SOFT ROCKS - FIRMAMENT BERLIN MIXTAPE

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!

DJ REGAL - THE BRONX IS BURNING

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.)

PEOPLES POTENTIAL UNLIMITED

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

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

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

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

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.

ISAAC HAYES - I AIN'T NEVER

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

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

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

DANIELE BALDELLI - LIVE MIX NO.2

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

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!)

DJ RAHAAN - SO RIGHT

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

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"

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.

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

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

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 ..."

NORTHERN IRISH DISCO DANCE FINALS 1981

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

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)

HORSE MEAT DISCO - THE ALBUM

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!

GORDON'S WAR - THE ROCK IS GONNA GET YOU

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

PLAZA - (GOT MY) DANCING SHOES

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