" on Prelude this is as you'd expect some serious synth heavy Boogie Disco shit!!
I've had this LP for many years & rediscovered it recently after hearing "Chimi" on an amazing Daniele Baldelli mixtape from the tail end of the 70's, time to dig it out again I thought ...

This track & one other cut ("Mosquito walk" as sampled by Joey Negro's Sunburst Band for "Delicious") from the LP really do it for me, I think this was one of Adams' less high profile projects (He has worked with Candi Staton, Leroy Burgess, Daybreak etc) & was an outlet for him to be a bit more experimental with the synthesizer & boy does it work!!
Those of you familiar with Adams' work already will know what I mean, you only have to listen to any of his Cloud One material which is very synth heavy & very spaced out ... for the uninitiated just have a listen to another couple of faves of mine - "Atmosphere strut" & "Disco juice" on P&P to hear Patrick's trademark squiggly synths, great!!

This is a straight up incessant groove, complete with Pat's synths & some dope vibes all the way through, it sounds like it could easily be a Cloud One record with it's subtle shuffling drums, I love it & hope you guys out there dig it too ...

Enjoy!

Sine - Chimi by Bobbyhands

PS - Just as a little bonus, HERE is another stone cold classic Patrick Adams classic (In my opinion, anyway!) that someone had the good grace to post up on Youtube in it's 12" glory for us to enjoy, I'm still trying to find an original 12" of this that dosen't cost the earth, it's on my ever expanding list of wants!! Just sit back & check those flanged hi-hats midway through, Woosh!!

HARMLESS RECORDS present "DISCO DISCHARGE"

2009-09-30T18:18:00.006+01:00

We're very excited at The Ghetto Disco HQ to bring you this post on the new Harmless Records "Disco Discharge" releases...
These compilations are an amazing addition to any serious Disco fans existing collection or they are an ideal starting point for those who have just discovered the wonderful, metronomic world of Disco music.
You just have to look at the tracklistings for all 4 volumes & it becomes apparent that a lot of the compilers (Brightonian disco devotee MrPinks & Alan Jones the co - author of the best selling book 'Saturday Night Forever: The Story Of Disco') time, effort, knowledge & passion has gone into this project :

DISCO DISCHARGE. CLASSIC DISCO
CD 1
Dr Buzzards Original Savannah Band – Cherchez La Femme 5.48
Double Discovery – Thanks For Loving Me 8.47
Cheryl Lynn – Got To Be Real 5.06
Rose Royce – Do Your Dance 9.18
Constellation Orchestra – Funk Encounter 6.39
Idris Muhammed – Could Heaven Ever Be Like This 8.35
John Davis & The Monster Orchestra – Love Magic 7.44
Gary’s Gang – Keep On Dancing 7.12
Esther Phillips – What A Diﬀerence A Day Makes 4.30
Johnny Mathis – Gone Gone Gone 6.30
Peter Jaques Band – Counting On Love ( 1,2,3 ) 6.10

CD 2
Glitter Band – Makes You Blind ( Re – edit ) 5.57
The Players Association – Turn The Music Up 6.54
Bombers – Everybody Get Dancin’ 9.30
Change – It Burns Me Up 5.06
Grey & Hanks – Dancin’ 7.06
Glen Adams Aﬀair – Just A Groove 6.23
Cerrone – Look For Love 10.18
Companion – Living Up To Love 9.09
Don Ray – Got To Have Loving 8.21
Manhattan Transfer – Twilight Zone / Twilight Tone 6.07

DISCO DISCHARGE. DISCO LADIES
CD 1
Fern Kinney – Groove Me 8.55
Andrea True Connection – More More More 6.19
Sister Sledge – You Fooled Around 4.29
Kim Hart – Love At First Night 3.24
Gloria Jones – Bring On The Love ( Why Can’t We Be Friends Again ) 7.02
Stacey Lattisaw – Jump To The Beat 5.20
A Taste Of Honey – Boogie Oogie Oogie 7.31 ( John Luongo remix )
Lucy Hawkins – Gotta Get Outta Here 5.50
Suzy Q – Get On Up And Do It Again 5.58
Cheryl Lynn – Shake It Up Tonight 5.43
Vicky D – The Beat Is Mine 5.58
Nona Hendryx – Keep It Conﬁdential 5.50

CD 2
Silver Convention – Get On Up And Boogie ( That’s Right ) 7.53
Amanda Lear – Blood And Honey 8.58
Poussez – Come On And Do It 9.55
Sheila & B. Devotion – Spacer 5.55
Janis Ian – Fly To High 6.53
Suzy Lane – Harmony 7.01
Sylvia Love – Instant Love 4.45
Melba Moore – Pick Me Up, I’ll Dance 7.01
The Ritchie Family – Give Me A Break 6.29
Phyllis Nelson – I Like You ( Shep Pettibone Remix ) 7.20)

DISCO DISCHARGE.EURO DISCO
CD 1
Don Ray – Garden Of Love 4.42
Change – Angel In My Pocket 6.09
Silver Convention – Love In A Sleeper 5.33
Beautiful Bend – That’s The Meaning/Boogie Motion 13.20
Massara – Margharita 7.52
Space – Magic Fly 4.22
Giorgio Moroder – From Here To Eternity 5.52
Sylvia Love – Extraterrestrial Lover 6.57
Sparks – The Number One Song In Heaven 7.26
Easy Going – Fear 7.53
Vivien Vee – Give Me A Break 8.52

CD 2
Gaz Nevada – I.C. Love Affair 6.28
Advance – Take Me To The Top 6.17
Change – Change Of Heart 7.05
Kano – I’m Ready 7.17
Laura Branigan – Self Control 5.00
Eighth Wonder – I’m Not Scared (Disco Mix) 7.58
Propaganda – P Machinery (Polish) 9.24
Mike Mareen – Dancing In The Dark 5.34
Fun Fun – Happy Station (Scratch Mix) 5.55
Time Bandits – Live It Up 7.27
Yvonne Kay – Rise Up (For My Love) 7.52

DISCO DISCHARGE. GAY DISCO & HI NRG
CD 1
The Boys Town Gang – Disco Kicks (Remix) 8.38
Kano – It’s A War 6.55
Macho – I’m A Man ( Full Length Album Version) 17.39
Free Enterprise – Make It On My Own ( Ben Liebrand Remix) 6.27
Fun Fun – Color My Love 7.42
Deodato – S.O.S. Fire In The Sky 6.48
Astaire – Love Trap 8.59
Tapps – Don’t Pretend To Know 7.22
Liza Minelli – Losing My Mind 7.04

CD 2
Rose Laurens – American Love 6.43
Valerie Claire – I’m A Model 6.08
The Flirts – Passion (Remix) 9.03
The Boys Town Gang – Crusin’The Streets (Crusin’, Rejected, The Pick Up, Busted, Reprise) 13.12
Ken Laszlo – Hey Hey Guy 7.37
Samantha Gilles – Feel It 7.38
Eria Fachin – Saving Myself 6.54
Laura Branigan – Gloria 4.52
Oh Romeo – Savin’Myself (For The One That I Love) 6.18
Harlow – Take Off 10.14

WOW. I think it's safe to say that every possible Disco base is touched on on these comps, and there is some amazing music contained on these discs!!
According to the press release - "The whole spectrum of disco is covered here- from classic, soulful philly sounds and diva vocals to italo, space, cosmic and amyl nitrate-laced disco"
Another wonderful facet of this release is the fact that all tracks contained are the original 12" mixes & alot of them have been reproduced from the original master tapes & put onto CD for the first time ever for this release!! It really dosen't get any better than that!!

Or does it?

How about an exclusive sneak peek in the form of a mini-mix by none other than Horse Meat Disco's Luke Howard? (One of our fave DJ's..)
That's right, the lovely folks at Harmless have given us this "Space Disco" mix for you all to enjoy, the tracklist is as follows :

Space Disco (30.06)
1. Extraterrestrial Love - Sylvia Love
2. Magic Fly - Space
3. From Here To Eternity - Giorgio Moroder
4. Colour My Love - Fun Fun
5. The Number One Song In Heaven - Sparks

Space Disco Mix - Luke Howard. by Bobbyhands

Oh, and the albums were released on the 28th September ... What are you waiting for??

