It's Gay Pride weekend in New York City and we are celebrating 43 years of the Stonewall Inn uprising which became a turning point and symbol for gay, lesbian, bi and transgender liberation. I have celebrated many gay prides in different cities but nothing compares to the vitality we have here in our city. Here are two songs that to me, captures the spirit and the wide spectrum to celebrate such occasion. Although not explicitly with a gay message, we have "Elements", a song that was on heavy rotation at the Tunnel and then club Vinyl during the later part of the '90s which brings back the glory days of big dance venues that sadly no longer exist due to the Internet and the commercialization of the city. Produced by legendary DJ Danny Tenaglia and released December of 1997 and later on his debut LP Tourism, in his own voice, the song tells us a recipe or guidelines "elements" needed to make a great underground dance track. If there is soundtrack to that era of communal dancing that began the movement of Tribal dance music during that period of New York club history, this one would be high on my list. The other song featured here is Al Tanner's "Doing Our Own Thang" from the amazing rare disco compilation release from last year: The Best Of Disco Demand. This one brings back a '70s Fire Island vibe full of hedonism and camp with a throbbing bass and funk with the fabulous lyrics of freedom to do our own thing many times over. So let's continue the fight to do our own thing without any judgement. It's our right! Happy Gay Pride and enjoy!
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