Giv New York City nightlife luv

New York City nightlife is back! Last night I had the pleasure of dancing to the stylings from my favorite party DJs Severino Panzetta and Jim Stanton simply known as Horse Meat Disco at Santos Party House.  It has been quite a while since I ventured out to see some nightlife and indeed it was quite memorable to my surprise.  These amazing duo served us flawlessly on the dance floor and it was a rare feast to see so many beautiful New Yorkers putting down their phones and doing some serious dancing for a change.  The night was filled with their fabulous and unique brand of disco and early '90s house.  The highlight was dancing to the amazing mid '90s classic "Giv Me Luv" by Alcatraz and was transported back to the Roxy.

Kembra Pfahler singing "Why Can't We Be Friends"

The icing on the cake during the night was served by legendary performance art/rock group Kembra Pfahler along with her voluptuous ladies doing an rendition of War's "Why Can We Be Friends" decked out in their usual fabulous nakedness and body paint/make-up which was also shared with the audience while splattering eggs filled with paint from Kembra's vagina.  All of this gorgeous madness was set around a sculpture of a giant mirrored disco penis created by sculptor Urs Fisher.  It's so refreshing to see this fabulousness happening again in NYC! A nice blend of dancing, art and disco which are some of my favorite things. It was true legendary and unforgettable night!  Enjoy

Giv Me Luv (Original Mix) - Alcatraz

Disco Photography

"Disco Penis", Sculpture by Urs Fisher.

A new club classic!

Happy Friday! Hands down my new favorite club classic so far this decade is "At The Club" by Lynn Lockamy and Tim Regisford to put you in the mood.  Trinidad born, Regisford  is know for his brand of soulful dance music.. He started in 1985 at WBLS radio station in New York City where he soon became Music Director for the station. He then moved on into productions for such incredible dance acts as Loose Ends and Colonel Abrams.  His remixes are truly legendary and powerful.  He is also the founder of the Shelter parties here in the city where his is the resident DJ and continues to deliver amazing classics and here is one from 2010 that is already a classic in my book. Enjoy!

At The Club  - Timmy Regisford feat. Lynn Lockamy 

Disco Photography: Disco World

Blackout

"The lights come on, the lights go off, blackout, at the flick of god's switch..."

Half of Manhattan is experiencing a blackout due to hurricane Sandy and it's Halloween! Here is a house classic that I couldn't resist posting by house legend Lil Louis. It was first featured on his classic LP From The Mind Of Lil Louis and then released as a single 12".  "Blackout" (Phase I and II) have all the drama that a classic house song should have and then some. On that note, I'm wishing everyone a safe Halloween and my prayers goes out to everyone affected by this horrible catastrophe that has 

befallen upon our great city. 

Blackout (Phase I) - Lil Louis 

Blackout (Phase II) - Lil Louis

Leaving

"Leaving" for a short break and I'm "leaving" you with my favorite electronic dance and pop duo of all time, Pet Shop Boys.  Back to form with their signature style of dance and still breaking new ground in the midst of so much saturated and unfocused music, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe are still reminding us that there is a more simple, sublime and beautiful side of electronic music that we can actually believe in and is able take us to another space.  With that same spirit, I have decided to take a temporary hiatus from Disco Monk as life takes on many turns.  I'll be back soon. I love you and enjoy!

Leaving (Believe In PSB Remix) - Pet Shop Boys

What's Going On

Happy Saturday! It seems like Summer does not want to leave us yet so far in our great city! What's going on? Here is classic to put you in the right mood.  There are several remixes and re-edits of Marvin Gaye's epic song "What's Going On" out there and of course, nothing will surpass the beauty and purity of the original, however here is one that has moved me literally.  It is featured as a double package on Gamm label by a duo of producers and dj's called Revivra Alias Estephe & Vulzor.   The song is reworked and added a more four on a four feel, the break is pure bliss. Enjoy!