"TURN IT UP!" - A QUICK CHAT WITH CHICAGO'S AMPLIFIED ORCHESTRA.

2009-09-28T15:43:00.009+01:00

I've been going through some old bits & pieces lately (Pics & mixes etc) & I came across this article I wrote for my friends blog this time last year & I thought i'd share it with you here. You may be familiar with AO's output & at the time of the interview he'd just begun putting out some nice re-edits & was quite busy so it's a nice brief interview & I think it's pretty cool.
I know we've been a little slack lately with our posts but trust me when I say we've got some good stuff coming in the shape of mixes & tracks & the usual Ghetto Disco fare, so sit tight!!

Enjoy!

If like me you spend a lot of time in record stores theres a good chance you've come across Amplified Orchestra's hand stamped white label 12"s nestled in the racks.
And, if like me you love Disco, Acid house and all their surrounding planets you'll undoubtedly love Amplifieds spacey, deep and cosmic take on the genres.
Tracks like "Satellites are spinning", "Moon voyage" and "Solitude" have been getting serious spin on this writer/DJ's turntables and have been doing the requisite damage in the clubs as of late.
Sucked in by the lo-fi artwork and sense of mystery surrounding these 12"s i took it upon myself to contact them (The "them" being a "him"!) and find out a wee bit more information on this Chi-town disco fiend for the readers of this here blog ... read on ...

BHS - How long has Amplified Orchestra existed & How long have you been making music?

AO - Amplified Orchestra was created in 2002. But personally I've made music since 1988. My first record came out in 1991 on a label from Detroit.

BHS - How did growing up in Chicago affect you?

AO - The city site, atmosphere and cultural richness of Chicago and the music scene influenced me a great deal. I was really into the early chicago boogie from Darren Cameron as Eye Beta Rock (Recently got an excellent re-issue on 4lux recordings, check it out) who also recorded as Captain Sky. Later on chicago house came along. The first acid outings from Adonis and the chicago sounds of Marshall Jefferson, Farley Jackmaster Funk and VIncent Floyd specifically were a huge inspiration for me.

BHS - Did the club scene influence you? For example did you go to Ron Hardy's legendary muzic box or any of lil louis' infamous bismarck parties?

AO - Yes! As a 17 year old child I went to all those places man. The Warehouse of course was the place to be in the late 80's! There was one place specifically where I experienced magical moments on disco and early house. The venues name was very cliche - "The Basement", but the music was damaging, in a good way!

BHS - So, what's Chicago like these days for partying and clubs?

AO - Well, there are still a few places where you can get down. It doesn't have the magic of the old days anymore... but that's maybe because i am in my 30's now! Maybe for the kids it's the same as it was for us in the late 80's?

BHS - Do you pay much attention to the influx of re-edits that seem to come out on a weekly basis? How do you feel about them?

AO - I love to do edits but they are usually more than just edits. I add chords, melodies, sounds, beats, etc, rather than just re-arranging. So for me the edits that have had a little bit of work and love are more interesting. I also love to create my own compositions so i try to have a healthy combination of the two.

BHS - OK, If you could work with anyone dead or alive .. who would it be?

AO - Dali.

BHS - Are there any plans for AO to come to europe or the UK? Have you been here before?

AO - Yes I am in Holland for work a lot. I released my first Amplified single on 4lux records out of Holland and they helped me a great deal. They really helped me get this Amplified Orchestra project up and running. I am constantly touring Holland, Germany and France. I hope to come over to the UK at some point.

BHS - Are you aware of any Europe based DJs or producers? If so, who?

AO - Of course. Gerd from 4lux is both an amazing DJ as well as excellent producer. Same goes for Quantic and the Clone crew. There are so many out there...

BHS - How many people are involved in AO?

AO - At the moment one.

BHS - Can you share some sounds you are feeling at the moment?

1. Amplified Orchestra - "Solitude".
2. Eye Beta Rock - "Super Rock Body Shock".
3. Tribe - "Ain't Nothing But A Party".
4. Ronnie Gee & G String - "For ladies only".
5. Sweet Fat Back & Dicks Hat Band - "In your ear".

(Interview ends)

Much respect to Amplified Orchestra for taking the time out to answer my questions, Thanx!

BOBBY HANDS. SEP.2008.

For more info on AO & 4LUX check out :

www.myspace.com/amplifiedorchestra

www.myspace.com/4lux

DJ HARVEY - ESSENTIAL MIX - 31ST MAY 1998

2009-09-08T22:25:00.005+01:00

What's that? How many times has this been posted up? It's what? Over 10 years old?
You've already got it? And ALL the Black Cock reissues? Oh ... You're confusing me with someone who cares ... I'm not posting it again to get props off the blog community, I'm posting it for posterity & for those of you who've not heard it and in my humble opinion it's one of those mixes that never gets tired or fails to get me amped!! A stone cold classic mix, DJ Harvey really dosen't need any introduction but if you're unfamiliar stop by his website HERE, It's fresh.

Here's the tracklist:

D Train - "Keep On (Edit)" (Prelude)
Billy Cobham - "Storm" (Atlantic)
Vangelis - "Let It Happen" (Vertigo)
Last Poets - "Mean Machine" (Douglas 7)
Instant Funk - "Got My Mind Made Up" (Salsoul)
Herb Alpert - "Red Hot (Remix)" (A & M)
Cookhouse - "Recipe 002" (Cookhouse)
Wamdue Project - "King Of My Castle" (Eruption)
Pleasure - "Joyous (Edit)" (White Label)
Those Norwegians - "Can You Dig It" (white label)
Vampire Sound Inc - "Lions & The Cucumber" (Warners)
Azymuth - "Dear Limmertz" (Milestone)
Don Blackman - "Hearts Desire" (Arista)
artist unknown - "Love & Happiness" (white label)
Chayanne - "Waited Too Long" (Syncopate)
Art of Noise - "Beat Box (Diversion 1)" (ZTT)
Harvey & UFO - "Pioaresque Eye" (Browns Wood)
Brooklyn Dreams - "Street Man" (Millenium)
Stevie Wonder - "Lovelight In Light" (Motown)
Micheal Wilson - "Groove Your Body" (Prelude)
TOTO - "George Porgy" (Columbia)
Eddie Russ - "Zabis" (Impact)
Steely Dan - "Do It Again" (MCA)
Trolly Dollies - "Space Cake" (Sunday Best)
Santana - "Free As The Morning Sun" (CBS)

Beware of low flying aircraft!!

DJ Harvey - Essential Mix Sunday 31st May 1998 by Bobbyhands

GQ - IS IT COOL? (THEO PARRISH RE-EDIT)

2009-09-08T21:08:00.005+01:00

It's been a minute since my last post folks .. sincerest apologies!! Thought I might make it up to you with a tune that's kinda been stuck on repeat in my house as of late - this killer GQ edit by legendary Detroit DJ/Producer - Theo Parrish. A real simple dancefloor bomb, looping up the most infectious parts of the song over & over until it get's TOO much (In a good way, of course!) ... I love the original version of this along with GQ's other material (Including Theo's edit of their other dancefloor stormer "Lies") their tracks are always good in the club ... nice & LOUD, with strong production & arrangement courtesy of the legendary Jimmy Simpson & featuring the vocal talents of a young Keith Sweat.

This appeared on one of Theo's sought after "Ugly edits" 12"s & has been doing the damage for myself & many dancefloors all summer long!!
Below I've posted a Youtube clip of the original track for comparison for all you anoraks out there!!
Next time I promise I won't leave it too long until the next installment, enjoy!!

GQ - Is It Cool? (Theo Parrish edit) by Bobbyhands

"Baby ... Baby ..."

RONNIE HUDSON - WEST COAST POPLOCK

2009-08-25T23:33:00.005+01:00

Yet another treat from the vaults of 1982. This time its a proper block party number that takes inspiration from the Booker T & the MGs' tune 'Boot-Leg'.

This is their guitarist Steve Cropper talking about why John Lennon liked 'Boot-Leg' so much on a documentary about Stax.

