Disco Photography

Elton, Diana and Cher

Shame: I Want Your Love

Yesterday, I saw the film  Shame  with my dear "Disco Mistress" Coty as an after dinner celebration of her birthday and what an lovely surprise was to hear this song in it's full glory in a current and poignant movie that tackles the hot topic of sexual addiction.   What stroke me most about the film was the nice selection of dance classics from Tom Tom Club, Blondie and Chic done exceptionally well visually while carrying such lurid story line.  Also, the fact that having a turntable these days seems like such a status symbol of "cool" while making a point on the acoustic beauty of listening to vinyl these days.  "I Want Your Love" was composed by the legendary Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards.  The track first appeared on their 1978 album C'est Chic and it was originally intended for then proteges, Sister Sledge but remained Chic.  The song has been covered by many such as Jody Watley in 2006, and remixed by Soulcast, Thomas Gold.  Danny Krivit has amazing edit also. Here is the original 12" mix version in it's full glory and the amazing re-edited remix from Dimitri From Paris.  Enjoy!

I Want Your Love (12" Mix) - Chic

I Want Your Love (Dimitri From Paris Remix) - Chic

Disco Photography: Limo madness

Steve Rubell, ?, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, ?,?,?

Love Talk

Thirteen minutes of pure disco bliss!  "Love Talk" by American session musician James Gilstrap.  Mr. Gilstrap is known for his 1975 solo hit single "Swing Your Daddy" as well as singing co-lead to the theme from the TV series Good Times.  Earlier in his career he was one of the backing vocalists for some of Stevie Wonder's most endearing albums.  He actually sang the opening two lines of "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" with Lani Groves singing the next two lines.  Gilstrap went on to release two solo LP's during the '70s, Swing Your Daddy and Love Talk.  Here is "Love Talk" in its full glory. This song is pure epic disco magic! Enjoy

Love Talk - James Gilstrap

Me Voy Ahora, Think Twice and Body and Soul MLK Celebration 2012

It has been almost a week since the last posting and as I promised here is the recap of Body & Soul: MLK Celebration Party.  I arrived later than usual this time and to my benefit since I was planning on staying all the way to the end this time.   The party was in full force upon arrival and thanks to the Webster Hall and Body and Soul staff for the unexpected VIP treatment I received.  It was a very easy and quick entrance.   The music was in full swing with the magic of Joe Claussell, Francois K and Danny Krivit.  Highlights from the evening included the beautiful "Bambara" by Joe Claussell, the festive call and response "Happy Birthday" by Stevie Wonders,  house classic "Shake Your Body" by Jeanette "J.T." Thomas.  Other highlights included the amazing " Pride (In The Name Of Love)" by U2. It was cathartic to be dancing to this song in 2012 on a big dance space with a mostly African American crowd.  The evening ended with a slew of dance classics too many to mention with Joe Claussell joining the dance floor at the end when all the balloons came down.  To sum up here are two songs that I don't think were even played but I feel sums up the quality and spectrum of songs played during the whole evening.  First, here is "Me Voy Ahora" by  Ismael Miranda which is beautifully remixed by Joe Claussell from his must have record Hammock House: Africa Caribe.  Also, here is The Detroit Experiment's "Think Twice" (Henrick Schwarz Remix) Thank you B&S for keeping the real tradition of dancing and becoming one on the dance floor alive in NYC! Enjoy

Me Voy Ahora - Joe "Joaquin" Claussell and Ismael Miranda

Think Twice (Henrick Schwarz Remix) - The Detroit Experiment

Tonite

"Tonite" I'm going to Body and Soul and I'm so excited and I cannot hide it!  Looking forward to what will no doubt be a legendary evening in celebration of Martin Luther King's birthday.  I will sure report back to you my readers and listeners during the upcoming posts what surprises will bring the legendary trio of Joe Clausell, Danny Krivit and Francois K.  In the meantime, I will like you with this amazing early Basement Boy's  '90s classic by Those Guys that seems very fitting.  Enjoy!

On A Rien A Perdre

It is freezing out and it finally feels like Winter is here in our beloved city.  So to warm you up, here are some truly astonishing disco tunes from Saint Tropez.  Taken from the 1978 album Belle de Jour,  "Fill My Life With Love" will inspire you to well,  fill your life with love, specially during those cold winter nights.  Enjoy!

Fill My Life With Love - Saint Tropez

Like many disco groups of the '70s, Saint Tropez was a producers' creation, in this case of American producers Laurin Rinder and W. Michael Lewis who had already been successful with disco groups El Coco and Le Pamplemousse.  Saint Tropez was composed of a female menage-a-trois of three hot ladies doing some Lesbian chic.  Belle de Jour was the follow up after the success of Je T'aime which gave Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin's well know classics some pornesque disco symphony treatments. My personal favorite from Je T'Aime is the feel good "On A Rien A Perdre" (It Has Nothing To Loose), a song that is entirely sung in French but sometimes the chorus sounds like they are questioning themselves if they are "..am I in a better mood" so here it is so listen for yourself and see if this can  put you in a better mood.  Enjoy!

On A Rien A Perdre - Saint Tropez

I'm Fascinated Until The Day

I went to 718 Sessions this past New Years day and it was great as usual.  Danny Krivit brought the house down with his usual blend of old and new.  Highlights where an amazing instrumental tribal that segued into the Company B's "Fascinated".  Company B was formed in 1986 from the trend of Miami inspired girl groups from the late '80s.  It was produced by Cuban-American Ish "Angel" Ledesma. This song created such a buzz in the clubs that it was widely released and became a giant mainstream pop hit.  I haven't heard this song in ages and upon hearing it on a loud sound system it reminded me of the power of free style house and it brought me back to the days dancing at the New Orleans' gay establishment The Bourbon Pub.  So here it is the  glorious Club Mix for your enjoyment!

Fascinated (Club Mix) - Company B

Other highlights included an amazing remix of Fast Eddie's house anthem "Let's Go" which cleared the palette for the sublime Murk/Funky Green Dog's "Until The Day".  Murk is the Cuban-American  duo composed of Ralph Falcon and Oscar Gaetan that pretty much defined the '90s house sound. and let me tell you that the pounding power of this '90s house classic combined with the vocals of Tamara Wallace took the dancers on a rapture.  Enjoy

Until The Day - Funky Green Dogs

Running Back To You

Here is a sweet and fresh tune to start us off this 2012. This saccharine '80s synth inspired sampling of the Ashanti/ Notorious B.I.G. hit "Foolish" aptly titled "Running Back To You". The song was conceived by a production team called Perseus from French Express record label and  have released three original tunes on an EP titled Russian Girls.   I highly recommend to give a listen to all the three songs.  It felt great to hear this song during this frigid weather we've been experiencing in the city late. Enjoy!

Running Back To You - Perseus