Happy Birthday Keith Haring

Keith Haring and Larry Levan at the Garage

Happy Birthday to a very sweet man I never had the pleasure of knowing but feel very connected. You inspire me to be in the moment, give to to community and the love for art! and not to mention dance music! He would have been 60 today! Here is song that makes me think of him. Enjoy and happy weekend!

All I Want To See is All My Friends At Once

Here is a new one paying homage to the underground dance scene. Enjoy!

Here is another short take on the same theme! Also, RIP fabulous fashion genius Azzedine Alaia. There is a big dent in the fashion world!

Happy Birthday Disco Monk!

It has been six years since I started this blog dedicated to dance music and everything else in between.  It has brought me nothing but joy to share my passion for dance music and the real nocturnal and communal world of dance. Thank you for following Disco Monk. I sincerely wish I could post more often but life somehow creeps up on you  by not giving me the proper time for this baby as much as I would like to; however, as the saying goes "it is not about quantity but quality". My monk like devotion always shine just like the mirror balls of the disco halls. 

Here is a picture of NYC's Sound Factory which was the first proper introduction to a real dance shrine where dance music brought joy and magic. What can I say. It was church! I know there were other amazing places that preceded this one but to me this holds a wonderful special place in my heart being the first exposure to the nocturnal world of the dance community in this amazing city. 

So to celebrate the birthday of this blog, here is David Joseph's fabulous 1983 dance classic "You Can't Hide (Your Love) Larry Levan Mix". This track brilliantly bridges disco and house, specially the ending section! Enjoy and here is to many more years of Disco Monk!

 

Disco TV: Rare Larry Levan 1989 video interview

A rare video interview from Larry Levan has recently emerged on YouTube from  what appears from Japan. This is incredible since there is very little footage out there of the man himself adding to his mystique. The video is sort of a  NYC documentary log/time capsule at capturing the dawn of the '80s dance music. The video starts at the now defunct East Village's  Dance Tracks which was one of the last go to places for dance music. I was lucky to go there and catch some great Loft Classic repress on vinyl that now feel like a treasure.  Then on to Vinyl Mania which was the shrine record store for dance music. Then the footage goes to the famous Choice parties where Levan was doing his magic and then clocking at the 41:47 minute mark we get to experience a 10 minute interview with the man himself.  It's quite a treat to hear the man discuss the current state of clubs at the time, house music, sound systems and gives some amazing advice to new club dj's.   Enjoy!

What is The Paradise Garage?

This put a smile on my face today. I was so happy to be part of this event. Thank you Larry Levan for your beautiful spirit and legacy!

What Is The Paradise Garage? from gogoPatience c+p on Vimeo.

Larry Levan Way: Paradise Garage Revisited

The famous logo!

"I Hear Music In The Street"

werking it

Yesterday was pure magic on King street as we celebrated Larry Levan's  spirit and legacy outside the building where the Paradise Garage and Levan reigned "king".  There was a petition to rename the street Larry Levan Way, a membership card photo booth where you could take a picture and also you could actually get a real membership card as a memento as well. Yes, I got mine! But it was all about the music, the people and dancing with Francois K and David De Pino doing their best to capture the spirit by playing some of the favorites that made this a place where music, dancing and freedom became one.  There was also a great performance by disco legend Jocelyn Brown belting out classics such as "I'm Caught Up", "Aint' No Mountain High", Someone Else's Guy", "It's Alright, I Feel It" and "Believe".

Jocelyn Brown giving some fierce disco to the masses

 There was also another great performance by Serious Intention's singer Anthony Malloy doing their seminal house classic "You Don't Know" as we all chanted along oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh...and a heartfelt  homage to the great Frankie Knuckles as we danced to "The Pressure". It was pure bliss, and as someone who's never got the chance to go to the actual party, it was as close as I could get to and kept wishing those garage doors would open and walk up on that famous ramp with it's blinking floor lights while hearing that thumping base getting closer and closer. I'm sure I wasn't the only one with that wish, maybe one day a part of that dream will come true. Who knows.  One thing for sure, we definitely felt Levan was watching over us.  Here are a couple of songs that captured some of that feeling. "Call Me" by Skyy and Serious Intention's "You Don't Know". Enjoy

Paradise Garage street dancing

Call Me - Skyy

Anthony Malloy performing "You Don't Know"

Serious Intention - You Don't Know

photo booth membership card

The Shades Of Love: Keep in Touch (Body To Body)

Warming up for tomorrow's Larry Levan event on King St. with the original 1982 version of Shades of Love's Keep in Touch (Body to Body).  The song was an instant classic at Paradise Garage with Melisa Morgan on vocals.  The remake in 1995 which became hugely popular on the dance floors but nothing compares to the smoothness and beauty of Patrick Adams and Lonnie Johnson's production.  Enjoy!

Keep In Touch (Body to Body) - Shades of Love

A Larry Levan homage in Williamsburg

What a nice surprise to find this Larry Levan homage while walking in the neighborhood! This is actually an ad for an block party that will be held on May 11th on King Street as part of the Red Bull Music Academy Festival and also a petition to rename that street Larry Levan. For more info on the event click here.

Here is a dance classic that pretty much revolutionized the idea that a dance song does not have to be least 120 BPM to groove on.  Taana Gardner's brilliant "Heartbeat" was seminal on many levels.  During one his legendary nights at the Garage,  when he played it for the first time the dance floor was cleared, then he played it again and people went wild.   This is taken from the vinyl version of The Limited Edition Larry Levan's Classic West End Records Remixes. A must have for any DJ.  Enjoy?