West Coast Poplock by Mr. Smith

MICHAEL WYCOFF - STILL GOT THE MAGIC

2009-08-18T22:45:00.008+01:00

1982 has to be my favorite year for music at the moment. This also happens to be the year Michael Wycoff released the album 'Love Conquers all' on RCA. The main single was 'Looking up to you' which may have one of the finest grooves I have ever heard, I do think however that 'Still got the magic' is a wee bit slept on. Andy at ELDICA put me onto this bouncy little number around the beginning of summer and it hasn't left my bag since. Unlike 'Looking up to you' this 12" is reasonably easy to find and not too expensive. Go buy it.

Still got the magic (sweet delight) by Mr. Smith

KYLE HALL - OATS B SO DEEP / FACT 55 MIX

2009-08-06T20:29:00.015+01:00

Our ears here at the Ghetto Disco are always open to all kinds of music (I'm a big House, Techno & Electro fan, Joe is one of the deadliest Reggae selectors I know!) & we love anything as long as it's got that Funk & is saying something, in that spirit we'll be checking out stuff of that nature on this blog too - I.E. - Great music of ALL genres.
Recently I had the good fortune of stumbling across 18 year old Kyle Hall, Detroit's new star DJ / Producer who is currently making waves, as you are probably aware much is made of the Motor City's musical output & these days the city is bang on the money with some serious talent new & old. I know Hall has been around for a little while now & has some dope releases under his belt already on his own "Wild Oats" label & the Omar.S owned "FXHE" imprint as well as jamming with a certain mr Theo Parrish regularly, but like I said before .. I recently stumbled upon him. So excuse me if i'm a little late to the party!

Today I wanted to highlight a couple of wicked mixes by Kyle that I found while trawling the web, one from a blog "Cathode Radiance", called "Oats B so deep" & it's a killer, you can grab it HERE. Make sure you pass through & check out the rest of the blog & give 'em some props too!! The 2nd mix he did is on London based FACT magazine's website - both are pure quality!! Kyle keeps it moving with some seriously deep, soulful tracks on the mixes with selections from some of "The D"s premier talent (Moodymann, Omar.S, Carl Craig, Theo Parrish, Mike Clark, 3 Chairs & Andres (DJ Dez) all show up), in short, they're blinding mixes from one of the best DJ's i've heard in a long time ... go get em!!

I've also included some Youtube action which ain't too shabby either of Kyle jammin' in the hallways of Detroit's School of Arts & the studio with his keyboard, killing it on the Lo-Fi freestyle tip (bear in mind, he's 18 years old!)!!

ENJOY!!

B.T. EXPRESS - ENERGY TO BURN

2009-08-05T16:58:00.005+01:00

It's been a little while since i posted & myself & the Special Needs / Ghetto Disco team have been having a blast spinning with the Idjut Boys & Greg Wilson & partying hard!! So I thought I should drop by with some serious uptempo, soulful Disco ... Now ... back to the bloggin' :

This track is taken off Brooklyn Trucking Express's 1976 album of the same name & it's been a real favourite of mine since I discovered it around 5 years ago, for me personally it's one of those hairs on the back of your neck standing up records ... I mean it really is a stormer from beginning to end, it's got everything - killer drums, wailing brass, swooping strings & soaring vocals ... and don't forget the break! The break!

This was one of many records I picked up around the same period when I was digging for Soul & Funk records that had Jeff Lane & Randy Muller's name's on them - Brass Construction, Cameron, Garnett Mimms, Charles Earland, Funk DeLuxe, Enchantment, Eddie Kendricks, Aquarian Dream, Skyy & others. They all had the same high quality musicianship & production courtesy of Muller & Lane's "Dog's of war" production outfit ... some of these tracks still remain firm favourites for me today.

These days Randy Muller's career has been brought back into the limelight by Mr. Kenneth Gonzales aka DJ Kenny Dope who recently collaborated with Muller on the "Randy Muller's Best" mix album on Plaza Records. Instead of being just a straight mix CD K.Dope has gotten hold of the original master tapes & re-edited & remixed & mixed some classic joints Brooklyn style! Well worth checking if like me you dig your DJ mixes.

Click on arrow to right of player to download mp332okbps.

ENERGY TO BURN by Bobbyhands

"Keep on burnin' .."

SECOND IMAGE - SING & SHOUT

2009-08-03T17:22:00.011+01:00

I have been it bit ill for last the few days, thankfully I have had some nice people around me to bring me food and fluids and just generally provide me with a bit of sympathy. It was tough gathering the energy to pull myself from the sofa to rip some vinyl. I started to rip Caprice - '100%' as that is where I would like to be right now but halfway through recording it, I decided I was going to give it a little rework so stay tuned for that one.

I decided to go with Second Image - Sing and Shout (special large instrumental size). I can't tell you much about Second Image except that they are a British outfit from the early 80's. They had a string of 12" releases from 1981 through to 85 and managed to drop two albums in that time on Polydor and MCA respectively. This is the instrumental from one of the singles off their second album titled 'Strange Reflections'. It's more of a dub than an instrumental really and I suppose that is why it's the 'special large instrumental size' mix. I always have the tune I am writing about on repeat when I am doing these posts and my girlfriend just said it reminds her of the Cosby show?
Weirdo.

Sing & Shout (special large instrumental size) by Mr. Smith

THE JAMMERS - BE MINE TONIGHT

2009-07-25T15:10:00.009+01:00

We have Greg Wilson coming down to play at our night tonight which we are very excited about, so I had to post some 'Electro Funk'.

Electro Funk is a term coined by Greg to describe the music he was playing beck in early 80's at the likes of Wigan Pier and Hacienda. This is a little Gem produced by Richie Weeks in 1982 on Salsoul. Check out my other post on Richie Weeks here. Mr Weeks loved to dub his tunes out and this is no exception. Check the second half of this joint, its amazing.

Be Mine Tonight by Mr. Smith

A wee while ago I gave a friend of mine a CD of some boogie I was listening to at the time. He is a dubstep producer and said to me he'd like to sample some of these tunes slowed down to 33. It got me listening to some of my records all cosmic like, this was one of the interesting ones...

Be mine tonight 33rpm by Mr. Smith

RECORD STORE FEATURE - ARCHIVE RECORDS, ADDLESTONE

2009-07-15T17:46:00.018+01:00

When i go to visit my folks in sunny Addlestone (which isn't often enough apparently!) out near Weybridge I always drop into Archive to scour the stacks for hidden gems ... you really gotta drop into this place to see what I mean, the pictures i've posted only tell a bit of the story!

I've really only had the pleasure of checking this store out on a handful of occassions & I left a very happy man each time with new finds tucked under my arm, whatever you're looking for drop in and speak to Steve who owns, runs & catalogues his 300,000+ stockpile of records, seriously, it's THAT deep.

Some people who work in certain record stores* in the great city of London believe they are some kind of God's who should be worshipped because they work in a dusty shop & get paid minimum wage & own some LP's you don't (You know who you are!!), if like me you detest such an attitude whilst hunting down your holy grails then you'll be refreshed at how helpful, laidback & chatty Steve is when it comes to matters of the wax .. if he hasn't got it there, he'll try & find it for you!! Everything from Soul, Disco, Rock, Jazz, Dance, Soundtracks through to Comedy records, How's that for service?

Unfortunately we're in a time where kids with 30 records are using Serato & "DJ"s are increasingly turning their back on the vinyl in favour of more user friendly digital mediums which sound like shite & when used in a club it looks like said "DJ"s are checking their Emails in front of a crowd!
Don't get me wrong, I myself have recently embraced CDs as a medium to use in clubs when i'm playing out (almost the same theory behind playing records & alot easier for playing exclusive edits & remixes etc .. not to mention easier on the old back too!) & I'm by no means a "Digi-phobe", but how can you call yourself a "DJ" by pressing keys?
All of these factors are gradually contributing to the death of vinyl & consequently are shutting amazing little treasure troves like Steve's down & putting good people out of business ... such a shame.
Fortunately there are SOME people out there with their heads screwed on, just look at THIS article from last weekend's Mail on Sunday & keep supporting independent labels like MOTON, DISSIDENT & the others who keep supplying us fiends with wax.

Today's finds @ Archive Records, Addlestone:

1.Mick Jagger - "Just another night"(Extended mix) - CBS.
2.Colorado - "Space lady love" - Pinnacle.
3.Partners - "The last Disco in Paris" LP - Marlin / TK.
4.Mandre - "Two" LP - Motown.
5.Nytro - "Nytro" LP - Whitfield Records.
6.The Originals - "Down to love town" LP - Motown.

