Bailando

Here is a very alluring, sweet and silly tune called "Bailando" by Spanish early '80s Pop/New Wave band Alaska y los Pegamoides to put you in the mood this Saturday night.  The band was formed in 1979 from some of the members after the break up of a band called Kaka de Luxe (loving the name by the way). Originally the band was composed of Alaska, Nacho Canut, Manolo Campoamor and Carlos Berlaga and went on to add more members later.  The band was short lived while they enjoyed success in Spain and in other underground discos around Europe. The played live around the clubs in Madrid and Barcelona during that seminal time in music where the lines of disco, punk and new wave were blurred. Their last live gig was in November of 1982 at a discotheque called Yoko Lennon (loving the name also) in Bilbao. This song is nothing short of disco fabulousness.  It was released both in English and an Spanish.  The Spanish version is way more campy and offers more breaks than the English one.  I have heard that this song is getting a new revival on the dance floors of now.  This song is great to hear during those sweaty nights out wherever you find yourself this summer even if is in the pleasure of your own living room. Just watch out for your neighbors 'cause this song is meant to be played loud and of course dance. Enjoy!

Bailando - Alaska y los Pegamoides  

I Don't Smoke

Don't be misled by the title, in fact it might make you want to do the opposite upon hearing this song. Or  not.  However you take it, the message here is irrelevant and the fact is that this tune has been making waves ever since it debuted during a live set Matias Aguayo  did on Beats In Space.  That's where I heard this song first and haven't been able to get this song out of my head.  I recently did a posting on Rebolledo and promised to do a feature focusing on  Mr. Aguayo.  So here it is. Born in 1973 in Santiago, Chile and for many years now simply a citizen of the whole world.  He is a true original with a unique vision among electronic music performers and composers.  Influenced by a variety of music genres and rhythms,  Aguayo began his career organizing events, djing at the legendary Liquid Sky parties in Cologne, Germany and then became part of the project Closer Musik where he released his first album on Kompakt in 2002 and took flight. His voice and productions ever since have become a trademark of electronic sexiness and deep techno grooves.  He released a song titled "Minimal" in 2008 successfully critiquing the vacuous nature "minimal techno".  Soon after, Matias tired of the Eurocentric techno went even further to explore inspirations in South America starting street parties and free club spaces in Buenos Aires where he teamed up with Diego Morales in Santiago de Chile, Daniel Maloso in Mexico where he founded the label Comeme.  His gigs are blurred the lines between live performance and dj sets mixing house, swing, italo disco, kwaito, techno, electro, tribal huarachero, cumbia and Colombian champeta.  This song is just another example of his constant flow of unique, raw and much needed eclecticism in dance music.  Enjoy!

I Don't Smoke - Matias Aguayo

Can't Believe

Here is a dance classic that I have recently re-discovered recently.  I have heard it before on some mix by either from Francois K or Danny Krivit as a speeded up snippet and but never from beginning to end.  So here is the full glorious unaltered version for you to enjoy.  Nancy Martin's actual name is Nancy Catherine Julia Martinez and was born in Rosemount, Montreal.  She studied classical piano at a young age and singing during high school.  Nancy worked at clubs and parties before becoming a background singer.  "Can't Believe" was Nancy's first single and it was released in 1982 under the alias Nancy Martin.  The same year she released another single, "I"m Gonna Get Your Love" under another alias, "Jade".  Both singles received moderate success in her hometown of Canada.  Her first album was released in 1983 titled  Lay It Down  featuring her hit single "So Excited".  Ms. Martinez went on to become well known  singer among club circles during the mid to late '80s.  She still continues to make music.

Can't Believe (12" Version) - Nancy Martinez 

200th Post!

July Mix by Jack Rivas on Mixcloud

To celebrate the 200th post of Disco Monk, I am featuring a "hot" July Mix fresh out of the oven by DJ Glamjack.  So far I have enjoyed sharing with you some of the music that makes my body move and/or elevate my soul.  I wish to be more consistent on the postings in here but life sometimes takes unexpected turns and makes priorities harder to choose.  The July Mix is very eclectic with lots of rarities of old and new that I have been listening recently.  Stand outs are Max Essa Ft. DC Mathias "How Do You Feel" which is already climbing on many DJ's favorite play lists.  I hope you enjoy this mix and use it as a soundtrack for those BBQ parties, layout on the beach, workout, long summer drives, late night house gathering pick up or unwind. It all depends on how you hear it, where, how and when.  Enjoy!

