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