You can contact Archive Records HERE with enquiries, wantlists etc.

SAVE THE RECORD STORE!!

Revival records, Berwick St, W1F..

On the beat records, Hanway St, W1T..

Out on the floor records, Inverness St, NW1.

Nudge records, Hanbury St, E1.

Eldica vinyl & retro, Bradbury St, N16.

* NOT everybody!

TASHAN - READ MY MIND

2009-07-15T02:08:00.004+01:00

This record has been getting a lot of play time in the house of Smith lately, its neither rare nor expensive, but I think maybe a bit slept on. Its the B side to the first single off Tashan's first album 'Chasin a dream'. For this, I think you should turn your hifi up very loud. Ten years ago I would have said roll one up, sit back and enjoy. These days I would just get paranoid, turn the music down and keep peeking out the window. I don't want you to do that so just turn it up, sit back and enjoy.

Out in 1986 on Def Jam. This could well be the rawest, heaviest R'n'B on the planet.

(just click on the arrow on the right to download 320kbps mp3)
Read my mind by Mr. Smith

RICHARD T. BEAR - SUNSHINE HOTEL

2009-07-13T15:43:00.005+01:00

Where is Sunshine Hotel? That's what I wanna know!! Never has a song about a brothel sounded so damn funky .. this track is a sure fire dancefloor filler, I've seen it do the job on many occassions.
Also, who the hell is Richard T. Bear? He's the big bearded, plaid shirt wearing dude who's singing about his love of the "Sunshine Hotel" & how you can just walk on in .. genius.

I thought this would be a great tongue in cheek record to kick the week off, a serious groove indeed, it seems to me that this was probably Richard's biggest & most well known record & it was taken off his only LP "Red, Hot & Blue" released in 1979. He was responsible for producing Inga Rumpf's track "Love potion no.9" in 1979 also.

"Sunshine Hotel .. Just come on in, no need to ring the bell"

(Click arrow on right of player to download Mp3 320kbps)

03 SUNSHINE HOTEL by Bobbyhands

BRASS CONSTRUCTION - CHANGIN

2009-07-10T01:48:00.006+01:00

Its late Thursday night and I am not going to have any time to blog till Monday, so here is a quick little entry for you to get your weekend started. Brass Construction are a well documented band fronted by Randy Muller, to read more on them click.

Full 12inch version. Funky as hell.

(just click on the arrow on the right to download 320kbps mp3)
Changin by Mr. Smith

SUZY Q - TONIGHT

2009-07-07T14:51:00.003+01:00

There is a bit of mystery surrounding this record. Firstly it is very similar to Punkin Machines 'I need you tonight'. I have only been able to track down the 7" release of Suzy Q 'tonight' and it has 'remix' next to the artist name rather than next to the title of the track which I thought was quite unusual. This was released a year after Punkin Machine released 'I need you tonight' on French label and distribution company Carrere. It is credited to being produced by Punkin Machines producer, Jerry Cucuzzella, for Quebec based record label JC Records (which also happens to be the same label 'I need you tonight' was released on).

I must say, I prefer the Punkin Machine version of this tune but don't have a copy of the original 12". I have an edit of it which cuts out the chorus and (in my opinion) doesn't do the original justice, so I don't play it out.

When I first put this record on my radar I found it hard to find anything out about it and that is why I have decided to post it. The sound quality is a wee bit poor due to it being ripped off a 7" but you will be able to hear how this is different to the Punkin Machine version. I would love to hear the album version of this song and if anyone has an mp3, please hit me up!

SUZY Q - TONIGHT (REMIX) mp3

PUNKIN MACHINE - I NEED YOU TONIGHT mp3

NITE JEWEL - LET'S GO (THE TWO OF US TOGETHER)

2009-07-03T11:05:00.003+01:00

I know this is quite an old track now but I only heard it recently (Thanx Dam-Funk!) & was blown away by it's beauty, I hadn't heard anything quite like it. I did some research & found out it was (fairly) new & came from a beautiful woman called Ramona Gonzalez aka Nite Jewel.

Spacey, Lo-fi, Etheral & ghostly are words that sprang to mind on first listen, there's no point sitting here trying to list the influences that obviously inform her sound as they are so many but this is really special.
I don't have an MP3 to post up so you guys'll have to make do with a good ole Youtube clip of this track she released on uber cool label Italians do it better. Her other stuff is great too but this one is a standout for me personally ..

Dig?

MASSIMO BARSOTTI D.J. - WHOLE LOTTA LOVE

2009-07-03T10:37:00.005+01:00

Italian electro versions of Led Zepplin songs I hear you say? Yes please!! This leftfield killer is from 1983 & was released on cult Italo label Fuzz Dance.
Not a lot is known of Barsotti & as far as i'm aware this was his biggest & only hit (I may be wrong .. If you've got further info please contact Ghetto Disco HQ).
This is one seriously dirty, sleazy record, Over the years i've heard a lot of covers of this Led Zepplin standard but this is my favourite (But the Blonde on Blonde version is also a guilty pleasure!).

I first came into contact with this track through legendary New Jersey DJ Tony Humphries "Choice" collection on Azuli, According to Humphries this was a big record at his infamous Zanzibar residency in New Jersey where he would dedicate a portion of the evenings selections to the more pitched down, scuzzy & slo-mo sounds that were on offer at the time, This was the period known as "The sleaze section". I have had this track in the bag since then & believe me it works!!

Below is the full 12" version for you enjoy & who knows? Maybe you'll have your own "Sleaze section" at home! Enjoy!

(Just click on arrow on right of player to download MP3 320Kbps)

WHOLE LOTTA LOVE by Bobbyhands

NORTHERN IRISH DISCO DANCE FINALS 1981

2009-06-22T14:32:00.006+01:00

YES. You read correctly! Northern Irish Disco Dance Finals! If ever there was a sentence that just didn't read right then this is it! Being a Northern Irish native & also being a big Disco record collector, fan & DJ I was totally amazed when i first set eyes on the clip you're about to watch ... "Disco dancin'? .. In Northern Ireland?" I said to myself in disbelief. Sure enough I rolled the clip & there it was -

With DJ impressario Emperor Rosko at the helm & sponsorship from the Trusthouse Forte (!) hotel group this competition was some serious shit! My favourite entrant (Who's section is suspiciously short) is John Henry at the very start who kicks things off to the sound of Harry Thurmann's "Underwater" which is an amazing record (At both speeds!) ... & John matches it with equally amazing dance moves, go on son! The thing that really cracks me up is the panel of so called "judges" , with the exception of the dancers & dance teachers on the panel what the fuck do the rest of them know about Disco? Or dancing?

I guess this clip shows the dizzy worldwide heights & hysteria that Disco caused, I mean, if people were getting down in Coleraine Northern Ireland to it that's really saying something!! I can really only say that this is pure video gold .. Thank you Youtube!!

THP ORCHESTRA - TWO HOT FOR LOVE

2009-06-22T13:26:00.010+01:00

Let's kick the week off with this killer from Canada's Thp Orchestra (Three Hats Productions), this track is taken off their 1977 album of the same name which was released on Butterfly Records & in more recent times it featured on BBE's "Disco Spectrum 2" which was lovingly compiled by Joey Negro. Rumour has it the title of the LP & the track is a misspelling which oddly kind of works! - "TWO hot for love".

For me, it's the super extended intro break which does it, it's a real builder! Perfect for that long mix ... I've seen this record go for all kinds of prices & it's not really one you see around much so i was lucky enough to find my copy for £1 in a basement somewhere near Balham.

Anyway, no-one likes a boaster! Here's the shorter edited version of the track for you to enjoy for now & if you see the LP floating around you should pick it up, it's got the full 15 min version on it & it's also got a killer break on side 2 (For all you beat heads & diggers out there) in the shape of "Theme from Black Orpheus" ... All that & the artwork is wicked too!!

