Love Without Boundaries

Disco Monk 2013

Happy New Year! I have been traveling quite a bit and just got back to NYC!  The only wish I have for the new year is to love without boundaries and of course health and prosperity, here is to 2014!  Here is a great mix courtesy of Occupy The Disco to get you in the right mood for tonight. Enjoy!

Dolemite Christmas

Season Greetings from Disco Monk.  Getting ready to go south to spend time with family so I thought this would be quite fitting by The Rudy Ray Moore Christmas Album. I think it's good and fun to put you in the right spirit.  Wishing a great holiday with your loved ones! Enjoy!

Dolemite Christmas - The Rudy Ray Moore Christmas Album

New York, New York

Here is an experimental and seminal production that hints at the origins of house and hip pop.  Produced in 1981 by Dennis Kelley AKA DeeKay Jones, the track was not wildly received back in the day.  The label has decided to re-release it as an EP titled Jones Comin' Down with two previously unreleased tracks and a remix by Hercules Love Affair.  The song is brilliant and it clearly captures the spirit of experimentation in dance music of that era. Enjoy!

New York, New York - DeeKay Jones

and here is the remix by HLA! Really nice

World Aids Day

In memory of those who left us and those who are fighting it! Here are two amazing songs that bring me sadness and hope at the same time. 

Jail Bait

Here is an amazing compilation by Jerome Derradji cataloguing the story of Chicago's underground house scene from 1985-89. The seminal and peak years of house music.  All of the songs here are underground and enlighten any jaded house music connoisseur.  Here is Ben Mays "Jail Bait". One of the standouts among the many! Click on the title and Enjoy

 Jail Bait - Men Mays

Disco Photography

Dance floor

Pressured

Yes, it has been quite some time since I have posted in here. Not by choice since lot's of stuff going on this time of year and the same goes for some great new releases this month. As you can see, dance music keeps evolving and I'm not sure where and how so I always find myself going back to the glorious roots.  Here is an interesting one done by an intriguing production duo by the name of Adesse Versions  with a song titled "Pressured" recently released on White Label.  Doing some incredible  service to underground '90s house, this is a amazing take on Jhelisa's 1994 beautiful song, "Friendly Pressure" bringing you back and of course here is the original version for desert! Enjoy!

Pressured-Adesse Versions

Friendly Pressure - Jhelisa

Larry Levan

It was today that 21 years ago we lost pioneer DJ Larry Levan.  Here is the link of great homage from Disco Delivery and had to re-blog his legendary released mix from 1979.  The feeling of this mix speaks for itself as a testament of his brilliance that will always continue to shine on. Enjoy!

Disco Photography: Hip Hop at Danceteria

Hip Hop at Danceteria

 Happy Friday and here are some of my favorite early Hip Hop that inspired this picture I found taken at Danceteria during it's heyday.  Enjoy!

White Lines (Don't Don't It) - Grandmaster and Melle Mel

On The Wheels of Steel - Grandmaster Flash

New York, New York - Granmaster Flash & The Furious Five

The Next Day: Extra

By far the best album of the year is clearly David Bowie's The Next Day.  After ten years in hiatus, the beauty, purity and longevity of his twenty fourth studio release that came unannounced during his sixty sixth birthday was pure genius with a collection of songs all bound to be classics. Tony Visconti produced it and recreated the magic that pretty much changed the face of music.  Extra has just been released with five new songs and two remixes.  Here is the remix of "Love is Lost" by non other than DFA's James Murphy. Pure brilliance!

One of my favorite photos of Bowie

Disco Photography

Crowd on the dance floor at Hurrah 1979

Strandbar

So happy to hear the latest by brilliant Norwegian Disco wizard Todd Terje! This beautiful floor banger  is seamlessly evoking the golden age of Disco and House.  This is a fantastic production starts with a some funk infused beats that morph into some the best orgasmic house ever! You can catch Terje's amazing skills live this coming November 11th at Brooklyn's Output. Enjoy!