What's Going On (Revivra Alias Estephe & Vulzor) - Marvin Gaye

Revisiting Post: Hyper-Ballad

We start this October month with single handily the most beautiful and haunting song of the '90's, "Hyper-ballad". Released in 1995,  on Post which was her third studio album and a true masterpiece of musical explorations.  The album received critical praise and it's considered top on the list of the best album during the past twenty five years.  Rolling Stone magazine declared it as part of their 500 Greatest Albums of all time. Every song is a stroke of genius. She recorded it in 1994 in the Bahamas for Compact Point Studios.   Hyper-ballad was inspired by a dream and it's about a person who hides their destructive nature from their partner by "throwing little things off" a cliff.  I vividly remember being a recent transplant living in New York city as an art student doing my own explorations with media and was so inspired by this album to the point of doing a video using "It's Oh So Quiet" as the springboard for a performance wearing a vest made out of bubble wrap with blue paint on each bubble, white balloons on my head and a skirt made out of jello.  Here is video still of yours truly! Enjoy

"Quiet" Performance at Parsons School of Design

Hyper-ballad - Bjork

and here is the fierce classic mix by David Morales for you dance floor pleasure!

Hyper-ballad (David Morales Classic Mix) - Bjork

Disco Photography: NYC Club Royalty

Empress Chi Chi Valenti and DJ/Recording Artist Johnny Dynell. Photo: Paul Brissman

The Kingfish

The Kingfish entrance

 The year was 1987,  a friend of mine took me to Lafayette, Louisiana for the first time and introduced me to this amazing place that now lives in the pantheon among the best clubs in the south.   The place was actually located just outside Lafayette city limits in Breaux Bridge right close to the bayou. The place would open Saturdays from 2 A.M. to noon the next day as an after hours venue where the real party took place.  It had a huge parking lot in the front filled with underage teens hanging out in hopes to get inside this shrine of dance music madness fueled by a rainbow of drugs.

the famous parking lot

A warehouse in the middle of nowhere where all inhibitions were null and everybody was welcomed regardless of race, class and sexual orientation right in the big ole south. The Kingfish was pretty much my indoctrination to the idea of a rave before it was even called a rave or a club space where dancing was priority.  The music was very eclectic with a mixture of house, industrial, goth, free style, techno, synth pop, R&B and even rock. The place even had it's own dances such as "grabbing a rail" and "feeding the chickens".

Inside the Kingfish

There was so much X in that place alone that if word that the police was on its way,  people would drop so many drugs that the dance floor would be filled with the pills.  I was there for the dancing and the music for the most part and I must say that the sound system was quite amazing, Razormaid remixes ruled and the Dj's knew how to work the crowd.  As always, good things had to come to an end and the place was shut down towards the early '90s after so many raids due to it's bad reputation of excessive drug use and its sad after effects.  The place had several reincarnations later under different names but never captured the euphoric glory of the early years as the socio-economic landscape in the south shifted as well.   Choosing what songs to feature here has been quite a challenge and I tell you that I feel like I've experienced a musical rabbit hole while researching the extensive playlists found on several blogs.  Here are a few of the songs I feel captured some of the feeling of the club knowing the spectrum here will never do justice to the eclectic and extensive repertoire played by the Dj's.  For more info on the entire playlist go to The Fish - Robert's Blog  which was a great resource for this posting. Enjoy!

Umo Detic - Fahrenheit

Peanuts - Telex

Supersonic - JJ Fad

The Magician (Razormaid Mix) - Secession

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I'll Give It To You

"I'll Give It To You (Come Get It)" and it's my birthday today so I will celebrate it with a campy house song from 1987.  How this house classic escaped me during the late '80s, I don't know so I was thrilled to recently discover this great house tune by Jomanda.  Jomanda was an American female house-music vocal trio from New Jersey. Members included Joanne Thomas, Cheri Williams, and Renne Washington. They were known for their early '90s hit "Got A Love For You" and the underground house and dance floor anthem "Make My Body Rock".  This song was engineered by Kevin Hedge and written by Derek Jenkins.  There are four versions of this song.  Here is the Seduction mix for your listening pleasure.  Enjoy!