(Just click arrow on right of player to download 320kbps mp3)

WEEKS & CO. - If YOUR LOOKING FOR FUN (DUB)

2009-06-21T20:44:00.009+01:00

This is some killer boogie right here. Produced by boogie maestro Ritchie Weeks, its a proper spaced out synth heavy slice of genius. More often than not I go for the dub of a record (if it has one) and this is no exception. Not that there is anything wrong with the album version, I just love the stripped down instrumental. If you are feeling it, be sure to check out Richie Weeks' other work. He produced stuff under The Jammers, L.U.S.T and also under his own name. In fact, I think I can feel a post on a Jammers record coming on...

This is from 1983 on Salsoul, it has Shep Pettibone in the mix and I am pretty sure thats Jocelyn Brown on backing vocals.

(just click on the arrow on the right to download 320kbps mp3)
If you looking for fun (dub) by Mr. Smith

HORSE MEAT DISCO - THE ALBUM

2009-06-18T14:05:00.007+01:00

Here's a compilation that's shaping up to be "mix cd of the summer", Our good pals at Horse Meat Disco have picked, compiled & mixed "70 minutes of unadulterated disco nuggets" over 2 cd's (One mixed, the other unmixed).
There are some serious records on here, from K.I.D.'s percussive groover "Hupendi muziki wangu?" to Tamiko Jones' "other" amazing record "Let it flow" all blended together by the HMD boys, the album also comes with amazing artwork & packaging with some incredible photo's from the club & various nights the boys have DJ'ed at & also included are some liner notes written by Guardian journalist David Pascheck.

The album will be available from 10th August through STRUT. You can join Horse Meat Disco's Facebook fan page here for dates, gigs etc.

Here's the album tracklisting :

CD 1: Mixed by Jim Stanton and James Hilliard
01. Craig's phone message
02. Karen Young - Deetour
03. Eddie Drennon - Disco Jam
04. Empire Projecting Penny – Freakman
05. Smokey Robinson – And I Don’t Love You (Larry Levan Instrumental Dub)
06. K.I.D - Hupendi Muziki Wangu?! (You Don’t Like My Music)
07. Gino Soccio – It’s Alright
08. The Two Tons - I Depend On You
09. Sheryl Lee Ralph - In The Evening
10. Gregg Diamond - Danger
11. Plaza - (Got My) Dancing Shoes
12. TJM - Put Yourself In My Place
13. The Richard Hewson Orchestra - Love Bite
14. Laura Greene - Manhattan
15. Fern Kinney - Love Me Tonight
16. Tamiko Jones - Let It Flow

CD 2: Unmixed
01. Karen Young – Deetour (Party mix)
02. Smokey Robinson – And I Don’t Love You (Larry Levan Instrumental Dub)
04. Empire Projecting Penny – Freakman
05. Gino Soccio – It’s Alright
06. Richard Hewson Orchestra – Love Bite
07. Eddie Drennon – Disco Jam
08. K.I.D - Hupendi Muziki Wangu?! (You Don’t Like My Music)
09. The Two Tons – I Depend On You
10. Plaza – (Got My) Dancing Shoes
11. Gregg Diamond – Danger
12. Sheryl Lee Ralph – In The Evening
13. Tamiko Jones – Let It Flow

And if all that wasn't enough to make you wet yourself you can also buy the 1st HMD EDITS 12" here and here as well as their SUPER fresh T-shirts!
Horse Meat Disco is every sunday at EAGLE LONDON, 349 kennington Lane, Vauxhall, London SE11 5QY
Open from 8pm - 3am.

Come & kiki!

WAVELENGTH - FUNK DREAMS

2009-06-17T14:07:00.012+01:00

Here's a track that's just doin' it for me right now, Here at Ghetto Disco HQ it's not always about Disco, Disco, Disco!! (Although myself & Joe are close to obsessive!), This is some low slung SYNTH FUNK courtesy of L.A.'s Dam-Funk on the ever mysterious People's Potential Unlimited imprint.
This isn't unlike any of his releases on Stones Throw but if you dig that futuristic boogie sound then this is for you!! Plus it's on a nicely pressed 7".

Unfortunately there's not going to be an mp3 of it posted here, I decided to post the video that PPU had made for the track as it's simply amazing! Pure psychedelic VHS / Betamax abuse! Make sure you support PPU by checking out their site buying their amazing 7" & 12" Disco, Funk & Boogie reedits / reissues, Pure quality! Quite possibly one of the dopest little labels out there right now ...

GORDON'S WAR - THE ROCK IS GONNA GET YOU

2009-06-17T13:31:00.009+01:00

Nothing to do with the famous 1973 Blaxploitation flick "Gordon's War" which coincidentally has an amazing soundtrack also, Supplied by funk group "Badder than evil" - This is pure dancefloor DISCO dynamite!!

After hearing this monster of a track on a Daniele Baldelli mix from NYE 1979 (Thanx James!) it took me ages to track it down & ID it, It helped that Rusty's Dusty Disco had done an edit of it, Making it easier to find, In my honest opinion this track really didn't need to be edited which is an ongoing problem these days, People just can't leave shit alone!!
Anyway, I didn't come on here to have a rant, Just to share this killer record with you in it's full unedited 12" glory!!

ENJOY!!

(Click the arrow to the right to download mp3 320kbps)

THE ROCK IS GONNA GET YOU by Bobbyhands

MICHIGAN & SMILEY - ONE LOVE JAM DOWN

2009-06-17T01:37:00.005+01:00

The One Love Peace Concert was in 1978 at The National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. It was held during a time of political civil war in Jamaica between opposing parties - Jamaican Labour Party and the People's National Party. The pinnacle of the concert is said to be when a certain Mr. Robert Marley joined the hands of political rivals Michael Manley (PNP) and Edward Seaga (JLP). The concert was even kicked off with a message from the crown prince of Ethiopia, praising the concert organizers’ efforts to restore peace in Jamaica. Basically it was a big deal.

Unfortunately, the event did little to rid Jamaica of its political violence. Manley’s critics argue that the he used his appearance at the concert to demonstrate the bond he shared with the Jamaican sufferahs and Rastafarians. Within a few weeks of his appearance, he called for an election and won with a significant margin, only further escalating the violence between the two major parties. In fact, it is not until Bob Marley’s funeral in 1981, that the two political figures met each other in person and once again shook hands.

I am sure there are other reggae songs that would better accompany this post and be more symbolic to the political unrest that surrounded Jamaica in the late 70's. But in this case, it was the song that inspired the post. Not the other way round.

This was actually released in 1980 on Tuff Gong. I can only assume the inspiration for the conscious lyrics came from the events that took place just over a year earlier. One thing I do know for sure though, this is a Dancehall monster. Its on the 'Rope in' riddem and its so heavy, it should come with a health warning.

(just click on the arrow on the right to download 320kbps mp3)
One Love Jamdown by Mr. Smith

KABBALA - ASHEWO ARA

2009-06-10T20:13:00.004+01:00

This was Kabbala's first single and what an introduction. Kabbala was fronted by two Ghanian brothers who were based in London, they released a few 12's on different labels but all had a similar theme. Staying true to their roots but fusing it with Western dance music. Listen to the results yourself, this is an absolute stomper. Made for the dancefloor in 1982 and still as fresh today as ever before.

Ashewo Ara by Mr. Smith

PLAZA - (GOT MY) DANCING SHOES

2009-06-09T14:22:00.013+01:00

Hey all, I haven't blogged anything for a little while so I thought i'd treat you all to a storming piece of uptempo Disco courtesy of Plaza on Sidewalk records from 1979, This one's a surefire dancefloor killer!!

I can't really find that much info on Sidewalk but i do have quite a few of their 12"s from artists like - David Bendeth, John Forde & Gonzalez. If you see their eye catching Yellow logo peering up at you from the racks it's always worth taking a punt on ... You may be surprised!!

(Just click the arrow on the right to download mp3 320kbps)

DANCING SHOES by Bobbyhands

JUGGY MURRAY JONES - I'LL SEE YOU THROUGH

2009-06-03T20:56:00.008+01:00

Juggy Murray Jones was a Record label owner, producer, song writer and performer. Most people know him through his hit 'Inside America', but what some don't know is how cool his mustache was.