 

Love Has Come My Way

To celebrate this weekend here is a lush, glamorous and epic disco song by Tony Valor Sounds Orchestra. "Love Has Come My Way" the title song from their 1978 LP Love Has Come My Way.  This amazing '70s disco orchestra is known for their 1977 fabulous floor filler "Ma-Mo-Ah" which by the way it was the way Barry White used to call his mother.  This is pure disco lush orchestration in the tradition of Bebu Silvetti yet it had its own distinctive sound. Enjoy

Love Has Come My Way - Tony Valor Sounds Orchestra

She Can't Love You

Happy Saturday! Here is a sweet 1982 campy dance floor filler "She Can't Love You" by Chemise. Very little is known from this singer but I'm enjoying the upbeat tempo and great synthesizer hooks here. Enjoy!

She Can't Love You - Chemise

Free Man

 

Oh Yes!  Enjoy this beautiful Sunday with this amazing disco classic. The unreleased Tom Moulton acetate 12" version by South Shore Commission.  The break of this song in stunning. Now I got to go and be one with nature! Enjoy

Free Man - South Shore Commission

Elle

Hard to believe this amazing house masterpiece is already ten years old!.  I remember hearing this song for the first time during a random Body & Soul party and was pretty much mesmerized  by the sublime percussion, hypnotic guitar that added such intense  drama on the dance floor to the point of tears.  Yes, I'm going there! This dance masterpiece was created by French Dj and producer Gregory Darsa who began his career playing house music in France during the nineties after becoming influenced by his frequent visits to New York. Later he  collaborated with Bob Sinclair as Africaninsm delivering  international club hits such as "Block Party" and "Tourment d'Amour".  Gregory's sound is heavily influenced by the percussive African, West Indian and Caribbean flavors and is clearly felt here in this stunning song.  Enjoy!

Bailando El House

Here is a great track by Chilean musician and Dj,  Alenjadro Paz.  Released on Comeme label here is the original and the Dj's Pareja version as well for your listening and jacking (as in dancing) pleasure.  I love this take on raw with a third world feel on dance music!
Enjoy!

El House - Alejandro Paz - Comeme

Troubles Down the Drain: M50A

Here is a remix hot off the oven.  I have been venturing out and to some mindless clubbing lately and was dumbfound on the state of dance music nowadays.  I might be of age but my ears are not. There is nothing interesting out there and everything I heard was geared for drinking!  The best things I heard were classics late in the night so I got home and made this mix out of that frustration! It's a very simple take on Maurizio's "M05A" with some classic acapella's from Indeep's "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life" and "Club Lonely" by Lil Louis & The World sprinkled on top of it.  You can't go wrong with Maurizio's hard pounding sexy minimal and stripped down beats here.  Enjoy!

M05A(Club Lonely Saved My Life on Glamjack's List Remix) - Maurizio

Karen Young: Where Is He

I'm Loving this! West End Records finest!

Where Is He - Karen Young

Vivir Lo Nuestro con La India

Today I ventured out to Far Rockaway beach and later I went to have some arepas at Caracas Rockaway and heard "Vivir lo Nuestro" by India and Marc Anthony.  I haven't heard it in quite some time and was quite moved by it and of course came home and had to do a proper post on the amazing legendary woman.  Linda Viera Caballero better known as India and La Princesa de la Salsa (The Princess of Salsa) as well has many so many powerful songs both in and out of the dance floors that has defined an era and created the soundtrack for millions of people living in and out of NewYork city.   Born in Puerto Rico but soon after her birth her parents moved to the South Bronx.  In 1985 when she was 14 years old she was a founding member  of the Latin Freestyle group TKA then she was signed on Reprise/Warner Bros. Records which planned on marketing her as the Latin version of Madonna but soon after she recorded the album Breaking Night, she decided that she didn't want to take that route in her career. The rest is Salsa and House music history.  This woman has so much passion in her voice that brings chills.  As far as club music history, from her sublime 1994 club classic collaboration with River Ocean "Love & Happiness" to her collaborations with Masters At Work which released some amazing club classics such as "I Can't Get No Sleep" and"To Be In Love" this woman deserves due respect in dance music history.  I'll never forget when I just moved to this great city while living in Spanish Harlem and hearing her salsa music during the day on the streets and then during peak hours at the clubs and that is how we would be bewitched by her voice and music.  Day and night literally.  So here are some of these classics for your enjoyment.  I'm loving La India again!