I'll Give It To You (Come Get It) Seduction Mix - Jomanda

Native New Yorker: Lillian Lopez R.I.P.

We start this September month on a sad note honoring the voice of the late Lillian Lopez who passed away this past Tuesday, September 4th at the age of 76 due to complications with cancer.  Ms. Lopez along with sister Louise formed the group Odyssey with singer Tony Reynolds.  The group didn't put that many albums but the few they did became instant dance floor classics.  Released in 1977, "Native New Yorker" is the "other" New York anthem in my book with lyrics that surprisingly still rings true about our beloved city.  The song was written by Sandy Linzer and Danny Randell for the group. It reached number five on the UK charts. In the US, the song went to number three on the disco chart. The song has been recorded by Frankie Valli, Esther Phillips and Black Box.   Nothing can beat the sultry voice passion of Ms. Lopez.  Your legacy will live on forever. 

Lillian Lopez 1936-2012

Native New Yorker - Odyssey   

“Runnin’ pretty, New York City girl
Twenty-five, thirty-five
Hello, baby, New York City girl

You grew up ridin’ the subways, running with people
Up in Harlem, down on Broadway
You’re no tramp, but you’re no lady, talkin’ that street talk
You’re the heart and soul of New York City”

Janice

Happy Labor Day! Here is a Salsoul dance classic to put you in the mood.  "Janice (Don't Be So Blind To Love)" by Skip Mahoney.  Released in 1980, this disco gem never disappoints with the flawless production by James Purdie and arrangement by Matthew Allen.   This mix is by legendary Dj Bobby "DJ" Guttadaro.  Guttadaro became one of the first DJ's that made a name for himself in the 70's and transition from the decks to mixing and remixing.  Rumor has it he used to party hardy with the late Whintey Houston. He was the resident dj at the Ice Palace in Fire Island and contributed to the music selection for the Casablanca Records and Filmworks soundtrack  Thank Got It's Friday. In Manhattan, he was the resident dj at Le Jardin and Infinity. He also did many mixes for the early development period of Disconet.  Sadly he was one of the first Dj's who succumbed and passed from AIDS in the '80s.  I'm sure he is one of the leading Dj's in Disco Heaven.  This is a gorgeous song that will sure lift up.  Enjoy!

Janice (Don't Be So Blind To Love) - Skip Mahoney

Two Man Sound: Que Tal America

Last night I was watching a funny heartfelt Peruvian film titled Octubre about a money lender. The funniest part was when a borrower was giving his record collection as collateral and one of the records was Two Man Sound's dance classic Disco Samba.   Two Man Sound was a Belgian pop trio from the 70's that combined disco with samba and bossa nova.  Their signature hit  was "Charlie Brown" and the medley "Disco Samba" which became a huge hit in Europe in 1980.  "Que Tal America" was quite the underground disco anthem in New York City during the mid to late '70s.  So here it is in it's full extended glory for your disco pleasure.  Enjoy!

Que Tal America - Two Man Sound

1900 Yesterday by Betty Everett

  So crazy what's going on in this country with handguns! Something has got to change! On an lighter note, it's Friday and I'm so happy to feature this gorgeous song by Betty Everett.  Lately, I have been entering lots of vinyl that's been sitting on my shelves for months and finally have the precious time to do it.  And speaking of time here is "1900 Yesterday" from her 1969 LP  There'll Come A Time .  Ms. Everett was an American sould singer and pianist, best known for her hit single, the million-selling "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In his Kiss)". There'll Come A Time is an amazing record from beginning to end. It was co-written and produced by lead singer of The Chi-Lites, Eugene Record.  Also, Ms. Everett did a beautiful version of "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys.  Ms. Everett is no longer with us but her beautiful music and spirit lives on! Enjoy