In 1977 he also released an amazing album titled Rhythm & Blues on his own label, Jupiter. This album is full of fine funked up disco cuts, my favorite is the vocal driven 'I'll see you through'. Juggy's low slung toasting gives this a laid back feel whilst the funky as hell guitar and horns is sure to keep people moving. Sadly Juggy passed away in 2005 aged 82. If you would like to read more about this accomplished artist click here.

May you rest in peace Juggy Murray Jones and thank you for bringing us this perfect late night number..

I'll see you through by Mr. Smith

FUNK MASTERS - LOVE MONEY (1980)

2009-05-22T00:44:00.007+01:00

This record is monumental.

Its the B side to Bo Kool's '(money) No Love' and could well have kicked off the whole idea of doing a 'dub' of a disco record. It was produced by south Londoner Tony Williams who is th TW behind TW Funk Masters. There are a couple of versions of this about, the version I have for you is the original 12 inch release (no less!) on Tania. The more widely known version was on Mancuso's recent Loft compilation and originally released on Champagne's 1981 jazzfunk record 'Re Mixture' (which is a 12 I highly recommend and I may post a tune off sometime soon)

I urge you to read an interview with Tony Williams conducted by none other than Greg Wilson on Greg's fine website electrofunkroots.co.uk here. After reading it you should get an insight in to how important this record really is (and you'll know why I included the Dennis Brown video).

A couple of things I will note though.. There is a 1986 version of 'Love Money' I think you should steer clear of. And, that this is the product of putting a reggae/soul DJ into a studio to produce a disco record using mostly reggae session players.. The results are blinding!

FUNK MASTERS - LOVE MONEY (1980) 320kbps

YASUKO AGAWA - L.A NIGHTS

2009-05-13T01:06:00.003+01:00

Its been a while so here is a little something to say hello...
This beautiful little number has some of the smoothest vocals you will ever put your ears to. This is from 1986 on Bluebird records, you can pick up Yasuko Agawa's latest record here.

YASUKO AGAWA - L.A NIGHTS 320kbps

STAND BY ME

2009-05-01T12:09:00.002+01:00

Sometimes we all need a bit of feel good factor in our lives, here is a great rendition of the Ben E King classic 'Stand by me' Thank you to the lovely young lady that put me on to this..

Playing For Change | Song Around The World "Stand By Me" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

ALPHONSE MOUZON - DO I HAVE TO?

2009-04-27T00:43:00.003+01:00

Today I am bringing you something on more of a mellow jazzfunk tip. I picked this record up for a quid a month or two ago and the credits are filled with some heavy players. The man himself Mouzon on the drums with Herbie Hancock manning the keys. Lee Ritenour on guitar and Freddie Hubbard on the trumpet backed up by the Seawind Horns. The album is 'By All Means' and was released in 1981...

Do I have to? Damn straight you do..

ALPHONSE MOUZON - DO I HAVE TO? 320kbps

RANCE ALLEN GROUP - PEACE OF MIND

2009-04-19T19:55:00.001+01:00

Here we have an amazing piece of gospel - soul that's sure to lift your spirit after one listen! Taken from 1977's "The way it is" LP on Capitol & produced by Motown powerhouse production duo Larry & Fonce Mizell, This is a killer "Rare groover"...
I decided to post this track after I heard a certain Mr. Ashley Beedle play it recently and forgot how devastating & heavy this tune was!
Only ever available on the LP (As far as I know) but don't fret, Because in 2007 the nice folks over at Stateside records reissued it on a lovely, heavy 12" (Backed with Maze's "Twilight") for all you vinyl junkies out there. Enjoy!

RANCE ALLEN - PEACE OF MIND 320kbps

DON COVAY - BADD BOY

2009-04-15T16:20:00.002+01:00

This is one of my favourite tunes at the moment, infact, its so bad it needed two d's in the title. I picked up the 12" about a month ago and I haven't been able to stop listening to it since.

Don Covey has been in the game a long time. His musical career has spanned from the 60's right through to modern day, he has worked with and written for many top players including Booker T, Ben E King, Chubby Checker and even Jimi Hendrix. Most of his work leans toward Rhythm & Blues but like many, he dabbled in a little disco. Strictly speaking this is disco rap but I always jam the instrumental and I think you should too. This was released in 1980 on Newman Records.. Just try and listen to it without bopping you head to that bass line

DON COVAY - BADD BOY (instrumental) 320kbps

THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH - SANDMAN

2009-04-13T15:39:00.001+01:00

An absolutely stunning track from Detroit "Psychedelic soul" visionaries The Undisputed Truth from 1979.
Absolutely perfect listening for a bank holiiday Monday like this, If, Like me, You need something soothing & smooth for your eardrums!
Honestly, There's not much i can say about this record other than - LISTEN!

A beautiful record.

THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH - SANDMAN 320kbps

DEVARNE - YOU ARE NUMBER ONE

2009-04-09T17:05:00.004+01:00

The weekend is just around the corner (Although mine is beginning as i type this post!) and i thought i'd hit you guys with another wicked slice of Disco/Boogie action to get you all going! This one's from Chicago native Henrietta Thomas AKA "Devarne" and it's a BIG tune for me at the moment, I became aware of it through Chicago DJ/Producer Jerome Derradji's recent "American Boogie down" compilation on BBE / Stillmusic.
The compilation is an amazing collection of lost & extremely rare disco joints mostly from middle America.
There are alot of killer tracks on there but this is one of the standout moments for me personally, Pure roller-boogie!
According to the liner notes this particular tune was released in 1982 as a demo "That barely made it out of her neighbourhood" ... What a shame!
Make sure you check out the compilation & the above links, These guys have really dug deep for some obscurities & there's some fantastic music on there ...

Get involved!

DEVARNE - YOU ARE NUMBER ONE 320kbps

W.A.G.B BAND - I CAN GET YOU OVER

2009-04-09T01:22:00.010+01:00

Its Thursday and Easter holidays start today so I have some heavy weight boogie to kickstart your long weekend. For those of you in London there is plenty to do as well. Re Edit master Todd Terje is playing 'in an east end warehouse' somewhere with Disco Bloodbath. I myself am going to The Coronet to see some of my favourite London DJ's, Horsemeat Disco, they are doing a night with Secret Sundaze whilst hosting the mighty Danielle Baldelli... Can not wait!

W.A.G.B Band is a project produced by Wayne Braithwaite and Glen Adams. Wayne Brathwaite went on to produce the likes of Chaka Khan and Billy Ocean while Glen Adams is most famous for being part of Lee Perry's backing band The Upsetters. Released in 1982 on NY label Street Sound, this has all the makings of a boogie classic. A catchy hook, deep wobbly bass and plenty of dirty synth work backed by some tuff drums. I also love the way the horns give this tune so much funk. Solid gold.

May the Easter bunny be good to you..

W.A.G.B BAND - I CAN GET YOU OVER 320kbps

VENUS GANG - LOVE TO FLY

2009-04-06T15:55:00.002+01:00

It's Monday! To kick the week off i've got a wicked tune for you more adventurous "beatheads" out there, Released in 1982 on Canadian dance label LOTUS The Venus gang give you some killer drums backed with some serious spaced out disco stylings, Also check out their "look" above .. Pretty freaky, huh?
Also I love how the track sounds a little like a more dusted, twisted version of the O'jays hit "For the love of money".

Ya dig?

VENUS GANG - LOVE TO FLY 320kbps

CHAKA KHAN - SIGN O' THE TIMES

2009-04-03T11:51:00.002+01:00

Let's kick Friday off with this absolute killer version of this Prince classic. It's from disco, soul, funk legend Chaka's 2007 LP "Funk this".
I think she's done the purple one proud on this cover ... I reckon this is a bit of a hidden gem. That's why i've put it up here for you! ENJOY!

"Sign o' the times mess with your mind ..."

CHAKA KHAN - SIGN O' THE TIMES 320kbps

THE LOVERS - LIP SERVICE

2009-04-01T14:47:00.009+01:00

A beautiful slice of Disco / Boogie from 1982, Produced by Larry LaFalce, Don Cypher & Len Boone and mixed by the incomparable Tom Moulton, It really dosen't get any smoother than this. This track was released on Salsoul as a white label 12" only (I got mine!) and later re-released on Soul Jazz Records amazing "A Tom Moulton mix" compilation from 2006 which i can't recommend enough to the readers of this here blog!