During the day at the corner bodega it was: 

Vivir Lo Nuestro - India & Marc Anthony

at the club it was:

I Can't Get No Sleep - Masters at Work feat. India 

  and peak hour at the club it was:

and the next day in the mornings during the hangover:

Ese Hombre - India

Radio Morocco

Here is an amazing exotic house find while rummaging through dusty record bins around the neighborhood.  "Radio Morocco" by Pulse 8. I simply love the "pulsing" house beats mixed with the ethnic sounds of Morocco.  It was released in 1989 in the UK and produced by David Harrow.  Enjoy

Radio Morocco ( Club Mix) - Pulse 8

Goin' Up In Smoke

Here is Disco classic by former Temptation's vocalist  Eddie Kendricks "Goin' Up In Smoke". Released 1976 this song became the second most played song at a disco or club after Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby".  I simply love the orchestration of this song with such amazing hooks, breaks and the  beautiful vocals of Mr. Kendricks.  Also, unfortunately, the message of this song couldn't be more poignant with the sad state of our world recently.  Otherwise, Enjoy!

Goin' Up In Smoke (Long Version) - Eddie Kendricks

Haiji Baba 2013

Here is a very eclectic mix with an international world vibe I did back in 2007 and re-vamped it in recently with a couple of newbies towards the end. Enjoy!

Haiji Baba 2013 by Jack Rivas on Mixcloud

Disco Photography: Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury

Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury

I'm digging the sexiness of these two icons on this photo!

I'll Be Around

Here are two versions of one of my favorite songs from the '70s  to shake those Monday blues.  The sublime "I'll Be Around" by The Spinners. This is the original 45 RPM Mono version and then Otis Gayle's strip down reggae version that usually sends chills down my spine every time I listen to it.  Enjoy!

I'll Be Around - The Spinners

I'll Be Around - Otis Gayle

No Way Back by Adonis

The fun of putting another song to a video clip! Enjoy

M-1015

Here is a banging Sylvester tune from his overlooked amazing 1984 release of M-1015 and later re-titled Rock The Box.  The album delved deeply into High NRG and post disco territory spanning some great underground classics such as "Take To Heaven",  the experimental "Rock The Box" and the beautiful and timeless "Love Is Really My Game".   Here, I'm featuring "Sex". Enjoy!

Sex - Sylvester

Disco Photography: Grace and Tina

Grace Jones and Tina Turner. 1981

I"m Not Scared of My Own Devices

Here is a fresh mix hot from the oven to all my Pet Heads out there! Hope you enjoy it

Gay Pride!

It has been quite a while since I have attended a NYC Gay Pride parade and it was way too corporate for my taste but nevertheless it was a great celebration of freedom specially with the recent federal ruling on behalf of gay marriage. So there I was standing on 5th Ave watching the revelry and heard this classic from one of the floats and let me tell you that it made everyone dance hard, at least where I was standing.  So here it is in it's full glory for your enjoyment.  Tehcnotronic feat. Felly "Pump Up The Jam".  Happy Gay Pride!

NYC Gay Pride. June 30th, 2013. Photo: Jack Rivas

Pump Up The Jam - Technotronic featuring Felly

Contigo with Bebu Silvetti

It's Sunday, a gorgeous day here in the city and here is an amazing orgasmic disco instrumental by one of my favorite composers of the '70s Bebu Silvetti "Contigo". Born in Quilmes, located in the province of Buenos Aires. He lived in Spain and Mexico and later Miami during his last years of his life. Silvetti produced, arranged and composed for a wide variety of Latin and international artists such as Placido Domingo, Luis Miguel, Vicky Carr, Rocio Durcal, Paloma San Basil, Jose Luis Perales, Juan Gabriel and Ricardo Montaner. Pretty much the cream of the crop of Latin American performers.  I never tired of listening to his work. Enjoy

Contigo - Bebu Silvetti

Giorgio Moroder's played his first live DJ set last night!