July Mix - Dj Glamjack 




Track Listing:

  1. In D #1 - Arandel
  2. No Hay Problema - Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers
  3. How Do You Feel - Maxx Essa Ft. DC Mathias
  4. Soul Clap - Quantic
  5. Japanese War Game - Koto
  6. Quiet Life - Japan 
  7. Knight Moves (Lone Remix) - Gonzales
  8. Stay Free (Dimitri's Re-Edit) - Ashford & Simpson
  9. Love Can't Turn Around (Intro Acapella) - Darryl Pandy
10. Some Lovin' (Deep Dub) - Liberty City
11. Summer Rain - Bebu Silvetti
12. Miss Broadway - Belle Epoque
13. Inner City Blues - James Last
14. Far Nearer - Gil Scott Heron & Jamie XX

Disco Photography

Cher and Sylvester at the 1978 Disco Convention Banquet. Photo Michael Patterson.

Gil Scott Heron 1949 - 2011

I'm back here with a much needed homage to the great Gil Scott Heron.  Born in Chicago and raised in the Bronx, this American soul and jazz poet, musician, and author was known primarily for his work as a spoken word performer in the '70s and '80s, and for his collaborative works with musician Brian Jackson.  His collaborative efforts with Jackson featured a musical fusion of jazz, blues, and soul, as well as lyrical content concerning social and political issues of the time, delivered in both rapping and melismatic vocal styles by Schott-Heron.  His own term for himself was "bluesologist", which he defined as "a scientist who is concerned with the origin of blues.  The music of these albums, most notably Pieces of a Man and Winter in America in the early '70s, influenced and helped engender later African-American music genres such a hip hop and neo soul.  His recording work has received much critical acclaim, especially for one of his most well known compositions "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". His poetic style has been influential upon every generation of hip hop since his popularity began.  In addition to being widely considered an influence in today's music, Scott Heron remained active until his death, and in 2010 released his first new album in 16 years, a collaboration with Jamie XX, entitled I'm New Here.  It is difficult to choose the right songs where there are so many that would do justice to the amazing depth, power and musical range from this beautiful soul.  I'll start with a dance classic "The Bottle" from his masterpiece LP Winter In America.  "The Bottle" still sounds relevant on any dance floor today and I can safely say that this was probably a sort of  blue print for most of the house music from the late '80s and here it is:

The Bottle - Gil Scott Heron & Brian Jackson




Then listen to the urgent and poignantly brilliant in your face:

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - Gil Scott Heron




The brilliant:

Rivers of my Fathers - Gil Scott Heron




and last but not least the brilliant "housified" re-work of "I'll Take Care Of You" from his 2011 release titled I'm New Here which takes back us full circle to the dance floor:

I'll Take Care Of You - Gil Scott Heron & Jamie XX




Amazing work! RIP and long live Gil Scott Heron

Sha-Lor

My apologies for taking so long to post here.  This is one of my favorite things to do since I love to share with you the gift of Disco.  It has been a crazy past month, with resuming and culminating projects, artistic endeavors and on top of that home renovations! We are almost deep into Summer here in the city and what better way to kick start it with hot house classic by Sha-Lor called "I'm In Love".  Little is known about his classic of house except that it was released in 1989 and it was produced here in my neighborhood of Brooklyn by Ben Cenac and Bob Crafton for Jam-On-Production.  This classic song needs to be re-visited! There four versions of this song.  Here is the Caught Up Version which is my favorite.   Recently I heard Lady Miss Kier of Deee Lite fame drop this song during one of her DJ gigs in Brooklyn at a venue  called The Red Lotus Room in Crown Heights.  I love it and hope you enjoy!

I'm In Love (Caught Up Version) - Sha-Lor