1900 Yesterday - Betty Everett

First Sparkle: Cécile and Refleksie

It's vacation time and sorry I haven't tended this blog properly; however,  with time on my hands, I have been entering some amazing vinyl that's long been sitting on my shelves and excited to post new material.  Speaking of, here is a dance number that keeps on giving and to tell you the truth, I can't quite pin this one yet but one thing for sure it hasn't escaped my mind in weeks already.  "First Sparkle" is by Cécile and Refleksie, a collaboration between Milan-based duo Carlo Dall'Amico (Cécile) and Matteo Lavagna (Refleksie) whom have previously recorded as Esperanza.  There is a sunny, psychedelic take on dance music here with some intense hungry bass.  In "First Sparkle", a chorus from 1950's easy listening is layered with some amazing disco breaks and a great modular acid bass line that reminds me a bit of late '80s S'Express stripped down.  Enjoy!

First Sparkle - Cécile and Refleksie

Disco Photography

Disco Dancing at the Cove Cabaret, Superior, Wisconsin, 1981. Photo: Bob King/Duluth Herald

Centipede

Rain, rain and more rain today in the city and here is a song that's been on my mind lately "Centipede" by Rebbie Jackson.  The eldest of the Jackson children the song was released in 1984 as the debut single from her first LP.  The song was written and produced by her brother Michael in 1984 at the hight of Thriller.  It reached #4 on Billboard's R&B chart, and was certified gold.  It was Rebbie's first and last single despite releasing more albums and a handful of singles. I discovered that singer Martha Wash actually sings some of the lead adlibs and was never credited for it.  Ironically, that is one my favorite parts of this song that brings it home with such power to this cool and soothing '80s mysterious song.  Enjoy!

Centipede - Rebbie Jackson

Isolee: Beau Mot Plage

Here is a house classic that makes sense during our last leg of this summer, "Beau Mot Plage" by Isolee.  The song title  means "beach beautiful word" and it  revolutionized house music and techno.  The song was created by German minimal techno producer Rajko Muller and  it propelled the term microhouse to the front.   It means stripping house music to a more minimal and sparse aesthetic by adding clicks, static, glitches, and small bits of noise where artists often experiment with different forms of sampling to achieve this effect. I remember hearing the sophistication of this tune for the first time and it blew mind.  In my book, this song pretty much kick started the twenty first century of dance music. It has been featured in countless DJ mixes and has been re-worked and re-conceptualized several times.   Nothing can beat the original though, as well as the Freedom Reform Parts I and II featured here.   The song still sounds as good and fresh as it was twelve years ago.  Enjoy!

Beau Mot Plage (Freedom Reform Parts I and II) - Isolee

Saschienne: Unknown

I'm simply loving this "romantic techno" sound by German couple Saschienne.  One of Germany's great Techno producers, Sascha Funce together with his wife, the multi-instrumentalist and singer Julianne Desagnne have delivered a record rich in beauty with intricate melodies that harmonize very well with classic instrumentation combined with a simple driving techno sound giving us a uniquely human feel to all the songs from this brilliant record .  Released on German's premier record label, Kompakt in May of this year, this couple are exploring the discord that a great love can bring along with the harmony and bliss reflected clearly on the whole LP.  The visceral title song "Unknown" brings chills upon hearing Julianne's voice "This unknown...keep us together, bring us closer" with such an open attitude that can help the listener to dig deeper into this "unknown".  Here is the title song for your listening pleasure along with amazing "Cache".  I'm singling out this record as the best of 2012! Enjoy!