Heartbeat - Taana Gardner - West End Records

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!

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

Happy Birthday Larry Levan

Today would have marked Larry Levan's 57th birthday.  Last Sunday I happened to stumble on King Street by accident during a bike ride and couldn't believe my eyes when I happen to stop at the old site of the Paradise Garage  which is now a sad Verizon parking lot.  I was also stunned to discover  the main door ramp open.   I never had the opportunity to experience the place during its glorious days yet I feel deeply connected to the music and the myth of Paradise Garage and Larry Levan.  Here are the pictures of the place and entrance where the legend and myth took place.

Building site of Paradise Garage

The famous entrance ramp.

To celebrate his birthday, here is the rare "Winners" by Man Friday.  A true classic! Larry, you are truly missed and hope your are celebrating in some disco somewhere in the Cosmos.  Your spirit shines on here on Earth and will always remain.

Winners ( Larry Levan Demo Mix) - Man Friday

Everybody Needs Somebody Sometimes

Here is an amazing disco song to warm you up during this cold winter days by the fabulous actress Ann Margret. "Everybody Needs Somebody Sometimes" was released in 1981 and became an instant club classic and reached #22 on the charts.  "Everybody...." features brilliant production and writing by Paul Sabu and highlights the soft and throaty qualities of Ann-Margret's voice. This is Larry Levan's own version where he combined (Part 2) with it's percussive and with just the right amount of horns and synths taking the dancer to new heights on the dance floor.  Ann Margret was born in Sweden and came to America in 1946.  In the 1960's she began a recording career in addition to her already notable film career.  While her music ventures didn't prove as successful, she peaked on the Billboard Charts at #17 in 1961 with her song "I Just Don't Understand".  Here is to Ann Margret with her amazing career in the movies, TV and the Disco Dance floor! Enjoy!

Everybody Needs Somebody Sometimes (Paradise Garage Version)- Ann-Margret - First American

Remembering A Legend: Larry Levan

Larry Levan at Paradise Garage

Today marks the 18th year of legendary Dj Larry Levan's passing.  He revolutionized dance music and the art of mixing records.  Larry introduced the dub aesthetic into dance music.   He experimented with drum machines and synthesizers in his productions and live sets, ushering in an electronic, post-disco sound that presage the ascendancy of house music.  His sets were never short of drama and took the dancer on a emotional journey rightly described as "Saturday Mass".  All of his sets during the legendary decade long residency at the New York City night club Paradise Garage told a story and took the dancers on a sonic journey filled with bliss,  joy and redemption.  Also,  his productions and remixes were filled with his magical genius touch that changed dance music forever. There has never been anyone of his caliber and he is truly missed!  Here is a favorite among the many of his incredible remixes.  Mann Friday's gorgeous "Love Honey, Love Heartache".  Simply brilliant!  Enjoy

Love Honey, Love Heartache (Larry Levan's Vocal Mix) - Man Friday - Vinylmania

Hopscotch

Wow...it has been quite a week of work and it has left me with very little time for posting; so here I am with a song that has been on my mind for this whole week. "Hopscotch" by the great Gwen Guthrie. This woman had the midas touch when it came to the flawless production of her music. This song was the product of dub legends Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare and of course mixes by the legendary Larry Levan. It's a track that instantly gets to you with the amazing pulsating bassline and the overall dub feel of this track that never fails to amaze. I am also curious with the lyrics of this song and how it works phonetically with the beats. Also, for further listening, here is the flawless instrumental remix version also done by Larry Levan from the amazing LP titled Padlock . A recording of some of her best remixes. Enjoy

Hopscotch (Larry Levan Mix) - Gwen Guthrie

Hopscotch (Instrumental Mix) - Gwen Guthrie

Funk It

Here is a great vinyl I found while checking some dusty record bins around the neighborhood the other day. Do not be misled by the title of this track because this ain't no funk my darlings! What we have here is a fast paced disco stomper with a vocal that is very similar in style to Sylvester. So "Funk It" is not funk but rather an amazing underground disco classic by singer Eddy Rosemond. Very little is known about this singer other that he was very young when he released this 12" gem in 1979. "Funk It was obviously a Paradise Classic and I heard that Larry would play it during the many peak moments during his legendary sets. Enjoy

Funk It - Eddy Rosemond

You Can't Hide

Happy Monday and the work week has started. What a rainy and stormy weekend it was! I'm staring this week on sleepy mode. I'm still getting used to the new time change. Today's song inspiration is by David Joseph's 1983 song "You Can't Hide (Your Love From Me)". That's right. I couldn't find much information on this guy but I did hear some killer mixes by Souledz. I love the breaks and the overall feel of this song. It is pure 80's disco soul and brings back memories of college partying at a club called Juniors in Hammond, Louisiana. I used to work a similar outfit pictured on album cover. Black and white, big belt buckle and skinny black tie was sort of 80's mod back then. I also heard that Larry Levan used to play this a lot at Paradise Garage. A pure classic.

Enjoy

You Can't Hide (Your Love From Me) - David Joseph

A day off!

I spent the day in Chinatown and it was wonderful to reunite with some friends. This is a song that I remixed a while back using various beats and layered them with Manuel Gottsching famous Loft classic "E2 E4". I know this song has been sampled to death but it goes so well with this track and since I am paying homage to First Choice's cover of "Love and Happiness" which was also a Loft classic. I sprinkled the song using some sound effects from a Larry Levan vinyl of some of his wacky voices and acapellas he used at Paradise Garage.
Enjoy!

Love and Happiness (Glamjack Remix) - First Choice