Last night the legendary Giorgio Moroder played his first DJ at Brooklyn's Output and here it is for your listening pleasure! Enjoy

Happy Birthday Miss Grace Jones

... and many many more to the diva of all divas!  Love from Disco Monk

The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game (Long Version) - Grace Jones

Feel Up - Grace Jones

Disco Photography: Chaka

He-She

While browsing on the facebook I came across this intriguing album cover and had to find out more about it.  I was able to locate the song "He-She".  This was produced by Wilfred de Faria from the Netherlands in 1974.  We don't know who Roberto is but it might as well be Wilfred himself. The sound is a blend of country, blues and disco. As you can see the cover is over the top and this song!  I'll let you decide for yourself so here it is for your listening pleasure and thanks Alexis Arquette for posting this amazing album cover.  Enjoy!

He-She - Roberto

Peter Rauhofer

So sad to hear the shocking news of the passing of DJ extraordinaire Peter Rauhofer! Every remix this amazing Austrian Dj and producer put his hands on became big room anthems and took the dancer into an intense journey on the dance floor.  His residency at the Roxy was legendary as he re-defined late '90s dance music and pretty much ended it when the famous space closed it's doors during the mid '00s.  His moniker Club 69 and Size Queen became essential during any big space club event as well.  He won a Grammy for remixing Cher's "Believe" and the list of artists he worked with was top notch including, Madonna, Janet Jackson,  Pet Shop Boys, Adele, Rihanna, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Yoko Ono,  Pink, Tori Amos, Mariah Carey and many more.   Although I was not a big fun of the lengths of some of his re-mixes and a few of the hard house stuff he did, I understood it and appreciated it whenever I would go to the Roxy.  He was brilliant and I will never forget how his passion spread like wild fire of on that dance floor.  Here are two songs that show the spectrum of his brilliance. His recent  remix of Adele's "Skyfall" epitomizes his unique trademark and my favorite by him, the Pet Shop Boys amazing collaboration for bringing the house classic "Break 4 Love" into new form.  You will be missed and your legacy will never be forgotten.  You are probably turning it out up there in the cosmos!  RIP.

Break For Love - The Collaboration - Pet Shop Boys and Peter Rauhofer 

Skyfall (Peter Rauhofer Big Room Anthem Remix - Adele

Thank you Mr. Vincent Montana JR.

So sad to hear the passing of one of the greatest disco composers, Mr. Vincent Montana Jr. Two years ago I did a posting celebrating his eighty third birthday here: Happy Birthday Mr. Montana  which included a few bits of extensive legacy.   He touched so many people with his greatness and genius pioneering the art of music scoring that transcended grandly on the dance floor.  His music was epic in every sense and on the dance floor, it brought the dancer to a different emotional plateau and new heights. A true legend! Thank you for all the amazing music you gave us.  Your legacy will live on forever!

Vincent Montana Jr. 1928 - 2013

Warp Factor II (12" Version) - Montana

The Rhodes Mix - Montana Orchestra

Salsoul 3001 Also Sprach Zarathustra

Everybody

Madonna at the Lower East Side of Manhattan, 1982

The song that jump started her career.  It was 1982 and  DJ/Producer Mark Kamins who sadly passed away recently of a heart attack,  produced it and brought it to Sire Records president to sign her a two song deal this yet unknown dancer.  Madonna performed live during his residency at legendary seminal club Danceteria .  It became huge at the clubs, it used live drums and keyboard and her vocals were not as polished  and yet the sense of urgency in her voice put a spell on the dance floor. "Everybody"  t had an amazing R&B infused beat, it was raw and you couldn't escape it! Here is the Dub version. Enjoy

It was decided not to put her on the cover wanting to create a mystery and sell copies to the black/r&b market.

Everybody (Dub Version) - Madonna

Love Is In You

We close the weekend with one the most feel good disco songs ever!  Twelve minutes and twenty seven seconds of pure bliss.  This song was released in 1979  by Nightlife Unlimited on Casablanca Records. Nightlife Unlimited was actually two groups. The Canadian outfit burst in the scene in 1979 with "Disco Choo Choo". The first line up consisted of Tony Bentivegna and Johny D'Orazio (the two constant members) and Louis Toteda and Peter Sciascia (vocals).  "Love Is In You" was their biggest on the dance floors I would guess this would be played during peak times or at the end of the night.  Nightlight Unlimited continued during the early part of the '80s with a different line up trying to match the shifting nature of dance music but never captured the lush and magical quality of this fabulous disco. Enjoy!

Love Is In You - Nightlife Unlimited