Unknown - Saschienne

Cache - Saschienne

300th Post! Summer Mix '12: For Two

This is Disco Monk's 300th post! In the tradition of this blog here is a new remix titled Summer Mix '12: For Two.  This mix explores the theme of the story line as told through songs with a slightly summer feel.  See if you can figure it out.  This one is an eclectic composition of songs starting with a stunning jazz song by Maynard Ferguson.  The mix as a whole has  a healthy dose of late '80s and early 90's house and some exciting new tunes with some unexpected twists and turns as well. There is also a new Glamjack re-edit of MSFB's "Pretty Good Lovin".  Hope you enjoy it and thank you for continuing listening and reading to this labour love.  Enjoy

Summer Mix '12: For Two - Dj Glamjack 

Track List

  1.  Chala Nata - Maynard Ferguson

  2.  Sing It Back - Moloko

  3.  Pretty Good Lovin' (Glamjack Chopped Edit) - MFSB

  4.  Enjoy It Now (Glamjack Sprinkled Mix) - Torture Soul

  5.  Running From The Sun -  The Chromatics

  6.  Play The World - Johnick

  7.  Frankie's Seduction - Frankie "Bones"

  8.  Seduction (Club Mix)- Seduction

  9.  Who Love The Sun (Original) - Nu and Jo Ke

10.  Human Nature (Vins Dub Edit) - Michael Jackson

11.  Sea Hunt - Patrick Cowley

12.  Ai Shi Temasu - International Smoke Signal

13.  To Woo Lady Kong - Chaz Jankel

14.  Keep On Moving (Big Beat A Capella) - Soul II Soul

For Two - Summer Mix '12 by Dj Glamjack on Mixcloud

Put Your Feet To The Beat

Here is a great disco stomper to put you in the mood this hot Saturday summer day by the amazing Ritchie Family.  "Put Your Feet To The Beat" was released on Casablanca Records as the single from their 1979 LP Bad Reputation.  The song marks a new direction from their previous releases as the group abandoned their exotic and kitsch costumes of their earlier incarnations in favor of a more contemporary, sexually provocative style.  The line up by that time has been replaced and consisted of Jacqui Smith-Lee, Theodisia "Dodie" Draher and Ednah Holt. The group was the brainchild the late Jacques Morali who also formed the Village People.  They were never actually sisters and the original line up consisted of four singers Jean Davis, Cassandra Wooten, Gwen Oliver and Nadine Felder. Their first hit single was a rework of the 1930's song "Brazil" in 1975.  The following year they released the concept album Arabian Nights, and it was the single "The Best Disco In Town" that took them into stardom and became a worldwide hit.  The song was essentially a medley of recent disco songs linked together with an original chorus.  Their follow up albums Life Is Music and African Queens were all concept albums featuring songs of a similar theme as suggested by each album title featuring medleys usually running from 15 to 20 minutes.  This one here has more of a Euro-pop disco feel. Enjoy!

Put Your Feet To The Beat - The Ritchie Family

Grace Jones: The Fashion Show and Don't Cry, It's Only The Rhythm

Two months ago I watched the legendary Grace Jones do an incredible rendition of "Slave To The Rhythm",  easily one her biggest hits ever, during the Queen's Jubilee concert while hula hooping at the young age of 64! As expected,  I was stunned by her but also haven't been able to forget the brilliance of this song.  I've been fortunate to see her perform live a couple of times and it has been an unforgettable experience.  As a creative force and ground breaking musician with her abundant contribution to dance music, Miss Grace Jones is a true icon and I could easily devote a whole blog about her music alone.   Instead, I will focus on the album itself since I've been wanting to do a posting dealing with the concept  based on the multi-track. Released in 1985, this masterpiece was solely based on different radical interpretations of this one song.  The entire project was written by Bruce Woolley, Simon Darlow, Stephen Lipson and the legendary Trevor Horn who produced it as well.  He introduced the idea of stripping the track to it's basic form and adding different elements such as voice overs, other instruments using some of the most interesting sound effects created out of a single melody and rhythm.  All the tracks on the album are intercepted with excerpts from a conversation about her life conducted by journalist Paul Morley, which gives the record an autobiographical feel.  Also some of the voice-overs are from actor Ian McShane reciting passages from Jean Paul Goude's biography Jungle Fever.  I'm finding hard to believe that "Slave" was originally intended for Frankie Goes To Hollywood as a follow up to their hit "Relax", but was finally given and rightly so to Miss  Jones.  There have been some other amazing concept albums but never like his one and it's worth revisiting in hopes that this will inspire a trend that seems dormant now.  The entire work is pure brilliance along with the amazing art work cover designed by Jean-Paul Goude, Jones' partner at that time. Here are two song from this brilliant work. Enjoy!