THE LOVERS - LIP SERVICE 320kbps

TRISTON PALMA - JOKER SMOKER

2009-03-23T21:55:00.004Z

After the monster weekend I just had I am not sure I have the ability to write too much. When I am as fragile as I am now I usually turn to reggae to sooth my soul. Here is Triston Palma's 1982 Dancehall hit 'Joker Smoker'. Sit back, relax and ride out those Monday blues..

TRISTON PALMA - JOKER SMOKER

COACH HOUSE RHYTHM SECTION - NO SUCH THING

2009-03-16T21:38:00.013Z

To start this post off, I must say I was as little hesitant about sharing this. I absolutely love this tune, and had to search high and low for the 12". I was on forums, GEMM, Discogs and a host of other sites for far too much of my life trying to track this down. I sometimes still put a cheeky search out there to see if its about when I am on certain sites. Its definitely an early in the night number for me and I am still yet to hear anyone else play it, I'm not sure that I am looking forward to the day I do.

The Coach House was Eddy Grant's recording studio and the Coach House Rhythm Section was Eddy's backing band. For the (other) geeks out there, I have two Coach House Rhythm Section records, one (Nobody's got time 7") reads Coachouse Rhythm Section and the other (No such thing 12") reads Coach House, both are on Ice Records. Who knows if its just a typo or something to do with what they were smoking back in the late 70's.

A slightly different version of this song was released in 1975 on Torpedo under the name 'I'm coming home' by Marco. If anyone has doubles of this or even an mp3, I'd love to get a copy. Marco is another name used by Eddy and is the name of his publishing company, Marco Music LTD. I found a site selling it that has a soundbyte, you can hear it here until someone buys it I guess. Its worth noting that on the label, 'No Such Thing' is credited as an instrumental so I think 'Im coming home' is just the vocal version. Eddy did this with the disco not disco classic 'Timewarp'. The vocal version is called 'Nobody's got time' and you just need to listen to where he takes the instrumental to understand why it was labeled 'Timewarp'

Whatever it is, it's some serious heat. Released in 1980 this is Deep DEEP jazzfunk at its best. To read more about Eddy Grant click here

COACH HOUSE RHYTHM SECTION - NO SUCH THING 320kbps

2WICE - YOU SET ME ON FIRE (party version)

2009-03-11T23:53:00.012Z

There is not much I can tell you about this record. It was released on MiaSound in 1981. It's mixed by the legendary Larry Levan and mastered by a Mr. Francois K, which are two credits that make any record worth buying. I have searched and searched for more info on 2WICE but to no avail, whilst searching I saw that one seller on ebay claimed it was a big COSMIC record and Baldelli used to play it. I can't personally vouch for this but it could be true. What I can say is thats its on the electro disco tip with some nice spaced out synths. ENJOY!!

2WICE - YOU SET ME ON FIRE (party version) 320kbps

STICKY FINGERS - PARTY SONG

2009-03-08T12:19:00.003Z

Sticky fingers were a project fronted by Canadian based production team Ian Guenther and Willi Morrison. They are more widely known for their work as THP Orchestra but the Sticky Fingers stuff is killer. This is quite different to the three other tracks released by Sticky Fingers. Their other work is more disco, whereas this is 10 glorious minutes of heavy hitting low slung funk. I am trying to build up my collection of mid tempo cuts that have a 4/4 beat at the minute and this is one of my favorites. If you know of any I should look out for let me know!

Sticky Fingers - Party Song 320kbps

(just click on the link above then click on the 'free user' button to download mp3)

SLY & ROBBIE - TRIPLET

2009-03-04T14:25:00.022Z

Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare can almost be thought of as the backbone of Reggae. They have worked with just about everyone worth mentioning within Reggae and are the most influential rhythm section to come out of Jamaica.

This EP was released in 2005 on Auralux to accompany the 'Sly & Robbie's Taxi Sound' album which celebrated 30 years of their label - Taxi. The Ep is made up of three tracks, two of which don't feature on the album. The tune for me is 'Stapper Lee Rap'. First released in 1980 on the sought after album 'Gamblers Choice', its at the forefront of the digi-dub sound and has an electro feel to boot. The reverb on the snare, choppy percussion and heavy synths are all commonly featured in the early 80's electro sound. Check out Yazoo's first hit 'Don't go' this was released two years after 'Stapper Lee Rap' and has a very similar synth line.

Sly & Robbie - Stapper Lee Rap 320kbps

(just click on the link above then click on the 'free user' button to download mp3)

* The name of this post has been edited from 'Stapper Lee Rap' to 'Triplet' due to a f**k up on my behalf. Please read the comments to note that the synth line was actually written by and credited to Yazoo.

MAGIC NUMBER

2009-02-22T21:06:00.013Z

Herbie Hancock, the man needs no introducing so I won't say too much. This jazzfunk electro disco cut was released in 1981 on Columbia and is the single off the album 'Magic Windows'. Herbie is a well documented artist and is still touring. If you want to read more about him look here and here, for tour dates check out his myspace. It's fair to say Herbie has pushed the boundaries of music in whatever genre he has worked in and this is a fine example of that. It's also worth noting that there is a nice Todd Terje edit of this tune. It has a focus on the 'latin style' keys whilst giving it a balearic feel. A very nice edit and definitely worth picking up.

Herbie Hancock - Magic Number 320kbps

(just click on the link above then click on the 'free user' button to download mp3)

CREDIT CRUNCH??

2009-02-18T16:25:00.009Z

I don't have a lot of money, I wouldn't say I was made of straw but I am not a wealthy man. I have spoken to a few people who work in the city recently who are talking like its the end of the world. "You'll be out of a job soon" they say.. Bollocks to them. If all these people who are wealthier than me now have less money, maybe I am better off?

Billy and John Valentine formed The Valentine Brothers in the late 70's. They released a couple of singles on Source before recording there 1982 album 'First Take' and releasing it on the small Dutch label Energy. The single off this album 'Moneys too tight (to mention)' is an absolute killer. Later covered by Simply Red, the sweet soulful vocals are what stand out for me. The instrumental is nice too, you can hear Billy Valentines jazz background coming through on the sax. This is very much a Bobby Hands tune and I have to shout out to him for putting me on to these guys. Thanks Bobby!!

The Valentine Brothers - Moneys too tight (to mention)

The Valentine Brothers - Moneys too tight (to mention) (Instrumental)

SWEET DYNAMITE

2009-02-12T14:55:00.013Z

Claudja Barry... I dig her. Jamaican born but raised in Canada, she stormed onto the scene in 1976 with the album 'Sweet Dynamite'. The title song from the album is her best work for me. Although first released on Lollipop records, it was later released on Salsoul and given a full 12" workout by Tom Moulton. This is a bass driven monster that always works the dance floor. Check the break on about the 4 and a half minute mark.

Sweet Dynamite - Tom Moulton 12" mix

RECORD STORE FEATURE -

2009-02-10T10:20:00.006Z

This week I am going to let you all in on a little secret, possibly the best kept secret in East London. Eldica Vinyl & Retro.

Fast becoming my favorite record store in London, Eldica is hidden away on small side street in Dalston. With the focus on 2nd hand vinyl, Eldica specializes in Funk, Soul, Disco, Boogie, Hip Hop and Jazz, but you'll also find sections featuring Reggae, Calypso, Latin and African grooves.

Drawing me to this store is not just the great music on the shelves but the way the shop is run. The thing that frustrates me about digging for tunes is the attitude you can get from staff in record stores. Eldica couldn't be further removed from this. A small family business run by record collector and enthusiast, Andy Westbury, you can expect to find a warm and friendly atmosphere. Andy is always willing to sit and chat about music, dig out records for you to listen to and even play you rare cuts he's just found for his personal collection. If you have a want list, email it to him and he'll keep an eye out for whatever it is you after. I have even had a text message telling me he has a 12" that I'm after!