The Fashion Show - Grace Jones

Don't Cry, It's Only The Rhythm

52nd Street: Cool As Ice

Cool As Ice - 52nd Street

Here is a very "cool" song by British jazz-funk and R&B band from Manchester.  The band was picked up by the legendary and seminal Factory Records in 1982.  It was Factory co-owner and Joy Division's manager Rob Gretton and a reluctant partner Tony Wilson that agreed to take a chance on this Funk/soul outfit  that was becoming a new trend at the time which was an unusual sound for a record company known to sign for a more post punk/new wave sound.  Later they were picked up across the sea by AM Records as they went on to garnish some level of success with songs like "Look Into My Eyes" and "Can't Afford".  Unfortunately due to a unsteady rotating cast of members and being caught in the middle of label and management disputes along with the pressures of putting out hits, the band dissolved during the end of the '80s.  Their sound is truly unique with a nice blend of street, hip pop, and synth dance.  They only released one album titled Children of the Night on Virgin records in 1986.  I'm simply loving this song.  Enjoy!

Disco Photography

Disco Dancing at the Cove Cabaret, Superior, Wisconsin, 1981. Photo: Bob King/Duluth Herald

Happy Birthday Larry Levan: Party On

 This weekend we celebrate and honor the birthday of legendary and pioneer DJ and producer, Larry Levan.  This past Friday would have been his 58th birthday and in honor of his legacy here is Pure Energy "Party On". It was released in 1980 on Prism Records.  This endearing call to party on is simply blissful here. I can easily vision how this song probably ripped the Paradise Garage dance floor during its hey day with Levan doing his magic.  You are deeply missed and your legacy still continues as we party on!

Party On - Pure Energy

Taste My Love: House To House feat. Kym Mazelle

 Happy Saturday from NYC! The weather is gorgeous here with a nice mild breeze.  Here is a fierce house classic from 1987 called "Taste My Love" by House to House feat. Kym Mazelle.  It was produced by legendary house icon Marshall Jefferson with Kym Mazelle on vocals.  The song was written by Virgo. This great song was intended to be released for radio in hope to be a commercial hit but it was considered to racy for radio at the time! However, the song did get some radio play in the UK during the late '80s.

 

Marta Acuna: Dance, Dance, Dance

Here is a dreamy classic disco that keeps on giving.  This is the perfect tune to close out an evening of hot summer dancing.  This song was released on P&P records in 1977 and it was produced by the legendary Patrick Adams and it is considered one of his best and most rarest pressing and it was ahead of its time when it was released.  The vocals are by Marta Acuna and unfortunately very little is known about her.   On the other hand, Mr. Adams is a producer, arranger and songwriter. His career spans more than 30 years. He has worked with the likes Sister Sledge, Loleatta Holloway, Bumblebee Unlimited, Universal Robot Band,  Narada Michael Walden and Musique. Among the many, one of Adams's best known recordings is Inner Life's "I'm Caught Up (In a One Night Love Affair)".  His contribution and to Disco and dance music is unparalleled and truly unique.  Enjoy

Dance, Dance, Dance - Marta Acuna

Days Like This

It's hard to believe this song is already ten years old! I stumbled today to this amazing classic and instantly I thought of posting it here  as the perfect antidote for the end of the week.  We all know how it feels to have those hard work weeks  smacked right in the middle of summer and it is days like this where it's nice to stop and just say Thank You!  Produced and performed by soul crooner Shawn Escoffery, "Days Like This" was initially released on vinyl 12" single October 29th,  2001 and I remember how this song healed the dance floor, specially since it was heard months just after the 9/11 attacks.  This song continues to heal.  Bless you Shaun Escoffery and thank you for serving true house! Have a magical weekend and enjoy!

 Days Like This (Dj Spinna Vocal Mix)