In no particular order, here are my top 10 tunes found in Eldica -

1. Odyssey - Don't tell me tell her
2. Toney Lee - Reach up
3. Sugar Hill Gang - Passion play
4. Eastbound Expressway - Never let go
5. Spyder-D - Rapple (Big Apple Rappin instrumental)
6. Jean Wells - I just can't stop dancing
7. Herbie Hancock - Ready or not
8. Eddie Cheba - Lookin' good (shake your body)
9. The Gap band - Shake
10.Juggy Murry Jones - I'll see you through

Eldica Vinyl & Retro
8 Bradbury st
Dalston
LONDON N16 8JN

www.eldica.co.uk/

"VISITING HOURS" & "SPECIAL NEEDS" THIS WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY ....

2009-01-20T19:40:00.005Z

That's right, Our first 2 parties of 2009 - Only this time it's DJ Bobby Hands & Billy Crack holdin' down the fort on their own ... Our other 2 compadre's are over seas ....

"VISITING HOURS" is held @ The Vibe bar on Brick Lane this Wednesday nite (21.01.09), For those of you who know, It's our super laid back midweek soulful affair, Where you can expect to hear 70's rock & soul, Old school hiphop, Disco nuggets & all the rest !!

As usual, Entrance is FREE all nite & proceedings kick off @ 7.30pm & we finish @ 11.30pm ... Come and join us and bring a friend !!

"SPECIAL NEEDS" is now it's 5th year, Situated @ the Lockside Lounge in sunny Camden town, This saturday nite (24.01.09) see's DJ's Bobby Hands & Billy Crack do their thing spinning a VAST selection of quality trax ... On a Disco, House, Funk, Roller boogie, Broken beat kinda tip ...

FREE entry ALL nite long, Things kick off @ 8pm & we finish @ 1.30am ... See YOU down the front !!

"IN THE MIX"

2009-01-08T15:43:00.003Z

WOW.

That was my reaction when i stumbled upon DISCOPATRICK's Youtube channel today.
If like me you enjoy the art of the "discomix" or the "Medley" or even the now-not-so sacred art of the "Re-edit" then you have to check out these videos.
Unfortunately these days alot of "DJ's" are churning out edits that totally miss the point, Taking a small piece of a record and looping it to death, Leaving out the good parts of a tune, Adding a bit of flange and the jobs a good 'un, There seems to be no flair or creativity anymore, Don't get me wrong ... There are some people who do amazing edits, But browse the racks in any record store in London & you'll see what i mean ... It has become a genre all of it's own, With certain "DJ's" playing ONLY edits instead of hunting down the original tracks because they're too lazy or just don't know ... It's not all bad though, There are some wicked ones out there, Good examples of great contemporary edits in my opinion being - Chic "I want your love" (Edited by Todd Terje)& Jupiter Beyond's - "The river drive" (Edited by Foolish, friendly & forgetful for "The Drive") As well as the stuff put out on labels like Ballroom, MOTON & Disco Deviance, Like i say, These are only a couple of examples, And this is only MY opinion ... Maybe you could think of more?

On Patrick's channel alot of them are from his own personal collection of test pressings & acetates which are as rare as hen's teeth and he's gone and posted 'em up for our listening enjoyment, What a gent!

Also, Patrick has released a book entitled - "The bootleg guide to Disco acetates, Funk, Rap and Disco medleys" which is a kind of bible to train spotters, Enthusiasts & Vinyl junkies who seek out these rare pieces of wax. This has been out for quite a while and it's well worth a look ...

Below i've posted a couple of the mixes that really did it for me :

"Jungle edit" - Robert Drake (Sunshine sound acetate)

"Deadly medley mix" - John Morales (M&M)

And a "Classic" edit:

"Love is the message" - MFSB (Edited by Mr.K.)

ENJOY!

Just for shits & giggles ...

2009-01-06T17:33:00.005Z

This made me almost wet myself .. If you've ever been to Belfast or Northern Ireland (My homeland) for any amount of time, Then you've probably encountered "Spides" ...
They exist in Scotland also (Neds?) and Up north (Scallys?) ... But it's the fact that they're now making albums that's scary. The names are genius .. What a picture !! I've gotta say "MC Carry out" is the best MC name i've heard in a while ...
The 'nets great, Innit?

RICH HISTORY - This Saturday nite - 10.01.2009

2009-01-06T17:24:00.008Z

That's right. It's finally just around the corner, The 2nd installment of Rich History is upon us.
Come down for a nite of Disco, Italo, Bowling, Karaoke & General chaos as we take over the rather plush "Kingpin suite" at Bloomsbury lanes.
Myself (Bobby Hands) alongside the Cocadisco DJ's, Team Megamix, Top nice DJ's, Anna Kazam & others will be supplying you with great music to dance to all night long !!
This really is not to be missed, Check in with our buddies at REAL GOLD if you need more info.

THE NEW YEAR IS HERE.

2009-01-06T16:19:00.013Z

Ok.
It's all over, We can breathe a sigh of relief now, Normality is upon us once more now the Xmas season has past.
It was a nice one, But i could certainly do without all the debt, stress, falseness, overcrowded bars & streets and disappointment.

Phew. Rant over.

Thought i'd share some bits with you i picked up over the Xmas holidays here in London and up in sunny Manchester, There was alot of good raves on over the holidays, I was lucky enough to have caught the mighty Mark Seven of www.juswax.com (Big up the Cosmic disco and Cutloose boys in Manchester) and DFA's Tim Sweeney and Italian DJ god Daniele Baldelli at Horse meat disco's NYE bash (Big up James, Jim, Seve, Luke, Ali & Adrian) On the local tip we had our very own "Special Needs" NYE bash which was a total banger which will eventually become the stuff of legend !!
All these parties rocked and the good vibes were abundant with both London & Manchester proving they know their onions when it comes to a good knees up.
Quality.

www.juswax.com's Mark Seven @ Cosmic disco/Cutloose Manchester 27.12.2008 (Photo by Antonio Velasquez)

Horse Meat Disco's James Hillard @ Cargo London 31.12.2008 (No pics of Tim or Daniele because by that point i couldn't see straight.B)(Photo by Bobby Hands)

TREATS!
Some bits i unearthed over the holidays, When i should really have been saving my money for Xmas presents i spent it ALL on records. SORRY to my Mrs & my family.

Mouzon's Electric Band - "Everybody get down"

Picked this one up in Manchester for a measly £4 and it was in mint condition .. What a bargain! Wicked almost "proto-house" groove from celebrated jazz drummer Alphonse Mouzon, Made famous by DFA's James Murphy & Pat Mahoney on their Fabric live mix.
A surefire dancefloor monster ...

James Mason - "Sweet power, your embrace"

Finally copped a copy of this killer rare groover on 12" on my birthday, Absolute classic, Recently heard a mad cut up - edit - cover version type thing of this by none other than LA's own Peanut butter wolf (Who knows his boogie) Check his Myspace to hear it, It's called "Umbrellas" ft Free Design, I dug it. And you might too ...

Hot Chocolate - "Disco Queen"

What the fuck? ANOTHER good Hot Chocolate record? I'd never heard of this LP by them "Cicero Park" and to be honest i was suckered in by the sleeve, I mean, Come on .. It's fresh. They're a band who keep giving, I've got around 10-12 tracks of theirs that i'm really into ... Of course you got "Mindless Boogie" etc ... And on this LP i found 2 more, Namely - "Disco queen" & "Bump & dilly down" ...
Of course when you listen to them they're blatantly Hot Chocolate, But i like that ... Watch out for the Bobby Hands edit in 2009 ...

Al Dimeola - "Sequencer"

This is a wicked track, Had me and a couple of friends stumped for a wee while when we heard it on a DJ Cosmo mix, I was well shocked when i found out it was Al Dimeola of Prog-Fusion-Jazzers Return to forever (Alongside Stanley clark & Chick corea amongst others), Very much in the Baldelli - Loda - Cosmic vein and not a bad touch for £1, recently sampled by Ashley Beedle and Mark Ralph for their track "Ride this train" - http://www.discogs.com/release/1123221 which is actually really quite good.
How good is the video by the way??? Class ...

The Bombers - "Don't stop the music"

Sorry about the crap vid .. Shame really, Killer record, Big up Heavy-J for giving me this as a birthday gift, Absolutely chuffed ... Thanks mate !!
Another Westend killer, First heard this on a Baldelli mix, NYE 1978 (Thanks James!), Percussive disco with some serious afro leanings, Gives way to a seriously Santana-ish guitar solo .. Great stuff .. Don't stop the music ..